gajabhuja funda

Walking in the Rain

2009-11-03T09:24:00.002+05:30

It has been many many years since I walked in the rain with an umbrella in hand and avoiding puddles of water that have collected on the road. May be that is what moving up in life means -- you loose track of these simple pleasures.

Well, who else but Illayaraja will come to mind when it pours down ? Check out this song that came to my mind in a flash as I was walking in the rain today.

Incidentally, this song is not even a song that is sung in the rain, like this one is.

Shyam

Chocolate Krishna

2009-11-03T09:20:00.003+05:30

Crazy Mohan's latest play, Chocolate Krishna, is quite decent. It has quite a few predictable jokes and quite a few of their usual timing jokes.

All in all, it was an evening well spent.

A few interesting things noted during the play:

1. It was a Sunday evening and the hall was full. I must check out some other play to see if anyone else have the same kind of patronage. I am sure S.Ve.Shekar has the same kind of fan following, but I have to see the other troupes to judge it.

2. Madhu Balaji, who plays the lead role in this play, must be one of the most coolest guys ever. Till fifteen minutes before the play began, he was outside the hall chatting away with his friends, extending welcomes to a few others, and what not. I was rather amazed to see that in spite of that, his dialog delivery was flawless. Well, that is experience I guess.

Shyam

10 year old Surya in Aadhavan

2009-10-18T18:50:00.002+05:30

The 10 year old Surya in Aadhavan is a major let-down. It is a fine example of what can go wrong with computer graphics.

1. The director should have removed the bushy eyebrows.
2. They should have at-least morphed a photograph of a 10 year old Surya and not a contemporary image.

Three reasons why Aadhavan is a must watch:

1. Vadivelu
2. VADIvelu
3. VADIVELU.

IMHO, he is any day better than Vivek, simply because of his body language.

Shyam

Andhi Varum Neram

2009-10-10T20:26:00.004+05:30

This is another of Illayaraja's rather un-noticed and an amazing composition. Just notice the soothing and amazing flute that comes out after the "Yedhedho mogham", and during the first charanam.

None of the instruments that are used throughout the song make you even think that they could have been synthesized. They just sound pure and original. I think that is why even after 25 long years, this song sound fresh.

Oh yes, once again, as was the case with so many stunning songs that Illayaraja produced, this one has a rather bad video. But hey, at a time when a radio was the dominant mode of getting to know the songs, did it really matter ?

Shyam

ஆணியே புடுங்க வேண்டாம்

2009-10-09T03:41:00.001+05:30

நீ புடுங்கற அணி எல்லாமே தேவை இல்லாத ஆணி தான் !!!!

Now that is comedy !!

Co-Incidence ?

2009-09-21T18:00:00.002+05:30

2003 - I travel all the way from San Diego to Virginia in February to meet up with a classmate from School. We hang out in Washington D.C the first day. The remaining two days are buried under snow. History's second worst snow storm, the President's day snow storm catches up with us.

2009 - I am now in Atlanta and it has its worst floods in 30 years. The lake behind my office is full to the brim.

A word of caution to all drivers on the road: Most of your cars, in addition to the "D" on the gear shit panel, would also have a "L" and/or an "I". While you would not even know what it is to be used for, use it now. It would increase the torque on your engine, thereby keeping the water out of your exhaust pipes. The easiest way to prevent your cars from skidding, or getting your exhaust system flooded with water, is to provide your engines with higher torque. I saw at-least 3 cars skid off the road into the gravel today morning.

Shyam

Linkin Park New Divide

2009-09-09T20:54:00.002+05:30

As soon as I heard the song "New Divide" by Linkin park on the radio (If you are in Atlanta, try listening to either 97.1 for classical hits, or 97.9 for alternate music), I could recollect that I have heard the song somewhere, but I was not able to place it.

Youtube to the rescue.

That song is a part of Transformers-2 movie. A decent movie, worth a watch.

Here is the song

Healthcare in America

2009-09-06T16:13:00.002+05:30

Dear brothers and sisters of America,
Amidst all this discussions about fixing health care system in America, all that you need to think is this; how is it that I can fly to Cuba, India, or even Europe, get myself cured, and fly once again for a follow-up and yet, have enough money in my bank, when compared to getting myself cured here in my home country ?

Further more, if I need to go to a doctor, why do I need to go through a middle man; the insurance company ? When there is a urge to eliminate the middle men in all spheres, why should health care -- the most important of them all, have middle men ?

Think about it.

Shyam

PS: Acknowledgments for the title to Swami Vivekanada.

American Cars and Fuel Consumption

2009-09-01T06:05:00.002+05:30

The Ford fusion has a fuel tank that can hold around 25 gallons of fuel. A Mitsubishi Gallant also has a fuel tank that can hold 25 gallons of fuel.

A Ford fusion is a compact car, meaning small car. A Mitsubishi Gallant is a mid size car.

QED. This is why I keep saying that American car makers have no idea on what it means to be fuel efficient.

It is a pity that a lot of moronic Indians, still swear by these cars, especially, Ford Ikon, Ford Fusion and the more recent Chevrolet Spark. IMHO, cars made by American car manufacturers must be burnt at stake.

As simple as that.

Shyam

Red Hill Ooty

2009-08-30T00:55:00.001+05:30

red-hill-tea-estate-hdr1
Originally uploaded by shyamk

Ooty is, without doubt, a fabulous place to be. Especially if you choose your locations wisely. This is the Red Hill Tea estate, Ooty. The house that is see in the center of the picture is where you would be staying.

nilgiri-insect-catcher

2009-08-30T00:51:00.001+05:30

nilgiri-insect-catcher
Originally uploaded by shyamk

The nilgiri insect catcher bird. rare. highly endangered. A minute ago there were the male and female brids on the same branch. by the time I adjusted my camera, one was gone.

Perceptions

2009-08-29T19:53:00.002+05:30

In the flight to Atlanta from Frankfurt, I was rather blessed with some nice company in form of a gentleman in my next seat. Much hilarity and dry throat ensued over the 10 hours as we kept on talking about one issue and another. It would suffice to say that I felt like I was back in REC hostel, talking away till the wee hours of morning, without any real significance. Over the next few days, I shall try to post up on some of the observations that we made.

Perceptions are funny. We tend to make them because it is impossible to analyze the entire sample space. A perfect example is ice-cream. There is Ben-Jerry's, blue bell and what not. In fact there could be more. But the one ice cream that rules them all is Hagen Daaz. If you have not tasted it and yet you claim that Ben&Jerry's is good, I promise to buy you a big tub of Hagen Daaz. I am sure you will never ever claim that Ben&Jerry's or any other two bit ice-cream is worth its sugar.

So, all you American's honking about Ben&Jerry's or Blue bell, please taste Hagen Daaz.

Shyam

PS: This was the first of the points that came up in my conversation with that gentleman. I know he will be reading this blog, but hey, what the blazes.

st-marys-island

2009-08-20T07:42:00.001+05:30

st-marys-island
Originally uploaded by shyamk

St.Mary's Island, Udupi.

green-lands-view-1-1

2009-08-20T07:41:00.001+05:30

green-lands-view-1-1
Originally uploaded by shyamk

A view from Greenlands Youth Hostel Kodaikanal.

Shah Rukh Khan detained in Newark Airport

2009-08-17T09:15:00.002+05:30

I read with much amusement the news that Shah Rukh Khan was detained at the airport and questioned for over two hours. What gave me my daily dose of humor was the "outrage" expressed by the media, especially CNN-IBN and other two bit, worthless news channels.

Firstly, he is just a citizen of this country. Nothing more, nothing less. He is not a president. In fact, when Abdul Kalam was searched, right here in India, nothing of this sort erupted. Among all this, a saner voice comes from the most unexpected angle; Harbajan Singh.

Get real folks. He has been searched. He is among the thousands of Indians and citizens of other countries, being searched by that brainless and dull headed personnel over at TSA (Transport and Security Administration) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security). It is a different matter that those folks can, at best, provide knee-jerked reactions, causing inconvenience to both Americans and outsiders traveling within and into America.

A few years ago, a star of much higher stature and acting talent was subject to the same hardship. No prizes for guessing, it is indeed Kamal Hassan. He was detained and searched. Where was all this media fury and hype ? Why, even Aamir Khan was questioned.

So, you stupid media personnel, please stop acting like the TSA and DHS folks (flogging dead horses) and try to get something constructive out of this.

A worthless actor does not deserve such brouhaha.

Shyam

Resolutions

2009-08-13T09:11:00.002+05:30

There are resolutions and there are resolutions.

Beginning Independence day weekend, I resolve to be a bit more frequent with my online presence (You know, the twitter, facebook and all that jazz).

I have been maddeningly busy with my professional life (no, that is not an excuse, but an answer to the most obvious question).

So, do expect regular posting on this blog from now.

Shyam

waves-1

2009-08-13T09:10:00.001+05:30

waves-1
Originally uploaded by shyamk

Waves bouncing off the rocks at St.Mary's Island, Udupi.

Michael Jackson is Dead

2009-06-26T05:43:00.003+05:30

I still remember it as if it was yesterday. My father bought ever the first ever cassette player to my home. It was 1993. Along with that cassette player came the tape "Dangerous". That was probably the first ever English song that I listened to in my home. I can off hand recall the lyrics of the song "Why you wanna trip on me" and "Dangerous" and "Keep it in the closet". I can tell you off hand the lyrics of all those songs.

Well, for most of us who grew up in 80's and 90's Michael Jackson was *the* pop icon. Heck, when I was in school, there was a senior who was so fond of Michael Jackson, that she was nicknamed Jayanthi Jackson, where Jayanthi was her real name.

Michael Jackosn is dead. Rest in peace whacko Jacko. For all that has been said and done, you did revolutionize the entire pop music industry.

Shyam

Where it all began

2009-06-02T10:06:00.001+05:30

This is where it all began

Birthday wishes to King Illayaraja and Manirathnam. While I still think that Manirathnam is an over rated director, there cannot be any kind of argument to the fact that there is only one Illayaraja.

Shyam

Quentin Tarantino is back !

2009-05-21T08:42:00.002+05:30

Inglourious Basterds is having its premier in Cannes.

Of course, I am quite sure that this movie cannot be seen in Theaters in India. There would be too many censorship issues. In fact, a original VCD of Jackie Brown was pathetic to watch because of too many words being blocked out.

So, time to ask someone returning from abroad for a copy !

Shyam

LTTE Prabakharan

2009-05-20T08:53:00.003+05:30

Now that Prabakharan is dead, a vast majority of politicians in TamilNadu are left without a poll plank and a election meeting rhetoric.

While I am maintaining a neutral stand on the whole issue, in my opinion, LTTE lost whatever international support and political backing they could get with the assassination of their targets outside the Sri Lankan soil. The first was the murder of ERPLF leader Padmanabha in Madras and the second, of Rajiv Gandhi, once again near Madras.

Fighting for your cause using terror or peace is one thing, assassinating your opponents outside your soil is another thing. These two do not mix. This is amply evident from the last few days of the war between Sri Lankan army and LTTE. I did not see any international committee or country trying to step in and stop the fighting. While many might argue that the LTTE was betrayed by India, that kind of an argument fails to pass muster.

The Tamil minority population in Sri Lanka may have suffered at the hands of the Sinhalese majority. However, it is indeed pitiful that they became a collateral in the war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan army, with either sides playing a blame game.

If history taught us anything, it did teach us that as long as you choose a sword to fight for your cause, that cause never gets fulfilled. However, there are two shining examples of what can be achieved when you choose the opposite path for your cause, Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

There is a Samurai saying I remember reading somewhere: "History of any war is written after the battle has been fought", meaning, any history of a war is the account of the man who stands living after the war.

Go here to know more about Black July and the real history behind the war. A more neutral account is up here.

Shyam

IPL 2009 - Prediction

2009-05-20T08:51:00.002+05:30

Much to the shock and awe of most of us watching IPL, I think Royal Challengers Bangalore is going to win this edition of IPL. As for Chennai Super Kings, well, as long as Nitini warms their benches, it is going to be a tough ask for them.

Shyam

Small vs Big

2009-05-11T09:55:00.003+05:30

Joel on software has this interesting article on why B&H photo video store thrives even today.

I have my simple reasoning for this. Two years ago I bought my Nikon D40 DSLR from them. Till today, I get a book catalog from them, through international mail. While many, why even I would argue that this constitutes waste of paper, on a different level, I think this is their way of saying "We remember you". No prizes for guessing the store I have been recommending to all my friends out there who want to get good stuff. It is B&H photo video store.

Nice.

Shyam

Sign of things to come ?

2009-05-08T11:35:00.002+05:30

I never expected government behemoths like LIC of India to take the online route quite seriously. Paying the premium of my policy was a breeze. Good. The best thing is that I need not go to the branch and pay it.

Shyam

tiger-1

2009-04-20T09:08:00.001+05:30

tiger-1
Originally uploaded by shyamk

Taken in tholpetty wildlife sanctuary. I was so excited on seeing it just around 10ft away from me. My SLR kept focusing on the leaves and bushes in front of it that I could not get a good shot.