Conversations

Me: It's amazing when you have a conversation with a stranger and it gives you so many ideas!

GA: Yes, it is.

Me: But it's not possible to have such a conversation frequently. You may not find a stranger, or you many not have such a conversation. Those are tough to come by.

GA: Which is why you need to learn to have these conversations with yourself.

And this is the space where I hope to have these conversations with myself.

32 Flavours- Day 10

Lunch time in the Institute of Science during my Msc days was a legitimate outing of the crazies. Rice, rotis, vegetables, salads, meats, sweets, sodas, coffees and junk food mingled freely at our table. It was also the time when the class room rivalry was set aside and we broke bread together. Conversation veered wildly from the teacher-student affair (as weathered as the 'How's the weather?' ice-breaker) to pets to dissertations. Kamini and Mrun were the kitchen mamas, talking about this-or-that meal they cooked. Recipes, ingredients, garnishes and knives.. described in such appealing detail- I used to imagine eating whatever it is they used to describe. Mmmmm. Bhagyu tempered the conversation by talking prices, and thrifty though she said they were, her dishes were ever the satisfying mouthful. Lessons in running a household they were, now that I look back at it. But would the naughty ever be too far away from the nice? Nein. Also part of the conversation were cucumbers and carrots, and mobile phones. Oh never mind! In the heat of the moment (and it was always kinda hot in the canteen) we'd try some un-heard of combinations. One giant plate of chinese triple manchurian. After stuffing ourselves silly, we'd suddenly realise that it isn't so great tasting after all! So in went the curd rice and the pickles, manchurian sauce scooped up with left over rotis, fanta and coffee mixed together, also with a dash of chilly sauce, star fruit dipped in the salt dish, vada-paav mashed into the plate of missal paav... a phantasmagorical orgy for the taste buds. I tried in vain to make them try my childhood delight of mentos with coffee bite, but some how it never took flight. To calm down the maelstrom that was threatening to erupt in our stomachs, we'd take a long walk around our college and wash down the lunch with lassi or Energee or root beer, pineapple soda, or ganna juice. Again the mix-n-match continued. And a few sweets to chew when we get back to class- Hajmola, Spearmint, Alpenliebe... Leaving the canteen on a high note, despite all the highs and lows that transpired in that one hour of our crazy every day lives.

To put it shortly, my Msc friends were one of the most open-minded and adventurous gangs I've had. We were not a tattoo-ed, chain smoking, pub-hopping bunch of wild things, but we collectively accepted each other for what we were. We didn't jump into running trains or go bungee jumping, but we went caught snakes with our bare hands, we walked on swamps to collect samples, we interacted with fishermen at the harbour when they bought the fish down. My mom always told me to get the best value for my money, so it was always Roasted Almond or Anjeer when we went to a Naturals Ice-cream parlour. Being adventurous, even with an ice-cream, was being stupid. One time, I went to a Naturals Ice-cream parlour with my MSc friends and we all tried out the unusual flavours there. Jackfruit. Chickoo. Tender Coconut. Papaya-Pineapple. They all tasted glorious. 

When I go out with other friends, I get sniggered at when I choose Mint Chocolate Chip wherever I see it. For choosing the 'Toothpaste' Ice-cream. Guess what, no-one ever felt bad about having minty-fresh breath all the time!

Lost in Translation- Can the same song be enjoyed in 2 different languages?

My latest favorite song, playing on  loop is 'Unnai Kaanadhu Naan Indru Naan Illaye' from Kamal Haasan's latest movie Viswaroopam. It's got a slightly no- very effeminate Kamal Haasan dancing Kathak, women Kathak dancers whose costumes and nupurs are drool-worthy, Shankar Mahadevan's voice and the peculiar male singing from the female perspective, which for once, fits right in.

But without a doubt, the lyrics take the cake in this one. Despite the aesthetics of the setting and sound, I found myself going back for the lyrics again and again. I must confess, I didn't get ALL of the lyrics straight away, but it was pretty clear its about a Gopika pining for Krishna's presence. Because:
a. The scene starts with a magnifique description of Krishna, and b. Krishna-Gopika Leelas are a central theme of many classical Indian dance forms.

In Indian mythology, Krishna is one of the 10 avataars of Mahavishnu. One of the other avataars of Mahavishnu is Rama, who was born on Earth as a human being without being aware that he is God (thats kinda schizophrenic, but more of that later). Hence, Rama underwent the joys and pains of the human life and was fully capable of human emotions such as mistrust and jealousy, which brought him more pains. Rama was a mortal and he knew it. Krishna, however, was that avataar of Mahavishnu, who came into the world with much publicity (issued a death warrant in-vitro to the reigning oppressor of the time, staged an escape when just a newborn) and as much entitlement as only a God can. He too underwent the joys and pains of the human life (mainly brought on by his extended family which was trying to get him into the thick of family disputes all the time) and was fully capable of delivering judgments which sealed the fate of humans with a smile. Gopikas were female mortals who lived in the same village as Krishna and were unrelated to him. They were the village belles who adored and worshiped Krishna with all their hearts. In mythology, the love and devotion of the Gopikas is explained as the meeting of the human soul with the Supreme being. The Gopikas were utterly devoted to Krishna and this was  an open secret. There was no secret in it, it was just open knowledge and nobody was perturbed or disturbed or any sort of 'urbed' by it.

Which is why 'Unnai Kaandhu Naan Indru Naan Illaye' fits right into the mythological setting too. In the song, the Gopika is basically saying that without seeing Krishna, she is not herself, her true self. Just as the way there can be no roots without a seed. She is sad about the fact that he can never be hers. Because she is only a mortal, while he is God. Yet, her devotion makes her resolve to sustain herself with the mere fact of his existence instead of pining away for his presence all the time. This is in the last lines of the song 'Indru kadhai enni veen ekam engaamale, unnai mooch-aaki vaazhvenada..'

*Sniffs*

When you are dubbing a picture in 2 or more languages, it is obviously not an easy task to translate the exact emotions into another language. Even if you get Javed Akhtar to pen the Hindi version. I don't think Javed Akhtar held a candle to the lyrics by Vairamuthu. Not even close.

Sample this- "Mai Radha teri,mera Shyam tu, .. par yu naa kalaai thaam tu.." = "I'm your Radha, you're my Shyam.. but please don't hold my wrist~~ don't hold me back from leaving.."

This is so superlatively bad and emotionally retarded if taken in the sense of the relationship between Radha and Krishna, or rather, ANY Gopika and Krishna that it has no right to masquerade as the Hindi version of "Unnai Kaanadhu".

Because, if and when Krishna was with the Gopikas (which I suppose, was occasionally), and when the Gopikas pined to be with Krishna (which was always)... they would never, ever say "Let me go.."

Infact, when Krishna was around, Gopikas abandoned herding their cattle, milking them, churning the butter etc etc and were swept up in the awesomeness of the presence of Krishna to care about anything, even hunger, in the world. It just seems so out of place to have a Gopika or Radha say "Oh Shyam.. let me go... don't hold me back.. "

So, for someone who heard the absolutely divine "Unnai Kaanadhu Naan Indru Naan Illaye" to hear "Mai Radha teri mera Shyam tu.." and accept that this is what they did to a song in translation... is... blue murder..

Wanna hear what blue murder sounds like? ;|

Why do I love thee?

If it were about the how I would 'nt short of words. I would be no shine on Elizabeth Browning though. But that's not what I'm wondering about. But if I were to be asked by you "Why do you love me?" or if I sit down to think, "Why do I love you?" words, thoughts, feelings escape me. How do I say... how do I start putting it in words. Your words, your face, your presence... it feeds my soul. Incredible joy and incredible sadness, glowing admiration and extreme jealousy, hope and despair both equally exhilarating and consuming. How does the parched desert feel when raindrops fall on it? How does the voyager feel when he sees land for the first time in months? How does the scientist feel when he unravels the mystery in his lab? How do trees feel before being struck down by lightning? The antelope before a lioness clamps down on his throat? Knowing someone who was by your side all along suddenly doesnt exist in this world? All this and more... I feel. Is it all you and only you? The cause for all this? However much I would like to believe that, I know I can't discount the presence of what created you- me. If you are perfection, the realisation of God, then I am the ugliness that marrs it. The Devil that sullies it. You are the pristine white, I am the blinding black. Because that's how nature works...A thing of exceptional brilliance immediately attracts a thing of exceptional devilry to attach to it. If my mind realises the perfection in you, my heart rushes to spoil that perfection, ruin it, damn it. I want to wish it away.... but my mind cant let go. And there I exist in the midst of all this- unable to let go and unable hold on either. Until I separate my mind from my heart... until then, I'll always wonder, Why do I love thee?

Sing to me

If there's anything I love more than black and white movies, its their music score. Ok, music scores of not just black and white movies, but several movies from 40's to 80's-90's. There's just something sooo lilting about the old school music scores, before the advent of the synthesizer. When trumpets and triangles and accordions and violins and pianos were used! *moment of silence*

Anyhow, the best tonic for the perturbed mind are some of the songs from the black and white era bygone... following are some of favorite songs which sing to the Tamil in me... most of them star Sivaji Ganesan (because I am a rabid fan ;) 

1. Chittu Kuruvi Mutham Koduthu from Puthiya Paravai

I'm partial to songs from this movie (love Paartha Nyabagam illayo) but the aalap after the first line is the best part of this song for me.. which 'paartha nyabagam..' doesn't have.

2.  Malargalai Pol Thangai from Pasamalar

This song would have possibly been serious competition to  'Phoolon ka Taaron ka' down south had they been released in the same period. Pasamalar was released in 1961 and Hare Rama Hare Krishna came a good 10 years later in 1971. Though the emotions and the settings of both the songs are quite different- in Pasamalar, Sivaji Ganesan plays a responsible and dutiful brother who has to get his sister married (his dreams for her are the setting for the song) whereas in HRHK, 'Phoolon ka Taaron ka' is tinged with pain and yearning as the siblings have been separated in childhood.

Both songs are evocative of brother-sister relationships.

3. Muthukulikka Vaarigala from Anubavi Raaja Anubavi

Anubavi Raaja Anubavi is still one of the best comedy movies around and this song just makes it that much more lovable! The camaraderie shared by Naagesh and Manorama is adorable and the lyrics fit the fisherman's village romance setting to the T. What's not to love?

4. Aaha Inba Nilavinile from Maya Bazaar

A sweet song and even sweeter is the style of romancing a-la- mythological times. Full moon. Check. Un-polluted Lake. Check. Singing while oaring a boat containing Savithri effortlessly without breaking into a sweat. Check. Ah, young love!

The best part is the comedy of errors that takes place in this song. The two young lovers (Abhimanyu and Vatsala) have a midnight rendezvous in the lake and the guards inform Vatsala's father about her indiscretion. While her parents are rushing to the scene of the crime (:O), Krishna the all-knowing realizes that Vatsala's parents are going to come and spoil their romantic night-out and comes to warn them and send them away. Then he and Rukmini take the place of Abhimanyu and Vatsala in the boat and resume the song. Balarama (Vatsala's father) and wife reach the scene and are relieved to see that its not Abhimanyu-Vatsala but Krishna-Rukmini. Then Krishna invites them to enjoy the evening and leaves. Balarama then takes his wife on the boat.. because it would such a wasted opportunity to come till the edge of the lake and then turn around without having a tour on the boat!

5. Enna Enna Vaarthaigalo from Vennira Aadai

Steeped in womanly charm (afterall its Jayalalitha and P. Susheela) and the background music has the Raj-era undertones. Classic.

6. Vantha Naal Muthal from Paava Manippu

Apparently this movie was ahead of its times and created a stir in the conservative society of those days. But this song is evergreen in terms of music as well as lyrics and will never go out of style or become irrelevant (sad but true). But brownie points for putting Sivaji Ganesan on a bicycle :)

7. Annakiliye Unnai Theduthe from Annakili

A song of love, longing and hope starring the beautiful Sujaata. Mesmerizing music and warm lyrics feature in this sombre movie (I haven't seen it, though). The beat and the tune makes this song memorable and you can't help but feel good when you hum it.

Which songs sing to the Tamil in you? Or any song in your native language which sings to you? Share them with us here!

I am back....

I can't believe its been more than a year since I blogged... Checked out my past writings and reviewed them all.

It's definitely not a coincidence that I haven't blogged since I started my CS Articleship. A major chunk of your day get cut out and the rest of the time is left for fulfilling the bare minimum of living a life!

Anyway, now that I have the time, I hope to write something concrete rather than just daily observations, which while fun, doesn't really help the I-want-to-be-a-writer cause! ;)

Curtis Mayfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z66wVo7uNw

I'll miss you!!

Mr. Jay, Miss Jay and Andre.... I'll miss you guys!!

Nigel.. you're so boring!

Quote Universe

Some people are like Miscellaneous Expenditure.. no matter how many times you write them off the balance sheet of your life, they keep coming back and erode your General Reserves of energy indirectly!!
-Srividya Chandrasekar
An Original SVC Creation

Which is more difficult?

To be able to speak a lot without saying much or Say a lot without speaking much?

Happy Birthday.. Stay Bright always

My wishes of a happy birthday to my CS Classes Siddharth Academy has been delayed by a few days... but notwithstanding that I whole-heartedly and with great happiness wish it a very very happy birthday!

Few of my Vintage Loves

BE CONFIDENT

That way, if you are dumb or a jackass or an most unpleasant combination of both, nobody will notice.

I love me some self-created philosophy stuff!
:D

Who is the cutest of them all?

The one who had no idea about how momentous the occassion was!!

STARRING......
THE ROYAL DREAMY GIRL!

GRACE VAN CUTSEM, 3 YEARS OLD

Kate trying to cheer the munchkin up

****CUTE*****

Today's agenda: "Be lost in my thoughts. Oh and pose with the royal couple...by the way"

*****SO CUTE*****

"Hello, I live here!"

****TOO CUTE*****

THE CUTENESS METER JUST EXPLODED. WILL TAKE ETERNITY TO REPLACE IT......

Something!

A control freak is one who professes to NOT micro-manage and then does his very best to prove himself wrong.

Noir

Noir by quirkysv featuring a braided belt

Day out with friends in summer

Day out with friends in summer by quirkysv featuring a braided belt

Jedi's Survey!

I did this really interesting survey which I saw in Cleopatra's blog!! Some Jedi wants to find out how many Star Wars fans there are on Planet Earth... so he used a Jedi mind trick and made someone create this quiz! But he had to be subtle about it so there are loads of other questions

too! :D

1. If you have pets, do you see them are merely animals or are they members of your family?

I don't have a pet as of now, but I can say without doubt that they will be a members of my family. I've already chosen names- Bubba for my dog and Cello for my cat. I don't have pets at the moment because my parents will never agree. I also not yet committed to the fact that I'll have to feed them meat (duhh obviously!). I still have to wrap my head around that. I'm scared of my friends' pets when I first see them but by the time I have to leave, I'm all over them, refusing to leave and smothering them with hugs! My friends' pets are the reason why I soooo want a pet. I've seen with my own eyes the love that man and animal share and there is incredible peace in that love. So I'm waiting for the day when I'll have my own two furry friends.

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?

Go on a road trip, explore the country, see for myself how the locals really live (without any dicovery channel type hype), spend the nights under the stars! And a drunken skinny-dipping thrown in for good measure!

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

I absolutely hate people who spit in public places. Civic sense, basic hygiene, IQ... you lack it all morons! And you also get the maximum rating on my gross-o-meter.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Fulfil all my 'when I have the money' dreams... get my parents whatever they want, go to Paris for fashion week, sky-dive(!), go see my friends, give to child education and cancer research... I have a LOT of 'when I have the money' dreams!

5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

Music or chick-lit novels. When I'm really pissed off, nothing works better than to just immerse myself in a totally different world... music or books work wonders. Sometimes I get out of the house and walk. Just keep walking in no particular till I cool off. That's also awesome- seeing people on the streets, buses, cars makes me forget what got me so angry or depressed in the first place.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

I really remember the times when I used to be soooo in love. When I was away from the guy I used to analyse and was 100% sure there's nothing in it, he's not my type, he's totally wrong etc etc and then when I saw him bam! All that would go right out of the window and I was so blissfully happy to be in his company. That happiness, that buoyant feeling, it's present when you love someone- be it a guy you like or your friends or your family. There is something to look forward to- to see someone, to do something to make them smile. Even waiting is sweeter when it's for someone you love. So I feel loving somebody is more blessed.

7. What is your bedtime routine?

If I'm not sleepy, I try to sneak a book and the mobile phone (for light) under the sheets. Or else mom's phone with the headphones to listen to the radio. Brush my teeth and go to the loo. Mom has a habit of putting a tikka on my forehead before bed and I think that's really sweet...

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

I'm not in a relationship now..and I've never been. After years of crushing on boys and thinking several were cute at the same time and being accused of being boy-crazy... I've finally left those days behind. Currently I don't even have a crush on anybody and believe me, it feels like an achievement when I look back! Sweet success, and I'm so happy being the way I am right now!

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?

Ohh my God... there are soooooo many creative processes that I would like to witness. An artist making a painting, a musician writing lyrics and creating a tune, a designer making clothes, authors writing... I cannot choose. I would want to watch everything! :(. And if I absolutely HAVE to choose one I would probably want to see a musician create a tune. Because that's one thing that totally stumps me- I just don't know HOW it works, how it happens.

10. What kind of books do you read?

I love fantasy, science fiction and chick-lit. They are perfect for unwinding after a long day. I don't have any particular choice as far as books go... I've never left a book unfinished. I read whatever books come into my hands. But I like those fiction books which center around a real event or place. Like Dan Brown and James Rollins' books. I think that style of writing is going to be around for some time.

11. What's your fear?

That I may not be able to live an independent life. That I might have to give up my dreams and my wishes for someone else.

12. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for an opportunity to visit outer space?

I really want to give up junk food because I no longer remember the time when I was stick-thin (and I was!). And I'm a huuuuuuge Star Wars fan so if there's a chance that I might be able to find out that galaxy I'm in!! And also going to outer space will give a chance to wear the most outrageous costumes ever and not feel awkward about it! Where's the rocket baby?!

13. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

Single and rich for sure. Spread the happiness alone, rather than sharing unhappiness with someone. Being poor may not be THE reson for unhappiness but it sure as hell increases it.

14. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Pull my blanket tighter and try to catch a few more winks. :). And when that fails I get up and hug my mom.

15. If you could change one thing about your partner/spouse, what would it be?

Not Applicable.

16. If you could pick up a new name, what would it be?

I like my name and I like my pet name Sv even more! :) And honestly I won't be able to get used to a new name if I tried! But my rockstar name is Ashley... decided at a time when I was tripping bad over Ashley from Gone with the Wind! So it would be Ashley!

17. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that someone special has done?

No way. If something is unacceptable to me, it does'nt matter that the person who did was a stranger or 'that special somone'. I might forget about it for a while, but to totally forgive him... I don't think so.

18. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Tomatoes? I say it because I know its one thing that won't make me want to kill myself if I see it day after day. I louuurve tomatoes to death. Other options like Cheese burst pizza, those chinese starter things and manchurian... I know however much I like it, if I see continuously for 3 days it will make me weep. And I'll probably be stick-thin if I get tomatoes for 6 months!

Sampling in the marshes

Sampling in the marshes by quirkysv featuring suspender pants

If I were a fashionista this is how I would have gone to Sewri for the samplings. :D. The heat and the fishes would'nt suck so much if I were dressed like that!

What pisses me off about blogger

Why does'nt copy-paste work in the post??? Ughhh its driving me crazy... I can't paste anything into the post area.. its infuriating as hell! Does anyone know a way around this? Oh and also how do you do the strike on a word? The word with a strike on it? Help!