SMS Charges shifts New Year by One Day

Thiruttu Pasanga ! SMS are charged on the festival days. Varies from 25 paise to Re. 1 depending on the mobile service provider.

There could be two possible sensible reasons.
a. To control the surge of messages on these days.
b. To make more revenue out of the mis-utilized comfort.

Have to admit that people go crazy and SMS "New Year greetings" to people they would have met just once in a suburban train a few years ago. I don't go well with this keep-in-touch-with-people stunt. Yet, I message people to whom I genuinely feel to wish.

I am with Aircel and they promise free SMS. The funda is it is not free. They charge Re. 1 per day for this. What the **** is free here ? And whats more ? We have to pay for the individual messages on festivals and holidays. BS !

The problem is that this is intimated to customers via SMS. And people usually IGNORE these messages from their service providers. So, they are also ignorant of the fact they are being charged.

Most of the people realized this on christmas. Hindu friends SMSed Hindu friends for Christmas. And then the realization happened.

So New year was shifted one day back. SMSes Swarmed every mobile, yesterday, than today.
If mobile service providers are Buddhisaalis , customers are Adhui-Budhdhisaalis !

The Spectacles that showed the Future !

Idhu Endha Oor ?

Click here to find out !

Bulb -> Super EGO

If you had read the "Bulb" earlier, you might want to read the same story, with just 3 extra lines. With that the entire story gets another dimension and a different title.

Check it out on the Story Blog

Agalakkattalai !

BSNL Dataone is improving its speed. On all plans (except the poor Unlimited 900 and 900+ plans), the speed would vary from 256 Kbps upto 2 Mbps. And the super-hit plan Home 500, gets a un-metered download limit of 2.5 GB.

People who subscribed for the Home 250 plan can take a jump. They would get 1 GB download limit.
By far, i think the Home 250 plan is the cheapest in the market, and BSNL adds more value to this pack by increasing speed and allowing more downloads.

I think this is a terrific move. Most of the subscribers may not even realize the worth of this speed revision. I wish atleast Airtel and Tata understand and revise their plans, accordingly.

Thandu Mariamman Street :)

At Last Chennai Street Map of Google Maps

BULB

"Hey.."..

"mmm... sollu.."

"Yen Dulla irukke ? whats wrong with you ??"

"onnum illa. Sollu, enna vishayam.!!"

"Damn it !! Ippo enna nadandhuduchchunnu moonjiya thookki vechukkara ?"

"..."

"Andha situationle yaara irundhirundhaalum adhai thaan senjiruppanga... puriyudha ?"

"...."

"Hey !! This is too much. Enna nee ? Adikkadi kovappatta adhukku mariyadhaye illama poyidum"

"....."

"Nee enna ninaichitturukke un manasule huh ?? .. artham illadha vishayathukkellam nee kovappaduve.. naan ellathukkum Sorry kekkanumaa ?"

"......."

"Kalyani. I want an answer. Naan pattukku pesittu irukken.. hello.. !"

"....."

"Kalyani.. please try to understand. Yennai.... naan solalradha purinjukko !!"

"...."

"Naan andha madhiri senjirukka koodadhudhaan. But we cant force ourselves to be right everywhere. can we ?"

"..."

"Look. Iam sorry. I can truly understand how hurt you would have felt. Yennai Mannichudu !"

"..."

"Inime andha madhiri Nadandhukka maatten.. I swear. Ok va ?"

"...."

"cmon !! badhil sollu.. Ok dhaane ??..."

"..... hello !! hello !! Balaji.. naan pesaradhu kekkudhaa !! hello !!"

"???? ennachu ? kekkudhu.. Sollu ?"

"sorry.. signal sariya kidaikkala.. mmm.. ippo solluda.. enna vishayam ?"

Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating !!

For those who aren't "Happy MONDAY vacation" !!!!!!!

Here's Image of the Week (my carrot photo from Kodai trip).

Apppaaadaaa !

Appada ! The way the movie swayed, I thought it would drown two people. Manickam Narayanan and Gautham Menon. Thankfully the movie made it to the shore. Tomorrow, we have the 100th day celebration on the Sathyam. Boss is attending right after his shooting in the US after 10A.

He fit in the role perfectly and Im about to raise a opinion poll.

• Thangappadhakkam Sivaji Ganesan
• Moondru Mugangal Rajinikanth
• Vaalter Vetrivel Sathyaraj
• Sethupathy IPS Vijayakanth
• Kuruthippunal Kamalhaasan
• Kakka Kakka Surya
• Saamy Vikram
• Vettaiyadu Vilayadu Kamalhaasan

Who among these Fit in the Cop Image the best. Im not talking about the role. Its the appearance. The Appeal. Let me know.

Talking of VV, Gautham Menon owes this success to Kamalhaasan and Harris Jeyaraj. Without them it is a kiddish movie. This movie may not be deserving this success. Im sure it was made to run in theatres for just the numbers. Yet, unlike Chandramukhi running for 500+ days and Vijay movies that are made to invariably run for 150 days and more, this movie did make a box-office impact. Good collection like this is long due from Kamalhaasan, and producer Manickam Narayanan should be all smiles after this success. Boy what a roller-coaster ride he had !!

I'm eager to listen what Kamal has to say about this success. What should he do ? Eat a Humble pie ?


UPDATE : Was there at Sathyam yesterday morning for the 100th day function. Not too many celebrities. Even Mrs. Jothika didnt turn up. Kamalhaasan, however, made my day with that awesome look. The talks were as usual boring except for Kamal and Parthipan. The audience were roaring all the time. Kamal has so many fans and even at this period of time. Yet, some stupid article mentions the popularity of Tamil actors "Rajini, Vijay, Vikram, Ajith and Kamal" in that order. How dare they ?

Jyothi

Abaththa Salugai !

Fuel - Unleaded

It ain't a great feature. Buy a Rs. 300 fuel starter pack, and get a stored value of Rs. 250. And the cash doesn't carry over after a period of time. Is there a post-paid card ? I'd be interested on that.

For people who aren't aware about what's rocking the entertaining news in Chennai, Sathyam Cinemas have introduced a new Prepaid movie card - FUEL. We could buy this card and use it on Internet, telephonic and direct purchases of our tickets. We could even recharge these cards over the internet or the Sathyam counters.

Sathyam Cinemas have been adopting every possible way of innovation. As far as Chennai is concerned, Sathyam might get the best eCommerced site next only to IRCTC.com. However both of them seem to have trouble in Committing transactions. eCommerce and India are still distant relatives.

But this initiative of Sathyam would have been cool and super-cool, if they gave real value of money on the card, unlike the monstrous kabaleegaram in mobile pre-paid cards. Aircel Pre-paid card gives us Rs. 175 talktime for a recharge card worth Rs. 330. WTF ? These guys charge us on the calls. Why should there be a activation and other blah-blah-blah charges ? If the FUEL card is a similar pre-paid card, then I'd better stick to my credit-card booking.

It wouldn't make sense for us to buy some Rs. 400 recharge card and blow it up on one movie, and then recharge again for the next. Thats as good as buying tickets in the counters. It would only make sense if we recharge the card with a few thousands of rupees. And that, most of us wouldn't dare to do, when the Terms say that cash will not be carried over after a certain period of time.

On Similar lines, Mayajaal comes up with a plan. For Rs. 5000 a year, we get movies, stay and everything else possible within Mayajaal. But Mayajaal is damn expensive, dont you think ?

Wish the Burma Bazaar guys come up with such a card.. !!

The Un-pakka Vadhyam

On the "Music Season" supplementary section of The Hindu today, three Pakkavadhya Professionals have shard their views about the exploitation by the Sabhas, Audience and the Society in general.

They seem to have disappointed and apprehended by the reaction of all these people towards them. They are not paid in par with what is being paid to the Lead / main vocalists or Instrumentalists. They do not get the media attention that they think they deserve. And for people who have taken percussion as a profession, it is difficult for them to get a bride.
While I understand their concern from a society stand-point, I dont really think a few points are valid. Mirudhangam and Ganjira certainly adds value to the song. They are well appreciated. If "due credits" is a word that means the correct mention was given, then i think the pakka-vadhyams are given due-credits.

And due-credits is all they deserve. I agree their names should be mentioned in the invitations and music-concert announcement. But they cant drag attention for more than what they deserve. Umayalpuram Sivaraman is a great Mirudhanga Vidhvan. But he knows his place when a singer whose age is even lesser than his experience is performing.

"I would change my name if someone makes an impact on stage without pakkavadhyam" says one percussionist. Dude, this is an age where already a Thambura is sitting inside a electronic box. I know a few friends of mine who have mirudhangam and tabela electronically generated. They have loops. Just because the Vocals sit along with all he pakkavadhyams, do not put them on the same levels.

Im sure the article on Hindu will atract some oppositions.

This has become a trend in almost every field, where everyone feels themselves essential. If you feel the same way, "Time for a reality check" guys.

An irrelevant quote - "All men are equal. But some men are more equal than others". :)

Dilbert Rocks !

de-Best of Dilbert.

Have you ever faced this situation ?
You are angry, and you completely realize that expressing that piece of anger had just become meaningless.
What do you do ?

The Ammanji kids, i've seen (once I've been), used to be blamed for no reasons. Then when found innocent, the parents ask for an excuse. The kids who have been burning-red with anger until then, will break out by crying out loud. Thats how they express the Residual Hatred (see picture) in them.

But Im not sure how this happens over a grown up man. I've never come across such a situation, where the reasoning happens before expression. I see such a situation possible. Wonder how I'll handle it.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK, IS BACK

This week, we have a picture I took on my way to Dindukkal. These kind of scenes, you get to see only while on a train.

Morning time. Mist.
Train journey. Solitude.

:)

Dakkalti !

I took this picture yesterday evening. Point your camera towards the setting sun in Twilight mode, and you will get a similar tone. Only you need to wait for that bird. Well, actually i waited and waited, but couldnt get a bird in frame.

So, I took one of my earlier pictures and made the bird come on to this picture.
Aye, Photoshop ! Thou canst be creative no more !

Lukka Chuppi

powered by ODEO

Lukka Chuppi is nominated at the Oscars in the Original Scores category. AR Rahman's classic masterpiece deserves it and more. The song melts with Lata's voice. Now how can an instrument equal Lata's voice? Listen to the audio here, and you will know. AR Rahman - da - God.

Also Khalbali and Chan Chan from Water seems to have entered nominations. 3 out of 56 belongs to Rahman. Kudos !!

Dont know if you realize, almost all songs from Water are top-class. I wish AR Rahman wins the award, and more than that, I wish Lukka Chuppi gets it.

Simple Vs Grand

Hehehe ! Well, I am just too good at illustration. :) I wanted to tell you that i like Simplicity as well as Grandiose. And I found the best way to do it :)

Note : This post is purely about the materialistic simplicity. Not simplicity in thoughts or anything like that.

Quick exercise to you ! Self Analysis !
Do you like being simple, or would you like to exhibit grandness in the things you do ?

Many of my friends like to be simple. Simple dressing. Not wearing jewels. Not a grand looking Hall and bedroom. No bandhas. No alattals. Being a rich person, and travelling by TVS 50. And all that.

There are some people who live excessively grand. Traveling on a Corolla to nearby temples. Wearing the 50,000 color saree. Wandering like a mini jewel shop.

My ex-boss used to tell me, "Im rich. But I dont like to show my richness around. I wear shirts worth Rs.100 or so. I dont want to wear those expensive shirts and exhibit grandness".

I like to be simple. Simple words. Simple clothing. Simple home. But I like to be grand as well. Iam, already, in my waist-size :) But that apart, I like the grand Door of the Veda Nilayam (J's res). I like that C-Class. Whats the point in having so much money that can let you travel on a Merc, and yet you travel by Zen ?

Question ! You have One Crore Credit. You need a car. Which car will you buy ?

Another Question : There are two sentences.
Sentence A) I want to be simple
Sentence B) I dont want to be grand

Which of the sentences do you *Honestly* think you agree with, if you think you are simple ?

"I find I am so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

Happened to watch this movie again ! I love the climax. No wonder this movie tops the world for years.

Naama Japan Kyon Chod Diya

powered by ODEO

Shrikanth Kumar is back with a song that melts.

Last time I had his face glow in the darkness. After hearing this song, I wanted to place something that dwells into the mood of the song. I asked Srikanth to hold a spatika mala in his hand in the terrace. It might have sounded crazy to him. But the picture came out just too good. Dont you think ?

TAMIL KOLAI

Could you please click on the picture and read the Tamil line written below the Zen Logo.

Thank You !

Now whats that written ?

Sape ? Safe ? One thing is clear. Its crazy.

This Ad appeared on the Dinamalar paper. This paper goes around Tamil nadu. With mostly Tamil speaking people.

Why the hell are these tag lines appearing in Tamil, with english pronunciation ? They could have been totally Tamil, or Totally English. What is the objective of having it this way ? I totally dont understand.

Even worse is the Hindi taglines transliterated in Tamil. What the **** is that ? Who on earth does that help ?

People who localize the Ads that are released nationwide, better take some care to make it completely local, or leave it as it is. The ones like what is shown above has no value.

Thank God ! Im using the Company transport for commuting to my office. If I had used my bike, Im very uncertain about my life. The Globus hoardings with Soha Ali Khan make me melt. If you see a face peeping out of a White Color Software company bus, and staring at one hoarding, don't hesitate.. just come and say a Hi.. that has to be me. Anyways, chances are less that i respond back. You are disturbing an admiration process.

A few people, especially the actress, look good in a few stills. Got to be the talent of the cameraman. But who cares about the cameraman. Its Soha Ali Khan that matters.

Talking of disturbing hoardings, i find a lot of them in Chennai. No Longer are hoardings being painted. Its all printed. A few hoardings are a lot interesting, and just as life keeps it balanced, a lot of them are largely irritating. For instance a guy sitting in his Toilet working on a laptop, becomes an Ad for an apparel store. Thats Awkward ! Meanwhile, the RMKV Jothika Ads, HSBC, Samsung, Sony, Globus, Economic Times and many other hoardings are pleasing. Some of them very intelligent. Wonder if all Chennai people understand it. Another funny thing is hoardings with Hindhi words written in English - there's something crazy here. What are these hoardings doing in Tamilnadu ?

One more hoarding that caught the attention of Chennai, last few weeks. eServe becoming Citigroup. Are they trying to promote their company like that ? They seem to be doing the meaningless "Best Kanna Best" branding for their company. People dont like it, yet it makes a mark in the memory. Branding is all about staying in the consumer's memory.

If there's a hoarding that still remains fresh in my memory, it is 555 Cigarette hoarding in Anna Nagar - Roundtanna. If was one of the first printed hoardings in Chennai. Anyone remember this ?

Anna Nagar Tower

Caught this on the Karthigai Deepam night. Couldnt get a proper refined shot. C'mon ! It happens to PC Sriram, even.

Here's something about the Anna Tower, from Kosukadi.com (Super URL !).

Watch it 1st day ! 1st Show !

For Rs. 75, you can get your BP checked. Heart scanned. Analyze your mental depression levels.
You need to spend a helluva amount in Apollo for doing all this. But our Vijaya T Rajendar does it in his movie Veerachchchchaaamy !.

Talk of Healthy Movies :)

Enigma

I am going to have a bad thoughtful day. I have refused an obligation request that was thought of to be an offer to me.Sundaravadhanam of the next apartment wanted me to drop Sanjana to school.

I’m known in the locality for voluntary services. I write Paropakaraartham Itham Sareeram in many places and get awkward pleasure when people ask me its meaning. Sometimes, it feels good to know things other people don’t. And it feels even better when you explain the ignorant. But when the ignorant is no longer ignorant, and he knows what you know, that’s when you start feeling insecure. I never felt insecure in terms of knowledge because I keep learning out of every single thing. Or at least that’s what I think.

Sundaravadhanam’s kid got admitted in the school that I studied for 14 years. I started my LKG and ended up my +2 there in that school. I know every pillar and bench of that place. Every teacher, staff and watchman. There’s no place in the school that doesn’t have my footprint (except the girls toilet). And mind you, 14 years is no small period. We had great friends at school, who are still in constant touch. We all did LKG to +2 together. We cherished life there. Not a single day in school went with a feeling of grin. I think, much like the other kids, that I had the most incredible schooling ever. I had a great deal of influence in my school that Sundaravadhanam’s daughter Sanjana got admitted in my school by just using my name. All I did in my school was I gained a lot of affection, and I didn’t like to quantify that by using my name in an obligation. However, it was done before I could realize it happen, and I was added to the gratitude list of a family.

Today, Sundaravadhanam called home, and had requested mom to request me to drop his kid at my school. He had also mentioned hat it will be a pleasure for me to walk into my school. I hate when obligations come disguised like an offer. I could only stare at my mom, when she told me this. The very feeling of the fact that I had to go to my school again gave a shudder in me. Quite contrary to what others might imagine. I very immediately started thinking of intelligent excuses. I found one and conveyed that as well.

But the shiver was still there. It is not the people there. It is that place. It has life.

Its been six years out of school, and not a single day passed without a random thought about my school. Yet, I did not want to step in that again. I somehow got a feeling it was an examination of my emotional turbulence, and I knew I would miserably fail in it. A lot of my friends visited school much too often and had a great time. But I felt the can was sealed and it looked good with the cover wrapped. Frequently opening the can and smelling the fragrance is not something I preferred to do. I rather dwell in the imagination that there is a great fragrance inside.

In the distance, Sanjana was hugging onto Balaji on his bike, who was dropping her to school.

How much I wanted to go there !! and how much I didn’t want to go there.. !

Kodai Blast

Some photos taken @ Kodaikanal ! For Your Eyes Only




How long can you keep watching a monkey ?
As long as you can watch an idle Elephant, empty tracks, running water and midnight stars.



In a smallest pit, blossomed the most colorful flowers.
You shine in your place, and struggle not to be seen. Your Discoverer will come unto you, and show the world your colors.



The future is Mystic. It is fun to walk into the future when it is not visible.




Even a dead tree is a warm house for a happy family.



When you climb the tallest of mountains, Sky is very nearby. It is not touching the sky thats important. It is the climbing that is.

What does this look like ?

This is an Ice tray. Yep ! An Ice tray designed by Art. Lebedev Studio.

These guys go wild and crazy when it comes to designing things. They design any object with Isstyle. Their trends make me want to buy each one of them. The Optimus Keyboard is something I'd love to have.

Have a look at all the objects that they have designed.

Some of them wild... and some of them awesome. Most of them cho.. chweet.

I am going to employ them design my Home theater system... this home theater will be in my new home in Adayar.. which Im planning to buy after becoming a manager.. which will be in a matter of years...and that...

Hmm.. Ninaippudhaan Pozhappa kedukkum.

Onlee Maniratnam fossible !!

How is that Maniratnam alone can derive emotion from people ? How could he alone make Abishek Bachchan act ?

The Guru website is now loaded with content. Especially with some great looking pictures of Aishwarya Rai. I particularly like this picture of Abishek, because of the emotion it generates.

It comes after a phrase that says, "If people say bad things about you, you must be doing something good !!" :)

Please Check GURUTALK in the site. Some powerful words there.

I wonder if Maniratnam will come back to Tamil for making movies. I wish he does. I can give a open call-sheet. if he wants :)

Tamil audience wouldnt give Maniratnam a super-hit, as much as they give Perarasu. Maniratnam, even though claims himself as a Masala director, is branded as an art-film maker. I wonder why ! If we had enough talent with great imaginations, then Maniratnam would have been an ordinary director.

Hmm.. when a director tells Sathyaraj, "Andha kuzhandhayeee neengadhaan saar !", onnum panna mudiyaadhu !

"Yummy !" and "Yuk !"

Had been to Kodaikanal for the weekend and brought back a ton-load of photos and even heavier cold. It is a fantastic place to be and it becomes very special when you are with your friends. Break free from Stress. Loved it.

I took a cool picture of the carrots being sold there. They looked Yummy, however did not taste sweet. I thought it would at least make a very good wallpaper. We continued our journey to Mannavanur, munching the Carrots, when we saw another scene that made us nearly choke. They were cleaning the carrots that were looking so very dirty in a dirty water pool. The result was fresh looking carrots that looked awesome.



I know a lot of our local food commodities are being prepared in an awkward way. Palani Panchamirtham is said to be done like this. I've heard the Dates are being crushed by elephants. A lot more and a lot more. But whats the big deal, uh !!

Ignorance is Bliss.

CRACK THIS

World Vayitherichchal Day ! - Tomorrow

I got a lot of "Happy Thanksgiving Day" greetings. Thanks. But I'm finding it funny to be wished for something I don't even know about, or ever celebrated. Anyways. Thanks for the wishes. (Should we or should we not say Thanks for the Thanksgiving Day wishes ?)

India is getting more and more familiar with American festivals/holidays. Primary reason - it is a holiday for BPO employees. Various other media are another source. Im sure Halloween will hit Chennai in the next two years. On the converse, Diwali has grown popular in the US. I got Diwali Greetings from a few Americans at work.

Break. Take a look at the typical Indian Mentality. People feel sick about Valentine's Day and other such days getting popular in India. But the same mind feels proud when our Festival is celebrated outside. "Seattlelil Gokulaashtami".. "Singaporil Thai poosam" become headline news. Same is the case when Sonia Gandhi attempts to become the Prime Minister. But imagine an Indian winning a Senate in the US. People lift their Collars and with great pride they would say "Look at him. An Indian at a High position in the US"... Why O Why ?

Forget that. Come back to the World Vayiththerichchal Day !

This is the day that Im proposing to the world. The day coincides with the Black Friday of the US. On this day, you can visit the websites of the US Stores and look at the price tag of the Exotic Electronic item that you purchased months before, now being sold for a dirt cheap price. You may then express your stomach felt Vayiththerichal at enormous magnitude. Please wear a special attire on this day. Find out if there is any costume for a Jack-ass look and wear it.

Click here , to find out the best deals of 2006 Black Friday. If you are in the US try to get a seat in the Queue in front of the store (Some stores like Circuit city allows Online Shopping on Thanksgiving sales). More importantly, If you are in the US, you may close down your chat for the next two days. Your Indian buddies are up for an obligation. If you are in India, go find your friend on the chat and convince him to buy you something cheap on the Sale day.

The Best Deal of the Year - Sony Bravia 40" is close to $800 cheaper than its current price.

Now see if you can hear this.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
Happy Vayiththerichchal Day to you !

Janma Saabhalyam - Updated !

The Purpose of your life is complete today !

Announcing the release of Avyukta Wallpapers Part I. Enjoy !

Check now. Apologies, if the link did not work for you.
Let me know what you feel about the wallpapers... they are from the photos I took with my DSC H5.

The Prestige ! The Departed ! The Fountain !

Three movies that I've been longing to watch ! Who's got the DVD ?

The Prestige is a movie by Christopher Nolan -the famous director of Memento, Insomnia and Batman Begins - all of them critically acclaimed and super hits. Unfortunately many critics have shown disappointment and resentfully commented that the movie lacks the *Magic of attraction*, which Christopher Nolan is good at. But a few reviewers say A Few people may love this movie. Well, then Im certainly going to love it.

The Departed is a movie by Martin Scorsese - the director of Aviator and The Gangs of New York. I haven't watched both of them. But I've read about the Ishtyle of the director. Moreover the star cast - Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson keep tempting me.

The Fountain is a movie by Darren Aronofsky. Who is this guy ? Dont know.. but ennamo nalla irukaam. The story is intriguing.

Paarkalam ! Seen any of them ?

Simmakkuralon !

This is a vintage picture of singer Hariharan, taken from his Official Website (maintained by his fans).

Everyone those days took a photo like this. Ask your dad to show a picture of him sitting on a rock wearing a sun-glass. Im sure he has it. Also your mom would be seen in a similar pose like how Hariharan is standing.. and goes without saying their parents exchanged that photos before marriage.

Neways why is Hariharan on Avyukta ? Because he has sung Ay Hairathe in GURU, by AR RAHMAN and the music is out on the street.

The back covers of GURU has Chinmayee, Ranjit Barot, Chitra, Shreya Goshal, Alka Yagnik, Madhushree, Pravin Mani... all great voices and great technicians. (Infact there is a name - KEERTHI printed on the covers.. whoever it is, you did good to the name, my boy !!).

All these names should have given a Divine music. Unfortunately it turns to be disappointing.. But this song, Ai Hairathey and two more songs rock !

Do check out Hariharan's official site ! There's a bunch of his Ghazals on a preview. Worth listening a million times.

Hariharan has created a trade mark with his Kudumi ! And his hands painting the air while singing. Thats one thing that Srinivas has adopted from Hariharan, besides a good voice. Irritatingly Srinivas does the air painting much too much, that if you mute and see the close up, you might think he is stuck in quick sand and struggling to come out. Whatever... not my area of concern as long as god music hits the ears.

Check out Ai Hairathey !! Am sure you will go crazy about it.. !

Negotiation Skills

How many times were you able to convince something to someone ? Were you successful ?

Predicting people's reaction is one thing. A lot of people now get that skill, because people everywhere have started behaving the same stupid way. But having predicted their reaction, to change it and get a response the way we want it - THAT IS THE SKILL.

I take a van from Villiwakkam to my office. The Van driver starts his day at Washermanpet and drive all the way to Villiwakkam. At times he is late and at times some of us who board the Van are late. If he comes late, he urges everyone, and doesn't give time for even boarding smoothly. If we are late hell breaks loose. We need to answer him. Wouldn't feel like working in a company, instead it feels like answering a dreaded professor at college. I usually am never late. But a few others have to give their explanations to the driver. Wonder even if they answer their managers that way.

Now here's more trouble. He has employed a new driver and he says, Van starts 7.45 AM and waits for no one from tomorrow. What he doesn't understand is that the Van is employed for our convenience. Of course, it is not fair on our part to come late to the boarding point. But thats not deliberate. So, we expect him to understand that.

Let me see how i can convey him that and get a favourable answer ! Suggestions ?

Outside the Cubicles

This picture was taken from my office. There's a bit of construction work going on in the first floor of another block, and behind that is a vast land that is temporarily called a Lake, due to the recent rains. I couldnt get the natural light coz' I couldnt open the glass window. Also, I couldnt make the person come within the glow area, because I couldnt move anymore towards the left. Che ! I could have been PC Sriram ! Just miss....

Question ?

There is a question by Narayanan Venkittu Sir, On the previous post.

Can you answer that ?

---------------------

PS. Apologies for not replying your comments. Will do it soon.

Ilayaraja Soup

Ilayaraja is caught in a situation. People are taking a picture of Periyar. Take my word, the movie will be a utter flop. Yet, this movie is creating controversies since Big Bang. Kushboo was a controversy. Then Thankarbachan said he wouldn't record the scenes involving Kushboo. Now it is Ilayaraja who is blamed for not having accepted to compose music for this movie.

Gnyanasekaran is the director. The director of Bharathi. I did not like Bharathi. But people have given the same "More-than-adequate-recognition" to him as well. He is now directing Periyar.

Periyar is some person who was dead before I was born. But yet, I get to hate his take on God. I dont care what he believes. But I believe in something and he or his group dare not try and hurt it. I hate the board in front of Srirangam Raajagopuram which says "Kadavulai Nambubavan Muttaal. Kumbidubavan Kaattumiraandi". A few people who dont believe in God think they are more mature than the the ones who do. Thats debatable. But placing such boards in front of temples ? Only rogues propagate those principles. Not decent fellows. They want to invite arguments or irritate people.

Now this is the same group that is trying to make anything and everything about Periyar a controversy. Is Ilayaraja not free enough to say "I don't like Periyar. I wont compose music to a film that talks about him" ? He has all the freedom in the world to refuse a contract, for whatever reason he likes.

Guys. Periyar is a great guy who tried to abolish Caste based discrimination. Agreed. People who want to worship him, go ahead. But don't keep creating controversies in his name. The man is dead. Let him rest in peace.

Shrikanth Kumar - My Friend

Shrikanth Kumar is my Baalya Snehidhan. He has an ultimate voice that even Teja likes. Just like any other aspiring singer, he took the Sapthaswarangal route. He couldnt succeed there, though, beyond the Quarter finals. However he is still persistant to make an entry into the Cinemas with his phenomenal voice.

He was home yesternight, when the power was out. I had been longing to take this photograph. I made him sing in a Candle light and illuminated just his face and hand. It was reddish, but the concept came out well. Did a photoshop to make this a black and white, and it looks satisfying... doesnt it ?

Yeah Yeah ! He wants to become the next Hariharan, and I want to become the next PC Sriram. Who wants to be the next Maniratnam and Kamalhaasan ?

Santhosh Sivan - Like No Other

Chennayil Mazhai ! Veetukkul Veyyil !

The reason we have Shreya Goshal (all of you get full marks for guessing right) on my page is becasue of this song.

Awesome voice. Both Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Goshal.

GV Prakash has done well with Veyyil. However it is too early to comment.

Music directors like Joshia Shridhar, Suresh Peters, Dheena and D Iman were all too impressive in their first few movies but failed to show creativity in their subsequent ones. Most of the times "more-than-adequate-recognition" will make the creative minds to suffocate from creativity.

What the heck !! Why should a music director be consistent to get a good name. I say if the Music Director had made atleast one song extremely good to listen, then he is a good music director. I say GV Prakash is a good music director.

Coming back to Shreya Goshal. Marugudhey Muruguthey song is a ordinary sounding song, yet very catchy. When it played on Radio Mirchi, I called nearly three of my friends and asked them what movie it was. Luckily Shrikanth guessed it to be Veyyil, and Avyukta started playing it on loop.

Thats how I started wondering, why people in the background never get the due credits. Shreya Goshal, Mahalakshmi and Saadhana Sargam have given new genere of voices to the tamil heroines. But they havent got the fame as much as the Vaala Meenu guy. Do wise and get unnoticed. Do Stupid and get famous.

Who Is This ?

Guess this person ! No clues required !

Master Actor

If there is a great actor who was much better than even Sivaji Ganesan, it was Balayyah.

I do not know his full name or his other details. I was searching for him over the internet and couldnt find any.

I know there are a lot of Balayyah fans out there, and I suggest a Wiki to be started under his name.

The phenomenal actor who was patronized in most of Sridhar's movies. His voice and expressions are just so spontaneous.

"Asogaruu... Asogaru.. ! Unga magarungalaa ?"

"Pssss.... Nilagalagandam.."

"Ammaa.. maariyammaaa.."

A very disciplnied actor who was mostly taking the elderly roles. And how well he fit those ! No one can forget Thillana Moganaambal. You would find an authentic Thavil-vidhvaan there. Then a estate owner in Kaadhalikka Neramillai. Wow !! And the Baanabattar in Thiruvilayaadal.

If you have seen all these movies but havent seen Balaiya in specific, I reccomend you revisit these movies and closely watch the body language of Mr. Balaiya.

Calling out all the fans of Balaiyah.. now dont just start a useless community in Orkut. Make a wiki. Let us research on this man.. not his personal life, but his Movie Career and document them. If this fellow gets a Wiki then Balaiya certainly deserves one.

November 7th

"Anne ! Ungalukku Lucky number 7nne !"

அண்ணே !! உங்களுக்கு லக்கி நம்பர் ஏழுண்ணே !!!

What language do you use to talk to your Peer ?

How difficult is it to write something without giving an example ? For instance, when you are trying to convey about anything with regards to feelings of human mind, anyone would want to spot an example. Whoops ! Did I ? Already ?

I think it is my immaturity with words. I recycle the same words I know, and try not to get introduced to new words that carry a very good conveyance (What was that ?!). So, to escape a lot of words, I throw in a few examples to convey things better. A lot of my GRE friends did that TOEFL and all of a sudden started speaking out words that were German by pronunciation, yet English by theory. They dazzled me and made me jealous. I was so dwarfed by them that I changed myself after that. Thats right.. I stopped talking to them. :) (Simple solutions for a small planet).

I used to think I needed good English very badly, when I get on a job. But unfortunately or rather ironically, I had no need to take the pain when I was actually into the job. All my mates were so good at comunication that we chose Tamil. Then the seniors. They spoke good Tamil as well. Only those uneducated Americans didnt know tamil, and hence had to make out words to email them. Im on my second job, and yet Im only making out with the commonly used words. The common practice is, when things go beyond the explainable boundary, we term it Complex. "Well.. it gets complex.. you wouldnt understand.. you know !!".. Thats a simple way to dodge language-impotency.

There are groups within any IT Company. The biggest of them all is a group that speaks Telugu. Almost all companies has this group, doesnt it ? No offence meant, but thats just an observation. Then there's a Malayalam group. Then there is a rest of North-India group. Tamils are a part of every group, here and there.. very occasionally do you see a out-and-out Tamil speaking group. If there's someone who wants to Violently oppose this fact, I'd like to hear from him. Only when a diversified (I almost typed it Divorcified) group sits in for a meeting, I hear English (I said Hear.. thats the only thing I do at meetings).

Not every hi-fi company has its employees speaking in English.. like what we expect. I have a question here. Language is meant for communication. You need education on language for effective communication. But if your workplace has people who speak your language, why would you converse with him in English ?

I have met a few people in my previous employment. He was from Banglore, but he was Tamil. We were both in Mumbai. But he never spoke a single word in Tamil with me. Why would he do that ?

What about you ? How would you converse with your peer, who talks the same language as you do ?

If you converse in English, dont you think it is kind of being artifical ?

Saturday ! Saturday ! Saturday !

Woohaa ! It is saturday !

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Im planning to buy another mobile. I invite suggestions. I want a full featured mobile without a camera in it. Is there any ?

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We are listening to what you are listening !!

Yet another Google Labs release. Of course on Beta.

Google Trends was some application that was fed by our personalized search. Google stores the strings we search for. Google knows you were looking for ugly pictures of Mallika Sherawath.. or you were trying to look for the contact address of EDS when you were in IBM. It is not exactly like you are loosing privacy, but you are sharing it with Google (Whats the point ?). This helps Google find out how many people look for Mallika Sherawath (?!).

Thats all fine. But I didnt think that the Music Status in Google Talk would be another Data sucking hook.

Google Talk was released wit a new version, which allowed the user to show the Music he/she is listening to as the current status. Didnt do too much fun for Tamil users who were listening to the most popular music called "TRACK 1"!!

But now looks like those status messages are being stored and used for stats called the Google Music Trends.

Look out for India... Munbe Vaa is in the 15th position and New York Nagaram falls to 20th position. This would be more accurate if everyone start using Google Talk and enable the Music Status.

I just wonder abt something ! Do you think atleast one of the so many people listening to Munbe Vaa would have actually bought the original CD ?

Paperkaaran !

Look at the newpaper.... ?? These guys have their own style. Rain or shine, they throw the paper in the same area. So, the newspaper carrying the flood news, themselves will be drenched in water. But they dont care. !

I wanted to capture the guy throwing the paper to the first floor apartment, but my inability to capture such pictures prevent me from posting them. So, here's my newspaper guy throwing the paper into a house in the next street... This is why we should have a 12 X zoom !

Guess Who ?

Hindusthan ki Sab se badi Company !!

Guru - A Maniratnam Film

Abishek Bachchan doesnt look serious in this picture. He looks funny. However in the trailer, the Old age get-up suits him. And the trailer is very interesting.

Take a sneak-peek here.

Mani had done a similar attempt with Iruvar. MGR and MK were brought live via Mohanlaal and Prakashraj. They are potentially great actors. And they were capable of those roles.

But Abishek Bachchan is not that good an actor, as far as I have seen. But Im sure Maniratnam would have extracted the maximum out of him. (He made Simran act well in Kannathil Muththamittaal).

Alright !! Whats the dialogue Maniratnam told Abishek before the movie began ?

"Nee nalla Nadippennu thonalai !!
Indha padam hit aaagumnu nambikkai illai !!
.....
Aaana idhellaam nadandhudumonnu bayamma irukku !!"

like.no.other

Colour - Like No Other

This is the tag-line for Sony products that show colors. Such as Televisions and Cameras. Bravia is the new line of television products from Sony. And they made an Ad for it. It was popularly known as Bravia balls. I remember mentioning it on Avyukta as well.

If you havent seen Bravia - Bouncy Balls, quick... quick... Go here and watch it right away. You cant miss these things in life.

But then, thats not what I wanted to talk about. After Bravia Balls, these guys from Sony started working on another Ad that was planned to splash color paints on a building, using some 1000 detonators and many more Paint buckets. That Ad was getting released by 17th October, and the world awaited the release.

Believe it ? The world awaited the release of just an Advertisement.

I was one of them, and quickly downloaded and watched the Ad. Whaaaw ! See if you are able to appreciate it. Watch the Hi-res video here.

And namma oor advertisements ? "Sakthi masala pudhu ragam !! Pudhu suvai !"..

Vellaththanaya Malar Neettam Maandhartham
Ullaththanaya Dhuyarvu !

Understand ?

Ee Adichaa dhaan Copyaa ?

Listen to them. Listen to them.

Guess the songs ! I know thats easy. Guess the raagas !

Do they sound similar ? Yeah they do.. HJ copies the Rahman beats in many places / movies. Thats all ok. It aint any big mistake.

But adhai kandu pidippathil oru asattu santhosham.. thats all.

BTW, did you listen to the BGM in Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu ? One of it sounds like the Taal beat by AR Rahman.

Happy Ramzan from Diwali :)

I attempted to take a photo like GVB Sir and asked my mom to facilitate it. So she did, and here's my thathikinathom photo. Not even close to the inspiration, ille ? Hmm.. You need the eyes on the fingers. Am still not getting it anyway. But I shall not stop(Dhoda !).

I could see a Pirai and stars here.
Happy Ramzan, from Diwali :)

Adappongadaa !

My Speaker adapter puttukichchu ! So Avyukta is currently not entertaining us with the usual audio it does. So, with not much choices left (Local theatre rates for Godfather / Varalaaru - Rs. 150 ), I settled with Oru Kallooriyin Kadhai on Sun TV. One of my many mistakes that make me eat my head.

Konnuttaanunga.. Che ! Are movies being made like this ?

Thoongu moonji Arya is a hero ! There's no freshness in his face. Pick any tamilian and tell him Sonia Agarwal is the heroine and record the happiness in the face.. Andha happiness kooda illama oru Pathos face Aaryaavukku. Moreover the movie has a beyond-the-limits sodhappal story / screenplay. If the movie was style in Gautham Style, the movie would end in 12 minutes. 2 minutes for Jyothika introduction exclusive.

The disappointed me came back to Avyukta and started browsing the net. And I thought I'd read a review of the same movie on Indiaglitz.. And they have ended like this.

Arya steals the show with a good performance and giving him ble company is Sonia. This is not a run of the mill college caper story. There is a touch of reality in many things.

Whaaw ! Why wouldnt reviews on Indiaglitz, Galatta and Cinesouth be honest ? Chumma any movie becomes a must watch movie.. Nonsense.

Just as i feared

After a happy Diwali shopping experience I drove on full throttle back home. And there was a speed breaker on the sky. Some firework that exploded on the sky and displayed a wonderful pattern.

But as i entered the middle class locality, the 100 walas and Latchumi vedis started scaring my drive. Unmanned crackers (people run into their homes after kissing the cracker with the Oodhubathi).

The Kutti in the picture is Rishika, my cous's daughter. Look at her fear at the about-to-blow firepot.

Attire

A Vijayakanth Fan in the making

Kannile Neer Edharkku ? Kaalam ellaam Azhuvadharkku !!

கண்ணிலே நீர் எதற்கு ? காலம் எல்லாம் அழூவதற்கு !!

Diwali Wishes

Manamaarntha Deepavali Nal Vaazhthukkal.
--
regards
Keerthivasan Rajamani

Diwali Greetings - 2005 (?)

Last year, for Diwali, I made this greeting on Photoshop. And its got hit this Diwali on Google search. I was shocked to see a hit counter on the Photoshop blog.

How you can create a similar one ? Follow these steps on your Photoshop.

Open a 1024 X 768. Fill it with Black. Scribbled a agal vilakku. Then a Red Jwalai. Then its oragne and yellow shade..Then Blur it. Then run a Palette Knife filter on it.

Viola ! You got it.

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Well then, heading up for a very long weekend. 23rd being the indecent appearance in between Diwali and Ramzan, many of them at work have decided to kill it with a Leave request. That would mean a weekend that will Start from Friday and end by Tuesday. Ahh ! The sound of the very word Vacation seduces me. I wish I were a kid going to school, and you now how happy we were going back home from school on a Diwali holiday. Hmm.. sometimes growing up aint that much fun.

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As a prudent worker, I was using the cab services of my company. It was beyond Twelve in the midnight, and I was going home with Big FM screaming out loud. The driver made all possible efforts not to make us sleep. OMR to Villiwakkam in close to 35 minutes. Would you believe it ? That was rocket speed.

The cab driver hit the brakes only when he crossed Usman Road - TNagar. Why ? There was crowd on the road, outside Saravana Stores. How come ? They were doing Shopping. SHOPPING. S.H.O.P.P.I.N.G

Can you believe it. Midnight 12.20, we find people inside Saravana Stores doing shopping. Gawd ! I know Diwali shopping is at Surge. But not this much. Wow.

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Whats with this Funky Shankar ? I've been listening (I would love to say "Forced to Listen") to FM while travelling from and to my company. And the drivers (aka Radio Jockeys) depending on their moods switch between Suchi and Suriyan FM. And in the evening, Suriyan FM is inevitable. Many guys in the bus render a "Tch.. Tch.. O" when they hear "Hello People !! this is suriyan FM and you are with the one and only Funykyyyy Shankar !!".. Some of the people in the bus get excited on hearing his voice. They love his programmes, and make sarcastic comments (which Im getting to like) about this guy. He is an absolute Sodhappal. Of course, it is difficult for any one to run a program, but adhukkaaga ? What makes it so funky and cool ? Anyone likes that program ?

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How about a small contest ? Design your own Diwali Greeting and send it to me.
The best one gets featured on Avyukta (Duh ! Idhellam oru contestaa !).

Use photoshop or whatever. Mail em to avyukta@gmail.com

Wallet Bursters

I was standing in front of a very colorful Allen Solly rack. Half Slack plain/striped shirts are my specifications this time. What I forgot to mention was the price range. Every shirt was tied with a heavy price tag, as close to Rs. 1500/-. Why are these shirts so expensive ? If any arguements are glued with quality, they might have to answer my Peter England Elements for Rs. 395/- and been with unfaded colors for the past 18 months.

I found the same color pattern shirts for a little over Rs. 400 and settled down for those. However I managed to develop an agony or some kind of punjent INTUC kind of feeling towards expensive shirts. I am a person who wouldnt mind spending for something with quality. Even if I dont have that much of money, I'd wait and not settle for anything lesser. But when it comes to these shirts, I dont know how to measure quality. Certainly I dont think these shirts are worth this much.

Can someone explain the reason for these high price rates, and how they have been successful in India (if they are) ?

Hit count : 80,000 and counting