Outshine

Ilayaraaja 75

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sat, 2 Feb 2019 18:23:00 +0530

To commemorate the 75th birthday of Ilayraaja the Film producer's council, Chennai is organising a two day celebrations at Nandnam YMCA grounds today Feb 2nd and tomorrow Feb3rd, 2019. The phliharmonic Symphony Orchestra from Budapest has arrived at Chennai to participate in the concert.

Ilyaraaja is the greatest composer of India and widely acclaimed all over the world. At this time I thought I would share with you what other great celebrity giants have said about this great composer. I feel geniuses like him appear in the world once in a millineum. He has a divine gift. He is endowed with many talents, he is a vocalist, instrumentalist (plays many string instruments,woodwind instruments and few percussion instruments), composer, writes notations, does arrangments, orchestration, conducts orchestra and above all he is a lyricist too. His BGM scores for movies are incredible. Experts and people who know him closely says he writes scores without playing any insturment and gives them straight to the Orchestra. It is also said his RR scores would never overlap with other sound effects. He would watch the movie only once and immediately write the RR score. It would start and end precisely. The score flows from his mind. This ability is something akin to the great western clssical composer Beethoven who created his masterpieces when he was completely deaf. He could not hear his own compositions. But they were world's best symphony compositions.

I don't know about the nuances of music, yet I feel his greatest success lies in blending Indian classicl carnatic ragas with western orchestration that appeals to a lay music buff. Many of his songs are immortal. It is said he has composed over 9000 songs and scored music for over 1000 films. A feat that can not be beaten for another century by any other composer anywhere in the world. All the songs are gems. Many of his popular songs were composed in few minutes.

What they said about Ilayaraja

RI JAYENDRA SARASWATHI SWAMIGAL (Spiritual Guru, India)," Ilaiyaraja has plans to bring about good changes in the society, through his music. His music is capable of putting the mind at peace and serenity."

SEMANGUDI SRINIVASA AYYAR (Eminent Carnatic Vocalist, India) - " Raja has that unique gift to please common man and carnatic experts alike.Until recently, I knew that Shri Ilayaraaja is a great film music director - his expertise in diluting Carnatic Ragas without diluting their native merits, is well known to me - but recently I had the oppurtunity to listen to him sing a few kirthanas - he sang a kirthana in Raag Abhogi - very well rendered - in Carnatic Sangeet, one needs to know the Sahityam - without knowing it, one should not sing it making it sound absurd - Isai gyani Shri.Ilayaraaja sang it very beautifully and his grasp of the Sahityam is commendable. After today, I realise that Shri.Ilayaraaja is a thorough expert in Carnatic music. May the God Almighty bless Isai Gyani with a long life so that he can render a long service to music."

LARY BAIN( England Based Composer)-"He is unbelievable, genius and fantastic"

LALGUDI JAYARAMAN (Eminent Musician, India) - " " His talent is not the fruit of one single birth's efforts. This level of achievement is only possible to one who has lived with music for countless births. The speed with which he writes notations have always baffled me. "

Dr.BALAMURALIKRISHNA (Eminent Carnatic Vocalist, India) -" As far as i am concerned, i would say Ilaiyaraja is the composer of the century. If there is one single authority on 'orchestration' it can only be ilaiyaraja.

K.J.YESUDASS (Eminent Film/Carnatic Vocalist, India) - "There are infinite music forms hidden in his heart. All that should flow-out for the good of mankind."

VAALI (South Indian Lyricist/Poet, India) - "Reethigowlai, Hamsanatham, Bilahari etc are some of the ragas that he has deftly handled for film music. He is not isignani, he is swaragnani"

ZUBIN MEHTA (Music Conductor, Israel Philharmonic)- " I was bewildered after listening to his 'nothing but wind' and 'how to name it'. He belongs to the 21st century and perhaps beyond."

JOSEPH EAGER, (Conductor, World Symphony Orchestra, USA )-"His music will be heard through the twenty-first century" predicted at a function to release the CD of his album Nothing But Wind in New York in 1988.

VICTOR RANGEL RIBEIRO,( musicologist and author of Baroque Music, USA ) - "Your ears will hear music like they never heard before"

STEPHEN DAVIS (of New Age, USA) -"He is leading us to a very special world of music appreciation and has opened doors of new horizons of new age music"

SHERYAR MOOKERJEE,( a Mumbai based musicologist, India) - ,"Bach's influence is deep and all pervasive in his music. He is adept at using conventional western harmony and standard western techniques. Uses dialogue and imitation extensively. He has a competent grasp of the orchestra. His conspicuous quality is his ability to so integrate the Indian and western idioms that the seams can hardly be noticed and the result is usually pleasant, charming and satisfying. Ilaiyaraaja's music is enjoyable and worth taking very seriously. It grows on one with repeated hearings".

LASLOV KOVACH,(Conductor, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Hungary) - ,"He is Hollywood Kind. A very special composer. It seems he does not have to think at all to create music. Music just flows out."

RAJKUMAR SANTOSHI (Noted Film Maker, India ) (on Background music by Maestro Ilaiyaraja for his film Lajja) - ,"The discipline of the 90 musicians, the conductor and the recording engineers of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra in

Hungary

was overwhelming. The musicians gave a standing ovation after recording the scores written by Ilaiyaraja."

MARK LAYCOCK, (Director of Orchestral Activities, Iowa State University, Iowa, United States of America) - ,"A fascinating blend of Eastern and Western styles. The music is instantly appealing -- rhythmically, harmonically, formally. The use of traditional Indian instruments in a modern musical context makes for a rich palette of tone colors and creates a wide range of expressive possibilities"

NAUSHAD ALI (doyen of hindi film music, India)- ,"That this man has achieved is 100 times more than what any of us have achieved; only time can tell the quantum of his achievements"

HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA, (exponent of Hindustani Classical Music, India) - ," It is a treat watching him (Mr.Ilayaraaja) work - he does everything, composing, arrangement of instruments, orchestration and conducting - that too without the help of any assistants and a stopwatch."

L.SUBRAMANIAM (Violin Maestro, India)-,"Ilayaraaja is as good as any composer in the world"

SUDHA RAGUNATHAN (Eminent Carnatic Vocalist, India )," Yesterday, today or tommorrow, ilaiyaraaja will remain the unquestionable emperor of music period !!! "

MADHAN (Noted Cartoonist, Writer, film critic, India ) - ," As far as i am concerened, Ilayaraaja is the best bet when it comes to background music. He seems to fully understand as to what the film's situation demands and what impact should his music create in viewer's mind. More often, the usage of silent passages in his background music is more stunning than the music itself, and he creates the right mood every time. Amazing is the word!!"

R.V.UDAIYAKUMAR (Noted Film Maker, India) - "He was writing the background score for one of my films. In a particular scene i had made a very glaring error in designing the flow of shots. I told him that i have made a mistake in choosing the shots. He simply said - I just now corrected your mistake with the BGM ...Listen to this!!"

PAARTHIBAN (Noted Film Maker, Actor, India) - "Music alias ilaiyaraja, ilaiyaraja alias Music"

KAMALHAASAN (Noted Actor, Film Maker, India) - ",Ilaiyaraja should be honored as Isai Vigyani (musical scientist) rather than Isai gyani.He has explored and analyzed virtually every type of music.I have worked with several composers. But this man is on his own trip - he is a colossal talent. We have worked together in around 70 films and we know each other's requirements and expectations very well. He saw the rushes of the film (Hey Ram!) just once and immediately decided the music to be scored for the song sequences that have already been picturised. I told my film crew to give me a week's time and that I will come back with one song in that time- instead I came back with seven songs"

HARIHARAN,( Playback Singer, India),"Ilaiyaraja's style is very different. He has been heavily influenced by the classical compositions of Mozart and Bach."

CHANDRAHASAN,( Film Producer, India)," His music is precious. Mere dishing out of money wont get you such quality music."

A.R.REHMAN ( Music Composer, India)," He is a genius by himself and is completely self contained"

KARTHIK RAJA ( Music Composer, India)," He has composed in so many idioms, his work spans such a wide spectrum that there will always some resemblance to something he has already done"

UTTAM SINGH (Music Composer, India) - "Ilaiyaraaja is perhaps the only complete music composer in India"

SUHASINI MANIRATNAM (Eminent Actress, India)," Show me a composition matching legendary compositions like 'shenbagame shenbagame' & 'panivizhum malar vanam' by ilaiyaraja. Only then can you talk of someone overtaking him"

THANGAR BACHAAN (Cinematographer, Film Maker, India)," Once I finish shooting my film, i just place it before ilaiyaraja, and from there on whatever he delivers is music. I dont need to worry about it anymore. I shudder to even think about Indian film music without ilaiyaraaja. "

VAMSY (Noted Film Maker, India) - "While picturizing a song, iIaiyaraja's tunes inspire me more than the characters of the film themselves."

BHARATHIRAAJA (Noted Film Maker, India) - " I shoot scenes with a particular impact in mind. And even before i discuss about what i have in mind, he is already ready with mind boggling BGM bits."

MANIRATNAM (Noted Film Maker, India) - "Ilaiyaraja is absolutely prolific. He is an amazing talent who believes that the music written down by him should be stuck to totally. And then it is recorded which is just a matter of execution. I wish I could be like Ilaiyaraja and work out everything on paper."

Courtsey (TFMpage.com)

My other posts about Ilayaraaja

https://outshine-ga-ga.blogspot.com/2009/11/ilayaraja-musical-wizard.html

https://outshine-ga-ga.blogspot.com/2008/06/ilayaraaja-invincible-mastero.html

ilayaraja.htmlhttps://outshine-ga-ga.blogspot.com/2009/12/bachan-on-ilayaraja.html

NEET woes continue to haunt Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sun, 6 May 2018 22:56:00 +0530

NEET exams were held all over India today. But right from the day the 'Admit cards' were issued by CBSE; medical aspirants from TN were in for a rude shock. After issuing the cards, the CBSE announced no change in examination centre will be facilitated. Grudgingly many students who were allotted centre's outside the state made travel arrangements very much against their wish and financial means, because becoming a doctor is their life time ambition. Most of them in their teens had to be accompanied by one of their parent's. Additionally they had to spend money for their accommodation, reach the location one day in advance and report one hour earlier at the exam centre.

A PIL was filed in Madras HC against the allocation of far off examination centers by CBSE. Surprisingly CBSE made a bizarre argument in court that except TN, for all other states, exam centers were allotted with in their state. On April 27, 2018 the Madras HC ordered CBSE to re-allot the examination centers for the Tamil Nadu NEET candidates within the NEET examination centers, nearest to their residence, situated within the State of Tamil Nadu. Relieved students cancelled their travel arrangements. When media men asked CBSE about any possible appeal against the HC order, CBSE said they have not yet received the HC order. Later on, CBSE files an appeal against the Madras HC order and on May 4, barely two days before the scheduled May 6th NEET examinations, SC overturns the Madras HC judgment and directed the students to appear for the NEET examination at their allotted centers only. It was a jolt for the medical aspirants from TN. Though CBSE argued all centers were allotted by computers and there is no human intervention, it defies logic. All students were asked to give 3 preferential choices of centers with in their domicile state. And there was an instruction that no one should select a centre out of their domicile state. Despite this how could computer allot centers outside the state? Is something wrong with the software allotting exam centers? SC direction was based on CBSE contention that there is short of time to arrange exam centers in TN now. This argument is apparently implausible because CBSE had more than 25 days at its disposal, to reallot centers. before sending Admit cards. The only consolation is, SC recogonised the mess created by CBSE and made an observation in their judgment that such goof ups must be avoided by CBSE next year. Nevertheless I felt SC could have been more sympathetic and given some relief to TN students by upholding the HC verdict and postponed the exams by a week and directed CBSE to reallot the preferred exam centers in their domicile state.

It is reported over 5000 students from TN had to make travel arrangements at the eleventh hour to reach their examination centers allotted in neighboring states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Telengana .It is reported that some of the students were allotted far off centers in Rajasthan and Sikkim. Many good Samaritans, few NGO's and Tamil Associations in the other states volunteered to extend a helping hand to students writing exams in other states by providing free accommodation, free to and fro transport to exam centers etc. Kerala government was the first to announce help desks at Railway stations to help TN students and directed its officers to reach out to students who need help. Later TN government also announced free buses to transport students to exam centers and an ex gratia amount of Rs 1000 per student. Mosques in Kerala provided free accommodation to students.

It was generally felt students appearing for NEET in another state would be under severe stress and would not be able to prepare for the exam because he/she has to travel a long distance. But unfortunately a TN student's father died, while his son was writing the exam at the Ernakulum centre. The young boy unaware of his father's death was writing the exam and the tragic news greeted him once he was out of the hall. Compassionate Kerala government, did all possible help to shift his body to his native place and deputed police officer to accompany the body.

Other goof ups by CBSE were also reported in TN. A village girl was allotted a centre in Salem. As per the admit card, she went to the centre, the authorities did not permit her to write the exam. The centre mentioned in the Admit card was right, but the computer code mentioned in the Admit card corresponds to a centre at Kollam in Kerala. Authorities asked her to go to Kollam and write the exam, just 1 hour before the exam. For no fault of her, this poor girl, from a remote TN village was not allowed to write the exam. How atrocious is this? Who is going to make good the loss she has suffered! .

Students are permitted to write exams in Tamil also, this is done for the benefit of state board Tamil medium students. They should be given questions papers with English and Tamil. Instead they were given question papers with English and Hindi in one of the centers in Madurai. They were given the correct cyclostyled question papers after 5 hours. Until then they were made to wait inside the hall. But the authorities do not permit candidates to enter the exam centers even if he/she is late by one minute. This has also happened at many centers. The worst part is all students who were given wrong question papers and made to wait were forced to sign a statement in English that they were not subjected to any mental stress. Some of them didn't even know the contents of the declaration signed by them. Normally students who appear for any exam brings the question paper with them, once the exams are over. For these students who were given wrong question papers and subsequently cyclostyled question papers were issued were all taken back by the authorities and were not returned to them.

This year also the bizarre frisking was done. The dress code for NEET is ridiculous. Despite protests against funny and ridiculous frisking of students by CBSE in the previous two years, it was conducted this year also. This is worse than the TSA 'pat down' in US airports. Who are we dealing with, students or terrorists? .I am surprised to note why union minister Prakash Javdekar is silent about all that is happening? Is he also busy with Karnataka election campaign!

TN is fighting against NEET; but now CBSE has made TN fight for allotting exam centers in TN. Is it not an oxymoron? But unlike many others, I don't suspect any ulterior motive in what happened.

But reasons to do away with NEET exams are still valid. As long as India has multiple boards of education such as CBSE, CISE and state boards, it is not right to have common entrance exam based only on CBSE syllabus. Competitive exams are always different from qualifying exams. Majority of the students study in State board syllabus, therefore NEET exams can't be tailored for CBSE syllabus. In the absence of uniform standards, a national eligibility exam based on CBSE syllabus is not justifiable. I do agree there is a need to upgrade state board syllabus. CBSE claims it is a common entrance exam, but it was alleged last year, the question papers set in various regional languages were in different standards. It was not a translation of the English version. How could this happen?

In 2013 SC Chief Justice Altmas Kabir quashed the Medical council of

India

's notification to hold NEET for MBBS and BDS in 2013, and called it ultra vires to the constitution. CJ Kabir delivered the judgment on the day of his retirement. Justice Dave was the only judge to give a dissenting judgment among the three judges of the bench.

The late TN CM Jayalalitha was fighting tooth and nail against NEET. JJ wrote to the then PM Manmohan Singh and said "this judgment has brought to end a vexatious issue which medical aspirants had to undergo, due to the uncertain selection process, which is against the interest of Tamil Nadu." She had to write this because the union government was then planning to move the SC for a review. She wrote, "Tamil Nadu strongly objects to any such fresh purported attempts by the Government of India to seek a review of the judgment of the Supreme Court and efforts for reintroduction of NEET in any manner as it infringes upon the State’s rights and admission policies to medical institutions in Tamil Nadu. She argued that the state has followed a reservation policy of 69 % for backward and most backward communities and Scheduled castes and tribes in professional courses. Arguing that NEET would go against the Socio-economic objectives of TN, she urged the PM to drop the review petition.

When BJP was swept to power in 2014, she again quickly gave a memorandum to Modi to drop the review move by the previous government. When government under Modi was planning to reintroduce NEET, she again objected strongly that it will infringe the states rights and admission policies to medical institutions in TN.

Surprisingly in April 2016 SC reopened the case and revoked its own verdict. The reason cited by SC was that the judges did not have sufficient time to consult among themselves before delivering the judgment and reversed its own earlier judgment and ordered for conducting NEET for admissions to medical and dental colleges in

India

. The TN state counsel then pleaded that 'There are no entrance exams in TN. He said this state policy was made a statute in 2007 to achieve aspirational parity between rural and urban students in TN.

Because of CM Jayalaitha's efforts, Centre passed an ordinance to exempt TN from NEET for the year 2016-17. In May 2016, she again wrote to Modi thanking for passing the ordinance swiftly and said, " the ordinance is only a temporary address to the issue for the current year ,TN's situation is distinct and different from other states", and wanted "necessary measures to be taken to ensure TN is permitted to continue the existing fair and transparent system of admission to medical and dental colleges in the state" .

Thus in 2016 TN was exempted from NEET. In 2017 TN students had to write NEET finally, when their hope for another one time exemption again, was shattered at the last minute. There was state wide protest over the death of 19 year old Anita, TN state topper and a medical aspirant in 2017, committed suicide when she could not secure a medical seat on account of NEET (She had secured 1176/1200 in Plus two exams)

CMC Vellore, one of the oldest medical institutions of the country decided to suspend admissions to MBBS and super specialties courses for 2017-18, as it was unable to follow its established admission process after NEET became operational.

What is the way forward?

The TN Assembly passed a unanimous Bill seeking exemption for TN students from NEET in last week of January .The bill was sent to Central government for presidential assent. But there is no response from the union government on this till date. Surprisingly neither the state government nor the union government talks about the fate of the bill! .Is it because there is no towering leader like JJ at the helm of affairs in TN? With the inaction of centre on the Bill, NEET woes for TN would only continue unabated like this. As Dr. Ramdoss says reasons cited by CMC for stopping admissions to its medical colleges is applicable to all government colleges in TN, the TN government should take a cue from CMC Vellore, to force some resolution to this ticklish issue. .

NEET is an anomaly. NEET is one of the biggest injustices to India's education system that is not uniform throughout the breadth and length of the country. Education can not be taken out of the socio cultural, autonomous and linguistic interests of the states. The central can not control education in states. Education should be brought back to states list from concurrent list. Education was shifted from state list to concurrent list by Mrs .Gandhi in 1975 during the emergency. It should be reversed now. Above all NEET would produce quality doctors is a gross misconception. What we need in India is a quality, all pervasive health care system with more number of dedicated doctors to serve the rural areas.

Hair splitting the word 'Scheme' delays CMB formation

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:17:00 +0530

It is very unfortunate that the union government has chosen to harp on the word 'scheme' in the SC judgment on Cauvery to delay the formation of the CMB. Any sane person would easily understand it is just a political ploy to delay the implementation of the SC judgment. It must be borne in mind by all those concerned, justice delayed is justice denied. It is very evident that the ruling BJP at centre is playing politics to delay the formation of CMB, in view of the impending Karnataka elections. It is hair splitting at its best.

Does it mean the judgment by SC is not comprehensible to the union government? SC has made it amply clear that it would not entertain any petition for appeal or review on SC judgment for next 15 years. The union government lacks the political will to implement the SC verdict. It is very clearly a move to appease the Karnataka electorate and delay formation of the CMB. When the SC judgment clearly states it is a decree and SC stands by the tribunal verdict except for the quantum of water, where does the question of ambiguity arise? First of all where is the need for the central government to look for alternate options!. The delaying tactics is very evident that just a day before the deadline to implement the SC judgment, union government is planning to seek a clarification from the court about the word 'Scheme'. This is a mockery of the judiciary and democracy.

Union government acting so blatantly in a partisan way, after a reasonable and equitable judgment by the SC is very unfortunate. The public at large will lose confidence in institutions like the apex court and its judgments. In fact till yesterday I was expecting PM Mr.Modi to act like a statesman and not indulge in petty vote bank politics. I feel Mr.Modi has lost a good opportunity to rise above petty politics and behave like a statesman. Irrespective of the disappointments and pleas by States like TN and Karnataka, PM should come forward to implement a just verdict by the SC. All the four riparian states have to jointly utilise the water resources on the principles of equitable utilisation and rights of co riparian states as suggested by the SC. The union government is in fact trying to find an alibi to delay taking a decision on CMB. The ruling party at the centre always claims the nation comes first for their party and all the rest are secondary .It they truly believe in this dictum they should implement the SC verdict in letter and spirit .Let us hope better counsels prevail and the SC judgment is implemented by EOD today.

One thing is very clear that any one going to court on some pretext or other is nothing but deceiving the people of TN. This is a very sorry state of affairs. The governments at the centre and state undermine the voice of the farmers and the people .of TN. One can very well understand BJP's political stakes in taking a decision like this. BJP is not a ruling party in any of the six southern states .The only southern state where BJP has chances to a have a foothold is Karnataka. But it should not be done at the cost of TN farmers, their reasonable and equitable demand, especially in the light of the SC judgment.

Political realignment likely in Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:56:00 +0530

Kamal Haasan launched his political party 'Makkal Neethi Mayyam' at Madurai yesterday with much fanfare. He also introduced the party flag and talked about few ideals of his new party. Contrary to the expectation of many people, he did not spell out in detail his ideology or political orientation. He said it is being prepared and would be released as a book. Curiously he said for the consumption of those gathered at the meet what information he shared is sufficient and for the discerning few his political manifesto would do justice. Kamal introduced his party's 'Think Tank' also.

I could guage few implicit signals, Kamal was sending out while launching his party:

1. He is distancing his party from the Congress, BJP and the AIADMK factions.

2. Kejriwal's presence, Pinarayi Vijayan and Chandra Babu Naidu's messages are pointers

3. Though he claims he is a centrist, it remains to be seen how pronounced will be his left of centre leanings.

4. He obviously does not want to alienate the Tamil sentiments and Tamil pride, the core ideology of the Tamil Nationalist parties, organisations and also his Dravidian credentials.

5. His explanation that the six hands in the party flag represent the six southern states is something new and strange. I don't know why he wants to have a separate identity for the southerners. Probably could it be his wish list that his party will find a foot hold in these southern states at a later stage?

6. In the absence of a clear cut ideology about his party, one gets the feeling, he is still unprepared for a full fledged launch of his party.

7. I strongly believe Kamal's party (MNM) could very well create a ripple efect on the national scenario during the 2019 parliamentary elections leading to political polarisation and realignments. There could be a strong alliance of like minded parties against the incumbent BJP at the national level and Kamal could be a part of that grand alliance.

8. Kamal's immediate challenge would be to contest the local body elections, which could be held any time before the 2019 parliament poll or the 2021 State Assembly elections. Civic body elections are altogether a different ball game. A reasonably good performance in the civic polls could very well establish a base for his party. In fact Vijayakant in his early days made a significant performance in civic body elections and ensured that he was noticed nationally and made an impact. But Vijaykant frittered away the advantage later on, attributed mainly to his failing health conditions.

9. Kamal would be an intelligent politican, media persons will find him easy to get along with. But there are few pitfalls. He talks about a corruption free government. Very laudable indeed. But it is easily said than done. Government machinery is not run by honest politicians or honest bureaucrats alone. Invariably bureaucracy defends the status quo. Bureaucracy doesn't work the way we like it to work. We have an insensitive bureaucracy. Kejriwal has inspired Kamal. Despite a brutal majority at the Delhi assembly, Kejriwal still finds it difficult to run the government the way he wants. All the bureaucrat Babu's are against him. Kejriwal may be honest. But he can not say that about his Babu's. Soon after becoming the CM Kejriwal proclaimed he is still an anarchist and had to stage demonstrations on Delhi's platforms. It is true, as Kejriwal said in yesterday's meeting, honesty is in short supply.

10. Kamal could make a difference and instill greater confidence in his followers and the public, if he really means business about his plans to adopt 8 villages. If he could bring about a perceivable change in the lives of the people of the 8 villages without wielding any authority, that would be something commendable. It would speak volumes about his intentions and plans for the future. It is by no means impossible. When Anna Hazare could transform Ralegan Siddhi, why not Kamal!.

11. These days running a political party is not that easy. It would be interesting to see how and from where Kamal would raise funds to run his party and how transparent will be Kamal about his party's fund raising.

Realignments

Winning the electoral battle would be a huge challenge for Kamal. With the impending launch of Rajinikant's party very soon, the political arena in Tamil Nadu would present a possible realignment with all sorts of permutations and combinations. To me Rajnikant looks like a reluctant politican. There is obviously some pressure group driving him to launch his political party. The cat will be out of the bag soon. Intentions and goals of both Kamal and Rajini are good and one and the same. Both of them could very well turn out to be compassionate politicians. But politics is a dirty game.

1. The next elections in TN could see a contest between multiple alliances headed by ADMK, DMK, Kamal and Rajini.

2. These 4 could be the major players and others might veer around these parties.

3. The Tamil Nationalist forces led by Seeman and other fringe parties could either form a separate group or could align with Kamal.

4. As usual Congress, Muslim League, CPI and this time MDMK also could form an alliance with DMK.

5. VCK led by Thirumavalavan is still in a dilemma. My surmise is he woud keep three options open. They are DMK led front, Kamal led front and if these two doesn't materialise he might join the Tamil nationalist group's alliance.

6. Vijayakant and Vasan could also align with Kamal.

7. This leaves four parties out of the equations. They are CPM, PMK, BJP and TTV faction.

8. There are two schools of thought in CPM. A group led by Prakash Karat wants no ties with parties like BJP, Congress and DMK. He has a logical reason for his contention. CPM has some backing only in states like Kerala, WB and Tripura. In these states they would be opposing Congress and BJP. So they don't want to be in alliance with groups where Congress, BJP or DMK is a partner. But Yechuri wants to give stiff opposition to BJP by bringing together all secular forces under one banner at the national level. Under these circumstances I see bright chances for CPM to align with Kamal, especially considering Pinarai Vijayan's bonhomie with Kamal.

9. TTV faction could go it alone or by a surprising turn of events make a compromise with the ruling ADMK faction and go with them.

10. Rajini would be more or less forced to take BJP as an alliance partner, much against his own and party cadres wish, because otherwise BJP could dish out an all time bad dismal performance in the ensuing TN state assembly elections.

11. Now the odd party left out is PMK. Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss is a visionary politician. TN needs leaders like him .Unfortunately in the jigsaw puzzle his party does not find a place in any combination because of their adamant stand of either going alone or align with parties who accept PMK as the alliance leader. PMK would not be compatible for alliances headed by DMK, ADMK, Kamal or Rajini. But PMK could align with the Tamil nationalist parties, provided Seeman agrees to be an alliance partner in a group headed by Dr. Anbumani.I strongly feel at least for the sake of survival of his party, PMK should become amenable to alliances with like minded parties.

I presume the mandate would be fractured and could lead to a hung assembly. So far the people of TN have given a clear mandate giving either a simple majority or an absolute majority. The next TN election could be different. Let's wait and watch.

Political instability and Legal tangle in Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 08:28:00 +0530

The resignation of Chief Minister O.Pannerselvam has thrown TamilNadu in to disarray. Not long ago when the late CM Jayalalitha was hospitalised the state administration was almost paralysed for 75 days. People of the sate heaved a sigh of relief when the party in power managed to remain in tact and managed to tide over an anticipated leadership crisis and formed the government. But the state had to face the fury of nature -the Varda storm .The administration handled the situation in a praiseworthy manner. Monsoon failure and failure to resolve the Cauvery issue satisfactorily has created a huge set back to the farming community. At this juncture there was a huge public upsurge over the Jallikattu issue. The OPS led government handled it with great prudence and won the appreciation of every one. With in a short span OPS managed to create at least the semblance that a responsible and functional government was in power.

It was at this time the foreboded factionalism of the party came to fore with Sasikala staking claims to replace OPS and become the CM with the unconditional support of all their legislative assembly members. It was a paradox that OPS himself had to propose her name as the Leader of the party in the legislature. He submitted his resignation and it was promptly accepted by the governor. A Damocles sword is hanging over the head of Sasikala. Sasikala's appeal in the DA case is pending in the Supreme Court. To confound the confusion SC announced that judgment will be delivered in the DA case during the course of this week. Two days after the event OPS comes out with a statement, after doing a prayer to late CM Jayalalitha's soul at her memorial. He said he was coerced to submit his resignation and if required he would withdraw his resignation and prove his majority in a floor test.

The governor Mr.Visyasagar Rao was at Ooty in Tamilnadu at the time of the resignation of the CM. When a constitutional crisis was brewing in the state the governor goes to Delhi then to Mumbai and returns to Chennai after 4 days. It is believed the governor did this to consult legal luminaries about the extraordinary situation in TN and to attend a wedding at Mumbai. Whatever may be the reason; this could be interpreted as a delaying tactis by the governor.

In the meantime 6 MLA's and few party functionaries extended support OPS. To stall further erosion in the number of her supporters Sasikala takes her supporters to a resort and restricts their movements.

Now, my surmise on how this extraordinary situation could unfold

1. OPS is pinning hope on the following.

1) At the floor test few disgruntled MLA's, those who owe allegiance to him and fence sitters could vote in his favour. He assumes he would get the support of at least 15 MLA's .At the time of writing this 6 MLA's have shifted their loyalty to the OPS camp. Including OPS ,now his camp has a numerical strength of 7

2) Hopes that the DMK and congress combine would back and rescue him to dislodge Sasikala in the event of a floor test

3) If 1 and 2 happens then he could successfully stall Sasikala from becoming the CM .That is his immediate goal. He knows it would be a pretty uphill task for him to form the government.

2. Sasikala's immediate goal is to retain the support of MLA's held in captivity and capture power. She has her own doubts as to how many of them would back her, if they are allowed to exercise their free will.

Sasikala pins her hope on the following

1) At the present moment, her's is the single largest party. She is officially elected as the Legislative party leader and the governor is duty bound to call her to form the government as per the constitution.

2) This government has another 4 and half years term. Most of her MLA's are fisrt time MLA's and they would not want to face another election in 6 month's time and risk their chances of getting elected next time

3) So they would at any cost support her. Besides her strong coterie, strong in the literal sense of the word, can retain her flock together .Who would like to lose the privileges of being a minister or an MLA

4) OPS can not muster enough MLA's to form and stake claim to form a government on his own.

3. DMK's role

Obviously DMK is trying to fish in the troubled waters.

1) DMK does not want Sasikala to come to power .To achieve this end, they are even prepared to support OPS to stall Sasikala from becoming the CM

2) Only with this plan in mind DMK is hoping for a split among AIADMK MLA's and expects OPS to win the favour of at least 15 MLA's

3) They tacitly encourage OPS by saying that in case of a floor test they would support OPS and not Sasikala

But my reading on how DMK would behave is as follows

DMK will have three plans, plan A plan B and Plan C

Plan A

If governor invites Sasikala to form the government, they will align with OPS faction and vote against the confidence motion

Plan B

In case the governor asks OPS to prove his majority through a floor test , this is most unlikely, they would vote in favour of the confidence motion, irrespective of the outcome of the motion.

Plan C

In case the SC verdict goes against Sasikala and she is not able to form the government. What could happen?

1) The governor could ask AIADMK led by Saiskala to elect another alternate Leader for their legislative party, since it would still be the largest single party. But in the event of such a situation, the split in AIADMK could widen and deepen. More AIADMK MLA's could switch loyalties between OPS and Sasikala. Neither of them would have a simple majority to form the government. At such a juncture, the DMK could become the largest single party. Yet they will fall short of few MLA's to form the government. They can not encourage defection, since the Anti defection law would attract disqualification of those MLA's.

2) The DMK also would not like to face another election so soon .It remains to be seen as to how the DMK would do behind the scene maneuverings then.

3) Their best option then would be to give an issue based support to an OPS led government .But here the moot question is why should DMK with its a fairly good strength in the assembly support OPS to become the CM?

4) They can not expect support to form a government with the support of either factions of the AIADMK. They would also not like President's rule to be imposed. DMK is also not interested in facing another election so soon. More so for two reasons. They canot be sure what would be the outcome of the next election. It could well be a fractured mandate.

What would the governor do?

The governor can use his discretionary powers and not call Sasikala to form the government on two scores.

1) There is a split in the party and the majority can be established only on the floor of the house and not by physically presenting the MLA's

2) SC verdict, which is supposed to be delivered with in a matter of days could go against her and disqualify her.

3) If the verdict is against Sasikala, he can ask AIADMK to elect another leader other than Sasikala as CM designate.

4) Such a move could deepen the split and the governor could recommend for presidents rule much to dismay of all the political parties

Let us wait and watch how this would unfold. Unfortunately TN an important Indian state has a Acting governor holding additional charge, a Pro tem CM and a care taker government.

Jallikattu ban and Tamilnadu

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:25:00 +0530

The main argument in favour of not conducting Jallikattu this year is that there is a Supreme court ban in force against Jallikattu. Tamilnadu did not conduct Jallicut for the last two years respecting the ban. Tamilnadu people by and large are a law abiding lot. This can be seen from their conduct in many judgements of the apex court that went agains the states interest.The recent instances are, despite the apex courts order to form the Cauvery Water Management Board with in a stipulated date, the Central govenrment went against the SC order. State governments of Kerala and Karnataka have continously defied apex courts order on water sharing between states.Defying the apex courts order brings in its wake a constitutional crisis. Katchthivu a bone of contention between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen was handed over to Sri Lanka without a ratification by the Indian parliament. There are legal documents to show Katchathivu was owned by the Raja of Ramanathapuram . With the accession of princely states to India this land automatically becomes part of India.But in SC the government of India's lawyers stated Katchthivu was never a part of India jeopardising the intrests of Tamil fishermen with the sole aim to justify a wrong committed in the past. Dahi handi is a Maharashtrian festival where human pyramids are fromed during Janmashtami .Minors take part in this human pyramid fromation. SC banned human pyramids above 20 feet height .Mr..Raj Thackeray of MNS defied and flouted SC ban with impunity and formed human pyramids to the height of 40 feet, in line with populist sentiments. What did the SC and Maharashtra government do to prevent him from defying the ban . The Central government is silent on the pleas of TN govenrment to continue the Keladi Archaeiological survey, while two other surveys started along with Keladi survey in the northern part of the country is being continued and funded. Kelady survey has unearthed rare evidences about the Sangam Age and Tamils antiquity. This is not the firs time this is happening.A British Marine archeologist wanted the Central govrnment to continue research on Poompuhar about 15 years ago.Nothing has happened since then.The Birtish marine Archeologist said the findings could rewrite the entire world history. There is a submerged civilisation which could be 10,000 years old, much older than the 5000 year old Babylonian civilisation, which is believed to be the world's oldest civilisation

For a country as large and diverse as India defying court bans will have serious consequences,especially by a peace loving state.Spontaneous upsruges doesn't happen unless there is some deep rooted sentiments to it. Courts should take cognizance to this while delivering its final judgement on Jallikattu.

The premise on which Supreme court has imposed the Jallikattu ban is based on cruelty to the bulls. Ironically the same SC says in another judgement in a PIL against animal sacrifices for religious practices that the PCA act has provisions for minimal pain and trauma in the case of animals killed for food.The court went on to say "we can not shut our eyes to centuries old traditions and start examining the relevance of animal scrifices of each religion." Is this not a bundle of contradictions?.The rough estimate of number of animals sacrificed in India every year is around 5 lakhs. But in Jallikattu no bull is killed.When the SC can not shut its eyes to centuries old traditions of animal sacirfices, how can it shut its eyes on an age old Tamil tradition followed for centuries, perhaps one of world's oldest civilisation.

Today there is a huge upsurge in TN against the Jallikattu ban. Political parties are always quick to read the popular sentiments of the people at large.None of them is prepared to go against the popular sentiments and risk their chances in the next elections. Had our law makers been sensible they would not have made things to come to this stage.Laws must reflect the cultural ethos of the society. All lawmakers must be aware of this fact. TN is at the receiving end in issues like cauvery water dispute, Katchathivu ,Cauvey Water Management Board formation,fishermen problems etc No doubt patiene is virtue. But in the case of Tamils, patience is a minor form of despair,disguised as a virtue.One can not bottle up their patience for long. That is what is now witnessed as an upsurge against the Jallikattu ban.

Comiing to bull fighting per se it is intersting to note bull fighting is still practiced in many parts of the world. Bull fighting is traditionally practiced in Spain,Portugal ,parts of Southern France and Latin American countries like Mexico,Columbia,Eucador,Venezula and Peru.. Bull fighting is practiced in China and Japan too.In Japan it is a fight among bulls Bull taming is considered a sport depicting the valour of the person confronting the bull. In spain there were few woman bull fighters too. However bullfighting is already banned by law in few countries, including Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Bull fighting is protected by law in spain. It has been given the status of Spanish cultural heritage. The spanish law says "It is an intangible and unquestionalbel part of Spanish cultural heritage".I feel it is so in Tamilnadu also. Apart from Spain there are a host of other countries where bull fighting is legal.There are other catergories too.In some countries bull fighting is legal in certain parts of the country and banned in other parts.There is another category of countires where bull fighting is legal but not practised traditionally.There is an yet another category where bull fighting is legal but not protected by law. And there are countries like spain where bull fighting is legal and protected by law.

Tamilnadu being the seat of one of the the oldest civilisation in the world, I certainly feel TN should uphold its rich and intangible cultural heritage .This sport should be allowed to continue with rules and regulations.The authorities should enforce and ensure that the rules are followed both in letter and spirit.

Twin blows to Tamil Nadu

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Wed, 7 Dec 2016 08:16:00 +0530

Tamil Nadu lost its most charismatic CM J.Jayalalithaa yesterday .Today TN has lost another eminent personality Cho Ramasamy. The multi faceted lawyer turned actor and journalist breathed last in Apollo hospital, Chennai today. Ironically Jayalalithaa visited Cho when he was admitted in Apollo Hospitals in August 2015 and said to him "Don't worry .You will be alright. Doctors are optimistic. Think Positively." Yesterday while watching Jaylalithaa's funeral in TV, seeing a host of celebrities, it suddenly occurred to me the conspicuous absence of Cho a staunch supporter of Jayalalithaa. I immediately thought, had he been in good health he would have visited and said to myself Jaya consoled Cho an year back, now she is no more. At that time I didn't know Cho was again admitted to Apollo Hospitals and in fact was at Apollo Hospital yesterday.

Cho was the founder editor of the political satire magazine 'Thughlak' ,one of its kind in Tamil.. He was popular for his unbiased outspoken and forthright political views. He served as a nominated Rajya Sabha MP for one term during Vajpaye's period. He was an accomplished playwright and theater artist also. Nominated MP's also get government's MPLAD funds every year .Many of the nominated MP's did not use their funds for any welfare activities at that time .But Cho used the funds properly and gave accounts of how the funds were spent in his weekly Thuglak .

During the emergency period in 1975, he humorously defied the press censorship and rose to all India popularity. I still remember how Frank Moraes the late editor of Indian Express wrote in his front page editorial about Cho during the emergency period. He said " here is a bright young spark from Tamil Nadu". During emergency he printed an issue with a black cover and went off press. An intelligent Cho knew how to bye pass the government censorship . In the movie review section, he wrote a review for an old Tamil movie 'Sarvathikari' (Dictator) . In the literary section he used Bharathiyar's verse from Panchali Sapatham " கட்டுண்டோம், பொறுத்திருப்போம்,காலம் மாறும்.(We are bound now .Let us wait. Times will Change). Finally Thuglak was stopped during emergency. Then he started an English version called Pickwick .But it was not as popular as Thuglak .Eventually Pickwick was shut down and Thuglak was restarted. The Shah commission appointed by the government to inquire to emergency excesses inquired the harassment faced by Thuglak also. But much before emergency, in 1960, the Bakthavatsalam government in TN wanted to censor the script of his play "Sambavami yuge yuge". His drama "Mohamed bin Thuglak" was a satire on floor crossing,a malady that shook Indian politics at that time. When this drama was made in to a film, DMK tried to stop its production,but failed to do so. Then they tried to prevent its screening .

He has also authored many books . He was an unorthodox satirist. He once wrote "If the Left has a future in India ,then India has no future left." When union congress government released a postal stamp to honour Sanjay Gandhi posthumously, Cho released a postal stamp of Captain Saxena who also died in the same air crash. He would be remembered for long as a non conformist journalist.

Credentials for the antiquity of Tamil as the oldest language in world

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 10:25:00 +0530

There are many videos in the internet to prove that Tamil is the oldest written and spoken language of the world.

I have given links to few videos and web pages that clearly and unambiguously states that Tamil is the worlds oldest language.

Top 10 oldest languages of the world

Alex Collier says once upon a time the whole world spoke one language and that was Tamil

World's first human spoken language

Ancient Roman trade city found near Sivagangai | Archaeologist Discovery and Antiquity

Continuation of Keelady excavation

A study of Poompuhar

Lost cities of South India by Graham Hancock

உலகின் மூத்த குடி தமிழ் குடி என்பதை உலகம் ஏற்கும் நாள் வெகு தொலைவில் இல்லை

India's women power at Rio Olympics 2016

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 09:23:00 +0530

Three Indian women have made all Indians proud at the Rio Olympics,2016 .P.V.Sindhu winning silver in women's badminton,Sakshi Malik winning bronze in women's wrestling in 58 kilos categories. Dipa karmakar narrowly missed a bronze medal in gymnastics. An Indian woman coming to the fourth spot in gymnastics in an Olympic event, not so popular in India itself is a great achievement.Our medal tally so far is just two, 1 silver and 1 bronze.But the whole nation erupts in joy. I doubt whether we would surpass the medal tally of 2012 London Olympics (6).In 2012 we manged to double our medal tally from (3) won in 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the past also women like Malleswari Saina Nehwal and Mary Khon have won Olympic medals for India.Like Dipa, P.T.Usha missed a medal in 1984 Los Angles Olympics for 400 meters hurdles by just 0.01 seconds.With just one more day left for the Rio Olympics to end , there is no further medal prospects for India.

Look at the Olympic medal winners for India,apart from the above mentioned women ,men who have won olympic medals for India like Abhinav Bhindra,Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,Vijender singh ,Leander Paes, Sushil Kumar,Gaagan Narang and Vijaykumar all of them have come to surface through their individual efforts. No government sports body in India has produced a medal winner in any sport, game or athletics. This holds good for sports celebrities of any discipline in India, be it Anand,Tendulkar,Prakash Padukone or Sania Mirza.

A country of 130 billions is not spending enough on identifying talents at an young age and give rigorous training to win medals in an event like Olympics. Leave alone identifying talents, not enough funds are allocated to sports bodies and SAI. Even the 2016 budget has given a marginal increase of 50 crores over previous allocation for sports and the present 2016 budget is 1592 crores.On the contrary all our politicians want to head all sports bodies in the country.They do all the dirty tricks to remain at the helm of all sports bodies.

But when some one wins a medal for the country, lavishly announces cash prize to the winner. Money literally flows from all corners of the country to medal winners.This would make the medal winner to go into oblivion.

Look at Usain bolt .It is a rare feat for him to have won medals consecutively in last three Olympics. This means he remained the champ for 12 years, an unimaginable feat and he kept on improving his own records.

The performance of Britain in this Olympics is really surprising.It has managed to push China down and get in to the second spot in total medals tally. How did they achieve this feat? .They increased the total funding for sports They also followed a simple formula.They identified the podium potential sportsperson and trained them rigorously and concentrated on them.

India could also do this.There are natural talents for every sport in India. But the huge task lies in identifying them,catching them young,giving them international exposure through coaching,competitions and work focused with only one target of winning a medal for the country.

We as a nation should also identify sports persons who can participate in multiple events and win more medals, like Michael Phelps.He participated in 7 events and won 5 medals. India can also learn one or two tips from our past experience at Olympics and encourage more women participants in Olympic events. Women can win medals more easily than their male counterparts. With better training preparation and commitment from sports bodies women Olympic contenders in Wrestling,Archery and Shooting could have increased our medal's tally.

Above all we need a political commitment and will to make Indian sports proud. Let us hope there is a paradigm shift in our sports policies in the years to come.

Tamil YouTube channel for kids

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Tue, 2 Aug 2016 07:23:00 +0530

I have an educative and informative Tamil YouTube Channel dedicated specially for children. So far I have uploaded 7 videos. I have plans to upload more videos that would enlighten the children on a variety of subjects. If you like the video, you may subscribe,give feedback through your comments and more importantly share them in social media for the benefit of all Tamil speaking children world over. I have given below the link for my Tamil YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBiGDlXq-AcpCLlSK-sIKUg

A stumble upon Tamil Sangam Age

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Tue, 7 Jun 2016 08:13:00 +0530

A broken pottery

A ring well with brick structures

The Archaeological Survey of India has unearthed an Harappa like site near Madurai in a sleepy village called Keezhadi in Sivagangai district .The finds dates back to 1st century, another astounding proof, for the antiquity of Tamil and the Tamils. It must be remembered that the ancient 'Ten Madurai' was the seat of Tamil Sangam Age. Keezhadi village is located near Silaiman, a border town between the Madurai and Sivagangai districts. It is believed the Tamil Brahmi inscriptions on the potteries excavated from here, had Sangam age Tamil names like Thisan, Aadhan and Udhiran. Historians and archaeologists say the findings are stupendous and it could very well push back the history of ancient Madurai at least by a millennium. This again goes to prove the oldest and ancient most city of the world is Madurai. The ASI had already identified nearly 293 Sangam Age towns along the course of river Vaigai from its origin in Theni district up to the very end of the river in the Ramanathapuram district.

Amarnath of ASI believes this could be a very old settlement of educated people who had trade links with Rome .Strikingly it corroborates with the findings of Poompukar and the great Tamil classic 'Chilpathikaran' of the Tamil Sangam Age. Amarntath goes on to mention “Keezhadi could as well be the ‘Peru Manalur’, the city of Sangam Pandiyas mentioned in literature”. Mr. Rajesh Assistant Archaeologist says “The level of sophistication can be gauged from luxury and pastime items like the ivory dice, a game of an elite society,” .Senior epigraphist V. Vedachalam, domain expert for the excavation, says the excavations and findings prove Tamil Nadu had a unique culture during the Sangam period and the excavation site is of abundant social, political and commercial significance. Existence of river valley civilisations in Tamil Nadu is proved. Archaeologists are confident that Keezhadi will emerge as an “index site” to determine the culture of people living between Sangam and post-Sangam periods.

ASI officials believe the ancient settlement at the village, was on the highway traveled by traders from all over the world at one point of time. This site had underground drainage system which was on par with the Harappan system. The sewage drains had been laid with "baked clay pipe lines". The officials also felt the signs of urban civilisation are much more advanced than Kaveri Poompattinam. Sangam period Tamil literary works like Paripadal, Nedunalvaatai and Madurai Kanchi describes in detail about the personal lives of kings and queens, their palaces and the way they lived .These archaeological findings which relate to approximately 3000 year old history throws light on the literary descriptions and corroborates to the literary evidence. More than 3000 artifacts have been excavated from the sites. All of them corroborate to the literary descriptions.

Already two phases of the excavations are over .The third phase is still on and will continue up to September this year.

Tamil Nadu Elections -2016

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sun, 15 May 2016 11:56:00 +0530

The Election commission has deferred polls to Arvakurichi constituency in Tamil Nadu on charges that the candidates and political parties have bribed the voters. This is the first time in the history of independent India; the EC has postponed election to a constituency on the grounds of bribery. It sounds funny that The EC has chosen to defer polls only in one constituency. If this yardstick is used, I feel the EC should postpone polls in all the constituencies of the state. I don't think it would be possible to name a single constituency in TN where money is not paid as a bribe to the voters by one party or the other. The two Dravidian parties have contributed to this downfall and degradation of electoral politics in Tamil Nadu. One party started this dangerous and cancerous trend and the other party mastered the craft with innovative techniques to hoodwink the EC in bribing the voters. EC deferring polls to Arvankurichi does not serve any purpose. After a week, poll will be held in this constituency with the same candidates in fray. Will the candidates become holy men in a week's time? EC should disqualify these candidates and order fresh nominations for this constituency and debar the two candidates who were responsible for deferring the poll in this constituency. It will also serve as an eye opener to the political parties, at least in future elections.

TN has the dubious distinction in many firsts in electoral politics. The freebie culture was first introduced in TN by one Dravidian party. The gullible voter was easily deceived by the freebie offers of the political party. Seeing the sway the freebies had on voters, the other Dravidian party offered more enticing freebie offers to stay in the contest. The poor voter has to choose a party that offers more freebies. How can political parties lavishly offer freebies from public exchequer? No one is bothered about this. As usual this time also the two Dravidian parties have offered freebies .First time in the history of India, the EC has send show cause notices to two political party bosses to explain why their party should not be disqualified for "non-compliance of the guidelines of the Commission and also reflect the rationale for the promises made in your manifesto and broadly indicate the ways and means to meet the financial requirement for the same". The EC has also said that if they don't respond with in the stipulated time EC "would take appropriate further action" . I am sure nothing concrete is going to happen. These parties know how to make EC say "we are satisfied with the responses from these political parties"

At a time when EC reported the cash seized by the flying squads have exceeded 100 crore, comes the shocking news of 3 container loads of cash amounting to 570 crores being seized by the flying squad .Though reports say the cash belongs to SBI ,there are very many missing links and raises many questions and most of them remain unanswered . Is it a routine practice for SBI to transfer cash in containers to other branches? What is the official guidelines and checks for carrying out such huge cash transfer? Why they were not followed? When money taken to ATM is accompanied with armed guards, how come container loads of cash goes without any proper security? Do banks transfer cash without proper documents? Which bank has strong rooms to store container loads of cash? Why the lorry did chose a route that is not a highway? Why did they not stop and sped past the flying squad, despite they were asked to stop . All these questions become all the more important in the wake of complaints by political parties few weeks ago about container loads of money being stashed in safe locations for distribution on the polling day .Why should the cash be moved a day before the polls ? In the wake of flying squads of the EC making huge recovery of cash during their raids from the house of close friends of many political heavy weights it assumes mysterious proportions. Our politicians talk about schemes .But when it comes to implementation, they say we lack funds. This is called politicians economics .It has nothing to do with politics or economics. But is it not surprising to see that they get enough money, when it comes to defeating some body in elections?

How aware is the common man who casts his vote tomorrow? I feel there should be a bridle to curb and rein in political parties and political bosses from committing corrupt practices and indulge in unholy nexus with nefarious elements against the interests of the state and its people. We need a government to govern us. We get a government we deserve .If we vote for looters, we would be looted again and flooded with yet another freebie offer during the next elections. A political combine would serve as a bridle to one another and a watchdog .I know it is a wishful thinking. Because such combines in the past at the center were disastrous. Yet at the present moment the need of the hour is to try another viable alternative.

A government that does not squander public money, a government that conserves our natural resources and strives hard to improve them, a government that GOVERNS in the literal sense, an open transparent government with no corruption at all levels, and a political leadership that is MODEST with a STRONG WILL to act decisively, when it comes to the question of the interests of the state and the nation,is the need of the hour. Let us hope for the best. Remember the political process does not end with the Election Day. Elect a leader who is accountable and answerable to all he and his government does for the next five years.

Most beneficial breakthrough

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Mon, 2 May 2016 11:12:00 +0530

UP doctors successfully operated upon an 83-year-old man for prostatic surgery , removing a massive 240 gm of prostate, without using antibiotics before, during or post-operation recovery and completely depended on Ayurveda medicines.The patient, Ojaswi Sharma, who is allergic to Allopathy drugs, responded well to the alternate medicine.The team of doctors, coordinating with the best brains in Ayurveda, has taken the medical fraternity by surprise, struggling as it is with non-effectiveness of increasingly drug-resistant antibiotics. Sharma, who was operated upon on March 1st at the Meerut based Anand Hospital, was kept under observation for over a month and has completely recovered now.

This is a real breakthrough . An extension of this is needed and more elaborate experiments are to be conducted to make this viable, so that our society reaps the benefit of both Ayurveda and Allopathy .Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing that has truly stood the test of time. Ayurveda medicines help people to avoid surgeries and live happily with out the side effects of Allopathy medicines.But if surgical cure is the only remedy in specific cases, there is no other go, but to go to surgeons. Once a surgical cure is opted, one would be subjected to large amount of antibiotics and steroids , pre operative , post operative and during the operation. This would bring in its trail a large number of unwanted side effects . Above all Ayurveda medicines lowers stress and anxiety,lowers blood pressure and cholesterol,helps recovery without side effects, promotes a rich anti oxidant diet, helps weight loss and maintenance and lowers inflammation and improves hormonal balance.

It is high time our doctors belonging to both the disciplines come together and explore possibilities for an effective hybrid therapy and take this phenomenal pioneer effort forward.

Good Conduct(Nalvazhi) by Avvaiyar in English

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Thu, 8 Oct 2015 16:48:00 +0530

I have already translated to English the great Tamil pedagogue Avvaiyar's Maxims for children(Athi Chudi),Time honoured wisdom (Moothurai) and the Nuggets of Avvai(Kontrai Venthan) in my blogposts. This post is a translation of Avvaiyar's Good conduct (Nalvazhi) for children.

கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

பாலும் தெளிதேனும் பாகும் பருப்புமிவை

நாலும் கலந்துனக்கு நான் தருவேன் – கோலம்செய்

துங்கக் கரிமுகத்துத் தூமணியே நீ எனக்கு

சங்கத் தமிழ் மூன்றும் தா

Invocation

Oh elephant faced Lord..

Milk, honey, jaggery and lentils

I would offer you as a mix...

bestow me three classical Tamil forms (Prose, Verse and Drama)

மூலம்

1.புண்ணியமாம் பாவம்போம் போனநாள் செய்தவை

மண்ணில் பிறந்தார்க்கு வைத்தபொருள் -எண்ணுங்கால்

ஈதொழிய வேறில்லை; எச்சமயத்தோர் சொல்லும்

தீதொழிய நன்மை செயல்

Verses

Previous life's merits and sins

bear fruits in this birth on earth

All religions enounce the same faith

Shun evil and do good deeds

2.சாதி இரண்டொழிய வேறில்லை சாற்றுங்கால்

நீதி வழுவா நெறிமுறையின் – மேதினியில்

இட்டார் பெரியோர் இடாதார் இழிகுலத்தோர்

பட்டாங்கில் உள்ள படி

Just two classes live on earth..

based on equity and justice

The haves who give, are the upper class..

and the have-nots are the lower class

3.இடும்பைக(கு) இடும்பை இயலுடம்(பு) இது அன்றே

இடும்பொய்யை மெய்யென்(று) இராதே – இடுங்கடுக

உண்டாயின் உண்டாகும் ஊழில் பெருவலிநோய்

விண்டாரைக் கொண்டாடும் வீடு

This body is akin to a bag full of torments

Never believe it is everlasting

Help out others in need to attain bliss

Else destiny will betide you with misery

4.எண்ணி ஒருகருமம் யார்க்கும்செய் ஒண்ணாது

புண்ணியம் வந்தெய்து போதல்லால் – கண்ணில்லான்

மாங்காய் விழவெறிந்த மாத்திரைக்கோல் ஒக்குமே

ஆங்காலம் ஆகும் அவர்க்கு.

One never does good deeds until

virtues dwell in him. It's akin to a blind flinging

his cane on a tree to yield the mango.

When virtues dwell in him, the mango will fall by itself.

5.வருந்தி அழைத்தாலும் வாராத வாரா

பொருந்துவன போமி(ன்) என்றால் போகா – இருந்தேங்கி

நெஞ்சம் புண்ணாக நெடுந்தூரம் தாம்நினைந்து

துஞ்சுவதே மாந்தர் தொழில்

Things you desire, you never get,

Things you want rid off, never leave you

But yearning them for too long

men lose sleep

6.உள்ளது ஒழிய ஒருவர்க்(கு) ஒருவர்சுகம்

கொள்ளக் கிடையா குவலயத்தில் -வெள்ளக்

கடலோடி மீண்டும் கரையேறினால் என்

உடலோடு வாழும் உயிர்க்கு

Riches that you get is what you merit

however hard you try to earn like others.

You may sail vast seas seeking fortune

But you'll earn only what is destined for you.

7.எல்லாப்படியாலும் எண்ணினால் இவ்வுடம்பு

பொல்லாப் புழுமலிநோய் புன்குரம்பை -நல்லார்

அறிந்திருப்பார் ஆதலினால் ஆம்கமல நீர்போல்

பிறிந்திருப்பார் பேசார் பிறர்க்கு.

However you conceive, this bod is..

just a space for worms and diseases.

The wise know it and live unattached

Like drops of water upon a lotus leaf.

8.ஈட்டும் பொருள்முயற்சி எண்ணிறந்த ஆயினும் ஊழ்

கூட்டும் படியன்றிக் கூடாவாம் – தேட்டம்

மரியாதை காணும் மகிதலத்தீர் கேண்மின்

தரியாது காணும் தனம்.

Your travails to gain wealth may be many,

But never have you become rich unless destiny rules so.

Reverential people of this land, listen...

Even the wealth you have may not last long.

9.ஆற்றுப் பெருக்கற் றடிசுடுமந் நாளுமவ்வா(று)

ஊற்றுப் பெருக்கால் உலகூட்டும் – ஏற்றவர்க்கு

நல்ல குடிபிறந்தார் நல்கூர்ந்தார் ஆனாலும்

இல்லை என மாட்டார் இசைந்து

The dry river bottom may be hot..

But the underneath spring may yield water

Likewise, even if noble men become poor

they never deny charity to those in need

10.ஆண்டாண்டு தோறும் அழுது புரண்டாலும்

மாண்டார் வருவரோ மாநிலத்தீர் – வேண்டா!

நமக்கும் அதுவழியே! நாம்போம் அளவும்

எமக்கென்? என்(று) இட்டு உண்டு இரும்.

Even when one wails year after year,

The dead never come back. Stop wailing....

Every one goes the same way, until that day comes

Don't vex, feed the hungry, eat on and be your self.

11.ஒருநாள் உணவை ஒழியென்றால் ஒழியாய்

இருநாளுக்கு ஏலென்றால் ஏலாய் – ஒருநாளும்

என்நோ(வு) அறியாய் இடும்பைகூர் என்வயிறே

உன்னோடு வாழ்தல் அரிது.

You can't miss a days food,

Turn down and take two days foods in one go,

You don't empathise my pain

You annoying stomach! It's hard to live with you!

12.ஆற்றங் கரையின் மரமும் அரசறிய

வீற்றிருந்த வாழ்வும் விழும் அன்றே – ஏற்றம்

உழுதுண்டு வாழ்வதற்கு ஒப்பில்லை கண்டீர்

பழுதுண்டு வேறோர் பணிக்கு.

The river side tree and a life..

best known to the king may fail.

But tilling your land for food is unmatched

All other walk of life has flaws.

13.ஆவாரை யாரே அழிப்பர் அதுவன்றிச்

சாவாரை யாரே தவிர்ப்பவர்- ஓவாமல்

ஐயம் புகுவாரை யாரே விலக்குவார்

மெய்அம் புவியதன் மேல்.

Who can destroy the riches of a person

Or avert death of another.

Who can stop a guy begging

For all these are determined by one’s destiny.

14.பிச்சைக்கு மூத்த குடிவாழ்க்கை பேசுங்கால்

இச்சைபல சொல்லி இடித்துண்கை – சிச்சீ

வயிறு வளர்க்கைக்கு மானம் அழியாது

உயிர்விடுகை சால உறும்.

Worse than begging is stating desires

for the sake of being fed by others

It's a shame to lose dignity for feed

Better give up life

15.சிவாய நம என்று சிந்தித் திருப்போர்க்கு

அபாயம் ஒருநாளும் இல்லை – உபாயம்

இதுவே மதியாகும் அல்லாத எல்லாம்

விதியே மதியாய் விடும்.

For those who pray Lord Siva

There's no peril on any day

This is the only profound path

Everything else is liable to fate

16.தண்ணீர் நிலநலத்தால் தக்கோர் குணம்கொடையால்

கண்ணீர்மை மாறாக் கருணையால் – பெண்ணீர்மை

கற்பழியா ஆற்றல் கடல்சூழ்ந்த வையகத்துள்

அற்புதமாம் என்றே அறி.

The ground water source, charities by altruists,

Benevolence filled eyes and chaste women..

are all wonders of this world..

surrounded by sea on all sides

17.செய்தீ வினையிருக்கத் தெய்வத்தை நொந்தக்கால்

எய்த வருமோ இருநிதியம் – வையத்து

அறும்பாவம் என்ன அறிந்தன்று இடார்க்கின்று

வெறும்பானை பொங்குமோ மேல்?

Blaming Gods for one’s sins

will not bring wealth.

Learn, not giving to charity when doable is sin

Will an empty pot boil over?

18.பெற்றார் பிறந்தார் பெருநாட்டார் பேருலகில்

உற்றார் உகந்தார் எனவேண்டார் – மற்றோர்

இரணம் கொடுத்தால் இடுவர் இடாரே

சரணம் கொடுத்தாலும் தாம்.

Neither parents, children, relatives

make the stingy to give even if they cause hurt

Nor would they give

even when they surrender to them.

19.சேவித்தும் சென்றிரந்தும் தெண்ணீர்க் கடல்கடந்தும்

பாவித்தும் பாராண்டும் பாட்டிசைத்தும் – போவிப்பம்

பாழின் உடம்பை வயிற்றின் கொடுமையால்

நாழி அரிசிக்கே நாம்.

Men adore, beg,cross oceans

laud ,reign earth, euologise others

to rid off hunger and just for the sake of ..

a measure of rice .

20.அம்மி துணையாக ஆறிழிந்த வாறொக்கும்

கொம்மை முலைபகர்வார் கொண்டாட்டம் – இம்மை

மறுமைக்கும் நன்றன்று மாநிதியம் போக்கி

வெறுமைக்கு வித்தாய் விடும்.

Flirts with loose women is akin to

crossing river tied to a grinding stone

It's neither good for this life nor for the after life

It'll sow the seeds for penury

21.நீரும் நிழலும் நிலம் பொதியும் நெற்கட்டும்

பேரும் புகழும் பெருவாழ்வும் – ஊரும்

வருந்திருவும் வாழ்நாளும் வஞ்சமில்லார்க் கென்றும்

தரும்சிவந்த தாமரையாள் தான்.

Water source, a roof, heap of grains

Name, fame, opulence, wellness

are all bestowed for ever to equitable by

red lotus seated goddess of wealth.

22.பாடுபட்டுத் தேடிப் பணத்தைப் புதைத்துவைக்கும்

கேடுகெட்ட மானிடரே கேளுங்கள் – கூடுவிட்டிங்கு

ஆவிதான் போயினபின் யாரே அனுபவிப்பார்

பாவிகாள் அந்தப் பணம்.

You conceal your hard earned money

Listen ruined men ...

once your soul leaves the body ..

who will enjoy your riches

23.வேதாளம் சேருமே வெள்ளெருக்குப் பூக்குமே

பாதாள மூலி படருமே – மூதேவி

சென்றிருந்து வாழ்வளே சேடன் குடிபுகுமே

மன்றோரம் சொன்னார் மனை.

Demons take shelter, white Madar blooms ..

deadly creepers grow, snakes inhabit

misfortune and adversity strikes

the house of those who bear false witness

24.நீறில்லா நெற்றிபாழ் நெய்யில்லா உண்டிபாழ்

ஆறில்லா ஊருக் (கு) அழகுபாழ் – மாறில்

உடன்பிறப் பில்லா உடம்புபாழ் பாழே

மடக்கொடி இல்லா மனை.

A forehead sans a sacred mark

Food sans ghee, a town sans a river

A guy sans a sibling and a house

sans a spouse are all worthless

25.ஆன முதலில் அதிகம் செலவானால்

மானம் அழிந்து மதிகெட்டுப் – போனதிசை

எல்லார்க்கும் கள்ளனாய் ஏழ்பிறப்பும் தீயனாய்

நல்லார்க்கும் பொல்லனாம் நாடு.

If the spend is more than the garner

you lose esteem, rationale and become ...

a thief to everyone ,sinner in all births and..

the virtuous shun you as wicked .

26.மானம் குலம் கல்வி வண்மை அறிவுடைமை

தானம் தவம் உயர்ச்சி தாளாண்மை – தேனின்

கசிவந்த சொல்லியர்மேல் காமுறுதல் பத்தும்

பசிவந்திடப் பறந்து போம்.

Esteem, class, education, might, cognition

Philanthropy, austerity, majesty, persistence

lewd for sweet nothings of women..

all these ten would vanish when hunger strikes

27.ஒன்றை நினைக்கின் அதுஒழிந்திட் டொன்றாகும்

அன்றி அதுவரினும் வந்தெய்தும் – ஒன்றை

நினையாத முன்வந்து நிற்பினும் நிற்கும்

எனையாளும் ஈசன் செயல்.

Aspiring for a thing and getting something else..

Receiving a thing one longed for...

Receiving something when least expected..

are all the works of Almighty who reins me.

29.உண்பது நாழி உடுப்பது நான்குமுழம்

எண்பது கோடி நினைந்து எண்ணுவன – கண்புதைந்த

மாந்தர் குடிவாழ்க்கை மண்ணின் கலம்போலச்

சாந்துணையும் சஞ்சலமே தான்.

A measure of rice and a bit of cloth is suffice

But one desires for millions of things.

Life of people who do not realize this

is like a brittle clay pot and is filled with woes

29.மரம்பழுத்தால் வெளவாலை வாவென்று கூவி

இரந்தழைப்பார் யாவருமங் கில்லை – சுரந்தமுதம்

கற்றா தரல்போல் கரவாது அளிப்பரேல்

உற்றார் உலகத் தவர்.

When trees are abound with ripe fruits

None invite bats to feed on them

Like a cow giving milk to calf.. if one gives

whole world will claim kinship.

30.தாம்தாம்முன் செய்தவினை தாமே அனுபவிப்பார்

பூந்தா மரை யோன் பொறிவழியே – வேந்தே

ஒறுத்தாரை என்செயலாம் ஊரெல்லாம் ஒன்றா

வெறுத்தாலும் போமோ விதி.

O King! an offender need not be punished

even if the whole country wants it

One can not escape agonies

For his past sins decide his fate

31.இழுக்குடைய பாட்டிற்(கு இசைநன்று சாலும்

ஒழுக்கம் உயர்குலத்தின் நன்று – வழுக்குடைய

வீரத்தின் நன்று விடாநோய் பழிக்கஞ்சாத்

தாரத்தின் நன்று தனி.

Good melody would make amends for a flawed poem

Good morlas are worthier than being in upper class

Unending sickness is better than false valour

Staying single is better than having an ignonimous wife

32.ஆறிடும் மேடும் மடுவும்போ லாம்செல்வம்

மாறிடும் ஏறிடும் மாநிலத்தீர் – சோறிடும்

தண்ணீரும் வாரும் தருமமே சார்பாக

உண்ணீர்மை வீறும் உயர்ந்து.

River flow creates mounds and pits beneath

Likewise riches wax and wane

So charity and good deeds alone

will increase the merit of ones life

33.வெட்டெனவை மெத்தனவை வெல்லாவாம் வேழத்தில்

பட்டுருவும் கோல்பஞ்சில் பாயாது – நெட்டிருப்புப்

பாரைக்கு நெக்குவிடாப் பாறை பசுமரத்தின்

வேருக்கு நெக்கு விடும்.

An arrow can pierce an elephant

but not a pack of soft cotton

A rock will resist a crowbar

but will give way to soft roots

(Metaphor - Harsh words is futile .Use kind words)

34.கல்லானே ஆனாலும் கைப்பொருள் ஒன்றுண்டாயின்

எல்லாரும் சென்றங் கெதிர்கொள்வர் – இல்லானை

இல்லாளும் வேண்டாள் மற்றீன்றெடுத்த தாய்வேண்டாள்

செல்லா(து) அவன்வாயிற் சொல்.

If one is wealthier though not learned

every one would welcome him for his riches

If poor even his wife and mother would not want him

Even his words will not be accepted

35.பூவாதே காய்க்கும் மரமுமுள மக்களுளும்

ஏவாதே நின்றுணர்வார் தாமுளரே – தூவா

விரைத்தாலும் நன்றாகா வித்தெனவே பேதைக்கு

உரைத்தாலும் தோன்றா(து) உணர்வு.

There are trees that bear fruit without flowering.

Likewise there are men who help without prompts

There are seeds that do not grow even when sowed

Like fools who do not heed even when apprised

36.நண்டுசிப்பி வேய்கதலி நாசமுறுங் காலத்தில்

கொண்ட கருவளிக்கும் கொள்கைபோல் – ஒண்தொடீ

போதம் தனம்கல்வி பொன்றவரும் காலமயல்

மாதர்மேல் வைப்பார் மனம்.

Crab, oyster and the plantain tree

lose their lives when bringing forth a progeny.

So does lust for a woman destroy

wisdom, wealth, and education of a person

37.வினைப்பயனை வெல்வதற்கு வேதம் முதலாம்

அனைத்தாய நூலகத்தும் இல்லை – நினைப்பதெனக்

கண்ணுறுவ தல்லால் கவலைப் படேல் நெஞ்சே

விண்ணுறுவார்க் கில்லை விதி.

To get over effects of previous birth sins

There is no advice in scriptures

So to protect you from the effects of past sins

Follow a virtuous life to get atoned.

38.நன்றென்றும் தீதென்றும் நானென்றும் தானென்றும்

அன்றென்றும் ஆமென்றும் ஆகாதே – நின்றநிலை

தானதாம் தத்துவமாம் சம்பறுத்தார் யாக்கைக்குப்

போனவா தேடும் பொருள்.

Searching for good, bad, self, other,

negative or the positive is all folly

Realize that in you lies the answer

Searching outside oneself is futile

39.முப்பதாம் ஆண்டளவில் மூன்றற்று ஒருபொருளைத்

தப்பாமல் தன்னுள் பெறானாயின் – செப்பும்

கலையளவே ஆகுமாம் காரிகையார் தங்கள்

முலையளவே ஆகுமாம் மூப்பு.

Give up anger, jealousy and lust

before you are thirty and submit to God

Else your wisdom would become soft and supple

like the breasts of an old woman

40.தேவர் குறளும் திருநான் மறைமுடிவும்

மூவர் தமிழும் முனிமொழியும் – கோவை

திருவா சகமும் திருமூலர் சொல்லும்

ஒருவா சகமென் றுணர்.

Realise sacred kural of Valluvar, the four Veda's

sacred hymns of three Nayanmars,

Thiruvasagam, and scriptures of Thirumoolar

all speak one thing -extols the Lord . .

Salam Kalam

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:49:00 +0530

The most popular President across all sections of India Sri .A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is no more. Every one who paid tribute to this great soul opined he was a genuine 'Bharat Ratna'. Yes he was a true and ideal icon of the country. From the island village Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu he, rose to occupy the highest position in the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, as the first citizen of the country. He was an affable, simple and unassuming President and became the darling of the student community and the youth of the country. He used to say every child is a scientist. To honour him UN declared his birthday as the 'Students day'.

Teaching was his passionate profession. He used to say he is always a teacher. When his candidature for Presidency was announced he was delivering a lecture for students in a school. Ironically during his last moments also he was addressing students at IIM Shillong .He was a visionary. He did not stop with sharing his vision; his mission was always to make his vision come true by exhorting and motivating the student community.

He was passionately called as India's 'Missile man'. But those who know him personally used to say his smile was more deadly than his missiles. He conquered everyone with his smile .Kalam was a Veena playing missile man. His interests were varied. He had written many poems in Tamil and an anthology of his poems were translated to English and was published as "My Journey"

Given below is Kalam's poem The vision

The Vision

I climbed and climbed

Where is the peak, my Lord?

I ploughed and ploughed,

Where is the knowledge treasure, my Lord?

I sailed and sailed,

Where is the island of peace, my Lord?

Almighty, bless my nation

With vision and sweat resulting into happiness

His poems summed up his thoughts

Where are we?

Where are we now, dear friends,

In the Maha Sabha that shapes as history,

The call of heart beats of Indian people,

People ask us, people ask us;

“Oh! Parliamentarians, the sculptors of Mother India,

Lead us unto light, enrich our lives.

Your righteous toil, is our guiding light,

If you work hard, we all can prosper.”

Like King, so the people,

Nurture great thoughts, rise up in actions,

May righteous methods be your guide;

May you all prosper ever with Almighty’s grace.

I consider the following as his most famous quote

"If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher."

In his own words - "literature also influenced my life" . He said 3 books influenced him greatly .They were Tamil classic Tirukural by Tiruvalluvar-an universal moral code ,giving words of profound wisdom, noble thoughts and great moral lessons, the second book that influenced Kalam was "Light from Many Lamps": A Treasury of Inspiration by Lillian Eichler Watson.and the third book was "Empires of the Mind": Lessons to Lead and Succeed in a Knowledge-Based World by Denis Waitley .He had said these 3 books made his life.

He was a multifaceted person with all-round compassion. Once, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam reportedly rejected the suggestion to put broken glass on the wall of a building that needed protection, because broken glass would be harmful for birds. During his meeting with kids in the Rashtripathi Bhavan he would patiently listen to their ideas and give them feedback. He would also follow up with the kids to know about the status of the ideas they discussed.He was instrumental in designing artificial limbs with the light weight material used for rockets .Earlier prosthetic limbs weighed 4 kgs .but by using light weight materials for artificial limbs the weight was reduced to just 400 grams and made physically challenged kids to move around with ease .Dr Kalam and Dr Soma Raju developed a low-cost coronary stent called ‘Kalam-Raju’ stent. They also designed a rugged tablet computer for healthcare in rural areas, which was named as ‘Kalam-Raju tablet’.

He started a campaign by students to plant 1 lakh trees and succeeded. He was an impeccable person with integrity. Whenever his relatives visited him in the presidential palace, Kalam always paid for the food and any expresses incurred by their visit. Though a Muslim he remained a vegetarian throughout his life. He was a bachelor and he was rated among the top 10 bachelors of the world. The other bachelors in this list were Eastman, Beethoven, Voltaire, and James Buchnan, Al Pacino, Edward Heath, Issac Newton, Pascal and Leona Davinci.

The person who ignited many minds has gone to eternal sleep .But his soul would continue to inspire and ignite many minds forever.

Uthama Villain

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Mon, 11 May 2015 08:20:00 +0530

After a long interval I am returning to my blog. It was a fairly long hibernation for about 10 months. Not that there were no compelling topics to blog about, there were plenty of them .But I was pre-occupied with my other commitments. Receiving comments on some of my very old posts and a fairly good monthly page views for a blog which was not active for quite some time,triggered me to wake up from my slumber and write blog posts again. Recently I happened to watch Kamal's new film 'Uththama Vilain' .What could be a better opportunity than writing a review for this film. I don't normally write film reviews; nonetheless I had written few reviews for films that made an impact on me.

I write this review only for one reason. I was very impressed with the way the screen play is written. I am sure there could be very few screen play writers who could have handled a story of this type so deftly and made it so lucid. And Kamal is one of them. I personally believe 'Jigarthanda' director would also be capable of handling a script like this. But the moot point is 'Is the film made for film buffs or a run-of-the-mill film fan?'

As usual one can see the exceptional histrionic talents of Kamal .His performance as an actor in this film is very subdued and I could see the self restraint he has exercised in portraying the character of Manoranjan. For a person who can do any role with ease, under playing a character is a cake walk. He is equally at ease in portraying the character of Uthaman who lived in the 8th century. Portrayal of the Teyyam artisit role is fiery and a total contrast.

Characters of this film have many real life resemblances. Manoranjan played by Kamal resembles his own character as an actor. Margadarisi played by the late director K.Balachander resembles his own life and associations with Kamal as an actor in real life. In one of the scenes Manoranjan pleads with his mentor director Maragadarisi to make one last film for him, because he is suffering from brain cancer. Reluctantly he agrees after many persuasions. The irony is in real life is it happened to be the last film where Margadarisi (played by KB) directs Manoranjan (played by Kamal). Probably during the shoot of the film no one would have expected this to happen.

Now coming to the screenplay, it is exceptional. The viewer is conscious of the fact that he is watching a Kamal film titled 'Uthama Villain'. Since Kamal plays the roles of an actor, it is difficult to imagine he is playing the role of an actor. Actor Manoranjan has a past. He is not in best relations with his family members (wife, son and father in law).He also has an extra marital relation with a doctor who is attending on him.

Actor Manoranjan acts in a film titled "Utham Villain",in this movie. The story is about an 8th century folklore. It is visualised as a villupattu narration in the "Uthama villain" film by actor Manoranjan.

Actor Manoranjan plays the character of "Uthaman" in this folklore story. He is a naive villager with a sense of humour and by sheer providence he escapes from the jaws of death many times. People start to believe this guy is immortal.

There is another parallel story running around the same time in the folklore. A local king is dethroned by his own brother in law ,with a view to marry his daughter (Played by Nasser and Pooja Kumar).Astrologers predict a doom for this king! .So to become immortal and marry his niece he brings Uthaman to his fort and keeps him in captivity to learn the tricks of immortality . The princess and Uthaman scheme to escape from the fort .They enact a Teyyam (a cult form of worship) for this purpose. In the Teyyam Uthaman plays the role of Hiranyakashipu.

The screen play shifts between actor Manoranjan's personal life, Uthaman's 8th century role, and towards the end Hiranyakashipu's role. All these narrations have different backdrops. Easily a viewer can get lost in the frequent transitions between these stories. But the screen play deftly handles this and is seamless. I don't think this type of a story could have been narrated in a better way with clarity. Obviously I can understand the amount of editing that would have gone in to the film to make it coherent and at the same time comprehensible. Full marks to the screen play.The film also shows the contrasting emotions of an immortal man and a person who is expecting death any moment .Both roles are played by Kamal.

Lyrics penned by Kamal are good as usual and he has sung a couple of songs too . Music director Gibran has done a commendable work.The film credits say it is directed by actor Aravind Ramesh .

No offence meant,but Kamal is all pervasive in every aspect of the film.

I can understand Kamal's anxiety that the film may not get Tamil Nadu government's entertainment tax benefits because the film title has the English word villain in his film .Actor Manooranjan goes out of the way to explain and justify that the word villain is a Tamil word. May be Kamal hopes the authorities to buy his theory and give tax concessions!. He also has a dig at persons who blackmail film personalities.

On the whole this is a well thought out and very well executed project .But how far it will be received by the audience is a moot question. Kamal is an exceptional artist with a different percept. I am reminded of Oscar wild's quote “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” And the most interesting thing about Kamal is that he is not frightened by others perceptions.

TV debates and role of moderators

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 17:15:00 +0530

Ever since Vijay TV conducted the debate on "Doctors " most doctors from Tamil Nadu started fuming and fretting over the way the show was moderated by Gopinath, because they felt they were not given a chance to present their view .Some people even claimed some portions of what the doctors said were edited .The viewers of the program can not comment on this ,as they were not part of the actual debate and do not know what was really debated at the shoot .

It is the prerogative of the channel to edit a program. But editing the views of a particular side to sensationalize another point of view is wrong . All doctors need not be very articulate to participate in a debate . He may be good in his profession ,but need not be good in debate or argue his points against another .For instance most doctors in the program knew an ultrasound scan of a pregnant lady would not make the baby bald. But when this point was raised by a laywoman repeatedly ,none of the doctors confronted her and said emphatically what she said was wrong . I really don't know what prevented them from saying that .Or was it edited ?

But what exasperated most doctors were the way Gopinath moderated the show . Acting smart, Gopinath asked the doctors, how many of them know about what Union Health minister said in a recent press report .This was surely in bad taste . Similarly if some one asks a group of media persons , what the president of Myanmar said in the 2014 International Media conference,I am sure most of them would blink . The moderator should never try to show to the participants that he is one jump ahead of the participants .That is not the intention of the debate.

Undoubtedly Gopinath is one of the best Tamil anchors . Unfortunately he has a tendency to react to points made by the participants . He forgets his role ,that he is a moderator . He has to facilitate a debate between two different view points and ensure the debate does not go out of control . This doesn't mean he should thrust his views on the participants . Gopinath has a tendency to thrust his views down the throat of an unrelenting participant . He does this often .This is absolutely wrong . A counter argument to a point raised by one group should come from the other group and not from the moderator . Among English TV channels ,I have noticed this tendency in Arnab Goswami .He is more vocal and he goes to the extent of shouting down the panelist .

Every profession and avocation has good and bad people . Let the participants make a point in support or against the majority view .Viewers are better judges .The very idea of a debate is to present different view points .Each side has their own justifications . The viewers can easily pick out the right views put forth without any bias or prejudice .They are sagacious .

I agree the moderator has to do some research and make some advance preparations about the topic being debated .This is only to keep him abreast of what is being discussed and not to exhibit his knowledge about the subject . Most of the time Gopinath does this mistake . This preparation is necessary to make the debate lively and absorbing .The moderator should always remember the debate is not about him,he should not be the star of the debate . He should shut thoughts about him in a box and toss it away .If he wants to be a star ,then he should become one of the participants in the debate .Unfortunately this is what is happening in "Neeya Naana" debates. The title of the program " You or Me ?" denotes the two groups to the debate . But unfortunately most of the time the debate turns between the participants and the moderator . The "Me" becomes the moderator. The moderator should not try to impress the audience with his brilliance . His roles is confined to make the speakers connect with the audience .Gopinath's problem is most of the time, he plays dual roles .Sometimes he acts as a moderator and sometimes unwittingly he talks like a participant His job is to run the show and not air his views .

The quality of debates are mostly good .Always there are some handpicked knowledgeable persons in each debate . But I feel Gopinath should learn to restrict his role only to that of a moderator and refrain from airing his private views in debates . He can very well do that as a participant and not as a moderator . Otherwise he is a good anchor,fluent in Tamil and has a command and personality to be an effective moderator .He has the knack to engage the audience in a conversation . One thing that Gopinath does very well ,is when the debate strays or digresses ,he brings it back to the debate. He should just guide the conversation . Thank God ,all debates we see in our TV are edited versions. You can imagine what sort of a mess it would be if there were live debates ! .All said and done moderating a debate is a skill . It comes naturally to some people and others have to develop it. ..

Dozing off in parliament

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:27:00 +0530

Rahul Gandhi was caught napping in parliament yesterday . As expected the ruling BJP spokesperson Shaw Nawaz Khan tweeted on this and the video footage has gone viral in the social media and all sorts of comments are made on poor Rahul Gandhi . As expected BJP was trying to get political mileage out of this . Especially so when the debate was on price rise ,Shawnawaz used Rahul's snooze to tweet " this is how congress slept on Price rise for last 10 years " . This shows he is politically shrewd.

Congress defended that Rahul was not sleeping and he "had merely shut his eyes". Praful Patel of NCP also defending Rahul said ,many people do this in parliament . Congress spokesperson Rajiv Shukla said even Vajpayee used to sit in parliament with his eyes shut and listen to speeches . But the most celebrated sleeper in parliament was India's former PM Devegowda . Because of his habit of napping in parliament he was even nicknamed as 'sleeping Gowda ' . But Devegowda used to sleep even in government functions he attended as PM .

Unfortunately Rahul Gandhi is not the only person caught napping . I don't agree RG being singled out and blamed for a nap.Many MLA's were also caught napping in legislature assemblies. Recently when Kejriwal was making his maiden assembly speech .many MLA's ( not one, many ) were caught sleeping in the video . Interestingly Dr.Harshavardhan the present central health minister ,who was then an opposition leader in Delhi assembly was caught sleeping in the video, when the CM was making his speech .Click here to watch the video .Curiously some of Kejriwal's Cabinet colleagues like Rakhi Birla were also caught sleeping in camera when the assembly was discussing serious issues .

In Meghalaya a congress MLA assaulted a photographer who caught him sleeping not long ago . In Karnataka during the last regime congress MLA's led a novel protest by sleeping in the assembly .It was a symbolic protest against government sleeping over illegal mining . See how innovative our MLA' can be when it comes to protests !

.But watching MLA's yawn, sleep and snore during Assembly sessions in India is nothing new .May be to keep awake during assembly sessions ,two Karnataka ministers watched porn in their mobiles when the assembly was in session,sometime ago.

Karnataka forest minister Ramnath Rai slept during a debate in the legislative council very recently on 2 July 2014 .His loud snoring irked opposition members. "Please provide our minister a bed. Let him sleep properly. He is very tired," said B J Puttaswamy.

In 2011 ,during a speech by a renowned nuclear expert in Maharashtra Assembly many MLA's including chief minister Prithivraj Chavan was caught napping . The scientist was addressing the assembly about the safety concerns of nuclear plants .

In Rahul Gandhi's case the video shows he dozed off for just 30 seconds and then he wakes up and thumps the desk for the speech made by his party colleague on price rise. Why do members sleep ?Is it lack of interest ? .Not at all .The common cause for daytime drowsiness could be merely insufficient sleep . Every person needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep per day .If one doesn't get the required amount of sleep the previous night ,it will surely reflect in the next day's activities of that person . The ideal thing is to get more sleep .But in today's stressful busy society it can't be a viable solution to many people . Everywhere you find people sleeping,in schools,buses ,offices etc . People should learn to schedule their sleep also along with the many other activities they schedule . When one can't manage to get enough sleep , the natural consequence would be short duration naps or doze .The body forces you to take such naps . Scientists say after a short sleep session, especially during the day, our mind regains focus and we can better tackle those tricky mental challenges. May be RG was preparing himself to focus better . Jokes apart,I personally feel sorry for RG ,and this shouldn't have been raked up as a big issue by the ruling party and the media . More over this happens the world over .

I am not justifying the nap of Rahul Gandhi in parliament . After all Rahul Gandhi is also a human being .

Bullet Train in India

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Wed, 9 Jul 2014 09:56:00 +0530

India's first bullet train has been announced between Mumbai and Ahmadabad in yesterday's railway budget by Railway Minister Sadanada Gowda. But building high speed dedicated rail tracks and other required infrastructure for bullet trains might take minimum of two years . The two years estimate is based on automated track laying machines ,which can lay 1 to 1.5 Km of track per day ,compared to labour intensive manual track lying of 10 days per Km. But Gowda also said in the budget speech that out of 100 projects announced in the last 30 years by Railways only one project has been completed so far. This is the kind of tardy implementation of projects we have in India .Besides the euphoria stops with announcements . There is no project evaluation thereafter and no accountability to take the project to its logical end . Most of the projects announced in the past were merely populist to please some sections of the people keeping the vote bank in mind .The cash strapped Railways has to depend on FDI or PPP to fructify their dream projects . The P3 model has been successful in road projects in India . National highways are far better now and better roads have facilitated to achieve road speeds up to 200 KMs/hr in SUV's and up to 140 Kms/hr in Sedans in Indian highways. For infrastructure building most nations now follow the P3 model .One hopes it would succeed in the Rail sector also. But responses to railway P3 projects were very poor in the past . It was believed the return on investments for rail projects were not so encouraging for P3 in rail projects as the cause for poor response . The success of the projects announced by Gowda lies in accelerating P3 projects in railway .This requires uncompromising commitments from the railways department .

Gowda's emphasis was more on increasing the passenger train speeds . Increasing Passenger train speeds with existing infrastructure to 160 KMs wherever possible can also be considered . There is also a strong case for increasing the goods train speeds. Perhaps Indian freight trains are the most sluggish . Gowda said he would make Indian Railways the largest freight carrier of the world . But this can never be achieved with the kind of speed at which our goods train moves now. Railways minister talked about massive integration in computerisation of railway functions .This is a welcome move . But technology up gradation in operations is required to scale up efficiency . But there was no mention about operational technology up gradation .

Budget after budget all Railway ministers have been making references to elimination of all unmanned level crossings .Railways have an ambitious plan not to add any new level crossings in future lines and eliminate all unmanned level crossings by 2017 . In fact there is a need to eliminate even manned level crossings by building over bridges .Even this could not be achieved because in many instances state governments are not agreeing to share the cost .

Initiatives like online booking for retiring rooms , online purchase of unreserved tickets and platform tickets ,wake up calls, RO water ,on board cleaning etc are welcome moves .On the safety front introduction of ultra sonic devices to detect rail fractures and automatic closing of doors both in mainline and suburban coaches , though belated is another welcome move .

One hopes FDI and PPP will change the face of Indian Railways in the years to come . Land acquisition ,finalising P3 agreements or getting sufficient FDI ,building infrastructure and laying tracks for high speed bullet trains would all take considerable time .With a determined PM like Modi who reviews at regular intervals all projects,the bullet train dream could get fructified at least by 2017 .

Avvaiyar's Moothurai (Time honoured wisdom ) in English

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Fri, 6 Jun 2014 19:39:00 +0530

Avvaiyar was an exceptional pedagogue who dished out percepts and dictum's that are germane even to this date . This post is a translation of Avvaiyar's 'Time honoured wisdom' (Moothurai ) by me .She uses simple comprehensible simile's and metaphors to explain moral principles.

கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

வாக்குண்டாம் நல்ல மனம் உண்டாம் மாமலராள்

நோக்கு உண்டாம் மேனி நுடங்காது-பூக்கொண்டு

துப்பார் திருமேனித் தும்பிக்கையான் பாதம்

தப்பாமல் சார்வார் தமக்கு.

Invocation

Those who take unswerving refuge .. ..

at the snouted Lord's feet would be blessed

with solace, good soul and the grace of ..

Laskhmi the goddess of wealth

நூல்

1.நன்றி ஒருவர்க்குச் செய்தக்கால் அந் நன்றி

'என்று தருங்கொல்?' என வேண்டா- நின்று

தளரா வளர் தெங்கு தாள் உண்ட நீரைத்

தலையாலே தான் தருதலால்.

Verses

Never expect gratitude shown to be returned

for just as a rising unweary palm tree ..

returns water taken along feet (roots ) ..

through head (coconut) - one would return gratitude

2.நல்லார் ஒருவர்க்குச் செய்த உபகாரம்

கல்மேல் எழுத்துப் போல் காணுமே- அல்லாத

ஈரமிலா நெஞ்சத்தார்க்கு ஈந்த உபகாரம்

நீர் மேல் எழுத்துக்கு நேர்.

Help given to grateful people are

like an etch on a rock - opposed to it...

help given to insensitive people

are a writing on water

3.இன்னா இளமை வறுமை வந்து எய்தியக் கால்

இன்னா அளவில் இனியவும்- இன்னாத

நாள் அல்லா நாள் பூத்த நன் மலரும் போலுமே

ஆள் இல்லா மங்கைக்கு அழகு.

Affluence accrued in old age can not

relieve poverty suffered in youth

Similarly a nubile woman sans a lover

is like a flower bloomed past season

4.அட்டாலும் பால் சுவையில் குன்றாது அளவளாய்

நட்டாலும் நண்பு அல்லார் நண்பு அல்லர்

கெட்டாலும் மேன்மக்கள் மேன்மக்களே சங்கு

சுட்டாலும் வெண்மை தரும்.

Overheated milk never loses taste

A debauch will never be a good friend

Noble men remain noble even in penury

like conch shells remain white even when burnt

5.அடுத்து முயன்றாலும் ஆகும் நாள் அன்றி

எடுத்த கருமங்கள் ஆகா-தொடுத்த

உருவத்தால் நீண்ட உயர்மரங்கள் எல்லாம்

பருவத்தால் அன்றிப் பழா.

Recurrent attempts don't succeed

until the right time comes

Even trees that grow taller don't..

bear fruits until the season comes

6.உற்ற இடத்தில் உயிர் வழங்கும் தன்மையோர்

பற்றலரைக் கண்டால் பணிவரோ?-கல்தூண்

பிளந்து இறுவது அல்லால் பெரும் பாரம் தாங்கின்

தளர்ந்து விளையுமோ தான்.

A person ready to lay his life- if needed...

be meek to foes?- a load bearing column

will only break with excessive load ..

it would never bend or arc

7.நீர் அளவே ஆகுமாம் நீர் ஆம்பல்; தான் கற்ற

நூல் அளவே ஆகுமாம் நுண் அறிவு-மேலைத்

தவத்து அளவே ஆகுமாம் தான் பெற்ற செல்வம்

குலத்து அளவே ஆகும் குணம்.

Just as lily rises to the level of water in a tank

One’s knowledge depends on the books he reads

One’s wealth depends on his previous birth’s virtues

One’s moral fibre depends on his race

8.நல்லாரைக் காண்பதுவும் நன்றே; நலம்மிக்க

நல்லார் சொல் கேட்பதுவும் நன்றே-நல்லார்

குணங்கள் உரைப்பதுவும் நன்றே; அவரோடு

இணங்கி இருப்பதுவும் நன்று.

It is good to see well-disposed people

It is good to listen to their counsels

It is good to talk about their lives ..

It is good to have them as friends

9.தீயாரைக் காண்பதுவும் தீதே; திரு அற்ற

தீயார் சொல் கேட்பதுவும் தீதே-தீயார்

குணங்கள் உரைப்பதுவும் தீதே; அவரோடு

இணங்கி இருப்பதுவும் தீது.

It is harmful to see the wicked

It is harmful to listen to their counsels

It is harmful to talk about their character ..

It is harmful to have them as friends

10.நெல்லுக்கு இறைத்த நீர் வாய்க்கால் வழி ஓடிப்

புல்லுக்கும் ஆங்கே பொசியுமாம்-தொல் உலகில்

நல்லார் ஒருவர் உளரேல் அவர் பொருட்டு

எல்லார்க்கும் பெய்யுமாம் மழை.

Water poured out to paddy fields flows through canal

and does good to the grass in the bund.

Likewise if a good man lives in this world...

it rains for his sake and does good to every one .

11.பண்டு முளைப்பது அரிசியே ஆனாலும்

விண்டு உமிபோனால் முளையாதாம்-கொண்ட பேர்

ஆற்றல் உடையார்க்கும் ஆகாது அளவு இன்றி

ஏற்ற கருமம் செயல்.

Though rice grows as a stalk of paddy..

it fails to grow if the husk is removed.

Even capable men cannot carry out a task

sans the help of people around.

12.மடல் பெரிது தழை; மகிழ் இனிது கந்தம்

உடல் சிறியர் என்று இருக்க வேண்டா-கடல் பெரிது

மண்ணீரும் ஆகாது; அதன் அருகே சிற்றூறல்

உண்ணீரும் ஆகி விடும்.

A pandanus leaf may be large but it is the spores that give fragrance

Thus judge not, one’s ability based on his stature....

for the sea is huge but not a drop is potable

But water from a small spring can be potable

13.கவையாகிக் கொம்பாகிக் காட்டகத்தே நிற்கும்

அவையல்ல நல்ல மரங்கள்-சபை நடுவே

நீட்டு ஓலை வாசியா நின்றான் குறிப்பு அறிய

மாட்டாதவன் நன் மரம்.

Large trees in woods are not the real trees.

Those who stand in a forum ....

not able to read and infer a beckoning gesture..

are the ones akin to real trees .

14.கான மயில் ஆடக் கண்டிருந்த வான் கோழி

தானும் அதுவாகப் பாவித்து-தானும் தன்

பொல்லாச் சிறகை விரித்து ஆடினால் போலுமே

கல்லாதான் கற்ற கவி.

An unlettered person writing a poem...

feigning to be a learned poet is..

like a turkey's pretence as a peacock..

and trying to dance spreading its slimy wings

15.வேங்கை வரிப்புலி நோய் தீர்த்த விடகாரி

ஆங்கு அதனுக்கு ஆகாரம் ஆனால்போல்-பாங்குஅழியாப்

புல் அறிவாளருக்குச் செய்த உபகாரம்

கல்லின் மேல் இட்ட கலம்.

Just as the guy who treated the tiger...

turned as its grub -when cured of its illness ..

any help rendered to the intolerant ..

are futile like a pot dropped on a rock

16.அடக்கம் உடையார் அறிவிலர் என்று எண்ணிக்

கடக்கக் கருதவும் வேண்டா-மடைத் தலையில்

ஓடுமீன் ஓட உறுமீன் வரும் அளவும்

வாடி இருக்குமாம் கொக்கு.

Never ignore men with forbearance ..

and assume they lack knowledge

For the stork waits at the sluicegate patiently..

leaving small fishes and waits for bigger fishes

17.அற்ற குளத்தில் அறுநீர்ப் பறவைபோல்

உற்றுழித் தீர்வார் உறவு அல்லர்; -அக்குளத்தில்

கொட்டியும் ஆம்பலும் நெய்தலும் போலவே

ஒட்டி உறவார் உறவு.

Birds leave the pond when it is dry

Likewise the unscrupulous abandon you in penury

But like the deep rooted water lily plants in pond

steadfast people will provide you succor

18.சீரியர் கெட்டாலும் சீரியரே; சீரியர் மற்று

அல்லாதார் கெட்டால் அங்கு என்னாகும்?-சீரிய

பொன்னின் குடம் உடைந்தால் பொன்னாகும்; என் ஆகும்

மண்ணின் குடம் உடைந்தக் கால்?

Hard times, do not change honourable men

What about others who aren't so ?

A broken golden pot is always precious

But does a broken earthen pot has any value ?

19.ஆழ அமுக்கி முகக்கினும் ஆழ்கடல் நீர்

நாழி முகவாது நானாழி-தோழி

நிதியும் கணவனும் நேர் படினும் தம்தம்

விதியின் பயனே பயன்.

However deep a pot is immersed in sea..

it can't take water more than it can hold .

Even a good husband and immense wealth

can not prevail over your fate

20.உடன் பிறந்தார் சுற்றத்தார் என்று இருக்க வேண்டா

உடன் பிறந்தே கொல்லும் வியாதி-உடன் பிறவா

மாமலையில் உள்ள மருந்தே பிணி தீர்க்கும்

அம் மருந்து போல் வாரும் உண்டு.

Endogenic diseases kill you from within

Don't count solely on kins and siblings

Though not your sibling, the mountain

contains remedies that can cure you

21.இல்லாள் அகத்து இருக்க இல்லாதது ஒன்று இல்லை

இல்லாளும் இல்லாளே ஆமாயின்-இல்லாள்

வலி கிடந்த மாற்றம் உரைக்குமேல் அவ்இல்

புலி கிடந்த தூறாய் விடும்.

You lack nothing when the wife tends home

If the wife is harsh,it's better she stays away from home

For house where such a wife stays ..

will become a tiger's den .

22.எழுதியவாறே தான் இரங்கும் மட நெஞ்சே!

கருதியவாறு ஆமோ கருமம்?-கருதிப் போய்க்

கற்பகத்தைச் சேர்தோர்க்குக் காஞ்சிரங்காய் ஈந்ததேல்

முற்பவத்தில் செய்த வினை.

Oh goose ! whatever happens is preordained

One’s laid out plans doesn't work

You expect a boon but you get a scourge

It's all because of your past sins

23.கற்பிளவோடு ஒப்பர் கயவர்; கடும் சினத்துப்

பொற் பிளவோடு ஒப்பாரும் போல்வாரே-வில்பிடித்து

நீர் கிழிய எய்த வீடுப் போல மாறுமே

சீர் ஒழுகு சான்றோர் சினம்.

Wrath of heinous persons are like a rock cleft

Wrath of noble men are like a fissure in gold

Their anger bobs under like a scar...

made on water with an arrow

24.நற்றாமரைக் கயத்தில் நல் அன்னம் சேர்ந்தார் போல்

கற்றாரைக் கற்றாரே காமுறுவர்-கற்பிலா

மூர்க்கரை மூர்க்கர் முகப்பர் முதுகாட்டில்

காக்கை உகக்கும் பிணம்.

Just as a swan is seen in a lotus lake ..

the learned complement the learned

The wicked reach out to the wicked

like a crow that seeks a carcass

25.நஞ்சு உடைமை தான் அறிந்து நாகம் கரந்து உறையும்

அஞ்சாப் புறம் கிடக்கும் நீர்ப் பாம்பு-நெஞ்சில்

கரவுடையார் தம்மைக் கரப்பர் கரவார்

கரவிலா நெஞ்சத் தவர்.

Venomous cobra hides in its lair

but water snake moves around freely

Likewise deciets look for cover

and honest men move around freely

26.மன்னனும் மாசு அறக் கற்றோனும் சீர் தூக்கின்

மன்னனில் கற்றோன் சிறப்பு உடையன்-மன்னர்க்குத்

தன் தேசம் அல்லால் சிறப்பு இல்லை கற்றோர்க்குச்

சென்ற இடம் எல்லாம் சிறப்பு.

If a king is weighed against a scholar

the scholar outweighs the king ..

for the king is held in esteem only in his country

but the scholar is honoured where ever he goes

27.கல்லாத மாந்தர்க்குக் கற்று உணர்ந்தார் சொல் கூற்றம்

அல்லாத மாந்தர்க்கு அறம் கூற்றம்-மெல்லிய

வாழைக்குத் தான் ஈன்ற காய் கூற்றம் கூற்றமே

இல்லிற்கு இசைந்து ஒழுகாப் பெண்.

For the ulettered words of wise men spell death

For the wicked, justice spell death

For the plantain tree banana yield spells death ..

and a wife who always dissents bring a man’s death

28.சந்தன மென் குறடு தான் தேய்ந்த காலத்தும்

கந்தம் குறை படாது; ஆதலால்-தம்தம்

தனம் சிறியர் ஆயினும் தார் வேந்தர் கேட்டால்

மனம் சிறியர் ஆவரோ மற்று?

Sandalwood retains its fragrance

even when it becomes thin

Likewise a mighty king,even if he loses his wealth

will never tend to be thrifty

29.மருவு இனிய சுற்றமும் வான் பொருளும் நல்ல

உருவும் உயர் குலமும் எல்லாம்- திரு மடந்தை

ஆம் போது அவளோடும் ஆகும்; அவள் பிரிந்து

போம் போது அவளோடும் போம்.

When dame luck favours you...

Kins, riches, good looks and elite status...

arrive at your door step.

All will be lost when she leaves you

30.சாந்தனையும் தீயனவே செய்திடினும் தாம் அவரை

ஆந்தனையும் காப்பர் அறிவுடையோர்-மாந்தர்

குறைக்கும் தனையும் குளிர் நிழலைத் தந்து

மறைக்குமாம் கண்டீர் மரம்.

The tree gives shade ...

even to those who fell them

Similarly men of wisdom protect

even those who hurt them

Talk with your mouth shut (Vaayai moodi pesavum )

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Tue, 3 Jun 2014 08:15:00 +0530

I rarely write movie reviews .But a Tamil film I watched recently impressed me . The film was titled Vaayai moodi pesavum (Talk with your mouth shut ) The title itself is an oxymoron something like 'Clearly confused ' .Oxymorons make one to ponder or laugh . This movie did exactly that. After a very long time, I was impressed with a light hearted satirical comedy movie filmed in an entirely fresh bracing brisk pace . I think this is ground breaking film in Tamil .There is nothing extra ordinary in the story line ,but the narration was so different and refreshing. The story is all about an hypothetical dumb flu that spreads by speaking . The film is directed by Balaji Mohan .He also plays a small role in the film .The lead pairs are Dulquer Salman,actor Mammuty's son ,his debut film in Tamil and Nazria .Both of them have done a nice job . I was so impressed with the RR and sound effects . For nearly 35 to 40 % of the film ,there are no dialogues,all characters talk by miming .The background score and RR were so nice . I presume one would notice the impact it has made on the film ,if one tries to watch the film with the audio muted.I understand for the composer Sean Roldan also this is a debut film . The entire story happens in a scenic hill station . That makes the backdrop so beautiful .The director implies everywhere the story is fictional so deftly .The hill station panimalai is also fictional .It is conveyed so nicely,and one understands the intended satire throughout the film.Very innovative and new to Tamil films.

Avvaiyars Kontrai Venthan nuggets in English

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Thu, 29 May 2014 17:39:00 +0530

In my attempt to translate to English great Tamil poet Avvaiyaar's moral aphorisms this time I have translated Kontrai venthan .As usual Avvaiyar starts her didactic pearls of wisdom by invoking the Almighty .I also follow suit .

கொன்றை வேந்தன் செல்வன் அடியினை
என்றும் ஏத்தித் தொழுவோம் யாமே.

Let's pray ever at the feet of
Cassia flower adorned Shiva's son

Nuggets of wisdom

1.அன்னையும் பிதாவும் முன்னறி தெய்வம்---Father and mother are the foremost Gods

2.ஆலயம் தொழுவது சாலவும் நன்று---Worshipping in a shrine is good

3.இல்லறம் அல்லது நல்லறம் அன்று---Abjuring domestic life is never a virtue

4.ஈயார் தேட்டை தீயார் கொள்வர்---Niggard's riches would be looted ( by the wicked )

5.உண்டி சுருங்குதல் பெண்டிர்க்கு அழகு---Moderate eating makes a woman pretty

6.ஊருடன் பகைக்கின் வேருடன் கெடும்---Antagonising countrymen would ruin your roots

7.எண்ணும் எழுத்தும் கண் எனத் தகும்---Mathematics and literature are like two eyes

8.ஏவா மக்கள் மூவா மருந்து---A nostrum for parents is inferring their wishes

9.ஐயம் புகினும் செய்வன செய்---Do it right even if you beg

10.ஒருவனைப் பற்றி ஓரகத்து இரு---Always cling on to a worthy guy

11.ஓதலின் நன்றே வேதியர்க்கு ஒழுக்கம்---Brahman's duty is to recite vedic scriptures

12.ஔவியம் பேசுதல் ஆக்கத்திற்கு அழிவு---Jealousy ruins progress

13.அஃகமும் காசும் சிக்கெனத் தேடு---Be prudent in seeking grains and money

14.கற்பு எனப் படுவது சொல் திறம்பாமை---Morality is all about no breach of trust

15.காவல் தானே பாவையர்க்கு அழகு---Guarding against breach adds beauty to a woman

16.கிட்டாதாயின் வெட்டென மற---Foreget what you can't get

17.கீழோர் ஆயினும் தாழ உரை---Be humble even to underlings

18.குற்றம் பார்க்கில் சுற்றம் இல்லை---Fault finding will deprive relationships

19.கூர் அம்பு ஆயினும் வீரியம் பேசேல்---Arrows never brag about valour

20.கெடுவது செய்யின் விடுவது கருமம்---Give up if your action will harm some one

21.கேட்டில் உறுதி கூட்டும் உடைமை---Tenacity in adversity enhances possession

22.கைப் பொருள் தன்னில் மெய்ப் பொருள் கல்வி---Education is the true wealth than your craft

23.கொற்றவன் அறிதல் உற்ற இடத்து உதவி---Proximity with ruler helps in times of need

24.கோள் செவிக் குறளை காற்றுடன் நெருப்பு---Gossip by a tattler is like a fire fanned by wind

25.கௌவை சொல்லின் எவ்வருக்கும் பகை---Denigrating others cause ill will

26.சந்ததிக்கு அழகு உவந்து இசையாமை---Children thrive.. when parents don't yield

27.சான்றோர் என்கை ஈன்றோர்க்கு அழகு---Bringing up noble children is the duty of parents

28.சிவத்தைப் பேணில் தவத்திற்கு அழகு---Cherishing Shiva is mark of austerity

29.சீரைத் தேடின் ஏரைத் தேடு---Till the land to seek wealth

30.சுற்றத்திற்கு அழகு சூழ இருத்தல்---To have kins around is comely

31.சூதும் வாதும் வேதனை செய்யும்---Gambling and arguments bring distress

32.செய்தவம் மறந்தால் கைத்தவம் ஆளும்---Ignorance rules when one forgets skills

33.சேமம் புகினும் யாமத்து உறங்கு---A snooze is exigent even for a watchman

34 சை ஒத்து இருந்தால் ஐயம் இட்டு உண்---If affordable give alms before you dine

35.சொக்கர் என்பவர் அத்தம் பெறுவர்---Unblemished become affluent

36.சோம்பர் என்பவர் தேம்பித் திரிவர்---The lazy wail their woes

37.தந்தை சொல் மிக்க மந்திரம் இல்லை---Nothing is bigger than dad's counsel

38.தாயிற் சிறந்து ஒரு கோயிலும் இல்லை---There is no greater God than one's mother

39.திரை கடல் ஓடியும் திரவியம் தேடு---Sail across to seek wealth

40.தீராக் கோபம் போராய் முடியும்---Rage could end in riot

41.துடியாப் பெண்டிர் மடியில் நெருப்பு---Apathetic woman is dangerous

42.தூற்றும் பெண்டிர் கூற்று எனத் தகும்---Woman's slur will be deemed a plaint

43.தெய்வம் சீறின் கைதவம் மாளும்---God's ire ruin craft

44.தேடாது அழிக்கின் பாடாய் முடியும்---Extravagance without earning results in penury

45.தையும் மாசியும் வையகத்து உறங்கு---During winter sleep in straw thatched dwelling

46.தொழுதூண் சுவையின் உழுதூண் இனிது---Bread earned by toil tastes better than one earned by subjugation

47.தோழனோடும் ஏழைமை பேசேல்---Never discuss your poverty even to a friend

48.நல்லிணக்கம் அல்லது அல்லல் படுத்தும்---Discord brings distress

49.நாடெங்கும் வாழக் கேடொன்றும் இல்லை---No grumbles when entire nation flourishes

50.நிற்கக் கற்றல் சொல் திறம்பாவை---Erudites never fail to honour their words

51.நீரகம் பொருந்திய ஊரகத்து இரு---Live in places with water resources

52.நுண்ணிய கருமமும் எண்ணித்துணி---Asess before embarking on even the easiest task

53.நூல்முறை தெரிந்து சீலத்து ஒழுகு---Learn sacred text percepts and behave virtuously

54.நெஞ்சை ஒளித்து ஒரு வஞ்சகம் இல்லை---No treachery can be hidden from your scruples

55.நேரா நோன்பு சீர் ஆகாது---False austerity implies no virtue

56.நைபவர் எனினும் நொய்ய உரையேல்---Never insult the inferior

57.நொய்யவர் என்பவர் வெய்யவர் ஆவர்---Even short statured can reach heights by their deeds

58.நோன்பு என்பது கொன்று தின்னாமை---Austerity shuns slaughter

59.பண்ணிய பயிரில் புண்ணியம் தெரியும்---As you sow so shall you reap (Your deeds good or bad will repay you in kind )

60.பாலோடு ஆயினும் காலம் அறிந்து உண்---Let it be milk,but eat at the right time

61.பிறன் மனை புகாமை அறம் எனத் தகும்---No lust for another man's wife is a worthy virtue

62.பீரம் பேணில் பாரம் தாங்கும்---Breastfed children would be fortified

63.புலையும் கொலையும் களவும் தவிர்---Shun meat,lynch and loot

64.பூரியோர்க்கு இல்லை சீரிய ஒழுக்கம்---The immoral lack righteous conduct

65.பெற்றோர்க்கு இல்லை சுற்றமும் சினமும்---Spiritual liberation rises above temporal love and hate

66.பேதைமை என்பது மாதர்க்கு அணிகலம்---The pretence of ignorance is a woman's ornament

67.பையச் சென்றால் வையம் தாங்கும்---A guarded approach behoves well

68.பொல்லாங்கு என்பது எல்லாம் தவிர்---Eschew all wrongful conduct

69.போனகம் என்பது தான் உழந்து உண்டல்---Earn bread by your own toil

70.மருந்தே ஆயினும் விருந்தோடு உண்---Even if it is a rare elixir share it with every one

71.மாரி அல்லது காரியம் இல்லை---Without rain nothing happens

72.மின்னுக் கெல்லாம் பின்னுக்கு மழை---Thunders precede rains (Hard efforts bear fruits later)

73.மீகாமன் இல்லா மரக்கலம் ஓடாது---A sailor is needed to steer a barge

74.முற்பகல் செய்யின் பிற்பகல் விளையும்---Every deed has a repercussion

75.மூத்தோர் சொல் வார்த்தை அமிர்தம்---Wise counsels from seniors are like nectar

76.மெத்தையில் படுத்தல் நித்திரைக்கு அழகு---Soft mattress gives good sleep

77.மேழிச் செல்வம் கோழை படாது---Riches from ploughing never slump

78.மை விழியார் தம் மனை அகன்று ஒழுகு---Stay away from harlots

79.மொழிவது மறுக்கின் அழிவது கருமம்---Disregarding wise counsels bring disaster

80.மோனம் என்பது ஞான வரம்பு---Silence is a prelude to spiritual knowledge

81.வளவன் ஆயினும் அளவு அறிந்து அழித்து உண்---Even if you are affluent(farmer) be thrifty

82.வானம் சுருங்கில் தானம் சுருங்கும்---When rains fail charity falls

83.விருந்து இல்லோர்க்கு இல்லை பொருந்திய ஒழுக்கம்---Not feeding guests does not befit a host

84.வீரன் கேண்மை கூர் அம்பாகும்---A brave friend is akin to posessing a sharp arrow

85.உரவோர் என்கை இரவாது இருத்தல்---The strong never solicit aid

86.ஊக்கம் உடைமை ஆக்கத்திற்கு அழகு---The assiduous enhance wealth

87.வெள்ளைக்கு இல்லை கள்ளச் சிந்தை---The well-disposed are never destructive

88.வேந்தன் சீறின் ஆம் துணை இல்லை---The king's (ruler's) ire makes one helpless

89.வைகல் தோறும் தெய்வம் தொழு---Worship God every morning

90.ஒத்த இடத்து நித்திரை கொள்---Sleep in a suitable place

91.ஓதாதவர்க்கு இல்லை உணர்வோடு ஒழுக்கம்---The illiterates are bereft of good conduct

Modi takes control

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Mon, 26 May 2014 09:14:00 +0530

Mr.Modi will become India's 15th Prime Minister today .Modi is a practical politician . Modi was vociferous in his election speeches against Pakistan and UPA's policy of appeasement with Pak. Similarly Modi was critical of SL & PAK for arresting Indian fishermen .But level headed Modi knew election rhetoric's are different from ground realities and wants to set the rcord straight before he takes the saddle and is in the driver's seat . He has extended an olive branch to all SAARC leaders for his swearing in ceremony despite objections from some quarters . But Modi's diplomacy paid when both SL & PAK decided to release arrested Indian fishermen in their countries as a goodwill gesture . One sincerely hopes Modi would be able to turn this initial euphory to something worthwhile in India's relations with these neighbouring nations . While I appreciate the steadfast resolution of politicians like Vaiko on his ideology and political orientation,he must understand diplomatic parleys are required between nations to resolve issues of this nature . The disposition shown by the heads of the two visiting leaders of SL & PAK could augur a new beginning to resolve issues between these nations .Some how I feel Modi is a politician from India ready for a bigger international stage .

Modi means business and is a shrewd politician.I think he believes in heuristic approaches for problem solving . From what I learnt from newspapers ,he is clubbing related ministries ,may be with a view to deal issues at a single window . He is trying to engage experts in relevant fields under each ministry .I also find a sense of urgency in his approach to get things done rightly and also quickly . He may not vacillate to take decisions if it is beneficial to the nation. I understand he did not hesitate to demolish 600 Hindu temples in Ahmedabad to clear road obstructions . Throughout his hectic election campaigns he was focussed .It is an hallmark of an astute administrator . Now he has to deliver his promises. I was very impressed when he said in one of the election meetings that after 60 months he would give his report card on performance to the people of India .Unless he was so conident of his performance ,I don't think he would have uttered it . In one of the election rallies he said the Chief ministers and Prime minister should work together to make things happen . May be he has an all pervasive development plan for India in mind . I read from papers Modi has an ambitious plan for 24 x 7 power supply across India . This could surely be the engine for growth .Best wishes to Modi and his team to usher in a new India .

Election 2014- India votes for a change

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sat, 17 May 2014 07:06:00 +0530

Indian voters have emphatically voted for a change . The corrupt and the inefficient have been voted out . The congress has been decimated . It is an unprecedented rout for the congress .Congress has drawn a blank in Delhi and Tamil Nadu . As expected in the combined AP (Seemandra and Telengana)it is almost a rout for the congress,securing just one seat. As expected states like TN,WB and Odisha were not much affected by the Modi wave . Regional leaders in these states were effective foils to BJP and Modi. These three local stalwarts winning 89 (37,34,18)seats between them is an impressive tally by any standards .Congress may not even get the opposition party status ,since its tally falls below the mandatory 10 % of the total seats to claim the opposition party status . It is good to see Rahul and Sonia owning up responsibility for the massive defeat of congress .This should pave way for examining their conduct in the last 10 years and take restorative measures to bring the party back to limelight .India badly needs congress as a strong and viable alternative in future elections.It is up to Congress to enumerate its deficiencies and overcome them .

For a party that ruled the nation for the last 10 years it is surely a dismal performance . Out of the 48 seats congress has managed to win, 21 seats (12 & 9) have come for 2 southern states of Kerala and Karnataka ,where congress is the ruling party. This means from the rest of the country,congress could get a meagre 27 seats . In another congress ruled state Maharashtra the BJP has almost trounced the congress.In Maharashtra congress has managed to get just 1 seat ,a drab performance . In J&K also Congress and Farooq Abdulla's NC have drawn a blank .It is no surprise that the DMK had to face the 'Modi and Lady' brunt .The AAP making a foray in to the national scene too early, has also learnt the political turf at the national level is very different . In fact in one of my earlier posts when AAP made a dramatic debut in Delhi assembly elections ,I had stated this could happen if AAP enters the national scene too ealry.

Most importantlyBJP winning 73 out of the 80 seats in UP , 31 out of 40 in Bihar and 42 out of 48 in Maharashtra is impressive . In Chattisgarh, Goa, Rajasthan and Gujarat it was a clean sweep by BJP. BJP front has opened account in TN and WB securing 2 each in these states,two states mostly unaffected by the Modi wave . The only aberration for BJP could be the defeat of Arun Jaitely in Punjab . However Jaitely is a Rajya Sabha member and could be inducted in to the cabinet .

The most important fall out of this election is, after 1984 elections a national party has secured a clear majority to form the government . This is good for the nation .The clear majority will ensure there is no 'governance paralysis' .But regional parties like AIADMK,TMC,BJD,TDP and TRS have emerged stronger and can not be written off .The communists continued their downward slide .

Congress has to do lots of introspection . Turning a blind eye to all round corruption,Administrative inefficiency,not lending ear to regional leaders ,snubbing regional leaders of their own party and that of allies, disregarding regional sentiments with contempt and dynastic politics have derailed the congress government.Will congress learn a lesson ?.Every state wants their regional leader to be all powerful . It is a regional pride. whether it is a national party or a regional party,the local leader should have a say in national politics .A local leader of a regional party becomes popular when his clout becomes indispensable at national level . Similarly in the case of a national party ,there should be a strong and charismatic regional leader to combat the regional parties . Jayalalitha ,Mamta and Navin Patnaik have proved they are strong regional leaders .In the absence of such charismatic leaders in national parties in each state ,it would be difficult to sustain the party as a force to reckon with at the regional level. Congress has time and again failed to learn this lesson despite severe drubbing at the hands of strong regional parties . Even during the Nehru era ,perhaps the only period during which congress had a truly national presence ,there were strong charismatic leaders at state levels . The present day congress leadership is wary of strong state leaders and systemically stymies state leaders .This could be a fall out of the dynastic politics . In fact it should be the other way .Congress should promote strong regional leaders .At this juncture Congress needs articulate leaders at all levels through out the nation to build the party again at grass root levels . Perhaps they may have to reinvent the wheel . The classic example of a strong regional leader upstaging at the national level could be none other than Modi .

BJP should live up to the expectations of the people of India . They should ensure a corruption free ,transparent ,efficient ,matter of fact government that is development oriented fair and equitable to all sections of the people . The general public also expects the elected representatives to be humility personified and shun arrogant superiority to disdain the views of others as unworthy. I hope on 24 th May when the baton change hands, the new set of sprinters would take the nation forward .Congress along with other parties should play the role of a constructive opposition and try to rebuild its lost glory.

Avvaiyar's Aathchudi maxims in English

noreply@blogger.com (outshine) — Sun, 4 May 2014 07:55:00 +0530

Encouraged by the page views and response I got for my English translation of Bharathi's Aathi chudi, I have yet again made an humble attempt to translate immortal Tamil poetess Avvaiyar's pioneer work on Athichudi to English. Avvaiyar was a great Tamil poet who lived between 13th century .Avvaiyars 'Aathichudi' in Tamil is a great literary work aimed at educating the children. Even after a millennium these are relevant today and taught to millions of Tamil Children all over the world. I consider Avvaiyaar as the world's first pedagogue .Apart from Aathi chudi Avvaiyaar wrote 'Kontrai venthan ' also a moral code of the highest order aimed at educating children.Other works of Avvaiyar are Moothurai and Nalvazhi . I have plans to translate these works also to English soon.

As is the wont, Avvaiyar begins with a couplet to invoke Lord Ganesha .

ஆத்தி சூடி அமர்ந்த தேவனை

ஏத்தி ஏத்தித் தொழுவோம் யாமே

I also invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings for my humble effort to translate a great literary work .

Aathi flowers decked Shiva ..

adores Ganesha,let's invoke His grace .

Note : Athi is a mountain orchid flower (Bauhinia).Lord Shiva loves to be adorned with garlands made of Athi flowers .

1.அறம் செய்ய விரும்பு---Yearn to be virtuous.

2.ஆறுவது சினம்---Anger subsides.

3.இயல்வது கரவேல்---Do the good you can

4.ஈவது விலக்கேல்---Never prevent charity

5.உடையது விளம்பேல்---Never brag

6.ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்---Never give up pep

7.எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்---Never despise learning (Learn to write and count )

8.ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி---Supplication is despicable (Living on some one's generosity)

9.ஐயம் இட்டு உண்---Feed a destitute before you dine

10.ஒப்புரவு ஒழுகு---Be equitable

11.ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்---Never cease learning

12.ஔவியம் பேசேல்---Speak no envy

13.அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல்---Never Short-change (Giving lesser quantity or treating unfairly )

14.கண்டொன்று சொல்லேல்---Never overstate what you see

15.ஙப் போல் வளை.---Be pliable and accomodative (like the letter ங )

16.சனி நீராடு.---Bathe before dawn

17.ஞயம் பட உரை---Speak words that bring felicity

18.இடம்பட வீடு எடேல்---Let not your home exceed your needs

19.இணக்கம் அறிந்து இணங்கு---Befriend after ascertaining accord

20.தந்தை தாய்ப் பேண்---Look after your father and mother

21.நன்றி மறவேல்---Always be grateful

22.பருவத்தே பயிர் செய்.---Raise stock on seasons (Do it at the right time )

23.மண் பறித்து உண்ணேல்.---Never grab other's land ( for livelihood )

24.இயல்பு அலாதன செய்யேல்.---Never do aberrant deeds .

25.அரவம் ஆட்டேல்.---Never play with Serpents

26.இலவம் பஞ்சில் துயில்.---Sleep on a cotton bed

27.வஞ்சகம் பேசேல்.---Never indulge in deciet

28.அழகு அலாதன செய்யேல்---Never do anything that is not aesthetic

29.இளமையில் கல்.---Learn when you are young

30.அறனை மறவேல்.---Never forget virtues

31.அனந்தல் ஆடேல்---Avoid siesta

32.கடிவது மற---Refrain chiding others (harshly)

33.காப்பது விரதம்---Observe fasting

34.கிழமை பட வாழ்---Be helpful to others

35.கீழ்மை அகற்று---Rid off meanness

36.குணமது கைவிடேல்---Never abandon character

37.கூடிப் பிரியேல்---Never part ways with friends

38.கெடுப்பது ஒழி---Give up malice

39.கேள்வி முயல்---Heed good counsel

40.கைவினை கரவேல்---Preserve handicrafts

41.கொள்ளை விரும்பேல்---Never encourage loot

42.கோதாட்டு ஒழி---Give up unlawful games

43.கௌவை அகற்று---Get rid of adversity

44.சக்கர நெறி நில்---Comply authorities

45.சான்றோர் இனத்து இரு---Stay with the learned

46.சித்திரம் பேசேல்---Never negate truth

47.சீர்மை மறவேல்---Never forget ideals

48.சுளிக்கச் சொல்லேல்---Never offend others

49.சூது விரும்பேல்---Dislike gambling

50.செய்வன திருந்தச் செய்---Be a paragon of perfection

51.சேரிடமறிந்து சேர்---Pick out your associates

52.சையெனத் திரியேல்---Let not others detest you

53.சொற் சோர்வு படேல்---Never be indifferent in conversation

54.சோம்பித் திரியேல்---Never be work-shy

55.தக்கோன் எனத் திரி---Merit your worth

56.தானமது விரும்பு---Yearn to donate

57.திருமாலுக்கு அடிமை செய்---Serve the Lord

58.தீவினை அகற்று---Get rid of the evil

59.துன்பத்திற்கு இடம் கொடேல்---Never give room for affliction

60.தூக்கி வினை செய்---Measure your deeds

61.தெய்வம் இகழேல்---Never denigrate God

62.தேசத்தோடு ஒட்டி வாழ்---Concur with your countrymen

63.தையல் சொல் கேளேல்---Never heed naive counsels (தையல் refers to a girl aged between 5 and 7 -unenlightened)

64.தொன்மை மறவேல்---Never disregard antiquity

65.தோற்பன தொடரேல்---Never carry on, if defeat is certain

66.நன்மை கடைப்பிடி---Adhere to good deeds

67.நாடு ஒப்பன செய்---Let your deeds be worthy of acceptance

68.நிலையில் பிரியேல்---Never loose your good repute

69.நீர் விளையாடேல்---Be wary of water sports

70.நுண்மை நுகரேல்---Don't consume infected food

71.நூல் பல கல்---Read diverse and varied books

72.நெற் பயிர் விளை---Raise stocks

73.நேர்பட ஒழுகு---Adhere to moral principles

74.நைவினை நணுகேல்---Never be ruinous

75.நொய்ய உரையேல்---Never denigrate

76.நோய்க்கு இடம் கொடேல்---Never become sick

77.பழிப்பன பகரேல்---Never use uncomely language

78.பாம்பொடு பழகேல்---Be wary of vicious people

79.பிழைபடச் சொல்லேல்---Never incriminate

80.பீடு பெற நில்---Stand tall with dignity

81.புகழ்ந்தாரைப் போற்றி வாழ்---Venerate the good Samaritan

82.பூமி திருத்தியுண்---Do farming (For sustenance)

83.பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கொள்---Keep company of seniors and wise people

84.பேதைமை அகற்று---Wipe out ignorance

85.பையலோடு இணங்கேல்---Never concur the unfledged

86.பொருள்தனைப் போற்றி வாழ்---Protect and cherish wealth

87.போர்த் தொழில் புரியேல்---Never indulge in warfare

88.மனம் தடுமாறேல்---Never vacillate

89.மாற்றானுக்கு இடம் கொடேல்---Never oblige your enemy

90.மிகைபடச் சொல்லேல்---Never exaggerate

91.மீதூண் விரும்பேல்---Never be a glutton

92.முனை முகத்து நில்லேல்---Never indulge in unrighteous fights

93.மூர்க்கரோடு இணங்கேல்---Never agree with the overbearing

94.மெல்லி நல்லாள் தோள் சேர்---Lean on your worthy wife

95.மேன்மக்கள் சொல் கேள்---Listen to counsels from lofty

96.மை விழியார் மனை அகல்---Stay away from harlots

97.மொழிவது அற மொழி---Be articulate

98.மோகத்தை முனி---Dislike lust

99.வல்லமை பேசேல்---Never vaunt about your might

100.வாது முற்கூறேல்---Never be the cause for a dispute

101.வித்தை விரும்பு---Yearn to be adept

102.வீடு பெற நில்---Long for a quite life

103.உத்தமனாய் இரு---Lead an exemplary life

104.ஊருடன் கூடிவாழ்---Be well disposed

105.வெட்டெனப் பேசேல்---Never be stern

106 வேண்டி வினை செயேல்...Never harm deliberately

107.வைகறை துயிலெழு---Be an early riser

108.ஒன்னாரைத் தேறேல்---Never trust your foes

109.ஓரம் சொல்லேல்---Be unbiased