Kallikattu Ithikasam

This particular novel of Vairamuthu made me to realize that he is not just a poet / lyricist; but a great writer. The novel won him the Sahitya Akademi award for Best Literary Work in 2003.

"Kallikattu Ithikasam" – is a history of a normal man “Peya thevar”, who lived on the Karisal land, which lies submerged in the Vaigai dam.

It’s a mixture of various emotions like Friendship, Love, sadness, sufferings and depression faced by him.

People, who experienced the Village life, would relate each and every moment of the story with their lives.I bet your eyes will become wet, when you complete the last page of the Novel.

Save our Tigers

In a country of a billion+ people, we have left only 1411 tigers alive.

Help save these magnificent creatures... Else our kids would probably see them only in picture books of animals, extinct and long gone.

Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal

It is Jayakanthan’s Sahitya Academy-award-winning novel. One of most deeply moving story I read a few years back.

Read the Story line here

Though the storyline seemed to be uncommon and controversial, especially in the conservative society like ours, the author has brilliantly presented the novel.

The story explores the most intricate relationship between a lonely woman and a married man.Certain questions has no answers.Ganga’s life is one such question. Sila nerangalil sila manithargal (Some people at some moments) is a very apt title for this work.

You will feel it out, when you read it!

Sivagamiyin Sabadham

When I decided to write about the books I admired about , my first thought was to write about the book “Sivagamiyin Sabatham” by Kalki.

Sivagamiyin Sabadham is a novel of epic proportions, with Pallava Empire at its magnificent best as a backdrop, in the 6th century AD.

The novel traces the lives, trials and tribulations of,

• Sivakami, a dancer in the Pallava Empire,
• much admired and respected, her beloved, the Crown Prince Mamalla Narasimha Pallavar,
• his best friend and comrade-in-arms Paranjyothi,
• the multi-faceted, supremely talented warrior King, Mahendra Pallavar.
• Naga Nandhi – Buddhist and brother of King Pulikesi
• King of Vadhabi, Chalukya Emperor, Pulikesi
• Mamalla’s spies & Soliders

I have visited mamallapuram and Kanchipuram for 2-3 times before. The rock sculptures were beautiful and expressive; Beautiful sculptures cut in rock by the sea side were marvelous; but that was all they were to me, till I read Sivagamiyin Sabatham; But, Now I'd see Mamalla and Mahendra Pallava near the sea temple ; Sivagami dancing in the Kanchi temple!!!

"Sivagamiyin Sabatham" - a story of romance, art, History, War, Politics…. all woven together in a single story.

I read all four volumes without missing a word, It’s simply superb and will remain in my mind for ever. If you’re looking for Historical Novel, then I’d strongly recommend “'Sivagamiyin Sabatham'for sure.

Find the Complete story summary here .

Happy reading !!!

My History of Reading

I have been fond of reading ever since I was a little kid – not books, but magazines, newspapers, Novels and, of late, Books, websites, blogs, etc.

I remember, the first book/magazine, I started reading was “Siruvar malar” (Supplementary of Dinamalar Tamil news Paper) and I read that as long as I was in Primary school. In addition, I used to read all Tamil magazines and short story books.

As a kid, I was a big fan of Super Hero Novels. There were numerous Thriller Novels by various authors. I read many Historical Novels. English books were very rare, and apart from my knowledge.

As I grew up and moved into middle and then senior school, there was big dip in my reading habit; At around my 9th to 12th Class, I almost stopped reading, other than my School text book. When I was promoted as a college student, again I found lots of free time, to re-start my reading.

Since then, I’ve been reading & reading, whatever I see. I read Novels, Books, Magazines, Blogs in both languages. But I could feel that, my reading choices have been very diverse over the time; my reading tastes have definitely changed over the years.

I wish to write about such Books/Novels, which affected/admired me ever. My intention is not to review / comment on those books (I’m not even eligible to think of it ); but I’d like to keep their memories and to promote those books to other readers.

Bud between Petals

At times, while browsing, one happens to witness one of those extraordinary pics, that takes one's mind completly towards them!.

It happened to me to chance upon one of them today morning, and thought of , sharing it.So, dedicating one entire post to this beautiful bud smiling in between the awesome petals.....


Note: What I like the most about the above snap is, the way she was captured, color from the sober black and Dirty white. Seems to tell me I too have a chance to extract simple joys from the monotonous schedule!! (Damn!!! the philosopher in me who spoils every post, came here too!)

Musically- 2009

2009 had turned out to be a musical year with decent numbers of musical hits. I believe there have been at least 20+ good albums. I really could not arrive at a list of 10 good songs as there were too many good songs.

Here is my pick of Top 10 songs of 2009. (Not in any order)

1.Oru Vetkam Varudhe (Pasanga) by James Vasanthan
2.Neethaaney (Sarvam) by Yuvan Shankar Raja
3.Azhagai Pookudhe (Ninaithaale Inikkum) by Vijay Antony
4.Vizhi Moodi (Ayan) by Harris Jeyaraj
5.Oru devathai (Vaamanan) by Yuvan
6.Hasili Fisili / Vaarayo Vaarayo (Aathavan) by Harris Jeyaraj
7.Kaatrilae.. vaasamey (Yaavarum Nalam) by Shankar-Ehasan-Loy
8.Mazhaley (Eeram) by Thaman
9.Chinnansirisu (Kungauma Poovum Konjum Puravum) by Yuvan Shankar Raja
10.Oru Chinna Thamarai (Vettaikaran) by Vijay Antony


And some of the Hindi songs, which I love:

Mudhi Mudhi (Paa)
Tera hone laga hoon (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani)
Tu Jaane Na (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani)
Genda Phool;& Masakkali (Delhi 6)
Dhan te nan (Kaminey)

What are yours ?

Indian values are actually Habits

read this post some days back… Are Indian values simply habits??

[ 2 answers to this question---- value systems are in general inherited, whether we like it or not. Second- read on...]

Before I start, let me admit I have no interest whatsoever in correcting the writer. In fact, apart from this post, his blog is simply one of the best I have ever read.

However, wrt this post, I feel, he is partially correct (which implies, i don't agree him completly) ; and am posting this only because his article triggered an interesting thought process in my mind.

Adding to this, let me also ask a few questions,
“What exactly is a ”Value”

(Dictionary.com says- (Ethics) any object or quality desirable as a means or as an end in itself) This question is easily answered (without dictionaries) in a practical context by asking a second question- 'Why do we need values'?

Pop-up with your thoughts…

New Year.. New Post

2009 - What a wonderful year. Looking back, it feels good…

It’d been – charming, happy, heartening, enlightening, depressing, dispiriting, …. as good and bad than any other year in the recent time.

It was definitely a very dramatic year for me..; lots and lots of new things , Changes had happened over the year.

The 2010 is going to be really an important and most memorable year for me, personally and professionally. I do anticipate a lot to experience and cherish.

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Some thoughts:
I got so many new year wishes...some forwards, some originally written, some on email, some as sms, some thru LinkedIn, some thru Orkut & Facebook, and a very few (really a few ) through a phone call!

Whatever is happening to this world? No one is feeling to make a call! No one is sending a real greeting card out;Let’s please stop this poor culture and come forward to wish our loved ones, personally.

On the other hand,
I am not really feeling enthused to reply to many of those smses, direct messages, scraps, or posts. Seems expected… Seems boring... Its just another day, isn't it? A day is as you make of it, so what difference does the Earth returning to its original (?) position make to us mortals?

As humans, we are always, ALWAYS looking for reasons (occasions) to be happy! Seems crazy...why should there be a reason to be happy?
(முடிவா என்ன சொல்ல வர்ற? நீ திருந்தவே மாட்டியா.!!)

Wish you all a very happy & prosperous New Year 2010