is to be a clean slate? A transparent person, someone uncomplicated and not complicate other situations? Several times I wonder why we all have to muck a lot of things up. Right from school, even in younger days I have known a few children having the knack to mess up things in other students project work, tell lies about some others and get them punished, and as we grow, it reaches different levels.
People fall in the way of others so that something good in their view doesnt happen to them. I have seen it happen to others, and most of the times you have to remain a mute observer. There is nothing that you can say, or do, and only hope that justice will have an upper hand. And sometimes, probably it is necessary for the person on the receiving end to go through such an experience. I read this quote somewhere "Please God, I have had enough of learning experiences" I can understand the thought process behind that now. Several magazines write on how to deal with bitchy co employees, those who steal your ideas in the work place and make them their own, make sure someone is ousted... at such times you wonder how these guys are happy while some are always at the receiving end. I guess somewhere, all this stems from insecurity at some level. Why cant those who spend the time to ruin others' lives spend the same working on the betterment of their own? Work on improving their own brains, skills, so that they have a justifiable edge over anyone else? Why cant people concentrate on their own paths instead of taking the trouble to walk up another's, place boulders on them, make sure they fall over and then probably come back to their own paths? These are times I wish that I went back to when I looked at the world with pink glasses. Now the world is definitely grey, if not black at times, with blobs of pink here and there. Maybe so that I appreciate the pink more, I treasure it more.
More than anything else, you have to be scared because you are a brilliant person. Whether the others will let you exist. But then, we all have to live in the hope that things will be better and that one day all bad things will end. And that justice will prevail'in the end'. But what about in between?
Monday, June 19, 2006
How tough....
is to be a clean slate? A transparent person, someone uncomplicated and not complicate other situations? Several times I wonder why we all have to muck a lot of things up. Right from school, even in younger days I have known a few children having the knack to mess up things in other students project work, tell lies about some others and get them punished, and as we grow, it reaches different levels.
People fall in the way of others so that something good in their view doesnt happen to them. I have seen it happen to others, and most of the times you have to remain a mute observer. There is nothing that you can say, or do, and only hope that justice will have an upper hand. And sometimes, probably it is necessary for the person on the receiving end to go through such an experience. I read this quote somewhere "Please God, I have had enough of learning experiences" I can understand the thought process behind that now. Several magazines write on how to deal with bitchy co employees, those who steal your ideas in the work place and make them their own, make sure someone is ousted... at such times you wonder how these guys are happy while some are always at the receiving end. I guess somewhere, all this stems from insecurity at some level. Why cant those who spend the time to ruin others' lives spend the same working on the betterment of their own? Work on improving their own brains, skills, so that they have a justifiable edge over anyone else? Why cant people concentrate on their own paths instead of taking the trouble to walk up another's, place boulders on them, make sure they fall over and then probably come back to their own paths? These are times I wish that I went back to when I looked at the world with pink glasses. Now the world is definitely grey, if not black at times, with blobs of pink here and there. Maybe so that I appreciate the pink more, I treasure it more.
More than anything else, you have to be scared because you are a brilliant person. Whether the others will let you exist. But then, we all have to live in the hope that things will be better and that one day all bad things will end. And that justice will prevail'in the end'. But what about in between?
People fall in the way of others so that something good in their view doesnt happen to them. I have seen it happen to others, and most of the times you have to remain a mute observer. There is nothing that you can say, or do, and only hope that justice will have an upper hand. And sometimes, probably it is necessary for the person on the receiving end to go through such an experience. I read this quote somewhere "Please God, I have had enough of learning experiences" I can understand the thought process behind that now. Several magazines write on how to deal with bitchy co employees, those who steal your ideas in the work place and make them their own, make sure someone is ousted... at such times you wonder how these guys are happy while some are always at the receiving end. I guess somewhere, all this stems from insecurity at some level. Why cant those who spend the time to ruin others' lives spend the same working on the betterment of their own? Work on improving their own brains, skills, so that they have a justifiable edge over anyone else? Why cant people concentrate on their own paths instead of taking the trouble to walk up another's, place boulders on them, make sure they fall over and then probably come back to their own paths? These are times I wish that I went back to when I looked at the world with pink glasses. Now the world is definitely grey, if not black at times, with blobs of pink here and there. Maybe so that I appreciate the pink more, I treasure it more.
More than anything else, you have to be scared because you are a brilliant person. Whether the others will let you exist. But then, we all have to live in the hope that things will be better and that one day all bad things will end. And that justice will prevail'in the end'. But what about in between?
Sunday, June 18, 2006
I love long drives...We usually drive down to Bangalore. I take my dance classes there. And thankfully this time went without any mishaps. We came back today in 3 and a half hours flat and we stepped within our house within 4! Guess the idea of driving back on a Sunday after 3 in the afternoon is a good idea.
This is usually the time for contemplation, and though I dont keep humming, because one, the noise of the machine is way too high, and its better for professional voices to not sing in moving vehicles. Mom and I usually talk about stuff that I did, I sang, or things I should have done in a given situation. I love those times. And the rest is spent in silence. Watching some vehicles zip past me. Watching some people walking by. The greenery around.
This time, the weather in Bangalore was pretty sleepy. And dreary. I am more for the sunny weather. So much dullness around gets to me. And I can easily lapse into a depressive silence and mope. I finished rehearsing two items in Dance class and started learning a new piece.
I meet a lot of people. Small wonder this. Sometimes, I am amazed as to how many are made, there is a lot to imbibe from them, some are bearable, and a few are not. There had been a phase when I looked at the world with pink glasses alone. And then it shifted to a grey view. And thankfully now, there is some technicolor again. I see now as to why I didnt have several friends. Or a close group so to say. I dont do what most people my age do. Because I think most of the time, I might be freaking people in my own age group out. I dont understand common parlance of my age. I have the duh look most of the times, but after Super Singer, my general knowledge is getting better. And maybe because I am a singer and then I tend to be preoccupied with learning most of the time, I am not taken as an easy member of one. I would probably be better off as a come-and-go kind. Even then, I see that a lot of topics are not discussed when I am around within my friends whom I have known for years since school. In the beginning I found it very strange, I still do, but now I am used to it. Probably why I am comfortable in the company of a lot of older people because they primarily look at me as a person and probably as a singer next.
I wonder if the state of affairs is like this for me, I wonder what it is like for people who are super famous. It must be a tough act to pul through.
And as the curtains draw to a close on another day of my life, I look forward to a tomorow, which will make me a better person than I am today, a better musician than I am today, and take me a step closer to that which I seek.
This is usually the time for contemplation, and though I dont keep humming, because one, the noise of the machine is way too high, and its better for professional voices to not sing in moving vehicles. Mom and I usually talk about stuff that I did, I sang, or things I should have done in a given situation. I love those times. And the rest is spent in silence. Watching some vehicles zip past me. Watching some people walking by. The greenery around.
This time, the weather in Bangalore was pretty sleepy. And dreary. I am more for the sunny weather. So much dullness around gets to me. And I can easily lapse into a depressive silence and mope. I finished rehearsing two items in Dance class and started learning a new piece.
I meet a lot of people. Small wonder this. Sometimes, I am amazed as to how many are made, there is a lot to imbibe from them, some are bearable, and a few are not. There had been a phase when I looked at the world with pink glasses alone. And then it shifted to a grey view. And thankfully now, there is some technicolor again. I see now as to why I didnt have several friends. Or a close group so to say. I dont do what most people my age do. Because I think most of the time, I might be freaking people in my own age group out. I dont understand common parlance of my age. I have the duh look most of the times, but after Super Singer, my general knowledge is getting better. And maybe because I am a singer and then I tend to be preoccupied with learning most of the time, I am not taken as an easy member of one. I would probably be better off as a come-and-go kind. Even then, I see that a lot of topics are not discussed when I am around within my friends whom I have known for years since school. In the beginning I found it very strange, I still do, but now I am used to it. Probably why I am comfortable in the company of a lot of older people because they primarily look at me as a person and probably as a singer next.
I wonder if the state of affairs is like this for me, I wonder what it is like for people who are super famous. It must be a tough act to pul through.
And as the curtains draw to a close on another day of my life, I look forward to a tomorow, which will make me a better person than I am today, a better musician than I am today, and take me a step closer to that which I seek.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
I will be meeting a friend with whom I have been only speaking with for the past seven years or so. Each time we would make plans to go to the other's city of residence, but we never managed. Even when I went to Bombay for a short while, for a day or something, to get the Schengen Visa, it wasnt possible to meet up then either. And finally looks like our time has come, and we get to meet. Its going to be a pretty long stay for about 20 days and we sure are gonna have a lot of fun :) Am looking forward to it.
Talking of friends and catching up, I have met people on orkut with whom I have lost touch ... I have met seniors, juniors, long lost neighbours and predominantly people who like my work.
When you are a kid, you fight for all stupid reasons, and after so long, its great to reminisce on those idiosynchrasies, and have look at the other in new light. Classmates who had been damn quiet are now 'chatterboxes' and those who were the life of class are sombre souls. Its strange sometimes as to how life changes us, and the role that friends play in our life.
In childhood we have to play with them, be with them, all the time. Fight, make up. All that. As we grow older, exams are passed on glass after glass of coffee (I used to have 10 glasses a day in 10th std.,), snacks and no sleep, (tough to have a finly honed mind and a finely honed body) , my best friend Yasas was my call-in-at-anytime-for-doubts person. I used to call up with the silliest queries and she used to be sooo patient explaining all that, with her all, even though most of the time it never penetrated my thick skull. Math is still my biggest nightmare ever. Then trips outside.... there was this one trip to Dizzee World. There was a time, when I and Yasas had fallen out, maybe for a year or two, but that trip was the one which brought us back together. We all had 'partners' to go to the trip with, but at the end of the day, I think I as going on a lot of rides with Yasas. Then there was this ride called the Ranger which used to go upside down and I was praying to save my life, or so one of my classmates recently said. Why she cant forget it is because she was hoping that my prayers would save her too.... Also one more thing which was very interesting is trying to score with the newest entrant in class. And there was this fight sometimes as to who will go with the birthday girl/guy to the other classes to give chocolate to the other teachers. Escape from class for a while, butter up birthday kid and get a few extra chocolates in the bargain.. Though I personally dont remember accompanying anyone...
When I joined school, Yasaswini and Shankar were the two most brilliant guys in class. An they remained that way until they left school. Shankar came All India first in CBSE 12th boards, yep you read right, and Yasaswini got into NUS, majored in Life Sciences, and I think the way she is giong she will find a cure for cancer. And in 6th std., I went upto them and told them, "how come you score so much? You dont even look intelligent"(!!) God knows what was going on my harebrain.
Trip to Hyderabad, in an exchange program, stayed at a school for a few days, had great fun, and at that time Yasas was my partner. 9th and 10th passed in whirl. And then I quit regular school and joined NOS, no attendance but I can still finish 12th with the same CBSE board. I never made friends in NOS as I had made in Hindu Senior. We had the best Principal ever, Mr V Venkatachalam, super dynamic man, and unfortunately for the other batches, he left the school when we finished 12th.
I am not in touch with everyone. Now people are busy settling down with work, lives, building houses, building homes. Its amazing, when at a point in time we thought we cant survive without our friends, that we have drifted slowly but surely, but somewhere down the line, there is an unseen skein which links us. I have thought of classmates I wasnt even close to, outta the blue. Wonder what they are doing, stuff like that. We grow up, grow apart, and life keeps grinding. And by the time, we all catch up properly, and bond as we used to as kids, we'd have probably retired, and then we would probably talk about our grandchildren blogging about their friends..
Talking of friends and catching up, I have met people on orkut with whom I have lost touch ... I have met seniors, juniors, long lost neighbours and predominantly people who like my work.
When you are a kid, you fight for all stupid reasons, and after so long, its great to reminisce on those idiosynchrasies, and have look at the other in new light. Classmates who had been damn quiet are now 'chatterboxes' and those who were the life of class are sombre souls. Its strange sometimes as to how life changes us, and the role that friends play in our life.
In childhood we have to play with them, be with them, all the time. Fight, make up. All that. As we grow older, exams are passed on glass after glass of coffee (I used to have 10 glasses a day in 10th std.,), snacks and no sleep, (tough to have a finly honed mind and a finely honed body) , my best friend Yasas was my call-in-at-anytime-for-doubts person. I used to call up with the silliest queries and she used to be sooo patient explaining all that, with her all, even though most of the time it never penetrated my thick skull. Math is still my biggest nightmare ever. Then trips outside.... there was this one trip to Dizzee World. There was a time, when I and Yasas had fallen out, maybe for a year or two, but that trip was the one which brought us back together. We all had 'partners' to go to the trip with, but at the end of the day, I think I as going on a lot of rides with Yasas. Then there was this ride called the Ranger which used to go upside down and I was praying to save my life, or so one of my classmates recently said. Why she cant forget it is because she was hoping that my prayers would save her too.... Also one more thing which was very interesting is trying to score with the newest entrant in class. And there was this fight sometimes as to who will go with the birthday girl/guy to the other classes to give chocolate to the other teachers. Escape from class for a while, butter up birthday kid and get a few extra chocolates in the bargain.. Though I personally dont remember accompanying anyone...
When I joined school, Yasaswini and Shankar were the two most brilliant guys in class. An they remained that way until they left school. Shankar came All India first in CBSE 12th boards, yep you read right, and Yasaswini got into NUS, majored in Life Sciences, and I think the way she is giong she will find a cure for cancer. And in 6th std., I went upto them and told them, "how come you score so much? You dont even look intelligent"(!!) God knows what was going on my harebrain.
Trip to Hyderabad, in an exchange program, stayed at a school for a few days, had great fun, and at that time Yasas was my partner. 9th and 10th passed in whirl. And then I quit regular school and joined NOS, no attendance but I can still finish 12th with the same CBSE board. I never made friends in NOS as I had made in Hindu Senior. We had the best Principal ever, Mr V Venkatachalam, super dynamic man, and unfortunately for the other batches, he left the school when we finished 12th.
I am not in touch with everyone. Now people are busy settling down with work, lives, building houses, building homes. Its amazing, when at a point in time we thought we cant survive without our friends, that we have drifted slowly but surely, but somewhere down the line, there is an unseen skein which links us. I have thought of classmates I wasnt even close to, outta the blue. Wonder what they are doing, stuff like that. We grow up, grow apart, and life keeps grinding. And by the time, we all catch up properly, and bond as we used to as kids, we'd have probably retired, and then we would probably talk about our grandchildren blogging about their friends..
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
I know I wanted to blog about something, but now that the window is open, I forgot what..
for now I am super excited about watching MI-3 today, before most people in India :)
Lets say its the usual kiddy thing about getting something first before anyone else ... yoo hooooo
Actually gotta lot to blog about Super Singer.. me is having super fun.... for me its super fun... :D
Me happy and joyful
for now I am super excited about watching MI-3 today, before most people in India :)
Lets say its the usual kiddy thing about getting something first before anyone else ... yoo hooooo
Actually gotta lot to blog about Super Singer.. me is having super fun.... for me its super fun... :D
Me happy and joyful
Monday, May 29, 2006
Ford Fusion - To buy or not to buy?
Well so we have been taking a vareity of cars for test drives.
The Ford Fiesta - like it
Hyundai Accent - but since its in phase out we'll have to check out the new one if at all we want to buy that one
Honda City - drove it but didnt like it for whatever reason
Ford Ikon - like it but also in phase out
And finally the Ford Fusion. Like this one quite a bit. And they are offering a massive discount for this month. About a lakh and a half on the Cost Price. Which made me wonder why they would do something like that.
The dealer claims the car gives 10 kmpl. The others say it can give about 6 at the max.
So now I want a verdict on this one.. whether or not to go in for this car.
Lemme know. Thanks in Advance.
The Ford Fiesta - like it
Hyundai Accent - but since its in phase out we'll have to check out the new one if at all we want to buy that one
Honda City - drove it but didnt like it for whatever reason
Ford Ikon - like it but also in phase out
And finally the Ford Fusion. Like this one quite a bit. And they are offering a massive discount for this month. About a lakh and a half on the Cost Price. Which made me wonder why they would do something like that.
The dealer claims the car gives 10 kmpl. The others say it can give about 6 at the max.
So now I want a verdict on this one.. whether or not to go in for this car.
Lemme know. Thanks in Advance.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
I have been singing for as long as I can remember. But the past two weeks have seen me go through a metamorphosis. I always knew I could never be without music. And active performance.
Some people thought that I sing because mom tells me to and I wouldnt do it otherwise. Becos she always had to remind me to practise. And I did it. And I didnt several times. After a point mom let go. Knowing I would come round eventually.
And now I know what it is all about. Mom has given me a foundation in music few can dream of and has chosen to be the candle for me to be the light. I have met people who have wanted to sing in the middle of the night, in the middle of the road. Just because the ambience was perfect. I almost used to die of embarassment. Now I know how that feels. To want to sing not because you are playing to an audience. But because you really want to. And after a point in time you cant survive if you dont. Its not that I have not wanted to sing in these many years. I thrived in it. But now I feel as if I have shifted to a different level. Where I am longing to seek. To search and to look for God in it. And that after a while I am not the one singing, its HE who makes me. He who makes it all happen. And now I realize that actually being a part of music is very humbling. When you meet different people, hear them sing, perform, talk.... you know where you actually stand. And somewhere the shift to a true sadhaka happens. I have read several times, heard several times, people talking about music being an ocean, and great masters saying that they are not even a drop. Though I understood the grammar then, its taken me this long to understand the essence. Sometimes tears just start flowing when I listen to music. Sometimes when I sing. And usually when I listen to someone else. I cant stop them from happening... its like a dam burst open. And when that happens I feel as if that is when I want to be engulfed in light and become nothing. I feel fluid .. and thereafter you just want to stay... dont wanna eat .. dont wanna drink dont wanna move. Even batting your eyelids is laborious. .... actually I dont know... when people say music is a spiritual experience its bang on. There was a time when I didnt wanna practise. Because then it was a task. And for the past two weeks, I am in a tearing hurry to sing... other times I am singing in my mind. meditating on it. I crave to learn more... to fill this empty vessel. Now seeking out is almost an obsession.'obsession' as such is a scary word to use but for now I cant think of a better expression.
I am like anyone else. Laughing, being crazy, doing the usual stuff. But my insides have shifted. My vision has changed. My outlook to music is different. And now I sing for the sake of singing. I feel as if my journey towards sadhana has started. Its taken this long. I have tried mom's patience. All that. And now, mom sees the change in me. I have been wondering, for ages as to what I am looking for. What is missing. And I realize now that it is this.
I look, I search, I seek, I run after. And God willing, I shall find.
Jab seene mein dard ho aansoon ko roken kaise?
Jab dhuan uthe, aag ko chupaayen kaise?
Some people thought that I sing because mom tells me to and I wouldnt do it otherwise. Becos she always had to remind me to practise. And I did it. And I didnt several times. After a point mom let go. Knowing I would come round eventually.
And now I know what it is all about. Mom has given me a foundation in music few can dream of and has chosen to be the candle for me to be the light. I have met people who have wanted to sing in the middle of the night, in the middle of the road. Just because the ambience was perfect. I almost used to die of embarassment. Now I know how that feels. To want to sing not because you are playing to an audience. But because you really want to. And after a point in time you cant survive if you dont. Its not that I have not wanted to sing in these many years. I thrived in it. But now I feel as if I have shifted to a different level. Where I am longing to seek. To search and to look for God in it. And that after a while I am not the one singing, its HE who makes me. He who makes it all happen. And now I realize that actually being a part of music is very humbling. When you meet different people, hear them sing, perform, talk.... you know where you actually stand. And somewhere the shift to a true sadhaka happens. I have read several times, heard several times, people talking about music being an ocean, and great masters saying that they are not even a drop. Though I understood the grammar then, its taken me this long to understand the essence. Sometimes tears just start flowing when I listen to music. Sometimes when I sing. And usually when I listen to someone else. I cant stop them from happening... its like a dam burst open. And when that happens I feel as if that is when I want to be engulfed in light and become nothing. I feel fluid .. and thereafter you just want to stay... dont wanna eat .. dont wanna drink dont wanna move. Even batting your eyelids is laborious. .... actually I dont know... when people say music is a spiritual experience its bang on. There was a time when I didnt wanna practise. Because then it was a task. And for the past two weeks, I am in a tearing hurry to sing... other times I am singing in my mind. meditating on it. I crave to learn more... to fill this empty vessel. Now seeking out is almost an obsession.'obsession' as such is a scary word to use but for now I cant think of a better expression.
I am like anyone else. Laughing, being crazy, doing the usual stuff. But my insides have shifted. My vision has changed. My outlook to music is different. And now I sing for the sake of singing. I feel as if my journey towards sadhana has started. Its taken this long. I have tried mom's patience. All that. And now, mom sees the change in me. I have been wondering, for ages as to what I am looking for. What is missing. And I realize now that it is this.
I look, I search, I seek, I run after. And God willing, I shall find.
Jab seene mein dard ho aansoon ko roken kaise?
Jab dhuan uthe, aag ko chupaayen kaise?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
One great weekend
Had some kinda extended weekend, restarted my dance classes and had a great jamming session with Vodka, Shyam, Mac, GNR, Vicky and Rocky. One great group.
Some 3 hours of singing late into the night and waddda time that was. Wont ever forget it.
I have almost never had a band of friends as such. It was good to meet one. They all come together on weekends to make music or jam as I understand. And I bet it must be some great time!
We drove down to Bangalore. and one the way the car heated up so much it started smoking and of course it wouldnt start. All this after we had given it for service the previous day to get them to check if everything was in order. And when this happened, we called this guy at the service and he asked to pour water in the radiator. That did it. The car was in a bigger mess and finally had to be towed to the nearest service station where they had to service the radiator, change the engine oil which the ABT guy claimed to do, but when they drained the oil, it was like pitch. No coolant as well. That guy had drained it and forgot to fill. But we got billed anyway. And finally after some 6 hours of staying in the service station and watch them dismantle the car, we finally hit the road. And in the history of road travel to Bangalore this would be a strong contender for the longest at about 14 hours. Of course counting the stranded time. Finally reached Bangalore. Went into our friend's place, watched Super Singer. And there was an unoffical 'shooting' on one of the handycams where I had to act like myself in Super Singer. It was great fun. Took a shower, the 8 of us had pizza, checked mail and later we started jamming. And that was the best part.
Resumed my dance classes the next morning and knew what people mean when they say that the legs are on fire. But I eventually improved and am glad am on the road to achieving my goals in dance as well. We also met some classical musicians and had some singing sessions as well.
In total, it was music all the way, and have never felt better in my life.
Some 3 hours of singing late into the night and waddda time that was. Wont ever forget it.
I have almost never had a band of friends as such. It was good to meet one. They all come together on weekends to make music or jam as I understand. And I bet it must be some great time!
We drove down to Bangalore. and one the way the car heated up so much it started smoking and of course it wouldnt start. All this after we had given it for service the previous day to get them to check if everything was in order. And when this happened, we called this guy at the service and he asked to pour water in the radiator. That did it. The car was in a bigger mess and finally had to be towed to the nearest service station where they had to service the radiator, change the engine oil which the ABT guy claimed to do, but when they drained the oil, it was like pitch. No coolant as well. That guy had drained it and forgot to fill. But we got billed anyway. And finally after some 6 hours of staying in the service station and watch them dismantle the car, we finally hit the road. And in the history of road travel to Bangalore this would be a strong contender for the longest at about 14 hours. Of course counting the stranded time. Finally reached Bangalore. Went into our friend's place, watched Super Singer. And there was an unoffical 'shooting' on one of the handycams where I had to act like myself in Super Singer. It was great fun. Took a shower, the 8 of us had pizza, checked mail and later we started jamming. And that was the best part.
Resumed my dance classes the next morning and knew what people mean when they say that the legs are on fire. But I eventually improved and am glad am on the road to achieving my goals in dance as well. We also met some classical musicians and had some singing sessions as well.
In total, it was music all the way, and have never felt better in my life.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
My own Laptop
The Macbook Pro. After much deliberation and months of reading through articles and asking people for opinions, I decided to zero in on this silver thing. It feels great that I could finally get it and though I got it about a week back, thanks to a couple of friends who decided to bring it down for me. Thanks a lot. I will never, ever forget it.
Shooting has been mad, and life has been very busy. But as has been clear from previous posts, I like being busy round the clock. I see that I am a workaholic. Though sometimes I might grumble about not having enough sleep and having dark circles, which doesnt really do any good to a girl's face, or anyone's faces for that matter, but then, hey, whats make up for? If it cant conceal dark circles that is? Make-up for the lost sleep ;)
I am yet to figure out some things and am gonna start with learning something new soon. The way it has gone, it wont be possible for me to finish my masters this year. The next it will be. By which time I plan to submit my project and the research work. Hope I'll do my PhD as well. But then, if I become so super busy with music, I guess I will have to postpone my PhD to when I retire from active performances. :) Am pretty sure that I wont be a megalomaniac, something that mom has coached me more than music itself. Retire when I am at my peak.
Airtel Super Singer has taught me several lessons already. What I see that several people are supra confident, and have spunk. Which I guess I will never have. Even those who were eliminated in the first few rounds believed they sang brilliantly. I am really amazed with that quality. And that confidence showed in their performance. And they werent scared to try out new things on stage. And by the way, that is not sarcasm. Just dont want to be misread here. I have met several different types of people, those who were well past their prime and believed that they could give a go at the contest, and win as well, physically disabled people, but the spirit they have was amazing. People who stood for a long time to get in. Makes me thank God. I am incredibly lucky. And some zillion thanks to Rahman Sir. If maybe, he hadnt believed that I could have sung KMI, I would have been nowhere. If there are two people for whom I ll carry my indebtedness forever, that would be to Mom and Rahman sir.
And the shooting schedules at Vijay TV. Wow. Actually I have it very easy. I just have to report at the venue do my bit and come back when the shoot is over. They, on the other hand have to be there before me, leave after me, do some truckloads of editing and this that, coordinate with the participants. And they are also humans. Most of the crew haven't slept in days. They have been working round the clock.
Watching Unnikrishnan Anna judge was a wonderful experience. He was crystal clear in what he did. And he had a nice way of giving his decree. The way he made some contestants sing, and each contestant had something like a mini class with him. Anuradha ma'am was damn cool. Mom has always said that she was a brilliant person and a super brain. I saw all that. And heard her sing a lot of stuff. She was a fun person out and out. Srinivas sir. My First judge in Saptaswarangal. And who was instrumental in taking me to Rahman Anna. Brought back nostalgic memories, and reminded me of the time that I was in front of him, shivering in my shoes and singing. And now I was hosting the show. Felt happy in the growth. And I know that he feels happy that I have grown as well.
The preliminary rounds with Mahati, Malaysia Vasudevan Sir, S P Shailaja Ma'am, Imman Sir, Malathi ma'am, Seerkazhi sir and Jency Ma'am. Was great. Shailaja ma'am has a great sense of humour. And I only came to realize that Seerkazhi sir is a practising doctor. And we mostly spoke about how the participants sang. And times when most of the judges at some point in time or the other, that if they had to participate now, they'd have lost. More than anything else, Vijay TV has given me a chance to interact with people I would have taken much longer to meet and interact with for such a long time. Jency Ma'am. I never expected to meet. She was highly soft spoken and she was highly sweet. I even tried to speak to her in my broken Malayalam, and she was sportive to continue a conversation. And also said that I sing well :)
The participants, I have met several of them, have made some friends, been ragged, had fun, enjoyed out and out.
More than anything else, the Vijay TV crew, they have been extremely encouraging, and made me look good on screen. My thanks to them go out from here. And they make us feel at home. I have sometimes done some 10 takes. Just because my brain stopped working. And all they would tell me is to cool and relax. Great times. And I have a ball each time. I will miss being around them when the shoot is over.....
And hope this fulfills the wishes of those people who have mailed me to write about my experiences with the show.
Shooting has been mad, and life has been very busy. But as has been clear from previous posts, I like being busy round the clock. I see that I am a workaholic. Though sometimes I might grumble about not having enough sleep and having dark circles, which doesnt really do any good to a girl's face, or anyone's faces for that matter, but then, hey, whats make up for? If it cant conceal dark circles that is? Make-up for the lost sleep ;)
I am yet to figure out some things and am gonna start with learning something new soon. The way it has gone, it wont be possible for me to finish my masters this year. The next it will be. By which time I plan to submit my project and the research work. Hope I'll do my PhD as well. But then, if I become so super busy with music, I guess I will have to postpone my PhD to when I retire from active performances. :) Am pretty sure that I wont be a megalomaniac, something that mom has coached me more than music itself. Retire when I am at my peak.
Airtel Super Singer has taught me several lessons already. What I see that several people are supra confident, and have spunk. Which I guess I will never have. Even those who were eliminated in the first few rounds believed they sang brilliantly. I am really amazed with that quality. And that confidence showed in their performance. And they werent scared to try out new things on stage. And by the way, that is not sarcasm. Just dont want to be misread here. I have met several different types of people, those who were well past their prime and believed that they could give a go at the contest, and win as well, physically disabled people, but the spirit they have was amazing. People who stood for a long time to get in. Makes me thank God. I am incredibly lucky. And some zillion thanks to Rahman Sir. If maybe, he hadnt believed that I could have sung KMI, I would have been nowhere. If there are two people for whom I ll carry my indebtedness forever, that would be to Mom and Rahman sir.
And the shooting schedules at Vijay TV. Wow. Actually I have it very easy. I just have to report at the venue do my bit and come back when the shoot is over. They, on the other hand have to be there before me, leave after me, do some truckloads of editing and this that, coordinate with the participants. And they are also humans. Most of the crew haven't slept in days. They have been working round the clock.
Watching Unnikrishnan Anna judge was a wonderful experience. He was crystal clear in what he did. And he had a nice way of giving his decree. The way he made some contestants sing, and each contestant had something like a mini class with him. Anuradha ma'am was damn cool. Mom has always said that she was a brilliant person and a super brain. I saw all that. And heard her sing a lot of stuff. She was a fun person out and out. Srinivas sir. My First judge in Saptaswarangal. And who was instrumental in taking me to Rahman Anna. Brought back nostalgic memories, and reminded me of the time that I was in front of him, shivering in my shoes and singing. And now I was hosting the show. Felt happy in the growth. And I know that he feels happy that I have grown as well.
The preliminary rounds with Mahati, Malaysia Vasudevan Sir, S P Shailaja Ma'am, Imman Sir, Malathi ma'am, Seerkazhi sir and Jency Ma'am. Was great. Shailaja ma'am has a great sense of humour. And I only came to realize that Seerkazhi sir is a practising doctor. And we mostly spoke about how the participants sang. And times when most of the judges at some point in time or the other, that if they had to participate now, they'd have lost. More than anything else, Vijay TV has given me a chance to interact with people I would have taken much longer to meet and interact with for such a long time. Jency Ma'am. I never expected to meet. She was highly soft spoken and she was highly sweet. I even tried to speak to her in my broken Malayalam, and she was sportive to continue a conversation. And also said that I sing well :)
The participants, I have met several of them, have made some friends, been ragged, had fun, enjoyed out and out.
More than anything else, the Vijay TV crew, they have been extremely encouraging, and made me look good on screen. My thanks to them go out from here. And they make us feel at home. I have sometimes done some 10 takes. Just because my brain stopped working. And all they would tell me is to cool and relax. Great times. And I have a ball each time. I will miss being around them when the shoot is over.....
And hope this fulfills the wishes of those people who have mailed me to write about my experiences with the show.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Looping in my player 'I'll Be Right there' - Bryan Adams, after ages. Had totally forgotten this song. There is something about BA, eventhough he doesnt have the greatest voices in history. It can almost be defined as hoarse. I was introduced to his music when I was in my 10th std by a neighbour. And the first song I had heard was Please forgive me or maybe it was Everything I do. And that was the day I fell in love with his music. I couldnt make it to his first couple of concerts and when I did go this year, it was a dream come true. Another wish, some day I should perform alongside him. That'll be THE day.
As this song is repeating in my player, feel like dancing a ballet. Soft lights. In an empty auditorium. Built in the way the Opera House is built, in Modena, Italy.. where I performed for Ilayaraja Sir's concert. A wispy costume maybe. Nothing but the song and me. I cant dance ballet for nuts. But I can visualize myself.... Right there.
Or maybe a starry night and a full moon, a stream gushing away nearby, the air smelling of dew in a grassy meadow. And a silver beam from the skies right in the middle of the meadow, to be enveloped in and be transported to the realms of the pure. And be purified. To feel like nothing. To be fluid. And to have a beatific smile and reach higher and higher .. the unknown. To know the unknown.
If there was a gift I wish I had, that would be to have the gift to heal.
As this song is repeating in my player, feel like dancing a ballet. Soft lights. In an empty auditorium. Built in the way the Opera House is built, in Modena, Italy.. where I performed for Ilayaraja Sir's concert. A wispy costume maybe. Nothing but the song and me. I cant dance ballet for nuts. But I can visualize myself.... Right there.
Or maybe a starry night and a full moon, a stream gushing away nearby, the air smelling of dew in a grassy meadow. And a silver beam from the skies right in the middle of the meadow, to be enveloped in and be transported to the realms of the pure. And be purified. To feel like nothing. To be fluid. And to have a beatific smile and reach higher and higher .. the unknown. To know the unknown.
If there was a gift I wish I had, that would be to have the gift to heal.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Rang De Basanti
Mom and I watched Rang de after ages of planning and going to the theatre twice and returning without tickets.
And waddddda movie. Super acting. Have never seen an actor cry for real before. Today on, me a super fan of Aamir Khan.
And the music. Super duper. No words to describe. Rahman sir is super too cool.
Something that we always knew, no use blaming India for the way it is. And one dialogue which will go down history "No country is perfect. usko perfect banana padtha hai"
People here have too much time, dont wanna do anything, just sit around and gossip. Evident in small things. When the electricity goes, the first thing that anyone will say, is to find out whether there is electricity in the next house, instead of looking for a candle and finding your own light. More than a cold blooded criminal, an idle man is the biggest hazard of any nation. Why the nation, lets talk small. An apartment complex, a street, an area.
People can actually create work, if they dont have anything to do instead of just crapping. Wonder when we will finally grow up.
And waddddda movie. Super acting. Have never seen an actor cry for real before. Today on, me a super fan of Aamir Khan.
And the music. Super duper. No words to describe. Rahman sir is super too cool.
Something that we always knew, no use blaming India for the way it is. And one dialogue which will go down history "No country is perfect. usko perfect banana padtha hai"
People here have too much time, dont wanna do anything, just sit around and gossip. Evident in small things. When the electricity goes, the first thing that anyone will say, is to find out whether there is electricity in the next house, instead of looking for a candle and finding your own light. More than a cold blooded criminal, an idle man is the biggest hazard of any nation. Why the nation, lets talk small. An apartment complex, a street, an area.
People can actually create work, if they dont have anything to do instead of just crapping. Wonder when we will finally grow up.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Your Opinion
We have started looking into Mid Segment cars and have been wondering which one is DA One.
We like the Accent as of now, but seems like its gonna be upgraded and would be best to wait until that version is released.
Would really appreciate some guidance on this. TIA
We like the Accent as of now, but seems like its gonna be upgraded and would be best to wait until that version is released.
Would really appreciate some guidance on this. TIA
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Talking of Wifi, I went to Barista and to a food sone on GN Chetty road to find both were WiFi enabled. Seems there are more than I expected in the city. And as I see chennai station is also supposed to have WiFi but our laptop didnt detect it.
Wonder how many places in Chennai has Wifi not including IIT
Wonder how many places in Chennai has Wifi not including IIT
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
I usually crib about the airlines we travel on.
And Paramount airways is an exception. Great flight, great travel and more than anything else the plane landed like a dream. No plonking on the runway this time. Came to know that the pilot was firang. And apparently Paramount had trouble taking off because Indian food didnt agree with the pilots. Poor things. There must be some way of getting them used the food here. Inflight food was great too. The flight was delayed by 2 hours or so from Madurai and during which time I tried to clear some of my backlogue. Thanks to WiFi. Wish all cities will be WiFi enabled and we can pay internet bills as we do now for dial up or broad band accounts. That will be the day!
Another interesting thing was that when we were exiting Madurai Railway station there was a board saying that area was WiFi enabled. Chennai railway station has no WiFi but Madurai does?? I was totally stunned.. now can someone tell me whether that is true?
Three days in Madurai .. great time. Did I mention the super fun I am having hosting this show???
Also got in touch with a couple of classmates from 6th standard I had lost touch with. Must say Orkut is a great place. It felt good to be back in touch and catching up on lost times. And also realized how time flies. I think by the time I realize what happened, I will be 48.
Also talking of time whooshing by, its sad how several people waste it. I used to do it once, and when mom used to tell me that this leisure will never come and that I should make use of it to learn as much as I can, the truth rings too loudly in my ears now. The youth have so much energy to harness and so much time. A lot dont attend college. But my classmate for the Msc program, who is also teacher told me that the students were supra burdened with education that when they reach college they couldnt care less. Also she said there is not much difference in the syllabus of the first two years in Physics and Maths bachelor programs. And they dont want to take classes. SO much can be learnt. Perfecting small skills. And once the youth empower themselves the country can prosper. No use saying India is the way it is because of this and that. And people who dont know what to do with their time are interested in disrupting others'. Thats the main problem around here. People want to be jobless enough to degrade themselves. When will we learn?
And Paramount airways is an exception. Great flight, great travel and more than anything else the plane landed like a dream. No plonking on the runway this time. Came to know that the pilot was firang. And apparently Paramount had trouble taking off because Indian food didnt agree with the pilots. Poor things. There must be some way of getting them used the food here. Inflight food was great too. The flight was delayed by 2 hours or so from Madurai and during which time I tried to clear some of my backlogue. Thanks to WiFi. Wish all cities will be WiFi enabled and we can pay internet bills as we do now for dial up or broad band accounts. That will be the day!
Another interesting thing was that when we were exiting Madurai Railway station there was a board saying that area was WiFi enabled. Chennai railway station has no WiFi but Madurai does?? I was totally stunned.. now can someone tell me whether that is true?
Three days in Madurai .. great time. Did I mention the super fun I am having hosting this show???
Also got in touch with a couple of classmates from 6th standard I had lost touch with. Must say Orkut is a great place. It felt good to be back in touch and catching up on lost times. And also realized how time flies. I think by the time I realize what happened, I will be 48.
Also talking of time whooshing by, its sad how several people waste it. I used to do it once, and when mom used to tell me that this leisure will never come and that I should make use of it to learn as much as I can, the truth rings too loudly in my ears now. The youth have so much energy to harness and so much time. A lot dont attend college. But my classmate for the Msc program, who is also teacher told me that the students were supra burdened with education that when they reach college they couldnt care less. Also she said there is not much difference in the syllabus of the first two years in Physics and Maths bachelor programs. And they dont want to take classes. SO much can be learnt. Perfecting small skills. And once the youth empower themselves the country can prosper. No use saying India is the way it is because of this and that. And people who dont know what to do with their time are interested in disrupting others'. Thats the main problem around here. People want to be jobless enough to degrade themselves. When will we learn?
Monday, April 24, 2006
In Madurai for the Airtel Super Singer Zonals. Day 1 is done. Day 2 will start in a few hours from now. Had a whale of a time. When we landed in Madurai, there was a slight hitch in the internet connection in the Hotel and we went across to the internet kiosk on the opposite side. And strangely enough the manager of the kiosk refused to take money for my internet usage and took my autograph instead. Cant really describe that feeling. Its definitely not super elation like wowwwww I got something free coz someone recognized me...actually dunno. I am just plain confused. The internet connection at our hotel was later restored. Thank God for huge mercies. Nowadays I almost feel handicapped without an active internet connection. Phew we are all slaves of technology.
Went to Meenakshi Temple, the Theppa Kulam, the Naicker Mahal though I didnt go inside, I was too busy blowing bubbles, and wherever our car went, you could find a string of bubbles trailing behind. I found that I still have a fascination for that soap liquid and the weird shaped tube or pipe or whatever-you-cal- it which I have grown used to seeing over the years. Small joys at Rs. 5. Of course, if you buy the same outside Odyssey in Gandhi Nagar, Chennai, its 50 bucks.
We also checked out the Yanai Kal and Kal Palam. And then we returned to the hotel. By the way, this was all part of the work for which we had come here. The talent so far in all three cities has been great and am looking forward to see how the zeroing down will happen.
Got a deadline to meet. Gotta go.
Lots more to come. Stay tuned :)
Went to Meenakshi Temple, the Theppa Kulam, the Naicker Mahal though I didnt go inside, I was too busy blowing bubbles, and wherever our car went, you could find a string of bubbles trailing behind. I found that I still have a fascination for that soap liquid and the weird shaped tube or pipe or whatever-you-cal- it which I have grown used to seeing over the years. Small joys at Rs. 5. Of course, if you buy the same outside Odyssey in Gandhi Nagar, Chennai, its 50 bucks.
We also checked out the Yanai Kal and Kal Palam. And then we returned to the hotel. By the way, this was all part of the work for which we had come here. The talent so far in all three cities has been great and am looking forward to see how the zeroing down will happen.
Got a deadline to meet. Gotta go.
Lots more to come. Stay tuned :)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Chennai Auditions went by succesfully and I cant imagine the amount of fun I am having. Have been meeting a lot of people, and I have ended up asking the same girl her name thrice. And its amazing how people still have the patience to reply. And then I remember I already asked them and then tell them I have short term memory loss. Somehow, as far as my memory is concerned a lot of data that is stored in Short Term Memory and its travel to Long Term Memory, there seems to be a slip somewhere... the travel just fails to happen. I am amazed as to how some people can remember several things, names, birthdays, addresses, clothes they wore... whoah that is something. Wish I get that ... at least will lead less ppl to think that I am the 'celeb' types not remembering names. Now that I am on this side, I see really how tough it is for people to recall and next time someone doesnt remember who I am, I know what it is like... and in most cases they are not faking it.
The one thing about the auditions is that I have never done so much walking and running about in my life and I am usually dead on my legs. Have woken up after about 11 hours of sleep. I really wonder how people in Vijay TV manage. And how they manage to keep their head cool after all this. And I fly off the lid if a translator doesnt deliver on time.....
Looking forward to the Madurai Auditions of Airtel Super Singer.
Those of you who havent made it to Coimbatore and Chennai, catch the train to Madurai and watch Vijay TV for important info!
The one thing about the auditions is that I have never done so much walking and running about in my life and I am usually dead on my legs. Have woken up after about 11 hours of sleep. I really wonder how people in Vijay TV manage. And how they manage to keep their head cool after all this. And I fly off the lid if a translator doesnt deliver on time.....
Looking forward to the Madurai Auditions of Airtel Super Singer.
Those of you who havent made it to Coimbatore and Chennai, catch the train to Madurai and watch Vijay TV for important info!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
My First Item Number
In Pachai Guthirai. I have been excited about it right from when I recorded the song one month ago for Sabesh-Murali sirs. I share the space with Pop Shalini And Suchitra in that song.
I had a great time singing the song, one because I hadn't done something exactly like this before and must give a BIG thank you to the Music Directors and Parthiban Sir.
Whoever has been following up on my songs, please listen to it and lemme know how it sounds!
I had a great time singing the song, one because I hadn't done something exactly like this before and must give a BIG thank you to the Music Directors and Parthiban Sir.
Whoever has been following up on my songs, please listen to it and lemme know how it sounds!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Chennai Auditions - Airtel Super Singer
16th April
Chennai Convention Centre
Nandambakkam.
Be there by 7:00 am and start rocking!
Chennai Convention Centre
Nandambakkam.
Be there by 7:00 am and start rocking!
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Airtel Super Singer
Have received a few mails regarding the experience of anchoring Super Singer. It was absolutely amazing, Vijay TV was extremely patient with me, and I learnt how to talk nineteen to a dozen in Tamil. Of course, I was tongue tied sometimes, the words just didnt come out, and there were times, when they got to recognise a certain blank look on my face to see that nothing is working around my gray cells. As of now, I will not be able to write about what happened Behind the scenes until they telecast the show.
But as far as I am concerned its a ride!
But as far as I am concerned its a ride!
Marakka Mudiyuma
I have finally got hold of the title song from this serial for which I have received several mails and requests
For all those who have asked me, you can now listen to it here
For all those who have asked me, you can now listen to it here
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Yet to edit my post on the Coimbatore experience which was rollicking.
Cary and the SS Music team came home to shoot 'I, Me, Myself' and it was good talking to him. And after ages I was talking in English on TV. :) Got to speak about a lot other than music which was also nice, since I didnt have to answer the routine questions. And then the best part was when Cary was talking about how he Got Mr Amitabh Bacchan to record the voice mail message "Hi you have called Cary, please leave a message and I will make sure that he calls you back". Super smart. If I had known his number then, I would have called his mobile and wished he wouldnt answer it .. hee hee.
The interview was good and guess it will be shown sometime on SS Music. Also recording the promo for the show was fun, as I was instructed to 'hit' Cary's head with a cushion each time he was half way through a sentence. It took me a couple of takes to get the right, cos by the time I thought it was time to get the cushion come into contact with his head, it was too late. Got to know a lot of things about anchoring a show in English on TV, first was when I met Craig from SS and now Cary.
Have sung in Kalaba Kadhalan, Amirtham, Thunicchal and Nee venumda Chellam. The songs are on my audio blog. Have also uploaded a title song of a serial which is currently being aired, "Vamsa Vriksham".
Check them out :)
Cary and the SS Music team came home to shoot 'I, Me, Myself' and it was good talking to him. And after ages I was talking in English on TV. :) Got to speak about a lot other than music which was also nice, since I didnt have to answer the routine questions. And then the best part was when Cary was talking about how he Got Mr Amitabh Bacchan to record the voice mail message "Hi you have called Cary, please leave a message and I will make sure that he calls you back". Super smart. If I had known his number then, I would have called his mobile and wished he wouldnt answer it .. hee hee.
The interview was good and guess it will be shown sometime on SS Music. Also recording the promo for the show was fun, as I was instructed to 'hit' Cary's head with a cushion each time he was half way through a sentence. It took me a couple of takes to get the right, cos by the time I thought it was time to get the cushion come into contact with his head, it was too late. Got to know a lot of things about anchoring a show in English on TV, first was when I met Craig from SS and now Cary.
Have sung in Kalaba Kadhalan, Amirtham, Thunicchal and Nee venumda Chellam. The songs are on my audio blog. Have also uploaded a title song of a serial which is currently being aired, "Vamsa Vriksham".
Check them out :)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
First Round of Airtel Super Singer
In Coimbatore. 1st and 2nd April.
I might be posting updates from there or might not. Depends on how it will go. Am frankly looking forward to it.
Went to Besant Nagar beach after ages. I grew up in Adyar and I really miss that place. Nothing like Adyar and nothing like being close to the beach. Cycling down most of the times. Mom and I went and ate at Planet Yumm, bought some spiced boiled peanuts, which I buy from one particular lady. Its super. Sometimes, I have driven almost 18 kilometers to get that one pack of peanuts.
Anyway work has been great as usual. And its been great on the music side also. Life is good and me is joyful :)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Change in Plans
Instead of judging the competition, I am now hosting the show.
And now I wil be brandishing the mic in Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai.
Something I have not done before and seems to be good fun, and I learn another skill. How cool is that? :D
And now I wil be brandishing the mic in Coimbatore, Madurai and Chennai.
Something I have not done before and seems to be good fun, and I learn another skill. How cool is that? :D
Monday, March 20, 2006
Aahista Aahista.....
Snatching some time to blog. This song has been looping in my player and in my brain for about 4-5 days now. Actually its been looping subconsciously from the day I heard it. This song has made me smile, put me in retrospective mode, made me weep..... Its wonderful to listen to Mr Udit Narayan's not to mention the soft strains of Ms. Sadhna Sargam's voice. BTW its the song from Swades.
I really marvel at Mr Udit Narayan's capacity as a singer. He can sing total 'gaana' songs and songs like this. And its taken me quite a long time for my pea brain to understand that though this song seems to be slow, its actually not. It has a quite a pace.
Most of the times, I cant work or do anything else when I am listening to music, contrary to what most people. Cant concentrate on anything else. .....It would have been something to listen to Rahman sir weave his magic in the song. I had the chance to listen to him play for the first time, when he played in En Uyir thozhiye in Kangalal Kaidhu Sei. It was as if the Raag Durga just flowed through to his keyboard. Fluid. Total bliss for about... how long I dont remember.. but it was one of the best Durga-s I have ever heard. More than singing for him, I wish I could be the fly on the wall and hear him play. I have heard it a couple of times, but as a rasika, I really long to hear more of that.............................. if only words could translate music..
Wish sometimes, I could have had the talent of a poet, for none other than he who is talented in poetry could find the right words to describe music. As for me, whatever I say with describing music is concerned falls way too short of what I want to express. Thats where some words help.. spellbound. speechless.
I really marvel at Mr Udit Narayan's capacity as a singer. He can sing total 'gaana' songs and songs like this. And its taken me quite a long time for my pea brain to understand that though this song seems to be slow, its actually not. It has a quite a pace.
Most of the times, I cant work or do anything else when I am listening to music, contrary to what most people. Cant concentrate on anything else. .....It would have been something to listen to Rahman sir weave his magic in the song. I had the chance to listen to him play for the first time, when he played in En Uyir thozhiye in Kangalal Kaidhu Sei. It was as if the Raag Durga just flowed through to his keyboard. Fluid. Total bliss for about... how long I dont remember.. but it was one of the best Durga-s I have ever heard. More than singing for him, I wish I could be the fly on the wall and hear him play. I have heard it a couple of times, but as a rasika, I really long to hear more of that.............................. if only words could translate music..
Wish sometimes, I could have had the talent of a poet, for none other than he who is talented in poetry could find the right words to describe music. As for me, whatever I say with describing music is concerned falls way too short of what I want to express. Thats where some words help.. spellbound. speechless.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Judging the Zonals
I will be on the Judging Panel for Super Singer for the Coimbatore Zonals along with Mr Malaysia Vasudevan. People can either send the tape to Vijay TV or walk in at the venue, where I am not sure. Though its slightly strange that they put in a pip squeak like me on the Judging panel, considering I am one of the youngest still........
The dates for The Madurai Zonals are the 5th and the 6th, and moves to Chennai about 10 days later. Around the 15th or 16th. Not too sure. Will update.
You will probably see me on promos for the show, asking people to participate.
One of the lines I was asked to say:
"Neenga Nalla paaduveengala? Appo enga kitterndhu thappave Mudiyaadhu" (Do you sing well? Then you cant escape from us") Literal translation of course! :D
But anyway, I think its going to be great fun!
BTW did I mention that winning this would entitle the winner to sing for Mr Harris Jeyaraj?
I will be on the Judging Panel for Super Singer for the Coimbatore Zonals along with Mr Malaysia Vasudevan. People can either send the tape to Vijay TV or walk in at the venue, where I am not sure. Though its slightly strange that they put in a pip squeak like me on the Judging panel, considering I am one of the youngest still........
The dates for The Madurai Zonals are the 5th and the 6th, and moves to Chennai about 10 days later. Around the 15th or 16th. Not too sure. Will update.
You will probably see me on promos for the show, asking people to participate.
One of the lines I was asked to say:
"Neenga Nalla paaduveengala? Appo enga kitterndhu thappave Mudiyaadhu" (Do you sing well? Then you cant escape from us") Literal translation of course! :D
But anyway, I think its going to be great fun!
BTW did I mention that winning this would entitle the winner to sing for Mr Harris Jeyaraj?
Chitra amma named me as her favourite singer in the present generation in today's Daily Thanthi
Was trying to sleep late as usual, and was woken up my sms's asking me to check up Daily Thanti. Feels great to be named as a favourite, at least for now, by a legend. No one else can dream of becoming legend. That is over with Chitra mma. Even when I met her first, I saw that she has a great soft corner for me, and a casual visit then, which we initially planned for about hal an hour stretched to several hours. I recorded and still record a lot of Malayalam songs at her studio. And a few others as well. From here, I take this oppurtunity to thank her and hope and pray that her blessings will continue so that I become a better singer and a more evolved person.
Was trying to sleep late as usual, and was woken up my sms's asking me to check up Daily Thanti. Feels great to be named as a favourite, at least for now, by a legend. No one else can dream of becoming legend. That is over with Chitra mma. Even when I met her first, I saw that she has a great soft corner for me, and a casual visit then, which we initially planned for about hal an hour stretched to several hours. I recorded and still record a lot of Malayalam songs at her studio. And a few others as well. From here, I take this oppurtunity to thank her and hope and pray that her blessings will continue so that I become a better singer and a more evolved person.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Quick Update
Super Singer Zonals on the 1st and 2nd of April in Coimbatore. If you live around there, be there :)
Monday, March 13, 2006
Can you sing?
Then you must be doing what you can to take part in the "Super Singer" of Vijay TV. They are looking for the best voice in Tamilnadu. So its time to get under the arc lights and behind the mike. Gear up, exercise your vocal chords and watch Vijay TV for more info :)
And Watch this space :)
And Watch this space :)
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Can you speak Swedish or Norwegian? Get in touch with me asap!
Well this was the last resort so that just in case someone as googling around and stumbled here they could contact me. Really all that I want now is a miracle.
Another translator has just not replied to any of my mails. Whats with this damn unprofessionalism? And this is only with the Norwegian and Swedish translators. Heard now that their demand is high, so they can pick and choose what they want and if they get bored in between they just dump people like me I guess.
Well this was the last resort so that just in case someone as googling around and stumbled here they could contact me. Really all that I want now is a miracle.
Another translator has just not replied to any of my mails. Whats with this damn unprofessionalism? And this is only with the Norwegian and Swedish translators. Heard now that their demand is high, so they can pick and choose what they want and if they get bored in between they just dump people like me I guess.
Friday, March 10, 2006
English ........
I got this joke from a co-translator today. Really liked it
The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
Conclusion. Eat & drink what you like. It's speaking English that kills you.
The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
Conclusion. Eat & drink what you like. It's speaking English that kills you.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Of excuses and more
Picture this. I assign work to some translators 5 days ago for delivery on Monday.I follow up and everything seems fine. And then on D Day, everyone has some excuse or the other to come up with.
Someone died, I have a virus, there was a power cut. And a few more as well. Its strange how people come up with the weirdest excuses sometimes. And how many people 'die' in the family or have an accident or fall sick. End result was I almost had a nervous breakdown. Though I managed to submit 3 files, two files in Noregian and Swedish rspectively need to be done. They are pretty huge. And thus soup state continues. Its just about 2 days since I slept. Managed to catch some rest this morning for about 2 hours. Then had a recording for an ad jingle. Came back. The the transponder transformer near my building burst and whole area was in darkness. I went into hyper tension mode again. But thankfully power was restored in about 10 minutes. Which was surprising.
So people, if anyone knows Swedish and Norwegian, get in touch with me
Also happened to sing at Vettaiyadu Vilayadu audio launch a couple of days ago. It was a pretty long function. Met a lot of people I knew. The launch happened at Satyam Theatres. And they screened one song "Velli Velli Nilave". Damn cool I thought. Then went out for lunch and then for a photo shoot. And came back the computer. Its been days since the system has been shut down. And the way things are going, it will be like that. But then I realize I thrive under pressure as long as work is concerned.
Also I saw that there were times I wanted to say something and then my brain totally shut down and there was no thought process at all. Dont know what that means. "ZGo sleep" maybe! :)
Going to meet my prof again for the project for my masters. So many other things are also happening. ... watch this space :-)
As for me, I better start jamming on the keyboards again.
Someone died, I have a virus, there was a power cut. And a few more as well. Its strange how people come up with the weirdest excuses sometimes. And how many people 'die' in the family or have an accident or fall sick. End result was I almost had a nervous breakdown. Though I managed to submit 3 files, two files in Noregian and Swedish rspectively need to be done. They are pretty huge. And thus soup state continues. Its just about 2 days since I slept. Managed to catch some rest this morning for about 2 hours. Then had a recording for an ad jingle. Came back. The the transponder transformer near my building burst and whole area was in darkness. I went into hyper tension mode again. But thankfully power was restored in about 10 minutes. Which was surprising.
So people, if anyone knows Swedish and Norwegian, get in touch with me
Also happened to sing at Vettaiyadu Vilayadu audio launch a couple of days ago. It was a pretty long function. Met a lot of people I knew. The launch happened at Satyam Theatres. And they screened one song "Velli Velli Nilave". Damn cool I thought. Then went out for lunch and then for a photo shoot. And came back the computer. Its been days since the system has been shut down. And the way things are going, it will be like that. But then I realize I thrive under pressure as long as work is concerned.
Also I saw that there were times I wanted to say something and then my brain totally shut down and there was no thought process at all. Dont know what that means. "ZGo sleep" maybe! :)
Going to meet my prof again for the project for my masters. So many other things are also happening. ... watch this space :-)
As for me, I better start jamming on the keyboards again.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Extremely cute!
Have been outta blogging for such a long time now.
Have squeezed in a lot of work a couple of shows, one of which was in Coimbatore last Sunday and stuff like that. Beginning to understand how some people lose touch with friends and a lot of other things in life. Guess I now know why lots couldnt come to German class now that I am missing my own French classes. Not to mention a whole lot of other things. Even mailing people is postponed. I dont come online these days even to check offlines. I dont know whether this is transitory or not, but now that I am into work, I need to give my all. And also see that starting of a company is not childs play. Its only when more than 3 deadlines creep up per day, you know what work is all about and what it is to keep your word, at least as far as work is concerned. Also found that work gives me a perpertual high, eventhough sleep is in short supply. Maybe now, I would be able to understand how workaholics work, and when I do start counseling, I would be able to give in my personal inputs as well.
Happened to watch this ad. Check it out. Its damn cute. Really love the "Paati" in there. :) And I miss mine .. badly
Have squeezed in a lot of work a couple of shows, one of which was in Coimbatore last Sunday and stuff like that. Beginning to understand how some people lose touch with friends and a lot of other things in life. Guess I now know why lots couldnt come to German class now that I am missing my own French classes. Not to mention a whole lot of other things. Even mailing people is postponed. I dont come online these days even to check offlines. I dont know whether this is transitory or not, but now that I am into work, I need to give my all. And also see that starting of a company is not childs play. Its only when more than 3 deadlines creep up per day, you know what work is all about and what it is to keep your word, at least as far as work is concerned. Also found that work gives me a perpertual high, eventhough sleep is in short supply. Maybe now, I would be able to understand how workaholics work, and when I do start counseling, I would be able to give in my personal inputs as well.
Happened to watch this ad. Check it out. Its damn cute. Really love the "Paati" in there. :) And I miss mine .. badly
Sunday, February 19, 2006
We went to the Sufi Music festival, Ruhaniyat, yesterday. It was exhilarating to be there. It was organized by by an organization from Mumbai called the Banyan Tree. I learnt a lot of nuances thanks to mom who kept bringing my attention to those. Off topic, there seemed to be an aircraft going over our heads almost every 10 minutes. The venue was the Race Club Grounds guindy. No matter how many times I might fly, nothing like checking out an aircraft during its flight from terra firma. Coming back, there was a performance of the Fakirs (Hyderabad) Manganiyars (Rajasthan), Baul music(Bengal), Tibetan chants which I frankly could not comprehend, Sufi Qawwali by two groups, one Punjabi and the other from Muradabadgroup, and the Drums of Kerala. Of this group the Rajasthani and the Muradabad group got a lot of response from the audience. It was an evening to remember.
I got featured in the Indian Express today on "My Money". I really liked the style in which it was written. Thanks to a friend of mine, who let me know that it came on the papers today. Would have missed it otherwise :)
Went to my contact classes and we are trying to think of a topic for psychological study for my Project work for masters. Any ideas? Do let me know. If it is related to artistes, better. :)
Time to draw the curtains on another day. Tomorrow will be a new play
I got featured in the Indian Express today on "My Money". I really liked the style in which it was written. Thanks to a friend of mine, who let me know that it came on the papers today. Would have missed it otherwise :)
Went to my contact classes and we are trying to think of a topic for psychological study for my Project work for masters. Any ideas? Do let me know. If it is related to artistes, better. :)
Time to draw the curtains on another day. Tomorrow will be a new play
Friday, February 17, 2006
I went to the Dhrupad Festival today at the Museum theatre, Egmore and caught a performance of the Rudra Veena and following that, vocals by Gundecha Brothers, who sang Gavathi, Basant and one more raaga. I liked Gavathi best. It was good to listen to the Pakhawaj as the accompaniment in a concert, as it was the first time I heard it in this setting, even though the concept is not new to me. Pakhawaj is played as an accompaniment to Odissi dance which I have been learning since my 10th std. Off and on.
The audience were a revelation. I saw that there is a huge faithful following for Hindustani Classical music, even for Dhrupad, which has almost faded into oblivion save a few people who are keeping the art alive. Please read my mother's blog for more information on the Dhrupad style of Hindustani Classical Music. And in addition, the audience had almost a 50% of youngsters. Again pretty surprised. There must be something that must catch the attention of young blood! And some popular carnatic musicians as well. I am not gonna write about what I felt and because I feel that I need to grow before I can comment on this art form. Saw that mom had tried to teach me some nuances of the Dhrupad style, and I am still trying to catch on.
Chennai is becoming more and more open to other music, dance and art forms. I saw that a Susmit Bose was going to perform in the city at Amethyst, who sings folk music, and his lyrics have powerful messages of AIDS awareness, empowerment of women, education or so I remember the pamphlet saying. Also got to meet a lot of people we had lost touch with, at this cocnert. And realized concerts not only offer music but also become mini or macro get togethers. I used to be amused when I heard people saying that the December Music festival is also when you flaunt your best jewellery and clothes, but I caught a gist of it today. The people that come have a particular aura about them.
And I LOVED the acoustics of the Museum Theatre. Though it can hold just about 500 people and odd, I would love to sing there some day. And give a dance performance as well. That would be cool!
The audience were a revelation. I saw that there is a huge faithful following for Hindustani Classical music, even for Dhrupad, which has almost faded into oblivion save a few people who are keeping the art alive. Please read my mother's blog for more information on the Dhrupad style of Hindustani Classical Music. And in addition, the audience had almost a 50% of youngsters. Again pretty surprised. There must be something that must catch the attention of young blood! And some popular carnatic musicians as well. I am not gonna write about what I felt and because I feel that I need to grow before I can comment on this art form. Saw that mom had tried to teach me some nuances of the Dhrupad style, and I am still trying to catch on.
Chennai is becoming more and more open to other music, dance and art forms. I saw that a Susmit Bose was going to perform in the city at Amethyst, who sings folk music, and his lyrics have powerful messages of AIDS awareness, empowerment of women, education or so I remember the pamphlet saying. Also got to meet a lot of people we had lost touch with, at this cocnert. And realized concerts not only offer music but also become mini or macro get togethers. I used to be amused when I heard people saying that the December Music festival is also when you flaunt your best jewellery and clothes, but I caught a gist of it today. The people that come have a particular aura about them.
And I LOVED the acoustics of the Museum Theatre. Though it can hold just about 500 people and odd, I would love to sing there some day. And give a dance performance as well. That would be cool!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
I had sung for this group of five boys a few months back for their debut album Thee. They have named their band as En Core. For one, it was nice to work with them, and also came to know that I was the fourth singer to sing the same song. Also so far, I had not sung a song with this low a pitch at all. I kept saying that through the recording, and was pretty unsure of how it would sound. Thankfully it sounds pretty good. Have not uploaded it on the audio blog, on a specific request by Bharat.
We went for the audio release last week, and the host was pretty sure that I was wondering, in his words, that I would have been worried and would have taken them for granted and all that. He kept insisting. And I was counter-insisting, and then he finally gave in.... Also looks like the boys had a mentor in their Professor, who I guess was previously their senior. And the most of their classmates ended up at the audio release, which was heartening. It felt good that the others came to be there for them, though one of the boys is already in the States and another as far as I know, KK as he is called, is headed there soon. They also got Mr. Sivamani to work on their album along with a host of other technicians. Sincerely hope that this group finds a firm footing and hope they rise up in their musical endeavours and the success ladder. This will also give an oppurtunity for me to learn a lot from peers. :)
We went for the audio release last week, and the host was pretty sure that I was wondering, in his words, that I would have been worried and would have taken them for granted and all that. He kept insisting. And I was counter-insisting, and then he finally gave in.... Also looks like the boys had a mentor in their Professor, who I guess was previously their senior. And the most of their classmates ended up at the audio release, which was heartening. It felt good that the others came to be there for them, though one of the boys is already in the States and another as far as I know, KK as he is called, is headed there soon. They also got Mr. Sivamani to work on their album along with a host of other technicians. Sincerely hope that this group finds a firm footing and hope they rise up in their musical endeavours and the success ladder. This will also give an oppurtunity for me to learn a lot from peers. :)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Was a good Sunday. Went off to MGM Resorts around noon with family friends. Good fun, and havent done something like this. Get togethers like this usually has a lot of music thrown in. Was more of my quieter self today. Sometimes, I think there are sides to me that I dont know of. There is no particular reason why I switch off. But then I do. Was asked if something was wrong. Point is, nothing was. But I was still not some effervescent thing around. As for MGM they frankly need to work on their food. But their coffee was great. It was good being back at the beach side after a long while. I really love the sea, but dont like wetting my feet. Cos, after that, getting the feet stuck with grains of sand for a long time, and the hemline of my pants wet fo even longer, is definitely not my scene. Also did something I had forgotten about. Collecting sea shells.
While there I called on my professor, whom I was instructed to call by my university since I had missed my practical classes. Point is, I was not informed about it. Actually I haven't written a single exam of my Masters degree to date, and was wondering what will happen to my lofty dreams of PhD and was worried about losing 2 years. I hadnt received the material to study, received no intimation about the exams or schedules. Nothing. So I made one of the repeat calls to the professor, and tried to fix up a date for me to finish the practicals. And he asked me who I was again. I went about explaining. And then he told me that he had taught me when I was doing my BSc with Madras Univ. For practicals. I heaved a huge sigh of relief. And rattled off saying I need help with the practicals, the course materials, the exams, my MPhil AND MY PhD. He patiently said he would take care of everything and that I need not worry. I bet he was amused. Thank God for teachers especially like him, especially for students like me. But then I guess it also helps if you have been a good kid in class .. ;) he he
While there I called on my professor, whom I was instructed to call by my university since I had missed my practical classes. Point is, I was not informed about it. Actually I haven't written a single exam of my Masters degree to date, and was wondering what will happen to my lofty dreams of PhD and was worried about losing 2 years. I hadnt received the material to study, received no intimation about the exams or schedules. Nothing. So I made one of the repeat calls to the professor, and tried to fix up a date for me to finish the practicals. And he asked me who I was again. I went about explaining. And then he told me that he had taught me when I was doing my BSc with Madras Univ. For practicals. I heaved a huge sigh of relief. And rattled off saying I need help with the practicals, the course materials, the exams, my MPhil AND MY PhD. He patiently said he would take care of everything and that I need not worry. I bet he was amused. Thank God for teachers especially like him, especially for students like me. But then I guess it also helps if you have been a good kid in class .. ;) he he
Friday, February 10, 2006
I got a mention in Business World, ok not for running the most successful translation company in India, he he, but this was an article on how we are no longer consumers of the media and how we create the content as well.
This piece focussed on Podcasting, uploading photographs and video and they mentioned how I was using audioblogs for my benefit.
It was nice being named in a Business mag for a change :)
This piece focussed on Podcasting, uploading photographs and video and they mentioned how I was using audioblogs for my benefit.
It was nice being named in a Business mag for a change :)
Monday, February 06, 2006
Run to you!!!
Was a great weekend watching one of my fav singers perform live. Bryan Adams at the Palace grounds.
Off we went driving down early Sunday Morning and we reached there by 10. checked in to a Hotel, got ready around 6:00 and left to the venue. Once there, we caught a band called Super Fuzz playing. Reported to be the winners of a competition to find the best band, they seemed to be pretty good. It was almost 7:30 by the time Adams came on stage and crowd was already restless. There was a message from Saif Ali Khan booming on the speakers before he came and apparently he is a Bryan Adams die-hard and sings his songs and all that. Adams sang most of my fav songs, though "Here I am" was not part of the show. He picked a girl called Shwetha, from AP, which Adams pronounced something like "aeppy". We were pretty close to the stage and was good to see him in action. Learnt quite a lot. Someone next to me fainted. Maybe outta exhaustion. The crowds were superb. Close to 30,000 or more. And it was as if Adams was playing for the crowds to sing. Once the first notes for a song were given, the crowd started singing, and then Adams had a look like hey lemme sing... Some group choir it was!
Show was over at 10:20. Came back and slept. This morning, visited my dance teacher's place. Met her after ages. Once we decided to leave from there, we decided to clean up the car a little. Opened the car, cleaned it and then forgot the keys inside. And then opened the car somehow and found that we had a flat tyre. Changed the flat one and we were finally on our way back. We stopped at a vulcanizing place where this guy had a silly smile about his face when I went to look what he was doing with the tyre. And the other guy who was in the shop with him kept sniggering. Would have given him a piece of my mind, but had a very feel good feeling, so I just left it at that and went back to the car. Back to the city by 7:00 and had some Chaat at Gangotree. Bangalore had a great climate. But I saw that it wasnt a great place as far as finding the way is concerned. There dont seem to be enough directions, and most people dont answer or lead us onto the wrong route. Thankfully, when we went to the venue for the Adams show, we could follow another girl, whom we had asked for directions at a signal. One guy whom we asked for directions to Palace grounds was highly amused. And then finally said we were on the opposite direction. Wonder how tourists manage. Also wished that the tickets to the show could have had directions on the back of them. Mapped out from MG road at least. sigh... anyway. Had a great time and it was a dream come true for me to see him live at last. I had missed the prev two shows thanks to 12th boards and Univ exams.. but then dreams do come true :)
Also have this feeling that disaster management should be taught in schools. First Aid, Changing tyres, swimming, .... a whole lot of other things. And basic cooking and stitching should be taught to both boys and girls. Soooo much needs to be changed in our educational system!
Off we went driving down early Sunday Morning and we reached there by 10. checked in to a Hotel, got ready around 6:00 and left to the venue. Once there, we caught a band called Super Fuzz playing. Reported to be the winners of a competition to find the best band, they seemed to be pretty good. It was almost 7:30 by the time Adams came on stage and crowd was already restless. There was a message from Saif Ali Khan booming on the speakers before he came and apparently he is a Bryan Adams die-hard and sings his songs and all that. Adams sang most of my fav songs, though "Here I am" was not part of the show. He picked a girl called Shwetha, from AP, which Adams pronounced something like "aeppy". We were pretty close to the stage and was good to see him in action. Learnt quite a lot. Someone next to me fainted. Maybe outta exhaustion. The crowds were superb. Close to 30,000 or more. And it was as if Adams was playing for the crowds to sing. Once the first notes for a song were given, the crowd started singing, and then Adams had a look like hey lemme sing... Some group choir it was!
Show was over at 10:20. Came back and slept. This morning, visited my dance teacher's place. Met her after ages. Once we decided to leave from there, we decided to clean up the car a little. Opened the car, cleaned it and then forgot the keys inside. And then opened the car somehow and found that we had a flat tyre. Changed the flat one and we were finally on our way back. We stopped at a vulcanizing place where this guy had a silly smile about his face when I went to look what he was doing with the tyre. And the other guy who was in the shop with him kept sniggering. Would have given him a piece of my mind, but had a very feel good feeling, so I just left it at that and went back to the car. Back to the city by 7:00 and had some Chaat at Gangotree. Bangalore had a great climate. But I saw that it wasnt a great place as far as finding the way is concerned. There dont seem to be enough directions, and most people dont answer or lead us onto the wrong route. Thankfully, when we went to the venue for the Adams show, we could follow another girl, whom we had asked for directions at a signal. One guy whom we asked for directions to Palace grounds was highly amused. And then finally said we were on the opposite direction. Wonder how tourists manage. Also wished that the tickets to the show could have had directions on the back of them. Mapped out from MG road at least. sigh... anyway. Had a great time and it was a dream come true for me to see him live at last. I had missed the prev two shows thanks to 12th boards and Univ exams.. but then dreams do come true :)
Also have this feeling that disaster management should be taught in schools. First Aid, Changing tyres, swimming, .... a whole lot of other things. And basic cooking and stitching should be taught to both boys and girls. Soooo much needs to be changed in our educational system!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
A question about selling on EBay
So we 'sold' an HP IPaq on Ebay. A "buyer" buys it and then gives contact information and all that. And says he will send the money order.
Then comes a mail from Western Union Auction Pay which directs me to ship the item to the buyer since the amount that is due to us is confirmed. And then it asks us to enter the tracking number on a hyperlined word. I click on the link, which does not work.
Then I google this Bid Pay and then it says they have stopped operations on the 31st December 2005. More than that, immediately is spelt as immidiately in the mail. As far as I know, no reputed company will have spelling mistakes in their correspondence I guess. I also get a scanned cheque which is sent for proof.
Now I wait to be enlightened. Is this a sham? Or is this trustworthy?
Please let me know.
Then comes a mail from Western Union Auction Pay which directs me to ship the item to the buyer since the amount that is due to us is confirmed. And then it asks us to enter the tracking number on a hyperlined word. I click on the link, which does not work.
Then I google this Bid Pay and then it says they have stopped operations on the 31st December 2005. More than that, immediately is spelt as immidiately in the mail. As far as I know, no reputed company will have spelling mistakes in their correspondence I guess. I also get a scanned cheque which is sent for proof.
Now I wait to be enlightened. Is this a sham? Or is this trustworthy?
Please let me know.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Could not think of anything to blog on. Lately work has been coming in for the company, and that has kept me highly occupied.
The fine tuning on the website is yet to happen. Thanks to so many reasons. And I have resumed my French classes. Though its taxing to wake up early in the morning for the same, I am sure it will be worthwhile.
Have been listening to some music of various artistes and my headphones keep humming the tunes most of the time. Thinking of learning another skill, and while I mull on that, watch this space....
The fine tuning on the website is yet to happen. Thanks to so many reasons. And I have resumed my French classes. Though its taxing to wake up early in the morning for the same, I am sure it will be worthwhile.
Have been listening to some music of various artistes and my headphones keep humming the tunes most of the time. Thinking of learning another skill, and while I mull on that, watch this space....
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Just wanted to thank everyone who has left a lot of nice comments and the mails which have come after seeing the posts here. One of the times that I am thankful for being able to be in touch with people directly, who tell me how a show has been, instead of believing in hearsay.
Otherwise, with the help of Mr. Kathiresan who has been diligently working to send me clips of my songs which I couldnt find, but then my skills of using Google are not exemplary as I realized, I have updated my audio blog to almost all of the songs that I have sung to date.
Out of these there are almost 30-40 movies/songs which have not relased, for whatever reasons, and of course to those I have no access to.
I am also trying to get the clips of the title songs I have sung for various serials. If that is done, this proves to be a good record for us as well. All these years, we have not recorded a TV programme or something on the radio. It was always someone we knew who ended up having a copy and then we used to take it. Also, most of the times, we would have missed a telecast of a performance of mine on TV or the radio. And this was more or less the case with newspaper articles.
Life and times are good... and things are going pretty well :)
Otherwise, with the help of Mr. Kathiresan who has been diligently working to send me clips of my songs which I couldnt find, but then my skills of using Google are not exemplary as I realized, I have updated my audio blog to almost all of the songs that I have sung to date.
Out of these there are almost 30-40 movies/songs which have not relased, for whatever reasons, and of course to those I have no access to.
I am also trying to get the clips of the title songs I have sung for various serials. If that is done, this proves to be a good record for us as well. All these years, we have not recorded a TV programme or something on the radio. It was always someone we knew who ended up having a copy and then we used to take it. Also, most of the times, we would have missed a telecast of a performance of mine on TV or the radio. And this was more or less the case with newspaper articles.
Life and times are good... and things are going pretty well :)
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Sangamam
If all goes well, I will be on Sangamam at 9:30 a.m. IST on Vijay TV tomorrow morning. Was supposed to have been telecast last week but there was a technical hitch.
This has had a lot of viewership lately, being telecast on sunday mornings and all that and this is one of the very very few shows where I have sung some Hindi numbers in a Tamil channel! :) And I love that!!
This has had a lot of viewership lately, being telecast on sunday mornings and all that and this is one of the very very few shows where I have sung some Hindi numbers in a Tamil channel! :) And I love that!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
On being interested......
Got these mails reg the Pongal show with Gangaiamaran sir. Some said I looked disinterested. And the others had something or the other to say.
I dont know how it came acros that I was disinterested. As far as I was concerned I had fun, I was dancing as much as the small space allowed me to. And it was unfortunate for Saindhavi that I was too tall for her :)) Actually we were contemplating on making her stand on a brick.
For one, I was not intending to take part in this show, and refused initially, plainly because I dont belong, and dont know most songs. One of the mails even asked me why I kept quiet sometimes and didnt sing along. I dont know the songs. Period. I sang the first line, or whatever I knew and for the rest I had fun dancing.. well if you can call it that. And there was a dearth of mikes as well. So I did what I could under the circumstances of not knowing the lyrics, and in between there was a 1 and a half hour break thanks to a technical snag. We went there for the shoot at 6:00 p.m. and returned home at 2:00 a.m. We were extremely hungry, and I was dead on my feet. And most of the songs were recorded only after the technical issues were rectified. Thats when I learnt I have to do something about my stamina.
Bottom Line : It was a good show, I had fun and I didnt sing because I didnt know the lyrics and not because they were "dappankoothu" songs and to make things clearer, I love the fast paced songs.. I dont have a problem with singing them :)) LOL
I dont know how it came acros that I was disinterested. As far as I was concerned I had fun, I was dancing as much as the small space allowed me to. And it was unfortunate for Saindhavi that I was too tall for her :)) Actually we were contemplating on making her stand on a brick.
For one, I was not intending to take part in this show, and refused initially, plainly because I dont belong, and dont know most songs. One of the mails even asked me why I kept quiet sometimes and didnt sing along. I dont know the songs. Period. I sang the first line, or whatever I knew and for the rest I had fun dancing.. well if you can call it that. And there was a dearth of mikes as well. So I did what I could under the circumstances of not knowing the lyrics, and in between there was a 1 and a half hour break thanks to a technical snag. We went there for the shoot at 6:00 p.m. and returned home at 2:00 a.m. We were extremely hungry, and I was dead on my feet. And most of the songs were recorded only after the technical issues were rectified. Thats when I learnt I have to do something about my stamina.
Bottom Line : It was a good show, I had fun and I didnt sing because I didnt know the lyrics and not because they were "dappankoothu" songs and to make things clearer, I love the fast paced songs.. I dont have a problem with singing them :)) LOL
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Blue Elephant
And thats what our company for providing translation services is called.
Though the name was decided on quite some time back, I didnt want to put it up without giving a link to the website, which has stepped onto the WWW a few days back. The site needs to be fine tuned but that can be done in a while, considering the way I change my mind about a lot of things and the changes I have already made on the website :)
Anyway here it is.. and this time, Godspeed to me :)
Though the name was decided on quite some time back, I didnt want to put it up without giving a link to the website, which has stepped onto the WWW a few days back. The site needs to be fine tuned but that can be done in a while, considering the way I change my mind about a lot of things and the changes I have already made on the website :)
Anyway here it is.. and this time, Godspeed to me :)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Pongal programmes!
Starts at about 9:30 am IST on Vijay TV. Sangamam. I enjoyed doing this show but didnt have a clue that they will show it on Pongal.
10:30 On Sun Tv, pattikkaada Pattanama, with Ganagaiamaran Sir and a host of other musicians.
And the 2nd part of the "Symphony" the show on Kairali will be telecast today.
Didnt plan any of this but looks like I have ended up on a lot of shows this time!
10:30 On Sun Tv, pattikkaada Pattanama, with Ganagaiamaran Sir and a host of other musicians.
And the 2nd part of the "Symphony" the show on Kairali will be telecast today.
Didnt plan any of this but looks like I have ended up on a lot of shows this time!
Friday, January 13, 2006
My Interview with The Hindu
Dated 13/01/2006 on the Friday Review section.
Have not been interviewed by The Hindu before and this is the first. Check it out here.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/01/13/stories/2006011302990300.htm
I got some mails regarding the Pongal Special programmes on TV, and yes I am taking part in the Pattikkaada Pattanama. Also the second part of the Kairali show will be telecast tomorrow.
Otherwise nothing to pen down for now :)
And Have a Great Pongal people.
Have not been interviewed by The Hindu before and this is the first. Check it out here.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/01/13/stories/2006011302990300.htm
I got some mails regarding the Pongal Special programmes on TV, and yes I am taking part in the Pattikkaada Pattanama. Also the second part of the Kairali show will be telecast tomorrow.
Otherwise nothing to pen down for now :)
And Have a Great Pongal people.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The MacBook Pro
The Macbook Pro... endless wait and no clue as to when and how and whether it is going to happen at all, I postponed my laptop acquisition indefinitely. And it is here finally.
Now All that I have to check out is how good/bad this is.. also was surprised to know, ok I am no techie know all, that non-intel based Macs were also available.
Please do let me know if there is info about pluses and minuses, whether I shuold buy the intel-based Mac or not....
I must thank all the people who patiently responded to the same topic thrice, in three different posts. Thanks a lot people :)
Now All that I have to check out is how good/bad this is.. also was surprised to know, ok I am no techie know all, that non-intel based Macs were also available.
Please do let me know if there is info about pluses and minuses, whether I shuold buy the intel-based Mac or not....
I must thank all the people who patiently responded to the same topic thrice, in three different posts. Thanks a lot people :)
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Triplicane
We happened to visit triplicane a couple of days ago.
An organization called SYMA and they conducted the Thiruvillikkeni Thiruvizha and I was asked to inaugurate it along with Mrs. Sudha Ragunathan. When we were wondering where it was going to happen, we were asked to step down to the area encompassing the Kolam which was now full of water and the area had been beautified. I remember a portion of my childhood which I spent in Triplicane. The huge Kolams, running about barefoot on the roads, checking out the Perumal when he came on his rounds.. it used to be good fun.
There was some kind of a common skein which tied all the people in and around that area together, its activities, the temple....
As a kid, my grandmother used to take me to the temple, and there used to be one area where I was told by grandmom to remove a piece of thread from the clothing I wore on therein, I fail to remember what was in that small enclosure now. And I used to be terribly excited because each piece of thread meant that God will give new clothes. So each time, when I went to the temple I ll make sure I leave a piece of thread there. Of course, the idealogy behind leaving the thread in the temple is a different thing altogether.
Coming back to the inauguration, Sudha aunty and I sat on the stage, and she was asked to sing. And she sang Kurai Onrum Illai. Thereafter when I was told to do the same, I was petrified, actually not petrified or scared, just the feeling that its not a done thing to be there and sing after her, on the stage, sitting next to her. And I kept saying this is not right, and all that.. but I got down to singing a Soordas Bhajan on Lord Krishna. And my voice boomed all through the area, of course I realised we were on a public address system much before that. And somehow I felt something new, of just wanting to be and do nothing. I am a nature person and I get taken in by my surroundings and usually get overwhelmed.
Thereafter we were taken into Parthasarathy Temple, wherein I hadnt stepped after when I was maybe 8. This time the trip was a different one. I am not the temple-going kind. Neither fastidous about it. Dont do the usual of going to the temple and having darshan on auspicious days, birthdays this that anything.
There was a huge congregation of people, and the temple had changed a lot from when I saw it last. And once inside I was standing so close to the deity that if I had just reached, I would have touched Him. Also came to know that he is the Perumal with the moustache, because he is a Kshatriya and all other Perumal dieties are clean shaven. Also saw the other dieties which are normally hidden from view. And at around that time, the screen was removed and people there started chanting in one voice. Whoah! That was a surreal experience.
Once I came out, I saw that Triplicane had just grown a little bit because it had to, but the essence, shade, colour, everything has remained the same. There are people at all times, walking around, ceaseless activity, and it was a different world. And a different place. With a pace of its own. I wouldnt go back and live there but somehow the air I breathe there, the sounds I hear, everything feels different.
I think I have not written about a temple or the areas around so far, mainly because, I havent been to many and neither have I wanted to. There were a lot of nostalgic memories that are associated with Triplicane, how my grandmom and I used to walk up to the Marina Beach from home, my frequent visits to the departmental store, one of the very few at that time at the end of the road I lived, guzzling some cold drink or another, waiting for the baloon man to come and when he did making sure mom heard him and try to peste her to buy one for me, the peanut vendor, and the way he used to tinkle the bell in his cart, drawing Kolams large enough to fill up the whole area in front of our house, our neighbours, the Hanuman temple which used to be at the end of the road where I used to go each morning before going to schoool and my forehead used to have shades of Kunkum, Vibhooti, Sindhoor, and sandalwood paste. People used to tease me saying that there was no more space in my small forehead. I learnt how to play carrom from an uncle who was extremely good at it and got back at all the boys who bullied me with their skill in playing the game. And this uncle taught me everything. I never took to chess though. How I forgot my school bag on the bus and was afraid on what was going to happen when someone from the area, who was with me brought it to me. How I forgot the bus pass one day and the conductor just let me go That was a different time, and seems a different era. And so far away. All the memories came in with a huge whoosh. I was not so influenced with it in some of my previous visits. But this time was different. And this shall remain imprinted in my memory.
An organization called SYMA and they conducted the Thiruvillikkeni Thiruvizha and I was asked to inaugurate it along with Mrs. Sudha Ragunathan. When we were wondering where it was going to happen, we were asked to step down to the area encompassing the Kolam which was now full of water and the area had been beautified. I remember a portion of my childhood which I spent in Triplicane. The huge Kolams, running about barefoot on the roads, checking out the Perumal when he came on his rounds.. it used to be good fun.
There was some kind of a common skein which tied all the people in and around that area together, its activities, the temple....
As a kid, my grandmother used to take me to the temple, and there used to be one area where I was told by grandmom to remove a piece of thread from the clothing I wore on therein, I fail to remember what was in that small enclosure now. And I used to be terribly excited because each piece of thread meant that God will give new clothes. So each time, when I went to the temple I ll make sure I leave a piece of thread there. Of course, the idealogy behind leaving the thread in the temple is a different thing altogether.
Coming back to the inauguration, Sudha aunty and I sat on the stage, and she was asked to sing. And she sang Kurai Onrum Illai. Thereafter when I was told to do the same, I was petrified, actually not petrified or scared, just the feeling that its not a done thing to be there and sing after her, on the stage, sitting next to her. And I kept saying this is not right, and all that.. but I got down to singing a Soordas Bhajan on Lord Krishna. And my voice boomed all through the area, of course I realised we were on a public address system much before that. And somehow I felt something new, of just wanting to be and do nothing. I am a nature person and I get taken in by my surroundings and usually get overwhelmed.
Thereafter we were taken into Parthasarathy Temple, wherein I hadnt stepped after when I was maybe 8. This time the trip was a different one. I am not the temple-going kind. Neither fastidous about it. Dont do the usual of going to the temple and having darshan on auspicious days, birthdays this that anything.
There was a huge congregation of people, and the temple had changed a lot from when I saw it last. And once inside I was standing so close to the deity that if I had just reached, I would have touched Him. Also came to know that he is the Perumal with the moustache, because he is a Kshatriya and all other Perumal dieties are clean shaven. Also saw the other dieties which are normally hidden from view. And at around that time, the screen was removed and people there started chanting in one voice. Whoah! That was a surreal experience.
Once I came out, I saw that Triplicane had just grown a little bit because it had to, but the essence, shade, colour, everything has remained the same. There are people at all times, walking around, ceaseless activity, and it was a different world. And a different place. With a pace of its own. I wouldnt go back and live there but somehow the air I breathe there, the sounds I hear, everything feels different.
I think I have not written about a temple or the areas around so far, mainly because, I havent been to many and neither have I wanted to. There were a lot of nostalgic memories that are associated with Triplicane, how my grandmom and I used to walk up to the Marina Beach from home, my frequent visits to the departmental store, one of the very few at that time at the end of the road I lived, guzzling some cold drink or another, waiting for the baloon man to come and when he did making sure mom heard him and try to peste her to buy one for me, the peanut vendor, and the way he used to tinkle the bell in his cart, drawing Kolams large enough to fill up the whole area in front of our house, our neighbours, the Hanuman temple which used to be at the end of the road where I used to go each morning before going to schoool and my forehead used to have shades of Kunkum, Vibhooti, Sindhoor, and sandalwood paste. People used to tease me saying that there was no more space in my small forehead. I learnt how to play carrom from an uncle who was extremely good at it and got back at all the boys who bullied me with their skill in playing the game. And this uncle taught me everything. I never took to chess though. How I forgot my school bag on the bus and was afraid on what was going to happen when someone from the area, who was with me brought it to me. How I forgot the bus pass one day and the conductor just let me go That was a different time, and seems a different era. And so far away. All the memories came in with a huge whoosh. I was not so influenced with it in some of my previous visits. But this time was different. And this shall remain imprinted in my memory.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
My New Year's Gift
This link was given by a good samaritan. I was slightly upset that I was unable to take any pictures of the show with Rahman ji at Karaikal. And usually I have no records of the shows/programmes/concerts that I have given basically because it was not possible. The pictures are uploaded here
Staring up at the sky, looking for the stars to appear on a dark night... like some one took some tar and painted the sky with it.. no moon and no stars ..yet..
I keep looking and then *ping*, one appears and then *ping* another , and it seems like I point somewhere, a star appears and looks back at me "Hello Yourself.." and then like someone clicked their fingers the whole sky was replete with stars, each twinkling to its own rhythm, to a different note, to make an ethereal symphony which fails to reach my ears. I try and imagine, to see, to imagine what it could be like, who is the conductor? who are the players? ...is there any music at all or is it the flight of my mind which for now doesnt seem to have anything else going round and round or in squares, or rectangles, whatever the shape may be? and I stare at one far away star which keeps winking, and I dont blink... it winks slower and slower, I still dont blink, my eye lids go heavy and then the star disappears from my line of vision. My eyelids shut down to my cheeks as if they were being pulled by an invisible string from my face. And when I open my eyes, its like Lo and behold and wow! The sky, stars, the breeze takes a different path... its wonderful to be able to look up without the moon screaming for attention all the while, and just see nice twinkly things, which somehow leads to feeling of peace and happiness permeating into you... and then somewhere in the distance.. a tweet ... and then a chirp and then a caw, the birds start singing their own tune, the trees sway gently to usher in the dawn, the cock crows to herald the arrival of the sun .. and on the horizon and golden and then rosy and an orange glow.. and then a zillion colours one after the other , shade after shade dribble in.. there is a nip in the air and my hands have been asleep for ages.. I rise to see the sun rise and even surprised to feel dew on my skin, clothes .. everywhere around me.. I smell the air, think the bird sings a nicer tune never heard before and the sun looks different.. the bud opens to smile upto this new world.. somewhere bells peal... I close my eyes, send a silent prayer above or below and beyond ........ the dawn of a new minute, a new hour, a new day, and a new year..
no matter what the air may bring, or what the bird may sing, whether the moon is high the sun feels nigh.. a new dawn gives the oppurtunity to be someone different, someone better, someone human and someone as a part of the cosmic dance and to be able to move in rhythm.. breathe in tune.. and when I am in harmony with the universe, I am the universe and the universe becomes me....
And the dawn of a new year to let us be in harmony with ourselves, within and without, with others and with everything .... may the Universe conspire with us to make our space, the space we occupy a better one. May the Universe conspire with us to bring a smile into everything. And may the Universe conspire with us and may we become the universe. and may the universe conspire to bring us all the elusive happiness and joy and peace of mind. Godspeed Good People
Happy New Year
I keep looking and then *ping*, one appears and then *ping* another , and it seems like I point somewhere, a star appears and looks back at me "Hello Yourself.." and then like someone clicked their fingers the whole sky was replete with stars, each twinkling to its own rhythm, to a different note, to make an ethereal symphony which fails to reach my ears. I try and imagine, to see, to imagine what it could be like, who is the conductor? who are the players? ...is there any music at all or is it the flight of my mind which for now doesnt seem to have anything else going round and round or in squares, or rectangles, whatever the shape may be? and I stare at one far away star which keeps winking, and I dont blink... it winks slower and slower, I still dont blink, my eye lids go heavy and then the star disappears from my line of vision. My eyelids shut down to my cheeks as if they were being pulled by an invisible string from my face. And when I open my eyes, its like Lo and behold and wow! The sky, stars, the breeze takes a different path... its wonderful to be able to look up without the moon screaming for attention all the while, and just see nice twinkly things, which somehow leads to feeling of peace and happiness permeating into you... and then somewhere in the distance.. a tweet ... and then a chirp and then a caw, the birds start singing their own tune, the trees sway gently to usher in the dawn, the cock crows to herald the arrival of the sun .. and on the horizon and golden and then rosy and an orange glow.. and then a zillion colours one after the other , shade after shade dribble in.. there is a nip in the air and my hands have been asleep for ages.. I rise to see the sun rise and even surprised to feel dew on my skin, clothes .. everywhere around me.. I smell the air, think the bird sings a nicer tune never heard before and the sun looks different.. the bud opens to smile upto this new world.. somewhere bells peal... I close my eyes, send a silent prayer above or below and beyond ........ the dawn of a new minute, a new hour, a new day, and a new year..
no matter what the air may bring, or what the bird may sing, whether the moon is high the sun feels nigh.. a new dawn gives the oppurtunity to be someone different, someone better, someone human and someone as a part of the cosmic dance and to be able to move in rhythm.. breathe in tune.. and when I am in harmony with the universe, I am the universe and the universe becomes me....
And the dawn of a new year to let us be in harmony with ourselves, within and without, with others and with everything .... may the Universe conspire with us to make our space, the space we occupy a better one. May the Universe conspire with us to bring a smile into everything. And may the Universe conspire with us and may we become the universe. and may the universe conspire to bring us all the elusive happiness and joy and peace of mind. Godspeed Good People
Happy New Year
Thursday, December 29, 2005
One and a half days in Kerala
We left to Kerala yesterday morning for a show at Quilon/Kollam. Its pretty strange how sometimes, being at the airport can give you an insight of a plethora of human beings. Maybe its best that I really dont digress on this statement to avoid sounding, well,...... snobby? snooty? Either or both. Whatever it is I couldnt stop smiling to myself for a long time therefter and its pretty good for other peopel to see a smiley face than a grumpy face.
Also its strange how people immediately take me for a northi and speak to me in hindi after one look at me. Once I was pulled by a traffic cop for no reason at all. But he told me I jumped the red light. I was like what? and then mom was with me.. And the thing was he instructed me in Hindi to pull over. And when I did speak in tamil, he said I wouldnt have pulled you over had I known.... so what should I make of this? And at the airport yesterday, a guy called Ekambaram instructs em to go "Ekdum peeche" for security check. Yahan jaaiye Vahaan khade ho jaaiye...mom couldnt stop laughing.
Sometimes when I sing Ghazals at a given place, and if the group is not from chennai, there is usually a debate as to whether I am a northi or not. Which happened a few days ago at a concert with the All India Tax Lawyers Meet apparently cos I didnt have a 'southi' accent and my pronounciation was pucca or so they said. I am easily taken for anyone but Tamil. I am not cribbing, not at all... but all of these make for some nice memories.
We flew Air Deccan for the first time. It was by sheer luck that we got tickets as everyone said tickets were not available. But we got them with AD. And surprisingly, contrary to the horror stories some people painted, AD was a comforable flight back and forth, and also no plonk landing :) Maybe it has something to do with the size of the craft?
From Cochin it was a 4 hour drive to Quilon and I made up on all the lost sleep. While mom was left egging the driver to go faster than 40 kmph when we had a concert at 6:00 p.m. We landed at the venue at about 4:40 did a quick rehearsal, went to the hotel, dressed up came back at 6:00 and then started off with the show. Met Mr Biju Narayan for the first time and also sang with him. And Palghat Sriram. He has this way of improvising everything that at the end of each phrase I was left gaping that even if a fly flew in, took a nap and came out, I wouldnt have known. And there was this group of dancers from Bangalore, Ocean Kids or something like that, excellent dancing. I ended up singing KMI, Snehithane, Minsara Kanna, Guruvayoorappa, Iyengar Veetu, If you wanna, out of which minsara kanna was one song which I had not rehearsed as it was a last inute addition. And surprisingly it came out well. Audience was about 2500 strong.
When we got back to the hotel, we found that there was nothing to eat as everything was closed by 10:00 or so as Sriram anna said. The people at the hotel could offer only water. But thankfully the organizers got us some stuff to eat. Next morning took the car and it was a mad rush to the airport and to find that the flight was almost an hour late. And the guy who drove us down said he had never driven so fast and he was hardly averaging at 80 kmph.. :)
Back home, back to work, and it was good that I caught up on some sleep. Mom as usual got none. She hardly ever gets any rest. While I am languishing by the comp she has to do all the crap work. I am not at all domesticated and sometimes I fell I am pretty spoilt or that my mom has too large a heart. She doesnt get any house work done from me. At any time.
And I got some good reviews about the "Symphony" show on Kairali which was telecast last saturday. The second part of which will be shown in about 2 weeks. And this show will also be telecast on Kairali TV on the 31st.
Also I am back to being confused consumer as I got told not to get the Mac Powerbook and 'waste' money and also the Intel - Apple tie up .... God knows.. but there is absolutely no info forthcoming as to whether a windows platform is stable enough for audio/video recording/editing. Any way that's that..
Have been reading Tintin and Asterix and slowly adding to my collection of Amar Chitra Katha, reading a book on manners nd etiquette, Life of Pi, The Divine Romance by Paramahamsa Yogananda and something on the lines of improving English. :)
I have been pretty active in Orkut lately, and found that one community was started some time back in my name and another a coupleof days ago sayign "we love chinmayi" ... phew sometimes I dont know how to react .. and some times overwhelmed, some times embarassed.. but it feels nice as well...that I am liked ..........
Also its strange how people immediately take me for a northi and speak to me in hindi after one look at me. Once I was pulled by a traffic cop for no reason at all. But he told me I jumped the red light. I was like what? and then mom was with me.. And the thing was he instructed me in Hindi to pull over. And when I did speak in tamil, he said I wouldnt have pulled you over had I known.... so what should I make of this? And at the airport yesterday, a guy called Ekambaram instructs em to go "Ekdum peeche" for security check. Yahan jaaiye Vahaan khade ho jaaiye...mom couldnt stop laughing.
Sometimes when I sing Ghazals at a given place, and if the group is not from chennai, there is usually a debate as to whether I am a northi or not. Which happened a few days ago at a concert with the All India Tax Lawyers Meet apparently cos I didnt have a 'southi' accent and my pronounciation was pucca or so they said. I am easily taken for anyone but Tamil. I am not cribbing, not at all... but all of these make for some nice memories.
We flew Air Deccan for the first time. It was by sheer luck that we got tickets as everyone said tickets were not available. But we got them with AD. And surprisingly, contrary to the horror stories some people painted, AD was a comforable flight back and forth, and also no plonk landing :) Maybe it has something to do with the size of the craft?
From Cochin it was a 4 hour drive to Quilon and I made up on all the lost sleep. While mom was left egging the driver to go faster than 40 kmph when we had a concert at 6:00 p.m. We landed at the venue at about 4:40 did a quick rehearsal, went to the hotel, dressed up came back at 6:00 and then started off with the show. Met Mr Biju Narayan for the first time and also sang with him. And Palghat Sriram. He has this way of improvising everything that at the end of each phrase I was left gaping that even if a fly flew in, took a nap and came out, I wouldnt have known. And there was this group of dancers from Bangalore, Ocean Kids or something like that, excellent dancing. I ended up singing KMI, Snehithane, Minsara Kanna, Guruvayoorappa, Iyengar Veetu, If you wanna, out of which minsara kanna was one song which I had not rehearsed as it was a last inute addition. And surprisingly it came out well. Audience was about 2500 strong.
When we got back to the hotel, we found that there was nothing to eat as everything was closed by 10:00 or so as Sriram anna said. The people at the hotel could offer only water. But thankfully the organizers got us some stuff to eat. Next morning took the car and it was a mad rush to the airport and to find that the flight was almost an hour late. And the guy who drove us down said he had never driven so fast and he was hardly averaging at 80 kmph.. :)
Back home, back to work, and it was good that I caught up on some sleep. Mom as usual got none. She hardly ever gets any rest. While I am languishing by the comp she has to do all the crap work. I am not at all domesticated and sometimes I fell I am pretty spoilt or that my mom has too large a heart. She doesnt get any house work done from me. At any time.
And I got some good reviews about the "Symphony" show on Kairali which was telecast last saturday. The second part of which will be shown in about 2 weeks. And this show will also be telecast on Kairali TV on the 31st.
Also I am back to being confused consumer as I got told not to get the Mac Powerbook and 'waste' money and also the Intel - Apple tie up .... God knows.. but there is absolutely no info forthcoming as to whether a windows platform is stable enough for audio/video recording/editing. Any way that's that..
Have been reading Tintin and Asterix and slowly adding to my collection of Amar Chitra Katha, reading a book on manners nd etiquette, Life of Pi, The Divine Romance by Paramahamsa Yogananda and something on the lines of improving English. :)
I have been pretty active in Orkut lately, and found that one community was started some time back in my name and another a coupleof days ago sayign "we love chinmayi" ... phew sometimes I dont know how to react .. and some times overwhelmed, some times embarassed.. but it feels nice as well...that I am liked ..........
Friday, December 23, 2005
Programme on Kairali tomorrow
I will be featuring on Kairali TV on the programme "symphony" on a Christmas and New Year special, tomorrow 9:00 p.m. IST and on next saturday which turns out to be the new year special as well.
Its a one hour programme presented in two parts. IMHO its one of the best programmes that I have had, with excellent audio, and music supports.
I also have a concert tomorrow here and hope to be back by then to catch the show :)
Its a one hour programme presented in two parts. IMHO its one of the best programmes that I have had, with excellent audio, and music supports.
I also have a concert tomorrow here and hope to be back by then to catch the show :)
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Sil Vous Plait...
As I have been told that I should wait until June or later to invest in a Powerbook because they are going to have something to do with Intel? At this hour my brain refuses to remember what exactly.
So Please Advvise ...Should I wait or should I not?
So Please Advvise ...Should I wait or should I not?
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
And..........
One of the things that kept me busy through August and September were the preparations for the All India Radio competitions. And I have won the Silver Medal.
I wished I would get a repeat for the All India First for Ghazals 5 years back. But that was not to be. That was the time when they refused to believe that I was a South Indian as I had nil accent to betray that I was.
One was that my throat was sooooo wound up that I couldnt sing anything decent on the day of the final competitions. And I was dead sure that I would not make it. But I have. But I guess its human nature to want more. The Universe and the green-eye conspired against me that day, and maybe the Universe decided to throw in a piece just for some happiness.
This automatically makes me a graded artiste with the AIR, with a B-grade, which I found was strange that they awarded B grade to both first and second prize winners. Anyway henceforth, all that I have to do is work my way through to the A-top grade.
And all this while I was vehement that I wouldnt learn under anyone but Mom, either until I got some sort of recognition like this from a governing body or something to that effect, or give my first 'legal' Hindustani Classical Concert. And thankfuly this has come through.
This was also to emphasized that I have learnt from Mom alone, a lot of people around me didnt know that I learnt my Hindustani Classical from her. Or refused to believe. Mom also was for the doctrine of having a 'stamp' of a popular and well known musician, and also tried unsuccessfully, desperately to put me under gurus outside of her for better experience. I could never sustain any where, more than four classes, with due reverence to all of them. After three futile attempts, she gave up. Because as far as I am concerned mom is the best and whatever I am, and whatever I have learnt in music is from her. She picked up this piece of rock, gave it shape, chiseled it, gave color and breathed life in it. Giving it the power to breathe its own wisps into music.
And, yes its all true that children take advantage of their parents when they are the Guru. And has been the case with me.
Also if I did get these recognitions after I went to another Guru, then all the years of toil, all the work mom had put in would just be passed on, just because he/she is more famous. Again with all due respect to them. But I was not willing to let mom's work go without any credit like that. And So I will continue.....
To do whatever is in my power to get ahead and be a success with music for there can be no better reward to my mom who allowed herself to melt as a candle for me to shine bright. She put her career away, to see me grow, and bring me to what I am today.
And this time round the Universe better conspire against anything else that even thinks to deter me and work with me :) Like they say, If you want something so bad, then the whole Universe works for you to make it a reality.. so time to get to work Universe.. :)
I wished I would get a repeat for the All India First for Ghazals 5 years back. But that was not to be. That was the time when they refused to believe that I was a South Indian as I had nil accent to betray that I was.
One was that my throat was sooooo wound up that I couldnt sing anything decent on the day of the final competitions. And I was dead sure that I would not make it. But I have. But I guess its human nature to want more. The Universe and the green-eye conspired against me that day, and maybe the Universe decided to throw in a piece just for some happiness.
This automatically makes me a graded artiste with the AIR, with a B-grade, which I found was strange that they awarded B grade to both first and second prize winners. Anyway henceforth, all that I have to do is work my way through to the A-top grade.
And all this while I was vehement that I wouldnt learn under anyone but Mom, either until I got some sort of recognition like this from a governing body or something to that effect, or give my first 'legal' Hindustani Classical Concert. And thankfuly this has come through.
This was also to emphasized that I have learnt from Mom alone, a lot of people around me didnt know that I learnt my Hindustani Classical from her. Or refused to believe. Mom also was for the doctrine of having a 'stamp' of a popular and well known musician, and also tried unsuccessfully, desperately to put me under gurus outside of her for better experience. I could never sustain any where, more than four classes, with due reverence to all of them. After three futile attempts, she gave up. Because as far as I am concerned mom is the best and whatever I am, and whatever I have learnt in music is from her. She picked up this piece of rock, gave it shape, chiseled it, gave color and breathed life in it. Giving it the power to breathe its own wisps into music.
And, yes its all true that children take advantage of their parents when they are the Guru. And has been the case with me.
Also if I did get these recognitions after I went to another Guru, then all the years of toil, all the work mom had put in would just be passed on, just because he/she is more famous. Again with all due respect to them. But I was not willing to let mom's work go without any credit like that. And So I will continue.....
To do whatever is in my power to get ahead and be a success with music for there can be no better reward to my mom who allowed herself to melt as a candle for me to shine bright. She put her career away, to see me grow, and bring me to what I am today.
And this time round the Universe better conspire against anything else that even thinks to deter me and work with me :) Like they say, If you want something so bad, then the whole Universe works for you to make it a reality.. so time to get to work Universe.. :)
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Anbulla Snehidiye
I have finally got my hands on the title track of Anbulla Snehidhiye, thanks to Mr. Harish for sending it to me. Eventhough I had sung this one, it was impossible for me to get a copy despite repeated requests so far. I remember a lot of people asking me for this one. so here goes.. You can listen to it here.
Friday, December 16, 2005
After Ages...........
I have caught up with movies playing.. So caught up with Kanda Naal Mudhal, Navarasa, Hanuman, Aaru and Thavamai Thavamirundhu. Over two days thanks to a friend who had come down from abroad on holiday and also because I surprisingly had an unexpected 3 days off. Funny how one other person can get you to do some stuff.. So off we went gallivanting about the city.
Have been singing a lot as well. So I had my hands full, Thanks God and touche.
I sometimes feel that freedom of speech or expression doesn't exist in reality. It is only in writing. It is my personal opinion, it can be subject to change, that the blog is one's own views on the various things they come across in life and the benifit of doubt should if not must, be given. Because each person has had their individual experiences to a given.... anything. Be it people, clothes, colours or whatever. Just because someone says that something is crappy, it gives no free rein to another to pounce on him and give rise to online brawls and slander.
I have been witness to a so much of this in the past few months that after a point in time I was disgusted. The absense of desire to blog and the lack of inclination resulted in me to the extent ofnot checking my own blog for weeks now.
Most of the Blog-brawls I think basically stem from the instinct to oppress another, to keep insisting that he alone is right and everyone else has dropped down from Hell. It is quite clear that tolerance has drastically reduced, to reasons which I intend to find out. And then there are groups and anti-group groups...
True that when something is on a public space like this, it restricts your style, and one must expect a lot of opinions to a said view. But what I would call for is a decent and polished manner of reacting in general. We have been taught to be polite and nice even when we disagree with someone or something, but where has all that gone? The first thing that I hear on the roads are a hell of a lot of beeped out words, which is now another addition to dictionaries. Road Rage. And another 'deviation from normal behaviour' for psychiatrists or psychologists to treat. And I guess there will be one, if not more 'deviations' which will arise from behaviour while blogging.
I just got plain sick of things and more than anything else I started dreading comments. Its crazy how just ONE comment can turn the face of everything around!
Anyway, that said, my newest songs are in Kalaba Kadhalan and Sandakkozhi.
And I have also recorded two very interesting programmes for Vijay TV - Sangamam and one for Kairali, it focuses on me alone and runs on the same lines of Sangamam.
I have sung a whole variety of songs in these shows which I havent had a chance to do previously. Both of them showcase most of what I can do in a nutshell. So we were extremely happy to do them both. Its seldom that a singer in the movies get a chance to sing anything else than what he/she is famous for.
But then this is the case with everyone and in everything. If more of this happened then may be there is a wonderful artiste dormant in a corporate honcho....
It was distress without rains till now and it is disaster with the kind of rains TN had. Anyway it rained in so much in Tamilnadu that we dont have to worry about water for quite some time to come.
And it also seems to be the season where a lot of my close friends are getting married in the next couple of months. Great times ahead!
Have been singing a lot as well. So I had my hands full, Thanks God and touche.
I sometimes feel that freedom of speech or expression doesn't exist in reality. It is only in writing. It is my personal opinion, it can be subject to change, that the blog is one's own views on the various things they come across in life and the benifit of doubt should if not must, be given. Because each person has had their individual experiences to a given.... anything. Be it people, clothes, colours or whatever. Just because someone says that something is crappy, it gives no free rein to another to pounce on him and give rise to online brawls and slander.
I have been witness to a so much of this in the past few months that after a point in time I was disgusted. The absense of desire to blog and the lack of inclination resulted in me to the extent ofnot checking my own blog for weeks now.
Most of the Blog-brawls I think basically stem from the instinct to oppress another, to keep insisting that he alone is right and everyone else has dropped down from Hell. It is quite clear that tolerance has drastically reduced, to reasons which I intend to find out. And then there are groups and anti-group groups...
True that when something is on a public space like this, it restricts your style, and one must expect a lot of opinions to a said view. But what I would call for is a decent and polished manner of reacting in general. We have been taught to be polite and nice even when we disagree with someone or something, but where has all that gone? The first thing that I hear on the roads are a hell of a lot of beeped out words, which is now another addition to dictionaries. Road Rage. And another 'deviation from normal behaviour' for psychiatrists or psychologists to treat. And I guess there will be one, if not more 'deviations' which will arise from behaviour while blogging.
I just got plain sick of things and more than anything else I started dreading comments. Its crazy how just ONE comment can turn the face of everything around!
Anyway, that said, my newest songs are in Kalaba Kadhalan and Sandakkozhi.
And I have also recorded two very interesting programmes for Vijay TV - Sangamam and one for Kairali, it focuses on me alone and runs on the same lines of Sangamam.
I have sung a whole variety of songs in these shows which I havent had a chance to do previously. Both of them showcase most of what I can do in a nutshell. So we were extremely happy to do them both. Its seldom that a singer in the movies get a chance to sing anything else than what he/she is famous for.
But then this is the case with everyone and in everything. If more of this happened then may be there is a wonderful artiste dormant in a corporate honcho....
It was distress without rains till now and it is disaster with the kind of rains TN had. Anyway it rained in so much in Tamilnadu that we dont have to worry about water for quite some time to come.
And it also seems to be the season where a lot of my close friends are getting married in the next couple of months. Great times ahead!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Please support.....
The Theme : "CAN Conquer CANcer" (or "Cancer is Conquerable").
Join the Blogsphere by livening up things in an otherwise bleak world; the world of a cancer patient.
Blog a smile, Blog a while, Blog whatever you feel like, but just remember your writing could help someone conquer cancer. Lend a healing touch to your imagination and watch how far your keyboard strokes can go towards motivation and support.
Send in your entries and make a difference.
And for the 5 best thots, we have lots of prizes including tickets to the Sonu Nigam Concert, T-shirts, etc . And what more, all entrants will get their Blogs featured on the Sulekha portal.
For complete details, click the banner.
© http://www.connexionsonline.biz/conxw/ican/
Join the Blogsphere by livening up things in an otherwise bleak world; the world of a cancer patient.
Blog a smile, Blog a while, Blog whatever you feel like, but just remember your writing could help someone conquer cancer. Lend a healing touch to your imagination and watch how far your keyboard strokes can go towards motivation and support.
Send in your entries and make a difference.
And for the 5 best thots, we have lots of prizes including tickets to the Sonu Nigam Concert, T-shirts, etc . And what more, all entrants will get their Blogs featured on the Sulekha portal.
For complete details, click the banner.
© http://www.connexionsonline.biz/conxw/ican/
Sunday, November 27, 2005
An Invitation
I will be performing at the Kamaraj Memorial Hall on the 2nd of December, 2005, at 7:00 p.m.
I will be singing Bhajans and Ghazals.
Please make it to the concert if interested.
I will be singing Bhajans and Ghazals.
Please make it to the concert if interested.
Friday, November 25, 2005
As I have come to know, the show at Hyderabad will be telecast this weekend in the Sun Network channels I guess.
Other than that I am preparing for a concert at Kamaraj Arangam on the 2nd and 3rd of December.
what more? Have been reading, working, singing, watching a few DVD's at intervals, snatching time to sleep, irritating mom with eating... frankly I think eating is one of the most time consuming and boring things to do. And before someone is hitting the comment section without reading through to direct some not so kind words, read me out! :)) I love food. But find the exercise of eating boring. Wish there was some device under which you could stand and you could be instantly energised with the necessary nutrients to lead a healthy life. And you could eat if and when you want to. Not because your stomach protests and you have to go refill. I dont know what kinda girl I am gonna end up to be. But frankly, for the amount of chocolates I consume, generally fatty food, I should have been a samurai wrestler's sister. But thank God for small mercies. Actually this is a huge mercy. I love salads, soups .. and I comfortable with those almost all the time. Its rice and this and that, which bore me. Of course there are days when I crave for Vathakuzhambu and rasam. And if there is one culinary expert who must be pissed off most of the time, that must be mom. She makes great stuff, serves in style, .........To have such a disinterested person in the house, her interest is usually dampened thanks to me. But also she has trained my tongue so well, that I usually dont flinch, ahem flinching at food that is moderately made.
This state of mind has been around for a few months for God knows what reason. Hope this will pass.. thats something to chew on
Other than that I am preparing for a concert at Kamaraj Arangam on the 2nd and 3rd of December.
what more? Have been reading, working, singing, watching a few DVD's at intervals, snatching time to sleep, irritating mom with eating... frankly I think eating is one of the most time consuming and boring things to do. And before someone is hitting the comment section without reading through to direct some not so kind words, read me out! :)) I love food. But find the exercise of eating boring. Wish there was some device under which you could stand and you could be instantly energised with the necessary nutrients to lead a healthy life. And you could eat if and when you want to. Not because your stomach protests and you have to go refill. I dont know what kinda girl I am gonna end up to be. But frankly, for the amount of chocolates I consume, generally fatty food, I should have been a samurai wrestler's sister. But thank God for small mercies. Actually this is a huge mercy. I love salads, soups .. and I comfortable with those almost all the time. Its rice and this and that, which bore me. Of course there are days when I crave for Vathakuzhambu and rasam. And if there is one culinary expert who must be pissed off most of the time, that must be mom. She makes great stuff, serves in style, .........To have such a disinterested person in the house, her interest is usually dampened thanks to me. But also she has trained my tongue so well, that I usually dont flinch, ahem flinching at food that is moderately made.
This state of mind has been around for a few months for God knows what reason. Hope this will pass.. thats something to chew on
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
All over again!
Now next in line, my mother's blog has had some posts removed, by a another devilish mind apparently. And as I see this seems to the be the beginning of super malice in blog world.
As I perceive it, this shoul be happening only because some nitwit/s feel threatened.
And this is no 'harmless prank' which happened in mine and in Priya's blog. In her case her blog was deleted. As so far, only women's blogs have been hacked, I daresay the next one should be another woman.
It is possible that this is some who is sooooo anti- women who blog. So keep rolling whoever-you-are, you are bound to get pulled into quicksand soon.
As I perceive it, this shoul be happening only because some nitwit/s feel threatened.
And this is no 'harmless prank' which happened in mine and in Priya's blog. In her case her blog was deleted. As so far, only women's blogs have been hacked, I daresay the next one should be another woman.
It is possible that this is some who is sooooo anti- women who blog. So keep rolling whoever-you-are, you are bound to get pulled into quicksand soon.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Also...
Has anyone wondered about 'Try'?
The etymology is this: Anglo-French trier to choose, sort, ascertain, examine judicially, from Old French, to choose, sort.
Also its more or less the intention to do something, or the lack of it. When try comes in, one has to be prepared for the eventuality of the task not happening as well. Or it also means an attempt, endeavour, effort..
But like maybe some more verbs, this is something which will not have a physical activity/action to demonstrate 'try'. This would be a toughie in Dumb Charades. Will you be able to convey " I am trying to read" Or "I am trying to give you the key".
Moral of the Story: Dont try, Do. If you can't do it, say that you can't. :)
The etymology is this: Anglo-French trier to choose, sort, ascertain, examine judicially, from Old French, to choose, sort.
Also its more or less the intention to do something, or the lack of it. When try comes in, one has to be prepared for the eventuality of the task not happening as well. Or it also means an attempt, endeavour, effort..
But like maybe some more verbs, this is something which will not have a physical activity/action to demonstrate 'try'. This would be a toughie in Dumb Charades. Will you be able to convey " I am trying to read" Or "I am trying to give you the key".
Moral of the Story: Dont try, Do. If you can't do it, say that you can't. :)
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The strange case of.....
"Can be able" and "cannot be able".
The more I hear the usage of this phrase, the more I am scared that it will become an adage. Whoever gave the idea of "I can be able to do it" or "Can you be able to do it?"
Worse... "I had went".. Gosh. There are a few things that I have a low tolerance to. This is one of them. Mutilating any language. Mispronouncing a language, and horrors, make a grammatical mistake.
Way back in school I was taught that cousin brother and cousin sister are grammatically wrong. Then there is 'No other alternative', 'Overspeeding'... yikes... The more and more I see them, even I start getting used to them and think they are right.
There was once that I said "I cant ascertain what you are saying" and then that's it. I was ragged completely by the Producer. This was during the recording of an ad jingle. The producer said the guy was wondering whether you said something good or bad. Cant help it you know, after so much translation, you tend to use words like that. Now I am in a very diff mode. I use unctuous instead of oily, cognizant instead of aware, and I was surprised when people didn't know what quirk, resplendent, embossing.. and some more, meant. Should I be surprised?
During some recordings, I am asked to change the "spelling of my humming" which means please time your inflections to the rhythm. And the best is "Idhu oru Gallop-aana song". God knows what that meant. Actually most conversations are in Tamil and the people who do speak English are good enough with it. A lot of it is because I guess people have lost out on perfection, and finer qualities. Also a usual tlip of the songue.. sorry, slip of the tongue, sedation and seduction. When I heard that first, I burst out laughing much to consternation of the girl. I apologized immediately though. At this point, let me tell you somethings that not many know about me. Ok I changed my mind. Its becoming too long. I will put another post on that.
Even if you point out to some, that hey change that buddy, gosh they are soo irritated. And the trend that I have seen a lot especially in the south, is when you tell someone, please don't do something, the more they do it, just to irritate you and unfortunately for them (and for us)it becomes a sickening habit that they cant get rid of even if they want to. This is the way I am if it irritates you, I will do it some more so that you can be more irritated. And seeing you angry makes me so happy like I have won an Oscar. And then you correct grammatical errors in English, you are done for. Immediately you are a "Peter" or a "Jane" who is from a high funda school. Sometimes turns out that they would have come from a more up-market school.. but everything else is sooo "heylloo, houe aaaarrr yuuuu dowing?" And anything ending with -ve is immediately -we. Like 'lowe', "positiwe" also the 't' is non existent so 'id eees pohsidiwe". Everytime I hear a "Lowe story" I am almost hopping mad. Its -ve for God's sake. Well what do you expect when people say vaalkai instead of vaazhkai, "aNaithu vagai" instead of "anaithu...." and like "Ippodhu virpaNaiyil" and there are a lot of news readers, some actors in TV serials, who seem to have a confusion between the different 'n' 'l' of Tamil. Now also its hurts mom's ears when she has to hear "SaTTRu" "KuTTram" ... There is no damn 'T' there... The stronger R is devoid of T. Thanks to a lot of people writing in English and reading Tamil. Now who is going to correct that?
Also one of the reasons I was taught not to imitate someone too much, (I am pretty good at that ;))with some words, and they way people talk and move or something, was because when you do it too much, it becomes your habit as well. And how so wonderful would that be, that sometimes you mimic someone cos its, you know quirky, or mad, and then it becomes part of you as well.
Anyway coming back this would not be if we read worthy books. If this is the way it will go, we can put language, pronounciation and grammar, in the list of things long-gone, sooner or later.
And also this was the post that Blogger ate up a few daya back. More or less. I like the older one though
The more I hear the usage of this phrase, the more I am scared that it will become an adage. Whoever gave the idea of "I can be able to do it" or "Can you be able to do it?"
Worse... "I had went".. Gosh. There are a few things that I have a low tolerance to. This is one of them. Mutilating any language. Mispronouncing a language, and horrors, make a grammatical mistake.
Way back in school I was taught that cousin brother and cousin sister are grammatically wrong. Then there is 'No other alternative', 'Overspeeding'... yikes... The more and more I see them, even I start getting used to them and think they are right.
There was once that I said "I cant ascertain what you are saying" and then that's it. I was ragged completely by the Producer. This was during the recording of an ad jingle. The producer said the guy was wondering whether you said something good or bad. Cant help it you know, after so much translation, you tend to use words like that. Now I am in a very diff mode. I use unctuous instead of oily, cognizant instead of aware, and I was surprised when people didn't know what quirk, resplendent, embossing.. and some more, meant. Should I be surprised?
During some recordings, I am asked to change the "spelling of my humming" which means please time your inflections to the rhythm. And the best is "Idhu oru Gallop-aana song". God knows what that meant. Actually most conversations are in Tamil and the people who do speak English are good enough with it. A lot of it is because I guess people have lost out on perfection, and finer qualities. Also a usual tlip of the songue.. sorry, slip of the tongue, sedation and seduction. When I heard that first, I burst out laughing much to consternation of the girl. I apologized immediately though. At this point, let me tell you somethings that not many know about me. Ok I changed my mind. Its becoming too long. I will put another post on that.
Even if you point out to some, that hey change that buddy, gosh they are soo irritated. And the trend that I have seen a lot especially in the south, is when you tell someone, please don't do something, the more they do it, just to irritate you and unfortunately for them (and for us)it becomes a sickening habit that they cant get rid of even if they want to. This is the way I am if it irritates you, I will do it some more so that you can be more irritated. And seeing you angry makes me so happy like I have won an Oscar. And then you correct grammatical errors in English, you are done for. Immediately you are a "Peter" or a "Jane" who is from a high funda school. Sometimes turns out that they would have come from a more up-market school.. but everything else is sooo "heylloo, houe aaaarrr yuuuu dowing?" And anything ending with -ve is immediately -we. Like 'lowe', "positiwe" also the 't' is non existent so 'id eees pohsidiwe". Everytime I hear a "Lowe story" I am almost hopping mad. Its -ve for God's sake. Well what do you expect when people say vaalkai instead of vaazhkai, "aNaithu vagai" instead of "anaithu...." and like "Ippodhu virpaNaiyil" and there are a lot of news readers, some actors in TV serials, who seem to have a confusion between the different 'n' 'l' of Tamil. Now also its hurts mom's ears when she has to hear "SaTTRu" "KuTTram" ... There is no damn 'T' there... The stronger R is devoid of T. Thanks to a lot of people writing in English and reading Tamil. Now who is going to correct that?
Also one of the reasons I was taught not to imitate someone too much, (I am pretty good at that ;))with some words, and they way people talk and move or something, was because when you do it too much, it becomes your habit as well. And how so wonderful would that be, that sometimes you mimic someone cos its, you know quirky, or mad, and then it becomes part of you as well.
Anyway coming back this would not be if we read worthy books. If this is the way it will go, we can put language, pronounciation and grammar, in the list of things long-gone, sooner or later.
And also this was the post that Blogger ate up a few daya back. More or less. I like the older one though
Of the old and new..
To start off, have heard a lot of people making fun about older people. Right from school days. He is a thatha, she is a paati. And any kid who talks a lot is a paati. And then recently I met someone who said, the moment you know that someone has started talking a lot, that means he/she has mentally retired.. especially when they start with "in my days".......
Actually at my age, even I feel like saying during my childhood, and during school, and those were more or less my days. Older days. Nicer days. Happier days.
The times spent with grandparents and older members of the family was wonderful. I learnt to play stuf like 'Chozhi', Pallankuzhi, and something with tamarind seeds, I forget the name, where in you throw a seed in the air, and while it is airborne, you grasp one more from the ground and so it goes. I seriously doubt how many people my age know about stuff like this. Actually how many can pronounce the slokas properly, the Sanskrit way, instead of...a common example, my mom has always been called Bathma, for her name is unfortunately Padma. Anything starting with P, T, and in my case, C, you are done for. P becomes B, T becomes D, and C becomes S. So there is Badma, and Nadarajan, Sinmai so on and so forth. And my best friend. Yasaswini. I remember the way she used to cringe when someone mispronounced her name, which was almost always> Yasaaawini. yasasasaswini, hundred more variants, and this was when we use to be on stage and some guy wil annouce our names, and the next name to mutilate will be mine. And I used to end up giggling must to the iration of my teachers.
A lot of this has come to pass because we fail to respect the older generation. Just because we are younger, we have to tsk tsk away anyone who is older by a minimum 15 years.
Children nowadays dont know how to treat a Guru during Vijayadasami, when during school, I remember mom used to buy small mementoes and give them to teachers and take their blessings. And why dont children know about it? Thanks to their parents. mm maybe this is off topic a bit, but I had to put it down as well....
How much do we know of history from our grandparents? Of how life was? and like their view of why we had to bathe after a solar eclipse, and in almost all brahman houses, the concept of "patthu". Not many know the answer, and of the few who do, its guesswork, something that has been imagined on their own, or sometimes, they have logically thought of it and come to the right conclusion, and a handful know it from the horse's mouth. Talking of super imagination, I once knew someone who thought, Holi was celebrated with Turmeric and Chilli powder and then they came about doing it with artificial colours. And this numbskull went on arguing how he is right. Hm.... better not say anything more than that. How many of us know why we celebrate some festivals a certain way, the rituals, daily life?
How about simple stories like, for example, if you dont keep your peppercorns in place, and lose them, they will roll away and tell stories about you, dont eat too much raw rice or it will rain during your wedding, so many small beautiful things. Now I wish I could get back in time, or wish my grandparents were with me to unravel more about their lives. But its not to be.
My grandfather did all there was to do, owned mom's native village worked in the army, went to Jail during the freedom movement, starting a printing press or a newspaper I am not so sure, even made a movie, I found to my surprise, everything .. his must have been some life. And then my Grandmom. She was not as smart as Thatha. But she would just talk about so many things. And tell me stories, tell me not to draw the blanket over my head while sleeping, teach me the " Urugaadha Vennaiyum Or Adaiyum naan tharuven, ennaalum en kanavan ennai vittu piriyaamal irukka", and tie the nombu charadu on my wrist while I used to think, why I had to say this when I dont have a husband, and the best of all, she used to peel the skin off seedless grapes for me to eat.. check that out.. !! Of course to my mom's horror. Paati couldnt speak a stich of English except saying Chemistry and she was awfully proud of it, and later she could say "seedoaun" for sit down. It was great fun. I can almost imagine her reacting to stuff if I had to put down every thing that she said here.
And present gen children dont have the luxury of listening to stories from their grandparents. Most times its the clash of egos. The elders feel they are not respected and the youngsters feel that they must stay in their 'place' and not interfere. So much of wisdom and knowledge being lost. So much is already lost anyway. Most of us dont even have the time or patience or inclination to talk to our parents, forget the grandparents.
I decided to write this because my best friend's Grandmom has started blogging. And this may well be a missing link. I wish all older people start blogging to share their world from the days of yore, the world through their mind's eye and as they perceive it now. I only wish all grandparents of the world are introduced to this. No better way to preserve culture, at least as far as my small brain goes. At least for all those disinterested people, there will be hundreds like me who want to know of them, know them.....
And for all those who keep calling people mama, thata, oldie, you know, to generally poke fun at older people, I think its such a sad state of mind. Come on, how much longer will it take to be at the same age as they are. And I bet that we ll be a more miserable lot than the present older generation. Because our children are a 100 times better or worse than we are. And what goes will come round a 100 times better or worse.
Yes this is also saying in other words what I learnt, I guess all of us would have learnt in Std. 1. Respect your elders. I sincerely believe that their wishes prayers and goodwill, is the greatest protection and I guess there is always space in our skulls for more knowledge, even if it is trivial.
Actually at my age, even I feel like saying during my childhood, and during school, and those were more or less my days. Older days. Nicer days. Happier days.
The times spent with grandparents and older members of the family was wonderful. I learnt to play stuf like 'Chozhi', Pallankuzhi, and something with tamarind seeds, I forget the name, where in you throw a seed in the air, and while it is airborne, you grasp one more from the ground and so it goes. I seriously doubt how many people my age know about stuff like this. Actually how many can pronounce the slokas properly, the Sanskrit way, instead of...a common example, my mom has always been called Bathma, for her name is unfortunately Padma. Anything starting with P, T, and in my case, C, you are done for. P becomes B, T becomes D, and C becomes S. So there is Badma, and Nadarajan, Sinmai so on and so forth. And my best friend. Yasaswini. I remember the way she used to cringe when someone mispronounced her name, which was almost always> Yasaaawini. yasasasaswini, hundred more variants, and this was when we use to be on stage and some guy wil annouce our names, and the next name to mutilate will be mine. And I used to end up giggling must to the iration of my teachers.
A lot of this has come to pass because we fail to respect the older generation. Just because we are younger, we have to tsk tsk away anyone who is older by a minimum 15 years.
Children nowadays dont know how to treat a Guru during Vijayadasami, when during school, I remember mom used to buy small mementoes and give them to teachers and take their blessings. And why dont children know about it? Thanks to their parents. mm maybe this is off topic a bit, but I had to put it down as well....
How much do we know of history from our grandparents? Of how life was? and like their view of why we had to bathe after a solar eclipse, and in almost all brahman houses, the concept of "patthu". Not many know the answer, and of the few who do, its guesswork, something that has been imagined on their own, or sometimes, they have logically thought of it and come to the right conclusion, and a handful know it from the horse's mouth. Talking of super imagination, I once knew someone who thought, Holi was celebrated with Turmeric and Chilli powder and then they came about doing it with artificial colours. And this numbskull went on arguing how he is right. Hm.... better not say anything more than that. How many of us know why we celebrate some festivals a certain way, the rituals, daily life?
How about simple stories like, for example, if you dont keep your peppercorns in place, and lose them, they will roll away and tell stories about you, dont eat too much raw rice or it will rain during your wedding, so many small beautiful things. Now I wish I could get back in time, or wish my grandparents were with me to unravel more about their lives. But its not to be.
My grandfather did all there was to do, owned mom's native village worked in the army, went to Jail during the freedom movement, starting a printing press or a newspaper I am not so sure, even made a movie, I found to my surprise, everything .. his must have been some life. And then my Grandmom. She was not as smart as Thatha. But she would just talk about so many things. And tell me stories, tell me not to draw the blanket over my head while sleeping, teach me the " Urugaadha Vennaiyum Or Adaiyum naan tharuven, ennaalum en kanavan ennai vittu piriyaamal irukka", and tie the nombu charadu on my wrist while I used to think, why I had to say this when I dont have a husband, and the best of all, she used to peel the skin off seedless grapes for me to eat.. check that out.. !! Of course to my mom's horror. Paati couldnt speak a stich of English except saying Chemistry and she was awfully proud of it, and later she could say "seedoaun" for sit down. It was great fun. I can almost imagine her reacting to stuff if I had to put down every thing that she said here.
And present gen children dont have the luxury of listening to stories from their grandparents. Most times its the clash of egos. The elders feel they are not respected and the youngsters feel that they must stay in their 'place' and not interfere. So much of wisdom and knowledge being lost. So much is already lost anyway. Most of us dont even have the time or patience or inclination to talk to our parents, forget the grandparents.
I decided to write this because my best friend's Grandmom has started blogging. And this may well be a missing link. I wish all older people start blogging to share their world from the days of yore, the world through their mind's eye and as they perceive it now. I only wish all grandparents of the world are introduced to this. No better way to preserve culture, at least as far as my small brain goes. At least for all those disinterested people, there will be hundreds like me who want to know of them, know them.....
And for all those who keep calling people mama, thata, oldie, you know, to generally poke fun at older people, I think its such a sad state of mind. Come on, how much longer will it take to be at the same age as they are. And I bet that we ll be a more miserable lot than the present older generation. Because our children are a 100 times better or worse than we are. And what goes will come round a 100 times better or worse.
Yes this is also saying in other words what I learnt, I guess all of us would have learnt in Std. 1. Respect your elders. I sincerely believe that their wishes prayers and goodwill, is the greatest protection and I guess there is always space in our skulls for more knowledge, even if it is trivial.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Happy Deepavali!!
Thanks to the rains and the corresponding Power cuts and also problems with our internet, I have been on and off connectivity. And when I did, just had enough time to catch up on work. The television has not been switched on in our house for ages, and anyone asking me what's on TV, it will be more "Duh". And its good that it has not been raining the past couple of days.
Had to give a sound byte to All India Radio and talk about my most memorable Deepavali. Did that.
This festival, to celebrate the triumph of Good over Evil. With the blasts happening in one of the places I love the most and to sickeningly plan it during a festival, that is close to the hearts of millions, I really hope and pray that all the evil minds are removed without a trace. And to also celebrate the fighting and living spirit, for the good of course, well I really hope this year on and from this moment, Evil everywhere is vanquished, the good rejoice and the others who have not been so good are modified to be good.
"Deepa - aavali" - Garland/Chain of lights... Sincerely I hope and pray that this festival should warm each heart and every home, bring happiness, togetherness, good hope, excellent fortune, good thoughts, and eventually put us on the path to get at least a step closer to Godliness.
Happy Deepavali and Godspeed Good People!
Had to give a sound byte to All India Radio and talk about my most memorable Deepavali. Did that.
This festival, to celebrate the triumph of Good over Evil. With the blasts happening in one of the places I love the most and to sickeningly plan it during a festival, that is close to the hearts of millions, I really hope and pray that all the evil minds are removed without a trace. And to also celebrate the fighting and living spirit, for the good of course, well I really hope this year on and from this moment, Evil everywhere is vanquished, the good rejoice and the others who have not been so good are modified to be good.
"Deepa - aavali" - Garland/Chain of lights... Sincerely I hope and pray that this festival should warm each heart and every home, bring happiness, togetherness, good hope, excellent fortune, good thoughts, and eventually put us on the path to get at least a step closer to Godliness.
Happy Deepavali and Godspeed Good People!
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