Kalyana Vaibhogame

If I have to highlight a few personal qualities of Vijay Siva that dazzled like a Kohinoor during his recent concert for Jaya TV Markazhi Mahautsav – a true scholar and soulful singing doesn’t seek any advertisement and pageantry, music is penance, humbleness and magnanimity comes only by birth. A true scholar never shies away from sharing knowledge.

There was no trace of paper on the stage and or any other reference material, Vijay Siva was fluently (not flamboyantly) and erudite in quoting shlokams and drawing parallels from Bhagavadam, Narayaneeyam, Kamba Ramayanam, Valmiki Ramayanam, Oothukaadu and Arunachalakavirayar. I wish every musician who performed a thematic concert on this dais was as prepared and as scholarly as Vijay Siva. It is so true that brilliance can never be hidden and needs no advertisement.

He opened the concert with the first slokam “Sada Bala Rupaapi Vignadhri hanthri” from Subramanya Bhujangam in Begada and proceeded to well know Dikshithar krithi Vallabha Nayakasya. He highlighted the phrase “Valli vihaha kaaranasya” and paid due tributes and respects to Ganesha before proceeding with his Mama/Mami’s kalyanam. Only very few sing the Jathi (Dheem thakita jham..) which was originally composed by Dikshitar himself in the samashti charam - which reflects the true and original patantharam of DKP/DKJ school (Thanks to my friend Ramji for pointing this out).

In those days people turned to soothsayers than astrologers’ when it came to knowing about their marriage and partner. The next krithi Villai Murithidum Vallavanukku vaaithittu describes Seetha’s would-be husband. This krithi was popularized by DK Pattammal long ago. Tradition never fails.

Seetha can be decked with exquisite ornaments and fragrant perfumes, but one aabharanam that adds the final touch to her majesty and beauty is Sankarabharanam. Vijay’s rendition of Sankarabharam was pure, unhurried and grand. Annai Janaki vandaalae by Arunachalakaviraya was so befitting for the occasion. In this krithi Arunachalakaviraya describes Seetha’s bridal finery and how she looks at her bangle to catch the reflection of Rama. Neraval was done in the line “Sundara paadham vaikavey”. It makes me wonder was it Seetha or Arunachalakaviraya or Vijay Siva and his team exhibiting the Nayaka-Nayaki bhavam? To write such exquisite pieces one has to fall in love with both Nayaka and Nayaki.

Hamsanadham is one raga that conveys jubilation and Vijay siva’s brought out the mood and the essence of the raga during elaboration. Any wedding celestial or otherwise is never complete without the august presence of revered souls. Kalayanarama krithi by Oothukaadu describes the wedding scene and the attendees present “Gowthama, Vashista, Narada, Thumburu, Kashyapa munijana vara”. Neraval at Mallikaathi sukanthamaya was very fragrant and colorful.

Vijay Siva moved from Oothukaadu to Narayana Bhattathri’s Narayaneeyam to describe Rukmani Kalayanam. He highlighted the difference in interpretation between Narayaneeyam and Bhagavadam when it came to Rukmani Kalayanam. Rukmi favored the wedding according to Bhattathri but Rukmi seems to have objected the wedding according to Sukar in Bhagavadam. Vijay rendered Tridasha Varthaki in Revathi (Revathi was there in the sahityam) and then turned the rest into a beautiful garland – Ragamalika. He also explained the beauty of the alliteration in the 4th line – Navapuram and vapuram. He rendered this long piece without a piece of paper or any reference material in front of him. This piece exuded confidence and bakthi.

What is so pious about Phalguni Uthiram? 4 important celestial weddings Rama- Seetha, Murugan – Valli, Shiva- Parvathi, Ranganatha- Andal happened on the same day. With this brief information Vijay proceeded to sing Oonjal composition by Pillai Perumal Iyengar. He took a few stanzas from Ranganatha swami oonjal paatu tuned in Kurunji and Ranaganayaki oonjal paatu tuned in delectable Nadanamakriya and presented a delightful scene on who besides the couple gently pushed the oonjal. This was a very rare and never heard before item in the concert.

Dikshithar may not have used the word Radha in her composition, Sukar may not have described this in his Bhagavadam, but love and kalyanam is never complete without Radha and Krishna. Vijay presented Jayadevar’s 22nd ashtapadi Radha Vadana in Sri Ragam as the penultimate piece in the concert.

Hanuman is inseparable from Rama and Ramayana, but sadly this messenger was not present during Rama-Seetha kalayanam. Thyagaraja says when Hanuman first saw Seetha in Lanka he picturized the divya dhampati Rama and Seetha together and sang Paavanaja stuthi paatra paavana caritra ravi soma pavanetra ramaneeya gaatra. What is more befitting than finishing the concert and Ekadesi with the lines Seetha kalyana vaibhogamae Raama kalyana vaibhogamae from Thyagaraja’s Utsava sampradaya krithi?

After doing a diligent home work on the theme “Kalayana Vaiboghame” Vijay Siva and his team (RK Shriramkumar on the violin and Manoj Siva on the Mridhangam) gave the audience a hair-raising concert on Perumal Kalyanam rendering slokams from various scriptures and krithis composed by various vaggeykaras . That day also happened to be Kaishika Ekadesi. Should we call this opportunity a double spiritual jackpot?

For some sangeetham and sapaadu both are done according to tradition and Vijay Siva definitely falls in this category. Vijay Siva had satiated our spiritual hunger and had also arranged for sundal prasadam to be distributed at the end of the concert. Now I am thinking if we should recommend a change in the famous Thirukural

Sevikku unavu illadha pothu
sirithu vyatrikkum eeyapadum

Legacy of Oothukaadu

An artist has done a thorough job if he/she can spiritually polarize the crowd and if rasikas leave the hall with a feeling of enlightenment, elation and devotion. Did the 2000+ people - sitting, standing and even seated outside the auditorium and watching Smt. Aruna Sayeeram on the TV screen at the Jaya TV Markazhi Mahautsav 2008 leave the auditorium with this feeling? Did she create a musical trance?

The auditorium was brimming to its fullest capacity 2 hours before her concert given the theme for Smt. Aruna - Legacy of Oothukaadu. I also heard a few of them say they came to hear J.Vaidyanathan on the Mridhangam, Karthik on the Ghatam and HN Bhaskar on the violin. No concert can be successful if there no team-work and if the wavelength of the accompanist don’t match with the vocalist. Was the evening a divine unison?

Aruna opened the concert with a brief sketch of Gambira Naati and rendered the famous krithi Sri Viganrajam Bhaje composed on Thiruvalanchuzhi Ganesha. What other raga than Gambira Naatai can create the right pulse in 2000+ crowd? She sounded jarring at a few places in this song, may be she trying to settle into the theme and mood. Nevertheless, the kalpanaswarams for this piece was rich and short.

Kalayanarama composed on Vaduvoor (aka Dakshina Ayodhya) KothandaRamar in Hamsanadham brought fond memories of DK Jayaraman along with beauty of Vaduvoor Ramar. Kalapanaswaram at Raghava Raghu Rama in duritha kalam was delightful and divine.

There are not that many krithis in Umabaranam and we’ve all heard the popular one Nijamarmamula by Thyagaraja. Oothukaadu has done just 2 kritis in this raga and Udajagopasundara was along the lines of Nijamarmula loaded with bakthi.

Oothukaadu is the master when it comes to Saptharathna krithis. Aruna rendered Alavadennalo Sivane in Paras, the only Saptharatna kriti in Thamizh. The krithi mentions all of 63 Nayanmars in the madhyamakala charanams. After every 5 Nayanmars there is swara passage. The main charanam line “Innavaril oruvaraipole” pleads with the lord for a release from the cycle of birth and death, but if born again may it be like one of the 63 Nayanmars. The composer’s humility and mastery over Shiva Puranam is reflected in the words “adiyark adiyark adiyanai” and he asks Shiva if he can be Shiva baktha’s baktha’s baktha. This piece won Aruna a thunderous applause.

When Aruna started Oyyara kanna kuzhal oodha – virutham in Kambodhi the spell bound audience were fascinated by description of Kannan and recreation of Aayarpaadi. Kuzhal Oodhi Manan yellam followed the virutham.

Aruna explained the composer’s devotion towards Sri Rajagopalan of Mannargudi and Santhanakrishan and presented Mani Noopuradhari in Neelambari. She brought out the vatsalyam in the Neelambari.

Aruna was surrounded by papers on the dais and the Mama besides me made an interesting comment. “ Idthu yenna vadaam vathal kaya vekkara madiri ore paper a irukku”. One can refer to lyrics for songs like Alavadennalo Sivane, but not for popular numbers.

Adathu asangathu vaa kanna (Madhyamavathi) is what Aruna asked the almighty, but she could not hold the audience from swaying in bakthi and in the jeevan of the lyrics. Her alapana reminded us to Late ML Vasanthakumari and Kanna piece in this raga. Neraval at chinnan chiru padangal was done with finesse to bring out the tenderness and beauty of the Krishna’s feet. She did a ragamalika rendition of the same line in Todi, Bowli, Atana and Hindolam. In zeal and excitement she dragged charanams from the krithis into this Madhyamavathi and made it taste like payasam and curd rice together. She should have refrained from singing swaram in Todi for a Madhyamavathi krithi. You can be an ardent devotee of Krishna and Oothukaadu, but it is not right to try such experimentation on the concert platform however sweet and interesting it may sound. Creativity and innovation should never go beyond tradition.

Oothukadu has not only sung on Krishnan, but also made compositions on Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, Rama, Subramanya, Ranganatha, Parthasarathy, Saraswathi, Aghora Veerabadhra, Nrisima, Anjaneya, and Surya. He is one of the 3 composers (other being Muthuswami Dikshithar, Swati Tirunaal) to do Navavarna krithis. Bhajaswa Sri Tripurasundari on Garbarakshambikai in Nadanamakriya. How can one forget the one who protects fetus and takes care of the process of srishti? The madyamakala sahityam “Gajamukhajanani sasadharavadani sisiritabhuvani sivamanoramani was so beautiful rendered.

When you call Shanmukapriyan, the nephew of Vishnu for a boon, you should do that with atmost devotion. It took Aruna a minute to bring the essence of Shanmukhapriya in the krithi Varamondru Thanduarulvaai. How can one ever forget the rendition of the same krithi by Maharajapuram?

The penultimate piece of the concert brought out the pranks played by Krishna. Vishamakara Kannan (popularized by Smt. Sudha Raghunathan) in Chenchuritti lightened the atmosphere and lines pakkattu vittup-pennai azhaippaan showed that bakthi can be fun too. HN Bhaskar brought out the folk essence of Chenchurutti.

The 2 hour spiritual journey started from Thiruvalanchuzi, Vaduvoor, Mannargudi, Thirukarukavoor, and finally reached Oothukaadu and concluded with the Kalinga Nardhanam. J Vaidyanathan and Karthik helped Aruna recreated the picturesque scene.
This was definitely a divine unison of jeevatmas with the paramatma. Legacy of Oothukaadu is in the right hands and is definitely preserved.

Tribute to MM Dhandapani Desikar

Sanjay's theme for Jaya TV's Markazhi Mahautsavam was "MM Dhandapani Desikar" (MMD). Many of us in the audience have heard some of his popular songs (Thamarai pootha, Inbakana ondru, Varugalamo, Iyey Methakadinam, Pirava varum tharum), on stage and on the screen, but the songs Sanjay presented that evening was new and unheard.

MMD was a part of the Thamizh Isai Movement (TMI) which gathered strength in the 1940s. The Thamizh Isai Movement was indeed an off-shoot of the Non-Brahmin Movement, which reared its head some time in the early decades of the 20th century. At that time and even today most of the top musicians hailed from the Brahmin community and the Non-Brahmin Movement was set up mainly against them. Especially Desikar had a passion to sing only Tamil songs and not songs in any other language unless the situation and circumstances were compelling.

Aarabhi has always enjoyed a special treatment in the vocal chords of Oduvars. MMD also belongs to the family of Oduvars, his grandfather Murugayya Desikar was a popular Oduvar of his time. The first song Vaazhnthiduvom vareer ulagiley in Aarabhi had enough of veera rasam and roudra rasam. This song was apt in the wake of the recent terror attack in Mumbai. Sanjay demonstrated that one can do away with warm up and varnam and if practiced regularly.

Nadhaswara vidwans and Oduvars have given Kambodhi a special place in Pann Isai and classical music. Sanjay in his rendition of the raga brought out the folks flavor of Kambodhi. It is called "Takkesi" in Thevara Pann. Adiyaenai Kaatharulvai Angayarkanni was rendered with bakthi and complete surrender.

Both rasika and the artist must be musically attuned to enjoy a concert. Sometimes I wonder if people on seated either side really understand the bhava, lyrics and nuances while rendering. MMD Padavendum Isai Porul Unarndhu in Hamsanadham was a surprise for the evening and an educative piece for all generations.

MMD has written songs in Thamizh with the same depth and devotion that Trinity kritis evocate. Kadavulai Maravathey Nann nenjay in Thandavam was pleading the audience not to forget almighty in penury, sorrow, and while even defamed. Thandavam is a rare ragam, janyam of 29th melakartha Sankarabharanam.

Hemavathi was the main piece for the evening. Hemavathi is a difficult raga to handle (like your wife's sister), if the madhyamam is touched wrongly it will make it Karaharapriya. Mere change in dhaivatam makes it Shanmukhapriya and altering the nishadam makes it Dharmavathi. Sanjay made efforts to highlight the key swaras to avoid ambiguity in the minds of the Mamis and Mamas. Navukku Arasinai Gnana Kozhinthinai was rendered perfectly. Just taking the first 2 lines of the composition Sanjay could have turned this into a brilliant pallavi.

Especially when you sing a concert of all Thamizh songs to a Thamizh audience artist must pay attention to the diction and must clearly pronounce the words, if not Thamizh audience fail to enjoy a Thamizh song. Sanjay must pay attention to this and must go easy on the brigas because he compromises on the sahityam and sowkyam.

The Aha moment in the concert was when he rendered the viruttam "Oor yellam thoongiyum unakillai thookam" in Sahana followed by Oho Kaalamey. Sanjay later announced that this is a composition by Vedanayakam Pillai and was tuned by MMD.

A few songs tuned by MMD were presented in the end of the concert. Barathidasan's Thunbam Nergayil in Desh made so many heads sway in gaiety and fulfillment. Narayananai thuthi (composer was not shared) in Komalangi (charukeshi Janyam) was the last piece for the evening

This year marks the birth centenary year of MMD and Sanjay must be given a big applause for choosing rare krithis of MMD. Infact he must be lauded for presenting other facets of MMD that most of us were unaware of. In the concert pattern where Thamizh songs are presented as thukkadas at the end, Sanjay concert was a testimony that concert with just Thamizh compositions can be fulfilling and enriching.

Harismarane Maado – Ranjani & Gayathri

Attending a thematic concert and going to cuisine are the same – menu caters to a particular cuisine and is limited, and expectations are set and taste buds tuned and tailored. But does that mean there will be no quality, taste, variety and surprise? Will connoisseurs go home hungry and insatiable and will the engagement be unappetizing?

Not necessary. Thematic concerts are a rarity in the Mecca of Classical Music. We have been tuned to a full course traditional meal on a banana leaf, but does it doesn't mean we detest other cuisines? Well it all depends on the theme, presentation, content and quality.

Subhashri announced at the beginning of the concert that it was two voices and one soul seated on the stage. As the curtains went up we were waiting to validate the tall claim. "Harismaranai" was the theme given to the young, and vibrant violinist turned vocalist Ranjani and Gayathri.

The name Hari is like honey, naturally sweet and doesn't need any additives to make it sweet, but nevertheless you need a vehicle to consume honey.

Durbar, a relatively recent origin was elevated to an exalted status by the Trinity, is seldom featured in the concerts today. Is it because the raga cannot be expanded and elaborated or it needs deft and crisp handling? There are more than 25 krithis in this raga, but only a few are known and popular. The duo presented the brisk, refreshing and majestic Tana varnam, Chalamela (only 2 tana varnams are there in this raga) composed by Thirvatriyur Thayagaraja. The madhyama kalapramaanam and swara pharses was executed with precision.

Can Markazhi festival ever be complete without Thirupaavai? Andal's Ongiulgalandha paasuram in Aarabhi was rendered with multiple repetitions of the line "Vaanga kudai niraikkum vallal perum pasukkal". Kalpanaswaram done for this short piece was delectable and different.When the sisters picked up Todi they plunged right in the deep without any dilly dallying or beating around the bush. Todi is one raga that can be expanded and sung for hours, but given a 2 hour time bracket they highlighted the key phrases and bringing out the essence of the raga. Rather than recanting the vocalist, HN Bhaskar displayed the raga bhava with discipline and mettle. Thyagaraja's Rajuvedala jutha murari from Sri Ranga Pancharatnam was apt for the occasion. Sriranga ksetra mahatmyam and beauty was rightly expressed while rendering the line "Kaaveri theeramamu nannu paavananamu rangapuri". The same twist, turn and encircling of the town by the meandering river was brought during the rendition. Lines Kasturi Gantha in the charanam was really fragrant and kalapanaswarams by Gayathri was enjoyable. Among the sister's, Gayathri's manodharam was impeccable and mature. Arun Prakash on the Mridhangam and Kumar on Ghatam added beauty to the concert by emphasizing key phrases and words in the sahityam without overpowering – anusaranayana vasippu!

After describing Sriranga kshetram the duo proceeded to describe the beauty of Ranganatha. Dikshithar's masterpiece Ranganayakam in Nayaki was rendered in slow tempo describing his anga lakshanam and building on the elements of bhakthi and sowkyam. These lines in the charanam are proof to how Trinity attained mukthi through music - Raaghava-araadhanam Maamaka Videha Mukti Saadhanam. Swati Thirunaal has enjoyed Hari as much as or more than Trinity. Kalyani raga krithi Pankajalochana was fresh, pure and rendered in agmark PSN's paatanthiram. Neraval at Brindavanaantha kruthu brought out the beauty and wilderness of both the raga and Brindavan. Justice was done in rendition to make the last lines Vividha suka vihara truly appropriate and befitting.

Periyaazhwar is always known for his lyrics loaded with bakthi and gnana. Aanathuselvathu in the majestic Shanmukhapriya, Kambamadha yaanai, and Chediyaya valvingaigal in kaarunyam effusing Hamsanandi can even turn an atheist to do Harismarana. Srinivasa Thiruvenkata could have been rendered at a slower pace and the bakthi bhava in the paasuram could have been continued.

Can there be Harismarana without Purandaradasa? Harismaraney maado niranthara paragathikku in Yamuna Kalyani doesn't need any elaboration and explanation.

Be it Trinity or Purandaradasa or Tukkaram our composers have made mukthi marga (Salvation) so easy. Abhang Bolo va vittala in raga Batyar tuned by the artist was enthralling and explicit.

My only wish at the end of the concert, Harismarane could have lasted longer. Gayathri's vocal power created most of the fanfare in the auditorium. The two voices blended perfectly in sruthi, diction was clear, and even a layman could notate the swarams, write down the sahityam from their rendition and attain salvation just listening to the concert.

Suswara Samyuta by TM Krishna & Bombay Jayashri

She was dressed in an olive green saree (Maanthulir) - tender, fresh and full of life just like her music and he was wearing a deep red kurta (Molahapazham) striking, rich, fiery and aggressive. Should we just listen to the music or interpret their singing style from their attire? What would be the outcome when such distinctly different styles of music confluence?

The ambience was energetic and the tampura drones that engulfed the house full auditorium only raised their curiosity levels and made them levitate to find out what is on the other side of the curtain. Finally when the curtains went up so did their eyebrows. TM Krishna and Bombay Jayashri adorned the dais with calm and majesty. They came from two different schools of Music one trained by Sangeetha Pithamaha Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and other molded by the violin Maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman. Can two different and distinct schools of music blend together and bring the divine unison without compromising on individual identity, style and creative freedom?

To add to this vocal fanfare we had renowned percussionist and non-percussionist – RK Shriramkumar who accompanied doyens like Semmangudi mama and MS amma on the violin, Ghatam Karthik and Arun Prakash on the mridangam, both distinctly accomplished and associated with music for more than two and half decades. In totality there was more than 125 years of musical experience on the dias – it was undoubtedly a confluence of jambavans.

The army of 4 tampuras strummed to bring the two souls to the same sruthi – musically and metaphysically. Jayashree started with Omkara Pancharasukhi, a stuthi on Parvathi and Krishna soon joined her in perfect sruthi and together they rendered the piece in Mayamalavagowlai, Sahana, Kalyani, Reethigowlai and the and Todi. Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Rave Himagiri in Todi followed the stuthi in an unhurried pace packed with sowkyam. Jayashree’s voice carried the innate softness, and was laden with bakthi. It was as mild as a morning breeze, while TM Krishna was brisk, energizing and loaded with technicalities and emotions.

Saalakalla in Aarabhi was delivered with effervescence, spirit and swara. It had shades of brilliance from both their paatanthiram. Remember it is never easy for male and female singer to comfortably sing at a mutually convenient sruthi and that too from 2 different schools of music. Though TMK did not sing at his usual pitch, but his output didn’t suffer in terms of quality or sruthi.

While the audience was lost in the musical heaven the illumination on the dais quickly changed to reflect the mood of the raga and the composition. The stage turned saffron to go with the bakthi flavor in the krithi Nadhaloludai in Kalyanavasantham. When did Carnatic music become so sensory?

TMK showed maturity in rendering kritis loaded with such bhava and bakthi with atmost devotion and perfection. When one did the sanchara at the higher octave, the other would get into the lower octave without distracting the other.

The next piece titled Mahitha Bharatham paid tribute to our land, our thought and our philosophy. Violinist RK Shriramkumar must be given a big hand for picking up apt verses from Tagore, Barathi, Poonthanam, etc. in different languages to salute India and our motherland. This piece made the concert a Jugalbandhi. Diffused white, green and saffron lighting on the dais accentuated the sense of patriotism.

Shubhadayaka mahitha Bharatham Vande mathram – Shankarabharanam – Sanskrit

Hazaron khahishen aisi ki har khasish pe dam nikle – Shubapantuvarali - Urdu
Accham illai accham illai accham enbadillaye – Kambodhi – Tamil
Purona Shei diner kotha bhulbi ki re hai, o shei – Ananda Bairavi– Bengali
Chirunavvulu shirulu kanuchupulo karuna – Reetigowlai – Telugu
Kandu Kandann Irikkum janangale – Sivaranjani – Malayalam
Maati Kahe kumbhar ko tu kya rondhe mohe – Sindhubairavi – Hindi

The 6 language piece was presented in the typical ragam, thanam and pallavi style with enough room for swara exercise and thani avarthanam. The choice of the lines and ragas brought out the mightiness and diversity of our motherland and finally concluded with the famous Vande Maatram piece.

The last 15 minutes of the concert was packed with some lighter Hindustani ragas. Sri Ramachandra Kripalo in Behag, Sarvam Bhramamayam in Durbari Kanada. The double thillana rendition in Kamas was a highlight. Jayshri had taken Lalgudi’s composition and Krishna had taken a similar one from his school and they rendered them separately and in the end they came to together like strands of DNA.

The evening was very different in every respect – singers from different schools in Carnatic music coming together yet maintaining their individual identity and creativity. The stage décor added to the wow factor, the crowd turned disciplined and switched off their microwaves and washing machines and stayed in their seats till the curtain came down. This was the first time in the Carnatic Music history that music was ever made so sensory and stimulating. May be it is birth of a new dawn in the South Indian classical music?

Thirakkatha - Movie Review

When I left the theatre my mind was on overdrive and there was unexplainable heaviness that I was carrying home. There were also few questions that popped up in my mind – why is life so unfair to some? Should we bank our life and happiness on someone who can exit our life in seconds? Are we victims of circumstance or we like to play the role of a victim? Should we sacrifice our happiness and life in the name of career and chasing success? Parking these questions aside and let me proceed with the movie.

I am not a regular when it comes to Malayalam movies, but the subject and storyline made me curious to be in the audience. There were lots of rumors floating around that the embryo of the movie was born out of the love affair between two popular South Indian actors. May be that was another reason to watch the movie?

Handling one story line for some Directors becomes an arduous task, but Director Renjith has jogged back and forth between the 3 Thirakathas’ with mettle and clarity. One of the storyline is about a young director Akbar (Prithviraj) trying to find a storyline and subject for his next movie, and the other of the story of actress Malavika (Priyamani) and on the periphery is romance in actor Sreevidya’s life. Though Sreevidya’s story could have been the inspiration for the movie, but there is very less resemblance to her real life story. Is it because the other actor who was involved is still alive?

When you have reached the peak in your career and life is taking you to places, you have accomplished whatever is worthwhile in life and a loving family surrounds you. Yet, that first love in the life long bygone though still haunts you. When all is quiet around, that face silently emerges in thoughts. There is a beautiful song (Arikil Nee) rendered by Madhu Balakrishnan that brings out this vulnerable moment in actor Ajayan and it is beautifully picturized in the Padmanbhapuram palace.

Successful actor Malavika suddenly fades out after her marriage and bitter divorce. Life seems to be so abrupt, cold and cruel. There was fame and money, but marital happiness was ephemeral. While public is searching for her, she seems to be searching answers to questions and exclamation marks that life throws at her. Visit some of my questions in Paragraph 1.

We have young director Akbar trying to make his next success from narrating the story of two broken hearts. Isn’t one man’s trash is another’s treasure?

The tearful moment in the movie happens when Ajayan and Malavika come face to face to resolve issues from their past. Both of them were victims of time and fate. Aren’t we responsible for the choices we make in life?

The film industry has witnessed so many such Malavikas, and their sob stories but what makes this so different and poignant?

The movie portrays vulnerability of women in the movie industry, struggle in making a choice between career and family life, money hungry mothers behind successful actors, and disappointing marriage and divorce in the film industry with sensitivity, respect and finesse. Riveting performance by Priyamani and Prithiviraj enlivens the script and soothing music by Shareth adds more value to the movie.

Definitely Thirakkatha needs just more than applause in many departments viz. story telling, screen play, acting, camera, and music.

Navarathri - Mami….Sundall….Gossip….

I was not really looking forward for the day not because it was Oct 2, 2008, a public holiday or they had banned smoking in public places, but because my mother had invited her notorious and obnoxious Mami clan home for the annual Navarathri festival. What is it with Navrathi and women? Is gossiping a part of the Navrathra ritual? Does the festival turn women into hungry cockroaches that scamper around the neighborhood for food and gossip? Is there “HIT” or “Baygon Spray” available for the Mamis?

Whether Durga, Lakshmi or Saraswathi came together on this occasion, but Mamis, sundall and gossip always come together for Navrathri. If you came early there was first hand gossip served hot, free and sumptuously. Saas Bahus aka brokers/scalpers always trade hotter stocks than what is traded on Sensex and NIFTY!

Navrathri festivals were not this bad until I turned 25 because I got all the attention and free publicity, and I found a place in the Mamimapia, and their Linkedin without any subscription or prior registration. But now that I am 30+, single and an eligible bachelor, and all is get is lime, and light from the Mami world. Should I call this the webpower of Mamis’, planetary influence or their wrath?

From NY to Mylapore the Mami clan seems to behave the same way. When I used to do my routine weekend temple visits the Mami clan would try to entice me with a friendly smile and at times with free food all just to know my marriage status, my gothram and my parent’s number. Atleast they are a minority in the US but in India I have no option to escape their wrath. Should I placate any planets to escape their wrath?

I was more worried about turning into a hot snack to go with the sundal and panagam than walk the red carpet. Who was going to be the center of attraction was it me or my single status or the dolls that adorned the shelves?

Call it peristalsis or medically whatever, the very thought of their evening rendezvous left a weird churn in my stomach. I was afraid of the gait with which these polyester Padmas’, nylon Nirmalas’, silk Smithas’ and Sungudi Saraswathis’ would parade into the house and on the pre-text of watching the golu and start their “arattai kutchery” and before I know my single status will be discussed publicly like the financial market meltdown. Do I have a bailout plan?

Dad was equally pissed off with mom for having this gathering on a holiday. Are these Mamis’ so bad towards single men and married men? Atleast I had a reason to avoid them, but what reason did the 60 year old man have? May be he was too tired seeing them all his life?

There was a lot of commotion in the house from dawn that day. Servants arrived before time and were working hard to make the house look spiffy, while mom was busy soaking peas and grating coconut for the evening high protein snack to go with the chit chat. Was it another “Bhama Vijayam” happening in real life?

Do they have interesting conversations that I can eavesdrop on? Hello no! It doesn’t go beyond MEGA serials, matrimonial discords, in-laws autopsies, bad mouthing barren couples, impending divorces, neighborhood elopement, US sons, complains about daughters-in-laws, and finally garnishing their tittle-tattle with abundant materialism - diwali purchases, gold, and diamond. Their Iris is extremely powerful and scan the house and other women in a few seconds to spit a report in minutes. Should we bequeath Mamis’ with “Material Girls” title? Do Mamis pollute or pollinate?

Apart from proverbial matching making some of these Mamis are IT savvy and they instantly morph into HR agency and start pushing in resumes of their kith and kin. May it is time that IT companies must start using them as their brand ambassadors? A thought to ponder….

I thought this Oct 2 mishap was an endemic and confined to Alwarpet, but a call from my friend in Adyar confirmed that it was found in Adyar as well. He complained of a similar herd from the same biological family, clad in Kancheepuram, Kolar and Jasmine trespassing into their neighborhood that evening. Should I call them high nuisance individuals (HNI)?

I could sense the feeling of helplessness in his voice. He needed a bail out plan as well. Before I could offer him a solution, I heard my mother convincing my Dad that men should leave the house for couple of hours until the vixens left for the evening. For once dad and I joined hands to strategize a fight against these women roaches clad in silk bearing an armor of gold and diamond.

We timid men were on the prowl for a refugee camp or an underground bunker for the evening. If it was a working day then overtime at office would be the easiest way to wait out such a maelstrom, but being a holiday it was difficult to find a getaway spot. I offered a simple solution and a practical solution to my dad. I told him he could stay home and entertain other men who chauffeured their women for such gossip parties. Misery loves company, definitely it does. But he showed no interest for this suggestion. I also tried the Mami morphing technique that Kamal does in the movie Avvai Shanmughi. All my suggestions went invain.

The first refugee camp that came to our mind to wait out the Mamis storm was Besant Nagar beach and my friend seem to be okay with the idea. Though the crowd would be juvenile crowd at this time of the day, but it was better than being marooned by Mamis. I pitied those clay dolls for once and when I saw scores of men of all age groups on the shore line, I realized it was an epidemic and not an endemic occurrence.

When I got back home that night the house was reeking with gossip. My mother was busy scoring off the attendees’ names on her invitee list and making plans to visit their homes. My father had no expression on his face, may be it is better to be a doll or a women? I lowered my hand into the sundall vessel scrounging for left over sundall and picking my mother’s brain from left over gossip. Both were dry and empty.

Next year Navrathri will be different, I will try hanging a statutory warning outside the neighborhood that reads “Beware of Mamis”. Or even approach Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss for a permanent solution for Mami problem?

Raman Thediya Seethai

I have been waiting for this film ever since the promos were advertised in April 08. After watching Cheran’s last movie which was almost a slow documentary, I was not sure if I should catch this one on the first day first show, but nevertheless I decided to go. I was not disappointed, but moved, surprised and tearful.

We’ve heard and seen stories about women being traded like a commodity in the marriage market, but have seen a man in that place? Should you pity or should you shrug it off? May be that is how it is today? Let us park the thought there and go to the movie.

Raman Thediya Seethai (RTS), the title of the movie gives it all away, is a story about a successful young man who goes through the rigmarole of arranged marriage. He pays a big price for his transparency and honesty and is being rejected by all potential mates and finally the one born for him find him. Life goes a full circle is so true!

RTS, A simple well woven story line, well narrated, well edited and well packaged. There is not a moment in the movie where you wanted to leave for a smoke or popcorn, not a single scene that can do away with and still get to the end, and not a moment where the movie sags. Camera doesn’t fail to capture the beauty of all the women and the nature (Pondicherry and Nagercoil). Yet there yet not there, not over powering the story - lyrics and music only adds to the success of the movie. Vidyasagar is music is fresh, and fragrant.

Nedumaran’s character RJ is pivotal, fresh and adds strength to the script, but one may ask why is director using the same blind man card in this movie like Cheran’s Autograph? Was it is a coincidence, sentimental or for sympathy? Can’t we do stories without gaining the sympathy of the audience?

Nitin Satya comes across in his usual style - simple yet powerful style. You only feel sad and sorry for Venugopal (Cheran), who has done a great job trying to show myriad of emotions on the screen – compassion, anger, disappointment. He comes across as a true Raman in this world of Ravanan. I am sure all the women will vote for him.

Cast of heroines was a good choice. Vimala Raman was stunning, Ramya was pleasing and Navya Nair was an eye candy. Vimal and Ramya get a solid role to emote and tear. Should you praise the crocodiles?

A family movie with usual sentiments, drama, but none of flavors was overdone to reach the limits of cloying. It is definitely a must watch film with the family. A job well done by KP Jaganathan!

Times have changed

A typical household in Mylapore wakes up to the smell of freshly brewed filter coffee, voice MS Subbalakshmi rendering Suprabatham and the crisp newsprint with crunchy headlines in the doorway. Mine was no different from any other household in Mylapore, the orthodox DNA was chaste and intact.

For grandpa it was Leo filter coffee, for grandma it was MS Suprabatham and for dad it was the "Mount Road Mahavishnu" (MRM) and this routine had become a part of the family tradition and anybody who got between them and their morning ritual was considered a "Mahapaavi" and it is always attributed to "Kalee". On a clinical note can we call this morning ritual an obsessive compulsive disorder or on a frivolous note can we call it a Mylapore morning fetish?

I was not a trying change from MS to Madonna and annoy my granny, I was not trying to switch over from coffee to cappuccino and disappoint my grandpa, but all I was trying to do was to get TOI into my house. This was like bringing home a girl from another community and asking for Ravioli in the house of Rava upuma. In Bhagavad Geeta parlance this is "Varna sangraham". Is it really so? Isn't Athithi devoh bavah a part of our DNA?

Dad was being a typical "Mylapore Mama" with blinders on and spewing expletives like chewed pan when I mentioned about subscribing to TOI. It is not difficult to sell the newspaper to "Mylapore Mamis", a few freebies and there they fall. I was able to entice my mother with the idea of Rs 1 a day and the free travel bag. Grandparents were always by my side – we were both fighting against a common enemy, their son and my dad.

My dad testified that his brain was nurtured (neutered?) from reading MRM over 50 years, it was unacceptable to let the Mumbaikar in my house. Call it the breach the tradition, crossing of the Lekshman Rekha, or Conversion at home all this happened after a lot of drama and with the blessings of the home minister cum finance minister, my Amma (mother). Yes, the Mumbaikar was in the house with jubilation, but with a condition, The MRM would be the paper of the house and he will decorate the living room but TOI can exist only in my room.

For a closeted culture that has only had filter coffee, heard only MS Subbalakshmi and read the Mount Road Mahavishnu any substitute was a terrible curse. Here I was defacing a pure Brahminical Mylapore house hold. Every time I picked up the newspaper he would look at me as though I have crossed the boundaries of morality and chastity. Are these applicable to newspapers too? Well I had no other option but to prove that TOI was re-virginized.

Who said untouchability was a passé? It was openly practiced by this "Mylapore Mama". Is it the font of wisdom or fault of wisdom that kept my father loyal to MRM? He would pick up the MRM newspaper with love but treat TOI like an orphan, leaving it unattended at the doorstep. My TOI was treated like a pariah in this brahminical house hold. If given an option dad would have even asked the newspaper boy to drop the paper at the back door, and let it enter the same way my servant maid came into the house.

Are options more a hindrance than help in life? I slowly made it a part of the Mylapore household ritual to sit in front of my dad spreading the sheets of TOI and reading news loudly and intermittently inviting my mother to look at the newspaper. Is "Change" a dreadful word? How different is it from conversion? Is it a crime to open the window to get some fresh air in the conventional household? Here I was willing to try something new in this conservative household.

Was it enticement or surreptitious conversion that was happening in the house? This story continued for the next three months and the man was annoyed with my loud reading and advised me to get back into my room with the newspaper. But occasionally his ears would go up like an Alsatian when I read loudly to my mother.

Who wants to embrace change in this world? We all want to world to change for us, right? Embracing change though said easily is all internal and has been the toughest challenge ever for mankind and it always happens over a period of time like evolution. My father was no exception, but he was evolving unconsciously. Though he was not ready to swap the main course for a snack, but he was willingly read the Mumbaikar in his free time.

Is evolution growing new taste buds? By now the Pariah in the house was touched, read and slowly discussed during the family hour. This was a great victory for me, but I purposefully decided to let this go unnoticed.

Does comparison create a healthy conflict or does it alter perceptions? Tamilians are choosey and take time to accept Mumbaikars, wasn’t that the case with Jyothika, Kushboo, Simran etc? But once they’ve accepted they go to the extent of building temples. Before we realized dad and I were qualitatively assessing the news value in both the newspaper. It was over three months with the new entrant and she was no more the new daughter-in-law who stayed in the back quarters, she was willfully accepted at the breakfast table and she was serving the main course with all pride and no prejudice. Yes, Darwinism was working! Was it for my father or for TOI?

In religious parlance the end of unholy Aadi month ousted both Musharaff and The Mount Road Mahavishnu.The new Mumbaikar daughter-in-law adorned the throne in the living room and the chaste Mylapore DNA was mutated for good, and the MRM got downgraded to "Ex". Times have changed…

Shameful Sonia

What do all these people have in common - Hillary Clinton, Michael Brown, and Sonia Gandhi? Well they have earned a spot in the hall of shame and club of elitists without much effort. Whether you run for congress or Parliament it doesn’t matter, but should have you fudged your resume if you want to make it big in life. Is that the basic qualification to run for senate?

There is count of perjury against Sonia Gandhi (Perjury under section 177 of the IPC and Section 125A of the RPA (1951). When asked about the charge, Mrs. Gandhi in her reply to the Lok Sabha Speaker said it was a typing error. Wow! Such a frivolous explanation? Don’t you have to take responsibility for what you fill and file? Certainly not if you are a politician.

Why do people pad their resumes? Is it a fashion statement? Or is it a universal trend? Is it ethical? Why do we let them go scot-free?

When it comes to politics no one worries about ethics. It is one profession/business where no one questions you about your background, qualifications and pedigree. Isn’t it all about power, chair, amassing wealth, and pedaling personal agenda? Sonia had no big background and for her to make it big in politics she had just two trump cards - “Gandhi” for a last name and cashing in on sympathy wave after her husband death.

If you did the same in corporate world and if caught you would be asked to leave, but in the political world filled with perpetual criminals, thugs and liars there is no reprimanding the guilty. This certainly doesn’t speak high of a person who has Gandhi attached to her last name. May be it is time for her to let go of the last name.

Is it a proud moment for the University to confer Honorary Doctorate on Mrs. Sonia in the wake perjury and dishonor she has brought to herself and the Gandhi family? May be they should reconsider the idea of conferring the honorary degree.

Here is the excerpt from Indian Express Sep 5, 2008 – Chennai Edition

A claim In the affidavit filed as a candidate before the Rae Bareli Returning Officer during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Sonia Gandhi claimed that she had got a “Certificate in English Language” from University of Cambridge (UK). In 1999, in her biographical data given under her signature to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and published in the Parliament’s Who's Who, she had made the same claim.

The petition Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy moved the Allahabad High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court, alleging that Sonia Gandhi had committed ‘perjury’ by filing a wrong affidavit. The SC dismissed the plea saying, “Should the SC go into all the affidavits to find out if they are false or not. Further investigation is not possible into a stale issue.…” The truth Sonia attended an interpreter’s school where she studied English, French and Russian. This was followed by a two-year certificate course in English language at Cambridge city in the UK. Sonia in her reply to the Lok Sabha Speaker said it was a typing error.

For lot more controversy and juice on this issue read Mr. Sundaram on News Today - http://newstodaynet.com/col.php?section=20&catid=33&id=10433

Love and divine

Courtesy: Indian Express - Sep 4, 2008 – Chennai Edition

I have looked at the picture more than 100 times since this morning…

>> Gingerly walk and not arrogant – “Are you okay to come with me? Please say yes!

>>Cuddly tender arms and not an overpowering one - I promise to feed you and will take good care of you

>>Expressions of concern on his face and not conquer - We will watch Ganesha cartoon on Vijay TV tomorrow”

>>Effusing innocence in his eyes and not deceit - I will ensure that mom and dad don’t throw you after the pooja

Is love divine? Or is divine love?

Wall E

Wall E was a big disappointment from Andrew Stanton (Oscar Award Winner), and Pixar, the maker of Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, etc. The earlier movies were done with a finesse to entertain both kids and adults. But what happened to the brilliant story line, loveable characters and screen play?

Wall E made me go up the wall, literally go up with wall. If not for the comfortable chair and popcorn I would have left the movie hall in the first half an hour. There was a strong story line in the beginning and I was hoping that they would emphasize “Go green” and perils of “global warming”, but the movie was a meaningless love story of two cleaning machines. Are humans so unhappy about their women and love life that they desperately make machines fall in love? Since when did love become a science fiction? May be after my previous post on "Save Males" love is Science fiction!

So many critics went ga ga over the movie, but it was all hype, froth and miserably failed to live expectations. Two machines falling in love – can that be the moral of a story? The script was very clichéd, dragging and every scene was predictable. I don’t even consider this a movie for juveniles leave alone adults. May be it is a nice way of introducing the concept of love to toddlers.
A friend of mine said “One way you are right, making machines fall in love shows that humans are not happy, and the other way of looking at it , even machines need care and love and wants to show emotions , may be machines will remind mankind that they have forgotten to appreciate people around them in their daily lives.”

Does living someone’s dream also mean living their desperation? lol!

Save the Males

After 5 years of heated debate the Commission of human rights has approved the new international symbol of Marriage.

I am wondering what is happening to male members in the Indian society? Suddenly there are voices stemming in support of men. May be the Indian version of “Save the Males” is going on? A few weeks ago talk show hostess Rose on her show “Ippadikku Rose” was dealing with the issue of Men, martial bliss turned horror and 498 A. Now a leading psychiatrist in the city has also joined the band wagon “I believe that the human male is the more handicapped of the two genders and whatever “empowerment” he seems to enjoy today is more virtual than real. My head was spinning when I read the above line. Is maleness under threat?

Latest issue of Outlook talks about Single men taking up parenting role. May be time has come for men to don the role of mother? Hollywood has already explored the subject of Mrs. Doubtfire. But the question still continues to lingers, can men simulate the umbilical cord ties? Well there are so many men doing the role of Mrs. Doubtfire in the real life. Sometimes reel life is as so close to real life and is really scary.

Can the provider take the role of the protector successfully? A friend of mine said that women are more adept and adaptive (amphibious) than men when it comes to change and switching roles. With the advent of sperm banks women don’t really need men for procreation. But unfortunately nature has not given any such option for men. Have we reached an evolutionary stage in life where we just need one parent?

What is happening to the animus in women and anima in men? Is it shrinking or disappearing or virulent? Is this the real pursuit of happiness or a pursuit of revenge? As a child I never came home to an empty house but some of my classmates came home to empty house. Well we are well settled in life, but I have evolved to be an emotionally sensitive human, while the others have evolved to be financially hungry.

Here is what Dr. Vijay Nagaswami says, “Women find it easy to pursue their masculinity; men find it disagreeable to even acknowledge, let alone pursue their femininity”. Are we in the cusp of a new evolution or revolution? I have seen my mother as a giving species and more along the lines of a protector and today I see those kind are endangered species today. I feel the feminine side in the human female is equally under threat. Who is gaining and who is losing from this battle?

Is role swapping and trespassing into each other territory a part of social evolution or revolution?

Though we have retained the biologically identity, but psychologically, emotional our identities have mutated. I have seen some aggressive women in my life and often wonder if such behavior is genetic or circumstantial? Once you get into a race of gender is there something called equanimity and equilibrium? Well divorce rates are already up in the country. Where will all this lead to? Women would never need a man anymore. Doesn’t it sound scary and don’t you feel rejected and banished? May be the next generation will grow up to seeing just one parent in their life time.

Here is the article that made me write on this topic....

THE SHRINKING UNIVERSE
The weaker sex - http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/08/31/stories/2008083150140400.htm
VIJAY NAGASWAMI
‘I believe the human male is the more handicapped of the two genders…’

A recently published book called Save the Males, written by leading American columnist Kathleen Parker, has caused a major furore in the United States owing to its central theme that it’s extremely hard to be a man in the 21st century, since men are being effectively emasculated by the expectations that feminism has thrust on them. That metrosexualisation of the modern man has only resulted in diminishing his capacity to provide for the woman and the family is the basic theme that Kathleen Parker expounds upon. Apparently, she does this with a lot of felicity, for, I have only read the reviews of the book and some of the responses to it, but I am looking forward to getting my hands on it, for, it promises to be a good read. One aspect of what the author says does resonate with my own understanding of the gender conflict. Despite conventional wisdom having it that the male of the species is the more empowered of the two genders, I believe that the human male is the more handicapped of the two genders and whatever “empowerment” he seems to enjoy today is more virtual than real. Permit me to explore this premise.

It would be fair to say that at no other time in recorded history than at the present has the human male been at the crossroads, as far as defining his identity is concerned. This is a rather unusual situation for him to be in, for, whatever else he has or has not been, he has been reasonably sure of what he was, where he was going and how he was going to get there. This was the situation even until the 1960s when male and female roles were very clearly delineated and men knew what precisely was expected of them. The hunter-gatherer role that was refined over the centuries to the role of the provider-protector is the one that man seems to have adapted to with the greatest degree of comfort. It seemed to be in keeping with his anatomical prowess and gave him the opportunity to express his identity by utilising his natural assets and strengths, thereby providing him a substrate on which he could define his essential masculinity. The better the provider, the better the man; the stronger the protector, the stronger the man. A fairly straightforward equation that the women’s liberation movement unfortunately put paid to by questioning and actively encroaching on the domain of the larger environment that the male had defined his very maleness in.

The threatened response of the male to this incursion could be interpreted to mean that he is unwilling to concede his social position of dominance to the female, since the provider-protector is the one who holds all the strings. However, we need to probe the issue further and go one level deeper to understand, acknowledge and address a more fundamental sub-text that is in operation.

Core of identity
At the core of the sense of one’s self is the recognition that one is created from two genders. Each individual will therefore necessarily be the repository of the generic attributes of both genders, even though biologically only one may predominate. It is not one’s maleness or femaleness alone that defines one’s identity, it is the harmony between the two that determines how comfortable and integrated one’s identity is going to be. Karl Gustav Jung, the celebrated Swiss psychoanalyst and one-time protégé of Sigmund Freud, used the term anima to refer to the feminine aspects of the man and the term animus to the masculine aspects of the woman. In other words, shocking as this may be to the more macho in our midst, inside every man there lies an unexpressed woman. And even more shocking is the proposition that the object of masculine identity development is not the elimination of this woman, but acknowledging the existence of and fine-tuning the feminine side with the masculine part of the identity. In other words, blending the yin and the yang. Unfortunately, men have either embraced their anima too much or not enough, as a result of which they have either over-metrosexualised themselves or ended up being committed retrosexuals. The “masculine woman” has become more socially acceptable than the “feminine man”, who is still an object of derision. And herein lies the root of the gender conflict. Women find it easy to pursue their masculinity; men find it disagreeable to even acknowledge, let alone pursue their femininity.

Steady inroads
When one looks back at social evolution over the latter half of the last century, it is readily apparent that women, once they decided on the direction they wanted to take, were able to make inroads into what were traditionally male bastions — territories men had protected and mystified over the centuries as being particularly unsuitable to the woman. Whatever the nature of work-related activity, women have shown the capacity not just to function as effectively as their male counterparts, but have often bested the latter in their chosen areas of strength. In the process, some women, in the aggressive pursuit of their animus have lost touch with their essential femininity. An unfortunate by-product really, since this is hardly conducive to the integrated development of the woman. What has been most striking about the women’s liberation movement is the ease with which women have made the domain shift. In other words, it appears that the task of being a provider-protector is not a particularly specialised one; you don’t have to be a man to do it. However, when it comes to femininity, the parity seems to vanish, since it is the woman alone who has the biological capacity to bear a child. She usually gets to choose whether to have a child, when to have a child and how many children she should have. The man’s cooperation is desirable though not mandatory, for, sperm banks can come to the rescue. Men are completely marginalised from this uniquely female experience, unless the women involves him to whatever extent she may choose. From the man’s point of view, it would appear that being feminine is a specialised activity. And this is why the male feels threatened by women’s liberation. Not because women are encroaching on his territory, but because he can never completely encroach on hers. She can do pretty much everything that he can, but the converse is not true. So, he responds twice as aggressively to her, often painting himself into a lonely corner in the process.

Critical equilibrium
The way out of the situation is to remember that even as the male pursues his feminine side, he does not have to lose his masculinity and become a woman. Nor for that matter does a woman need to lose her femininity as she explores her animus. For gender equilibrium to be maintained, it is harmony between the yin and the yang that is critical. When one approaches this issue with equanimity, it is perfectly possible to find a balance of power between the genders that pays due attention to the assets and liabilities of both. However when stridency and competitiveness predominate, the man is going to end up feeling disempowered and the genders are going to be stuck in an indefinite face-off, for neither wants to be the first to blink.

The writer is a psychiatrist, columnist and author. His latest book, Marriage 24x7, is due out in late 2008. He can be contacted at vijay.nagaswami@gmail.com

Chennai V Phobic

I was so thrilled when I saw “Vagina Monologues” (VM) on TOI’s Chennai festival and there I was frantically calling the newspaper office every day to get a front seat to watch the vagina and enjoy hear her sob stories. Do I sound sadistic or sardonic?

My enthusiasm was so high that I started referring Aug 27 as V-day in my calendar at work. Every time I called them or wrote to TOI it was a woman on the other end (am I blessed or cursed?) and I was cautious not to mention the first word and always with due respect and piety I referred to it as the program on August 27. The city can be proud of me – I am a gentleman!

Is Chennai the City of Angels? The city apparently seems to have a problem with vagina. Is it phobic or just itchy? VM was in Chennai a few years ago and orthodox Chennai found the vagina too hot to handle and sin to lend their ears to her. They vehemently shooed her away.

This time the vagina was back desperately hoping to make her debut in Chennai. Her enthusiasms and desperation put together was more than the libido of youngsters in the city. I thought the time had atlast arrived for Mamis to have their voice heard in public. But apparently Mamas’ know how to muffle the cries. The moral police guarding the city shooed her away high and dry. I was annoyed and disappointed beyond consolation when I heard the news.

What is with Chennai and vaginas? Why does the city get stickier than vaginas? Is it yeast infection? Is there a tussle between the city and vaginas? When and where did this hate stem from? Doesn’t it sound so gay to hate vaginas! But aren’t vaginas safer with gay men?

Does Chennai have happy Vaginas that they need not hear the story of sad and sulking vaginas? I thought I will get to see one atlast for free, but orthodox city still seem to have a problem with vaginas. The truth is that “No vagina comes free”. If I ever wanted to see one I will have to spend on a flight ticket to Mumbai to catch one. Does it sound corny or salacious?

I am going home with a lot of unanswered questions, may be this how much close I will ever get to a vagina! Am I sounding like a VM? Well this is a “Penis Monologue”!

Singled out

I was there at family wedding last month and without any rhyme or reason I was given more attention than the bride and groom. Wow… why this unsolicited attention and glare of publicity? Was it because of my flaming dressing style, fragrant Hugo cologne, or scruffy model look? It was none of the above, but my single hood that brought me uninvited trouble.

Limelight always comes with a price -invasion of privacy. Without any invite Mamis’ gravitated around me and raped my happiness at the social gathering. There I was wiggling like an innocent prey caught in their powerful talons. To these birds of prey single hood meant an irreversible curse and leper in the society. On the pretext of free food they began verbally harassing my parents on the subject of my marriage. My single hood was painted to be the worst tragedy that could ever hit my family. I realized it is never safe and happy to be single and near the hornets nest, these married women can strike without being provoked.

Are single people country bumpkins? There I was outside a popular local bar with a friend on a Saturday night for a good conversation over the few drinks and our entry was denied. Well groomed, well dressed and with proper footwear yet our entry was denied and I was puzzled. when I asked them why and they slapped the door on my face and answered in two words “Only couples”. How rude can it get in the city?

Do we need a SEZ for single people? I got busy on a Sunday morning skimming through the classifieds section of the newspaper for house rentals. When I called the owners the first qualifier that I had to clear was a question on my status – married or single? They hung up the every moment I was single, I had more to finish the sentence, but there was none at the other end. Why can’t single people rent? Are we terrorist who target marriages? Are we outcast in the society?

Single? then take the first row! The harassment continued from wedding, the bar and not at the cinema hall. There I was at the booking counter at the popular cinema hall in the city demanding a seat in the back row. They promptly replied “only couples”. I just asked for a back row seat, but they looked at me like a sinner demanding a seat in the heaven. I was again made to feel unhappy and ashamed of my single status. Is it Sin being single?

Desperately in need of a break from the unfriendly city and its boorish people I headed out to meet the travel agent for a getaway. He briefed me on the package and options , but I realized I need to pay more to go on a vacation by myself. Every opportunity missed and used comes with a price and single people always tend to pay extra.

Is it a curse being single in this city? From gatherings to bars to rentals to movie halls to vacations it is unfair and I was singled out and discriminated. May be I am better of being widowed or divorced than being single in this city. It is sad to be SINgle in this city.

Is it clean, safe and comfortable?

Remember long train journeys of yesteryears and hoards of relatives and friends showing up in train stations with spicy food, and hot coffee in a thermos flask for the traveling family and friends? There was so much care, love, bonding and relationship building without any crib and we still had 24 hrs in a day then. Don’t you long for such journeys and such lovely receptions with food and gossip? The very experience of traveling was a delight then, but today? Where did all this vanish? Is it all a passé?

I thought about all of this and more during my recent journey by Trivandrum Express. The journey not only made me nostalgic, but made me anxious and sweaty. Did the DNA mutate and along the journey of evolution and did we forget our sense of hygiene and social skills?

Remember the days of Ramayana? Rama and Guha met in transit and became friends for life. Today there is no room for knowing your next door neighbor leave alone striking friendly chords in trains. Train friendships aka Rayil sneham (friendship on the move) is obsolete. Do we play the victim card and blame our fast paced lifestyle or ape the West (individualistic) culture? After shoving our luggage in the den below and we turn cold and absorbed with our mobile phones, newspaper/magazines. Should be blame biscuit bandits for being wary and reticent? May be we feel it is intrusive to know about your fellow passengers or we feel difficult to share details about us with strangers? All said and done I truly see we are self absorbed, aloof, unfriendly and we’ve lost our skills of community living, give and take, share and live.

Is Indian culture devoid of hygiene? Be it inside the train or outside it feels the same. Water less smelly soiled toilets, unhygienic canteens, dirty passageways, dark and dingy compartments scampering mosquitoes and roaches, overflowing garbage cans, and cramped sleeping arrangements all makes it feel like a slum. Isn’t it the responsibility of Railways to help passengers stay clean and tidy? Indian Railways is pampering passengers with technology like TV sets, wi-fi and mobile charging stations in trains, but they seem to have forgotten the fundamentals – hygiene, comfort and safety.

All said and done, traveling by train is popular and only affordable mode of travel for majority of Indians, but it is a nightmare. Be it first class, ordinary sleeper class or air-conditioned coach – paying extra doesn’t mean you are safe and comfortable. There is always a child that cries all night, there are always passengers who snore to glory and we are always worried about your baggage. I am always afraid what infections I may contract from a train journey. I am always worried if I will reach my destination without being burnt alive (recall the recent Gautami Express incident?). Will we ever learn to respect our neighbors’ space? Will we ever get to travel in style, comfort, quality and feel secure?

Closeted dangers

You all know about the viral attack I had last weekend. May be some of you find it amusing and some find it silly, but nevertheless there is always a friend who empathizes. My friend from the banks of Thames wrote back to me saying that the sale virus always flourished in the Queen’s kingdom. He also said it was time for me to shop for bigger cupboard to accommodate my future viral attacks. I swear if I did any more shopping I would have turned a nervous wreck and attempted suicide.

Now coming back to reality, I needed more space to accommodate my new clothes in the closet. I needed to make room for the new daughter-in-law at home. I had to respect and accommodate the new addition to the family without a hiss and piss. At the same time it was not easy to break my ties with my oldies and form new bonds instantly. Is this a sign of growing old?

Is welcoming a fun job or cleaning a dirty job? Hmmm….

Cleaning can get dusty, musty, and nostalgic, don’t you agree? Some make you sneeze and give you allergies, some make you nostalgic and give you goose bumps, some make you tear and curl. Be it with humans or clothes. Parting is always emotional. Some carried shades of sentiments, threads of love, softness of relationships. Every thread and every fabric had a story to tell. It was difficult for me to decide what to keep and what to let go off!!

The worst part of cleaning was yet to arrive. I segregated them into categories – the perfect fit (a rare occurrence because I never stop growing), the extra large ones (this was like my family, there is always extra room) and tight ones that never took me in (like the love hate relationship with my ex). Why is there such so drama involved in a simple homecoming?

Who doesn’t want to look spiffy, in-style and like a model and at the same time also look cool, relaxed and respectful? It is all about looking good as you age. But the truth is that not everybody ages gracefully and there is always disproportion. Will I ever have to mince my words? Only time will have to say….

I was trying out my new clothes and jogging my memory on what size I wore for my last birthday. I picked up the old ones and there seemed enough room, but I still wanted to try them on and feel extra special and in-shaped before I disposed them.

To my surprise and dismay an inch of flesh, just an inch had come between me and my trouser. I looked on tag inside to check the actual waist size. May be the material had shrunk like my ageing skin? or May be growing older means competition between your age and waist size?

I didn’t have any answer, and I felt dizzy. I held myself together and slowly wriggled out of the cloth like a snake. I stood in front of the mirror for a complete body scan and I couldn’t not explain and understand how that layer appeared. I felt like a helpless leper starring at his disfiguration.

Was it the curse of the mirror or curse from the neglected clothing? or May be the mirror was the villian? I was completely shrouded in sorrow, guilt and disappointment. This means I can’t wear clothes that I once wore to flaunt my body. My world came crashing down.

There I was at the gym trying not to look at myself in the mirror. I knew it was going to require a lot of balls and guts to stand in front of a full size mirror again and acknowledge the extra inch until I lost it again. If I thought self inspection was deprecating I was mistaken. A friend who I haven’t seen in ages turns up at the gym and boorishly and blatantly points out that I have put on weight. I denied, but I didn’t even want to step on the scale to prove he was wrong.

An inch was enough to do a colossal damage to my self esteem. It teased, taunted, and stomped my ego. I felt rattled and had no choice but to accept my disproportion without any choice. Yes.. ageing was proportional to waist size.. out growing is a part of ageing. Ageing was never a fun!

I realized how old friends in your closet can sometimes make you feel miserable. Not all homecoming are fun!

Aadi Virus in Chennai - Retailacious

A slew of bomb attacks left Bangalore and Ahmedabad in a state of panic, while a virulent strain of virus has set its foot on the soils of Tamil Nadu and in particular Chennai. What is happening to the country? Who is responsible? Was this virus home grown or imported? Men, women or children who are more vulnerable to the attack? The city and its citizens are grappling for answers.

Let me use the opening line from the movie “Sex and the City” – “People come to NYC in search of love and labels”. Is it the same virus that pushed people to NYC arrive in Chennai?

Though the virus attack is prevalent throughout the city, the attack in the retail districts of Nungambakkam, T-Nagar and Kilpauk has been severe. People driving by the retail districts say they felt empowered and were eventually overpowered by the virus. The virus has made Chennaizens indulgent, elated, crave for validation and feel drawn towards the retail outlets. Retailers both local and global brands reported that citizens went on a shopping frenzy and cash registers were ringing constantly. The aftermath of the attack is yet to be analyzed, but it left some people guilty, broke and emotionally emaciated. A few reports say the virus is communicable and the outbreak of this virus strain is usually expected in the month of “Aadi” (Jul 15 – Aug 15). The virus was prone to attack women more than single and family men. Retailers were more prepared to take on this virus than customers. Chennai Corporation is yet to analyze the retail virus, the catastrophe of the epidemic and measures taken to contain the virus.

Don’t we all like to play the victim card? Yes, I was an innocent victim of this retail bug. It was Friday, I had a good time at work, and nothing happened that left me and orphan in the emotional dumpster and there was no need to engage in retail therapy, but I did. There is no logical reasoning to all human behaviors and importantly gluttonous impulsive human behavior when it comes to sex and shopping.

Who doesn’t want love and who doesn’t want to look good in labels? I pulled my colleague for a small trip to a few branded sports outlet around the corner from my office. We decided we will go under the detective veil and check out if the retailers are really offering deep discounts. Every outlet in Chennai have this Aadi sale going on and all of them said “Flat 40% off” instead of the usual retail gimmick “upto to 40% off”. I was flattered with this marketing campaign. Five minutes into the trip both of us were convinced that “Adidas” and “Nike” were over priced and they were getting rid of their fashion faux pas from the previous season. Like the beggars who went around in search of free food and shelter, we gravitated towards “Reebok”. I pulled over to the shoulder, basically my thinking lane - will the security guards and sales guys treat me with same respect during the time of sale? I had to remind myself that I was not looking for respect, but for deals, steal deals!

It all started with a pair of socks for 60 Rs. (ofcourse after discount) and this set the stone rolling. I was convinced that this retailer really had a sale and road side Romeos can look like Prince at affordable cost. With “loser” tattooed on my forehead, I didn’t want to lose this opportunity to look good at cheap price. The hormonal rush made me go around the store looking for deals on everything from t-shirts to towels to underwear. I closed my eyes and I imagined myself walking around in branded clothing, it was a powerful visual, it made me feel invigorated, beautiful, and delectable. I went on a retail rage and when I reached the counter the rage caused me a whopping 3000 Rs. What a way to feel empowered, and validated!

The virus not only invaded my wallet and credit limit, but it made me the campaign manager. I instantly SMSed my friends and when I was at the gym that evening I was panting “Reebok” on the treadmill. My therapist usually says a good night sleep will calm the brain storm, but this retail storm didn’t seem to abate any soon. My retail therapy turned neurotic. A colleague came home the following morning and I promptly exhibited my shopping skills like a proud fisherman exhibiting his priceless catch. I was subconsciously selling the brand and the deal to him, should I call this slow poisoning? May be this was a communicable strain of virus?

Is it me or the virus that was turning him green? He didn’t want to feel let out and he decided to keep up with the Joneses. Shopping never featured in his list of activities for the day and here he was suddenly making plans with me to go to the same shop again. Well that is how I was before the virus preyed on me. The virus clutched on to him, converted and manipulated him in minutes.

Well every opportunity missed or used comes with a price tag, but there is no discount on any of them. He didn’t discount my words and we were going around shopping like a proud peacock. What started as planned shopping now became binge shopping and our need was turning in glut. We exited Reebok showroom after his purchase and drove by alley besides the showroom to beat traffic and get back home soon. My friend decided that we must go looking for deals on formal wear and also look at International brands like Louis Philippe and Van Heusen as well. Wow…wow…wow the town was plagued with the virulent virus strain.

We didn’t notice any red lights, and all we noticed was red tags and season sale flyers. In minutes we were in the showroom and I was running around like a kid in the candy store or may be like a beheaded chicken? But I was still sane and consciously not looking at full priced stuff, but asking the salesman for discounted stuff. Every now and then I did a reality check – am I doing the right purchases? Will I look like a prince in this attire? My ego came out of my head and praised my prudence and shopping sensibility. I was in the state of sublimation in a few minutes. The opportunity cost for joint retail therapy totaled up to 10000 Rs on the formal wear and I had 10K on my credit card just from that weekend. The only prevention was to stay at home or cover your eyes and plug your ears while in the retail area.

Anyone who knows a little science will tell you condensation follows sublimation. From a solid man I instantly became a gas pot, without any shape and full of me. Nevertheless, the feeling of high didn’t last long, and by sun down the adrenalin rush abated and the virus had left my body and spirits weak. I never realized that the search for labels would set the love hate relationship in me. Some temptations can be sinful, some can turn emotionally addictive and some can be emotionally draining. This virus was really potent.

My sublimed ego was in fluid state and while I was in savasana that night the Pandora’s Box opened. Questions and more came out and each of them stood in front of me, there was no escape. There verdict was out, I tested positive for bingeing, manipulation, ego validation, and selfish behavior. My treacherous mind that once felt empowered, supreme and validated was now clouded with guilt, shame and felt exposed.

But is there any cure for the virus attack? I couldn’t come up with any answer for this binge behavior. I had never splurged on myself and this was the first time I went berserk. I was not running low on Vitamin C and I was not worried about paying my credit card, I felt spending on myself was sinful. A rich soul suddenly felt poor, naked and remorseful. Going through the mill of emotions, I don’t know if I will enjoy wearing the clothes I purchased this weekend. I felt like a discounted and discredited soul….Aadi was no enjoy maadi L for me. Retailacious turned horrolacious.

Where West meets East…..

Stealing manhole covers is not only a problem in poor nations, but even developed and wealthy nations face the same problem. Has science given a term to people who thieve manhole covers? More importantly most of these manhole covers are made in India and shipped to US. Is it a contagious disease spreading from Indian foundaries to US through manhole covers? May be we must intimate CDC on this epidemic breakout?

It seems like the price economics and poverty that drives people to engage in such crimes. Iron, steel, copper and other alloys have been selling at a premium and people are making a living out of stealing and guarding the manhole covers.

Here is the statistics (Courtesy: NY Times)
1. More than 2,500 covers and grates have disappeared in the past year, up from an annual average of about 100.
2. Thieves can get $5 or $10 for wrought-iron inlet covers, which weigh about 40 pounds and cover curbside drains. The larger manhole covers in the center of the streets weigh about double and triple that and are worth commensurately more.
3. Phoenix has lost more than 160 of its manhole covers and street storm drains this year, up from 10 last year.
4. More than 80 drains and manhole covers have been stolen in Long Beach, Calif., this year and at least two local car owners who drove over the open chambers have filed claims against the city. Starting last year, such thefts in Cleveland, Memphis, Miami and Milwaukee have more than doubled compared with other years, although New York reports no such increase.

Surprisingly in India we have moved away from using Iron manhole covers to concrete and most of them are always open to the sky. The West always has something to learn from the East.

Visit the link below to read the original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/us/23manholes.html hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1216814540-QR9dL0Grq6RfoCndhIAc+A

Dasavathram - Inconclusive and offensive

There is a genre of movie not for enjoyment but purely for grey cells and there is a genre of movie that argues between natural phenomenon and science fiction and a genre of movie that argues between theism and atheism, and Dasavathram transgresses and falls under all 3 categories. Is that a plus or a minus? Read more..

Most of us in the world are caught in the world of forms. We define God as omnipresent and omnipotent but we have been conditioned to see him/her (I don’t want to be gender biased) in a small space, or in a small rock. The human mind struggles to see him inside everybody, see him as the universe and at the same time see him at the place of worship. Can we call this the limitation of the conditioned human brain? Can we call this the conflict between the intellects and pseudo intellects? There is always this debate on God or goodness, but which wins in the movie?

Is there existence without co-existence on this earth? Science and religion (are they left and right hemispheres of the brain?) were conjoined twins once upon a time, but today they have been separated yet they share a semblance and a common boundary. Treading on the common boundary must be done with finesse, otherwise we get branded “cat on the wall”. But one needs to transgress and trespass the mental boundary to understand the macrocosm. And director has chosen a brilliant embryo for the movie: the debate between science and religion to find answer for the recent Tsunami. Both of them seem to have a convincing answer. Did the embryo develop into beautiful fetus or was it aborted prematurely?

The movie opens with an aerial shot of Chennai shoreline and then quickly delves into timeline and moves back to 12 century AD, brilliantly portraying the clash of faiths – one between saivites and vaishnavites. This intra-faith clash was worse than the inter-religious clash in Gaza strip today. The world is no different today and it makes you wonder if god was ever a part of goodness?

Rangaramanuja Nambi is chained to the idol of Govindarajan and is thrown in the deep ocean. And the next important question that hits you in the movie is did man save God or God save man and who made who and who is more powerful? Kallai kandal song was very fitting for the scene. There is this proverb in Tamil, “The king punishes immediately, while divine justice gives a long rope”. May be 2004 Tsunami was the effect of 12th Century incident? Which came first, chicken or egg is always the most difficult question to answer, but that doesn’t mean there is no answer.

The reel makes a quick jump to the research laboratory in US where the struggle between science and moral science moves the microbial vial to India. Do we call this karma or logical imperfection? On the other track there is the utsavamurthy traveling ticketless from Chidambaram to the shores of Chennai to unravel other avatars – clash of titans. Some of the avtars are convincing, while some are confusing and could have been avoided.

“What goes around comes around” is it really true? Krishnaveni paati finds closure (after 50 years) wailing on the corpse of Poovaraghan (dalit avatar) on the shore. It makes me think what if Poovaraghan was an incarnation of Paati’s son Aaravamudhan? Govindan and Andal uniting on the backdrop of the stone edifice of Govindarajan, makes me think may be they were Ramanujam and his wife from the previous incarnation. This is where science takes the back seat and religious belief such as reincarnation and karma takes the front seat.

For every knot that is made there is another knot that is untied. May be they are trying to balance between believers and skeptics in the movie? With change in gear and speed and the movie sags and stalls in a few places. Kallai Kandal and Mukunda was the only reprieve when story failed, popcorn was dry and coke turned flat.

Avtar singh getting cured by impinging bullet, Poovaraghan handing over the chain bearing the cross and later being killed by the Tsunami and Kalifullah Khan and clique trapped in the Mosque and saved from Tsunami – is it strange coincidence, divine play or is it blatant ploy of miracles in the age of science and technology?

Running two villains - the microbial vial and Fletcher was different and new to tamil film industry. Some of Fletcher’s stunts and chase around the city buildings made him feel like a localite more than foreigner. Balram Naidu, though humorous shines of ignorance. Shingen, Bush and Kalifulla Khan were not really helpful to the script and were not much different in their make-ups. Mallika Sherawat, and Asin come across as dumb bimbos, while KR Vijaya, Jayapradha and Nagesh were mere bubbles in the ocean.

There is ample discussion on action vs. reaction, god vs. goodness, cause vs. effect, science vs. religion and finally reincarnation vs. natural phenomenon, but brilliant dialogues loose sheen with lengthy, repetitive face and insipid script. This is a must watch movie for pseudo-intellectuals, this is a must watch movie for all those who believe in Newton’s third law of motion and time axis, but this movie may offend sentiments of the right wing and those who believe in god more than goodness.

The 10 avatars in Hinduism happened over a period of four yugas (each yuga is couple of thousands of years) and it all happens in a few nano yugas in the movie. This is like Life in a capsule kind, so please understand the limitation of the script and logical flaws in keeping the reel, real.

To be the best lawyer in the city one must be a criminal. Extending the same logic, you have to be a theist to turn into an atheist. Undoubtedly there is no one more competent than Kamalhassan to incarnate in 10 avatars in a span of just 3 hrs. But we could have done away with a few avatars and packed the movie with more fizz and excitement.

The first 15 mins was really gripping and riveting in terms of performance, dialogues and songs. I was thinking the movie would be a trendsetter asking the most right questions about religion and science. But as the reels run it turned out to be a big disappointment. All said and done nobody can uproot and re-program religious beliefs and sentiments in Indian brains with a mere 3 hour movie. With so many questions raised in the beginning of the movie, we expected an answer on science or religion, good or goodness, action or reaction. But there was no verdict given at the end of the movie – he closed the movie with the line “It would be nice if God is there”. I am not a skeptic and I walked out the movie hall scratching my head, what was he trying to say? Director and actor are both from orthodox hindu families, they can pretend to be an aethist, but in reality they are confused and caught in denial with their religious sentiments. In scientific parlance the movies was “inconclusive” and in religious parlance “offensive”. Will skeptics feel validated or do they feel same way like I did? Isn’t it safe to be ignorant and remain a muddle head than pretend to be intelligent and intellect (chaos theory, butterfly theory)?

Going gaga over Diamonds?

I came back from work and I looked around the house for the newspaper. I wanted to catch up with my morning friend before I left for gym. Like an ostrich I love to bury my face in it until I feel comfortable to see and talk to people in the morning. My beauty sleep had stretched beyond 8 am that morning and I had to skip my lovey dovey hour with my friend. It felt like going to work fully dressed without underwear, my spirits were loose and dangling. Hahah…

Waiting for my mothers filter coffee I turned to soiled newspaper, thanks to my dad. I was trying to arrange the sheets and there was this interesting article on the last page of “The Hindu” that arrested my eye balls. I was skimming through the article and by then my mother was ready with coffee made from freshly brewed Arabica. She was getting my spirits high with the coffee, I looked at the sparkling diamonds in her ear and what I was going to come out with was certain to dousing her spirits. “Do you know that you may be wearing your dead ancestors, animals in your ears and nose?” She was mortified when she heard it and the expression on her face were contorted. Should we have this conversation was what her expression said.

Till then I have never thought that the expensive diamonds that adorn the tiaras, crowns and decorate the gods and goddesses in the temples all came from dead animals, plants and humans. A Masters degree in chemical engineering and I had forgotten my science lessons and I had find a cover to hide my sparkling ignorance. What a shame!!

Coming back to diamonds, how beautiful is it to wear your dead mother, father, husband or grandmother in the form of a diamond pendant or a ring? There they are helplessly dangling around my neck. Sounds really weird, huh? Well this is what people are doing today.

Click here to read more on this….
http://media.www.thewestgeorgian.com/media/storage/paper523/news/2007/03/14/News/Diamonds.Out.Of.The.Dead.Making.Fasionably.Late.Relatives-2774403.shtml

We just need to re-write a tamil adage, “elephants are worth in thousands even if dead” to humans. The lust for diamonds will always sparkle even after death.