I wonder why I need to work hard for everything
I wonder if this actually means I am just unlucky or does it show how perseverent I am
I wonder why I need to be pushed to the limit in anything to break free or do something drastic
I wonder if all his indirectly validates the proverb - the best is always reserved for the last
I wonder if attention to detail is a virtue or a vice
I wonder how best one can live for TODAY yet work for TOMORROW
I wonder what the best way is for a great work life balance
I wonder if people can be as successful in both personal and professional lives
I wonder how tolerant is tolerant – when should one say ‘’that’s it’’!!
I wonder if patience and tolerance is still a virtue or a vice
I wonder if I didn’t do stuff that I ought to have done at the right time
I wonder if there is at all a right time for anything
I wonder if one needs to stop, reflect & ponder or just keep moving forward
I wonder what life will be in exactly 2 years time
I wonder if I can chill out a lot more without any pre-occupation
Saturday, August 29, 2009
WHAT IS & HOW SPACIOUS IS ONE’S PERSONAL SPACE!!??
I got thinking over the last few weeks on these two very important words – PERSONAL SPACE.
So what is the personal space???
· Does it mean time to be just alone with yourself?
· Does it mean physical space around you?
· Why do people need personal space?
· Does it mean being independent?
Lot more questions!! Lot more thoughts inside my mind…
As human beings we all surely have our own unique set of opinions, apprehensions, habits (physical and emotional), experiences. So these create and develop our day-to-day actions..because we all do and perform actions in both personal and professional lives…based on all of the above. Amidst the sea of humanity around us, our actions, reactions and emotions are completely unique. In all of this change and action, we all have this amazing ability to cut off, be lost in thoughts, chase our pursuits and live in our own small world.
So, when someone enters that small world (or should I say SPACIOUS!!??), it helps us understand, wonder, analyze or even question the similar/different perspectives that comes along. This person could be your mom, sister, girlfriend, spouse, co-worker….None of us likes being told what we should do, how we should think…simply because it questions our intrinsic thoughts/views/mindset….it is like being taken out of our comfort zone!!! Isn’t it??
And that I think is personal space…our thought process….having said that, it is only when we realize all by ourselves what should have / should our thoughts, actions and emotions be, that we get a different perspective….or reflect back on what other person might have intended…so I think personal space is surely also virtual…can be any size….and is constantly evolving!!!
So what is the personal space???
· Does it mean time to be just alone with yourself?
· Does it mean physical space around you?
· Why do people need personal space?
· Does it mean being independent?
Lot more questions!! Lot more thoughts inside my mind…
As human beings we all surely have our own unique set of opinions, apprehensions, habits (physical and emotional), experiences. So these create and develop our day-to-day actions..because we all do and perform actions in both personal and professional lives…based on all of the above. Amidst the sea of humanity around us, our actions, reactions and emotions are completely unique. In all of this change and action, we all have this amazing ability to cut off, be lost in thoughts, chase our pursuits and live in our own small world.
So, when someone enters that small world (or should I say SPACIOUS!!??), it helps us understand, wonder, analyze or even question the similar/different perspectives that comes along. This person could be your mom, sister, girlfriend, spouse, co-worker….None of us likes being told what we should do, how we should think…simply because it questions our intrinsic thoughts/views/mindset….it is like being taken out of our comfort zone!!! Isn’t it??
And that I think is personal space…our thought process….having said that, it is only when we realize all by ourselves what should have / should our thoughts, actions and emotions be, that we get a different perspective….or reflect back on what other person might have intended…so I think personal space is surely also virtual…can be any size….and is constantly evolving!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
My Name is Rajnikanth!!
The last 2 weeks of my mind share (or should I say heart share) has been dominated by Rajnikanth. Ya ..ya the superstar himself. Well chill…he doesn’t know me….I know him very well though :P
Watched one of his recent movies called KUSELAN. The name is from Indian mythology. Kuselan or Sudama is the name of Lord Krishna’s close childhood friend. With the passage of time, Krishna becomes King of Dwaraka while Sudama leads a life of poverty and distress in a small village. While Sudama/Kuselan is ashamed of his progress in life vis-a-vis Krishna and hence stays away from even trying to contact him; when he finally does, Lord Krishna remembers him fondly and in the memory of true friendship provides him wealth and comforts of his life.
The movie is based on this old mythological tale. Rajni plays himself while Pasupathi plays his childhood mate who is now a barber. Shy as his friend is to get back to his now celebrity friend, he lives a life of penury. Rajni lands up in his village for a 40 day shooting but Pasupathi is unable to meet Rajni in the midst of all the security and thronging local public desperate to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
Coincidentally, the school where Pasupathi’s children study wants to invite Rajni for their annual day function and knowing Pasupathi’s relationship with Rajni, expect him to ensure the star’s participation. The barber fails here again. Rajni accepts the invitation on his own and attends the function. His speech at the function is the highlight of the film where he remembers this old friend from the same school and recollects how what he is today is only because of that friend and his sacrifice of money to make Rajni pursue a film training course.
I was very touched and moved by this film; the underlying message and theme of the film. FRIENDSHIP!! A leaf out of Rajni’s real life. A friend from his days in Bangalore invested in paying the fee for Rajni’s course at the Chennai Film Institute. The lines in the film where he addresses the school annual function were written by Rajni himself. Probably a pouring out of feelings that were in him for years and something he has been conscious of.
I also picked up the biography of Rajnikanth (the title same as that of this post) just to get a closer look at this phenomenon. I have always been fascinated by him, a fan of his since childhood; better said, intrigued by his charisma and inner persona.
Well, he even came in my dreams; a sign of a high level of mind share that I started off this post mentioning about!!!
Watched one of his recent movies called KUSELAN. The name is from Indian mythology. Kuselan or Sudama is the name of Lord Krishna’s close childhood friend. With the passage of time, Krishna becomes King of Dwaraka while Sudama leads a life of poverty and distress in a small village. While Sudama/Kuselan is ashamed of his progress in life vis-a-vis Krishna and hence stays away from even trying to contact him; when he finally does, Lord Krishna remembers him fondly and in the memory of true friendship provides him wealth and comforts of his life.
The movie is based on this old mythological tale. Rajni plays himself while Pasupathi plays his childhood mate who is now a barber. Shy as his friend is to get back to his now celebrity friend, he lives a life of penury. Rajni lands up in his village for a 40 day shooting but Pasupathi is unable to meet Rajni in the midst of all the security and thronging local public desperate to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
Coincidentally, the school where Pasupathi’s children study wants to invite Rajni for their annual day function and knowing Pasupathi’s relationship with Rajni, expect him to ensure the star’s participation. The barber fails here again. Rajni accepts the invitation on his own and attends the function. His speech at the function is the highlight of the film where he remembers this old friend from the same school and recollects how what he is today is only because of that friend and his sacrifice of money to make Rajni pursue a film training course.
I was very touched and moved by this film; the underlying message and theme of the film. FRIENDSHIP!! A leaf out of Rajni’s real life. A friend from his days in Bangalore invested in paying the fee for Rajni’s course at the Chennai Film Institute. The lines in the film where he addresses the school annual function were written by Rajni himself. Probably a pouring out of feelings that were in him for years and something he has been conscious of.
I also picked up the biography of Rajnikanth (the title same as that of this post) just to get a closer look at this phenomenon. I have always been fascinated by him, a fan of his since childhood; better said, intrigued by his charisma and inner persona.
Well, he even came in my dreams; a sign of a high level of mind share that I started off this post mentioning about!!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Under the Tuscan sun
I caught a movie recently a movie by this name on HBO and mighty liked it.
The story is about a recently separated woman writer (played by Diane Lane) who in a bid to recover from the personal sorrow hops onto a tour bus going to Tuscany (somewhere in Italy I guess). She suddenly grows fond of a old villa there in Tuscany and decided to buy it!!! Being an old villa, she spends an entire year redoing it with the help of a few random workmen who are busy recreating the home the way she likes it.
She says in the movie ''I want to stop being afraid of doing something and be fearless!! If that means doing something as weird as buying a villa in Tuscany (!!) then so be it. I am at least not scared of action and went ahead with what my heart said''
The personal sorrow also turns her to constantly seek love and be SOMEONE SPECIAL for that someone. She also yearns to cook for someone and have a wedding in what is now a beautiful villa.
The story moves onto her search for love and people who belong to her. First it is love at first sight with an Italian businessman which doesn't take off as planned. But then she supports the marriage of a young couple (whom she knows well) despite being against the wishes of the parents. This is the sense of belonging she craves for and finally finds love in the form of a fellow writer.
The wedding of this young couple happens in the villa she recreated and as she finds love, there is a sense of magic she feels that Tuscany and the Tuscan sun created for her. She then realises that all that she wished for came true; people to cook for, finding love and belonging to people who matter to her.
One of her close friends in the movie says ''Whatever happens, never let the childish innocence in you die!!''. I was very moved by this thought. I also saw a strong underlying theme of HOPE in the movie. Searching constantly with the HOPE that there is a better tomorrow. The fact that all of us yearn for love and care; giving or sharing was depicted beautifully in the film.
And who better to play this role than Diane Lane?? She has this sense of adventure, a constantly ticking mind yet looking vulnerable & longing for simple human needs of love and care. Check out how amazingly well Diane Lane portrays being a woman and a girl all at the same time.
Check out:
The story is about a recently separated woman writer (played by Diane Lane) who in a bid to recover from the personal sorrow hops onto a tour bus going to Tuscany (somewhere in Italy I guess). She suddenly grows fond of a old villa there in Tuscany and decided to buy it!!! Being an old villa, she spends an entire year redoing it with the help of a few random workmen who are busy recreating the home the way she likes it.
She says in the movie ''I want to stop being afraid of doing something and be fearless!! If that means doing something as weird as buying a villa in Tuscany (!!) then so be it. I am at least not scared of action and went ahead with what my heart said''
The personal sorrow also turns her to constantly seek love and be SOMEONE SPECIAL for that someone. She also yearns to cook for someone and have a wedding in what is now a beautiful villa.
The story moves onto her search for love and people who belong to her. First it is love at first sight with an Italian businessman which doesn't take off as planned. But then she supports the marriage of a young couple (whom she knows well) despite being against the wishes of the parents. This is the sense of belonging she craves for and finally finds love in the form of a fellow writer.
The wedding of this young couple happens in the villa she recreated and as she finds love, there is a sense of magic she feels that Tuscany and the Tuscan sun created for her. She then realises that all that she wished for came true; people to cook for, finding love and belonging to people who matter to her.
One of her close friends in the movie says ''Whatever happens, never let the childish innocence in you die!!''. I was very moved by this thought. I also saw a strong underlying theme of HOPE in the movie. Searching constantly with the HOPE that there is a better tomorrow. The fact that all of us yearn for love and care; giving or sharing was depicted beautifully in the film.
And who better to play this role than Diane Lane?? She has this sense of adventure, a constantly ticking mind yet looking vulnerable & longing for simple human needs of love and care. Check out how amazingly well Diane Lane portrays being a woman and a girl all at the same time.
Check out:
- That strong emotion called HOPE seen in the movie
- Strong human emotions like LOVE sprinkled throughout the film
- The picturesque Tuscany
- Diane Lane's ever-ticking & resilient mind
- Nice Italian background score & 'that' accent
- Fast paced narration
- For the women (ladies first you see!!) - the good looking Italian men with that above mentioned accent ;);)
- For the men - Diane Lane herself ;);)
Ogays!! Enjoy watching this film..bubye!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Ilaiyaraja & AR Rahman
This used to be the very subject of intense discussions, debates, fights and rivalry during my days in undergrad and engineering college. For the uninitiated, these are 2 legendary Tamil film music directors. Ilaiyaraja ruled the Tamil film world in the 1970s into the early 1990s. AR Rahman, took over from the early 1990s to where he is today.
Now, a quick look at their backgrounds. Ilaiyaraja (translated the young king/crown prince) came from a small village in Tamilnadu, from the grassroots as a performing sessions guitar artist to break into Tamil film music in 1976 and never looked back. He had strong roots in Tamil folk music, something that could be seen throughout his musical compositions. He also brought in the Western form of music, pop and instrumental into Tamil music. His music had a terrific sense of melody that draws me to him even today. That’s the biggest reason for his fan following across India.
AR Rahman, formerly Dileep, was a Chennaite by birth but came through difficult times in his youth due to family conditions. He in fact played under Ilaiyaraja before breaking into Tamil music on his own with Roja (1991). Rahman came in as the refreshing new sound of Tamil cinema and Indian cinema over the initial years. The sound of his music had immense clarity, a lot of Western influence, strong dose of technology and a modern touch.
I have had this debate/discussion about these 2 pillars of Tamil music and here are a few:
· Ilaiyaraja still holds the slight edge on melody than Rahman
· However, Rahman’s melody numbers are unbelievable and given the sign of times where popular numbers rule the charts, one hasn’t heard of them unless one had a collection of his melody numbers.
· Ilaiyaraja’s popularity is limited to Tamilnadu and South India; and across a strongly rural audience
· Rahman on the other hand has gone beyond Indian shores; he is now a global player. And that’s what amazes me. Blame it on the media and hype created by it. But you should have a reach to then promote it.
· Ilaiyaraja used almost the same group of singers for all his movies – SPB, Jesudoss, Chitra, Janaki; ARR on the other hand has introduced innumerable voices to the Indian masses – Karthik, Hariharan, Sreenivas and many more. This I think clinches it for ARR – creating and grooming the future.
· ARR brought in the culture of different singers for each song of a movie which was non-existent that time.
· Ilaiyaraja had a very mediocre group of chorus singers and never gave them credit; ARR had a brilliant bunch of prominent chorus singers and he would always name them in every album of his – Febi, Kanchana for eg.
· ARR would bring in the best instrumentalists from wherever for just one song – Kadri Gopalnath for saxophone for Duet, Vikku Vinayakram for Ghatam and many more. It was horses for courses approach. But only the best.
· ARR always comes up with something new and seems to change himself just when you think he is predictable – say from jingles to movies, from movies to non-film music, from Indian to world movies, to Broadway. Always reinventing himself.
· Ilaiyaraja was a volume player – scoring in many movies at one time; unlike ARR the perfectionist who would score for one/two movies in a year. There have been reports of him turning down film offers which demanded from him a quick film release.
· ARR has often been accused of stealing numbers from Western music; something unheard of from Ilaiyaraja.
So that’s my take on these 2 legends of Indian music. Whatever said and done, the ultimate beneficiary remains music and that’s what matters. It has to pass hands, keep the relay going, progressing from strength to strength.
Now, a quick look at their backgrounds. Ilaiyaraja (translated the young king/crown prince) came from a small village in Tamilnadu, from the grassroots as a performing sessions guitar artist to break into Tamil film music in 1976 and never looked back. He had strong roots in Tamil folk music, something that could be seen throughout his musical compositions. He also brought in the Western form of music, pop and instrumental into Tamil music. His music had a terrific sense of melody that draws me to him even today. That’s the biggest reason for his fan following across India.
AR Rahman, formerly Dileep, was a Chennaite by birth but came through difficult times in his youth due to family conditions. He in fact played under Ilaiyaraja before breaking into Tamil music on his own with Roja (1991). Rahman came in as the refreshing new sound of Tamil cinema and Indian cinema over the initial years. The sound of his music had immense clarity, a lot of Western influence, strong dose of technology and a modern touch.
I have had this debate/discussion about these 2 pillars of Tamil music and here are a few:
· Ilaiyaraja still holds the slight edge on melody than Rahman
· However, Rahman’s melody numbers are unbelievable and given the sign of times where popular numbers rule the charts, one hasn’t heard of them unless one had a collection of his melody numbers.
· Ilaiyaraja’s popularity is limited to Tamilnadu and South India; and across a strongly rural audience
· Rahman on the other hand has gone beyond Indian shores; he is now a global player. And that’s what amazes me. Blame it on the media and hype created by it. But you should have a reach to then promote it.
· Ilaiyaraja used almost the same group of singers for all his movies – SPB, Jesudoss, Chitra, Janaki; ARR on the other hand has introduced innumerable voices to the Indian masses – Karthik, Hariharan, Sreenivas and many more. This I think clinches it for ARR – creating and grooming the future.
· ARR brought in the culture of different singers for each song of a movie which was non-existent that time.
· Ilaiyaraja had a very mediocre group of chorus singers and never gave them credit; ARR had a brilliant bunch of prominent chorus singers and he would always name them in every album of his – Febi, Kanchana for eg.
· ARR would bring in the best instrumentalists from wherever for just one song – Kadri Gopalnath for saxophone for Duet, Vikku Vinayakram for Ghatam and many more. It was horses for courses approach. But only the best.
· ARR always comes up with something new and seems to change himself just when you think he is predictable – say from jingles to movies, from movies to non-film music, from Indian to world movies, to Broadway. Always reinventing himself.
· Ilaiyaraja was a volume player – scoring in many movies at one time; unlike ARR the perfectionist who would score for one/two movies in a year. There have been reports of him turning down film offers which demanded from him a quick film release.
· ARR has often been accused of stealing numbers from Western music; something unheard of from Ilaiyaraja.
So that’s my take on these 2 legends of Indian music. Whatever said and done, the ultimate beneficiary remains music and that’s what matters. It has to pass hands, keep the relay going, progressing from strength to strength.
A NEW CITY…A NEW LIFE…
I just completed a month of living in my rented . Umm nice…
It is a 1 BHK apartment, on the second floor with a nice balcony facing a lot of trees and is snuggled in reasonable amount of quietness (given the noisy, concrete jungles that our cities have become). There are so many pet dogs around; it made me wonder if there are more pets than humans around me!!!!!
Oh breaking news!! I have started cooking and believe me it’s an amazing feeling. Having eaten out for close to 8 years, I surely relish the taste of simple home cooked food. It also made me understand and realize at first-hand the tough and demanding life, women live in the kitchens. Look back at all the early morning running around our moms did to get us up and running to school (literally) …it all came back to me and made me feel so grateful for all those years of unconditional love.
Well coming back to my cooking - it started with breakfast stuff, milk and corn flakes, toast and stuff to poha (Indian breakfast dish). The last week saw an upswing in this department; to more full fledged lunch & dinner. The rasam and sambhar (south Indian dishes) got done and I even carried home cooked lunch to work. And like I said earlier, it just felt great!! The fact that you are self-reliant and its very much in your hands what and how much you want to eat. This is one YUMMY feeling I tell ya.
One of the best times I have had in this apartment is the piping hot cuppa coffee I have sitting in my balcony in the morning. Its one helluva feeling. Birds chirping, otherwise quiet green surroundings, the morning breeze and the strong taste of Nescafe.
So here is to my home, its coziness, my new found culinary skills and happy living out here!! Cheers!!! :):):)
It is a 1 BHK apartment, on the second floor with a nice balcony facing a lot of trees and is snuggled in reasonable amount of quietness (given the noisy, concrete jungles that our cities have become). There are so many pet dogs around; it made me wonder if there are more pets than humans around me!!!!!
Oh breaking news!! I have started cooking and believe me it’s an amazing feeling. Having eaten out for close to 8 years, I surely relish the taste of simple home cooked food. It also made me understand and realize at first-hand the tough and demanding life, women live in the kitchens. Look back at all the early morning running around our moms did to get us up and running to school (literally) …it all came back to me and made me feel so grateful for all those years of unconditional love.
Well coming back to my cooking - it started with breakfast stuff, milk and corn flakes, toast and stuff to poha (Indian breakfast dish). The last week saw an upswing in this department; to more full fledged lunch & dinner. The rasam and sambhar (south Indian dishes) got done and I even carried home cooked lunch to work. And like I said earlier, it just felt great!! The fact that you are self-reliant and its very much in your hands what and how much you want to eat. This is one YUMMY feeling I tell ya.
One of the best times I have had in this apartment is the piping hot cuppa coffee I have sitting in my balcony in the morning. Its one helluva feeling. Birds chirping, otherwise quiet green surroundings, the morning breeze and the strong taste of Nescafe.
So here is to my home, its coziness, my new found culinary skills and happy living out here!! Cheers!!! :):):)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
FATHER'S DAY
While being online sometime last week, I came across the fact June 21 is WORLD FATHER’S DAY. I wonder many a time that fathers are surely less recognized / celebrated as compared to mothers. I am sure there was more publicity and hype around MOTHER’S DAY.
Now why this step-motherly treatment to a father (the usage sounds weird right?)…see even there mothers rule!!!! :):) kidding!!!
I do believe there is a reason for this. A mother has a biological connect to the child simply because that’s the way it is. No two ways about that. And hence the influence a mother has on her child. It’s that simple. Do a quick check: you will surely be closer to the relatives/cousins on your maternal side than the paternal side. RIGHT? That’s how strong her influence is.
I believe that dads don’t get their due as the equal half in parenting. Isn’t that so unfair? Poor men!!! They might typically not be as outwardly emotional or affectionate as the mom but come on; they have done stuff for you, cared for you as much….and hence deserve their share of receiving.
In a typical family system like in India, the father is your window to the outside world: sports, education, employment, money to name a few. These tend to gain more importance and self-realisation towards the later years compared to the early formative years where the mother exerts a huge influence and impact. That’s probably the reason that a father’s contribution seems rather intangible and hard to measure when compared to a mom’s. Importantly in the above aspects mentioned, the influence of peers and friends by then becomes as important. And hence further dilution in his perceived contribution and impact.
These were thoughts even as I sent out FATHER’S DAY greetings to my dad and spent an hour thinking of what he has done for me. What he means to me and my life.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! And I wish we could say like the Maruti Suzuki SX4 commercial – ‘’MEN ARE BACK’’!!! ;););)
Now why this step-motherly treatment to a father (the usage sounds weird right?)…see even there mothers rule!!!! :):) kidding!!!
I do believe there is a reason for this. A mother has a biological connect to the child simply because that’s the way it is. No two ways about that. And hence the influence a mother has on her child. It’s that simple. Do a quick check: you will surely be closer to the relatives/cousins on your maternal side than the paternal side. RIGHT? That’s how strong her influence is.
I believe that dads don’t get their due as the equal half in parenting. Isn’t that so unfair? Poor men!!! They might typically not be as outwardly emotional or affectionate as the mom but come on; they have done stuff for you, cared for you as much….and hence deserve their share of receiving.
In a typical family system like in India, the father is your window to the outside world: sports, education, employment, money to name a few. These tend to gain more importance and self-realisation towards the later years compared to the early formative years where the mother exerts a huge influence and impact. That’s probably the reason that a father’s contribution seems rather intangible and hard to measure when compared to a mom’s. Importantly in the above aspects mentioned, the influence of peers and friends by then becomes as important. And hence further dilution in his perceived contribution and impact.
These were thoughts even as I sent out FATHER’S DAY greetings to my dad and spent an hour thinking of what he has done for me. What he means to me and my life.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!! And I wish we could say like the Maruti Suzuki SX4 commercial – ‘’MEN ARE BACK’’!!! ;););)
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