In Search of Realm Called Life : Taj mahal

Taj , said my Alarm and my eyes went wide open , what would be your feeling if your first thought in the mind for the day will be about the eagerness to watch the TAJ.

After travelling to TAJ dozen times when I don’t know the value of a Ten Rupee Note , will those travels count , or shall the travel count when you earn your own money and you start to a journey to known the realm of life , the meaning of travel and beyond when you venture into history and know why the hell did Shah Jahan built this piece of rock that not only transforms life into it but proves the world that I’m the Crown of Beauty.

We have seen Taj in movies in post cards in magazines but what shall be the reason of loveliness in your soul when you take a left turn from the Darwaza that shows the Crown of Mughal India.

With purity in thought and loving eagerness in heart , I set to travel the most lovable journey I ever had. If there would be any architectural example for the John Keats’ words about beauty , it would be Taj.

The thunderous beats were in sync with the engine and I was almost there for the breakfast, food or Taj, Taj came to my mind and I jumped inside the Taj. The elevation shows the Taj as if a Slow RAM Computer opens the Image of Taj from Top To Bottom , a row per step, First the Chand then the top of Minarets , then the tomb and a couple of steps the Main Mahal , couple of steps up you Could See the beauty you could have known and the reason you live (again Quoting Keats). With the Arc of The Entrance (Darwaza) making a curvature upon the Taj acting as a Boundary , with an early morning sun , images of Silhouette boundary adding beauty to it. With the Restored British Type Gardens and a watered pavement adds to it. The Marble pinnacle is yeah taller than the Everest , uncertain like amazon , plain like the Sahara . May be the real Depth of Field a Human Mind can visualize is Taj Mahal , entirety of its behind and beyond was out of focus.

I decided first to love the place and then I spent time to capture it. Rightly I did. With a traditional Kurta which I bought on the previous night in Sarojini Market , a french bearded , tall stout guy wearing a spectacle was in complete romance with the beauty called Taj. Words fall silently to describe this emotion.

Steps further , I could touch it, I should say a hug was needed to drench my thirst , thirst of seeing the pinnacle of beauty. Kind of Cave allowed me on the same platform as the main Tomb and I was alone inside as it was not much crowded. Wish I could read each and every word scripted there , that’s is the problem with all the ancient architectures , we are unable to read the scripted walls. There lied two souls, no matter what was their life all about , what was their living all about, what was their sins rather deeds whatever , millions throng there, people come to see them, for centuries , may for centuries to go, that made me feel , to salute.

I just bent down in the middle of the couple and said , murmured , thanked and left without turning back.

With a walk on the platform I could see what would have been the spectacular view centuries ago , with Yamuna flowing by , may be this materialistic world couldn’t see the truth bout could only imagine.

For some time I was on the platform seeing people rushing in , tourists taking pictures and Guides escorting them, I had the customary clicks in the solo bench exactly in front of The Taj and near the entrance and I walked away….

Life teaches you only one thing, leave something behind that people might be proud , they have lived , the Legacy of Dill-e-ilahi Akbar and His family have lived more than what we read in our text books, yeah there might be some wrong pages in the history sins committed by them , but on the whole , the legacy of mughal shall be talked till the last of last Mughal Architecture is demolished.

After enjoying myself in couple of other places on the way to Delhi , I retired for the day , for next what we call the reason to Live and the reason to travel , the reason of what I m today for what changed me , for what the mighty mountains are Called Himalayas , my road trip to Ladakh.

'Ishaqzaade'

'Ishaqzaade' is an action thrill packed Romantic movie which has been directed by Habib Faizal who has been in scripting campaign for most the YRF team and has taken the captain of the ship’s role for the Second time after’ Do Dooni Char’ . This movie is based in a Nonexistent(Fictional) town of Almora (at least I have not heard of it) which has two poignant families (parties) who tug for the forth coming MLA elections. The Chuahan’s and Querishi’s Battle for the elections and have ferocious battle even in day to-day affairs.

Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya Qureshi are young clads of respective families. Parma is a perfect example for the word uncouth rough rude foul mouthed fellow whose aim is to get up in the family ladder by supporting his Grand Da. Zoya is a girl who wants to make her dad continue his winning streak and she falls in love for the loutish Parma and story unfolds from there.

As with all fairy tale movies there is a quarrel , chase , Love , Romance , Cheat , Life and …

Review : This movie for me is a cracker of a screenplay with Habib handling the script very well. The use of colloquial language has been the bench mark of the script including local satire and abuse. This has been handled well. The twists in the film is nothing but marvelous. None of the actors expect the leads are known and this makes the movie more lively. The locations and the props use in each and every scene adds value to the movie.

Parineeta Chopra playing the role of Zoya. Right from the first scene after censor certificate , you know she is ferocious she is a cracker of character nothing less than the malehood kinda. The scene she pawns her gold earrings for a Katta(Local Pistol) makes one understand what she is of. PC has showed she is no fluke actress and she has lived the role of Zoya. Her Emotions when romance , her anger when in ferocious battle with Parma (Arjun Kapoor) her Eye expressions and Laugh and the Nautankiwala look make one believe either she is Zoya Kinda girl or she has done a marvellos homework and she deserves Filmfare award for Leading lady if ‘Kahani’ is not considered. Every Scene she is in the screen , there is something going to happen and you can move your eye lid and if you do you miss something.

Arjun Kapoor , yet another ‘Kapoor’ , for him perfect debut and a three film contract with YRF will do world of Good. He has showed promise in acting the same way ranbir Showed in Saawariya. He is a promising actor and I’m sure he is next hot cake for the directors and producers. His style and body language when delivering dialogue will make you feel he isn’t debuting. Only time he gets wanting is when there is a close up shot (not always) but this is when experience counts , more films to his bag he is gonna improve from here. His Dancing is good.

Hemanth and Arthi handling the technical crew of Cinematography and Editing makes it a Racy and Pacy entertainer. It’s a chase. I like the slow motion montage shorts for its colour in Pareshan Song.

Amit trivedi handled Music and I say this movie is a musical Entertainer. The BGM suits to each and every scene. Paresan Ishaqzaade and Hallah Wallah are my favorites and Shreya Ghosal my favorite has done two numbers.

Chand baby role Played by Gauhar Khan is good and I have seen her in Rocket Singh and her act is appreciable.

Negatives are when in second half the directors loses his clue of what to do but he perfectly manages with neat performances make you not feel that.

Overall this movie is perfect entertainer with Cracker of performances. I bet You would have already watched it or booked it, for others go and See.

Though the story is common , screenplay is what differentiates with entire unit supports the leads to give a perfect execution.

A 4/5 in my scale and a must watch.

Valakku En 18/9

Valaku En 18/p (premalo Padithe) is Not a entertainer so all those who want to the same please dont even login to book the ticket.

This movie is a typical Balaji Sakthivel Movie in which the screenplay and execution is given importance. Just Two songs one sung by Karthik and Another by Dhandapani. Music Cinematography and most of the crew have "Introducing" Tag. ANd thats balaji Sakthivel.

Story is not seen one its new atleast execution is new. Its just about a untold love , crime and corruptive , MMS Scandal , how rich and poor children are brought up . I m not here to write the story.

performance toppers are always the Sri (the hero) and the school Girl. Police role made a impact on my mind post coming out of theatre.

This is true and real potrayal of the issue and fitting climax.

Cinematography will be discussed for wrong reasons. The use of Poor Camera in first half raises many eye brows why first half was shot as a documentary. May days by we will knwo the truth.

There isnt a point i felt irritated in the movie and some scenes though guessable balaji sakthivel made a point to make sure this is no ordinary.

Overall Should watch movie.

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Those who watch this movie in telugu read this.

There is an important scene in the second half suddenly there is a Song (Local third grade song and shot) been filled may by theatre owners or distributors themselves. This shows even now telugu audience are not ready to see a film which is true as mother earth itself , instead the audience wants a cheap marketting. I would have loved had it come in beginning or at the end and not at that point.

Guys you need grow.

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Overall this movie is pure heart winning performance and execution. If for those movies are just about fights and dance and cheap slapstick comedy of remaking 80s malayalam and tamil comedies as sequels as no.ed to 11 ,12 .... (read Akshay Khanna , priyadarshan , Housefull type etc)

For all those mentioned above there is difference between Movie and a Cinema. This Vallaku en 18/9 is a Cinema and its not a movie.

Message in the bottle

At times living in the city lying in coastal parts of the country and the city known to its Beach marina, we seldom have any choice for spending the weekend evening, adding to the various diversity the Marina provides you right from Ennore to East coast. Well this post is not about marina nor about Chennai and certainly not about a day did I spend there.

Whenever a message in a bottle is opened on a beach or floating in the ocean, it feels like it’s something out of a book containing reality of stupid-ness and act of lunatic mind. The idea that two people (the message sender and a freak like me who picks up the bottle) have made a connection that mathematics would say as virtual probability of the message to be received by the intention being almost zero.

One such evening I was playing with my friends in the hot afternoon of Chennai somewhere around three I decided to wet my legs and when near the shore. I found a bottle with a cork making sure the message inside the bottle doesn’t get wet. With a feel of Robert Langdon opening the cryptex I slowly uncorked the bottle and took the crushed paper out and sat down in the shadow of a Catamaran.

It was breezing hot, with a bottle of beer I decided to read the letter which was a fag length.

My question here is , with less than dozen of real stories with the concept of Message in the bottle we have read , couple of movies I have watched , couple of novellas I have read, even then it doesn’t convince me enough of the need of the Message in the bottle philos.

I do remember around 5 years of ago, when I was lying literally on the key board with a Post lunch syndrome called Fugly sleep, a mail from my Training mate popped with a 15-minute-read forward. That forward contained a story of Message in the bottle of a Married Lawyer from Bombay intended for a software engineer based in Chennai. This forward, which has been lively buried in a PST of OUTLOOK in my previous organization, has touched me more than any novels I read, more than any movies I watched.

Funny Concept of Message in Bottle, I still feel hilarious to read these stories.

Let me also try this whenever I reach my hometown.

PS: Don’t read the last page of the novel that makes you to come to reality. Be in fiction always.

In Search of Music

Music is the only thing that fascinates any soul in whatever mood of emotion they be, music always feels the upper hand. In Continuation to my series of fascination of songs in Indian Films with usage of Traditional Music (Hindustani/Carnatic) this songs ruled the most of my life’s last half a decade.

It has to be undoubtedly appreciated that Indian Music Directors in whatever language the compose , they rely more on traditional Ragas. Right from Bade Ghulam Burmans MSV ARR Illairajaja Keeravani Devarajan Jayachandran to any one you name it , They rely on Traditional Music for composing in films. When I get fascinated to listen Sufi songs in Hindi Movies , I feel the inspiration of Traditional sufi and Qwualliis . Each and Every Gharana style can be attributed to the songs we hear in day to day life , if we venture closely into it.

With a basic knowledge in traditional music , I always get dragged to the depth of music composition its inspired Raga , no of tracks mixed and the level of acoustic brilliance mastered that makes me to listen a song in loop. Sometimes my friends and relatives accuse me of making them bored if I use the Repeat button in my pod. That happens because only my in loop I’m able to get the complete nuances of any song.

As said, my recent lunatic madness being getting looped to this song. This song has a unique blend of Hindustani and Carnatic Music with beautiful lyrics and feel , mesmerizing voice. A complete composition that can shake you.

Song : Raakili Than Vazhi Marayum

Movie : Perumazhakalam (Malayalam)

Music Director : M.Jayachandran

Lyrics : Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri

Singer : : M.Jayachandran

Raga : Ahir Bhairav (Hindustani)

Ahir Bhairav is a Hindustani Classical Raga and Chakravakam can be said as its equivalent in Carnatic Music.

Arohana and avarohana

Arohana

S r G m P D n S'

Avarohana

S' n D P m G r S

My Favorites in the same raga sect are :

Albela Sajan Ayo re from hum Dil Chuke Sanam and Pibare Ramarasam by Sadasiva Brahmendra.

There can’t be any music lover who listens Hindi Songs(Film) who doesn’t like Albela Sajan (HDDCS). That is really a classic Composition by Ismail Darbar.

This song stars with a Hindustani alap with these Hindi Lines

“Baras baras badraa

 aasa ki boonden bankee baras”

Which to my knowledge can be translated to the asking of the author for drops of rain in the form of his wishes.

I have always fascinated whenever a Hindustani composition attacks the heart of a traditional south Indian Carnatic Music Listening soul.

Malayalam Lyrics of the song :

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

kaathirippin thiri nanayum eeran perumazhakkaalam

oru venalin viraha baashpam

jalathaalamarnna mazhakkalam

oru thedalay mazhakkalam

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

ri…ri..na…na

piya… piya….

piya ko milan ki aaz re

kaga kaga sab thani khaiyyo

kha moriya……………..

ormakal than lola karangal

punarukayanudal muruke

paathi vazhiyil kuthariya kaattil

viralukal verpiriyunnu

snehardramaro mozhiyukayavam

kaathiloraathmaswakaryam

thengalinekkal parichithametho

perariyaatha vikaaram

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

ehh…. rasiyaa…

neelaraavin thazhvara neele

nizhalukal veenizhayumbol

ehto ninavin vaathilppadiyil

kaalpperumaattamunarnnu

aalunna mazhayil jaalakaveliyil

minnalilethoru swapnam

ee mazha thorum pulkkathirukalil

neermani veenu thilangum

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

kaathirippin thiri nanayum eeran perumazhakkaalam

oru venalin viraha baashpam

jalanaalamarnna mazhakkalam

oru thedalay mazhakkalam

 

Certainly only a Malayalam learned fellow can translate the meaning of these lines, but whatever my Co-traveller in Infosys bus explained me is as follows.

This song , I feel , is the description of sad and helplessness explaining the beauty of rain , description of pain.

For those who still find themselves in Greece and feel I’m speaking in Latin , this movie Perumazhakalam directed by Kamal (Kamaluddin Mohammed) one of the directors from Malayalam industry who still upholds the industries Classical Way of movie making. For others , he is the fellow who directed the original version of Nuvve Kavali(telugu) Piriyada Varam vendum (Tamil). He also directed Zameer (Hindi).

Dor by Nagesh Kukunoor is the remake of this movie Perumazhakalam. Mr.Kukunoor sahib didn’t even felt the courtesy to give credits to this director. People who would have liked the Hindi version (Dor) , Vaithee suggests them to watch Perumazhakalam.

This film (Perumazhakalam) Won National Award for the Best Feature film on Social Issues.

From Ek Dewaana tha / Vinnaithandi Varuvaya / Yem Maya Chesave , there is a song called Aaromale, the Malayalam Lyrics was written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri , the same lyricist who wrote the above described song.

When ever I say I m looped to a song, there is something more than just a song that makes me to get looped. This is one such song.

When listening to music

When listening to music is a passion and acquiring knowledge about any song is an hobby , you get involved too much. Such is the passion which makes me to select and re discover the songs which are buried in the name of last generation. I’m sure greatest fanatic of Illairaja sir himself cannot recognize all the songs of the maestro and such is the case with that of all the masters. With respect to my earlier series of posts talking about my favorite songs this post indeed shall differ in the approach. This approach made me to rethink why we like a song. When shuffling in my pod , call it coincidence or what happened to listen two songs of different era language and geography , how could possibly people can create two different numbers based out of same raga giving it a touch of differentiation in its composition and presentation.

My interest of writing this post just looped in my mind post my conversation with my sister in law about a song which we confronted of what raga what it was. She being a Carnatic singer herself missed a chance to win over me with this number which I feel is one of the best composition of my friend ARR.

Narumugaye song from the movie Iruvar is one of the magnum opus of ARR. In this song ARR has used Naatai as well as Ghambeera naaai ragas. The male voice sings in Naatai, while the female voice sings Ghambeera Naatai. Raaga sivaranjani is usually used for pathos moods, but the ARR has used raga Sivaranjani for the song Kannum kannum in the movie Thiruda Thiruda. ARR has composed the song Ghanan ghanan in the movie Lagaan in his usual (innovative) manner. He has used the raga in a beautiful way to give great appeal to the song. Others are like here … Piya haji ali (Fiza) Maand ,Pachai kilighal (Indian) Kapi ,Thenmerku (Karuthamma) Kanada ,Ni main samajh gayi (Taal) Ahir Bhairav ,Kannamoochi (Kandukondein Kandukondein) Natakuranji/Shahana

Illairaja not only re-creates a magic of the raga which the song is based on , he has the capacity to invent a new range of composition which becomes a difficulty in itself to identify the raga. Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu - K J Jesudas and S Janaki for ‘Agni Nakshatram’ is based on Amirthavarshini Raga and KJY voice is immortal. Aadal Kalaye Devan Tanthathu – K Jesudas for ‘Sri Raghavendrar’ is based on charukesi.

Sometimes for an amateur as me it’s easy to identify some basic ragas but it takes effort by asking experts to know all these songs are based on some raga.

The basic fact of a person if he likes a raga he might tend to listen all the songs of the particular raga is also true.

3 Movie review

Friday night after a drive through NECE Road four of us Arun_Dhandapani, Porselvan_s, Deepak Duraisamy and self, reached the theatre. If anyone of you ask me you have expectation of this movie I would say yes. After listening to the songs and viewing the teasers I was sure of what I want from the movie. I informed arun who was pillion rider in my sajda that my expectation was simple that of having a chase love tease first half , something hard hits and a perfect climax of anti-climax or safe one. [One could argue this is the theme of Selva camp , and hence my expectation was justified].

Third scene from the movie I shouted in theatre , this film gonna be a big Mokkai and hence I was called for wrath from Arun sitting next to me. For me there isn’t purity in shot making from the first scene. Most of the scenes where like ok let’s make it kind of scenes. Screenplay in first half was poor , it was slow driven. When your screenplay or Story isn’t that great actors acting shall drag you the void, that didn’t happen, songs in first half was ok kinda, but what I liked in first half, Brief availability of Siva Karthikeyan and that Vijay J and Swetha Mohan No.

My FB status and my mind read a big zero for first half and I felt I was waiting for a big disaster for the night and I felt what a way to end an eventful Birthday of Mr.Karu Palaniappan* .

Post the second half , after reading the letter and Shruti Hassan asking the fellow of what happened to her husband , my mind said either the role portrayed by Dhanush was of Baazigar type or the typical Selva Camp Hero , the latter became justified. Second half was easily Guessable but I must admit even if the latter part of the movie has more shades of Mayakkam Enna , Dhanush acting was good, I must say he did in what he was best , the Pshyco.

Overall if first half was without any plot or any depth in any scene , just here and there good , second half was good with repetitive scenes from their own camp. Having said that , I m not able to say this film is a disaster , but either you would be a non-liker or with a mixed feeling. I was with mixed feeling .

The reason for above statement might be fuelled by exceptional BGM for the first timer , Cinematography in second half. For me Mohit chauhan’s Po Nee Po is kind of looper.

What you can do or rather what should have been done in this movie which would have made it a decent run , as now every fellow coming out of theatre bullies this movie depending upon his liking for the movie , which is Bad , worst , OK … the movie doesn’t transform for any average movie goer than this.

First of all , Shruti Hassan , please I salute for your improving standard of acting when compared to disastrous debut , but that doesn’t mean that you have not done anything less here as well, Acting ask your father, is not yesterday night shop and get from More or spencers, Please “REHAM” Us , meaning please show some “Karunai” …

Either she shouldn’t be the choice or the director should have done something that can make us believe she can handle the scene in front of camera.

Screenplay of the first half where there are lot of loose scenes should have been edited well to say , it’s a crisp movie, One could argue that first half was as such to give way for the second half drama, I say to them , people might not want to eat the raw bitter guard in anticipation of a sugar candy !!! but when sugar candy was boo-ed and the former was provided we were not without having a coke post coming out of the movie. That was the state .

Logical atrocities where made and I’m not going to talk on that.

Anirudh , I appreciate and say one thing , you have talent to make at least of Yuvan’s standards but please don’t fall into the path of GV .

Aiswarya Dhanush , I first saw you dancing live in front of me in Rajni 25 for a classical no, I felt you have some talent , Today you have proved the proverb may be along with Shruti Hassan you have proved , Vadhiyar Ponnu Makku (No Chauvinism meant)

As repeatedly felt and said , Bhanu Priya , Prabhu Sir all have been wasted.

In the end , You expected a movie to be non-irritating film , but what you got was a bitter guard in first half and sugar Coated bitter guard in the second !!!

If you ask me what was the best thing in the movie or rather about the movie , Po Nee Po song looped from Indira Nagar (DD’s House ) to BG ROAD Near IIM Bangalore!!! The Drive @ 2 AM!!!

Vanaprastham

Staying with my cousin , i have tough time to bargain the hard disk I have, eventually ending up watching the movie i m talking here and truest sense I can rate this movie as one of my best watch ever. This is a movie that can challenge every entry in every film meet and yeah all time.

Set in the 1950's, Vanaprastham divulges certain experiences of a Kathakali artiste who faces an identity crisis in mid-life. The portrayal of a man’s inside world has been clearly depicted. Shaji uses the fascinating world of Kathakali, the classical art form of Kerala to present the theme.

The actor I respect Mr.Lal portrays the character who his life has attained the vanaprastha the age of retirement. The character has a soulful depiction of aspiration , self esteem , love to the art , ethical eroticism and most of all man living inside.

In Indian Philosophy, 'Vanaprastham' is the third of the four ashramas or stages in a man's life - Brahmacharya or bachelorhood, Grihastha or married life, Vanaprastha or retirement to the forest and Sanyasa or renunciation of all wordly interests.

Vanaprastham is an Indo-French collaboration, produced by Pierre Assouline and actor Mohanlal's Pranavam Arts. Cinematography is by Renato Berta and Santhosh Sivan and dialogue by Raghunath Paleri. Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla artiste has composed the music and Beuno Thariel of France, the sound effects.

I certainly can bet on the purity of film making. This is a movie I would say as what should be called a movie that can challenge the parallel movie makers . It is a traditional Indian depiction which is land of Natya Shastras. With Cinema being new generation product I would say that this is what one should say a Cinema and it is what a dictionary for film making. It is clearly an Indian movie in the traditional sense of the word. It has the depth, the pace, and combines traditional Indian culture with Kathakali and deep human drama. Kathakali is a type of dance/stage drama, which comes from the Southern state of Kerala, and is expressed through the subtle performance of its actors, as a way to articulate emotions, by small movements of the face and body. It is based on centuries old Sanskrit plays, which incorporate sacred texts like the Mahabharata. The film is centered on a Master of Kathakali, Kunhikuttan, who as a fatherless child of a poor servant girl, began to learn the art as a way of feeding his family. We later understand, that one of the reasons for Kunhikuttan’ s constant emotional suffering, and thus, the mastering of his art, is the lack of a father figure. His art is so powerful, that a young woman falls in love with one of the characters he portrays, and bears his child. But reality is not a play, and she refuses Kunhikuttan to see his son, whom she considers is the son of the actual character Kunhikuttan portrays. The film is before anything else, a deep meditation on fiction and reality, and illustrates the need for certain classes to combine the two. In fact, as much as the art of Kathakali is subtle, the reality is crude and brutal. In actuality, Kunhikuttan’ s unknown father is the lord of the domain in which he lives; his mother's master. The young woman who bears Kunhikuttan’ s child, is a princess living in delusion, impassioned by mythological characters. All are heavy subjects to deal with, which will give everyone who sees this film, a lot to think about. The talent of the director comes across in his subtle bringing to light of all of these intricate emotions. Of course for a Western audience most likely ignorant of the subtleties of Kathakali and unaccustomed to the Indian Cinema, the director's subtlety will be of no help. A fascinating reflection on art and reality. "Vanaprastham" is a rhyme with elusiveness.