CBC's Six Word Memoir !!

This post has been published as a part of 'CBC's Six-Word Memoir Tag' CBC is a wonderful group of chennai bloggers who are from different walks of life. CBC is a fun filled and informative group for every blogger around the city. Read previous post by Sivaranjani.Sivaranjani blogs at passionate soul a very good friend of mine, a lawyer, London Rani, active member of our group and very sweet caring girl.

Courtesy :Picbucket

'Pursuing the fullest expression of Self'

Passing on to Krishna Kumar who started blogging to post personal content later blogs mostly about India, Politics, Media, Media Bias, Corruption, Internet.

Rajiv.

Republic Day reminisce...

Amidst the busy humdrum of life, who would not love to be carried away in a whirlpool of nostalgia?

at MCC

That will be the days of NCC ( National Cadet Corp ). The days where pride, camaraderie ,vanity are all rolled into one. Indeed, being in a historical and esteemed college like the Madras Christian College adds a jewel to the crown
Plus, the tradition of white Navy uniforms that can stand on their own, boots shiny enough to comb your hair with. These are things we held dearly to. We sang the loudest, we had horse-shoes nailed to the soles of our boots. All these were really impressive and we guys are sure head-turner wherever we went in and out of the college.Soon after my day one in NCC my dream and goal was to March on the Prestigious Republic Day Parade at New Delhi representing your state I knew its not a bed of roses.You have to cross 9 camps to reach the fruit.

After getting selected from your group (Madras B) I had to represent it at the Inter group competition (IGC Camp) never I know that I will be one day wanting to take Army as my career though I was part of NCC Navy.

December 2007 Avadi Air Force Station where the last camp before the RDC was held. They announced the Final list of 102 cadets from the State who will board the Train to New Delhi. It turned out to be a memorable day in my life as my name luckily got into that list of 9 Navy cadets of TN Pondicherry and Andaman. For a moment I was astounded.

There started my journey from Chennai to New Delhi to attend the most desired camp of any NCC Cadet in the country.

Lying in bed, I would listen to military bands getting ready with their marching tunes, the rhythmic “dum, dum, dum” of the drums, the swoosh of an air force jet slicing the early morning skies and, if the air was particularly still, the faint voice of a parade commander.

 Statnding at the end right wearing a Red slash

Being a cadet, I was assured by others, required minimal effort. You sign up for free, get a uniform, attend the camps and do adventure activities. If you were ambitious, you would attend a whole series of camps and trails and make it to the ultra-competitive Republic Day camp in New Delhi. If you'd taken extra vitamins and had a healthy disposition to withstand practice sessions on freezing mornings or blistering hot afternoons, you could make it to Rajpath. Easy peasy!


After several months in training camps we were skinny and sunburned. The food and noisy tent-mates rendered us crabby and crotchety, and I developed a propensity to bawl endlessly when my parents came to visit.

Madras group cadets at Agra fort

By the time we were picked to be part of the final team for the parade.On the morning of Jan. 26,2008 I rolled out of bed in the Republic Day camp in Delhi,tingling with excitement. I jumped into my ceremonial uniform and gathered with my mates for one last practice session before we were bussed to the parade. As I stood at the base of Rashtrapati Bhavan that cold winter morning, my fingers were frozen but my heart was thumping. I was wearing a Red slash on my bright and Neatly pressed white uniform.

I had worked a whole nine months to make it this far.

I patted myself on the back for not giving up despite all the setbacks along the way, cracked skull and all. And as I whispered with my other cadet friends from wildly different backgrounds, I loved that we all had endured the same training to make it to the final pack.

As the drums rolled, our parade commander, a diminutive girl with a booming voice, issued us final orders to get into formation. I took a deep breath. The sound of my favorite marching tune “Kadam, Kadam, Badhaye Ja” lifted my entire being. The months and weeks of bone-wearying labor were distilled into this one shining moment. As my body grew in size with pride, I took the first steps with my comrades on to Rajpath to be part of the parade, to revel in what I still consider the single most spectacular achievement in my life.


Republic Day parade is all about the flags, the explicit signs of nationalism, the cheering families, the soldiers we never see and the patriotic songs we never sing.


miss you NCC.


Rajiv.

Gilchrist the Galvaniser !!

Born 14 November 1971 in New south wales nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy is the youngest among the four children. Never knew this parents when he asked a pair of keeping gloves for his Christmas gift that he will one day become the world's best wicket keeper. Adam Gilchrist become my cricket hero since childhood and my favorite wicket keeper of all time (Sorry MSD/Sachin)

and why ?...

A player who walked in a World Cup Semi-final after being given not-out is a thing which will probably never happen again. 
A cricketer who never made excuses and was never hesitant at pointing the finger at himself when things were going wrong. A true champion! 

His strike rates in both tests and ODI’s are phenomenal. The world of cricket has yet to see a batsman as aggressive as the great Gilchrist. 

Behind the stump he had the safest pair of hands one could find, and there is not another keeper in the world who would be able to break his record of 888 dismissals in both forms of the game.

Using a high on handle technique with the bat, he flicked the good balls into the gaps and the rest of them were discarded through to the boundary(Note : He plays perfect cricketing shots)

He is always notable in the cricket ground with his constant activities which will make his Team mates alive.

The bowlers would pray that Gilchrist would somehow magically disappear off the field so they would not have to bowl him, for when they did they would witness their worst nightmares turning into a living reality(No one could explain this better than Monty Panesar who was hit for three consecutive sixes and a four in his over)

A truly memorable knock came in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka where he scored a brilliant 149 off just 104 deliveries. With 13 fours and eight sixes he was Sri Lanka’s worst nightmare.

In his absence during a normal cricket match a thousand memories come to mind of this man, who assassinated his bowlers with swashbuckling strokes. Not to mention his sense of honesty and integrity on the field that earned him much criticism from his peers.

Gilchrist has been awarded with the Allan Border medal and also chosen in Richie Benaud’s Greatest XI in 2004. He was also voted as the “Worlds Scariest Batsman”. 
In a poll on a website, he was voted as the 9th greatest all-rounder of the last one hundred years.

Dhoni dedicated his maiden ODI century to Gilchrist, and a few years later, one got to know the respect was mutual. “The best compliment for me is when someone says they’ll pay to watch me play,” Gilchrist said. “And I can say that I’ll pay to watch MS Dhoni bat.” Four years have elapsed since the world’s best wicket keeper batsman made that statement, and the respect has only grown.

Gilchrist said, “MS is not the next Gilchrist. He’s the first MS Dhoni”.

He is the only player to have hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.

Gilchrist is married to his high school sweetheart Melinda (Mel) Gilchrist and they have three children, Harrison, Archie and a daughter Annie Jean

On 26 January 2008 during the Fourth and final Test of the 2007–08 series against India, Gilchrist announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the season.

Gilchrist later revealed that he chose to retire after dropping VVS Laxman during the first innings, and realizing that he had lost his "competitive edge" now, what a reason to retire ?? 

He is the ambassador of the organisation World vision India which takes care of education of poor children. He recently retired from IPL( KXIP) in an imposing way by bowling the last over for his team and with a wicket in his very first ball !!! and he added a jewel to his crown of respect

To me, he is more than just a cricketer he is one among very few People whom I wish to meet before my death.

PS: wanted to add more pictures of this Legend I have a huge collection but don't want to make the post look scrappy.

Courtesy : Gilchrist's FB page /Wikipedia.

Rajiv

Random listing..

A random listing post to overcome my vettiness in office.. :P

Mangalagaramana Majal colour
America pogum IIT graduate
The Hindu
Dosai
Filter coffee
Cricket
Chennai Super Kings
Madisar Maami
Tanjavur Painting 
Oonjal
Rajinikanth =God
Mridangam
Kaamakshi Vilakku
Veenai
Bharatanatyam
Madurai Malipoo
Agarbathi
Kungumam
Share Auto
Vaazhai Pazham
Kovil Gopuram
Ezlumichampazham
Rudraksham
Pori
Arugampul
Mylapore
Molaga Bhaji
Ponniyan Selvan
Mahakavi Bharathi
Tanjavur Thalayaati Bommai
Viswanathan Anand
Tanjavur periya kovil
MS Subbulakshmi
Veshti Satta
Saravana Bhavan
Idhyam Nalennai
Sakthi Masala
Narasu's coffee
Navaratri
Aavin Paal
Sri Krishna Sweets
Popular Appalam
Ruchi Oorugai
Vaazhai Elai
Idly pongal Sambhar Vadai
Thengai Chutney
Tirunelveli Halwa
Thayir Saadham Maa vadu...


Please feel free to add more..

IPL - Ivanga Pesuradhu Lollu

“VANAKKAM CHENNAI!!!  It’s match 54 of Pepsi IPL, Chennai Super Kings versus Mumbai Indians!!  We are minutes away from the toss!” a overexcited Ravi Shastri tests the threshold of his vocal cord, bringing back fond memories of my childhood when  the temple fuction and circus party announced various activities on the mike with huge speakers.  He continues his harsh assault on our television speaker, “Jam-packed stadium here in Chepauk today .I mean, people are still coming and by the time the match starts, I am sure, we will have a full house watching this clash of titans!!!”

Baba Aprajith (grins):  He called me titan!!
Badrinath:  Dai ! You are not in the team today.

Shastri reduces his decibel level and wanly looks at Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, So Shivaaa you got your family here ?

 Sivaramakrishnan:  No, they are watching a movie.  By the way, why do you chant everything like a shloka?  Anyways, continue.

“I have Rohit Sharma with me.  So RohiT, how is the morale in the dressing room after your win in the last match?” the SPB of Indian cricket poses a billion dollar question; the nation awaits an answer.
“Excellent, the team is jelling pretty well.  Our owner has been very supportive.” his eyes dart towards the VIP box unintentionally.

What do you think your chances are of winning the cup this time?”

“We are taking one game at a time, but yes, we would love to win the cup  for our owner.” (Nita Ambani nods from the VIP box)
“And is the big man, Kieron Pollard, playing today?  He can change the course of the match single-handedly.” Shastri portrays the picture with dramatic modulations.

 He glares at the hypothetically destructive batsman, currently signing autographs “yes, he is playing.” Rohit replies matter of factly.
“Thanks RohiT; over to you Shiva.
by the time

Sivaramakrishnan:  So Dhoni, who is replacing Ravindra Jadeja today?
Dhoni:  No, he is playing.  He is one of the key members of our side

Everyone looks at Jadeja warming up in one corner with his new CSK haircut; an explicit artwork symbolizing joy, confusion, fear, and lack of self respect.  Due to scarcity of space on his head, he couldn’t inscribe the full message i.e. – ‘I will always be grateful to CSK for paying me two million dollars.’ He runs towards the dressing room to get some water for Dhoni.

Rohit wins the toss and decides to bowl.

“Why have you chosen to bowl?”
He glances towards the VIP box again.  He wishes he could pour his heart out today.  He wants to wipe his tears, point his finger at Nita Ambani and cry, “She said!!!  And, you know, she wants Munaf Patel to open the batting!  She also said that if we don’t win today then I will be dancing with cheerleaders in all the remaining matches.”  However, he controls his emotions and replies observantly “there is some dew on the pitch which should be helpful for our seamers.”

Shastri looks at the scorching sun to identify the source of dew and ponders ‘which seamer?  Malinga doesn’t need a pitch and Munaf Patel’s bowling endeavors cannot be described with cricketing terminologies.’ :P

“Back to you guys in the studio.” Shastri concludes the pre-match formalities.

Isa Guha (Indian origin, played for England, now in India [the land of opportunities for pretty girls, NRIs, and people with criminal records] to maximize her post-retirement benefits) in the studio clad in appropriate attire for the summer.  Sidhu murmurs, ‘Even I should have come in my shorts, it’s too hot outside.’

During Match..

Shastri (continues):  Having said that, what Lalit Modi has done for IPL is commendable, COMMENDABLE!!
Morrison:  I love Indian cricket.  I love India.
Shastri:  You just stalk everyone on twitter.  And didn’t you have a different opinion about India before IPL became your primary source of income?  Anyway, we have a pulse question here – ‘who is India’s all time great batsman?’
80% says Dhoni and 20% Sachin.
“They are our new generation of cricket fans.  They just check the latest score oninternet.” Harsha Bhogle explains in a hushed tone.
Shiva:  Wait a second!  Now it’s 19% Sachin and 1% says . . . Ashish Nehra?
Harsha:  Well, that must be Mrs. Ambani.
Shastri:  We have one more question for you all – ‘Who is Sunil Gavaskar?’
Gavaskar (shivers):  Why drag me into all this?
Shastri:  Ok, 1% says former cricketer, 30% says television presenter and 69% says Vodafone contest winner.
Shiva:  Just wondering who those 1% are ha ha ha.
Gavaskar (mumbles):  Thanks Rohan. !


PS: What would cricket be without the voice of Ravi Shastri?? Unimaginable !

Rajiv.

The Spiritedness of a Soldier

I read this in a recent article thought I could share the same...

Courtesy : Flickr

.There is discipline in a soldier
you can see it when he walks, 
There is honor in a soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in a soldier
you can see it in his eyes, 
There is loyalty in a soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in a soldier
that makes him stand apart, 
There is strength in a soldier 
that beats from his heart.
A soldier isn't a title any man 
can be hired to do, 
A soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week, 
A soldier is always a soldier
even while he sleeps.
A soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind, 
A soldier has to sacrifice what 
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see a soldier
remember what they do.
A soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free', 
A soldier is the one that is brave 
protecting you and me.
If you are a soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank god for every soldier
Thank god for what you do.

Jai Jawan!

konjam yosinga boss !

I always wonder why people either complicate their lives or do not make the most use of it. Recently I met few people with this same state and I wish could share a few thoughts about how  I see life and perhaps add few simple ways to get more out of your life.So here's a tested 100 % guaranteed  list of how to live life to the fullest by very simple means.

(na ellam advice pandra alavuku vanthuten .. sathiya sodhane :P )

Courtesy : Photobuks

Maintain a fixed Routine fixed wake up time, fixed sapaadu times, and regular bed time. Trust me you won’t get anything done if you don’t follow a proper routine. If you wake up at 5am on one day and at 10am on another, your work, lifestyle, productivity and most importantly your health will suffer, and you become one somberi so If you want max out of your day  try this.

                               
Break that routine every now and then.  it is very important to follow the routine that you’ve set if you want a balanced and healthy life, but don’t be stuck up in it that the routine starts to take away your life. The routine should help you manage your life and your daily hours to do your best without turning you into a machine. Deviate from it once in a while take a swim or play kabadi :P
                                   
Pick up a hobby the one that can raise your mood, hold your interest, and help you through rough patches in life. A man without a hobby is a dead man. Develop interest in some art form or other social activity and maintain and develop if all life long. Surelyyy that hobby will see you through your life when nothing else will.
                                                  
Move on  Failed terribly in an attempt? Move on. Won that most coveted item? Move on. Fought with your parents/siblings/friends? Move on. Were just awarded ‘Employee of the Year? Move on.Performed at a bigger stage?? Move on... Don’t rest on past success or don’t ponder on past mistakes. Just move on.

Be Yourself I know you get that picture a lot. Especially on the internet ( I too googled that :P ) But that is because it is 100 percent true. Be yourself. However stupid, lame, unpopular, idiotic, loser you may be considering yourself to be, just be yourself. Let the damaging comments of others not affect you. Which does not mean you shouldn't improve. It means be the best of you, but be yourself.


Expect Less
                                                      
I quote :  "The more you expect something from someone the less likely you are to do it yourself and the more time you will waste in waiting for it to be done by the one you expect to do it. "

(read again slowly, first enakum confused)

                                                       

Smile ! The single most important task of the day.Perhaps the easiest of all. Smile at the people you meet. It will brighten your own day too.

                                                   
 Take Yourself  Slightly ! Sometimes we tend to be too hard on ourselves. Give yourself a break. And enjoy life at its best. Add life to each day Whether it is making someone smile, or enjoying the rains or having a pillow fight,listen to a random Raja sir's song do something that doesn't make you feel like you wasted a day.

                                    
Make the Best with what you have got.You may not have Everything, every luxury or every facility in your life, but do the best with whatever you have. Be creative, be energetic and make the best with the given.

PS: These are something which I follow not an advice. Just a tip to help you grow even better.
Seri da podhum ! mokka podatha  nu solreengala..?  I got ur mind voice ..


Rajiv.

Ingenious Ilaiyaraaja

Ok ! posting after a month's gap (which doesn't mean I was eventful) 

There are times in life where you are at a loss to describe something, or try to contain something,Raja sir to me is that something. I am sure that many out there have heard his music and are ardent fans of the Maestro.It’s always a great treat to hear an Ilayaraaja number,to understand the orchestration, the interludes, the kind of rhythm changes he induces, the kind of instruments he uses, the pitch for those instruments, the effects for those instruments and most importantly the usage of silence.Having composed over 5000 songs, he adds a unique style for every song, improvising wherever it is possible.

Courtesy : Flickr

All his orchestrations have so much life and variety in them. There is never a dull moment. 
His arrangements talk to each other like the popular example found in Punnagai Mannan’s ‘Enna Satham’ or the beautiful ‘Anjali’.There are instruments panned left and right and somewhere down the line you feel as if one instrument is talking and the other one listens and then replies. All his introductions are the perfect vehicle to start a song. He always manipulates some aspect of the song to give a contrast, and he’s probably one of the many directors to use the same tune to showcase a happy incident and then to showcase a sad event. He has also used complete vocals for the second BGM (Background Music) for the same song.

Having brought up in a Musical family and as a grandson of Mridanga Vidwan late Shri Madurai.T.Srinivasan who worked over 200 films with Raja sir . I had the privilege to know more more his works through my grandpa and i was also fortunate enough to be there for few of his recordings along with my grandpa with my very little knowledge on music.

I am quoting 'The Hindu' here dated October 31, 2012

'When you hear a mellifluous Mridangam in a Tamil film song, it is most likely that Madurai.T.Srinivasan (Cheena Kutty) is the artiste — whether it is old gems such as ‘Paatum Naane Bhavamum Naane’ (Thiruvilaiyadal), ‘Marainthirunthu Parkum Marmam Yenna’ (Thillana Mohanambal), or songs in Salangai Oli.
It was Ilayaraja who exploited the percussionist’s talent to the maximum. The addictive beats in the beginning of the song ‘Aayiram thamarai mottukalae’ (Alaigal oyvathillai) and his percussive support in Ilaiyaraja’s celebrated album ‘How To Name It’ are fine examples of his sensitive playing.'

More : http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/artiste-cheena-kutty-no-more/article4048493.ece

I wonder how he thinks in his unique style to use Mridangam in almost everything  be it a classical song , a BGM, a fight scene , a sentimental scene , a love duet, folk/item numbers. Mridangam has played a role in almost in all the places. 

This is a conversation between SPB and my Grandpa's disciple specifying  more on the usage of Mridangam in a particular song.

YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8fVGq-OxxU


Songs like 'Kadhal Kasakuthaiya' 'Poo malrthinda' 'Oh vasantha Raja' 'Poove Ilaye Poove' the song 'Kadhal Mayakkam' has a different pitch of Mridangam where its paralleled  with the songs actual pitch. Few classics of Mridangam usage like, 'Paadariyen Padipariyen' 'Adal kalaye' 'Ayiram thamari' 'Anthi mazhai' 'Mogam ennum theyil'.

Ilayaraja is also credited for composing a song with minimal instruments .The song 'Janani Janani' which just has the lead instrument Mridangam the song ‘Kanne Kalaimanae’ from the movie Moondram Pirai is exceptional. Normally most songs never have the melody played back, as the singer has the title space, but understanding the mood and the environment of the scene and story, the melody line for the song is also heard along with KJ’s voice, and what better instrument to use than the king of instruments . the one and only violin. It just adds to that extra feel.

            In my personal opinion feel that there is still so much music left in all of his songs and orchestrations that our ears cannot hear it all the first time around, but with every successive listening, we pick up something else from that song. I have experienced it many times, over many of his songs. He knows how to present his music in the best possible form, and this is what has made him a household name through time. His music gives life to the words of a song and that’s what lingers in our hearts forever.


Endrum Rajaa :)

Love is sweeter the second time around

This is a chain love story as a part of CBC (Chennai Bloggers Club) chain story relay. In this we write a love story as this month is for love. 17 Bloggers will write one chapter of a love story to make a beautiful love story. :)
Yes ! Love is beautiful... and,  This is my first try on fiction I would like to get your feedback which will be very fruitful. Thanks to all who helped on suggestions and corrections.

The story starts here..

Courtesy : Flickr

He had few sleepless days. He remembered his favorite author's quote. It was a Saturday and its been three days since he met her for the second time .For some reason he deemed that he will see her just at least for a quick glance today. And he scolded himself for being absurd and missed a chance of knowing her name.He sat at the dining table for breakfast, his mom served him crispy dosa .But only coffee mugs and Hyundai santros filled his thoughts. 

He asked, "Ammaa, why does some one pierce her nose and doesn't wear a stud.?" 

He replied himself  "ahem all pretty girls do something for a reason."

He knew he was thinking about her and knew his first meet was more memorable than the second.He took his bike and went for a ride just wanting a mind variation.He parked his bike at his neighborhood temple and went for a walk towards the nearby market.

He realized he started missing her.

The market was crowded as it was a weekend.He could hear a puppy barking just behind him and turned back startlingly he could see HER standing with the little puppy.
He could see the same happiness on her face and he was wishing that he must be the reason.He said to himself   "Holy God ! man Paulo Coelho was right."

He gave a juvenile smile asking "Hey! ain't this market too crowded for a dog walk?" and virtually kicked himself for starting the conversation in an awful way.

She replied  "No,its just fine I am not new to this place and I love pets" she smiled.

and continues  "Did u give that gift to your friend,did she like it ? she asked him with her eyebrows up and she was cute when she did that.

He replied 'Well yes she did and thanks for your suggestion.

"your welcome !" she smiled again.

and continues "Well then , I came for a walk  its been a long time and I will soon miss this place so wanted to make the best until i am here."

She didn't ask him to join with her, but she looked like she wouldn't mind if he joins for a walk.

She pointed the way to her house with her finger which had a colored nail matching her hair band and yes her hair was tied up and he could still see her nose  without a stud.

He asked her with curiosity "Which country"?

She replied "oh the puppy ? its Indian breed"

"No, I asked which country you are heading to ?"

after a quick giggle followed by a 'sorry' she replied  "Acha..Sweden Iam going for my higher studies I have my elder sister there."

He would have at least seen her eyes for 20 times and He repeated the exact same words to her  ---  "Listen,I liked you when I first saw you in the morning. Those eyes, they captivated me. I didn't think I will meet you again. But now we have met. I thought it would be nice to know each other better.”

This time,she saw his face the moment he said the last word with her eyes explaining clearly that she understood him...

"Okay! Okay ! Okay!" she said with her eye lids closed and her right hand palm facing him.

"I am Ahalya, Ahalya Ramanathan" jutting her hand. He gave her a gentle handshake with a big closed lip smile :D        (to be continued...)

PS: Prasanna and Aarti I am sorry if I have deviated the story you both broughtup and I am handing over this to Vid Dev who can do can bring it up to your expectations ;) Vidhya is a my school friend and a Chennaiite who blogs at 'The Pensieve'. http://viddev.wordpress.com.

Keep the Love Heat on !!! ♥

Rajiv.

idhu Namma Chennai machi ... !!!!

This post is part of the blog tag titled, The CBC Tablog where CBC stands for Chennai Bloggers Club. About 35 bloggers from Chennai are participating in this blog tag where everyone will write about their favourite city Chennai and what it means to them. So here's my post for the CBC tablog titled, What Chennai Means To Me.

This is preceded by Prashanth Ashok - <http://prashanthashok1.blogspot.sg/> A level headed person, with a lot of zest for life :)

For a very long time I had a thought of posting this thanks CBC for that , couldn't cover all my thought by words but at long last tried to make a short post ( though I don't feel the richness of my thoughts about Chennai are complete in this post ) here we go..

Courtesy : Manish

 Having lived all my life in Chennai,it is no surprise that I am in love with it.I have also traveled for short duration to other main Metros, but somehow the exemplary charm of this city fails to be replicated. 

 People - We are very cultural &educated. I say that, with a certain sense of pride. From the auto annaa ,the' keera kaari' and the cobbler  everyone has an opinion on Politics. People may not be the best to you, but we love our place. I have hardly heard of people from Chennai migrating for jobs. Chennai has got mostly a settled down crowd. 

The natives do not know Hindi. Why would we expect a native Thirunelveli born, educated Chennai living autoguy to speak Hindi?  Walk into Tidel or Ascendas. I bet, 1/5 are from the aloo land :)

We love our Tamizh. We also love 'Englipeesh'. So we kalakify both of it and serve it with a smile. ( just the way i blog .. )

Courtesy: The Chennai guide 

                            Foodies - could try the woodfired Pizzas at Blur, or the Paneer Kheema dosais Yumville! Like every other Indian city, the street food in Chennai is brilliant. Thanks to migratory folks, we have bajjis, sundal and chaat sitting on the same counter. The under-rated son-papris and the over-rated milagai bajjis, has a blend of Madurai Murugan Idly to Mexican food.

Shopping- 

Pondy Bazar/T.Nagar.- A reason for anyone to visit my city atleast once.

Sowcarpet - murukku, sandwiches, the golas. Its our own mini version of Paris for fashion and Italy for food.

                       

Courtesy : JL Patel

          

Music Season -  The smells, colours and the sheer love for art my city has. The silk-cotton and Veshti crowds, beaded jewellery and South Indain dressing. The steaming coffees, Kasi halwas and Vazhaipoo vadais - A feast to all six senses. and A place for celebrity spotting - do not be surprised if you find a yesteryear heroine or a still-young Shobana sitting next to you.

The Colleges  -  MCC,Loyola,Stella, Ethiraj and MOP.

Yeah! we are that awesome that we ought to be on this list.

The tip of tongue Tamizh, Hi-fi Locals , Musical nights, low-hip pants and the kurta-jean costume and the scooty whizzing around Nungambakkam, Deepwoods in MCC . These college add coloured flavours to Chennai

The Mixture -  

• IIT to IBM
• Saravana stores to Shoppers stop
• Koovam to Boat club
• Maami's Mess to Mcdonalds 
• Saidapet to Scenic Beach way
• Road signals with both Maatu Vandi and Merc 
• MA Chidambaram Stadium to Mylapore street cricket
• Otterii to Officer's Training academy(OTA)
• Beach to Tambaram trains to the Busiest 21gs and 24c
• Royapuram to Richi Street 
• Triplicane bhajji shop to Trident's Italin restuarant

Home place of the Super Star Rajinikanth & Universal hero Kamalhasan , 

Studios of Isagnani Ilayaraja and Oscar fame AR Rahaman and a resident to many other classical Musicians and Legends from different art.

Have a 'Vazhai elai' Sapaadu and shop for ESPRIT clothes at EA . Smoke on a hookah and head off to Marina/Bessi for a play. Worship the Kabaleeshwar and shop at Nalli silks. Chennai is somewhere in between.

It does not have the ultra cool post 11PM places to hang out and has a sense of laid back attitude in almost everything, but it suits fine for us. It is safe, spread out well, relatively organised (area wise).             

Take your prized time to watch this video too.. I am sure you would enjoy....

East or west -   " maapla Namma Chennai is the best." 

Innum Naraiya solalam :)

but for now , I am passing this to Ram N. - <http://chennaidailyfoto.wordpress.com/> who's passionate about Chennai and who photo blogs at Daily Photo Chennai the right person who knows chennai more :)

Rajiv.

Awesome Blogger and Liebster Blog Award – I’m tagged

Yesss ! there is someone to Award me and my blog  :) 
I was really startled to see my notification and was quite attracted by the tagging concept which could make blogging more fun !

So here are the rules:

1.If you are tagged/nominated, you have to post 11 facts about yourself.
2.Then you answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you & make 11 questions for the people you are going to tag.
3. Tag 11 more Bloggers.
4. No tagging back.
5. Person you tag must have < 200 followers


here we go .....


11 Facts about me 

I encourage myself hugely often  though I know what I could really do
I give a quick glance at the calendar horoscope everyday 
I never had a ride in my bike with the fuel tank full in last 2 years
Mridangam is my medicine , I practise when I am happy,depressed, confused or meticulous
I talk to myself (inside my helmet) while I drive.
I could eat any fruit on earth
I plan so much on weekends decisively i end up sleeping
I love travelling ,trekking and Cycling 
Laughter is one thing I can never control . 
At home, I read books only when there is a powercut.
'Morekozhambu' 'Aviyal' and 'Appalam' are my favorite foodie. (thayirsadam of course )

My answers to 11 questions


1. Blogging to me is a  -  learning platform

2. I recommend the following 3 blogs for you to read when you are free:

read my blog its more than enough .. :P :P

http://rajivreminisce.blogspot.in/


3. 5 songs on my play list. (Losing inspiration here)
1.Isayil Thodanguthama 
2.Krishna Nee Begane
3.Latest (Elay Keechan - kadal )
4.Aqualong - I never understood before
5.Kurai Ondrum Ilai


4. The last 5 books that I read were. 

The love story
Manorama yearbook 2012 
Silent Heroes 
Times now Magazine
and started to read the PhD Thesis book about my Grandpa.

5. The one movie that made me cry - Ladder 49

6. Some day, I will -  Die :P

7. Ten places I want to visit before- 
Rome,Melbourne, Ladakh, Kohima, Shangrila (Pakistan) ,Cape Town (SA),Canadian 
Rockies, Great wall of China, Newyork & Paris

8. The one person who made a HUGE impact on my life would be
- My Grandfather Madurai.T.Srinivasan

9. The last time I goofed something up - often I do but the recent one was , I was too focused on my dressing that i forgot to take my instrument to a rehearsal after which I came half a way back home to take it.

10. New year resolutions for 2013?
Nothing - wanted to be as it is !!

11. (finally!) One secret that nobody knows :P
       - I am blogger !


I would like to tag the below awesome bloggers in this post:

1. Vid Dev
2. Kalyan
3. Ganesh Doc
4.Susan
5. Ashwini
6. Bragadeesh
7. Anand
8. Mahesh
9. Archana Menon
10. Sindhuja
11. Kalyani Ram

I know I repeated many of the names still please adjust and blog to continue the tag ;)

Questions for the Award winners 

1. Which is your favorite  Insect ?
2. Illayaraja or Ar.Rahman ?
3. What would prefer to give a kid who is begging ?
4. Three places you don like to be in  ? 
5. 'God' - Irukara ? illaya ? 
6. 2012 Unforgettable day ?
7. One weirdest thing you did when you are home alone ?
8. Two Impossible wishes you have .. ?
9. Five recent Friends ?
10. One thing you would like to change about Chennai ?
11. Few words about me ?

Rajiv

Fight for forgiveness.

I've read in few books/articles about how forgiveness is one of the greatest power and how it makes us a better person. There has been days when I've thought about this and stopped getting angry. I've never regretted those decisions as, i let go of my anger for people who care about me and didn't really mean to hurt me.

Courtesy : Photobuck

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." 

- Mahatma Gandhiji

 I agree with those who say they can't talk to people who hurt them. I take my own time 

to come in terms with myself after getting hurt, think about what was wrong in the whole 

situation. Its hard to think about what went wrong 'cos we start thinking about who went 

wrong.? Which doesn't take us in the right way.  If we continue to have blame the other 

person thought process, can never make up our mind to even try sorting things with them. 

One other way that could  work in sorting things with a friend or anyone in that 

case is what I call flashback. Talk about the days where you both had lot of fun, talk 

about how each others ideas and suggestions helped, talk about things that made you both 

laugh before the fight or the argument, make fun of each other. This might work with few people 

to bring things back to the way they were.

In the end what hurts you so much when people hurt  is that what we really want is closeness.

Take time to think about it, find out if you really matter to them and give a try to sort things positively. If it doesn't, then they don't merit to have you in their life.

Rajiv