After a week away in the sizzling Metropolis, its heavenly to come back to still silence. Not so still with a lot of birds chirping, the occasional vehicle honking and all the sounds of household living around.
But still removed from the madding crowd.
Enroute to Chennai, Coimbatore was baking away. I thought firmly I mustn't mention the weather. It happens every year and people do live though it. And I grew up in the heat. What's new?
Suddenly I felt sympathetic to poor NRIs who transplant themselves every holiday into all sorts of conditions they've grown unaccustomed to. And when they do complain, we give them beady glares which say ' so where did you come from'?
I do feel like giving a left hook to someone who says 'oh you have buffaloes on the road!' after having been away for a year or two. Maybe with time I will be able to forgive this too.
But, everywhere we went, people did talk about the weather. In a very British way, it seems to bind us together and form a very good topic of conversation. And we needed it. We were going around inviting lots of people to the wedding in between lots of shopping. Many were people we've never visited.
People do think its mad in this day and age to go around personally inviting people. But it seems a good occasion to connect. Otherwise, we hardly take the time and trouble to cultivate people whom we're just acquainted with. Even if they are relatives.
And since, its absolutely a gross mistake to ring up and find out if people are available (I learnt it the hard way ), one can gatecrash and see how people actually live. Its interesting . And easier on them too. They know you are there to visit for only 5 minutes so everyone is happier and warmer. Even if you've broken their slumber or favorite tv program.
Since in my family its considered uncivilized to do anything in a sedate sanitized manner, as many people as possible will fit into any car going anywhere. Which meant that 7 of us were traveling around the city on a hot day in a small car including one very small hyperactive child. So it took time for people to unload and load at each stop, lots of spilling of kumkum, loosing cellphones and other paraphernalia at different houses, counter instructions to the driver, arguments about where next,family gossip in full spate and generally what is considered a boring chore was never that.
The city does unwind one in its own way.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Santhosh Subramanian
Do you dislike ‘cute girls’? I do. The heroine of this movie, Hasini is far more pert, bubbly, cuter than any modern heroine. Very very difficult to digest.
By the interval, I was thinking -This must be one of the most stupid films I’ve ever seen. We were at the theatre to keep my mind off a couple of things. I said to Darshini that I should have stayed home and kept my mind on those things instead.Only knowing it was a super duper hit in telugu kept us there to see if the story would finally start after the break.
It did a bit. The film makes one point but takes a long while getting there. In many Indian families, its Father Knows best. It was in mine and I still find it very difficult to make a decision of which my father does not approve.
Its not that Father or Mother is bad or makes wrong decisions or does not consider carefully each decision . They have the child's interest so much at heart they can't let go.The child never gets to make decisions on his own. The parent knows whats best and what is right for the child.
Santhosh Subramanian is the story of one such relationship when the father doesn't let go of his child’s hand until he is forced to.
Maybe that is why the movie was popular. Because many people can identify with it.
NOte: Many many people seem to disagree with me:-))) They like the movie very much.
The HIndu has given it a good review. But since the general thumb rule is 'if the HIndu gives a good review, it must be a bummer', that can be disregarded.
And Darshini's friend wants her to find him a bride just like Genelia in the movie.!
Taste is a very individual thing:-))))))
By the interval, I was thinking -This must be one of the most stupid films I’ve ever seen. We were at the theatre to keep my mind off a couple of things. I said to Darshini that I should have stayed home and kept my mind on those things instead.Only knowing it was a super duper hit in telugu kept us there to see if the story would finally start after the break.
It did a bit. The film makes one point but takes a long while getting there. In many Indian families, its Father Knows best. It was in mine and I still find it very difficult to make a decision of which my father does not approve.
Its not that Father or Mother is bad or makes wrong decisions or does not consider carefully each decision . They have the child's interest so much at heart they can't let go.The child never gets to make decisions on his own. The parent knows whats best and what is right for the child.
Santhosh Subramanian is the story of one such relationship when the father doesn't let go of his child’s hand until he is forced to.
Maybe that is why the movie was popular. Because many people can identify with it.
NOte: Many many people seem to disagree with me:-))) They like the movie very much.
The HIndu has given it a good review. But since the general thumb rule is 'if the HIndu gives a good review, it must be a bummer', that can be disregarded.
And Darshini's friend wants her to find him a bride just like Genelia in the movie.!
Taste is a very individual thing:-))))))
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bride-In-Waiting
You'd think or rather Mad Mothers like to think or so we've been brainwashed to think - that Girls-going-to-get-Married would spend their time applying papaya/banana/cucumber to their faces and learning to cook and worrying about what to wear.
Obviously this is not happening here. Driving classes, junketing around the countryside getting more tanned, reading stuff she's missed out these last years and being involved in every bit of the wedding plans is shocking everyone around.
Note: The pic has the wedding invitations arranged in front - its not the floor. I'm not brave enough to go in for a white floor.
The cards were laid out to dry after dotting them with the customary turmeric at the edges. It just seemed a good pic.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Ammu aahia Naan
This movie still lingers in my mind even a month later. Maybe because of the photography , maybe because of the settings ,maybe because of the makeup , maybe because of the acting and maybe because of the story line which were all so good.
The characters are so different from people one meets generally in real life, that one can't quite accept the story. Would this be how a girl would feel in these circumstances?
Ammu is an orphan growing up in a brothel.Her emotional life evolves in stages.
In the first part, she gets initiated into the profession which she accepts happily and easily.
Then comes the idealistic hero - a writer who wants to rescue her, by marrying her. She refuses, saying she cant stay with one man. But the death of another inmate persuades her.
The third is her metamorphosis into a loving housewife although she doesn't really love him all that much when she marries him. His patience with her changes her behavior and feelings.
But the lover emerges strong.When there is a test. The depth of the love between them is enviable and beautiful.
But is it real? I really don't know. But a beautiful and path breaking movie.
The characters are so different from people one meets generally in real life, that one can't quite accept the story. Would this be how a girl would feel in these circumstances?
Ammu is an orphan growing up in a brothel.Her emotional life evolves in stages.
In the first part, she gets initiated into the profession which she accepts happily and easily.
Then comes the idealistic hero - a writer who wants to rescue her, by marrying her. She refuses, saying she cant stay with one man. But the death of another inmate persuades her.
The third is her metamorphosis into a loving housewife although she doesn't really love him all that much when she marries him. His patience with her changes her behavior and feelings.
But the lover emerges strong.When there is a test. The depth of the love between them is enviable and beautiful.
But is it real? I really don't know. But a beautiful and path breaking movie.
Yaaradi Nee Mohini
We just wanted to see a movie.Anything - for a break from the routine of the past week.
We saw the poster for this movie, thought family type- can't be too bad even if Danush is in it. Rang a couple of friends, they were in the same state of ennui and with hardly any planning 5 of us were watching the movie.Maybe it was just being together after a long time; maybe it was low expectations, but we all enjoyed the movie.
Light wholesome comedy, a lighter story line, lots of dripping sentiment and a co-operative team which seems to have said- I have this idea, I've seen it,I want to insert this somewhere. And got it done. Danush seems to have wanted to try to better than his father-in-law in the same kind of scenes, such as the snake scene. Nayantara becomes a homely family girl again and looks glamorous even as hard career girl. Not sure what Karthik is doing here. except that his komanam scene is one of the best in the movie.
Absolute time pass.
We saw the poster for this movie, thought family type- can't be too bad even if Danush is in it. Rang a couple of friends, they were in the same state of ennui and with hardly any planning 5 of us were watching the movie.Maybe it was just being together after a long time; maybe it was low expectations, but we all enjoyed the movie.
Light wholesome comedy, a lighter story line, lots of dripping sentiment and a co-operative team which seems to have said- I have this idea, I've seen it,I want to insert this somewhere. And got it done. Danush seems to have wanted to try to better than his father-in-law in the same kind of scenes, such as the snake scene. Nayantara becomes a homely family girl again and looks glamorous even as hard career girl. Not sure what Karthik is doing here. except that his komanam scene is one of the best in the movie.
Absolute time pass.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Quality of Classy People
What defines class? Or what makes a person classy? Darshini and I were discussing this today on a walk.
Before I bring up some of the answers we found, I have to say I reserve the right to be politically incorrect and as biased as I want to be on my blog. We know that good taste shouldn't be defined by someone; people shouldn't be slotted into categories or classes, one person is not better than another because of his or her activities, that we shouldn't like a person more because he or she is physically attractive.
And yet we are incorrigible, aren't we when it comes to judging and classifying people?
To get back, after happily discussing a great many people we know, we thought that some things could define the few that we thought as people with class.
People who don't push and pull, who don't yell (mostly), who treat everyone the same, who don't look over your shoulder while talking to you; people who don't crib and complain a lot, people who are good humored mostly , are not afraid to spend money...
But overall its a feeling that they give out- they accept and know themselves and know where they are going. They neither puff themselves up nor demean themselves in any way. They have a nice feel about them.
Any other definitions?
Before I bring up some of the answers we found, I have to say I reserve the right to be politically incorrect and as biased as I want to be on my blog. We know that good taste shouldn't be defined by someone; people shouldn't be slotted into categories or classes, one person is not better than another because of his or her activities, that we shouldn't like a person more because he or she is physically attractive.
And yet we are incorrigible, aren't we when it comes to judging and classifying people?
To get back, after happily discussing a great many people we know, we thought that some things could define the few that we thought as people with class.
People who don't push and pull, who don't yell (mostly), who treat everyone the same, who don't look over your shoulder while talking to you; people who don't crib and complain a lot, people who are good humored mostly , are not afraid to spend money...
But overall its a feeling that they give out- they accept and know themselves and know where they are going. They neither puff themselves up nor demean themselves in any way. They have a nice feel about them.
Any other definitions?
A Ripple of Life
We are visiting the family deity ( brought into the limelight suddenly after many years of dull obscurity ) in a tiny rural community some miles from Tiruvarur. The blindingly bright green paddy fields around Tanjavur have been left behind. This area is a little more dry with paddy spread on the roads to be threshed by passing vehicles. Of course the paddy gets caught in the car wheels and we have to stop to remove it. A bus going the opposite way is brought to a halt before us. A very young conductor steps out. Behind him a gaggle of young boys fall out of the bus and approach us uncertainly . We never discover what is it they mean to do ? One thing clear is- they are all bemused by this carload of city slickers and no one is irritated by the unnecessary delay. The car moves to the side of the road and they stare curiously in as they pass by. The scene is so rural that I want to film it myself. And I see what inspires our hundreds of filmmakers - the dark turbaned old man riding slowly through the green country side - lambs and goats gamboling on the road in front - a young couple with a babe in arms waiting patiently at the side of the road for the bus- a rickety ramshackle school with plants growing all over it -
We reach the temple- a small building with a few huts around . The inside is dark and cemented. The Amman is a dark statue one can hardly see. Not really very appealing. Till the pujari starts his riutals.
He bathes Her in a couple of pots of water. Her dark form glistens sinuously and she suddenly comes to life. She has so many beautiful curves. He highlights them with milk and then with turmeric laced water and covers her with banana paste.
Suddenly she is clean again and covered in minutes with a bright yellow saree. The gaudy gold embroidery looks lovely in this setting. With a sure hand, the pujari adorns her person with huge round turmeric and kumkum dots. I suddenly think that with the advent of sticker bindis its years since I did it for myself.
With deftness, he garlands her and with most of her form hidden, she is now mysterious and a Goddess, a woman no more.
Suddenly there are a host of urchins at the door. Sans underwear but with a tumbler in each hand. Ready to receive the prasadam, unapologetic, unabashed ,the food of the Gods theirs by divine right.
And the morning is complete.
We reach the temple- a small building with a few huts around . The inside is dark and cemented. The Amman is a dark statue one can hardly see. Not really very appealing. Till the pujari starts his riutals.
He bathes Her in a couple of pots of water. Her dark form glistens sinuously and she suddenly comes to life. She has so many beautiful curves. He highlights them with milk and then with turmeric laced water and covers her with banana paste.
Suddenly she is clean again and covered in minutes with a bright yellow saree. The gaudy gold embroidery looks lovely in this setting. With a sure hand, the pujari adorns her person with huge round turmeric and kumkum dots. I suddenly think that with the advent of sticker bindis its years since I did it for myself.
With deftness, he garlands her and with most of her form hidden, she is now mysterious and a Goddess, a woman no more.
Suddenly there are a host of urchins at the door. Sans underwear but with a tumbler in each hand. Ready to receive the prasadam, unapologetic, unabashed ,the food of the Gods theirs by divine right.
And the morning is complete.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Stray thoughts and Moments
- People of all ages and classes make contact with babies and little children, whatever may be the background of their families, rich or poor, North or South Indian. Why do the barriers grow as we age? What do we fear when we see another human being?
- crowded temples make the business of actually getting to the deity so cumbersome it leaves very little thought for actually thinking of god. Or does a true devotee see or feel none of the harassment?
- we did the last bit of the trip to Ooty in a fibreglass bus with transparent top. Nice feel but gets rather hot. Pleasant after the mist and drizzle came down.The bus was rather empty because the ticket costs thrice the normal. Not a very successful venture of the govt.
- When one spends long periods with other people, then their problems do get transferred to one. How does one stay unaffected? When does the detachment come?
- 'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'
sign of on a friend's email and oh so true
- A first visit to a specialist bangle shop was fascinating. The man there puts various combinations of bangles together, after studying each saree, bringing up combinations we would never dream of. He was an artist. The bangles themselves probably dont cost too much but we are paying for the look, his artistry and the happiness of looking at art.I wish I could take some pics and do him justice. Next time.
- crowded temples make the business of actually getting to the deity so cumbersome it leaves very little thought for actually thinking of god. Or does a true devotee see or feel none of the harassment?
- we did the last bit of the trip to Ooty in a fibreglass bus with transparent top. Nice feel but gets rather hot. Pleasant after the mist and drizzle came down.The bus was rather empty because the ticket costs thrice the normal. Not a very successful venture of the govt.
- When one spends long periods with other people, then their problems do get transferred to one. How does one stay unaffected? When does the detachment come?
- 'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'
sign of on a friend's email and oh so true
- A first visit to a specialist bangle shop was fascinating. The man there puts various combinations of bangles together, after studying each saree, bringing up combinations we would never dream of. He was an artist. The bangles themselves probably dont cost too much but we are paying for the look, his artistry and the happiness of looking at art.I wish I could take some pics and do him justice. Next time.
Journey
Sometimes a long trip can leave you feeling jaded more than refreshed. When its not just a holiday.But a few more things tagged on.
This was a landmark journey. For Darshini's convocation.Though, as she is quick to point out I ended up taking more pics of her friend whose parents hadn't come and only a couple of her.
Since my cousin Anandhi had come along, we did the Konark-Puri trip again with the families of other students.
Puri temple this time was not very crowded and we could see the deity for a few secs.
But, the pandas there do create a hysteria which is unnerving and force one to give handouts in desperation to get a glimpse of the deity.
Konark was amazing again. This time we dispensed with the guide and I realised I could hardly remember anything said from last time. So what is the point? One should be looking and finding out things for oneself. To see all those erotic carvings is rather embarrassing in company, especially with your children.What I enjoyed more was the shocked and embarrassed comments from the party of women.
Coming back to the house after a long break is a little shocking. The colours are mind blowing:-)Ravi wrote to ask if sun glasses are supplied or he has to bring his own.
But the still silence and no-demands-schedule is oh so soothing.
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