Happy New Year, 2009

Wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year, 2009.
Hope this year brings prosperity and happiness to all.

Few things i wish to do/see before i die

There are few things i wish to do before i die. I hope my wish comes true.

• India - free of pollution, corruption, terrorism and of course more disciplined.
• India winning the cricket world cup and dominating other sports.
• Sachin Tendulkar's final match of his life for India.
• Wimbledon finals.
• Formula 1 grand prix.
• African Safari.
• Tour the whole of India.
• Build a school for poor.
• Football worldcup finals
• Kamal Hassan winning Oscar for lifetime achievement
• Victoria and Niagara falls
• The Pyramids
• Tour Switzerland and New Zealand.

There are many more, but i guess the post will be too long. So i stop here :)

Few unanswered questions

India, for the past few months have been under terrorist attack. Our security has gone from bad to worse. People are unable to live peacefully not knowing what will happen and when will happen. However, the recent Mumbai attack have brought people together and now they have started raising their voice against the politicians, whom they elected few years ago. Heads started rolling and government under pressure have taken action by sacking inefficient Union Home Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Maharashtra Home Minister. Citizens marched towards various land marks in various cities to show their solidarity and their anger towards politicians. I even saw bollywood actors joining the people in their protest. Few questions keep coming in people's mind.

1. What is the solution for this?
2. Who can save us from the terrorists?

Everyone in the news channel have started talking about the holes in Indian political system. But is it possible after 60 years to change the system. Certainly not. So what could be done? Politicians are corrupted to the core, so as policemen and other officials. Unlike cinema, it is not possible for a common man to fight against these politicians. What started like a revolution, Lok Paritran is no where now. Infact very few knew about its existence. That is the situation in India. Everytime something happens, political game starts and finally India will say that it has proof of Pakistan's hand in attack and as usual Pakistan will reject it. This has been the situation for the past few months.

So when it is not possible to change the system and also not possible to fight against these politicians, what can be done to protect ourselves from these terrorists?

I hope there are few people in politics who care for others and the country who can bail us out from this situation.

India's 9/11

I can only say "My hearty condolences to all those families who lost their near and dear ones". Lets pray for a secured India. At this point, only God can save us from terrorists unless the government takes strong measures.

Hats off to the brave Policemen, Indian Army, Marine Commandos and the National Security Guard Commandos.

தீபாவளி நல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்

அனைவருக்கும் இனிய தீபாவளி நல் வாழ்த்துக்கள். அனைவரது இல்லத்திலும் அகல் விளக்கின் ஒளியை போல் என்றென்றும் மகிழ்ச்சி பிரகாசிக்கட்டும்.

Enaku piditha varigal

I just want to share some of the lines that i liked in tamil films and film songs. whenever i listen to it, i feel the greatness of tamil language. Ok, no more lectures, i ll start :)

"Ennodu vaa veedu varaikum, en veetai paar ennai pidikum..." - Varanam Ayiram

"Pesa enni sila naal arugil varuvaen, pinbu paarvai pothum enna naan ninaipen naguzhvene maatri.." - Subramaniapuram

"Iru vari kavithai oru porul tharumae, iruvarum ithu pola irunthal sugam.." - Parthiban Kanavu

"Mouname unnidam antha mounam thane azhagu, paarvaigal pothumae athil vaarthai pesi pazhagau..." - Mozhi

"Aadu maadu mela ulla paasam, veetu ration cardil saerka solli kaetkum...pangali pakathu veetukum saerthu samaithida anbu inga vazhum" - Sivaji

"naat kuripil nooru thadavai un peyarai ezuthum en paenna..ezhuthiyathaiyum erumbu moika peyarum aanethae thaena..." Sillendru Oru Kathal

"Vaanam Pesum Pechu Thuliyaai Veliyaagum....Vaanavillin Pechu Niramaai Veliyaagum...Unnmai Oomai Aanal Kaneer Mozhi Aagam.....Pennmai Oomai Aanal Naanam Mozhi Aagum.....Osai Thoongum Jaamathil Ucchi Meengal Mozhiyaagum.....Aasai Thoongum Idhayathil Asaivu Kooda Mozhiyaagum..." Mozhi

"Intha oru jenmam pothathu..ezhu jenmam eduthum theerathu..antha theivam unnai kaaka thinam thozhuvaen thavaramal...enna naan kaetpaen theriyathu..innamum en manam puriyatha...ada rama ivan paadu antha penmai ariyatha..." - Lesa Lesa

"Naanthaane Naanthaane Vandaen Unakaaga....Sirikinraen Rasikinraen Unakae Unakaaga....Ennachu Enakae Theriyallaiyae.....En Moochin Kaaychal Kuraiyallaiyae.....Ada Enna....Ithu Enna Ithu Ennidam Paesividu.....Ennai Pidichirukaa Pidikallayaa Oru Murai Solli Vidu.....Murai Oru Murai Solli Vidu...." - Minnale

"Vidai Kodu engal naadae..kadal vasal thelikum veedae..pana mara kaadae..paravaigal koodae..."- Kannathil Muthamittal

"kayil vantha muthucharam sinthamal en ullangayin vepathilae otti kollumae...ezhil konda pachai kili vanthalum en vedanthangal vendam endru sollumae..." - Pachaikili Muthucharam

"Kan paarthu kathaika mudiyamal naanum thavikindra oru pennum neethan....kan kotta mudiyamal mudiyamal paarkum salikatha oru pennum neethan...." - Vetayadu Vilayadu

"Vanam enaku oru bothi maram..naalum enaku athu seithi tharum..."- Nizhalgal

"Ooruku aaru azhagu...oorvalathil thaer azhagu...tamizhuku zha azhagu..thalaiviku naan azhagu..." - Puthiya Mugam

"Mazhai kavidhai kondu varuthu yaarum kathavadaika vendam..oru karupu kodi kaati yaarum kudai pidika vendam...." - En Swasa Kaatrae

"Vannam konda vennilivae..vaanam vittu vaariyo..vinnilae paathai illai..unnai thoda eani
illai....."- Sigaram

(to be continued.....)

Ganguly - The man who changed Indian cricket

Finally the day has come. Dada announced his retirement from cricket and the Australian series will be his last. It has been a wonderful career for the man who changed the Indian cricket. He was the best captain India has ever produced. Under his captaincy, India won test matches abroad especially on bouncing tracks like Australia, West Indies and England. Lets look at some of his achievements.

• He is the most successful test captain of India by winning 21 tests and losing 13.
• During his captaincy, India reached the finals of the cricket world cup and also were the joint winners of champions trophy held at Sri Lanka.
• After being dropped from the national side, he made a strong comeback and was the leading run scorer last year for India in tests at an average of 50.
• His 183 against Sri Lanka at Taunton during the 1999 world cup is still one of the greatest knocks at the world cup.
  
• His bowling skills too is not short of glory. His performance at Toronto during the Sahara Cup against Pakistan where he averaged 10 is evident enough.
  
• He is only the third cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya to take 100 wickets and score more than 10,000 runs in one day international.
• He scored back to back test century in debut against England at Lords and Trent Bridge.
• Have scored more than 6500 runs in test cricket with 15 centuries.
• He along with Sachin Tendulkar, formed a formidable opening pair in one day international averaging more than 50.
• His 141 against Australia at Brisbane on a green top pitch showed that he too can play on bouncy and swinging tracks, when many people criticised him for his weakness.
• Rahul Dravid called him "the God on the off side"
• He is one of the most elegant left hander in the modern day cricket.

I guess, losing a man of Ganguly's calibre is a great loss for every team but everything has its end. I am sure he will be given a fitting farewall by the BCCI and the people of India especially West Bengal. Lets hope he finishes his career on a winning note and good performance against the Aussies.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

I wish all the muslims Happy Eid.
Let this Eid bring prosperity and happiness to everyone.

Wrooooooooooooooom......

Yesterday i saw Singapore Formula 1 night race. It was just amazing especially the sound and the speed. Ferrari in scarlet red was a beauty and the safety car in the night was just spectacular. Helicopters were roaming over the track and the whole place looked like a festival. Eventhough i didnt get tickets, i was able to see from the road as it was a street race. I hope i will make it to the stands next year.

Pulau Ubin

It is an Island and its around 30 minutes away from Singapore. It maintains the traditional Singapore culture. The main places to visit here is Chek Jawa Wetlands. It is simply amazing with mangrove trees, on the shore of Indian Ocean and near to Changi airport. One can see a flight take off and landing every 5 minutes. All these are simply superb. Apart from this, one can go for a cycling on the slopes and it is very adventurous.

How to go:

From Tampinies take bus number 29 to Changi Village and take a ferry from there to Ubin.
Ferry costs around SGD 2.50 per person per trip. Food will not available in the island.

Nearest Airport: Changi, Singapore.

Lets celebrate..... :)

Dont get angry on seeing yet another post on cricket. I am just mad about it.

This day last year, emerged a new set of cricketers who made India proud. Yes, i am talking about the Indian T20 team. Lets celebrate the completion of first year as world T20 champions.

The future of Indian Cricket...

Guys!!! Back to cricket after a long time. I just want to analyse the current situation of Indian cricket team especially its future in test cricket.
The current Indian team is certainly very energetic and youthful. For the first time in Indian crcicket history, the bench strength looks solid, be it in batting, bowling or wicket keeping. However two things that makes me skeptial about this team are

1. Can this team win a test series comfortably?
2. Can this team play test match without the fantastic four?

Let me come to question number 1. Over tha past few years India has been winning test matches abroad consistently. With wins in England, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa and Australia we have proved the world that we are no more a minnow when it comes to playing at their den.

However if analysed properly:

In the series win against England, luck played a major role. The last man was not given out LBW and later rain god helped us. I am not taking th credit away from Dhoni, who played a brilliant knock. If this had not happened the series would have been 1-1. Also England were playing without Flintoff, but that cannot be a reason for their loss.

The series against South Africa was a disaster especially in One dayers, losing all the 5 matches. However, it was a memorable series for us as we won our first test match in SA, thanks to Sreeshant who bowled brilliantly throughout the series.

The series against Australia was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons. We played brilliantly except for Melbourne test.

The series against West Indies was again a memorable one as we had registers first series win outside India in more than 20 years.

However in all these series one among the big four played a major role. Sachin played brilliantly in Australia, Dravid in West Indies, Laxman in England and Ganguly in South Africa.

Now lets come to tests match series at home. Touring India for a test match series is one of the difficult task for any team in the world. India has been the toughest opponent for any team at home. However if followed properly, one man has been instrumental in India's series win at home consistently. It is none other than Anil Kumble.

So the big question is, Is Indian think-tank doing enough to replace these five players?

Currenlt crop of players like Gambhir, Raina, Dhoni, Ishant, Piyush, Rohit, Yuvraj have been doing exceedingly well at the international level, but when it comes to consistency no one apart from Dhoni is consistent enough to play for India. Yuvraj was once called as the future of Indian cricket team. But off late he was disappointing. Can any of these players replace Sachin, Saurav, Dravid, Laxman and Kumble? Even though it is very difficult or virtually impossible to produce another Sachin, Kumble or Dravid, there should be some one who should take the team from where these five have left.

It is time for the Indian selectors to groom these youngster by giving them more opportunities at the test level so that Indian team can achieve what Australia has achieved over the past few years. I wish the team all the very best and am sure future for Indian team is bright if groomed properly.

Saroja....

After the stupendous success of "Chennai 600028", the youthful team led by Venkat Prabhu and S.P.B. Charan is back with "Saroja". Unlike their previous film, Saroja is a suspense/thriller which has S.P.B.Charan, Premji Amaran, Shiva and Vaibhav in the lead with very good support from Prakash Raj and Jeyaram. Sampath of Chennai 600028 fame is donning the villain role. Music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, produced by Amma Creations, the film is written and directed by Venkat Prabhu.

The movie starts off very lightly with a song and moves very briskly with good comedy from Premji Amaran. Slowly it takes the audience to the edge of the seat when S.P.B.Charan, Premji Amaran, Shiva and Vaibhav goes to Hyderabad to watch a cricket match but loses their way to an abandoned place. They finally land up into villain's place and how they escapes from the villain, what happens there forms the rest of the story.

The screenplay is perfect making audience to sit throughout the movie unmoving. It is very fast and doesnt gets slow anywhere. Background score by Yuvan is a big plus for the movie and songs are well picturised. It certainly adds flavour to the movie. All the four have performed well and kudos to Premji Amaran for his brilliant humour. The best part of the movie is even though its suspense/thriller, its humorous as well throughtout the movie. Everything is good about the movie and its very well narrated.

On the whole, the movie is yet another masterpiece from Venkat Prabhu and Co.

Rating: 4/5

Dham Dhoom...

On Saturday i got to watch Jeeva's most anticipated movie "Dham Dhoom". Unfortunately it was Jeeva's last film. The industry has lost a promising director and a great cinematographer. All of his films were so clean and different in narration be it 12B, which according to me is one of the well narrated movie in Tamil cinema or Ullam Kaetkumae which amid troubles ran very well at the box office. Let me come to his last movie Dham Dhoom. Unlike his other films this is a suspense/thriller about how the hero proves himself innocent for the charges against him for a murder.

Story of the movie is no different from other movies of this genre like Snegithiyae. However the movie scores over other movies released in recent past in Cinematography. The blueish colour throughout the film is a plus. Apar from that, the picturisation of "Anbe Anbe...", "Yaro Manathilae..." and "Azhiyilae.." is simply mind blowing. I guess after "Pachai Nirame..." from Alaipayuthey these are the best picturised songs.

Background music sounds familiar all through the film. It sounds like a remix of Vetayadu Vilayadu and Dasavatharam. However it strengthens the movie.

The place where the movie loses is its Screenplay. It was very ordinary and some scenes of Kangana Raunat reduces the pace of the movie. Also editing was not that great. However given the fact that Jeeva died midway, we should appreciate the efforts of people who finished the work.

On the whole the movie is average but had Jeeva been alive i am sure that movie would have been totally different.

Rating : 3/5

Jhula Bahon Ka....

I love this song just for Jothika.

She was cute and beautiful.

Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Bhaiyaa Goud Mein Uthao Na Aaj Mujhe
Kad Se Hoon Badi Mann Se Chhoti Main
Aaj Bhi Maan Lo Na Zid Meri
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Bhaiyaa Goud Mein Uthao Na Aaj Mujhe
Kad Se Hoon Badi Mann Se Chhoti Main
Aaj Bhi Maan Lo Na Zid Meri
Jhula Jhula
Jhula Jhula Jhula


Tu Khushi To Qarar To Bahar Hai
Dam Se Tere Hi To Ghar Pe Nikhar Hai
Tu Khushi To Qarar To Bahar Hai
Dam Se Tere Hi To Ghar Pe Nikhar Hai...

Main Shor Sharaba Dhoom Karoongi
Thumak Thumak Nachoongi
Chanchal Koyal Ke Jaise Main To
Chahek Chahek Jaoongi
Saare Rang Dhanak Ke
Main Chura Loongi
Hoo, Saare Rang Dhanak Ke
Main Chura Loongi
Hoo, Taare Palak Ke Tod Laoongi
Chup Chup Ke Meri Hansi Na Udana
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi
Jhula Jhula, Jhula Jhula
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Bhaiyaa Goud Mein Uthao Na Aaj Mujhe
Kad Se Hoon Badi Mann Se Chhoti Main
Aaj Bhi Maan Lo Na Zid Meri
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe

Tu Khushi To Qarar To Bahar Hai
Dam Se Tere Hi To Ghar Pe Nikhar Hai...

Ek Nahin, Do Nahin, Teen Hain Bhai
Teeno Jaise Mere Seepahi
Meri Shararat Meri Tabaahi
Bachaa Le Khuda
Lekin Inka Gussa Aisa
Gad Gad Gadje Badal Jaisa
Phir Barsaaye Pyaar Bhi Vaisa
O Mere Khuda
Mooti Hoon Main In Aankhon Ka
Phool Hoon Inke Baag Ka
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Bhaiyaa Goud Mein Uthao Na Aaj Mujhe
Kad Se Hoon Badi Mann Se Chhoti Main
Aaj Bhi Maan Lo Na Zid Meri
Jhula Bahon Ka Aaj Bhi Do Na Mujhe
Bhaiyaa Goud Mein Uthao Na Aaj Mujhe

Tu Khushi To Qarar To Bahar Hai
Dam Se Tere Hi To Ghar Pe Nikhar Hai
Tu Khushi To Qarar To Bahar Hai
Dam Se Tere Hi To Ghar Pe Nikhar Hai...

Autograph Part-2

(Continued from part 1)............

Then comes the important phase of my life. It was fag end of my college life when i got great friends. It was around January and March 2006 when i started speaking to them. But as days passed i felt as if we were talking for years. I enjoyed each and every moment i passed with them..........

June 25th 2006, i left for Mysore to join Infosys Technologies Ltd. I met a guy called Mrinal. You cannot believe, i have never seen such a talkative person in my life. Values friendship and will do anything for friends. One more thing which i need to mention about him is he is a great movie buff. Watches all kinds of movies ( i dont know how).

June 26th 2006, I joined the company. It was like a drean come true to work in such a big organization. The ambience was great and to i met people from all parts of India with varied background and culture. It was a great learning experience for me. As days passed in Infy, life became tough for me as i was struggling to pass exams conducted by them during training. However i somehow managed to pass and joined Insurance domain in Mysore.

September 15th 2006, the day which i cannot forget in my life. It was her birthday and i met her for the first time. However our first meeting eventhough lasted for harldy 3 mins was a disaster for me. She asked " Is it necessary for me to have dinner". I was stunned and my best friend Balaji shouted at her. Eventhough it was just a slip of her tounge we managed to make it a big issue :)

It was during January-February, i became close to this girl. I still cherish those time which i spent with her. Eventhough she is elder to me by a month i consider her as my own younger sister. She is so sweet and beautiful. The way she talks is enough to say that she is still a child. I just cannot miss this girl in my life. I dont have enough adjectives to describe her. She is simply a great gift for me from god.

During the early days of my life at Infy, i got a very good friend called Girish. Eventhough we both were from same batch, we became close after i joined him as his room mate. Life was smooth as we both enjoyed each others company. I thank him through this because it is he who taught me cooking.

March 17th 2007, i was offically declared professional. Yes, it was my convocation and i recieved my degree from my college chairman wearing a yellow and silky gown during the hot chennai summer.

July 14th 2007, eventhough was not a special day, indeed one of the most unforgettable day of life. Myself, Balaji, Mrinal and my sister went out and spent valuable time with eachother. It was the last time that we all 4 four went out together.

July 22nd 2007, Mrinal left for Singapore to pursue his Masters.

July 25th 2007, Girish left for US to do his Masters. On the same day my best friend since 1st year of college too left for Singapore to pursue her Masters.

August 2nd 2007, Balaji left for US to pursue his masters. I felt sad that i was not able to give him as well as Mrinal, my college friend and Girish send off as i was in Mysore. But i felt really great and proud to see my friends pursuing higher studies.

The days passed with no worries, no special events. It was routine. I was travelling between Mysore, Bangalore and Chennai like a Maniratnam movie. The time i spent in Bangalore at my sister's residence with two small kids was great. Whenever i was in Chennai life was great as i used to meet my sister. I just enjoyed her company.

November 2007, one of the happiest days of my life. I too got admit to pursue masters. It happened after nearly 2 years of struggle.

December 14th 2007, It was my last working day at Infy. Life was great there as i got few good friends.

December 24th 2007, I left for Singapore to continue masters. It was a mixed feeling for me.

January 7th 2008, I joined the university and began a new life as a student after 18 months of work.

Life was routine with studies, assignments, movies and few outing with friends.

April 16th 2008, i worte my first exam as a student after nearly 18 months. It was a satisfactory peformance from me.

The days passed and exam got over.

May 3rd 2008, i spent time with my best friend after nearly 2 months. We had a long chat for almost more than 5 hours and i felt really happy to have spent time with her after more than 2 months.

May 5th 2008, back to India for 3 months.

(to be continued..........)