+6Being not a regular in Chennai, makes me think aloud of quite a lot of Madras things. Indeed, I would prefer Madras over Chennai. And the debate shall continue and being called a British afficando and other regional names, I don’t care.
The Kutcheri season in December and some kutcheris in Mylapore during off season ones. The Music appreciation group are things which I really miss. Among the recent Kutcheris , I have noticed quite a lot of changes.
The Themed Kutcheri: How did this evolve ? Answer would be Jaya TV ‘s Utsavam. Not that they are bad, but steal the beauty for the TRP ratings. Which leads to some observations . What happened to some instruments and kutcheris which we miss so much . But some of them are good. Some of them are pathetic. Some are like remixes of earlier concerts.
What happened to……Some of the kutcheris like Jalatharangam by one of my brother’s batchmate’s patti in Adayar and the nimble and beautiful instrument called as Morsing which has almost disappeared from the “Pakkavadiyam” list is a cause of concern. A sample of this amazing instrument can be heard here
A Morsing sounds different and considered a tala instrument than a sruthi instrument. How it is played ? really a mystery to people. Is it played through the mouth? Or is it played through the hand? Point to be investigated.
Another major instrument called Ghatam is getting rarer day by day. Why don’t we see more of thala instruments. Electronic Sruti box killed the sruthi holding junior singer.The Junior singers have started singing without an idea of what sruti is. Thinking aloud , will the thalam instruments completely disappear from the Kutcheris soon? Then what will happen to Kutcheris?
Food for a kutcheri……Ashoka Halwa which I remember eating during the Tyagaraja Aradana was very much available in the Sabhas here, which have gone missing. So are peerkanga Bajjis and some really wonderful chutneys made with the skin and the eponymous Thavalai Adai are some of them which are missing for some years now.
Why can’t people start a Food Appreciation and Protection group? After all, not everybody relishes Paneer Butter masala in a Dosa !
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
“Yojimbo”/ The Eyes have it all/Freedom Writers
Three movies and three different flavours. One a Japanese Western, the other an Argentinean murder mystery and the other the American “Optimist” movie.Yojimbo, had influences of Western Gun movies. Was like reading Louis La Amour. Lawlessness, corrupt officials, and two gangs with swords. Not that iam partial to “Katana” swords ( saw more of gore and blood in Kill Bill 1 and 2) but the idea of a Japanese Western was there for start of things.Sake Sipping Enforcer. Two gangs waiting to finish themselves off. Not the usual mould of a western, but how people perceive the position was the central theme. I am not going to comment on acting and the music. It was top notch and of course listening to Japanese drums in every conflict was amazing. Another point to be seen was , how the camera tricks were used in Black and White movies. A clear difference from the usual camera Angles .Wikipedia says , Akira introduced the trend of “hero” without a name, which Sergio Leone adopted in his forthcoming movies.
As partial to samurais, even “Super Human Samurai” which had a samurai name.
Second movie, is an Oscar winner, The English title does not reflect what it says in Spanish. So, I will stick to calling it “ The Eyes have it all”. Not partial to detective noire, but I was skeptical to watch a detective movie in spanish because, Spanish movies had lot of sex, lot of fun and of course so much of fights with guns etc. This movie relied on underplay, dramatic events and of course purely on the acting skills . The screenplay had a story and a strong one too. It was not like “Y tu mama tambien” or “Amores Perros” but clearly made an amazing impact on the Detective noire which have taken fancy to, in the last few days. China town and Vertigo here I come ……….
“Freedom Writers” joins “The Blind side” and “Sister Act” series of movies. An eternal optimist teacher using all the more devices of Holoucaust to bring them to terms of their teenage lives and her personal trials on the same. Hillary Swank needs more movies . When she was playing Brandon Teena in “Boys don’t cry” and MoCuiscle in “Million Dollar Baby” or a school teacher in this movie, she puts her heart and soul in to the role. She is one of the best actresses after Meryl Streep to come. Wish I could see a “Meryl Streep v. Hillary Swank” in coming years………
As partial to samurais, even “Super Human Samurai” which had a samurai name.
Second movie, is an Oscar winner, The English title does not reflect what it says in Spanish. So, I will stick to calling it “ The Eyes have it all”. Not partial to detective noire, but I was skeptical to watch a detective movie in spanish because, Spanish movies had lot of sex, lot of fun and of course so much of fights with guns etc. This movie relied on underplay, dramatic events and of course purely on the acting skills . The screenplay had a story and a strong one too. It was not like “Y tu mama tambien” or “Amores Perros” but clearly made an amazing impact on the Detective noire which have taken fancy to, in the last few days. China town and Vertigo here I come ……….
“Freedom Writers” joins “The Blind side” and “Sister Act” series of movies. An eternal optimist teacher using all the more devices of Holoucaust to bring them to terms of their teenage lives and her personal trials on the same. Hillary Swank needs more movies . When she was playing Brandon Teena in “Boys don’t cry” and MoCuiscle in “Million Dollar Baby” or a school teacher in this movie, she puts her heart and soul in to the role. She is one of the best actresses after Meryl Streep to come. Wish I could see a “Meryl Streep v. Hillary Swank” in coming years………
Rational excursions on a "random events"
The “Fun Club” and the series of unfortunate incidents that have happened on the days of fun club have been a bit strange and call for a thorough investigation. Or, you can take it as, Fun Club has been technically made out of reach.
We need to trace the sequence of events on the Fun Club days so as to come to a logical decision on the same.
a. I skip either Breakfast / Lunch on almost the days “Fun Club” events happen . Even distribution , break fast scores more than lunch.
b. Iam truly happy on the Fun Club days ie. no Hangover, no disappointments, no “morning blues” or any staff member does not rip me on the day.
c. I look forward to the proceedings of “Fun Club” very eagerly till….
A Catastrophe strikes .
Defining Catastrophes, it beats l Lemony Snicket’s “Series of Unfortunate Incidents” hands down.
In the first Fun club event, I lost a dear friend of mine in an freakish accident and had to go about in arranging the things for him at home .
In another Fun Club event, an unending barrage of calls to solve a dispute arising out of two great friends, it was totally depressing to be on phone for nearly 3 hours and failing very hard .
Yet another Fun Club event, it so happened my “plant” went up in flames and loss of material goods.
And yesterday’s , where I wanted to really “really really” dance off to death, a close relative of mine passes away in another freakish accident.
Does Fun Club, deliberately plan all these Catastrophes? Or it is just a figment of analytical mind to chain all these events together to a possible cause?
Beats me completely.
P.S: Anyone interested in Game theoretic solutions to how to make myself available for Fun Club events despite the Catastrophes are welcome .
P.P.S: Can anyone play really awesome dance music or trance.- Fat Boy Slim and 80’s British Pop would be an awesome start!!!
We need to trace the sequence of events on the Fun Club days so as to come to a logical decision on the same.
a. I skip either Breakfast / Lunch on almost the days “Fun Club” events happen . Even distribution , break fast scores more than lunch.
b. Iam truly happy on the Fun Club days ie. no Hangover, no disappointments, no “morning blues” or any staff member does not rip me on the day.
c. I look forward to the proceedings of “Fun Club” very eagerly till….
A Catastrophe strikes .
Defining Catastrophes, it beats l Lemony Snicket’s “Series of Unfortunate Incidents” hands down.
In the first Fun club event, I lost a dear friend of mine in an freakish accident and had to go about in arranging the things for him at home .
In another Fun Club event, an unending barrage of calls to solve a dispute arising out of two great friends, it was totally depressing to be on phone for nearly 3 hours and failing very hard .
Yet another Fun Club event, it so happened my “plant” went up in flames and loss of material goods.
And yesterday’s , where I wanted to really “really really” dance off to death, a close relative of mine passes away in another freakish accident.
Does Fun Club, deliberately plan all these Catastrophes? Or it is just a figment of analytical mind to chain all these events together to a possible cause?
Beats me completely.
P.S: Anyone interested in Game theoretic solutions to how to make myself available for Fun Club events despite the Catastrophes are welcome .
P.P.S: Can anyone play really awesome dance music or trance.- Fat Boy Slim and 80’s British Pop would be an awesome start!!!
An Eulogy for a start………
I still remember the early days of my HCL career, some workshops/trainings remain very vivid in my vagrant mind. A faculty striding in, should be in his mid 40’s, fining me for being late , asks the class to write a “Eulogy” for him.
After not thinking for a minute,I just wrote “ He was a human” and gave it back. He looked at me , quizzically pondering , came over and asked me , why there was a line, when he expected a paragraph. I diligently replied, I hardly know him, giving him a line was far too much. Besides, being in anger for missing a bus in the morning and paying the fine for arriving late for training, I did not restrict myself in expressing displeasure early in the morning, for writing an “eulogy”.'
He had a smile, and went back to the board. Wrote down his name, wrote down his likes and dislikes and of course what he did with HCL. He asked me whether this was enough. Again raising my displeasure, considering English Eulogy poetry and the Tamizh Culture of eulogy singing, it was the character of the person , which mattered and if he had thought an easier way , I could not evaluate his character.
I guess, he got irked so much , kept prodding, poking ( Not Facebook POKE!) and jabbing me all the whole time. I did have a tough time that day, but never forgot that man. Well, I needed to get “Even” with him. After that I could never meet him in those two years, the “Vendetta “was what I wanted.
July 2011:
As I waited for my friend’s parents, in the new KGP Guesthouse, I notice , a man who seemed familiar and did check in, into room no. 217. It seemed the face was familiar and in an instant , it flashed , that he was the “Eulogy” man. Quickly talking to the volunteers, who were handling important guests, I found out he was an alumnus. A big Management big shot. Should I? Or Should I not?
After all, it was too long a period for this “Vendetta”, but I did want it for sure.
So went into a plan of sorts. Visited the market. Ordered A Wreath.
For a change I did buy a small set of roses as well and yellow ones to be frank for the fickle minded.
Then I walked back to the guest house, with a small note which had my Eulogy. Trying to put together a character of sorts, mentioning his love for Sherlock and some amount of wordplay, on Shylock/ Sherlock and other necessary unnecessary devices, I did carry it myself to the room.
Saw the “Do not Disturb” sign. If there is a crass thing, that I have done, Knocking hard on the door even if the Door Bell was there. This person walked in and opened the door. I walked in and kept the Wreath on the Table. And then started to read , “ Bless the soul of Mr.X , for he is no more with us. “ and reading on…..the person’s face grew even more grim.
What happened next, is for you to say? What happened ……………….Complete the same with all your imagination.....
After not thinking for a minute,I just wrote “ He was a human” and gave it back. He looked at me , quizzically pondering , came over and asked me , why there was a line, when he expected a paragraph. I diligently replied, I hardly know him, giving him a line was far too much. Besides, being in anger for missing a bus in the morning and paying the fine for arriving late for training, I did not restrict myself in expressing displeasure early in the morning, for writing an “eulogy”.'
He had a smile, and went back to the board. Wrote down his name, wrote down his likes and dislikes and of course what he did with HCL. He asked me whether this was enough. Again raising my displeasure, considering English Eulogy poetry and the Tamizh Culture of eulogy singing, it was the character of the person , which mattered and if he had thought an easier way , I could not evaluate his character.
I guess, he got irked so much , kept prodding, poking ( Not Facebook POKE!) and jabbing me all the whole time. I did have a tough time that day, but never forgot that man. Well, I needed to get “Even” with him. After that I could never meet him in those two years, the “Vendetta “was what I wanted.
July 2011:
As I waited for my friend’s parents, in the new KGP Guesthouse, I notice , a man who seemed familiar and did check in, into room no. 217. It seemed the face was familiar and in an instant , it flashed , that he was the “Eulogy” man. Quickly talking to the volunteers, who were handling important guests, I found out he was an alumnus. A big Management big shot. Should I? Or Should I not?
After all, it was too long a period for this “Vendetta”, but I did want it for sure.
So went into a plan of sorts. Visited the market. Ordered A Wreath.
For a change I did buy a small set of roses as well and yellow ones to be frank for the fickle minded.
Then I walked back to the guest house, with a small note which had my Eulogy. Trying to put together a character of sorts, mentioning his love for Sherlock and some amount of wordplay, on Shylock/ Sherlock and other necessary unnecessary devices, I did carry it myself to the room.
Saw the “Do not Disturb” sign. If there is a crass thing, that I have done, Knocking hard on the door even if the Door Bell was there. This person walked in and opened the door. I walked in and kept the Wreath on the Table. And then started to read , “ Bless the soul of Mr.X , for he is no more with us. “ and reading on…..the person’s face grew even more grim.
What happened next, is for you to say? What happened ……………….Complete the same with all your imagination.....
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