.......This is a REMIX of the previous post !!
My name is Desigachariar ,living in one of the palatial houses in Sir Radhakrishnan Road. Born in an illustrious joint family which had Diwan Bahadurs and Rao Bahadurs by dozens.Originally hailing from Kumbakonam from interior Tamil Nadu, our Great grand father had migrated to Madras. My father was a Diwan in one of the princely states before he settled down here.I remember my childhood days- taken to school by chariot and playing in this huge house of ours with my schoolmates.It was so huge that while playing hide and seek we used to really get lost.I had my own secret entry points and hiding places that I never got out in the games
Today my only child and son Aravamudhan is coming back from USA.Its been many years since he came to India,having settled abroad for over 30 years. I have been visiting him twice every year.This time I invited him to come and spend his holidays in Chennai and to come here along with his family comprising of my wonderful Daughter in law DrRanjani and grandchildren Charu and Nirmala.
The taxi entered the compound and I could spot Aravamudhan , his wife and the kids were waving out.After exchange of pleasenteries, I came straight away to the point.I wanted to sell off the house since he didnt plan to come back again to India.I opened out the plan.One of the biggest builders in India had approached me with the proposal of out right purchase and build a tallest multi storied complex.I would be alloted a duplex flat in the opposite building with an ante room where a caretaker would live .The next week ,the builder and promoter would come in the morning to negotiate and if every thing went well I would endorse my signature. ARA (Aravamudhan )was shell shocked.
ARA : Appa ,we all know you love this house so much.How could you suddenly come to this decision.
ME ; I agree ARA,but all good things have to come to an end.We have discussed about your return to India several times.But I do realise both you and Ranjani have no plans to return.Besides ,the kids are also citizens of that country and I do not think they are going to come back here.
Have you looked at that huge house ,couple of buildings away.With the owners away its being misused by miscreants.With my age catching up, its best I move to a smaller apartment.
I saw sadness creeping in the faces of all.I had myself gone through these sentiments when contemplating about this sale.
I put my hand on his shoulders and said,the reason I called all of you to come down is that I want you all enjoy the house,perhaps one last time before we hand it over to the builders.Please remember,change is eternal and attachment is not necessary.
The next few days it was video,video and video with every corner of the house being covered.
At the end of the week,ARA and Ranjani sat in front of me in the dinner table,wanting to talk to me.I provoked them into talking.
ARA :Appa can I negotiate with the builders
Me : Sure ARA .The price indicated by them is RS 10 crores.
Morning, sharp at 9 ,two latest cars zoomed onto our portico.The portico was large enough to accomodate a dozen such cars.
Me :ARA ,please meet Mr Ismail the builder and Mr Agarwal the promoter
Me : Mr Ismail,Mr Agarwal, my son ARA will discuss with you on the deal.I suppose its ok with you .
Ismail : good morning Mr ARA.I understand this house has been in your families custody for generations ,but please dont worry theres going to be a huge complex coming up making you proud.
ARA :Thats nice Mr Ismail,before we go into price discussions I need an assurance from you.We know once the transaction is complete,we have no control over the property.So we would like to retain some portion say 25 mtrs by 25 mtrs in which we wish to to have a small model of this house and secondly may be plant two Banyan trees which would outlast all of us .
Ismail ; But that would be huge area,but I feel its a great idea.We can talk to the architect and see how best we could accomodate it in the building plan.But your point is well taken to have Nature and not losing the heritage totally.
By this time I was curious to know how well my son had negotiated.And when they disclosed what they had discussed, I felt very proud.Nature and sentiment will find a place in the future plan !!Great idea,how come It never occured to me .
The discussions went on and in the best of spirits.The entire thing was minuted and documents too prepared in the next few hours.
Agarwal ;Sir ,would you mind signing the document here
Me : OK. Never did I realise that a Win Win situation would emerge out of a situation like this.
A person was introduced as a Chief engineer(CE) who gently spelt out how they were to go ahead with the demolition.
C E :Sir,We are quite aware that this is an old construction , built with all care ,to last centuries.Therfore,we are going to use a very latest technique to bring it down.We are going to use Implosion technique with a special white flame method.The entire house will momentarily be turned into white heat state when everything gets pulverised and then the controlled explosives will ensure a perfect implosion.All that will be left is dust.Then our bull dozers move in and level off the ground.Would you believe it sir, all this will take just 30 minutes.
Being perfect hosts ARA and his wife saw the guests off.Then he came and sat in front of me, perhaps a little guilt over powering all of us.
The next day,several trucks came and took away all the things.Century old stuff.My son explained the agreement was to dispose them off to museums world over,of course with all Govt formalities.The granite and marble stones,at the entrance of the house, bearing the names of Rao Bahadhurs and Diwan Bahadurs would also be preserved. That evening we were moved to the opposite house.Next morning was the D Day.I woke up as usual at 4 am and completed my morning walk to beach.By 6 am the TV vans had occupied the vantage points to cover the first time spectacle.By 9 the experts had wired the house with explosives.The implosion was scheduled at 10 am.Once again,Lot of excitement in the air.
There was pang of sorrow deep in me, but I have always been taught change was eternal and nothing was ever permanent.So I quickly overcame it.
The demolition was completed and the house disappered right in front of my eyes.A little later Ismail and Agarwal dropped in.They had a plan in hand.The way the architect had envisaged ,dovetailing the model of the now non existant house and two Banyan trees was just terrific.It appeared that,with the help of current technology, one could have the cake and eat it too. Amazing.
ARA and family left chennai after their brief holidays.
The construction of the building was going on at breakneck speed.
One day ,I was told an IT major was going to occupy the building.That evening when I was sitting in my balcony around 6 pm,hundreds of youngsters,bubbling with enthuthiasm trooped out of the building.It reminded me of beautiful butterflies.Such a lovely sight it was.
I was living all alone in that house and now that place was full of effervescent life and energy. I felt the whole place was living. What a change for good.
I was happy and rushed into call ARA and tell him about this exciting news and also tell him that Banyan tree had started growing,and it would definitely outlast all of us !!
TC
CU
REMIX REMIX;;;; WHY ?
In view of the popular sentiments that the original was TOO HEAVY a write up,thought I will do a REMIX (a Currently popular phenomenon in moviedom ).And perhaps it would be better to welcome the NEW YEAR in a more Happy note !!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
ULMANASU PORATTANGAL...................... CONFLICT .. WITHIN
My name is Desigachariar ,living in one of the palatial houses in the Edward Elliots Road. Born in an illustrious joint family of Madras which had Diwan Bahadurs and Rao Bahadurs by dozens.Originally hailing from ThiruKudandhai or Kumbakonam from interior Madras state,our Great grand father had migrated to Madras. My father was a Diwan in one of the princely states before he settled down here.I remember my childhood days- taken to school by chariot and playing in this huge house of ours with my schoolmates.It was so huge that while playing hide and seek we used to really get lost.I had my own secret entry points and hiding places that I never got out in the games
Today my only child and son Aravamudhan is coming back from USA.Its been many years since he came back to India,having settled abroad for over 30 years.The only contact had been through the phone for just a few minutes and that too once in two ,three months.I have been termed as the most timid in our family and never dared to ask any one any question.In fact ,when my wife was alive,I had her as my soul and sole company.But we also hardly exchanged words beyond basic communication.
The taxi entered the compound and I could spot Aravamudhan and his wife but not the kids.For a moment, I thought they would be coming in a seperate car but nothing like that happened.After exchange of pleasenteries, ARA (ARAVAMUDHAN )came straight away to the point.He wanted to sell off the house since he didnt plan to come back again to India.He opened out the plan.One of the biggest builders in India had approached him with the proposal of out right purchase and build a tallest multi storied complex.I would be alloted a duplex flat in the opposite building with an ante room where a caretaker would live .The next day ,the builder and promoter would come in the morning to get my signature.Nobody wanted my views.Even if someone wanted it ,I would have only mumbled and nobody would have understood it.
That night,the procession of thoughts of the last 70 years were the only thing which gave me company.My eyes were too tired to shed even tears.Morning sharp at 9 ,two latest cars zoomed onto our portico.The portico was large enough to accomodate a dozen such cars.The sudden excitement in the house was hurting me.
ARA :Appa please meet Mr Ismail the builder and Mr Agarwal the promoter
Me : hmm
Mr Ismail : good morning Mr Chariar.I understand this house has been in your families custody for generations and it would be little painful when you sign the papers and give your rights away,but please dont worry theres going to be a huge complex coming up making you proud.
Me : hmmm
Mr Agarwal ;Sir ,would you mind signing the document here
Me : hmm
A heritage perhaps lost in that one stroke of my signature.Suddenly I felt I had betrayed all my forefathers.Each ones face adorning the hall was staring at me..Desiga( As they used to call me ) ennada pannitte (DESIGA,What have you done ).Tears welled up,but I couldnt utter a word.Thats me always..
A person was introduced as a Chief engineer(CE) who gently spelt out how they were to go ahead with the demolition.
C E :Sir,We are quite aware that this is an old construction , built with all care ,to last centuries.Therfore,we are going to use a very latest technique to bring it down.(Oh My God ! ).We are going to use Implosion technique with a special white flame method.The entire house will momentarily be turned into white heat state when everything gets pulverised and then the controlled explosives will ensure a perfect implosion.All that will be left is dust.Then our bull dozers move in and level off the ground.Would you believe it sir, all this will take just 30 minutes.In fact we have informed all TV channels and each one is vying to cover the spectacle.
Upgraded Technolgy redefined to wipe out Ancient History of 300 years!!
What a spectacle it would be ! I felt for once I was seething in anger, but only internally.I dont know why I can never express it.I must do something,thats all I could think.
Being perfect hosts ARA and his wife saw the guests off.Then he came and sat in front of me, perhaps a little guilt over powering him.His wife went in.Suddenly I heard her call him. MUDA, MUDA...oh my god ..what a lovely name Aramudhan has been truncated into MUDA,as his pet name...MUDA,muttal or a fool in Tamizh..!!
The next day,several trucks came and took away all the things.Century old stuff.My son explained the agreement was to dispose them off to museums world over,of course with all Govt formalities.How considerate I thought !.The granite and marble stones,at the entrance of the house, bearing the names of Rao Bahadhurs and Diwan Bahadurs would also be preserved. Great Service ,I thought.That evening we were moved to the opposite house.Next morning was the D Day.I woke up as usual at 4 am and completed my morning walk to beach.By 6 am the TV vans had occupied the vantage points to cover the first time spectacle.By 9 the experts had wired the house with explosives.The implosion was scheduled at 10 am.Once again,Lot of excitement in the air.
Suddenly two things crossed me.White heat turns you into ash..and secondly a secret entrance to the house from the rear.I quietly slipped out from balcony grabbing the ganges water pot placed in the makeshift pooja room.Entered the house from the rear and nobody spotted me.Poured the ganges water on my head and prostrated in the now vacant pooja room in the direction where the beautiful pictures of God used to be hung,facing East.Their smiles and serenity all pervading even now.
Outside the loud speakers were announcing that in less than few minutes it will all be over.The countdown will start shortly. I too realised it.Said sorry to my forefathers for being what I am.Suddenly I found myself to be at peace..Started chanting the all powerful Gayatri Mantra
OM BHUR BHUVASUVAROM....... 10..9..8..7..
THATSAVITHUR VARENIUM..... 6..5..4...
BHARGO DEVESHYADHEEMAHI.....3..2...1...
DHIYOYONAPRACHODAYATH.... ..0
Aravamudhans wife :MUDA...wheres appa gone to
ARA :He is so upset.He must have gone away from the scene.But he will soon return.
Perhaps he was wrong .Mr Desigachariar had gone into the scene,never to return
TC
CU
Today my only child and son Aravamudhan is coming back from USA.Its been many years since he came back to India,having settled abroad for over 30 years.The only contact had been through the phone for just a few minutes and that too once in two ,three months.I have been termed as the most timid in our family and never dared to ask any one any question.In fact ,when my wife was alive,I had her as my soul and sole company.But we also hardly exchanged words beyond basic communication.
The taxi entered the compound and I could spot Aravamudhan and his wife but not the kids.For a moment, I thought they would be coming in a seperate car but nothing like that happened.After exchange of pleasenteries, ARA (ARAVAMUDHAN )came straight away to the point.He wanted to sell off the house since he didnt plan to come back again to India.He opened out the plan.One of the biggest builders in India had approached him with the proposal of out right purchase and build a tallest multi storied complex.I would be alloted a duplex flat in the opposite building with an ante room where a caretaker would live .The next day ,the builder and promoter would come in the morning to get my signature.Nobody wanted my views.Even if someone wanted it ,I would have only mumbled and nobody would have understood it.
That night,the procession of thoughts of the last 70 years were the only thing which gave me company.My eyes were too tired to shed even tears.Morning sharp at 9 ,two latest cars zoomed onto our portico.The portico was large enough to accomodate a dozen such cars.The sudden excitement in the house was hurting me.
ARA :Appa please meet Mr Ismail the builder and Mr Agarwal the promoter
Me : hmm
Mr Ismail : good morning Mr Chariar.I understand this house has been in your families custody for generations and it would be little painful when you sign the papers and give your rights away,but please dont worry theres going to be a huge complex coming up making you proud.
Me : hmmm
Mr Agarwal ;Sir ,would you mind signing the document here
Me : hmm
A heritage perhaps lost in that one stroke of my signature.Suddenly I felt I had betrayed all my forefathers.Each ones face adorning the hall was staring at me..Desiga( As they used to call me ) ennada pannitte (DESIGA,What have you done ).Tears welled up,but I couldnt utter a word.Thats me always..
A person was introduced as a Chief engineer(CE) who gently spelt out how they were to go ahead with the demolition.
C E :Sir,We are quite aware that this is an old construction , built with all care ,to last centuries.Therfore,we are going to use a very latest technique to bring it down.(Oh My God ! ).We are going to use Implosion technique with a special white flame method.The entire house will momentarily be turned into white heat state when everything gets pulverised and then the controlled explosives will ensure a perfect implosion.All that will be left is dust.Then our bull dozers move in and level off the ground.Would you believe it sir, all this will take just 30 minutes.In fact we have informed all TV channels and each one is vying to cover the spectacle.
Upgraded Technolgy redefined to wipe out Ancient History of 300 years!!
What a spectacle it would be ! I felt for once I was seething in anger, but only internally.I dont know why I can never express it.I must do something,thats all I could think.
Being perfect hosts ARA and his wife saw the guests off.Then he came and sat in front of me, perhaps a little guilt over powering him.His wife went in.Suddenly I heard her call him. MUDA, MUDA...oh my god ..what a lovely name Aramudhan has been truncated into MUDA,as his pet name...MUDA,muttal or a fool in Tamizh..!!
The next day,several trucks came and took away all the things.Century old stuff.My son explained the agreement was to dispose them off to museums world over,of course with all Govt formalities.How considerate I thought !.The granite and marble stones,at the entrance of the house, bearing the names of Rao Bahadhurs and Diwan Bahadurs would also be preserved. Great Service ,I thought.That evening we were moved to the opposite house.Next morning was the D Day.I woke up as usual at 4 am and completed my morning walk to beach.By 6 am the TV vans had occupied the vantage points to cover the first time spectacle.By 9 the experts had wired the house with explosives.The implosion was scheduled at 10 am.Once again,Lot of excitement in the air.
Suddenly two things crossed me.White heat turns you into ash..and secondly a secret entrance to the house from the rear.I quietly slipped out from balcony grabbing the ganges water pot placed in the makeshift pooja room.Entered the house from the rear and nobody spotted me.Poured the ganges water on my head and prostrated in the now vacant pooja room in the direction where the beautiful pictures of God used to be hung,facing East.Their smiles and serenity all pervading even now.
Outside the loud speakers were announcing that in less than few minutes it will all be over.The countdown will start shortly. I too realised it.Said sorry to my forefathers for being what I am.Suddenly I found myself to be at peace..Started chanting the all powerful Gayatri Mantra
OM BHUR BHUVASUVAROM....... 10..9..8..7..
THATSAVITHUR VARENIUM..... 6..5..4...
BHARGO DEVESHYADHEEMAHI.....3..2...1...
DHIYOYONAPRACHODAYATH.... ..0
Aravamudhans wife :MUDA...wheres appa gone to
ARA :He is so upset.He must have gone away from the scene.But he will soon return.
Perhaps he was wrong .Mr Desigachariar had gone into the scene,never to return
TC
CU
Sunday, December 9, 2007
YAANAIKKUM ADI SARUKKUM..EVEN THE ELEPHANT SLIPS
Dr Jothi Prasad ( nobody had ever checked what Dr. he was ,if at all )was young Doctor who was two faced which was known only in closed hush hush circles.He was neck deep into it .
Chat was the main place where he could sweet talk the eves into the lure of affection and love and sometimes plain money talk.His modus operandi was simple enter the chat as Jothi,gain confidence and then the meeting ,videographing it and selling it off to overseas clients.Business naturally was flourishing.The male part of the show was always Dr Jothi .His man friday was Maari.
Maari : Dr ,mail has come from overseas client .They are wanting the stuff by this weekend.They dont want any recycling.
DR :What, we are on wednesday already,Sari paappom ( lets Try)Rate eppadi? (whats the rate}
Maari : unimaginable,boss
Dr quickly ran thru his chat list which he had neatly kept in folders depending on each persons needs ,requirement and weakness.He identified three names of which he was confident of Meenakshi, since during the conversation he got a hint that Meenakshi was in dire need of money and was mortally scared of the family.So this is it ,he decided.
Went onto the chat and left an off line.He knew Meenakshi always came on line between 10am and 3 pm only .Within few hours he had Meenakshi on line. In his own way he sweet talked on the chat and quickly came to the point.
DR.. : Meenakshi ,Do you remember long time back you were sharing with me about the money problem.Hows it now ?
Meenakshi : Its the same.
Dr : I have an oppurtunity at your door step.Would you be interested
Meenakshi :Yes,I hope its straight forward.You could treat it as loan too.
Dr :Do you think I will ever put you in a problem,besides we know each other(on Chat ).
Loan.Dont worry.You are earning it for the efforts you are going to put . into it
Meenakshi :In that case its ok. But, you know I can spare only few hours,that too in the day time.Will that be OK ?
Dr; :thats pefectly fine.Can we meet tomorrow ?Can I have your mobile number.
Meenakshi :That should be fine.But I should be back by 3 pm since the children will be back...my number is........but since my balance is very low please call sparingly
Dr :Dont worry .I will use it only at the rendezvous point to identify each other.By the way ,Will meet you at ....bus terminus route xx bus stop. Are you familiar with that area.
Meenakshi : sure I am, You think you can give me the money tomorrow itself
Dr : sure,dont worry at all
Dr. : had a smile on his face. Enna Maari, ellam ready pannu. ECR thottathukku poiduvom( Maari Keep everything ready at ECR bunglow).Naan partya pick pannittu vandhudaren ( I will pick up the party and come). I will drug her off in the car itself.We have to up load it up tomorrow night ahead of time.Inform our overseas contact also.
Meenakshi was thinking..I shouldnt be doing this. Let this be first and last time
The next day at the appointed time and place Dr.reached the bus stop.Took out his mobile and wanted to find out if Meenakshi had any problem in identifying the place.
He rang,and a phone rang in the old mans pocket who was sitting on the bench. His name was MEENAKSHISUNDARAM,known as Meenakshi in the chat room.
Drs face ashened at this goof up.His over confidence had made him slip on basics.His plans of enticing a girl lay shattered as here was an old man instead of a pretty girl !! A gender mistake !!!
CU
PS
Meenakshi sundaram was addicted to horse racing.He used net as a glorified medium for seeking alms. His son and and daughter-in-law were working couple and being aware of his weakness for gambling,he was asked to stay back at home with minimum pocket money and take care of their children
Post Post Script...
WARNING WARNING WARNING
NET IS FULL OF SUCH CONFIDENCE TRICKSTERS,ONE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF...AGE/ GENDER IS NEVER A CRITERIA
SUMMA ORU SAMOOGA SEVAI BLOG IDHU...(SOCIAL SERVICE BLOG !!)
Chat was the main place where he could sweet talk the eves into the lure of affection and love and sometimes plain money talk.His modus operandi was simple enter the chat as Jothi,gain confidence and then the meeting ,videographing it and selling it off to overseas clients.Business naturally was flourishing.The male part of the show was always Dr Jothi .His man friday was Maari.
Maari : Dr ,mail has come from overseas client .They are wanting the stuff by this weekend.They dont want any recycling.
DR :What, we are on wednesday already,Sari paappom ( lets Try)Rate eppadi? (whats the rate}
Maari : unimaginable,boss
Dr quickly ran thru his chat list which he had neatly kept in folders depending on each persons needs ,requirement and weakness.He identified three names of which he was confident of Meenakshi, since during the conversation he got a hint that Meenakshi was in dire need of money and was mortally scared of the family.So this is it ,he decided.
Went onto the chat and left an off line.He knew Meenakshi always came on line between 10am and 3 pm only .Within few hours he had Meenakshi on line. In his own way he sweet talked on the chat and quickly came to the point.
DR.. : Meenakshi ,Do you remember long time back you were sharing with me about the money problem.Hows it now ?
Meenakshi : Its the same.
Dr : I have an oppurtunity at your door step.Would you be interested
Meenakshi :Yes,I hope its straight forward.You could treat it as loan too.
Dr :Do you think I will ever put you in a problem,besides we know each other(on Chat ).
Loan.Dont worry.You are earning it for the efforts you are going to put . into it
Meenakshi :In that case its ok. But, you know I can spare only few hours,that too in the day time.Will that be OK ?
Dr; :thats pefectly fine.Can we meet tomorrow ?Can I have your mobile number.
Meenakshi :That should be fine.But I should be back by 3 pm since the children will be back...my number is........but since my balance is very low please call sparingly
Dr :Dont worry .I will use it only at the rendezvous point to identify each other.By the way ,Will meet you at ....bus terminus route xx bus stop. Are you familiar with that area.
Meenakshi : sure I am, You think you can give me the money tomorrow itself
Dr : sure,dont worry at all
Dr. : had a smile on his face. Enna Maari, ellam ready pannu. ECR thottathukku poiduvom( Maari Keep everything ready at ECR bunglow).Naan partya pick pannittu vandhudaren ( I will pick up the party and come). I will drug her off in the car itself.We have to up load it up tomorrow night ahead of time.Inform our overseas contact also.
Meenakshi was thinking..I shouldnt be doing this. Let this be first and last time
The next day at the appointed time and place Dr.reached the bus stop.Took out his mobile and wanted to find out if Meenakshi had any problem in identifying the place.
He rang,and a phone rang in the old mans pocket who was sitting on the bench. His name was MEENAKSHISUNDARAM,known as Meenakshi in the chat room.
Drs face ashened at this goof up.His over confidence had made him slip on basics.His plans of enticing a girl lay shattered as here was an old man instead of a pretty girl !! A gender mistake !!!
CU
PS
Meenakshi sundaram was addicted to horse racing.He used net as a glorified medium for seeking alms. His son and and daughter-in-law were working couple and being aware of his weakness for gambling,he was asked to stay back at home with minimum pocket money and take care of their children
Post Post Script...
WARNING WARNING WARNING
NET IS FULL OF SUCH CONFIDENCE TRICKSTERS,ONE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF...AGE/ GENDER IS NEVER A CRITERIA
SUMMA ORU SAMOOGA SEVAI BLOG IDHU...(SOCIAL SERVICE BLOG !!)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
C O M E D Y ..O F ..E R R O R S
I have this knack of getting into issues which cause excitement leading to palpitation but finally end in such a way that I can munch it through my life as sheer happy thoughts!This latest one happened less than 24 hours and before I proceed on my holidays,thought will share..Do you all have a choice..This time no yarn but the whole Truth except of course the names !!
Being a member of a Japanese association ,I was asked to host a dinner for 15 Japanese delegates in town.Normally for such occassions the office bearers troop in along and my job ends in smiles and paying the bill finally.So, fixed the venue as a club in the famous cricket ground at chepauk.
When I called up the club and informed them they cautioned me on the club dress code,and I faithfully forwarded the message to KARIKALAN (KARI)our association manager.In particular,I was warned that overseas people generally landed up in Bermuda,Capri and Hawaii slippers etc.This addtional caution was also transferred to KARI.
The guests were to reach by 730 pm.I was there by 7 pm wanting to ensure I played the perfect role of a host.The first salvo came in the form of..none of the office bearers could join but was told not to worry since two interpretors would accompany to take care of the language issue.KARI called up saying he would also drop out..hm.15 guests and two interpretors,fine I would manage.All that was required was a plastered smile(which I was an expert by now watching the stewardess during theinnumerable trips flying!! )
Dot at 730 got a call on my mobile from one of the interpretor
Saravanan.... Sir where are you..
ME.......... I am in the club .
Saravanan... Sir we are also there
I realised these guys must have landed in some other club across the stadium.Guided him on the phone and in 15 minutes(normally it takes 5 mins ) I could see the two vans entering the club premises.Rushed out,to invite each guest personally.I had already practised how to bow in Japanese fashion and I was well prepared.
The automatic door opened, I bowed to the first Gentleman and as I lifted my head the chill hit me..All that I could see was slippers,raised my head a little to see T shirt without collar and above that a face of a gentle grand old man who must have been well past 80.The smile he gave was wonderful with mouth full of glittering golden teeth.He was Mr.NAKAMICHI or NAKAMICHI SAN in japanese.(SAN ..means avargal!)
One by one they trooped out.Everytime I bowed I was counting ,HAWAI slippers,Collarless T shirts..So it was 5 people in HAWAI slippers,4 In collar less T shirts.I wanted to shoot ..KARI..Now the dress code was glaring at me.. these people cannot enter..The first thought was to call KARI,and ask him to rush.My two interpreters were of no use I realised.Still,I had no choice.I called them aside and explained..
Me.....Saravanan,Arun kumar please listen.Ippo avanga ulla poga mudiyaadhu pa.Ore vazhi,otthar poi ivangalukku nearest shopla T shirtum shoesum vaangi varadhu than.
Arun nee enkuda inga irupa.
Saravanan,nee konjam avangalodu poi vaangi kodu. Credit card irukka pa ?( do you have credit card )
Saravanan....Kondu varale sir.( forgot to bring it )
Me....Indha Rs 4738.irukku,please rush and try to manage in this.
(I told both of them now the guests cannot enter,so asked Saravanan to rush out and buy the shirts with collar and shoes,handed over Rs 4738 and asked Arun to stay back with me )
Both explained the situation to the guests and naturally they were disappointed and wanted to go elsewhere.I pleaded ,apologised.Saravanan did a good job and the guests accepted.Saravanan was off in a jiffy with them .Arun was standing aloof and I told him..INGA VAAPA..He started blasting me as how I could address him as vaapa popa..I told him I meant no harm as I was almost twice his age .I told him sorry.But every 10 minutes he went on harping on the same.Added tension I realised, but kept my cool and with the now infamous plastered smile.
One hour later saravanan landed with the guests in an attire not violating the dress code...9 pm already and club would close at 1030.
Everything went off well,and the guests enjoying the Indian beer and Whiskey.Experts will agree this is a potent combination.NAKAMICHI sans age was telling and by 11 he was fast asleep in his chair.At 1130 we were the only guests around.An one minute thanks speech and then we all started going towards the pick up van.Doors closed.Bowed down and started waving ,the bus stopped.
NAKAMICHI SAN and the lady leader of the team came down and told me something which I couldnt understand.They started running towards the restaurent which by this time was closed. Not understanding,I also ran behind them and they started searching for something under the table where we were seated.I again asked the lady who replied ...teeth! ... WHAT!!
NAKAMICHI SAN was wiser with his age , he just opened his mouth .The gold mine of his dentures were missing..Oh my GOD..
Over the table and under the table were clean..That meant two things..Either the hundreds of cats which loiter around could have picked up the dentures and rushed to their holes or the dentures might have gone off with the dinner plates.I chose the second option since I didnt want to go in search the cats.
Rushed into the kitchen,luckily the cleaning had just started.Went thru the plates meticulously and PRESTO..there it was gleaming gold mine of dentures along with the left over bones.,Happiness lit on our face,washed it with the nearest available mineral water and in a second it snapped on to where it belonged to..NAKAMICHI SAN was happiness personified.
Back to the bus,wished them a SAYONARA.AS I stared moving towards the car ,I could see thru the corner of my eyes ARUN walking towards me,perhaps just to clarify once more as to why I called him VAA,PO..I was in no mood to spoil my excitement and off I went..
TC
CU
Being a member of a Japanese association ,I was asked to host a dinner for 15 Japanese delegates in town.Normally for such occassions the office bearers troop in along and my job ends in smiles and paying the bill finally.So, fixed the venue as a club in the famous cricket ground at chepauk.
When I called up the club and informed them they cautioned me on the club dress code,and I faithfully forwarded the message to KARIKALAN (KARI)our association manager.In particular,I was warned that overseas people generally landed up in Bermuda,Capri and Hawaii slippers etc.This addtional caution was also transferred to KARI.
The guests were to reach by 730 pm.I was there by 7 pm wanting to ensure I played the perfect role of a host.The first salvo came in the form of..none of the office bearers could join but was told not to worry since two interpretors would accompany to take care of the language issue.KARI called up saying he would also drop out..hm.15 guests and two interpretors,fine I would manage.All that was required was a plastered smile(which I was an expert by now watching the stewardess during theinnumerable trips flying!! )
Dot at 730 got a call on my mobile from one of the interpretor
Saravanan.... Sir where are you..
ME.......... I am in the club .
Saravanan... Sir we are also there
I realised these guys must have landed in some other club across the stadium.Guided him on the phone and in 15 minutes(normally it takes 5 mins ) I could see the two vans entering the club premises.Rushed out,to invite each guest personally.I had already practised how to bow in Japanese fashion and I was well prepared.
The automatic door opened, I bowed to the first Gentleman and as I lifted my head the chill hit me..All that I could see was slippers,raised my head a little to see T shirt without collar and above that a face of a gentle grand old man who must have been well past 80.The smile he gave was wonderful with mouth full of glittering golden teeth.He was Mr.NAKAMICHI or NAKAMICHI SAN in japanese.(SAN ..means avargal!)
One by one they trooped out.Everytime I bowed I was counting ,HAWAI slippers,Collarless T shirts..So it was 5 people in HAWAI slippers,4 In collar less T shirts.I wanted to shoot ..KARI..Now the dress code was glaring at me.. these people cannot enter..The first thought was to call KARI,and ask him to rush.My two interpreters were of no use I realised.Still,I had no choice.I called them aside and explained..
Me.....Saravanan,Arun kumar please listen.Ippo avanga ulla poga mudiyaadhu pa.Ore vazhi,otthar poi ivangalukku nearest shopla T shirtum shoesum vaangi varadhu than.
Arun nee enkuda inga irupa.
Saravanan,nee konjam avangalodu poi vaangi kodu. Credit card irukka pa ?( do you have credit card )
Saravanan....Kondu varale sir.( forgot to bring it )
Me....Indha Rs 4738.irukku,please rush and try to manage in this.
(I told both of them now the guests cannot enter,so asked Saravanan to rush out and buy the shirts with collar and shoes,handed over Rs 4738 and asked Arun to stay back with me )
Both explained the situation to the guests and naturally they were disappointed and wanted to go elsewhere.I pleaded ,apologised.Saravanan did a good job and the guests accepted.Saravanan was off in a jiffy with them .Arun was standing aloof and I told him..INGA VAAPA..He started blasting me as how I could address him as vaapa popa..I told him I meant no harm as I was almost twice his age .I told him sorry.But every 10 minutes he went on harping on the same.Added tension I realised, but kept my cool and with the now infamous plastered smile.
One hour later saravanan landed with the guests in an attire not violating the dress code...9 pm already and club would close at 1030.
Everything went off well,and the guests enjoying the Indian beer and Whiskey.Experts will agree this is a potent combination.NAKAMICHI sans age was telling and by 11 he was fast asleep in his chair.At 1130 we were the only guests around.An one minute thanks speech and then we all started going towards the pick up van.Doors closed.Bowed down and started waving ,the bus stopped.
NAKAMICHI SAN and the lady leader of the team came down and told me something which I couldnt understand.They started running towards the restaurent which by this time was closed. Not understanding,I also ran behind them and they started searching for something under the table where we were seated.I again asked the lady who replied ...teeth! ... WHAT!!
NAKAMICHI SAN was wiser with his age , he just opened his mouth .The gold mine of his dentures were missing..Oh my GOD..
Over the table and under the table were clean..That meant two things..Either the hundreds of cats which loiter around could have picked up the dentures and rushed to their holes or the dentures might have gone off with the dinner plates.I chose the second option since I didnt want to go in search the cats.
Rushed into the kitchen,luckily the cleaning had just started.Went thru the plates meticulously and PRESTO..there it was gleaming gold mine of dentures along with the left over bones.,Happiness lit on our face,washed it with the nearest available mineral water and in a second it snapped on to where it belonged to..NAKAMICHI SAN was happiness personified.
Back to the bus,wished them a SAYONARA.AS I stared moving towards the car ,I could see thru the corner of my eyes ARUN walking towards me,perhaps just to clarify once more as to why I called him VAA,PO..I was in no mood to spoil my excitement and off I went..
TC
CU
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
M O O N D R A M......P I R A I
K U D A A L ... Ratnagiri district .... Maharashtra
Peacefully located in the Western ghats, the exotic place where the world famous Alfonso mango grows in abundance.My reason being there was to install a major
machine (Optical emission Spectrometer ! Impressed,,hmm !! )in an upcoming
factory.Not many people had ventured into the then backward area which Govt was
trying to promote.A guest house modified from a garage,which perhaps was a home to a
thousand rats.I joined as rat no.1001 !!The only other unique thing in the vicinity
was a distant tower clock in a far off village and which never failed to chime at the stroke of every hour.Besides these, it was endless Ghats...
Installation completed and grand inauguration done with a handful of people.The
Director asked me to stay back for three more days as an observation period.I had no
choice but to accept. I was also very fatigued since the installation had taken
over 25 days.Something or other was going wrong.Inauguration was to be done on
AMAVASHYA day(NEW MOON )but could be completed only on the third day after
that ,which was the day of MOONDRAM PIRAI.
After a late dinner,went out for a walk.The air smelled so sweet ,I wanted it to be
bottled !!With only the stars to guide me,I sat on a stone.So romantic was the
ambience that I started singing a Tamizh Song loudly.Thambi Tamizha,( Are you a
Tamizhan )an old voice pierced the otherwise noiseless ambience.Startled but
composed I said yes,trying to identify the person.An old man ,with a spotless kurtha
came and sat opposite me.
After asking me several questions,which I painstakingly answered,I wanted to know
what the hell he was doing in such an obscure place.
Me ; What are you doing here?
He : I am here for several years and have been alloted this place
Me : You are a chowkidar or something ?
He : No
Me :Then ?
HE :I am in charge of the graveyard,a sort of leader
ME :Where is that? and a leader ?
He ;We are there only( meaning Graveyard ) and you are sitting on a tombstone
Me :What, saying this I tried to get up ,in vain
He : you cannot move without my permission.I am a KOLLIVAI PISASU(Fire eating
Ghost )
Me :whats that!!
He ;After being a RATTHA KAATTERI( Dracula or an Vampire ) for several years,I have
been promoted as this..
Me : pinched myself hard,but realised it was real
He :You just listen to my story and then I will let you go off
Me :Thinking it was a good deal.. Please tell me fast since I sleep off early.Its
already 1030 pm
He : Our family was in TN,a sort of cursed family.We would be leading a very
normal life .But between certain period in the nights,we turn into a Rattha
kaatteri,ie the blood sucking urge increases.So during that period we isolate
ourselves from everybody,in particular women. Even from our wives we used to
hide this fact and stay away on some pretext or other.Because once we drank
the blood from the neck of the women,thats it.. both of us are turned into the
RATTHA KATTERI (!!)and then we can no more lead the normal life .
It So happened one day, while playing, my son accidentally had turned the
clock couple of hours backward. Without realising it,I was talking with my
wife.The clock was showing only 9 PM, but my urge was overpowering me.And then
it was fate,both of us joined the clan .
(I could hear the distant clock chime 11 timesindicating it was well past my
sleep time).
Thats how I became one..Thats my story,said the old man...
Me :(I pretended I sympathised with him) I have heared your story,Please allow me
to leave.By the way when will you ever get beyond this stage and reach
heaven (orhell I thought to myself )
He : Take care of yourself and be very careful of whatever I told you,especially
the time and your wife.
Me :What the hell this man (KOLLIVAI PISASU)talking.Enna sollareenga.(what are u
saying)
HE : Onnumillepa.(Nothing )If I narrated my story to a man sitting on tomb
stone ,on a MOONDRAM PIRAI,between 10pm and midnight ,I would be off this
world for good,leaving the family curse to the person who listened to it.It
happened to be you.You seem to be a nice person.Be careful at home too.Never
stay with your wife from 10pm till 2minutes past midnight.You may get the urge
and then you know what happens....
Saying this he just vanished into the thin air
Me : yoooov....yoooov...yooov
CU
PS..I request Makkal (PEOPLE ) to be careful on MOONDRAM PIRAI nights !!I understand,the clan is widely spread,deep rooted and very difficult to identify except at.....
Peacefully located in the Western ghats, the exotic place where the world famous Alfonso mango grows in abundance.My reason being there was to install a major
machine (Optical emission Spectrometer ! Impressed,,hmm !! )in an upcoming
factory.Not many people had ventured into the then backward area which Govt was
trying to promote.A guest house modified from a garage,which perhaps was a home to a
thousand rats.I joined as rat no.1001 !!The only other unique thing in the vicinity
was a distant tower clock in a far off village and which never failed to chime at the stroke of every hour.Besides these, it was endless Ghats...
Installation completed and grand inauguration done with a handful of people.The
Director asked me to stay back for three more days as an observation period.I had no
choice but to accept. I was also very fatigued since the installation had taken
over 25 days.Something or other was going wrong.Inauguration was to be done on
AMAVASHYA day(NEW MOON )but could be completed only on the third day after
that ,which was the day of MOONDRAM PIRAI.
After a late dinner,went out for a walk.The air smelled so sweet ,I wanted it to be
bottled !!With only the stars to guide me,I sat on a stone.So romantic was the
ambience that I started singing a Tamizh Song loudly.Thambi Tamizha,( Are you a
Tamizhan )an old voice pierced the otherwise noiseless ambience.Startled but
composed I said yes,trying to identify the person.An old man ,with a spotless kurtha
came and sat opposite me.
After asking me several questions,which I painstakingly answered,I wanted to know
what the hell he was doing in such an obscure place.
Me ; What are you doing here?
He : I am here for several years and have been alloted this place
Me : You are a chowkidar or something ?
He : No
Me :Then ?
HE :I am in charge of the graveyard,a sort of leader
ME :Where is that? and a leader ?
He ;We are there only( meaning Graveyard ) and you are sitting on a tombstone
Me :What, saying this I tried to get up ,in vain
He : you cannot move without my permission.I am a KOLLIVAI PISASU(Fire eating
Ghost )
Me :whats that!!
He ;After being a RATTHA KAATTERI( Dracula or an Vampire ) for several years,I have
been promoted as this..
Me : pinched myself hard,but realised it was real
He :You just listen to my story and then I will let you go off
Me :Thinking it was a good deal.. Please tell me fast since I sleep off early.Its
already 1030 pm
He : Our family was in TN,a sort of cursed family.We would be leading a very
normal life .But between certain period in the nights,we turn into a Rattha
kaatteri,ie the blood sucking urge increases.So during that period we isolate
ourselves from everybody,in particular women. Even from our wives we used to
hide this fact and stay away on some pretext or other.Because once we drank
the blood from the neck of the women,thats it.. both of us are turned into the
RATTHA KATTERI (!!)and then we can no more lead the normal life .
It So happened one day, while playing, my son accidentally had turned the
clock couple of hours backward. Without realising it,I was talking with my
wife.The clock was showing only 9 PM, but my urge was overpowering me.And then
it was fate,both of us joined the clan .
(I could hear the distant clock chime 11 timesindicating it was well past my
sleep time).
Thats how I became one..Thats my story,said the old man...
Me :(I pretended I sympathised with him) I have heared your story,Please allow me
to leave.By the way when will you ever get beyond this stage and reach
heaven (orhell I thought to myself )
He : Take care of yourself and be very careful of whatever I told you,especially
the time and your wife.
Me :What the hell this man (KOLLIVAI PISASU)talking.Enna sollareenga.(what are u
saying)
HE : Onnumillepa.(Nothing )If I narrated my story to a man sitting on tomb
stone ,on a MOONDRAM PIRAI,between 10pm and midnight ,I would be off this
world for good,leaving the family curse to the person who listened to it.It
happened to be you.You seem to be a nice person.Be careful at home too.Never
stay with your wife from 10pm till 2minutes past midnight.You may get the urge
and then you know what happens....
Saying this he just vanished into the thin air
Me : yoooov....yoooov...yooov
CU
PS..I request Makkal (PEOPLE ) to be careful on MOONDRAM PIRAI nights !!I understand,the clan is widely spread,deep rooted and very difficult to identify except at.....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
T h e .. M i s t a k e n .. I d e n t i t y
Avanudaya tharpodaya peyar JO (His current name is JO).
He is the hero of the current blog and a good friend of mine from college days.I hadnt met him after my college ,since he migrated to the then Bombay.As always in everyones life the frienship and fondness developed during college days get etched deep in the mind.
I had made several trips to Mumbai ,little knowing he was living there all along.During one of the get togethers in chennai ,I came to know of his existance in Mumbai.I decided to contact and meet him during my current visit.
In my broken hindi ,I conveyed to the elderly auto driver my destination,not knowing that he was from Dharavi.When he replied back in chaste Tirunelveli Tamizh ,I felt greatly relieved.He introduced himself as rajendran better known as Annachi among friends.I was comforatble with that name.I knew I was in very safe hands and requested him to take me to Boriville.Since I was not very familiar with Mumbai,I asked him if he could fix a rate for up and down journey which he politely refused.He said.. Frienda paakka poriya,payya varuveenga(You are going to meet a friend,you will naturally delay)..and then in that auto ride I started my reliving my college days.
Jagannathan was his official name,which we dissected and called him Jaggu and the small north Indian group called him Jags. Already three names for him. A fairly intelligent bloke and studious too.Naturally he got great marks, our envy,and a job in Bombay.How would he be now.Will he recognise me.Decades since we met.
The words.. ayya erangi konga,,...(Sir Please get down ) brought me back to reality.Just as I was about to pay him ,I once again wanted to ask the driver to stay back and to drop me.But then I knew Mumbai was very professional, where every minute meant money.Will jaggu also feel I am wasting his time?
Sitting in his one roomed apartment,a corner of which was perhaps earmarked as drawing hall by imaginary walls,I broke the silence.Jaggu,eppadi da irukke(HOW ARE YOU ).A smile erupted in his otherwise expressionless face.Did I ask him anything wrong? Did I offend him.He realised my confusion and clarified."Its ages since I have been called as Jaggu,and here I am called JO".I was further confused.I knew GOAN girls were very beautiful.Has he fallen for one and changed his name.
JO,I dragged on..he royally ignored it..perhaps he didnt want to explain.
After few hours of catching up of good old days,he became a lot free.
Me, being a nosey parker ,couldnt resist asking him about his personal life.Then began his story..
....in his words...
"Soon after Degree I came to Bombay.Matunga was the place my relatives stayed and I lived in their house. One day as soon as I entered their house I fainted.I felt very light and when I turned back I could see my body lying on the floor and my relatives were around it (!)If I am lying there then who am I...I felt myself above my body and in a state which words cant describe.Sudddenly I found a cloud like object few feet away from me.It had all the hue pink, blue ,purple sparkling in places.It was approaching me.Then it dawned on me that it was the pick up for me !I was just 21 and already my term had ended here.
Just then, two more cloud like objects were heading toward us at breakneck speed.Then all the three merged .Nothing happened for a few seconds.Then ,the three objects reappeared,the last two left.Then wonder of wonders I began to sink back into my own body.What an experience.Words can never explain the few moments I was away from my own self.
As I sank back into my body totally, I could hear my uncle gently asking me..Beer edhavadhu saaptiya.(did you have Beer or something like that)..My God !!I had an experience of a LIFETIME and here they are asking me if I had Beer !!When I woke up ,the only hangover thought being..was it a case of mistaken identity !
Cheenu,(my name)till this date I have never found an answer to it.I havnt shared it with any one.I decided to remain single,since I perinially antipate that the VIMANAM (VIMAN )will come any time"
It was already past twilight,and just then the power went off.I thought ,I saw Jaggu's eyes alone were glowing like lit charcoal ,in the darkness.Was it a reflection from somewhere !My engineering brain refused to cooperate in this analysis.
By this time I had started sweating heavily and I was trying my best to see if he had feet!! My immediate thought was to rush back from Boriville to Chennai.Few minutes later I excused with Jaggu alias JO and told him I had to rush to the station. He offered to drop me ,which naturally and politely I refused.He started of..regarding my name as Jo,..now I was in no mood to listen..
Katti irunda Veshti ai maditthu katti(Ulle irukkum Kodu potta thuni manigal veliye theriyada varayil )aduttha kanam kizhe irangi vitten.(Rushing down the stairs ),with a strange feeling,my problem of locating an auto driver was uppermost As I started walking towards a junction,I spotted the friendly Annachi waiting.Rushing to him,as God sent,I told him my destination near the station.He too was equally pleased to see me..
SAAR,YAAR YAARO ENGA ENGAIYO POITTU VARANGA NEENGA IVVALAVU TENSION AAGAREENGALE..(People go to different sort of places and come back safely,why are you getting tensed here).Was annachi referring to Jaggus TRIP ?If so how did Annachi know about Jaggu..Shivers again .I gently peeped to the front.I couldnt see Annachis feet hanging ..He had kept it folded up...
CU
He is the hero of the current blog and a good friend of mine from college days.I hadnt met him after my college ,since he migrated to the then Bombay.As always in everyones life the frienship and fondness developed during college days get etched deep in the mind.
I had made several trips to Mumbai ,little knowing he was living there all along.During one of the get togethers in chennai ,I came to know of his existance in Mumbai.I decided to contact and meet him during my current visit.
In my broken hindi ,I conveyed to the elderly auto driver my destination,not knowing that he was from Dharavi.When he replied back in chaste Tirunelveli Tamizh ,I felt greatly relieved.He introduced himself as rajendran better known as Annachi among friends.I was comforatble with that name.I knew I was in very safe hands and requested him to take me to Boriville.Since I was not very familiar with Mumbai,I asked him if he could fix a rate for up and down journey which he politely refused.He said.. Frienda paakka poriya,payya varuveenga(You are going to meet a friend,you will naturally delay)..and then in that auto ride I started my reliving my college days.
Jagannathan was his official name,which we dissected and called him Jaggu and the small north Indian group called him Jags. Already three names for him. A fairly intelligent bloke and studious too.Naturally he got great marks, our envy,and a job in Bombay.How would he be now.Will he recognise me.Decades since we met.
The words.. ayya erangi konga,,...(Sir Please get down ) brought me back to reality.Just as I was about to pay him ,I once again wanted to ask the driver to stay back and to drop me.But then I knew Mumbai was very professional, where every minute meant money.Will jaggu also feel I am wasting his time?
Sitting in his one roomed apartment,a corner of which was perhaps earmarked as drawing hall by imaginary walls,I broke the silence.Jaggu,eppadi da irukke(HOW ARE YOU ).A smile erupted in his otherwise expressionless face.Did I ask him anything wrong? Did I offend him.He realised my confusion and clarified."Its ages since I have been called as Jaggu,and here I am called JO".I was further confused.I knew GOAN girls were very beautiful.Has he fallen for one and changed his name.
JO,I dragged on..he royally ignored it..perhaps he didnt want to explain.
After few hours of catching up of good old days,he became a lot free.
Me, being a nosey parker ,couldnt resist asking him about his personal life.Then began his story..
....in his words...
"Soon after Degree I came to Bombay.Matunga was the place my relatives stayed and I lived in their house. One day as soon as I entered their house I fainted.I felt very light and when I turned back I could see my body lying on the floor and my relatives were around it (!)If I am lying there then who am I...I felt myself above my body and in a state which words cant describe.Sudddenly I found a cloud like object few feet away from me.It had all the hue pink, blue ,purple sparkling in places.It was approaching me.Then it dawned on me that it was the pick up for me !I was just 21 and already my term had ended here.
Just then, two more cloud like objects were heading toward us at breakneck speed.Then all the three merged .Nothing happened for a few seconds.Then ,the three objects reappeared,the last two left.Then wonder of wonders I began to sink back into my own body.What an experience.Words can never explain the few moments I was away from my own self.
As I sank back into my body totally, I could hear my uncle gently asking me..Beer edhavadhu saaptiya.(did you have Beer or something like that)..My God !!I had an experience of a LIFETIME and here they are asking me if I had Beer !!When I woke up ,the only hangover thought being..was it a case of mistaken identity !
Cheenu,(my name)till this date I have never found an answer to it.I havnt shared it with any one.I decided to remain single,since I perinially antipate that the VIMANAM (VIMAN )will come any time"
It was already past twilight,and just then the power went off.I thought ,I saw Jaggu's eyes alone were glowing like lit charcoal ,in the darkness.Was it a reflection from somewhere !My engineering brain refused to cooperate in this analysis.
By this time I had started sweating heavily and I was trying my best to see if he had feet!! My immediate thought was to rush back from Boriville to Chennai.Few minutes later I excused with Jaggu alias JO and told him I had to rush to the station. He offered to drop me ,which naturally and politely I refused.He started of..regarding my name as Jo,..now I was in no mood to listen..
Katti irunda Veshti ai maditthu katti(Ulle irukkum Kodu potta thuni manigal veliye theriyada varayil )aduttha kanam kizhe irangi vitten.(Rushing down the stairs ),with a strange feeling,my problem of locating an auto driver was uppermost As I started walking towards a junction,I spotted the friendly Annachi waiting.Rushing to him,as God sent,I told him my destination near the station.He too was equally pleased to see me..
SAAR,YAAR YAARO ENGA ENGAIYO POITTU VARANGA NEENGA IVVALAVU TENSION AAGAREENGALE..(People go to different sort of places and come back safely,why are you getting tensed here).Was annachi referring to Jaggus TRIP ?If so how did Annachi know about Jaggu..Shivers again .I gently peeped to the front.I couldnt see Annachis feet hanging ..He had kept it folded up...
CU
Sunday, November 4, 2007
My Blog journey ..This Far
Life is strange and a paradox too..but equally if not wonderfully enjoyable.
Blog was alien to me till say August.An article in a newspaper talked highly on the same and somewhere in this aging brain of mine a spark (Though dim ) said this was it.My previous attempts in chat rooms was a disaster with me exiting that experience as fast as the light could pass through the broken east faced window pane of my room.
So perfectly misunderstanding blog ,to be a country cousin of chat room (though with an element of maturity in it )I started off with an id and a title which was close to my heart.I had to add the word Tamizhan to that since already a NGO existed by that name.And so to get past all the diffuculties I also had to add a T in unlimitted..Originally it was Tamilan and then my friend from Dubai said it should ZH instead of L and now its TAMIZHAN..hmm
As an veteran and with several battle scars which my life has inflicted on me ,I thought I will be of use to people ,by merely sharing their pains if not pleasures.After all by merely pouring out people feel lighter and could perhaps get on with life with a lot more confidence.
In passage through life, I have had several instances where I could be of use in marriages surviving. No jokes but that was and is the truth.On the hind sight when I think back (I know both are same,excuse )i have done nothing great except for listening. Apparently in this world ,among other things,time for each other seems to be a rarity !
And so with this in the background I started my first attempt in blogging.
The first person to visit my blog , there were questions and views from me.And then perhaps both of us realised this is not what blog is to be !
I visited some other blogs and then slowly a sort of realisation dawned on me that my objective and blog-o-sphere dont match.An awakening under the Blog Tree !People dont want to discuss IT out here and suddenly my Email box started having lot of contents in the inbox..fair enough.I started replying my friends out there and looks I am of help elsewhere and not in blog.Only that I had thought, by putting it on blog others would also benefit.
Now coming to my blog experience,it has been one wonderful journey and I have started enjoying it( perhaps at the cost of others time ).My two sons have a strange smile on their face when they realise their dad is HOOKED..
I realised Blog is very personal too.In my initial attempts I made a mistake of giving my opinion( though I promised myself that I would never do it)in someones site,I was politely asked to get lost.Respecting their privacy,I did ,without a murmer(did I have a choice).Lesson learnt..
In some of the blogs I do leave a request asking them to visit mine and many have obliged.No,I am not trying to increase my HITS( new word learnt by me from my kids)Only that I want different opinion on the way of my thinking expressed in my thoughts.!( now dont ask me what this means )
With some friends I do take the liberty of harmless banter and when they reciprocate I feel happy.I promise them that I will keep my limits !
With some friends my envy surfaces,in the manner their thoughts get expressed in TAMIZH and ENGLISH.
I am honestly envious.
Also an healthy competion surfaces with some when I see their blog meter rolling down (or is it up )compared to the auto meter of chennai(wonder if its the same else where,I mean the auto meter).Just then i read in one of my friends blog questioning the sanctity of these hits.Point well taken.
Some friends have told me, to keep my write ups short.hmm,can I ever succeed,I wonder.I promise my attempts will be at that!(Just excuse me for this one )
For statistics sake,44 friends have visited me so far,and some have left their imprints in many of them.Thanks for the encouragement !not forgetting your patience too !
But my counter shows some 1700 and odd..I wonder how that happens ,with just 44 friends.Does it mean everytime I sign in ,counter goes up by 1...My God ! does it mean I have logged in 1600 plus times..If this is true I must be crazy..experts please clarify !
I have a lot to learn from all of you for each one of you have a distinct style and language which makes me beam with happiness..I thoroughly enjoy going through.
Thanks friends ,for making my day and I will continue blogging ( of course without meeting the eyes of my kids for the smile on their faces is unexplainable.)
Couple of more things ( can I ever make things Short )
...I know my spellings are atrocious,thanks for bearing with it. like I dot the T s and Put a stroke on ..I..and whenever Im confused,which is normal,I interchange i and e....and grammer,my apologies to Mr Wren And MrMartin..wherever they are
...My email id continues to invite people who dont want to share out in blog..you are welcome
...for those friends whom i visit and and I know they visit me too,but seldom leave a comment...please leave your imprints,i look forward to it
And To finally to end this post (I needed a lot of determination to do that )
MY ADVANCE WISHES ON
A HAPPY DEEPAVALI AND LET THE DARKNESS, IF ANY ,
IN YOUR WONDERFUL LIVES GIVE WAY
TO HAPPINESS , BRIGHTNESS AND
PROSPERITY
TC
CU
Blog was alien to me till say August.An article in a newspaper talked highly on the same and somewhere in this aging brain of mine a spark (Though dim ) said this was it.My previous attempts in chat rooms was a disaster with me exiting that experience as fast as the light could pass through the broken east faced window pane of my room.
So perfectly misunderstanding blog ,to be a country cousin of chat room (though with an element of maturity in it )I started off with an id and a title which was close to my heart.I had to add the word Tamizhan to that since already a NGO existed by that name.And so to get past all the diffuculties I also had to add a T in unlimitted..Originally it was Tamilan and then my friend from Dubai said it should ZH instead of L and now its TAMIZHAN..hmm
As an veteran and with several battle scars which my life has inflicted on me ,I thought I will be of use to people ,by merely sharing their pains if not pleasures.After all by merely pouring out people feel lighter and could perhaps get on with life with a lot more confidence.
In passage through life, I have had several instances where I could be of use in marriages surviving. No jokes but that was and is the truth.On the hind sight when I think back (I know both are same,excuse )i have done nothing great except for listening. Apparently in this world ,among other things,time for each other seems to be a rarity !
And so with this in the background I started my first attempt in blogging.
The first person to visit my blog , there were questions and views from me.And then perhaps both of us realised this is not what blog is to be !
I visited some other blogs and then slowly a sort of realisation dawned on me that my objective and blog-o-sphere dont match.An awakening under the Blog Tree !People dont want to discuss IT out here and suddenly my Email box started having lot of contents in the inbox..fair enough.I started replying my friends out there and looks I am of help elsewhere and not in blog.Only that I had thought, by putting it on blog others would also benefit.
Now coming to my blog experience,it has been one wonderful journey and I have started enjoying it( perhaps at the cost of others time ).My two sons have a strange smile on their face when they realise their dad is HOOKED..
I realised Blog is very personal too.In my initial attempts I made a mistake of giving my opinion( though I promised myself that I would never do it)in someones site,I was politely asked to get lost.Respecting their privacy,I did ,without a murmer(did I have a choice).Lesson learnt..
In some of the blogs I do leave a request asking them to visit mine and many have obliged.No,I am not trying to increase my HITS( new word learnt by me from my kids)Only that I want different opinion on the way of my thinking expressed in my thoughts.!( now dont ask me what this means )
With some friends I do take the liberty of harmless banter and when they reciprocate I feel happy.I promise them that I will keep my limits !
With some friends my envy surfaces,in the manner their thoughts get expressed in TAMIZH and ENGLISH.
I am honestly envious.
Also an healthy competion surfaces with some when I see their blog meter rolling down (or is it up )compared to the auto meter of chennai(wonder if its the same else where,I mean the auto meter).Just then i read in one of my friends blog questioning the sanctity of these hits.Point well taken.
Some friends have told me, to keep my write ups short.hmm,can I ever succeed,I wonder.I promise my attempts will be at that!(Just excuse me for this one )
For statistics sake,44 friends have visited me so far,and some have left their imprints in many of them.Thanks for the encouragement !not forgetting your patience too !
But my counter shows some 1700 and odd..I wonder how that happens ,with just 44 friends.Does it mean everytime I sign in ,counter goes up by 1...My God ! does it mean I have logged in 1600 plus times..If this is true I must be crazy..experts please clarify !
I have a lot to learn from all of you for each one of you have a distinct style and language which makes me beam with happiness..I thoroughly enjoy going through.
Thanks friends ,for making my day and I will continue blogging ( of course without meeting the eyes of my kids for the smile on their faces is unexplainable.)
Couple of more things ( can I ever make things Short )
...I know my spellings are atrocious,thanks for bearing with it. like I dot the T s and Put a stroke on ..I..and whenever Im confused,which is normal,I interchange i and e....and grammer,my apologies to Mr Wren And MrMartin..wherever they are
...My email id continues to invite people who dont want to share out in blog..you are welcome
...for those friends whom i visit and and I know they visit me too,but seldom leave a comment...please leave your imprints,i look forward to it
And To finally to end this post (I needed a lot of determination to do that )
MY ADVANCE WISHES ON
A HAPPY DEEPAVALI AND LET THE DARKNESS, IF ANY ,
IN YOUR WONDERFUL LIVES GIVE WAY
TO HAPPINESS , BRIGHTNESS AND
PROSPERITY
TC
CU
Saturday, October 27, 2007
URAINDHU PONA MALLIGAL......................... FROZEN JASMINES
Madurai,down south in Tamizh Nadu is a unique place.Wonderful temple which mesmerises visitors to this place, is unique.The lanes and by lanes to the temple are so full of people ,literally all 24 hours.The blaring music from each tea shop competing with that of the next shop renders music,if it can still be called that,at a decibel which can never be imagined by normal music lovers.But still the appreciating nods of people enjoying the tea sitting right in front of the speakers is a sight by itself !
Walking out of the station our Vijay entered the lanes to find a lodge for his stay.He liked a place ,where lot of flower vendors had displayed their flowers in a KOODAI (basket).The fragrance was just enchanting.For a moment his thoughts flashed across to his girl friend,in Madras.In the evening ,when he returned after work, he ran to the elderly vendor and asked her for the price of the flowers,lovely madura malli (jasmine).She answered it was Rs 5 for 1000..He never heard of jasmine sold by numbers.He thought he heard it wrong.When she repeated it again ,he wondered how they would count it and how long they would take to count it.With twentyfive rupees, in his pocket,he thought he would buy 4000 flowers and told her so.
VIJAY..AATHA,please pack 1000 in one and 3000 in a seperate pack.Please sprinkle sufficient water so that it lasts till morning.
AATHA..Enna thambi(what brother)ammakum pondati kuma(is it for your mother and wife)
VIJAY..Illa aatha,1000 saami padathukkum,3000 ennoda avalukkum(1000 for Gods photograph and 3000 for my girl)
AATHA...Idha paarupa ..saami ku 1000 maam,avalukku 3000..Koduthu vechava pa ava(look at this !!1000 for God and 3000 for the girl.She is so lucky pa.)
VIJAY..yes aatha,she is so beautiful and the madurai jasmine will look so nice on her curly hair.
Sprinkling just sufficient water ,she packed it and gave it to him.
That was the begining of a long story.Everytime he visited Madurai he used to buy the malli(jasmine ) from AATHA and take it to Chennai.His career path took an exponential growth and his visits to Madurai dropped.But whenever he came to madurai, wherever he stayed ,the visit to buy 4000 malli from aatha was a must.His marriage , birth of his two kids was all updated .Aatha was also becoming old but happiness in meeting an old customer was writ on her wrinkled but cheerful face.
One day vijay made his usual visit to the area where he used to buy the malli.In front of the koodai(basket)was a little girl.As he was enquiring about Aatha,she walked down.
AATHA..Enna Thambi Bayundhuteengala(What Brother,You got worried ,Is it ).
Saying this ,she asked the little girl to move and started counting the Mallis.
AATHA..enna thambi romba naal aachu indha pakkam vandhu (what brother its ages since you came this side)
VIJAY..aamam aatha(yes aatha)
AATHA..4000 poothane thambi(4000 jasmine isnt it brother )
VIJAY..Aatha 2000 poo podhum(2000 jasmine enough)
AATHA..En thambi..(Why brother )
VIJAY..Padathula 1000 poo ku mela vekka mudiyadhu AATHA(the photograph cannot accomodate more than 1000)
AATHAS TEARS WET THE FLOWERS ,THAT DAY
CU
Walking out of the station our Vijay entered the lanes to find a lodge for his stay.He liked a place ,where lot of flower vendors had displayed their flowers in a KOODAI (basket).The fragrance was just enchanting.For a moment his thoughts flashed across to his girl friend,in Madras.In the evening ,when he returned after work, he ran to the elderly vendor and asked her for the price of the flowers,lovely madura malli (jasmine).She answered it was Rs 5 for 1000..He never heard of jasmine sold by numbers.He thought he heard it wrong.When she repeated it again ,he wondered how they would count it and how long they would take to count it.With twentyfive rupees, in his pocket,he thought he would buy 4000 flowers and told her so.
VIJAY..AATHA,please pack 1000 in one and 3000 in a seperate pack.Please sprinkle sufficient water so that it lasts till morning.
AATHA..Enna thambi(what brother)ammakum pondati kuma(is it for your mother and wife)
VIJAY..Illa aatha,1000 saami padathukkum,3000 ennoda avalukkum(1000 for Gods photograph and 3000 for my girl)
AATHA...Idha paarupa ..saami ku 1000 maam,avalukku 3000..Koduthu vechava pa ava(look at this !!1000 for God and 3000 for the girl.She is so lucky pa.)
VIJAY..yes aatha,she is so beautiful and the madurai jasmine will look so nice on her curly hair.
Sprinkling just sufficient water ,she packed it and gave it to him.
That was the begining of a long story.Everytime he visited Madurai he used to buy the malli(jasmine ) from AATHA and take it to Chennai.His career path took an exponential growth and his visits to Madurai dropped.But whenever he came to madurai, wherever he stayed ,the visit to buy 4000 malli from aatha was a must.His marriage , birth of his two kids was all updated .Aatha was also becoming old but happiness in meeting an old customer was writ on her wrinkled but cheerful face.
One day vijay made his usual visit to the area where he used to buy the malli.In front of the koodai(basket)was a little girl.As he was enquiring about Aatha,she walked down.
AATHA..Enna Thambi Bayundhuteengala(What Brother,You got worried ,Is it ).
Saying this ,she asked the little girl to move and started counting the Mallis.
AATHA..enna thambi romba naal aachu indha pakkam vandhu (what brother its ages since you came this side)
VIJAY..aamam aatha(yes aatha)
AATHA..4000 poothane thambi(4000 jasmine isnt it brother )
VIJAY..Aatha 2000 poo podhum(2000 jasmine enough)
AATHA..En thambi..(Why brother )
VIJAY..Padathula 1000 poo ku mela vekka mudiyadhu AATHA(the photograph cannot accomodate more than 1000)
AATHAS TEARS WET THE FLOWERS ,THAT DAY
CU
Saturday, October 20, 2007
I Have Won a Lottery to Porthemmet-All expenses taken care
What a day or evening it was !
I have been chosen as the only winner of a lottery which entitles me to visit PORTHEMMET on a holiday for two weeks..(First send me congradulatory reply before reading it further).All excited here."Porthemmet and its surroundings are one of last remaining natural treasures of the British Isles." What a luck for this man at this age.
It all happened like this.On Friday,my kids were forcing me to accompany them to a mall ,here in chennai.Being a believer of malls being good only for window shopping, I have always tried to avoid it with my kids ,especially during the festive season.The hole it creates in my wallet including the credit card(limit has carefully been chosen not to exceed 25k,naturally Indian rupees)takes me almost one whole year to plug.This time I yielded since I had a bonus paid by company which may plug the hole of my credit card in half the time.
So driving down my 4 wheeled rickety beauty,i went near the parking attendant who said it was Rs 150.My eyes popped out,(how the hell this guy knew I had a bonus)I wanted to move out and park it in one of the innumerable by lanes.My elder one, whose birth day was celebrated with me paying Rs100 bribe to the policeman,(For those who dont understand the relavance read my previous blogs,anyhow it hardly matters)had a sheepish smile.It said, old man ,have you not heard of towing of vehicles near malls.Policeman and you have strange association during festive time!
So with no choice and with few impatient drivers ceaselessly honking behind me,I went in circles in the parking lot till I found a slot,next to a Benz.The owner gave me a look which said -what audacity to park your car next to my beauty.
Now coming to the point,entering the paradise of the mall, I was looking around for a shop(do they call it shop I donno in the current days lingo)which had The word discount mentioned on it.None ,what a waste!Come to TNagar every shop screams it!!
My kids they seemed to know the mall like the palm of their hand.They went into a shop,whos ads i have seen in newspaper and tv,with one(or2 or 3) of top actors,who perhaps charged over 2 crores on this.So i knew I was heading for trouble,since i was going to be a share holder in payment made to the actor..hm..my boss could have been kind and paid me more bonus.
And there I saw on the display -buy two shirts and get one free and if you are lucky earn a lucky all expenses sponsored trip to "Porthemmet and its surroundings are one of last remaining natural treasures of the British Isles." WOW.
Honestly what attracted me in this ad,was buy 2 get one free.I was happy for my Diwali shirt.Even after much cajoling,my kids never wanted it since they were not branded ones!My logic started working over time in telling them ,what matters is to cover the shame and brand do not matter.I got one of the dirtiest look from them.Nothing worked and I was heading to shell out the bonus and perhaps another months salary too..the two shirts and the free one landed in my lap since they would not touch it with a 10 feet pole.Perhaps my next years Diwali shopping too is taken care of.
So, praying that the bill dd not exceed the limits of my card,I presented it at the counter with a non chalent look.
And then all hell broke loose.The counter man rushed to a manager who was literally running towards me.I knew my card had failed and was quickly going thru excuses i should utter to that guy.From nowhere he got a garland and a mike and announced to the whole world that I was the winner of the lottery.My God that moment,That moment I was in cloud nine.Where the hell was this place.I didnt know.My grandpa always used to curse my knowledge on geography.
He gave me a write up on the place and how I should go thro the formalities.But the tickets were only for me.Kids,no way, I had to pay for them.Since it was valid for three weeks,kids cannot accompany me as exams were around.One look at the write up I knew i had to buy a lot of things.Swimming trunks(Do adidas,Rbk have it ),and perhaps a body to match that.So Talwalkers was the only option .would they be able to do wonders on my battle of the bulge,in 2 weeks time.. I should find out right away..Thousands of thoughts freewheeling in my mind.Swimming after so many years,will I have the stamina..I just gently lifted my both arms and swayed them.....
Appa,Appa...are you ok? That sounded like my childrens voice ,but feeble.Appa,Appa are you Ok..again..Perfect ,You nuts.Whats de doubt about..No pa You had dozed off in front of PC and blabbering something and lifted your hands above..We were very worried..
Oh.dont tell me that was a dream
In front of me was the http://www.porthemmet.com/..its all real i thought..There was also an article from DNA (Daily News And Analysis,Mumbai based paper)which read....Man launches a imaginary site and hundreds duped !
You have time visit the website,so real it looks
So a fun filled dream..and an exposure to fake WEB LOKA !
TC
CU
PS.For those who read upto here,hats off to you! I owe you all a treat !
I have been chosen as the only winner of a lottery which entitles me to visit PORTHEMMET on a holiday for two weeks..(First send me congradulatory reply before reading it further).All excited here."Porthemmet and its surroundings are one of last remaining natural treasures of the British Isles." What a luck for this man at this age.
It all happened like this.On Friday,my kids were forcing me to accompany them to a mall ,here in chennai.Being a believer of malls being good only for window shopping, I have always tried to avoid it with my kids ,especially during the festive season.The hole it creates in my wallet including the credit card(limit has carefully been chosen not to exceed 25k,naturally Indian rupees)takes me almost one whole year to plug.This time I yielded since I had a bonus paid by company which may plug the hole of my credit card in half the time.
So driving down my 4 wheeled rickety beauty,i went near the parking attendant who said it was Rs 150.My eyes popped out,(how the hell this guy knew I had a bonus)I wanted to move out and park it in one of the innumerable by lanes.My elder one, whose birth day was celebrated with me paying Rs100 bribe to the policeman,(For those who dont understand the relavance read my previous blogs,anyhow it hardly matters)had a sheepish smile.It said, old man ,have you not heard of towing of vehicles near malls.Policeman and you have strange association during festive time!
So with no choice and with few impatient drivers ceaselessly honking behind me,I went in circles in the parking lot till I found a slot,next to a Benz.The owner gave me a look which said -what audacity to park your car next to my beauty.
Now coming to the point,entering the paradise of the mall, I was looking around for a shop(do they call it shop I donno in the current days lingo)which had The word discount mentioned on it.None ,what a waste!Come to TNagar every shop screams it!!
My kids they seemed to know the mall like the palm of their hand.They went into a shop,whos ads i have seen in newspaper and tv,with one(or2 or 3) of top actors,who perhaps charged over 2 crores on this.So i knew I was heading for trouble,since i was going to be a share holder in payment made to the actor..hm..my boss could have been kind and paid me more bonus.
And there I saw on the display -buy two shirts and get one free and if you are lucky earn a lucky all expenses sponsored trip to "Porthemmet and its surroundings are one of last remaining natural treasures of the British Isles." WOW.
Honestly what attracted me in this ad,was buy 2 get one free.I was happy for my Diwali shirt.Even after much cajoling,my kids never wanted it since they were not branded ones!My logic started working over time in telling them ,what matters is to cover the shame and brand do not matter.I got one of the dirtiest look from them.Nothing worked and I was heading to shell out the bonus and perhaps another months salary too..the two shirts and the free one landed in my lap since they would not touch it with a 10 feet pole.Perhaps my next years Diwali shopping too is taken care of.
So, praying that the bill dd not exceed the limits of my card,I presented it at the counter with a non chalent look.
And then all hell broke loose.The counter man rushed to a manager who was literally running towards me.I knew my card had failed and was quickly going thru excuses i should utter to that guy.From nowhere he got a garland and a mike and announced to the whole world that I was the winner of the lottery.My God that moment,That moment I was in cloud nine.Where the hell was this place.I didnt know.My grandpa always used to curse my knowledge on geography.
He gave me a write up on the place and how I should go thro the formalities.But the tickets were only for me.Kids,no way, I had to pay for them.Since it was valid for three weeks,kids cannot accompany me as exams were around.One look at the write up I knew i had to buy a lot of things.Swimming trunks(Do adidas,Rbk have it ),and perhaps a body to match that.So Talwalkers was the only option .would they be able to do wonders on my battle of the bulge,in 2 weeks time.. I should find out right away..Thousands of thoughts freewheeling in my mind.Swimming after so many years,will I have the stamina..I just gently lifted my both arms and swayed them.....
Appa,Appa...are you ok? That sounded like my childrens voice ,but feeble.Appa,Appa are you Ok..again..Perfect ,You nuts.Whats de doubt about..No pa You had dozed off in front of PC and blabbering something and lifted your hands above..We were very worried..
Oh.dont tell me that was a dream
In front of me was the http://www.porthemmet.com/..its all real i thought..There was also an article from DNA (Daily News And Analysis,Mumbai based paper)which read....Man launches a imaginary site and hundreds duped !
You have time visit the website,so real it looks
So a fun filled dream..and an exposure to fake WEB LOKA !
TC
CU
PS.For those who read upto here,hats off to you! I owe you all a treat !
Sunday, October 14, 2007
purindhum puriyavillai..DID I UNDERSTAND !!
It was a 4 storied building where I spent my chilhood.Each floor had four flats or apartments.We lived in first floor.A lovely terrace where we used to play all sorts of games(!)including cricket.Obviously every second ball used to be hit out of the terrace and next 15 minutes spent retrieving it.4 apartments but only six of my age to play with.Kite flying was one of the favourites in the city I lived in,with elders participating forgetting their age.When elders occupied the terrace we were mere spectators doing all odd jobs like fetching water,etc.There were three south indian families in all .All south Indian families generally addressed as madrasies!All that was known was..south of Vindhyas only madras existed !
Kishore, Mohan, myself were the three boys,mohan being younger brother of kishore.Naturally ,being the eldest,I had the advantage of making mohan do the running around like picking the ball etc.They lived in the third floor.
With too many people in my house I used to spend a lot of time in kishores house.Theres was a small family.kishore,mohan ,his father and mother and Kishores fathers brother(Donno how to call a chitthappa in english).He was called KAKA, with the looks of a hero wearing spotless dresses with an ever hanging fag in his mouth.A hero for most of us.He used to hold Lakshmi vedi in his hand allow it to explode,during DIWALI time.Unimaginable by any standards by us.He never went to work and perhaps was living on his brothers income.But the stylish man always had his seperate room ,squeeky clean.We were never allowed to step in there.
Summer holidays were intersting days when parents used to quietly send of their children to neibhours house ,passing off the headache,i guess.So kishores house used to be my place to spend the day ,since the terrace was there anyhow for the evenings.
Kishores father was an intersting person too,full of jokes and he used to sport a funny looking hat whenever he went out.A sort of straw hat which,the chennai policemen use in summer.He used to leave home in the morning at 7 and return only by 10pm or so. But every afternoon,kisores mom used to ask us to go off to the terrace or go onto the street for two hours.I thought she wanted to rest and she was particular KAKA should not be disturbed.
One day,I was told, Kishores father got transferred to a remote part of the country and I never saw him till I left that city.Years rolled by and I was around 14 or 15.
One day Kaka passed away and it was a sad day.Not many people had turned up and those who were around also ddnt understand the customs.Calm and composed Kishores mom called mohan (who was by then around 11) aside and told him ..Mohan I want you to do the ceremonies since KAKA was like a father to you.. Appa maadhiri da..appa ne vechu koyen !
Enakku appo athoda artham puriyale
CU
Kishore, Mohan, myself were the three boys,mohan being younger brother of kishore.Naturally ,being the eldest,I had the advantage of making mohan do the running around like picking the ball etc.They lived in the third floor.
With too many people in my house I used to spend a lot of time in kishores house.Theres was a small family.kishore,mohan ,his father and mother and Kishores fathers brother(Donno how to call a chitthappa in english).He was called KAKA, with the looks of a hero wearing spotless dresses with an ever hanging fag in his mouth.A hero for most of us.He used to hold Lakshmi vedi in his hand allow it to explode,during DIWALI time.Unimaginable by any standards by us.He never went to work and perhaps was living on his brothers income.But the stylish man always had his seperate room ,squeeky clean.We were never allowed to step in there.
Summer holidays were intersting days when parents used to quietly send of their children to neibhours house ,passing off the headache,i guess.So kishores house used to be my place to spend the day ,since the terrace was there anyhow for the evenings.
Kishores father was an intersting person too,full of jokes and he used to sport a funny looking hat whenever he went out.A sort of straw hat which,the chennai policemen use in summer.He used to leave home in the morning at 7 and return only by 10pm or so. But every afternoon,kisores mom used to ask us to go off to the terrace or go onto the street for two hours.I thought she wanted to rest and she was particular KAKA should not be disturbed.
One day,I was told, Kishores father got transferred to a remote part of the country and I never saw him till I left that city.Years rolled by and I was around 14 or 15.
One day Kaka passed away and it was a sad day.Not many people had turned up and those who were around also ddnt understand the customs.Calm and composed Kishores mom called mohan (who was by then around 11) aside and told him ..Mohan I want you to do the ceremonies since KAKA was like a father to you.. Appa maadhiri da..appa ne vechu koyen !
Enakku appo athoda artham puriyale
CU
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Shame on me
The other day,I was driving down with my son,after buying his birthday gifts.His friends were waiting in the hotel since he had to give them a dinner treat.Crossing the Anna flyover,missed the signal switching to red entered the Embassy side.Out of the darkness suddenly a burly policeman came and stopped the car.Knowing fully well I was at fault I downed the glasses.Looking at me the policeman said you dont look a habitual offender nevertheless you have violated...Mannichudunga,Thappu en perla than,I said.Out came a photo copy of a newspaper report from his pocket which read RS 1000 penalty for traffic violations!He said Sir,Edho thappu panniteenga,Ayudha pujai varudhu patthu kodunga! Ashamed as it is,My lousy head froze and I gave him Rs100.My son sitting next to me was watching the tamasha and was silent,putting up the glasses I started moving when my son muttered..I was all these days proudly telling my friends that I was a very wonderful driver and never committed mistake and then we silently drove to the hotel..
Now it was a double for me.bribing a police guy and getting a lousy progress card from my son!One thing also bothered me..he never commented on the Tips i Gave the police guy..Has this become a no issue at all.I am totally confused
Any how
Vetkatthudan
CU
Now it was a double for me.bribing a police guy and getting a lousy progress card from my son!One thing also bothered me..he never commented on the Tips i Gave the police guy..Has this become a no issue at all.I am totally confused
Any how
Vetkatthudan
CU
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Siru Vayadhu Pachaigal..AASAAN...Childhood memories,,GURU JI
I might have been 10.Raju mama used to visit us at least once a week.His arrival among many other things was very eagerly awaited by me.He used to buy a packet of orange cream biscuits.Dont remember the make but the taste used to stmulate the taste buds so much that the very thought of it even now makes me swallow saliva.
A very handsome person ,smartly dressed and having a PUFF hairstyle which he used to be very proud of.A comb in the pocket used to be his constant companion.In his mid twenties he was an eligible bachelor.
One day i found his visits to the bathroom was increasing and so was his visits to our house.I simply enjoyed it for the biscuits too kept coming.I asked my chitti as to why Raju mama had to use bath room so many times and with smile on her face she said he went there to comb his hair.Me ,being brilliant ,suggested to Raju mama that instead of visiting bathroom to comb his hair,we could locate a small mirror outside.He literally applauded me and in his next visit remembered to buy a small mirror(of course along with my orange biscuits)and hung it on the window near the bath room.
After that his time in front of the mirror was more than the time spent talking to us.None in the house bothered neither did I since my quota was regular.One day raju mama was talking to himself and his hands were showing some mudras!I ran back to my chitti and told her something was wrong with him since he has started talking to himself.Still my chitti reacted only with a smile.One day i saw Raju mama talking softly to some one across the window ,the neibouring house.Standing there was swathi, my friend sandeeps sister.Raju mama was talking to her and still combing his hair.
Then suddenly my quota of biscuits went dry since raju mama stopped coming home.Nobody talked about him too at home.Six months later I eaves dropped and understood that Raju mama had married our marwari neighbour and RAN AWAY..a terminology used for love marriage of yester years.
It all dawned on me ,the secret of combing hair and mudras in front of neighbours window.They must have planned. The meaning Love was not in my dictionary since ,unlike these days exposure to reality for us was close to zero.Today even a 5 year old knows whats love !
Of course as I grew up I also stood in front of mirrors and combed my hair.Results mostly were disastrous.But my AAsAAN on art of love was definitely Raju mama.!
CU
Many years later ,after the traditional patch up, I met Raju mama who by now was a well settled business man,courtesy his wifes side.His PUFF in the hair had given way to baldness,but he had a comb in the pocket.I thought he must be gaurding it from his son,lest history repeated itself
A very handsome person ,smartly dressed and having a PUFF hairstyle which he used to be very proud of.A comb in the pocket used to be his constant companion.In his mid twenties he was an eligible bachelor.
One day i found his visits to the bathroom was increasing and so was his visits to our house.I simply enjoyed it for the biscuits too kept coming.I asked my chitti as to why Raju mama had to use bath room so many times and with smile on her face she said he went there to comb his hair.Me ,being brilliant ,suggested to Raju mama that instead of visiting bathroom to comb his hair,we could locate a small mirror outside.He literally applauded me and in his next visit remembered to buy a small mirror(of course along with my orange biscuits)and hung it on the window near the bath room.
After that his time in front of the mirror was more than the time spent talking to us.None in the house bothered neither did I since my quota was regular.One day raju mama was talking to himself and his hands were showing some mudras!I ran back to my chitti and told her something was wrong with him since he has started talking to himself.Still my chitti reacted only with a smile.One day i saw Raju mama talking softly to some one across the window ,the neibouring house.Standing there was swathi, my friend sandeeps sister.Raju mama was talking to her and still combing his hair.
Then suddenly my quota of biscuits went dry since raju mama stopped coming home.Nobody talked about him too at home.Six months later I eaves dropped and understood that Raju mama had married our marwari neighbour and RAN AWAY..a terminology used for love marriage of yester years.
It all dawned on me ,the secret of combing hair and mudras in front of neighbours window.They must have planned. The meaning Love was not in my dictionary since ,unlike these days exposure to reality for us was close to zero.Today even a 5 year old knows whats love !
Of course as I grew up I also stood in front of mirrors and combed my hair.Results mostly were disastrous.But my AAsAAN on art of love was definitely Raju mama.!
CU
Many years later ,after the traditional patch up, I met Raju mama who by now was a well settled business man,courtesy his wifes side.His PUFF in the hair had given way to baldness,but he had a comb in the pocket.I thought he must be gaurding it from his son,lest history repeated itself
Sunday, September 23, 2007
BEACH ORATTHU UNARCHI SIDHARALGAL
Newspapers had reported of the moral policing in the beach.Right or wrong,who knows and why to break the head on that. That morning when I was driving on the beach road on the way to office,it was so empty that even a Sahara desert would have looked more crowded !
Living close to beach for past several decades one must say , its been one wonderful place to even out emotional turmoils..Having gone through a mixed marriage and living in a joint family in the agraharam, has been an experience by itself.While Kannamas Kolangal had themselves solved several issues,still when one needed to discuss out things,what could be a better place than the 5 minute drive to the beach with its sea kissed sands ever inviting one to melt away the worries.
Walking down on the sands to dip ones feet in the sea is a beautiful feeling.The occasional brushes of ones ,hand with that of the spouse ,gives out a message of compromise or a solution to the various issues which could not be discussed out in the one and a half room of a house! Many a time thousand words are conveyed without a word spoken.A thousand sorries exchanged in those few moments. A tear now and then ,a look into each others eyes perhaps was sufficient to convey the love and mutual respect.A walk back to the car or perhaps settling down on the sands ,the discussions were always objective and never ..you were wrong..kind of a situation..Oh the beach walks how much we loved.in the sun ,under the moon, in the rains and perhaps even during the cyclone drenched times.Everytime we returned happy,happy and happy.The beach gave us ,a couple, opportunity to find a solution
Romance was always there in our eyes expressed as happiness.
Perhaps with the change of time, the beach has started giving different kind of meaning to people ,who among other things are not finding space to express..before and after marriage..never mind nature has given this beach to us to share our emotions.
Irundalum, Khajurahovin sirpangalukku beachil uyir kodukkamal,avaigalai irukka vendia idatthil irukka saidal nallado ena thondrugirathu.
Naan indru kaalayil beach vazhiyaga office sellum bodu,inge ange sila jodigal kannil patta podhu... nichhayamaga avargal Khajuraho Baniyil illai than...Adhu nicchhayamaga oru sandoshatthai koduthadhu.. Indrum,endrum Beach ora unarchi sidaralgal irundhu kondu than irukkindrana..oru thuli kanneril, oru siruppil.. andha jodigal unarchigalai parimaarikkollum bodhu .. oru chinna santhosham ennul..vaazhga indha sidaralgal ..avaigal than thooymayana kaadalukku uyir moochhu..Ivvalavu gedupidi irukkum podhum avargal ange varugiraargal endraal adhu avargalin pinaippai urudhi koorugirathu..vaazhga..andha sidaralgal..police kaarargale unmayana parimaralgalukku udaviyai irungal.thadangalaga illamal.ena vendu koludan
ungal
CU
When I was young ie several decades back,we school kids used to go to beach in the late evenings and sleep off.This used to happen especially in summer holidays when our house used to be over crowded with guests.Around mid night the mounted police used to come and wake and drive us off ! Wonder if it was also part of moral policing .If so the Chennai police has not changed for decades isnt it
Living close to beach for past several decades one must say , its been one wonderful place to even out emotional turmoils..Having gone through a mixed marriage and living in a joint family in the agraharam, has been an experience by itself.While Kannamas Kolangal had themselves solved several issues,still when one needed to discuss out things,what could be a better place than the 5 minute drive to the beach with its sea kissed sands ever inviting one to melt away the worries.
Walking down on the sands to dip ones feet in the sea is a beautiful feeling.The occasional brushes of ones ,hand with that of the spouse ,gives out a message of compromise or a solution to the various issues which could not be discussed out in the one and a half room of a house! Many a time thousand words are conveyed without a word spoken.A thousand sorries exchanged in those few moments. A tear now and then ,a look into each others eyes perhaps was sufficient to convey the love and mutual respect.A walk back to the car or perhaps settling down on the sands ,the discussions were always objective and never ..you were wrong..kind of a situation..Oh the beach walks how much we loved.in the sun ,under the moon, in the rains and perhaps even during the cyclone drenched times.Everytime we returned happy,happy and happy.The beach gave us ,a couple, opportunity to find a solution
Romance was always there in our eyes expressed as happiness.
Perhaps with the change of time, the beach has started giving different kind of meaning to people ,who among other things are not finding space to express..before and after marriage..never mind nature has given this beach to us to share our emotions.
Irundalum, Khajurahovin sirpangalukku beachil uyir kodukkamal,avaigalai irukka vendia idatthil irukka saidal nallado ena thondrugirathu.
Naan indru kaalayil beach vazhiyaga office sellum bodu,inge ange sila jodigal kannil patta podhu... nichhayamaga avargal Khajuraho Baniyil illai than...Adhu nicchhayamaga oru sandoshatthai koduthadhu.. Indrum,endrum Beach ora unarchi sidaralgal irundhu kondu than irukkindrana..oru thuli kanneril, oru siruppil.. andha jodigal unarchigalai parimaarikkollum bodhu .. oru chinna santhosham ennul..vaazhga indha sidaralgal ..avaigal than thooymayana kaadalukku uyir moochhu..Ivvalavu gedupidi irukkum podhum avargal ange varugiraargal endraal adhu avargalin pinaippai urudhi koorugirathu..vaazhga..andha sidaralgal..police kaarargale unmayana parimaralgalukku udaviyai irungal.thadangalaga illamal.ena vendu koludan
ungal
CU
When I was young ie several decades back,we school kids used to go to beach in the late evenings and sleep off.This used to happen especially in summer holidays when our house used to be over crowded with guests.Around mid night the mounted police used to come and wake and drive us off ! Wonder if it was also part of moral policing .If so the Chennai police has not changed for decades isnt it
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Kannammavin Kolangal
| I was 15 when i landed up from one of the north indian cities bang into orthodox agraharam in chennai. Tamizh was difficult to follow and that too the sundara chennai thamizh was unique. One of the first things which happened was the appointment of Kannamma as our house maid.Never had heard of a name like that and i was curious to see the person. A 4ft nine inches tall with pox scarred face ,i was frightened to see her.Perhaps she knew that for she must have got used to it by now for people were perhaps looking at her with aruvaruppu in their looks.She must have been well past 50 then. Every morning I used to wake up and see the beautiful kolangals drawn by her.Each day it used to be an unique one and the size depended on the day and on auspicious days larger ones. The designs and complexity so intricate it was mind boggling. Come Margazhi our house used to be cynosure in the area because of Kannammas Kolangal. Years rolled by i shunted betwee hostels and later after completing my studies all over the country before falling in love with one of the most enchanting girl with whom I got married.We had our wonderful life peppered with its own skirmishes and some times almost to the point of no return. One such day after a virtual showdomn between us,we were sitting and talking with Kannamma about her life. as she was drawing the kolam.She laughingly told us that her husband was a drunkard and would return late night only to get more money from her.He knew that kannamma was working in many houses through out the day and was earning well by her standards! She used to part with a little money to him and hid the rest for her children and grand children. This itself seemed to be an achievement and she was beaming. When I told her what a worthless husband she had, she refused to accept it saying that he was a good man but just gone astray and he can go no where but come back to her only.What a confidence I thought.She added with a pause...,he is a wonderful person with some short comings.I also have my short comings does he not adjust with me.we have an understanding and we go on with life and our happines lies in our children and grand children. Though he snatches my money away ,even after he is drunk, he never forgets to bring sweets for my grand children.He is a kind hearted person.. My wife and me exchanged glances..what was this enigma Kannamma..She seems to be taking on life seamlessly as beautiful as the kolangal..Her kolangal never were only with straight lines.The dots were connected by straight lines and beautiful curves .Were the dots representing the years, the straight lines the rigidities and the curves the flexiblity in life.? Kannamma gave us a new meaning to lead life.The bigger her kolangals more were the curves.Perhaps thats the reason why her art was well admired. The life looked grander thru these lovely patterns.Kannamma never did a rangoli for perhaps they were expensive. She kept it just black and white, simple but intricate. Kannammas kolangal were a lesson in our life .Whenever we had our misunderstandings we used to look for curves and not straight lines Afterall Kolangal should never lead to Alamkolam ps. By then Kannamma completed her kolam and lifted her head to see us, she had a meaningful smile on her face..Perhaps she knew we had tensions and perhaps she had contributed in resolving it with her Kolangal !! |
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A vibrant Woman
Hillary Clinton while describing her assistant Huma..
Quote
She has the energy of a woman in 20s,the confidence of a
woman in30s,the experience of a woman in her 40s,the grace of a woman in her 50s. She is timeless,her
combination of poise,kindness and intelligence are matchless,and I am lucky to have had her on my team...
Unquote
I thought this description of a woman was splendid but then I think every woman falls in this category of
description and if only the husbands realised this, every family would be living and leading a wonderful life !!
CU
Quote
She has the energy of a woman in 20s,the confidence of a
woman in30s,the experience of a woman in her 40s,the grace of a woman in her 50s. She is timeless,her
combination of poise,kindness and intelligence are matchless,and I am lucky to have had her on my team...
Unquote
I thought this description of a woman was splendid but then I think every woman falls in this category of
description and if only the husbands realised this, every family would be living and leading a wonderful life !!
CU
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Romance over Career
| There used to be a commercial Coffee or Toffee...A guy eating a toffee gets confused as to what he is having..coffee with chocolate flavour or chocolate with toffee flavour... many of the purported scientific studies remind me of that. For example one report says coffee is good for health and another follows in a few months saying coffee is bad for health. and tha story goes on..study's/reports each almost contradicting one another. This mornings Times of India has a report..Men choose romance over career! ! i.e Men more than woman,may sacrifice their career,education, and other ambitions for a romantic relationship.!! Funny it sounds for its quite different from the common notion women rule by heart and men by their physical attributes. Any comments on this study would make it more interesting I guess..any takers Compassion Unlimitted ( CU ) |
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Pour Out
Most of the times in life just pouring out or sharing relieves one of the lifes pressures. A calm descends on oneself leading to happiness.
So if you are under pressure and just want to pour it out do it here . It may help.If you need opinions you could ask for it. Take it or leave it. You may not even need an opinion !just pouring out would have solved your pressures.
So why wait..Go on..share
Compassion Unlimitted (CU )
Compassion
Hi,
Compassion is the need of the hour. sadness in people is unwarrented.It should be smile smile and smile aii the way
I belong to Tamil Nadu,a conservative southern state of India. Even here i find unhappiness among youngsters, young couples not being able to understand each other and finally even parting ways. Donno if this is necessary. All that is required by these youngsters is compassion. Can i BE A FACILITATOR. This question has been in my mind for long. why not ?
Being past 50 and a widower with grown up kids who stay away from me i have lot of time in hand. So why not I start this blog where youngsters perhaps can pour out and take the pressure off themselves. Perhaps I could be of some use.! No i dont want to be an adviser, perhaps can only lend my ear. Many a time this itself works and is sufficient. Who wants advises these days anyway.
Thats how this site has been created perhaps to begin with for the Tamils and hope its put to good use
Take care
Compassion Unlimitted
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