Goodbye to the Goddess

                    

                         The Durga Puja celebrations come to an end today. The idols of Maa Durga get immersed today in seas, rivers or lakes. This occasion is celebrated as Visarjan. People use to apply colours and sindoor on each other. They take the idols of the Goddess in their localities to the nearby river or sea. The roads would be blocked and the people move to the river by dancing. Instruments or some songs are being played. Women use to dance in the middle of the road without any shyness. Some men use to drink and dance (It’s recommended not to go by car in such roads).           

          

                  I have experienced an incident when I was in Krishna Nagar (West Bengal). On such a Visarjan day, I was traveling in the car and the road was blocked by a mob. The driver (Bihari) kept on sounding the horn to pass the crowd. Some drunken idiots got annoyed and blocked the car. They started dancing in fron of the car and didnt move. Th short-tempered driver got down from the car and went to push them. Fortunately an old man who was like  a Panchayat head of the village came and stopped them. He requested us to wait for 10 minutes till the crowd dispersed. I convinced the driver and made him sit inside and I enjoyed watching the people and their carefree attitude.

                   They take the Durga idols to the river bank and start immersing them in the river by bidding adieu to Maa. Some use to shed tears as if they give a farewell. It’s believed that the Goddess comes to their homes for a vacation during Durga Puja, lives with them for 10 days and leaves after 10th day. They eagerly expect for her arrival for the next vacation. My colleague/friend Amit is an active participant in Visarjan. The next day he would be absent and after a day’s off he would come to office with colours all over his face as if  he played Holi. I wish that I could be in Kolkata during the next year’s Puja… Good Bye Goddess!!!

P.S:   Immersion of clay idols makes the water get polluted. People should have civic sense to an extent and they should immerse very less idols just for the sake of  tradition.

 

Happy B’day to the Nightingale of India

                 

                   Lata Mangeshkar – The nightingale of India turns 80 today. It’s too hard to believe her age as it’s still crystal- clear, with pitch and mainly it suits the young heroines too.

                 Lataji is a terrific singer. She deserves the title “Nightingale of India” I dont have age or experience to say about the legend. She has dedicated her whole life for Music without getting married. You can say she’s married to Music. I became a gr8 fan of her when I was in Kolkata. She has sung two songs in Tamil. Evergreen “Valaiyosai…” from Kamalhassan starrer Sathya and “Engirundho Azhaikkum..” frm Karthik starrer En Jeevan Paadudhu. Probably, the first Hindi song of Lataji I wud hav heard recognising and liking her voice might be “Tere me beech mein” from K.Balachander’s Ek Duuje Ke Liye. I used to listen to those songs when I was in 8th or 9th. Solah baras ki from the same movie is a classic. She should have got an award for that song. But SPB got National Award for his version of Tere Mere Beech mein. The most funniest thing is when Kamal (read SPB, the debut singer) says to Rati (Read Lata, the legendary singer) Parava illaiye.. Nee romba nalla paadura! (You sing better!). That’s KB!!!

                     She has sung for old actresses like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Rakhee, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, but her voice suited for Sridevi and Madhuri too in many of their films. She was 66 when she sang for Kajol in DDLJ. The songs and film were blockbuster. Her “jiya jale..” from Dil Se was too good with the romantic feel. (She was 68 then).  She sang for 3 actresses: Hema Malini, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherji in Yash Raj’s Musical Hit Veer Zaara in 2004. None could say she was 75 then. Even the legendary South indian singers like P.Suseela abd S.Janaki lost the magic in their voices. Still Lataji has the magic which was obvious in the most recent kitne ajeeb rishte hai… from Page 3.

My fav songs Oldies of Lata (Not by order)

1. Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein from Kabhi Kabhi (I’m get memerised when I listened to this)
2. Tere bina zindagi se koi and Is mod se jaate hain from Aandhi (Masterpieces)
3. Solah Baras ki from Ek Duuje K Liye (Terrific singing and Lyrics)
4. Salaam-e-ishq meri jaan (Awesome Lyrics)
5. Nadiya kinare and Piya Bina fro Abhimaan
6. Kuhu kuhu bole koyaliyan from Suvarna Sundari (Wat a classic)
7. Na Koi Umang Hai from Kati Patang
8. Kya Janoo sajan
9. Mere Sason ko jo mehak aa rahi hai
10.Bahon mein chale aao from Anamika (So romantic)
10.Ruke ruke se kadam from Mausam
11.Pardesiya
12.Sheeshse ho ya dil ho
13.Ajeeb Dastan hai yeh
14.Chalte Chalte from Pakeezah
15.Khilte hai gul yahaan from Sharmilee
and it’s an endless list

I love the songs of Chandni, Lamhe, Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, DDLJ, Dil To Pagal Hai and Veer Zaara where Lataji has sung for younger actresses with her veratality.

I wish her a Very Happy B’day through my blog and wish her to sing in movies again.

P.S: Today Ranbir Kapoor shares his B’day with the legend. He turns 27. Hope Deepika would have given a perfcect B’day gift for her beau. (I like Rishi Kapoor. Still he’s more charming than Ranbir who has drowsy looks and is an apt choice for Wake Up Sid).

 

Happy Dussehra/ Vijaya Dasami

                       Today is Dussehra, the 10th day after Mahalaya. According to Mythology, Lord Rama killed Ravana on this Day and this marks the Victory of Good over Evil. Idols of Ravana are burnt on Dussehra in North India and in some parts of Karnataka and AP. It’s well shown in the movie “Aasai” where Prakash Raj was killed on Dussehra and ppl celebrate by burning Ravan outside. In Kolkata, this day is celebrated as Bijoya Doshomi. It’s also celebrated as an occassion to celebrate good over evil. The Pooja Pandals are normally dismantled on this day. Last day I was wearing a Kurta and was roaming with Ami and Arpita in South Kolkata. It was a memorable day.

                      In Tamil Nadu, Ravana is not burnt. My Hindi friends were telling that they couldnt find and Ravana idol nor a Durga idol in Chennai. Vijaya Dasami is celebrated as a occassion o start a new thing. Generally, children are admitten in schools or to learn any sort of education/arts. It’s called Vidyarambh. It’s also an occassion to thank the teachers. In Mahabharatha, the Pandavas completed their 12 years of disguise and they were back to Hasthinapuram on Vijaya Dasami. Vijayan refers to Arjun.

                       I didnt commence any new thing today. But I restarted my Carnatic singing. When I started singng in front of my uncle’s golu, I couldnt recall the lyrics of many of the songs like Mamavatu Sri Saraswathi, Pahimam Sri Raja Rajeshwari, Himagiri Thanaye Hemalathe..”, etc which I was singing by heart. I just sang “Devi Neeye Thunai in Keeravani and Sri Chakra Raja Simhasaneshwari in Ragamalika (Chenchurutti, Punnagavarali, Nadanamakriya and Sindhu Bhairavi). The latter was sung twice, alone once and 2nd with mama in front of the golu. It was a nice start and I need to practise regularly. (But my job doesnt gimme time)

 

My First Day in College

Nine years back, this day I entered my college.

 

Durga Puja

Today is Durgashtami,the main day Navratri. According to mythology, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura this day. Last 3 years I was in Kolkata celebrating Durga Puja. Unfortunately, I’m badly missing the festival this year. I have heard Durga Puja is the most famous festival of Bengal. But I never thought it to be the most grand of all other Indian festivals. Bengalis celebrate Navratri  right from Maha Sashti, the 6th day after Mahalaya.

To be cntd

Wish you all a Happy Durga Puja!!!

 

Hasili Fisili Rasavali… What the Hell does it mean?

This typical Harris Jeyaraj song from the movie Aadhavan has become so popular since its audio release. Everyone is going gaga over the song. But I am not at all impressed. In fact, I get irritated when I listen to this song as a caller tune or ringtone. Am I a Maverick?? May be… But what makes me get irritated it the Lyrics of the 1st line “Hasili fisili rasavali…”. What’s its meaning and in which language is it? In Hindi there are words “hasle” ” faasle”. But what is rasavali? Was it coined by the Music director/lyricist to make a it rhyming with “kathakali” in the next line? “Sirippinil kathakali” might have been used since Nayantara is a Mallu.

The only good thing about the song is its singer. Karthik always does justice to whatever song he sings (May be because of his Name). I liked Harris-Karthik combo a lot ala  Oru Maalai, Oru ooril azhage, etc. The duo were Awesome. But I was toooo disappointed when listened to  “Anjala…” from Vaaranam Aayiram. No doubt Karthik has sung it to his best. But it’s like  K.J.Jesudass singing “Thannithotti thedivandha kannukkutti…”  Anjana (Hasili fisili…”) is better than Anjala. But still it’s not an extra-ordinary composition like the Oru Maalai & Oru Ooril. I wish Karthik to sing such songs. 

P.S: If anyone tell me the  meaning of “Hasili fisili Rasavali“, they will get a Koffee Mug from my Koffee Klub preferably with their Sun Sign print on the  it!!!

 

Got 500 Friends in Orkut!

                            Yesterday my Orkut friends list reached 500. Interestingly, my cousin (Periyamma‘s daughter) Veena became my 500th friend. I was surprised to see her profile and gave her a friend request a couple of weeks back but she accepted yesterday only it seems. Usually I dont add unknown strangers just for a count. But I like to chat and  interact with like-minded ppl even if they are unknown. I have got many good friends whom I havent met yet. Hope I would get more good friends and reach 1000 (The max limit of Orkut in a single profile).

                             I was surprised to see Veena’s profile bcos just a month back she entered her 1st year Engineering and immediately she joined Orkut. Nowadays many school children are in Orkut. I  joined Orkut when I was 22. I started browsing and created an email id after I completed my 12th. Till then I didnt know anything about the terms browsing, surfing, chatting, et al and had just seen in the movie Kadhalar Dinam. Technology has developed sooooo much and kids get over exposure. I have to get prepared not to get shocked if my 10 year old cousin Vybu gives me a friend request tomorrow.

P.S: I wanted my latest Orkut crush Jaanu to become my 500th friend. But unfortunately it was not accepted. Unlucky gal!!!

 

Priyanka and Her Rashees

Hey guys, check out these videos.

1. ARIES – Anjali

2.TAURUS –

3.GEMINI – Kajal

4.CANCER –

5.LEO – Mallika

6.VIRGO – Dr.Pooja

7.LIBRA- Rajani

8.SCORPIO

9.SAGITTARIUS – Bhavna

10.CAPRICORN

11.AQUARIUS

12.PISCES

WHOM WILL HARMAN MARRY???

 

What to Write?

                                   Since I started blogging regularly, (almost everyday) the irst thing that comes to my mind is about the Topic. Like a home maker, who breaks her head everyday for what to cook, I too break my head for posting some good topics but I always end up in Filmy topics like Celebrity B’days, gossips, etc. I have come across blogs mostly on Social issues and what had happened to the blogger. My friend Rachna told me to write something personal other than the normal glossy ones. Personal in the sense, not as a diary, but something creative to discover and exhibit my writing skills. She told me poems, stories, et al for instance. But even if I post filmy blogs, I try to relate those films or celebrities with myself and write about the impact of them in me. I found a post in Indiblogger forum where a blogger was asking whether there is any Blogs on Celebrities and film gossips. I just posted my blog URL  there. This made me write up more filmy blogs. I think because of this my Blog stats got a drastic increase.

 

Vikatan Becomes Sleazy

                           

                            Ananda Vikatan is considered as the pioneer of Tamil Magazines and read by people of all ages. Being an ardent and regular reader of Vikatan for years, I would love to pen down my experiences with Vikatan now and then. I loved reading from cover to cover without missing a single word. When I was in college, I used to purchase on the day of its issue and read it fully before my roomies. I have regretted for not being in the age when great writers like Jeyakanthan, Sujatha, Kalki and all were budding writers in Vikatan. If I know about these authors and their works, it’s Vikatan that introduced them to me. I became a gr8 fan of Sujatha only through Vikatan. I loved his aticles (esp Katradhum Petradhum) without which I felt Viktan is incomplete. I considered its Film reviews very genuine and watch films according to the marks given by Vikatan team. Poems of  Vairamuthu (Kallikkaattu Idhigaasam and Karuvaachi Kaaviyam) and Vaali (Avadhara Purushan, Pandavar Bhoomi) are classics. I cannot forget Thabu Shankar’s romantic poems too. I was very much eager to become a Student Journalist in Vikatan. Unfortunately, the wish didnt become true. Vikatan maintained a classic dignity and a higher standard than its counterpart Kumudham (I never consider the trash Kungumam nor compare it with Vikatan). If I write or something or know something about writing, it’s only because of Vikatan. I have only one friend Sathya (Coincidentally today is his B’day) with whom I share about the Vikatan articles (apart from my mom). I never missed  R.Parthiban’s “Chummaa“, Prakash Raj’s “Solladhadhum Unmai“, Bala’s “Ivandhan Bala“, Selvaraghavan’s “Kana Kaanum Kalangal“, Cheran’s “Touring Talkies“. I got a gr8 chance to read my contemporary writer S.Ramakrishnan’s amazing articles “Thunai Ezhuthu” and “Kadha Vilasam“. Since I was in Kolkata, where Tamil magazines are very rare, I missed many episodes of his “Desaandhiri” and Chezhiyan’s “Ulaga Cinema“. I have to buy the whole books from Vikatan Prasuram

                              But nowadays Vikatan loses its standard every week. Especially after the sad demise of Sujatha for whom Vikatan was selling like a hot cake. Even after his death, it published some of his old stories and essays. Madhan’s Q&A part (Hi Madhan) is no way different from Kumudham‘s “Arasu Badhilgal“. The reviews are biased and the marks given to some crap movies are not at all deserved. Vikatan became more commercial after it changes its size from small to big. Only the  size and prize became big but the substance got degraded. It started concentrating more on glamour, glitz, advertisements. After the launch of Vikatan Talkies, it started promoting its home production movies like Shiva Manasula Shakthi and Valmiki like Sun Pictures’ Film promotion in Sun Network.

                             I have never seen any glamourous stills of heroines on the cover of Vikatan. I was shocked to see Rakhi Sawant on the Front Cover recently. The morphing of Actress Sneha’s photo in a Bikini outfit is the most sleaziest thing in VIkatan so far. Lot of advts, uninteresting stories by amateur writers, improper movie reviews, cheap gossips, etc. make me hate Vikatan. Many stopped buying it not only for its high prize but also for its low standard. All the masala stuff we get more sleazier in Kumudham for just Rs.10. No need to spend Rs.15. The 3 things that make me buy Vikatan are “Pokkisham Vikatan” (Few pages of Vikatan’s past issues), Oru Kanavin Isai (Biography of A.R Rahman) and S.Ramakrishnan’s Siridhu Velicham. I liked the recent article “Ennai Sedhukkiya 7 Natkal”  but it’s missing now. 

                    Charu Niveditha’s interview in this week’s issue (dated 23.09.2009) made me write this post. Yuck Charu! It made me compare Sujatha’s writings to Bhagyaraj movies and Charu’s to SJ Surya/Simbhu Movies.

                    What happened to you Mr.Vikatan? It’s not your cup of tea. Why are you struggling like an Art House director who makes masala movies with Item numbers just for not getting loss. You have almost lost many of your die-hard readers and the name earned by your previous generation. Gnani has already shifted his O Pakkangal to Kumudham. Please dont let S.Ramakrishnan also go. Grab him as he’s the key writer now (Like Sujatha was). You will lose more if you continue this. I wish you to go back to your previous form and maintain the Class. It’s a humble request from an ardent reader.

P.S: It’s the time for Vikatan Deepavali Malar. I’m gonna buy this year as I missed the last 3 yrs. I hope it would be having a Sujatha’s article or an article on Sujatha, Kamalhaasan- 50. I also expect some of my other fav writers works in 2009 Issue. Let’s see whether it’s upto my expectation.