Kavithai ... Cult ... 96 The Movie

முரளியின் கண் ஜாடை அழகு, சுபாஷினியின் அதட்டல் அழகு

ராமச்சந்திரனின் மெல்லிய வெட்கம் அழகு, கூச்சம் அழகு, ஆழ்  மனதின் ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் அழகு, பதட்டம் அழகு , தவிப்பு மிக அழகு ...

ஜானகியின் கூந்தல் சாயம் அழகு, காதோடு ஒட்டிப்போன குமிழ் அழகு, காதோரத்தில் கூந்தல் சேர்க்கும் மயிர் குச்சி அழகு, புருவம் இடையில் குங்குமம் அழகு, மை மிகைப்படுத்திய கண் அழகு, மஞ்சள் போர்வையில் வாத்து நடை கூட அழகு, ராம் மீது கொண்ட உரிமை அழகு, துயரத்தில் அலங்கோலமான மயிர் அழகு, காலம் கடந்த தூயரத்தில் விடும் கண்ணீர் அழகு, ரயில் பயணத்தில் குழந்தை சிரிப்பு அழகு, ஆண் உடையிலும் அவ்வளவு அழகு, கழுத்தில் தவழும் தாலி சரடு அய்யய்யோ அவ்வளவு அழகு...

மொத்தத்துல திரிஷா வேற ரேஞ்சு.... இருவரும்  கார் கியரில் கை ஸபரிசிப்பது  கவிதை...

I was able to see only Janu in the entire frame, but Ram comes across with some mind-blowing performance… Cinematography and Chinmayi voice needs special mention along with the Music Director who had let the emotions do the talking on many occasions than the BGM...

157 நிமிடங்கள் திரையில்  கவிதை  வடித்த இயக்குனரை பாராட்ட வார்த்தைகளே இல்லை...

We could ask for more such movies but not sure even if he will be able to pull it off again …

Could not imagine a better end to the movie... The lead pair not hugging till end gives just the perfect high...More than a movie it was a sweet journey and I just wanted it to continue... It was like walking with the one you loved the most irrespective of the place… It put a smile in my face and it has not gone away yet… Couldn’t understand why it is that way either…The best I can say is, it gave the same feeling you get, when the one you love gives u a wink and smile from a distance …

என்னமோ செஞ்சிடுச்சு.... என்னனு தெரியலை ...

If I were Ram I would have dropped Janu at Singapore airport... At least till Trichy being a domestic flight …

Even before watching the movie I had a positive vibe about the movie for no reason and I couldn't take anything negative on the movie... Now that I have watched, I can only smirk at those...

I would rather look a fool to people who don't like or give a damn about this movie instead of proving them wrong ...

It Happens ... It Happened .. ! ! !

I was on bench for quite some time and had rejected couple of ludicrous project assignments rubbing few shoulders on the way. I was living quite dangerously for quite a few months, it all started turning around in last week of Jan 2019. In fact I had attended an client interview and cleared to work as a test manager for a new project in a new domain. We were on the proposal while assisting in tracking another automation project as well on the side. Things started taking a turn when I decided to have a one-on-one meeting with my L1 asking to move me into Quality team and in parallel the project getting delayed. And this was in midst of a company takeover. ! ! ! I had to convince my wife for a Bangalore move as the quality opening was available only in Bangalore and in fact started house hunting to enjoy a bachelor life after 5 years, hiding my fear about living alone again :) I was no more an asset and became a liability to my L1 and she had no reason to hold me. I was in the open turf ready to be shot at. I had meanwhile negotiated and agreed to take up a technical role completely out of my comfort zone with my previous Manager. I was to go and talk to my RM and confirm the change and move into the new role in couple of days.

It was at this moment I received a ping from the HR asking me to come a conference room. I could sense what was going on and informed my confidantes before I joined the so called meeting. As feared I was shown the door stating that they were not able to find me any projects. I was just perplexed and went mad in my head. I was angry, disappointed, frustrated, cheated, let down etc etc but in a corner felt happy also for some reason. My emotions were running high, and I just wanted to burst right there. It seemed like the end. I wanted to leave the room blaming them for ruining my life. But didn’t and in hindsight that was the right thing to do. I would have done the same , had i been in their place. They had been supportive of me for the past 8 years and the same guys even retained me a year back when I was forcing to find my way out of the company. The HR was arrogant to the core and she did get under my skin, but I liked the deal of being paid few months' of salary for my service and immediate termination.

I just had to leave not having a farewell from my team or friends. That was my only disappointment at that point of time. I always wanted this rosy farewell from my team when I left the organisation and a parting gift :)

I know it was not because I performed bad and I know I was better for sure. I know I was financially ok to handle the situation. I knew this was bound to happen and this is how corporates operate having seen through couple of recession earlier. But still the reality dawns on you no matter how well prepared you are. The next 2 days was really painful and I shut myself completely from outside world, just vented out my anger and frustration by avoiding even a morsel of food for almost 2 days straight. I pity my partner for she could do nothing to make me feel better. It took me almost 10 days for me to completely get out of what had happened out of my system. Thanks to the meditation school I am associated with. Ideally it should have been much quicker, but being the person I was, 10 days was not bad. People very close to me would consider it damn quick.

What was more heartening to hear was, when people said they thought I will be alright and will handle the situation with ease. Everyone that I called for help did their best to get me a job. Even acquaintances helped and I started getting calls from all over. Few of my friends encouraged me to go on a vacation for I wouldn’t get such time after I get a new job :) Few of my reportes even took the pain to call and express their disbelief. My confidantes in the company fought with the HR and they assured me that I will ride through this as quickly as possible.

I felt insecure without a job and tried my best to distract myself. For some reason in spite of all that was happening around I was happy and laughing. I gave quite a few interviews and turned down couple. I just didn’t want to rush into something that I was not comfortable and be a failure again. I was up brutally honest about being laid off and it was not taken negatively by any of the interviewers ! ! ! Most of the interviews went well and I was closing on a job in Bangalore. But deep within my heart I prayed and hoped for one in Chennai. And then out of nowhere I contacted an old contact and it all happened in a Jiffy. I was told to come for an interview the next day and strangely I told my wife that I will get the job. Never have I been this positive and after giving my first round I called her again to say that I am not going to step out of this campus without a job. I had another three rounds of drilling and end of the day I was told that I will be taken in and that too with a decent hike. I was happy and calm , not ecstatic as I was when I got my first job 13 years back :) 

This was a new me realizing that as long as you stay positive good things will come by you. After struggling for 30 odd days and everything changes in a single day.I made a conscious decision not to write on this till I could post positively. I stayed away from everyone just hoping not to spread negativity. Started morning walks to keep me fresh and reduce weight by an iota. I met my friends after a month or so after receiving the offer letter for a new job. I didn’t meet my team and met them only on 4th July 2019 exactly 2 months from when I was sent out, with the new ID card. I should thank everyone around especially my wife for being supportive. She was even ready to feed me for life, as long as I stay happy at home. It was a compelling offer , but still turned it down ;)

I came to realize that if something had to happen it will take its course. Just go with the flow and things will fall in place. I know it is easier said than done. But I am sure with experience everyone will get to learn this lesson at some point in their lives. I have consciously avoided taking names of those who helped in this tough times for I feel it is more personal and appropriate to do it in person.

Being Dad . . . ! ! !

The last time I wrote a blog it was just 2 months before my wedding. Now it is almost 2 years after my daughter's birth. I have always been skeptical about giving birth to a kid and after serious considerations and umpteen discussions with friends and family decided to go ahead with the process of becoming a parent. Most of the discussions resulted only in them making weird conclusions on me. I was not convinced but found it would be easier to have a kid than face problems without becoming a father in my family and even friends circle. It became a unavoidable question in all circles about having a kid and the pressure only worsened as days went by. I always thought its is only those house wives and pattis who brings the couples under humungous pressure, but to my surprise even the young educated guys did the same , but in a subtle way.

Honest confession, I have not been able to wrap my head around the fact that I have become a father. I always thought time will make everything right, but this has become an exception in my case. I have not been able to do what most parents do for their kids. I haven't called her the princess, haven't used her pic as my DP, haven't embossed her name in the vechicle etc etc. Most of all I havent not been able to love her un-conditonally which is what most people manage to do. My daughter brings about a smile in me too often than not even when I am frustrated. She makes me weak with her funny faces and witty actions. She turns my world into a nightware when she becomes ill. But still I find it difficult to give her the un-conditional love she deserves. May be I am the most self-centred person who could exists. I have lost my time with my wife for most part and it has only been a strained relationship after my daughter. We dont have time for each other and hardly get to speak like we did before.

Being Dad has not been easy for me. What has made it worse for me in my wife accepting the change with at most ease. I am pretty sure I am alone in this experience. Most of my friends seem to enjoy having kids and in fact have gone on to have a second one which is beyond my imagination. We need a great responsibility and make a huge sacrifice to have kids. I am certainly not the right person for that :)

Regrets ...

Life is full of compromises. This is something I have heard many say, when they argue about sutaining a relationship. It is a known fact that no relationship is perfect and we do have to make adjustments to sustain one, but how much is too much ???? That's the million dollar question in most people's mind,

I happen to watch a famous chat show in a private channel recently, where they had people supporting breakup/divorcee on one side and the opposite on the other side. Funny fact is few divorces had the most cheap and mean reasons behind it, like disputes that raised while naming the kid, decision on which religion to be followed by the kid in case of a inter-catse marriage. But the alarming fact was the reason given by the people who were on the opposing side. The most popular reason given was they had to live together because they had kids. Agreed it is one of the important factor that influences the couple to work out the differences and be together but can that be the only reason for a couple to be together ! ! ! Personally I would say NO. Two people should stay together only when they want to spend their lives together in peace and harmony. Infact staying toggether wheh they dont want will only ruin the kid's life instead of having any positive influence on them.

I find too many people these days stuck in a marriage just because they have got kids out of it. They no longer love each other and to them , the kid is the whole world. Forget loving , they don't even respect each other and stay together just to raise the kid and in the process ruin their own lives. The expectation they have on the kid is too high that they want the kid to make up for all that is lost in their personal lives and this leads to possesiveness and later to obsession. To me personally it is always better to end a relationship than to sustain it just for the sake of it. But that does not mean we should ignore a friend just becoz they broke our trust once or get a divorce from your partner just because he/she has grown fat than they were at the time of marriage :) :) :) Just make sure that you have done all that is possible from your side for the relationship to work, and if it does not just shake hands and separate on mutual terms. It would be highly emabrassing to want a relationship after breaking it :) :) :)  Last but the most important thing is we need to correct our mistakes in the next relationship.

There is no point in regretting, for a life that you haven't led and for the life you have led....

Why I am a Hindu ....

A Hindu was flying from JFK New York Airport to SFO San Francisco Airport CA to attend a meeting at Monterey, CA.

An American girl was sitting on the right side, near window seat. It indeed was a long journey - it would take nearly seven hours.

He was surprised to see the young girl reading a Bible unusual of young Americans. After some time she smiled and we had few acquaintances talk.He told her that I am from India

Then suddenly the girl asked: 'What's your faith?' 'What?' He didn't understand the question.

'I mean, what's your religion? Are you a Christian? Or a Muslim?'

'No!' He replied, 'He am neither Christian nor Muslim'.

Apparently she appeared shocked to listen to that. 'Then who are you?' “I am a Hindu”, He said.

She looked at him as if she was seeing a caged animal. She could not understand what He was talking about.

A common man in Europe or US knows about Christianity and Islam, as they are the leading religions of the world today.

But a Hindu, what?

He explained to her - I am born to a Hindu father and Hindu mother. Therefore, I am a Hindu by birth.

'Who is your prophet?' she asked.

'We don't have a prophet,' He replied.

'What's your Holy Book?'

'We don't have a single Holy Book, but we have hundreds and thousands of philosophical and sacred scriptures,'
He replied.

'Oh, come on at least tell me who is your God?'

'What do you mean by that?'

'Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?'

He thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe one God (Male God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who inhabit it. Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief.

According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable. He understood her perception and concept about faith. You can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading religions where you have to believe in one concept of God.

He tried to explain to her: 'You can believe in one God and he can be a Hindu. You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more - you may not believe in God at all, still you can be a Hindu. An Atheist can also be a Hindu.'

This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so unorganized, still surviving for thousands of years, even after onslaught from foreign forces.

'I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?'

What can He tell to this American girl?

He said: 'I do not go to Temple regularly. I do not make any regular rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it sometimes'.

'Enjoy? Are you not afraid of God?'

'God is a friend. No- I am not afraid of God. Nobody has made any compulsions on me to perform these rituals regularly.'

She thought for a while and then asked: 'Have you ever thought of converting to any other religion?'

'Why should I? Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning. I remain as a Hindu never by force, but choice.' He told her that Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the Church or the Order, I added. There is no institution or authority..

'So, you don't believe in God?' she wanted everything in black and white.

'I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scripture, or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or he might not be there. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority (Para Brahma) that is the creator of this universe.'

'Why can't you believe in one personal God?'

'We have a concept - abstract - not a personal god. The concept or notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling us irrational stories through few men whom he sends as messengers, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor who wants others to respect him or fear him.' He told her that such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal Gods. The entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.

'Good that you agree God might exist. You told that you pray. What is your prayer then?'

'Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,'
लोका समस्ता सुखिनो भवन्तु !!! ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः !!!

'Funny,' she laughed, 'What does it mean?'

'May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Let there be Peace, Peace,and Peace every where.'

'Hmm ..very interesting. I want to learn more about this religion. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free' she exclaimed.

'The fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.'

'How does anybody convert to Hinduism?'

'Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but it is a Culture, a way of leaving life, a set of beliefs and practices. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no single Authority or Organization either to accept you or to reject you or to oppose you on behalf of Hinduism.'

He told her - if you look for meaning in life, don't look for it in religions; don't go from one cult to another or from one Guru to the next.

For a real seeker, He told her, the Bible itself gives guidelines when it says ' Kingdom of God is within you.' I reminded her of Christ's teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life.

Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real. 'Isavasyam idam sarvam' Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every living being and non-living things as God. That's what Hinduism teaches you.

Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas. It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity.

Ancestors of today's Hindus believe in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. But there is a section of Hindus who are either superstitious or turned fanatic to make this an organized religion like others. The British coin the word 'Hindu' and considered it as a religion.

He said: 'Religions have become an MLM (multi-level- marketing) industry that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today's world is Spirituality. Hinduism is no exception'

He said "I am a Hindu primarily because it professes Non-violence - 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' means - Non violence is the highest duty. I am a Hindu because it doesn't condition my mind with any faith system.

A man/woman who changes his/her birth religion to another religion is a fake and does not value his/her morals, culture and values in life.

Hinduism is the original rather a natural yet a logical and satisfying spiritual, personal and a scientific way of leaving a life..

Paradesi

Yet another classic from Bala ... At least that's how I perceive this movie "Paradesi" from him ...

It is a raw period film depicting 3 major things
1. Pathetic lifestyle of Tamils and their inability to fight power
2. Cruel British and selfish Indians exploiting common for their well being
3. Cunning missionaries exploiting homeless/brainless people to spread their religion

All three were convincingly depicted by the director, and the cast has done a great job portraying the roles they were asked to do with great perfection.The Tea Estate supervisor and Vedika to me was exceptional. The music to me was not a master piece and may be, just may be Bala lacked his favourite music director for this film. I am sure he is growing too big for Ilayaraja to compose for his movies :) I even believe the choice of Gangai Amaran for a song was because the maestro refused to sing for GV. The songs were pretty ordinary and nothing seems to rhyme in our minds after leaving the screens. The visuals though makes up for everything lost in music and it even makes up for more than that was lost. Though the colour tone was not pleasing to the eyes it did a great justice to the script and bring the rural Tamil Nadu in 1930s to our view. The dialogues were good from what I could understand and I am pretty much sure I would have to watch it few times to get each and every dialogue. It was hilarious in the beginning and makes u feel still in the later part of the movie. It will be very difficult though for A center viewers to appreciate the movie with such difficult dialect ! ! ! But I am sure Bala doesn't give a crap about them :) :) :) More importance could have been given to the looks and I feel there was no continuity when it comes to the hair do of the cast in the movie spanning for more than 5 to 7 years.

The final portion about forcing Christianity was too good and people who claim that they are doing something that has not been done in 75 yrs of Tamil cinema should look at this and stop boasting about what they do. The director has managed to convey exactly what he wanted to in a most simplest and effective way. "Rotti thundukku Alleluia pota kuutam thana" :)  Authenticity on this is always debatable ! ! !
It would even make some staunch followers to sit back and have a hard look at what their beliefs are today and what it was originally few decades back and where they stand because of their inability to question and reason.

Having said all this, I wonder if this is really a good feature film. The contents make a excellent documentary film. There wasn't great deal of effort from the director towards the screenplay and it lacked the punch required to tie all three together. The movie lacked a binding factor and that made it a a little boring.Had the director found a way to make the transition smooth without any hick up he would have scored an absolute winner by a far distance.

In conclusion this movie is completely a director's and it needs or rather demands appreciation from all quarters, No matter if they agree with the content or not ...  :) :) :) Hats off to Balu Mahendra for his students are taking Tamil cinema to the next level literally. He should be a real proud father of his kids like Bala. Only he can make such a Movie.

Nee Thaanae En Ponvasantham

It has been long since I went for a movie on the first day and when I got a chance to watch one I was glad that it was NEPV at Satyam, thanks to Hari for the tickets. This guy GVM can make 10 more romantic movies and still come up with a good script for a romantic movie yet again. Having watched him portray how confused a girl can be in a relationship in VTV  I was wondering what could he do in his next flick, he has impressed coming up with a different approach to relationships in this one. 

I just loved the script for the way it was handled to convey the differences that a relationship can end up in, just because of the high intensity of love that a girl can have and because of the Ego a guy possess. The male ego was conveyed beautifully is a subtle way through the length of the movie. All along it has been the guys going through the pain of love in the screen and it was refreshing to see a girl's perceptive this time around. Samantha has given a commendable performance, one that we will cherish for sometime. I loved her performance in each and every scene of the movie more than her looks and I was damn impressed with her performance in the scene where she gets into her car with a heavy heart in the wee hours after having spent best times of her life with the one she loves.She has portrayed emotions just from her eyes and body language and words seem worthless.

Two other scenes where the director has worked his magic are, the one just before the interval and other is the argument the lead pair has at the Tsunami school sight. The scene just before the interval was a long one and done in a single shot without much camera movement. The lead pair has done a good job in such a long shot, though it would have been better with some close up shots to reveal the pain they go through. The next one at the school sight takes care of that though. The dialogues were so simple and realistic and as always there is lots of English involved and it suited the characters well. I was able to relate to the scene as I have used literally the very same words during an argument :) :) :) 
Nithya : "Varun, Are you asking me to find something for me to be occupied just because you need not feel guilty for not spending time with me :@"
Had a smile hearing this dialogue(not an exact one but something similar)

I guess GVM is damn intelligent to have few women assistants in his team and I am sure they would have helped him shaping up this script. For people complaining about how many times will the lead pair go away and get together yet gain , it can happen and it does happen and happens more in real life to our disliking.As far Santhanam is concerned he was put to use in an optimum level and has managed to get us laughing whenever he comes on the screen.

Coming to the looks of Samantha , she is just gorgeous all through. The nose ring and eye shades was a magical and we (I) can just keeping staring at her pic for 3 hours leave alone the movie :) Special appreciation to the director for continuing his trend of portraying his women with good intellectual brains starting from Reena to Nithya, instead of a charming chatterbox like in so many other movies. 

"Kala rasigan da Gautam...."

I wish I could watch the movie just as I watch Minnalae often, but that is not to be the case and the major reason for that is the pathetic BGM score by the so called Maestro. For all the respect (luv) GVM had for Ilaiyaraja , he has only managed to let him down , and he has let him down big time. Even the songs were not impressive in the movie and the director has failed in choosing the music director for this flick. Had it been ARR the movie would be in a whole different level and he would have got repeat audience for sure. The next big led down is the cinematography. I found it to lack continuity throughout the movie. Somehow the visuals didn't seem to stick to our minds and I found to hard to link the visuals. Too bad the director had to use three different cinematographers and I believe that has spoiled the visuals for him. The other thing that irked me was the voice of the father character. It was a complete mismatch to the Ravi and the audience having heard him before in many movies will find it difficult to connect to character. Having decided to have him to be the decisive factor for the climax of the movie, GVM could have gone with Ravi's original voice or even he himself could have done a far better job. In short GVM has go the execution completely wrong for this wonderful script. 

I personally just loved the movie to the core despite of all this crap .... You will or might feel like hugging your partner when you watch the movie, at least I felt like :) :)  I feel so sad that I will not be able to watch the movie again and I Hope he continues to stick to this genre in the future as well and get the execution right the next time around.