Prelude :: I am not responsible if you read the title as "new year woes" !!
Hi
Do you have the habit of taking pledges on new years ? Before you do, just hold yourselves.....and try to recall the last year's pledge and the gory fate it underwent perhaps by the Republic Day that followed quite quickly!!
That does not any way mean I am dead against taking goals and I am cynical about "goals" in life. Rather, it is better to take up a fresh goal after intensifying ourselves with some practical thoughts about them, is n't it ??
Well, what's my goal for 2011 ?
Self development books presribe the method of "declaring" goals in public - and communicating it to our near and dear - to act as a checkpoint for ourselves. I have tried this in the past but ended up hiding myself from these people after a month or so due to obvious reasons !!
So, just to make some change in approach, I prefer to keep mum now....and perhaps tell you guys on my 2011 goals some time during the middle of the year - why not on my birthday which falls during June ??!!
Until then, let me keep doing what I intend to do. I prefer to be a "embarking God" than to be a "barking dog" (idhu eppidi irukku ??)
Happy Pledging.....!!
Suren ALIAS Suchoo
Friday, December 31, 2010
Descendance of Divinity
Prelude : Noticing the number of posts inching towards 50 for the year 2010, I had taken during last month a goal to "some how" achieve it before today; Alas, I could not muster the numbers due to want of "mood".......but still there is a tinge of happiness that I did not yield to any "backwas" posting yielding to such silly self imposed pressures.....!! You see, there are always two faces of any coin....!!
Hi All
Happy to make this posting on the last day of year 2010 that will be leaving us shortly.
The month that went by was very important to me personally for so many reasons. The first and foremost was an unique experience of watching a particular dance ballet for ten times again and again - the same one about which I had written in the blog during last month.....!! Barring one or two which happened during week days, I was there at each and every program with ever- increasing excitement every time.......!!
More than the pleasure of seeing our little one appearing on the stage for a minute or so, I got seduced by the wonderful performance of the whole team and am quite inspired by the mental focus of these people in such a rigorous schedule. I understand this particular dance school had never taken up such a tight schedule in the past - though they are in existence for two decades now.....!!
While I eagerly wait for the last program which is scheduled this sunday in T.Nagar area, I am also helplessly feeling sad about the whole month of bliss coming to an end ! The ballet is a perfect synch of every factor involved - starting from the talented and dedicated bunch of young children, their make up, music, lyrics of the songs, lighting arrangement - all of them aligning to the perfection before the creative mind of their teacher.
The story of the ballet revolves around Hindu Mythology - starting with Lord Shiva seated at Kailash and ends with his son Lord Muruga destroying Surapadman. Clocking one and half hours, it is too good to watch many best scenes lined up one after other - the Ananda Thandavam of Lord Siva followed by Rudra thandavam, The Arthanareeswarar dance of Siva and parvathy, the Six murugha's depiction from their young age till teen age;
Again and again, I am helplessly noticing how time flies between the scenes...and the way the group is improvising their earlier performance. Of course, there are minor blots of mistakes here and there (particularly for people like us who watch the same ballet repeatedly - knowing almost every step and dance movement!!) - but nothing to affect the overall impact that it creates.
I am particularly overwhelmed at the girl who performs Lord Shiva - who will remain in the memory for quite some time. With some understanding about this God from Sadhguru's lectures and having tasted the empty vacuum that He represents once a while, I cannot help imagining the mental state of this young girl after such exemplary performance in this main role of the ballet and how much of maturity she must have got in this one month period - at the end of the standing ovations after her performances. She stands out distinctly in my mind though I enjoyed the power of performance of every single child which participated in this mega event....!!
Good to see a glimpse of the bright side about the future generation and I feel wonderful for taking part in this episode - though in a very limited manner !!
Wish you a very happy new year .... AND let Almighty bless all of us to move to our next stage of evolution.
(Sorry, I never meant the elections scheduled in TN during 2011 !! Will be really good if we have a solid leader emerging ATLEAST before 2016; Why don't divinity descend on this filth too, Huh... ?? )
Regards // Suren
Hi All
Happy to make this posting on the last day of year 2010 that will be leaving us shortly.
The month that went by was very important to me personally for so many reasons. The first and foremost was an unique experience of watching a particular dance ballet for ten times again and again - the same one about which I had written in the blog during last month.....!! Barring one or two which happened during week days, I was there at each and every program with ever- increasing excitement every time.......!!
More than the pleasure of seeing our little one appearing on the stage for a minute or so, I got seduced by the wonderful performance of the whole team and am quite inspired by the mental focus of these people in such a rigorous schedule. I understand this particular dance school had never taken up such a tight schedule in the past - though they are in existence for two decades now.....!!
While I eagerly wait for the last program which is scheduled this sunday in T.Nagar area, I am also helplessly feeling sad about the whole month of bliss coming to an end ! The ballet is a perfect synch of every factor involved - starting from the talented and dedicated bunch of young children, their make up, music, lyrics of the songs, lighting arrangement - all of them aligning to the perfection before the creative mind of their teacher.
The story of the ballet revolves around Hindu Mythology - starting with Lord Shiva seated at Kailash and ends with his son Lord Muruga destroying Surapadman. Clocking one and half hours, it is too good to watch many best scenes lined up one after other - the Ananda Thandavam of Lord Siva followed by Rudra thandavam, The Arthanareeswarar dance of Siva and parvathy, the Six murugha's depiction from their young age till teen age;
Again and again, I am helplessly noticing how time flies between the scenes...and the way the group is improvising their earlier performance. Of course, there are minor blots of mistakes here and there (particularly for people like us who watch the same ballet repeatedly - knowing almost every step and dance movement!!) - but nothing to affect the overall impact that it creates.
I am particularly overwhelmed at the girl who performs Lord Shiva - who will remain in the memory for quite some time. With some understanding about this God from Sadhguru's lectures and having tasted the empty vacuum that He represents once a while, I cannot help imagining the mental state of this young girl after such exemplary performance in this main role of the ballet and how much of maturity she must have got in this one month period - at the end of the standing ovations after her performances. She stands out distinctly in my mind though I enjoyed the power of performance of every single child which participated in this mega event....!!
Good to see a glimpse of the bright side about the future generation and I feel wonderful for taking part in this episode - though in a very limited manner !!
Wish you a very happy new year .... AND let Almighty bless all of us to move to our next stage of evolution.
(Sorry, I never meant the elections scheduled in TN during 2011 !! Will be really good if we have a solid leader emerging ATLEAST before 2016; Why don't divinity descend on this filth too, Huh... ?? )
Regards // Suren
Monday, December 13, 2010
Subramanyapuram - Film Review
Prelude : It had been in my pending list for more two years; I also got the CD 3 /4 months back; I in fact watched the film up to "INTERMISSION" too.... but could not complete seeing this movie due to some unavoidable reasons.....!! Well, I made it last week end - creating some lonely time for me.....as it does not belong to the category of film that people at my home watch.....
Well, better late then never....Here you go...!!
Who knows, this could be the last review of this film which is more than 3 years old as of now.....!!
Dear All
Umpteen number of tamil films have come where hero is a role model with impeccable character and handsome looks.
In the past two decades, there had been quite a lot of films where hero is just a anti character as per yester terms and looks like a ruffian (but still the pretty heroine loves for some stupid reason....!!). The hero worshipping and idolizing his character never diminished in such category of films......and the dialogue writers had to sweat out writing too many dialogues justifying the atrocities committed by the hero....!!
Here was an unique film where the hero does not have the heroine, has no qualms about any hype either during the introduction or un-characteristically shaking his hips for a typical lacklustre song meant to lighten up the film....and who does not seem to be seasoned in the art of acting....!! Puffing the cigarette, sitting amongst a good-for- nothing souls, being one of them, sits like a typical local convict in the police station, doesn't mind to let us know very naturally that he is an illiterate (have you noticed this ? typically our films make so much out of illiteracy of the hero character - using it in the scope of some idiotic humour revolving around his innocence !!).... and last but not the least, doesn't even deserve a close up shot or a sad music when he gets murdered towards the end of the film.......!!
This movie shook me to the spine - as I allowed it too much into me. I always had a taste for heavy themes and this love affair started with "Kaadhal" seven years back. But then, in terms of no-nonsense story line and the commitment towards non dilution in this film is quite unparalleled amongst all other films that I got involved with .... !!
Since I was all alone without any disturbance during the watching of the film, I was keenly watching every little thing of the film....was able to empathise with every character of the film.
I could empathise the heart burn of the Ex Councillor (heroine's father) and his non-cinematic portrayal, enjoy his wife's ecstasy over phone when her hubby gets selected as the local leader, the ability of the heroine to accept her lover's misdeeds, the tactful manner of the periappa of the heroine to change her mind and put herself in proper track, greediness of the friend character of the hero (Kanja karuppu), above all - the heroism in the determined silence and mental tough-ness of the hero.....!!
Without any plausible reason, I have a special attraction towards the majestic voice of Sasikumar (paraman) - like how I have developed an allergy for his friend's character (Azhagar). The only blot in this film was the absolutely non fitting modulations and (bit) adolescent voice of the Azhagar character.
Well, for those who could not bear the violence of the movie when they saw it much earlier to me, my humble pranams....!! To me, this film - though do not have any loud slogans / dialogues favouring / disfavouring violence -has the potential to mellow down the toughest of the thugs and make them bit philosophical (at least for few minutes).
I don't consider this film any lesser than Anbe Sivam which gave a very positive message against violence....!!
Love // Suren
Well, better late then never....Here you go...!!
Who knows, this could be the last review of this film which is more than 3 years old as of now.....!!
Dear All
Umpteen number of tamil films have come where hero is a role model with impeccable character and handsome looks.
In the past two decades, there had been quite a lot of films where hero is just a anti character as per yester terms and looks like a ruffian (but still the pretty heroine loves for some stupid reason....!!). The hero worshipping and idolizing his character never diminished in such category of films......and the dialogue writers had to sweat out writing too many dialogues justifying the atrocities committed by the hero....!!
Here was an unique film where the hero does not have the heroine, has no qualms about any hype either during the introduction or un-characteristically shaking his hips for a typical lacklustre song meant to lighten up the film....and who does not seem to be seasoned in the art of acting....!! Puffing the cigarette, sitting amongst a good-for- nothing souls, being one of them, sits like a typical local convict in the police station, doesn't mind to let us know very naturally that he is an illiterate (have you noticed this ? typically our films make so much out of illiteracy of the hero character - using it in the scope of some idiotic humour revolving around his innocence !!).... and last but not the least, doesn't even deserve a close up shot or a sad music when he gets murdered towards the end of the film.......!!
This movie shook me to the spine - as I allowed it too much into me. I always had a taste for heavy themes and this love affair started with "Kaadhal" seven years back. But then, in terms of no-nonsense story line and the commitment towards non dilution in this film is quite unparalleled amongst all other films that I got involved with .... !!
Since I was all alone without any disturbance during the watching of the film, I was keenly watching every little thing of the film....was able to empathise with every character of the film.
I could empathise the heart burn of the Ex Councillor (heroine's father) and his non-cinematic portrayal, enjoy his wife's ecstasy over phone when her hubby gets selected as the local leader, the ability of the heroine to accept her lover's misdeeds, the tactful manner of the periappa of the heroine to change her mind and put herself in proper track, greediness of the friend character of the hero (Kanja karuppu), above all - the heroism in the determined silence and mental tough-ness of the hero.....!!
Without any plausible reason, I have a special attraction towards the majestic voice of Sasikumar (paraman) - like how I have developed an allergy for his friend's character (Azhagar). The only blot in this film was the absolutely non fitting modulations and (bit) adolescent voice of the Azhagar character.
Well, for those who could not bear the violence of the movie when they saw it much earlier to me, my humble pranams....!! To me, this film - though do not have any loud slogans / dialogues favouring / disfavouring violence -has the potential to mellow down the toughest of the thugs and make them bit philosophical (at least for few minutes).
I don't consider this film any lesser than Anbe Sivam which gave a very positive message against violence....!!
Love // Suren
AGANDAM
Hi All
During last week, I got a call from home when I was bit busy at office (believe me, it happens once a while for me too !!!!). I was summoned by the High Command at home (also referred as Better Half) to write 8 / 10 sentences about MOON just in case I had time at office for our beloved madhoo as required for her school. It was supposed to be memorized by the little one and recited in front of the teacher on the very next day.
Though I politely refused and assured that I will do it after reaching home; When I reached home, I was too tired and bit blank to construct so many sentences from my own memory and knowledge (respectively !!). Bit lazy to switch on the google, I mustered the required number of the sentences from an Encyclopedia at home (how handy and useful these big books are ... though google has every thing at store - I mean those things that we want and too many things that WE DO NOT WANT.....all together !!). Well there were few wonderful facts that kept me hooked for some time reassuring me the vastness of AGANDAM....I give below few of them...
(1) Earth has has just one moon in comparison to few other planets. Jupiter has sixty odd Natural satellites while couple of other planets have forty odd satellites.
(Have we really counted all of them.....?? well, are we only talking about "our" solar system ??)
(2) However, in comparison to the respective planet size, our "moon" is the biggest of all such satellites
(wow.....!! so, Earth has one more unique-ness apart from having life.....)
(3) Moon has a non-circular (you know, its wise to avoid difficult words for me to spell and you to pronounce!!) orbit and the closest distance from Earth is an whopping 4 1/2 lakh kilometers... (well, how do these astronomical object maintain the perfect shape of orbit religiously....??)
(4) Unlike planets, since these satellites do not rotate around themselves, the other side of moon is literally unknown to us....
(Hope Chandraayans and his other cousin projects find if there is going to be some thing more interesting than craters and vast open space)
Well, I never remember getting interested in subjects like Geography and Astronomy during my school days. Even special days like Eclipses and Satellite launches did not create so much ripple in the mind. As my daughter recited the entire 10 lines that I wrote down for her with her usual confidence and stylish (these days she has picked up a strange accent and pronunciation which both of us at home do not possess....!!), I was craving within my heart for her.....at least let her be blessed with appreciating the wonder of what she has mugged up for the school exercise before she becomes a parent.....
It will be fantastic for every one of us to identify a passion for us quite early in life so that we never we never have a chance to regret about it...!!
By the by, not that I am brooding myself for not having becoming an astronaut...!!
For that matter, I have too many such ripples of thoughts these days (including why not I had learnt Bharathanaatyam ...... and have pursued Cinema Industry - just examples), I am convinced that it perfectly suits me to have become an admirer of AGANDAM without taking a plunge deep enough into any thing that makes me think....!!
Not that rose flower smells nice and looks pretty when we hold it in our hand; the rose garden is quite breath taking from a distance, too......What do you say....??
Love // Suren
During last week, I got a call from home when I was bit busy at office (believe me, it happens once a while for me too !!!!). I was summoned by the High Command at home (also referred as Better Half) to write 8 / 10 sentences about MOON just in case I had time at office for our beloved madhoo as required for her school. It was supposed to be memorized by the little one and recited in front of the teacher on the very next day.
Though I politely refused and assured that I will do it after reaching home; When I reached home, I was too tired and bit blank to construct so many sentences from my own memory and knowledge (respectively !!). Bit lazy to switch on the google, I mustered the required number of the sentences from an Encyclopedia at home (how handy and useful these big books are ... though google has every thing at store - I mean those things that we want and too many things that WE DO NOT WANT.....all together !!). Well there were few wonderful facts that kept me hooked for some time reassuring me the vastness of AGANDAM....I give below few of them...
(1) Earth has has just one moon in comparison to few other planets. Jupiter has sixty odd Natural satellites while couple of other planets have forty odd satellites.
(Have we really counted all of them.....?? well, are we only talking about "our" solar system ??)
(2) However, in comparison to the respective planet size, our "moon" is the biggest of all such satellites
(wow.....!! so, Earth has one more unique-ness apart from having life.....)
(3) Moon has a non-circular (you know, its wise to avoid difficult words for me to spell and you to pronounce!!) orbit and the closest distance from Earth is an whopping 4 1/2 lakh kilometers... (well, how do these astronomical object maintain the perfect shape of orbit religiously....??)
(4) Unlike planets, since these satellites do not rotate around themselves, the other side of moon is literally unknown to us....
(Hope Chandraayans and his other cousin projects find if there is going to be some thing more interesting than craters and vast open space)
Well, I never remember getting interested in subjects like Geography and Astronomy during my school days. Even special days like Eclipses and Satellite launches did not create so much ripple in the mind. As my daughter recited the entire 10 lines that I wrote down for her with her usual confidence and stylish (these days she has picked up a strange accent and pronunciation which both of us at home do not possess....!!), I was craving within my heart for her.....at least let her be blessed with appreciating the wonder of what she has mugged up for the school exercise before she becomes a parent.....
It will be fantastic for every one of us to identify a passion for us quite early in life so that we never we never have a chance to regret about it...!!
By the by, not that I am brooding myself for not having becoming an astronaut...!!
For that matter, I have too many such ripples of thoughts these days (including why not I had learnt Bharathanaatyam ...... and have pursued Cinema Industry - just examples), I am convinced that it perfectly suits me to have become an admirer of AGANDAM without taking a plunge deep enough into any thing that makes me think....!!
Not that rose flower smells nice and looks pretty when we hold it in our hand; the rose garden is quite breath taking from a distance, too......What do you say....??
Love // Suren
Rehearsel Vs. Reality
Prelude : I made a brief mention about my daughter's dance program in one of my earlier posting. Today, I sit here fully charged at the end of her fourth stage performance for more than one reason...and too many learnings....!! Well, lemme start with the first and foremost one which aptly fits in the above title....
Hi All
I had some naive doubts about the necessity of "rehearsal"s on the prior day before every stage performance. Invariably we had to take our daughter to the same hall where the program is supposed to be performed....believe me, week ends are becoming too hectic at our home. But then, as I was watching yesterday the performance of the kids in the stage in the name of rehearsal, the reality dawned upon me - not like a mad rush but more like a flowering....
Well, the stage that this group performed today is abnormally small compared to the earlier occasions. Area wise, it could measure up to 1/3rd of any other stage that we have seen so far and I was seeing the magic of rehearsal. It is not that the children have forgotten what they have performed just the earlier week end....But then, the way they have to adjust their own movements in terms of not the foot work but also their hand movements - the manner they grasped the new setting and adapted to the new situation so rapid gave me a tremendous learning.....!! Of course, the ever watchful Guru was giving them tons of feed backs for improvement but still, the way children learnt the "Dias" so quickly gave me a glimpse of the power of such rehearsals....
Be it rehearsal of fine arts or net practise of cricket, rehearsal helps tremendously by giving tremendous psychological advantage before the reality. Well, it is not very uncommon to see few people don't take rehearsals seriously giving their own interpretation about saving their energy and focus for the D day, but once we understand the rhythm of rehearsal, then there is no question of lackluster performance during practise sessions.
Simulating the ultimate reality as much as possible and feasible in the name of rehearsal helps all of us to face the reality at ease. (the only difference I could see in the dance rehearsal that I witnessed was that the kids were not wearing their formal dance attire...all other things including their intensity levels were tested to the core)
Taking some thing upon us with full focus and sincerity but clearly knowing that its not the ultimate thing..... how else YOGA is defined, you tell me, my Friend ?
It need not be a costly extravagant affair in the name of simulation... Just some thing akin to shadow boxing - all by ourselves all alone could make a very big difference. In my own experience, I cannot forget few of the public speaking I did after rehearsing in front of the mirror and once - I distinctly remember - in front of my family.
Well, the purpose of this posting is not to just keep bragging about the power of rehearsal... - its also about the impermanence / insignificance of those things that we get bogged out in our lives seriously taking them too sincerely.....
For that matter, what ever matters to us most gets faded away over a period of time and new realities of different shapes and dimensions dawns upon us.....!!! Without getting drowned with ceaseless realities of the moment, it could give us a taste of yoga if we indulge in a rehearsal in what ever we do....
Its all the same....in the vast existence / AGANDAM, every little thing matters so much... but then, its also true that what ever that matters so much ultimately is just nothing in the vast scheme of things....!!!
Krishnaarpanam // Suren
Hi All
I had some naive doubts about the necessity of "rehearsal"s on the prior day before every stage performance. Invariably we had to take our daughter to the same hall where the program is supposed to be performed....believe me, week ends are becoming too hectic at our home. But then, as I was watching yesterday the performance of the kids in the stage in the name of rehearsal, the reality dawned upon me - not like a mad rush but more like a flowering....
Well, the stage that this group performed today is abnormally small compared to the earlier occasions. Area wise, it could measure up to 1/3rd of any other stage that we have seen so far and I was seeing the magic of rehearsal. It is not that the children have forgotten what they have performed just the earlier week end....But then, the way they have to adjust their own movements in terms of not the foot work but also their hand movements - the manner they grasped the new setting and adapted to the new situation so rapid gave me a tremendous learning.....!! Of course, the ever watchful Guru was giving them tons of feed backs for improvement but still, the way children learnt the "Dias" so quickly gave me a glimpse of the power of such rehearsals....
Be it rehearsal of fine arts or net practise of cricket, rehearsal helps tremendously by giving tremendous psychological advantage before the reality. Well, it is not very uncommon to see few people don't take rehearsals seriously giving their own interpretation about saving their energy and focus for the D day, but once we understand the rhythm of rehearsal, then there is no question of lackluster performance during practise sessions.
Simulating the ultimate reality as much as possible and feasible in the name of rehearsal helps all of us to face the reality at ease. (the only difference I could see in the dance rehearsal that I witnessed was that the kids were not wearing their formal dance attire...all other things including their intensity levels were tested to the core)
Taking some thing upon us with full focus and sincerity but clearly knowing that its not the ultimate thing..... how else YOGA is defined, you tell me, my Friend ?
It need not be a costly extravagant affair in the name of simulation... Just some thing akin to shadow boxing - all by ourselves all alone could make a very big difference. In my own experience, I cannot forget few of the public speaking I did after rehearsing in front of the mirror and once - I distinctly remember - in front of my family.
Well, the purpose of this posting is not to just keep bragging about the power of rehearsal... - its also about the impermanence / insignificance of those things that we get bogged out in our lives seriously taking them too sincerely.....
For that matter, what ever matters to us most gets faded away over a period of time and new realities of different shapes and dimensions dawns upon us.....!!! Without getting drowned with ceaseless realities of the moment, it could give us a taste of yoga if we indulge in a rehearsal in what ever we do....
Its all the same....in the vast existence / AGANDAM, every little thing matters so much... but then, its also true that what ever that matters so much ultimately is just nothing in the vast scheme of things....!!!
Krishnaarpanam // Suren
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Power of Post Mortems....
Prelude ::
Have you enjoyed the difference between the words "truth" and "fact" ? Facts exist in our mind while truths relate to our hearts. Sadhguru gives a classic example in his mesmerizing voice which rings in my ears even now "the fact is that we are sitting here either as a male or female - but the truth is that we have the elements of both our mother and father"....!!
In another aspect, I feel truth is more subjective and person-specific than a fact. How easy spiritual processes could become if people who claim to have realized the ultimate truth can pass on their realization to others just like that ??!!
TO give another example, truth to a lay man will be that sun rises in the east....but the fact is completely different which is about earth's rotation around itself and the direction of its rotation.
Why this bragging ?? lemme come back to this at the end of the posting....Here you go...
Dear All
Having been an extempore writer with fingers capable of dancing at the key board, I took upon myself a very tough goal while starting AGANDAM - to re-read the posting thoroughly and eliminate the typo / grammar mistakes before publishing. How much of dilution this goal has undergone in the course of past two years ?
It was so painful for me to see the couple of spelling mistakes in my latest poem "The destiny". I also observed that the the last para could have been completely re-drafted which would have been more effective and to the point....!! Alas...the post was already published.
My cousin who made a profound statement while giving feedback to this poem - "we become wiser only by hindsight".... which made me think a lot.
This is not a stand alone example but I observe it is happening day in and day out on so many things that we do....!! YES, if only God gives us a boon - a choice between having a wonderful future from this point OR an opportunity to re-live the life completely right from our child hood, I am sure to join the second group (or AM I a loner in that choice ?? not sure !!).
To get freedom from the haunting memories and missed opportunities seems to be a perfect decision to me than to live a wonderful life from now on which is bit "un-deserved". Why to have an accidental success to our life when we can craft a better future for us by not repeating the same mistakes (perhaps, we might end up doing newer mistakes...that's a different point altogether)
Well, its not about the poem with spelling mistakes, but its also about life I am getting amused here .... Now, let me pose a serious question - Does self introspection carry any value at all WHEN we do not have such a boon ? Will it not be better to forget the past ?
I feel otherwise. Perhaps we might forgive us & the past but we should never forget ! Post mortem analysis help us to become more aware and definitely support us to avoid the mistakes at least in future. It could become a tool for shaping up our sub conscious mind.
The spelling mistakes in a poem, wrong words spoken ...and things NOT done perfectly could be the facts about the past, but the truth is that they can tremendously help in creating a better future for us and to the world around us.
.......And so, let me not waste my time to re-post the poem once again - instead, its better to allow these mistakes to remain as a manure for the future poems without any blemishes.
With Love // Suren
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Welcome Rain........!!
Dear All
I notice with some concern on the recent trend of TN Government's education policy - to declare leave to educational institutions when ever there is a rain forecast. It used to be quite rare earlier but with a school going daughter & wife at home (no mistake in writing.....!! Wife happens to be a teacher !!), I can see they get jubilant whenever there is a cloud formation....NOT out of their love for nature....!!
I do empathise the pathetic state of many Government schools and the poor state of our public infrastructure, but really unsure if "declaring leave" is any way a great decision without focussing to do some thing about improving the whole situation. Is it too difficult to administer such leave declaration leaving the discretion / decision making authority to the local IAS officers who can assess the local realities and sanction the leave to selective institutions ? Sorry, again I just tried to be bit impractical once again....out of sheer helpless-ness.
Rain by itself is a great boon for children. I dont consider childgood getting completed fully without a solid drenching in rain (and having fever, if any on the next day !!). The stamina and disease resistance keeps receding in modern generation mainly because we are becoming too finicky about the most ordinary things of life...which are profoundly beautiful. {I read that in Isha Home school, Sadhguru has insisted the Teaching folk to allow the children in rain AT LEAST for a day in the year to experience nature !! I craved to put my daughter in that school...Hmmm....}.
As I was watching many of the people getting drenched completely on a monday morning - on the way to their offices in bikes....and in buses, I understand the reason for the modern generation to curse the rain. If we do not take enough precautions to safeguard ourselves on important times like this (going to office, for eg), whose fault is this ?
Few years back, I read an interesting article abusing the famous poems that the children keep memorizing without paying much attention to the significance of the words "rain rain go away; little tommy wants to play".....!! YES, playing in rain once a while gives an unforgettable experience which the outdoor games in the summer and the indoor games for all times - will never teach us....!! {I am getting reminded of the beautiful song in the Film "kalloory" with hero and heroin stand in their college play ground..with eyes closed and arms outstretched; I at once started loving Thamannah....which is yet to recede, you know !!}
Well, in a cloudy morning with an and off sun light, I can't help but getting reminded about Rain and Vaan Sirappu of Thirukkural....!! Wish humanity re-starts worshipping the charming source of one of our Pancha Pootham.....!!
Love // Suren
ps:- planning to go a long ride in ECR today; First time in FIGO, you know !! Its too late after having the car for little more than 3 months, but then....."better late than never"
I notice with some concern on the recent trend of TN Government's education policy - to declare leave to educational institutions when ever there is a rain forecast. It used to be quite rare earlier but with a school going daughter & wife at home (no mistake in writing.....!! Wife happens to be a teacher !!), I can see they get jubilant whenever there is a cloud formation....NOT out of their love for nature....!!
I do empathise the pathetic state of many Government schools and the poor state of our public infrastructure, but really unsure if "declaring leave" is any way a great decision without focussing to do some thing about improving the whole situation. Is it too difficult to administer such leave declaration leaving the discretion / decision making authority to the local IAS officers who can assess the local realities and sanction the leave to selective institutions ? Sorry, again I just tried to be bit impractical once again....out of sheer helpless-ness.
Rain by itself is a great boon for children. I dont consider childgood getting completed fully without a solid drenching in rain (and having fever, if any on the next day !!). The stamina and disease resistance keeps receding in modern generation mainly because we are becoming too finicky about the most ordinary things of life...which are profoundly beautiful. {I read that in Isha Home school, Sadhguru has insisted the Teaching folk to allow the children in rain AT LEAST for a day in the year to experience nature !! I craved to put my daughter in that school...Hmmm....}.
As I was watching many of the people getting drenched completely on a monday morning - on the way to their offices in bikes....and in buses, I understand the reason for the modern generation to curse the rain. If we do not take enough precautions to safeguard ourselves on important times like this (going to office, for eg), whose fault is this ?
Few years back, I read an interesting article abusing the famous poems that the children keep memorizing without paying much attention to the significance of the words "rain rain go away; little tommy wants to play".....!! YES, playing in rain once a while gives an unforgettable experience which the outdoor games in the summer and the indoor games for all times - will never teach us....!! {I am getting reminded of the beautiful song in the Film "kalloory" with hero and heroin stand in their college play ground..with eyes closed and arms outstretched; I at once started loving Thamannah....which is yet to recede, you know !!}
Well, in a cloudy morning with an and off sun light, I can't help but getting reminded about Rain and Vaan Sirappu of Thirukkural....!! Wish humanity re-starts worshipping the charming source of one of our Pancha Pootham.....!!
Love // Suren
ps:- planning to go a long ride in ECR today; First time in FIGO, you know !! Its too late after having the car for little more than 3 months, but then....."better late than never"
Destiny.....The Absolute
Prelude : Conscious of my resolution some time back on NOT POSTING a prelude for any poem, I desisted from bragging about my latest child - I mean, poem - Oozh (The destiny); However, not able to contain myself when the subject offers enormous scope for another independent posting.....!! You are destined for this posting - here you go...
Dear All
To be candid, I am not sure to which category of God Belief I belong to !! Though I spill out lavishly Gods' names (Shiva and Krishnaa) in my musings, they are essentially out of habit and to some extend because I wanted to be reminded of the supreme power that governs all of us. Essentially I think and feel real more about Destiny than any other deity form.
I had not prayed much in front of Gods - a void blank engulfs me as I look into the eyes of the Deities - which ever temple I visit and what ever God it represents. Perhaps, I could fit myself very well with Isha Yoga when Sadhguru made a mockery of so called God Belief as it is practised.....{How can one forget his nice way of putting what a prayer is = "atha kuduppa itha kuduppa...kaapathuppa !! He says, 98 % of prayers are in this wave length only - which I felt very true}
Neither I carry a fancy about so called Naasthigam. I have a strong doubt if my Cine icon Kamal really utters his "pearls of his 6th sense wisdom" mainly to appease the Tamil Mass.......AND to avoid him getting identified with his (forward) caste. It is bit obscene to even empathise with these Paguththarivu Vaathi-Gal whose life seems to be dry and devoid any humility or respect for unexplored things. Perhaps, I carry a strong doubt if these guys should have at least accepted "destiny" INSTEAD of the personified Gods of Hinduism; They seem to shut their eyes on unanswerable questions and justify the nature with its random-ness. Well, I do understand why do not want to get into Destiny factor - as it will lead to acceptance of "rebirth" dictum of Hinduism which can put them into discomfort.
With my very little experience with the world until now, I am fortunate enough to have been reminded quite often about DESTINY not just in times of mental turmoil but also when I am in jubilant mood. The factor of impermanence of any thing and every thing has got etched into me quite deeply.....that I don't have any thing but reverence and gratitude for the supreme power.
Having said that, off late - I am observing with lot of interest on the paradox AND inter-woven-nature of Free Will against Destiny. Perhaps, if I become 100 % synchronized with destiny and its deeds, I will get more clearer on the scope of Free Will.....!! Until then, its just an on and off game.......and I just have to get grateful about this glimpses of reminders of destiny - like what is happening right today.
In the recent Isha weekly magazine (Kaatup poo), Sadhguru had given a brilliant response to a question posed.....
Q : When people pray you and seek your blessings on this and that...How do you react / bless them ?
Sadhguru : I bless them to provided what ever is good for their life energies.
Think about this man...and his level of consistency though he is bit weird and dangerously outspoken on many subjects which spiritual men avoid speaking.
Krishnaarpanam....as always.
Suren
Dear All
To be candid, I am not sure to which category of God Belief I belong to !! Though I spill out lavishly Gods' names (Shiva and Krishnaa) in my musings, they are essentially out of habit and to some extend because I wanted to be reminded of the supreme power that governs all of us. Essentially I think and feel real more about Destiny than any other deity form.
I had not prayed much in front of Gods - a void blank engulfs me as I look into the eyes of the Deities - which ever temple I visit and what ever God it represents. Perhaps, I could fit myself very well with Isha Yoga when Sadhguru made a mockery of so called God Belief as it is practised.....{How can one forget his nice way of putting what a prayer is = "atha kuduppa itha kuduppa...kaapathuppa !! He says, 98 % of prayers are in this wave length only - which I felt very true}
Neither I carry a fancy about so called Naasthigam. I have a strong doubt if my Cine icon Kamal really utters his "pearls of his 6th sense wisdom" mainly to appease the Tamil Mass.......AND to avoid him getting identified with his (forward) caste. It is bit obscene to even empathise with these Paguththarivu Vaathi-Gal whose life seems to be dry and devoid any humility or respect for unexplored things. Perhaps, I carry a strong doubt if these guys should have at least accepted "destiny" INSTEAD of the personified Gods of Hinduism; They seem to shut their eyes on unanswerable questions and justify the nature with its random-ness. Well, I do understand why do not want to get into Destiny factor - as it will lead to acceptance of "rebirth" dictum of Hinduism which can put them into discomfort.
With my very little experience with the world until now, I am fortunate enough to have been reminded quite often about DESTINY not just in times of mental turmoil but also when I am in jubilant mood. The factor of impermanence of any thing and every thing has got etched into me quite deeply.....that I don't have any thing but reverence and gratitude for the supreme power.
Having said that, off late - I am observing with lot of interest on the paradox AND inter-woven-nature of Free Will against Destiny. Perhaps, if I become 100 % synchronized with destiny and its deeds, I will get more clearer on the scope of Free Will.....!! Until then, its just an on and off game.......and I just have to get grateful about this glimpses of reminders of destiny - like what is happening right today.
In the recent Isha weekly magazine (Kaatup poo), Sadhguru had given a brilliant response to a question posed.....
Q : When people pray you and seek your blessings on this and that...How do you react / bless them ?
Sadhguru : I bless them to provided what ever is good for their life energies.
Think about this man...and his level of consistency though he is bit weird and dangerously outspoken on many subjects which spiritual men avoid speaking.
Krishnaarpanam....as always.
Suren
ஊழ்
கண் சிமிட்டி எட்டிப் பார்க்கும் - சில நேரம்
கண் கலங்க எட்டி உதைக்கும்
எட்டி நிற்பவரை ஏங்க வைக்கும் - க்ஷண நேரத்தில்
சிக்க வைத்து சீரழிக்கும்.......
தெளிந்ததெல்லாம் குழம்பிப் போகும் - மானுடர்
குணத்தை யெல்லாம் புரட்டிப் போடும்....
உயிருக்கு வேராய் நிற்கும் - எப்போதும் நம்மை
வெறும் நிழலாய் தொடர்ந்து வரும்........
கையற்ற நிலையில் வெளிச்சப் பொட்டாய் மலர்ந்து
நாத்திகர் சிலரை ஆத்திகராக்கும்
போலிப் பணிவையும் வீண் செருக்கையும் அழித்தொழித்து
ஆத்திகர் பலரை வெளிறச் செய்யும்
ஆக்ரோஷமாய் எனினும் நளினம் கெடாமல்
வீர்யமாய் இருந்தும் பேரன்பு அதிர்வு மிகாமல்
தீவிர நடனம் புரியும் ஊழரசிக்கு
வேறு வழியற்று நம் தலை வணங்கும் !!
கண் கலங்க எட்டி உதைக்கும்
எட்டி நிற்பவரை ஏங்க வைக்கும் - க்ஷண நேரத்தில்
சிக்க வைத்து சீரழிக்கும்.......
தெளிந்ததெல்லாம் குழம்பிப் போகும் - மானுடர்
குணத்தை யெல்லாம் புரட்டிப் போடும்....
உயிருக்கு வேராய் நிற்கும் - எப்போதும் நம்மை
வெறும் நிழலாய் தொடர்ந்து வரும்........
கையற்ற நிலையில் வெளிச்சப் பொட்டாய் மலர்ந்து
நாத்திகர் சிலரை ஆத்திகராக்கும்
போலிப் பணிவையும் வீண் செருக்கையும் அழித்தொழித்து
ஆத்திகர் பலரை வெளிறச் செய்யும்
ஆக்ரோஷமாய் எனினும் நளினம் கெடாமல்
வீர்யமாய் இருந்தும் பேரன்பு அதிர்வு மிகாமல்
தீவிர நடனம் புரியும் ஊழரசிக்கு
வேறு வழியற்று நம் தலை வணங்கும் !!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
5S - The Sixth sense......
Dear All
Today is quite an important day for me as I completed a long pending 5S work @ home. By itself, doing some thing that we wanted to do for a long time gives a great relief to mind - particularly more so when it is about 5S which is one of my pet subjects.
My fond feelings on 5S started at least eight years back when I heard some thing lofty about 5S from an External Consultant who visited the office that I was employed then.... It was a French manufacturing company and Qualitative things like 5S were not a real priority during the early days of production....As teething problems on the basic organization got settled, things like 5S started to seep into the Production departments. The company used to hire an external consultant for this area who visits the company periodically to assess the status / recognition of the new initiative.
When the HR suggested me on this, I took upon 5S in Finance team quite naturally and got the entire team involved quite easily - not that I am bragging on my leading abilities - but more with my relationship with people and spontaneity. When the whole finance team succumbed to my initiatives and started off making a presence in 5S area, the external consultant visited our department just out of curiosity though there was no plan to implement 5S into Administrative teams.
Quite impressed with the presence of 5S in Finance team, he shared few words of appreciation with me....and as he parted, he made a profound statement about 5S which made a deep impact on me....."5S is not about what you do outside....Once we get involved into this initiative it cleanses our minds so much ... that we will start shuddering inside when an impurity enters within"....!! I still remember the emotion and shrill in the voice when this old man spoke this sentence straight from his heart.....
Well, I had been focusing on 5S initiatives quite consistently at work place since then - when ever there is an opportunity....really liking it from team engagement perspective more than the philosophical value. Particularly get delighted when the team that I work in gets more scores in 5S with few conscious initiatives and close monitoring of the people involved in this (normally) thank less initiative. In the context of 5S, I have observed repeatedly the power of motivated minds capable of achieving spectacular results...... You don't really have to any great miracles but few simple and sincere recognitions make miracles to happen !!
For few 5S is way of life. They take it too much to their heart and unconsciously become perfectionists leading to mental unrest not just to themselves but also to people around (my Better Half being one such hapless soul).....!! I had always preferred it to be a tool for people engagement and proof of motivation levels - nothing more and nothing less.
Coming to the special accomplishment of today at home, its just that I did a major operation of scanning thru' all my dress wares and segregated / standardized the formal wear against the casual wears - which was the need of the hour...!! Having worn uniform for close to 13 years, now I am in a different platform of needing "un" uniform for all the work days - and this was an important task as my shelves were burgeoning beyond its limits - and me totally unsure of how much I need......!! Having lost any craze for dressing completely with my "uniforming", it was more a need - sort of a scientific 5S activity that I carried out - and not so confusing !!
As my wife was staring in disbelief at the heap of dresses that I handed over to her that I might not be needing any more, I was mentally free from the sense of guilt about the abundance and under-utilisation of one of the basic needs.
Yes, unwanted and not needed things sit heavily on the heads more than where they clog up....!! Its better to get relieved, Huh ???
With lot of relief...and of course love // Suren
Today is quite an important day for me as I completed a long pending 5S work @ home. By itself, doing some thing that we wanted to do for a long time gives a great relief to mind - particularly more so when it is about 5S which is one of my pet subjects.
My fond feelings on 5S started at least eight years back when I heard some thing lofty about 5S from an External Consultant who visited the office that I was employed then.... It was a French manufacturing company and Qualitative things like 5S were not a real priority during the early days of production....As teething problems on the basic organization got settled, things like 5S started to seep into the Production departments. The company used to hire an external consultant for this area who visits the company periodically to assess the status / recognition of the new initiative.
When the HR suggested me on this, I took upon 5S in Finance team quite naturally and got the entire team involved quite easily - not that I am bragging on my leading abilities - but more with my relationship with people and spontaneity. When the whole finance team succumbed to my initiatives and started off making a presence in 5S area, the external consultant visited our department just out of curiosity though there was no plan to implement 5S into Administrative teams.
Quite impressed with the presence of 5S in Finance team, he shared few words of appreciation with me....and as he parted, he made a profound statement about 5S which made a deep impact on me....."5S is not about what you do outside....Once we get involved into this initiative it cleanses our minds so much ... that we will start shuddering inside when an impurity enters within"....!! I still remember the emotion and shrill in the voice when this old man spoke this sentence straight from his heart.....
Well, I had been focusing on 5S initiatives quite consistently at work place since then - when ever there is an opportunity....really liking it from team engagement perspective more than the philosophical value. Particularly get delighted when the team that I work in gets more scores in 5S with few conscious initiatives and close monitoring of the people involved in this (normally) thank less initiative. In the context of 5S, I have observed repeatedly the power of motivated minds capable of achieving spectacular results...... You don't really have to any great miracles but few simple and sincere recognitions make miracles to happen !!
For few 5S is way of life. They take it too much to their heart and unconsciously become perfectionists leading to mental unrest not just to themselves but also to people around (my Better Half being one such hapless soul).....!! I had always preferred it to be a tool for people engagement and proof of motivation levels - nothing more and nothing less.
Coming to the special accomplishment of today at home, its just that I did a major operation of scanning thru' all my dress wares and segregated / standardized the formal wear against the casual wears - which was the need of the hour...!! Having worn uniform for close to 13 years, now I am in a different platform of needing "un" uniform for all the work days - and this was an important task as my shelves were burgeoning beyond its limits - and me totally unsure of how much I need......!! Having lost any craze for dressing completely with my "uniforming", it was more a need - sort of a scientific 5S activity that I carried out - and not so confusing !!
As my wife was staring in disbelief at the heap of dresses that I handed over to her that I might not be needing any more, I was mentally free from the sense of guilt about the abundance and under-utilisation of one of the basic needs.
Yes, unwanted and not needed things sit heavily on the heads more than where they clog up....!! Its better to get relieved, Huh ???
With lot of relief...and of course love // Suren
Musings on Paradoxes ....continued
Prelude : - During the course of last year, I had made a posting on the subject of Paradoxes when I felt it so real in my heart....creating a huge urge to share.
After quite some time, I have the same longing once again - Bear with me...!!
Dear All
Rajan touched upon a paradox about learning process in today's morning lecture - vertical expertise with a horizontal exposure. The practical examples that he gave on the exposure given at corporate world for their management trainees reminded me those days I spent at HLL as an industrial trainee looking UP at the Management Trainees - who bore better soft skills and higher confidence levels.
Well, its not the horizontal exposure by itself is capable of making future leaders - the people exposed to must be alerted enough that they are undergoing this grind with a future plan. Most of the times, people get too engrossed with details and get succumbed to non essentials without this awareness.
May be in rare cases (like Rajan in his own description about his early days), one may raise his bar thru' powerful self belief - but for vast majority, miracles are still miracles because of lack of mental readiness. I am also getting reminded some thing that I read long time back - Hitler used to give his powerful orations to a bunch of unemployed youth in car parking basements at Germany on his plans to capture the whole world.....!!
Rajans and Hitlers.....these are rare souls to happen......though technically possible for all of us.
Today's generation faces a peculiar problem that has come tragically with a label as "blessing" - its the "problem of plenty" !! Abundant exposure and information is available ONLINE on any subject that a simple volition to go deeper into some thing by itself is a challenge.
I am particularly intrigued to see the expression less faces of the youth with their IPODs / Cell phone ear phones "enjoying" music (I guess so !!) and keep wondering if they have missed out the bliss of "Vividha Barathi" those days in the only available Radio station....!! Its the basic tenet of economics on "thoery of marginal utility" in vigorous play.
Unless we commit ourselves to go as much vertical as we can in every thing that we look at, we might miss the whole point. When we listen to a lecture from some one who is more evolved than us, its not just the spoken words that alone reaches us. I am particularly attracted to Rajan's discourse these days not because he tells too many lofty things but with the sincerity with which he hugs every one with his eyes closed at the end of his lectures. There is a great charisma in just looking at Beings who live what they say AND who say what they live.
Though we keep indulging in too many horizontal things offered by technology, we will keep discovering the similar vertical things which gets perfectly integrated with what we are craving for.....!! Unless, we are clear on what our verticals are, we only become part of a herd which keeps grazing aimlessly....from Orkuts to Facebooks......from Earth to Mars.
The greatest paradox for most of us is that we never discover our verticals till the end of lives......getting satiated by merely listening to voices of love AROUND US instead of within us.
With Love // Suren
After quite some time, I have the same longing once again - Bear with me...!!
Dear All
Rajan touched upon a paradox about learning process in today's morning lecture - vertical expertise with a horizontal exposure. The practical examples that he gave on the exposure given at corporate world for their management trainees reminded me those days I spent at HLL as an industrial trainee looking UP at the Management Trainees - who bore better soft skills and higher confidence levels.
Well, its not the horizontal exposure by itself is capable of making future leaders - the people exposed to must be alerted enough that they are undergoing this grind with a future plan. Most of the times, people get too engrossed with details and get succumbed to non essentials without this awareness.
May be in rare cases (like Rajan in his own description about his early days), one may raise his bar thru' powerful self belief - but for vast majority, miracles are still miracles because of lack of mental readiness. I am also getting reminded some thing that I read long time back - Hitler used to give his powerful orations to a bunch of unemployed youth in car parking basements at Germany on his plans to capture the whole world.....!!
Rajans and Hitlers.....these are rare souls to happen......though technically possible for all of us.
Today's generation faces a peculiar problem that has come tragically with a label as "blessing" - its the "problem of plenty" !! Abundant exposure and information is available ONLINE on any subject that a simple volition to go deeper into some thing by itself is a challenge.
I am particularly intrigued to see the expression less faces of the youth with their IPODs / Cell phone ear phones "enjoying" music (I guess so !!) and keep wondering if they have missed out the bliss of "Vividha Barathi" those days in the only available Radio station....!! Its the basic tenet of economics on "thoery of marginal utility" in vigorous play.
Unless we commit ourselves to go as much vertical as we can in every thing that we look at, we might miss the whole point. When we listen to a lecture from some one who is more evolved than us, its not just the spoken words that alone reaches us. I am particularly attracted to Rajan's discourse these days not because he tells too many lofty things but with the sincerity with which he hugs every one with his eyes closed at the end of his lectures. There is a great charisma in just looking at Beings who live what they say AND who say what they live.
Though we keep indulging in too many horizontal things offered by technology, we will keep discovering the similar vertical things which gets perfectly integrated with what we are craving for.....!! Unless, we are clear on what our verticals are, we only become part of a herd which keeps grazing aimlessly....from Orkuts to Facebooks......from Earth to Mars.
The greatest paradox for most of us is that we never discover our verticals till the end of lives......getting satiated by merely listening to voices of love AROUND US instead of within us.
With Love // Suren
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Thagappan Saami
Dear All
Many times I feel that learning happens only after we complete the formal education. Numerous instances in our day to day life gives us practical lessons which goes inside us much more deeper than those lessons we mugged up tirelessly for exams those days !!
One such beautiful learning happened to me during last week thru' my daughter.
My God !! what was more wonderful was the manner she imparted me one of a basic lesson !! To put it bit clearly, how she master minded the learning process was more touching than what she taught me.....What I learnt was of course mind boggling....Here you go....!!
There was a situation when I lost my balance - blood rushing up to the head - spitting venom on my wife on some petty thing. It was a case of sheer impatience getting shaped as anger as an unconscious consequence....and little Madhoo tried her best to tame me at that moment and pacify my wife as much as she could. It was just out of the empathy I had for her, I came back to senses on that day and she did not open her mouth very consciously.
After couple of days, on a wonderful evening, she came to me and told me that she got reminded of one of her Poetry (Tamil CheyyuL) seeing me and my anger couple of days back....AND she recited the same.
Always getting intrigued with language and literature, I was humble enough to borrow her book and read thru' the poem which was really sensational....It was a simple 4 lined verse in Nanneri written by a poet called Siva Prakasa Swamigal.
A rough translation of the poem that I read thru' - "One must be earnest enough to control one's anger; Is it easier to take precautions to avoid situation leading to anger OR try to hold on the feeling of anger when it is gushing through unconsciously .....??".
I liked the wonderful analogy to the given situation .... and did not feel much ashamed with the new learning. Double sure to get triggered of this poem in the next possible situation when I am going to go wild.....!!
Well, on my daughter, there had been lot of moments she had thrilled me with her ability to know "the moment"...... I mean, the moment to speak, to keep quiet, to cajole, to behave properly and also when she looses herself a bit and irritate her ever disciplining mother. She is a wonderful learner, grasps things very fast.....and to my pride, connects the newly learnt things with the things that she knows already - which is some thing I feel its important when we become adults........
For that matter, most of the children of current generation are quite shrewd and extremely competent in what ever they do....and I am just being grateful to Almighty for making me one of the proud parent.
What makes me even more grateful about this girl is her ability to connect with outside world and the number of people whom she had made as her well wishers - by her own strength of personality. To me, she had always been intriguing - most of the times behaving as a wonderful child, some times as a teacher - like this instance....and few times, simply divine.....!!
Love // Suren
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wow.....2009 outperformed......!!
Hi
This is the 37th posting in AGANDAM and as I could see the number of total postings in the whole of 2009 was just 36, it is indeed a happy moment to be recorded. Of course, I had effectively started writing only from March during last year but still I always could have written some thing on the first two months too.....!!
As I think through these past two years, there had been lot of changes that has happened - both in my official and personal areas but what remained unperturbed was my focus on AGANDAM. I had a clear plan about this blog and was damn serious about its scope and I am happy that I was on DOT (Courtesy :: Enthiran !!).
It was a great feeling to just go thru' few of my poems posted in this blog so far AND couple of film review to add some spice to the otherwise major category of my musings on little things about life.....!!
Definitely this blog has served a wonderful creative outlet for me improving me in so many ways and I sincerely wish you are touched in some respect thru' my written words. (at least you made face at some of my weird philosophies, Didn't you ??).
Though I had some urge some time earlier to have the postings with some regularity, I refrained from such tight jacket ideas.....and I had been writing only when there was some thing to write.....AND more importantly - only when I had the mood to write.....!!
Good to see that I had so much to share with the world without any time bound commitment....And I thank Almighty reverentially because............I do have lot more with me to share still, Trust me - few of them readily available and vast number yet to be perceived from this wonderful AGANDAM......!!
YES this universe is unlimited not just physically but also in abstract realms......
Stay tuned // Suren
This is the 37th posting in AGANDAM and as I could see the number of total postings in the whole of 2009 was just 36, it is indeed a happy moment to be recorded. Of course, I had effectively started writing only from March during last year but still I always could have written some thing on the first two months too.....!!
As I think through these past two years, there had been lot of changes that has happened - both in my official and personal areas but what remained unperturbed was my focus on AGANDAM. I had a clear plan about this blog and was damn serious about its scope and I am happy that I was on DOT (Courtesy :: Enthiran !!).
It was a great feeling to just go thru' few of my poems posted in this blog so far AND couple of film review to add some spice to the otherwise major category of my musings on little things about life.....!!
Definitely this blog has served a wonderful creative outlet for me improving me in so many ways and I sincerely wish you are touched in some respect thru' my written words. (at least you made face at some of my weird philosophies, Didn't you ??).
Though I had some urge some time earlier to have the postings with some regularity, I refrained from such tight jacket ideas.....and I had been writing only when there was some thing to write.....AND more importantly - only when I had the mood to write.....!!
Good to see that I had so much to share with the world without any time bound commitment....And I thank Almighty reverentially because............I do have lot more with me to share still, Trust me - few of them readily available and vast number yet to be perceived from this wonderful AGANDAM......!!
YES this universe is unlimited not just physically but also in abstract realms......
Stay tuned // Suren
Multiplier Effect - In action........
Happy Morning....
Yeah, its exactly 12 Midnight in my computer and I feel like being technically correct as the next day has already started.......!!
Well, this is going to be a (another ??) great day for me as I got an info from a friend that T.T.Rajan's (about whom I have written very recently) web cast is available on next few sunday mornings even for those like me who has not done any of his classes. Really feel overwhelmed but the reason for not able to sleep even now is not just because of this fact......
I was just seeing the Multiplier Effect (about which I had bragged about not very long ago in this blog) was in full play few hours back.....Lemme share my delight.
It was my cute little daughter's participation in a small role (for the FIRST TIME in stage !!) which made me attend a dance Ballet today in an auditorium. I had never attended any dance program till date as neither I had the technical knowledge nor a flair that is required for such arts. Thanks to little Madhoo who did her small role to the perfection ...and contributed well to a wonderful program where around sixty to seventy dancers were involved. Its the story of Lord Muruga and my little one was one of the child muruga in the Aru Mugaas....!!
Leaving the content of the program apart, I was just dumb found to see the fully packed auditorium and the pin drop silence with which the audience was absorbed in the dance ballet...most of them perhaps like me not knowing about dance technically. While the professional performance was keeping all of us glued to the stage, there were other wonderful things that were happening about this program.
The program was dedicated to the benefit of an orphanage / home of special children and in fact there was a short film in the beginning of the show case the services of this organization and a glimpse of talent exhibition by some of the special children. In fact there were at least one or two rows in the auditorium occupied by these in mates AND I am sure it was a memorable evening for them on two counts.....The pride of being shown to large audience as well as their own entertainment in the form of professional dance drama - which was so educative too.
Well, the children on the stage including my own daughter getting an opportunity to shed off their inhibitions is another dimension....and a taste of volunteering for some of the parents who supported the entire show by doing little things of guidance of the visitors to the hall.
I was personally thrilled at the whole experience....and got my conviction reaffirmed once again....YES, like all life negative things, good things too spread....AND if only people like YOU and me dedicate ourselves to creating / getting involved in such situations / events which have MULTIPLIER EFFECT, we must be able to maintain some semblance of sanity in the world.
For that matter, we need to be lot more intense in our initiatives and evolve as strong personalities because, there is a strong threat of life getting diluted and distracted with erosion of values and dilution of positive thoughts....
Krishnaarpanam....As always.
Love // Suren
Friday, October 29, 2010
Bliss of Revolutions......
Prelude : Carrying a great sense of satisfaction about my yesterday's musings about Inventions Viz a Viz Discoveries - in spite of not getting any feedback / comment from any one (worth his salt !!!!) until this moment - I embark upon another posting in a similar style today too.
Am I not a true Karma Yogi....(Or a Yogi without much Karma or Work.....).....?
Dear All
I am not an etymologist....neither I boast of scholastic achievements in the sphere of Language / Literature. But, I always carried an intrinsic interest to know more about simple words that we use in daily life and enjoy the 3D of related words. These two postings are essentially to share some of my feelings about these words more than what the pundits would prefer to comment....!!
Well, It is always said REVOLUTION is spontaneous while evolution is a change that happens over a period of time. Right ??
Let me take a classic example of Revolution in our Indian History......the Sepoy's mutiny which was a sort of first organized revolt against the oppression by Britishers. The so called "revolution" that happened did not really erupt spontaneously. The outward expression in the form of revolt was only at the breaking point (Courtesy : Kamal....."Kurudhi p Punal") of the Indian Soldiers in the Army and the hatred was always building up...rather evolving in the minds of vast majority of them. What the world defines as a revolution is an evolution indeed..... and matured people are not supposed to get carried away seeing the "effect" without appreciating the "cause".......!!
Even the Epidemic that spreads gets identified only at a later stage. The world could have been made a much saner place to live if only we had avoided the wrong labelling of certain "evolutionary processes" as revolutions.
Simply put, most of the so called revolutions could have been tamed / attended to - in earlier stages itself if only we had reminded ourselves that Prevention is better than Cure.....!!
Sudden things that happen like Earth Quake and Tsunami are more natural phenomena and might be out of scope for this point of discussion.
Well, now comes the beauty of Evolution. There is a perfect logic happening in the evolution at physical plane... be it human beings losing the "tail bone" over the period of time....or for that matter - losing all the fur that our ancient ancestors (I meant "monkeys"). Any thing that is not used up gets rusted up....as the dictum goes ! Nothing to ponder much on these things.
In spiritual realm, when people achieve higher states of consciousness, we always call them "evolved" people which actually mellows down the impact of the wonderful phenomena that is happening within them.... !!
Taking my own example, I just cannot forget that wonderful day - 15 years back when I tasted meditation for the first time in my life.......it was just explosive and hit me so hard and deep that I was crying for a long time in the lap of a Volunteer after the meditation session was over. Truly it was a revolution in my psyche and in so many ways what ever I am today, the foundation was laid on that day...!! Well, I am honest enough to accept that I had not fully built up on that transcendal experience but still the said experience smells within me like in a soothing manner like a camphor......!!
Simply put, to me - at least in the area of mind of human evolution - changes do take place as revolutions....AND we have been unconsciously labelling them wrongly. In fact, the welcome slogan at Isha where I learnt my meditation and Yoga is "Welcome to the Silent Revolution of Self Realization".....
Yes, this posting springs from the spark that I got from this white banner that was hung up during my Yoga class....!! Thanks to Sadhguru....
I have nothing more to add on this topic.....!! Fine ??
Suchoo
Am I not a true Karma Yogi....(Or a Yogi without much Karma or Work.....).....?
Dear All
I am not an etymologist....neither I boast of scholastic achievements in the sphere of Language / Literature. But, I always carried an intrinsic interest to know more about simple words that we use in daily life and enjoy the 3D of related words. These two postings are essentially to share some of my feelings about these words more than what the pundits would prefer to comment....!!
Well, It is always said REVOLUTION is spontaneous while evolution is a change that happens over a period of time. Right ??
Let me take a classic example of Revolution in our Indian History......the Sepoy's mutiny which was a sort of first organized revolt against the oppression by Britishers. The so called "revolution" that happened did not really erupt spontaneously. The outward expression in the form of revolt was only at the breaking point (Courtesy : Kamal....."Kurudhi p Punal") of the Indian Soldiers in the Army and the hatred was always building up...rather evolving in the minds of vast majority of them. What the world defines as a revolution is an evolution indeed..... and matured people are not supposed to get carried away seeing the "effect" without appreciating the "cause".......!!
Even the Epidemic that spreads gets identified only at a later stage. The world could have been made a much saner place to live if only we had avoided the wrong labelling of certain "evolutionary processes" as revolutions.
Simply put, most of the so called revolutions could have been tamed / attended to - in earlier stages itself if only we had reminded ourselves that Prevention is better than Cure.....!!
Sudden things that happen like Earth Quake and Tsunami are more natural phenomena and might be out of scope for this point of discussion.
Well, now comes the beauty of Evolution. There is a perfect logic happening in the evolution at physical plane... be it human beings losing the "tail bone" over the period of time....or for that matter - losing all the fur that our ancient ancestors (I meant "monkeys"). Any thing that is not used up gets rusted up....as the dictum goes ! Nothing to ponder much on these things.
In spiritual realm, when people achieve higher states of consciousness, we always call them "evolved" people which actually mellows down the impact of the wonderful phenomena that is happening within them.... !!
Taking my own example, I just cannot forget that wonderful day - 15 years back when I tasted meditation for the first time in my life.......it was just explosive and hit me so hard and deep that I was crying for a long time in the lap of a Volunteer after the meditation session was over. Truly it was a revolution in my psyche and in so many ways what ever I am today, the foundation was laid on that day...!! Well, I am honest enough to accept that I had not fully built up on that transcendal experience but still the said experience smells within me like in a soothing manner like a camphor......!!
Simply put, to me - at least in the area of mind of human evolution - changes do take place as revolutions....AND we have been unconsciously labelling them wrongly. In fact, the welcome slogan at Isha where I learnt my meditation and Yoga is "Welcome to the Silent Revolution of Self Realization".....
Yes, this posting springs from the spark that I got from this white banner that was hung up during my Yoga class....!! Thanks to Sadhguru....
I have nothing more to add on this topic.....!! Fine ??
Suchoo
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bliss on "Inventions"
Prelude : Once when I was very passionately explaining my thoughts about this topic to my wife, she looked at me expression-less and made a contemptuous comment.....
Let me touch upon her exact words in the last part of this musings....
It can wait.....!! How nicely she gave me another input for my thoughts....... !!
Dear All
If you are guessing that I plan to start off by stating the most obvious difference between "invention" and "discovery" - you are terribly mistaken.....!! On the contrary, I intend to spill my awe and admiration about the inseparability and inter-woven-nature of these two words.
Persistent WHY questions have given rise to all that human beings have discovered. It is more about observing around and trying to understand things as they are. When man dared to challenge the existing (rather as much as have been understood) realities, inventions have taken place.
Discoveries uncover our past and present while inventions are executed dreams about future.
The beauty is the way they lend support to each other......!!
YES, I see a shade of invention in every thing that human beings have discovered at least at the level of the discoverer; Even for an ignorant mind, every trivial thing that is quite common for "known" people comes as an invention and hits him as a big jolt.
Imagine a villager reaching a metro city for the first time,...... Will he not be intoxicated and speech-less with his new (truly for him) inventions / learning's.....??
I don't think Newton was sure that he was "discovering" when he was gazing at the falling apple....Was he ??
On the other hand, every invention had been enabled only with a fundamental understanding about earlier discoveries. Further, Inventions have served the purpose of making mankind understand few grand scientific truths that were discovered long back and which was a foundation for such inventions (I distinctly remember that I learnt about ETHER existing in atmosphere only when some one explained how RADIO works; How about you ?)
AGANDAM (or the Universe) might not be so interesting if we do not care to enjoy its little things..... its vastness and ..... unbounded-ness....!!
That gives the precise reason why this posting should exist in this blog too....
Love // Suren
ps:- Forgot to tell, My wife's exact words were "Why are you boring me by telling things that I know already ??" She didn't even realize the connection that it was a case of BLISS of INVENTION for me but a well known and "no more inspiring" Discovery.....!!!!
That's all, Thanks.....
Let me touch upon her exact words in the last part of this musings....
It can wait.....!! How nicely she gave me another input for my thoughts....... !!
Dear All
If you are guessing that I plan to start off by stating the most obvious difference between "invention" and "discovery" - you are terribly mistaken.....!! On the contrary, I intend to spill my awe and admiration about the inseparability and inter-woven-nature of these two words.
Persistent WHY questions have given rise to all that human beings have discovered. It is more about observing around and trying to understand things as they are. When man dared to challenge the existing (rather as much as have been understood) realities, inventions have taken place.
Discoveries uncover our past and present while inventions are executed dreams about future.
The beauty is the way they lend support to each other......!!
YES, I see a shade of invention in every thing that human beings have discovered at least at the level of the discoverer; Even for an ignorant mind, every trivial thing that is quite common for "known" people comes as an invention and hits him as a big jolt.
Imagine a villager reaching a metro city for the first time,...... Will he not be intoxicated and speech-less with his new (truly for him) inventions / learning's.....??
I don't think Newton was sure that he was "discovering" when he was gazing at the falling apple....Was he ??
On the other hand, every invention had been enabled only with a fundamental understanding about earlier discoveries. Further, Inventions have served the purpose of making mankind understand few grand scientific truths that were discovered long back and which was a foundation for such inventions (I distinctly remember that I learnt about ETHER existing in atmosphere only when some one explained how RADIO works; How about you ?)
AGANDAM (or the Universe) might not be so interesting if we do not care to enjoy its little things..... its vastness and ..... unbounded-ness....!!
That gives the precise reason why this posting should exist in this blog too....
Love // Suren
ps:- Forgot to tell, My wife's exact words were "Why are you boring me by telling things that I know already ??" She didn't even realize the connection that it was a case of BLISS of INVENTION for me but a well known and "no more inspiring" Discovery.....!!!!
That's all, Thanks.....
Sunday, October 3, 2010
T.T.Rangarajan viz a viz Rajnikanth
Dear All
Today is special for me.
At 8 AM I was seated at Kamaraj Memorial hall ready to listen to Voice of Love (as TTR's wonderful lectures are referred to .....) on a SEEMINGLY heavy subject (Who is God ? What is Religion ? Why meditation ?). Three thousand people had thronged the hall in spite of Endiran Release, heavy rain and early morning hours which was in fact mentioned Rajan while starting off his lecture. What followed in next two hours was a mind blowing oration where he made the heavy subject appear so clear and light in my head....
Ironically or by coincidence, at 8 PM, sitting at home I was going thru' a review in Sun TV about Enthiran release and the feed backs by the VIPs and common men about the much hyped film which seems to have many descriptive "first"s in Indian Cinema. As I was watching Rajni's beaming family (both daughters, wife and SIL) very proud of RAJNI and a reasonably relieved Kalanithi Maran speaking with a smile on his face about the feedbacks - some thing that I read some where flashed across my mind..."its actually easier to make 10 crore money as 100 crore than making Rs.100 as Rs.1000"
Well, it is a fact that TTR today touched upon Enthiran more than once in his lecture as he is a man who knows how to connect with audience and with the topic of the lecture at the same time......!! I particularly admired that he did not ridicule any body in the lecture and did not care to touch upon the Ayodhya dispute which is about "between religions" and was bang on the singular common noun "religion"......!! I felt like moving an inch closer to him and his organization at the end of the lecture and gave him a namasthe with moist eyes which was helpless and the most natural thing under the circumstances. My particular delight today was that Anoo who was seated next to me too was glued to the lecture (in spite of getting up bit earlier than our normal time on a typical Sunday) and the little one was attentive during the first half hour and the last forty five minutes of the 2 hour lecture. (inevitably, between the two time slots she dozed off unable to focus with a curtailed sleep in the morning....Paavam....!!).
My intention of this posting is not to compare the two entertainments that I had today
(it is slightly tragic if I can term the former one as "entertainment"......just that I got carried away to put them in same word. it is in fact truth that I was entertained AND engaged sufficiently by Rajan !!)
I am in fact able to connect about many things that Rajan spoke about in the way Rajni keeps himself aloft all the hype that surround him. While business houses and parasites around him frantically sing laurels about Rajni helplessly, he needs to have the same divinity that Rajan carries within himself to deserve the adulation that is bestowed on him. As Rajan is playing his game as a lecture standing to a devout group of audience so is Rajni (see, the names too are seemingly connected...!!) playing his game.
While I crave for Rajan's next lecture in the offing AND wish to reach the meeting hall with a begging bowl in my heart.....I am also too eager to see how Rajni positions himself from the current halo image around him.
YES, Rajni has a bigger responsibility than Rajan - I feel.....!! Well, as far as I am concerned, after being a part of today's lecture by Rajan, I will not ask the stupid question of "Why Rajni got such a great charisma ??".........
Love // Suren
Today is special for me.
At 8 AM I was seated at Kamaraj Memorial hall ready to listen to Voice of Love (as TTR's wonderful lectures are referred to .....) on a SEEMINGLY heavy subject (Who is God ? What is Religion ? Why meditation ?). Three thousand people had thronged the hall in spite of Endiran Release, heavy rain and early morning hours which was in fact mentioned Rajan while starting off his lecture. What followed in next two hours was a mind blowing oration where he made the heavy subject appear so clear and light in my head....
Ironically or by coincidence, at 8 PM, sitting at home I was going thru' a review in Sun TV about Enthiran release and the feed backs by the VIPs and common men about the much hyped film which seems to have many descriptive "first"s in Indian Cinema. As I was watching Rajni's beaming family (both daughters, wife and SIL) very proud of RAJNI and a reasonably relieved Kalanithi Maran speaking with a smile on his face about the feedbacks - some thing that I read some where flashed across my mind..."its actually easier to make 10 crore money as 100 crore than making Rs.100 as Rs.1000"
Well, it is a fact that TTR today touched upon Enthiran more than once in his lecture as he is a man who knows how to connect with audience and with the topic of the lecture at the same time......!! I particularly admired that he did not ridicule any body in the lecture and did not care to touch upon the Ayodhya dispute which is about "between religions" and was bang on the singular common noun "religion"......!! I felt like moving an inch closer to him and his organization at the end of the lecture and gave him a namasthe with moist eyes which was helpless and the most natural thing under the circumstances. My particular delight today was that Anoo who was seated next to me too was glued to the lecture (in spite of getting up bit earlier than our normal time on a typical Sunday) and the little one was attentive during the first half hour and the last forty five minutes of the 2 hour lecture. (inevitably, between the two time slots she dozed off unable to focus with a curtailed sleep in the morning....Paavam....!!).
My intention of this posting is not to compare the two entertainments that I had today
(it is slightly tragic if I can term the former one as "entertainment"......just that I got carried away to put them in same word. it is in fact truth that I was entertained AND engaged sufficiently by Rajan !!)
I am in fact able to connect about many things that Rajan spoke about in the way Rajni keeps himself aloft all the hype that surround him. While business houses and parasites around him frantically sing laurels about Rajni helplessly, he needs to have the same divinity that Rajan carries within himself to deserve the adulation that is bestowed on him. As Rajan is playing his game as a lecture standing to a devout group of audience so is Rajni (see, the names too are seemingly connected...!!) playing his game.
While I crave for Rajan's next lecture in the offing AND wish to reach the meeting hall with a begging bowl in my heart.....I am also too eager to see how Rajni positions himself from the current halo image around him.
YES, Rajni has a bigger responsibility than Rajan - I feel.....!! Well, as far as I am concerned, after being a part of today's lecture by Rajan, I will not ask the stupid question of "Why Rajni got such a great charisma ??".........
Love // Suren
Friday, October 1, 2010
Valluvam !!
Prelude 1 : One of the followers of this blog gave a feedback to my earlier posting (Venting out) and pointed out the Ayodhya verdict was on 30th and NOT 29th {I had titled the sub heading as "verdict TODAY"}
As I was trying to explain in the posting - the nature of non-sensation in the (so called) two news items today, I do not want to feel guilty for my mistake. YES, it doesn't matter, either it was 29th or 30th of september or today... IN fact, is it not a fact that both the parties has chosen an appeal with Supreme Court..... Sabaash.....Let Rama Rajyam prevail...
Well, another "blunder" I made in my posting was making a mention that the judgement will run to several hundred....ON the contrary, it was 2500 pages (if my memory is perfect !!) Sabaash again.....
Prelude 2 :
ஊழிற் பெருவலி யாவுள மற்றொன்று
சூழினுந் தான்முந் துறும்
Dear All
I am not a voracious reader of wide range of books but always had the habit of re-reading the same set of books which by God's grace are good ones.....!! My repeat readership constitutes few Tamil Novels of my personal favourite Thee.Janakiraman and the two big novels of Ayn Rand in English.....
I was also blessed to keep in company of Bharathiyar's poems and Thirukkural quite consistently if not frequently. Kuyil Paatu and few of the Gnana Padalgal of Bharathi are my favourites - in the former while, there are plenty of Thirukkural that I keep getting reminded quite often when I observe even mundane incidents around me.....!! Let me muse bit more on how this love affair started.....
It was in my Sixth standard at my schooling when a competition was announced which was bit unique. I distinctly remember Madhi azhagan Sir explaining the rules of the competition and conducting it. It was so simple......just mug up as many Thirukkurals as possible and on an appointed day we were supposed to WRITE down all the thirukkural that we know regardless of the order and classification. I remember scrolling about the pages of the book that I had to get the easier ones into my thick head and managed to mug up around 70 or 80....and managed to write around 40 in the competition.
Though I did not even get a consolation prize for my efforts, I had a much better consideration of admiring this wonderful treasure of tamil language. I don't really know if any one could have achieved so much of distilled clarity with such brevity any where in the world in any of the language....!! I read some where that few of the literary contributions which were honoured with Nobel prize (including Gitanjali of Tagore) were very short in terms of content but enriched with quality that was needed.....!!
But, Thirukkural has a further dimension of courage.....!! Courage to spell out some thing about a subject with lot of authenticity and clarity AND talking with lot of audacity on another diagrammetically opposite subject which are seemingly contradictory !! There are few such examples that I have noticed personally and also have read and enjoyed from the commentaries written by few of the interpreters of this scripture.
In fact, the greatest tribute for this scripture is that it leaves so much to interpretation and explanation (starting from Parimelazhagar to our current CM !!) and maintaining an air of arrogance about its simplicity and no nonsense language.
I wish every person knowing Tamil should try out few thirukkural and try to appreciate them when he has time to kill.....!! We all slaughter so many minutes without much of purpose, isn't it ??
Love // Suren
ps:- what is the purpose of Prelude 2 above....?? Just wanted to write out one of my favourite thirukkural which essentially translates in most simple terms as "what is more powerful than Destiny that always prevail ??"
Well, AGANDAM is blessed to hold out a poem from me quite shortly with title "Oozh" just as a mark of respect of this great scripture from my side....
Stay tuned ....!!!
ps2 :- I normally use preludes and post scripts quite liberally. Don't recall any of my posting / email containing both of them - that too, two of each...until now. Its again destiny....OR "oozh" !!
As I was trying to explain in the posting - the nature of non-sensation in the (so called) two news items today, I do not want to feel guilty for my mistake. YES, it doesn't matter, either it was 29th or 30th of september or today... IN fact, is it not a fact that both the parties has chosen an appeal with Supreme Court..... Sabaash.....Let Rama Rajyam prevail...
Well, another "blunder" I made in my posting was making a mention that the judgement will run to several hundred....ON the contrary, it was 2500 pages (if my memory is perfect !!) Sabaash again.....
Prelude 2 :
ஊழிற் பெருவலி யாவுள மற்றொன்று
சூழினுந் தான்முந் துறும்
Dear All
I am not a voracious reader of wide range of books but always had the habit of re-reading the same set of books which by God's grace are good ones.....!! My repeat readership constitutes few Tamil Novels of my personal favourite Thee.Janakiraman and the two big novels of Ayn Rand in English.....
I was also blessed to keep in company of Bharathiyar's poems and Thirukkural quite consistently if not frequently. Kuyil Paatu and few of the Gnana Padalgal of Bharathi are my favourites - in the former while, there are plenty of Thirukkural that I keep getting reminded quite often when I observe even mundane incidents around me.....!! Let me muse bit more on how this love affair started.....
It was in my Sixth standard at my schooling when a competition was announced which was bit unique. I distinctly remember Madhi azhagan Sir explaining the rules of the competition and conducting it. It was so simple......just mug up as many Thirukkurals as possible and on an appointed day we were supposed to WRITE down all the thirukkural that we know regardless of the order and classification. I remember scrolling about the pages of the book that I had to get the easier ones into my thick head and managed to mug up around 70 or 80....and managed to write around 40 in the competition.
Though I did not even get a consolation prize for my efforts, I had a much better consideration of admiring this wonderful treasure of tamil language. I don't really know if any one could have achieved so much of distilled clarity with such brevity any where in the world in any of the language....!! I read some where that few of the literary contributions which were honoured with Nobel prize (including Gitanjali of Tagore) were very short in terms of content but enriched with quality that was needed.....!!
But, Thirukkural has a further dimension of courage.....!! Courage to spell out some thing about a subject with lot of authenticity and clarity AND talking with lot of audacity on another diagrammetically opposite subject which are seemingly contradictory !! There are few such examples that I have noticed personally and also have read and enjoyed from the commentaries written by few of the interpreters of this scripture.
In fact, the greatest tribute for this scripture is that it leaves so much to interpretation and explanation (starting from Parimelazhagar to our current CM !!) and maintaining an air of arrogance about its simplicity and no nonsense language.
I wish every person knowing Tamil should try out few thirukkural and try to appreciate them when he has time to kill.....!! We all slaughter so many minutes without much of purpose, isn't it ??
Love // Suren
ps:- what is the purpose of Prelude 2 above....?? Just wanted to write out one of my favourite thirukkural which essentially translates in most simple terms as "what is more powerful than Destiny that always prevail ??"
Well, AGANDAM is blessed to hold out a poem from me quite shortly with title "Oozh" just as a mark of respect of this great scripture from my side....
Stay tuned ....!!!
ps2 :- I normally use preludes and post scripts quite liberally. Don't recall any of my posting / email containing both of them - that too, two of each...until now. Its again destiny....OR "oozh" !!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Venting out.......!!
Dear All
I had been quite firm on the scope of AGANDAM and on the do's and don'ts in terms of the postings. Particularly keen on expressing myself on the awe and admiration about the vastness of the existence (spilling out in the form of poem some times and coming out with film reviews few times), I was particular and still very keen not to write any thing external to me and my day to day life.
Well, when I see two particular sensational items in the news paper almost daily these days WHICH in fact create a ripple within me..... its time to vent out. Here you go...
(1) Babri Masjid Verdict TODAY
Well, I get a basic doubt which repeats itself when I see the "pearls" of the involved people in the legal case. Many seem to pacify themselves and also tell it aloud for all of us to hear that this verdict is not FINAL and there is possibility of further appeal. Why this unnecessary reminder and unwanted judgement then ?
It is almost clear that the aggrieved party is going to prefer an appeal with Supreme Court perhaps on the very next day from the HC verdict. Then, does this really warrant for any great sensation at this stage ??
{I am getting bit philosophical here and dare to state firmly (which perhaps demands a seperate posting...."there are no solutions at all to what we categorically define as 'problem' !!" YES I mean it with all the cells that exist within me....Where is the scope for an "amicable" solution....just a rude comedy.....!!! }
Perhaps there is one human element in the sensation created.....the "Job Satisfaction" for the judges who must have tirelessly prepared (definitely not less than 500 paged) the judgement which ought to be so confusing with the time that they have spent on this. I only wish that there are no two separate volumes of judgement as we understand the rift in between the judges as stated in the news papers !!! {Again, a trigger within me...IF three Judges can't be unanimous about a subject that is entrusted to them, how come organizations and people who have divided themselves so much already can find some peace TOGETHER in the judgement ?}
God bless himself...and save himself too from this pitiable judgement.
(2) CWG Mess up
Not an avid spectator of sport of any kind, I do not have any moral authority to write about any aspect of Common Wealth games as such. But still, considering the (reportedly) stinking wash basins in the sports residential village (not sure how "village" got attached and being sincerely followed up for such a long time even in such modern day sports !!) and the picture of a snake that was caught in the play ground, I am compelled to express myself on this subject too....
We fail to realize that this episode is just a tip of ice berg and by glorifying one single incident, I am afraid if the whole nation is going to get so tired on the high decibel voices and heightened emotions...that we get cooled off after the CWG are over !! Gosh, I see its a greater tragedy for every one of us, if we are going to declare the CWG event as a great success if we manage to scrape through some how.....!!
Traditionally we are a society to attend to things only when it becomes an emergency having a flair for operating at Quadrant ONE of our time management (IMPORTANT AND URGENT... Courtesy - Steven Covey). It is really a pity that such a problem in the basic psyche in the minds of the entire population needs to be addressed only by taking an incident / example.
I don't see this episode any thing sensational. Its just sensible and is going to continue infinite number of times....until we keep making such incidents as "aval" for our lunch time and tea breaks......!!
This is some thing in every one's circle of influence - day in and day out - if not in our circle of control. Correct diagnosis is half the cure, as is always said....
Krishnaarpanam....as Always...
Suren
I had been quite firm on the scope of AGANDAM and on the do's and don'ts in terms of the postings. Particularly keen on expressing myself on the awe and admiration about the vastness of the existence (spilling out in the form of poem some times and coming out with film reviews few times), I was particular and still very keen not to write any thing external to me and my day to day life.
Well, when I see two particular sensational items in the news paper almost daily these days WHICH in fact create a ripple within me..... its time to vent out. Here you go...
(1) Babri Masjid Verdict TODAY
Well, I get a basic doubt which repeats itself when I see the "pearls" of the involved people in the legal case. Many seem to pacify themselves and also tell it aloud for all of us to hear that this verdict is not FINAL and there is possibility of further appeal. Why this unnecessary reminder and unwanted judgement then ?
It is almost clear that the aggrieved party is going to prefer an appeal with Supreme Court perhaps on the very next day from the HC verdict. Then, does this really warrant for any great sensation at this stage ??
{I am getting bit philosophical here and dare to state firmly (which perhaps demands a seperate posting...."there are no solutions at all to what we categorically define as 'problem' !!" YES I mean it with all the cells that exist within me....Where is the scope for an "amicable" solution....just a rude comedy.....!!! }
Perhaps there is one human element in the sensation created.....the "Job Satisfaction" for the judges who must have tirelessly prepared (definitely not less than 500 paged) the judgement which ought to be so confusing with the time that they have spent on this. I only wish that there are no two separate volumes of judgement as we understand the rift in between the judges as stated in the news papers !!! {Again, a trigger within me...IF three Judges can't be unanimous about a subject that is entrusted to them, how come organizations and people who have divided themselves so much already can find some peace TOGETHER in the judgement ?}
God bless himself...and save himself too from this pitiable judgement.
(2) CWG Mess up
Not an avid spectator of sport of any kind, I do not have any moral authority to write about any aspect of Common Wealth games as such. But still, considering the (reportedly) stinking wash basins in the sports residential village (not sure how "village" got attached and being sincerely followed up for such a long time even in such modern day sports !!) and the picture of a snake that was caught in the play ground, I am compelled to express myself on this subject too....
We fail to realize that this episode is just a tip of ice berg and by glorifying one single incident, I am afraid if the whole nation is going to get so tired on the high decibel voices and heightened emotions...that we get cooled off after the CWG are over !! Gosh, I see its a greater tragedy for every one of us, if we are going to declare the CWG event as a great success if we manage to scrape through some how.....!!
Traditionally we are a society to attend to things only when it becomes an emergency having a flair for operating at Quadrant ONE of our time management (IMPORTANT AND URGENT... Courtesy - Steven Covey). It is really a pity that such a problem in the basic psyche in the minds of the entire population needs to be addressed only by taking an incident / example.
I don't see this episode any thing sensational. Its just sensible and is going to continue infinite number of times....until we keep making such incidents as "aval" for our lunch time and tea breaks......!!
This is some thing in every one's circle of influence - day in and day out - if not in our circle of control. Correct diagnosis is half the cure, as is always said....
Krishnaarpanam....as Always...
Suren
Boss Alias Baskaran
Prelude :: As I had a ripple in my mind to make a posting in the nature of a review of this film, I am also dangerously oscillating with another connected thought (rather a concern) about the cinema industry in serious clutches of the royal family of our hapless State. Hmm....Well !! One at a time.....
Dear All
After quite a long time, we went to a cinema during last week end to celebrate the ending of Madhoo's exam woes. Naturally the choice of film has to be her's and as usual she was particular to see this picture which is widely publicised as "Viswaroopa Vetri" in the Ads....!!
(Suddenly getting reminded of the concept of Transfer pricing.....and If Udayanithi Stalin will be paying Dayanithi Maran at market value or at a concession for the series of ads at Sun TV....!! No digression please.......!!)
Well, touted as a humorous subject, me too was bit eager to see this film for some sentimental reason....YES, I have been reading Prabhu Deva has categorically announced that Nayan will have a bigger role to play in future as a home maker ("appaadi!! at last he confirmed the long standing rumour of Kolly wood) and might have just enough time to take care of the needs of the busy hubby.......(God Bless...at least this pair - without any further track changes !!)
We were on time to the theatre and as we got seated, I was getting ready to witness the film with an open mind without any prejudice at heart with the memoirs of my earlier bad experience (Chimbu starring "VTV" about which I wrote in this blog couple of months back.....). While I was so ready to laugh heartily for any joke, honestly none of the best shots by Santhaanam (and Arya who tried his level best to come out of his extreme "Aghora" role) aroused any thing more than a little grin. Its ok modern days have diluted lot of values that people held close to their heart some time back.....does it really mean that humour too have got so diluted ???
I particularly remember Arya telling in an interview post the release of the film that Nayan too has done great comedy....!! Perhaps the declaration was itself a comedy as I don't recall a single scene where Nayan did any thing humorous.... through out the film. She of course is cute and laughs at Arya in a dignified manner whenever he stumbles on English or gets embarrassed on his un-employ-ability. Does this any way constitute humour ?
Well, there are too big gaps in logic but all of us were forewarned sufficiently that this is an entertainer and we were forbidden to look for any logic in the film....So let me desist from making it a point. But I am helplessly getting reminded about the thoughtful-ness and ability to fill the screen by Kamal Haasan even in his so called entertainer movies which he used to release in between his heavy - themed - cinemas to keep Raj Kamal productions lubricated !! Humour in fact needs lot of logic and careful thinking if it has to serve its purpose......
Well, with money available aplenty and heros line up to give their dates to "royal" production houses, we cannot expect more quality in tamil films and just because this film did not have any thing too vulgar and physical (lets forget the needless humour of the "guest" appearance of Shakeela Teacher), it gets qualified as "Viswarooba" Vetri....!! What else to say.....!!
Just to vent out my genuine feelings on the subject, Gentle women & men !! Lets maintain our quality and conviction to call spade a spade in spite of great publicity and dilution of thoughts. I am not here cribbing with same emotion that I had - when I wrote the review of VTV, I do agree that this is one thousand times better than the sacrilege committed by Gowtham Menon.....!! This film is just a 5 paise mistake in the scheme of things and let us gear ourselves for better future at least in next 2 / 3 decades when the dynastic rule settles to dust.
Yes, Does any one remember those great days of proud Chola and Chera dynasty now ? OR do we still have the impact of mughal empires of North......which successfully managed to generate six successive rules of same family - From Babar to Aurangazib ?
Thank God for being a common man still having vitality to see things clearly....and ability to call "a spade a spade" (and not getting carried away with Viswaroopa Vetris of modern days)
Love // Suren
Dear All
After quite a long time, we went to a cinema during last week end to celebrate the ending of Madhoo's exam woes. Naturally the choice of film has to be her's and as usual she was particular to see this picture which is widely publicised as "Viswaroopa Vetri" in the Ads....!!
(Suddenly getting reminded of the concept of Transfer pricing.....and If Udayanithi Stalin will be paying Dayanithi Maran at market value or at a concession for the series of ads at Sun TV....!! No digression please.......!!)
Well, touted as a humorous subject, me too was bit eager to see this film for some sentimental reason....YES, I have been reading Prabhu Deva has categorically announced that Nayan will have a bigger role to play in future as a home maker ("appaadi!! at last he confirmed the long standing rumour of Kolly wood) and might have just enough time to take care of the needs of the busy hubby.......(God Bless...at least this pair - without any further track changes !!)
We were on time to the theatre and as we got seated, I was getting ready to witness the film with an open mind without any prejudice at heart with the memoirs of my earlier bad experience (Chimbu starring "VTV" about which I wrote in this blog couple of months back.....). While I was so ready to laugh heartily for any joke, honestly none of the best shots by Santhaanam (and Arya who tried his level best to come out of his extreme "Aghora" role) aroused any thing more than a little grin. Its ok modern days have diluted lot of values that people held close to their heart some time back.....does it really mean that humour too have got so diluted ???
I particularly remember Arya telling in an interview post the release of the film that Nayan too has done great comedy....!! Perhaps the declaration was itself a comedy as I don't recall a single scene where Nayan did any thing humorous.... through out the film. She of course is cute and laughs at Arya in a dignified manner whenever he stumbles on English or gets embarrassed on his un-employ-ability. Does this any way constitute humour ?
Well, there are too big gaps in logic but all of us were forewarned sufficiently that this is an entertainer and we were forbidden to look for any logic in the film....So let me desist from making it a point. But I am helplessly getting reminded about the thoughtful-ness and ability to fill the screen by Kamal Haasan even in his so called entertainer movies which he used to release in between his heavy - themed - cinemas to keep Raj Kamal productions lubricated !! Humour in fact needs lot of logic and careful thinking if it has to serve its purpose......
Well, with money available aplenty and heros line up to give their dates to "royal" production houses, we cannot expect more quality in tamil films and just because this film did not have any thing too vulgar and physical (lets forget the needless humour of the "guest" appearance of Shakeela Teacher), it gets qualified as "Viswarooba" Vetri....!! What else to say.....!!
Just to vent out my genuine feelings on the subject, Gentle women & men !! Lets maintain our quality and conviction to call spade a spade in spite of great publicity and dilution of thoughts. I am not here cribbing with same emotion that I had - when I wrote the review of VTV, I do agree that this is one thousand times better than the sacrilege committed by Gowtham Menon.....!! This film is just a 5 paise mistake in the scheme of things and let us gear ourselves for better future at least in next 2 / 3 decades when the dynastic rule settles to dust.
Yes, Does any one remember those great days of proud Chola and Chera dynasty now ? OR do we still have the impact of mughal empires of North......which successfully managed to generate six successive rules of same family - From Babar to Aurangazib ?
Thank God for being a common man still having vitality to see things clearly....and ability to call "a spade a spade" (and not getting carried away with Viswaroopa Vetris of modern days)
Love // Suren
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Seventh Sense........
Dear All
Hope you had a coffee break......after the earlier musings...!! Cheers ...and here you go....
V.Iraiyanbu is an inspirational speaker and has been in lime light for more than two decades. Along with another contemporary Sukhi Sivam, I have a strong feeling that we are blessed to have some of the best thinking and speeches in our mother tongue though they are liberal enough to quote from western world too. (I do appreciate the latter one is more into spiritual realm ... nevertheless, I prefer to quote these two gentleman together for unexplainable reason - as perhaps they appear to be of same age group !!).
Well, I am going to present this musings in an extempore style instead of a compilation of all the points that I liked from the book. It could be a much better if I can make this posting in the style of "glimpses" which is more oriented towards MY learning than presenting another translation work... (after all, I was lamenting about "original" tamil writing in my prior posting !!).
(1) The book basically is "musings" on various subjects with articles not more than 3 page about each of the topic; The topics chosen are very close to our life...and many of them chosen with a purpose to educate and inspire a common man; Lot of quotations, jokes and references from western literatures are available thru out the book.
I remember reading in the preface of the book that it is a compilation of his lectures that he was regularly giving over Radio. Not sure if he is giving this even now.....
(2) As I had mentioned in the previous posting, I had read the first and third volume - but let me tell you , it was a complete experience.
Getting reminded of a particular piece in Kribhanandha Vaariyaar Lecture..... "Rama had adopted a brother in north (Gughan, the boat man) and another one too - down south at Sri Lanka (Vibeeshanan, brother of Ravanan) . It means that all the men in between too are brothers of Rama"
(3) There was so much of information available thru' out the book and it was quite mind boggling to know about those facts that I never knew until now. In fact some of my earlier doubts got cleared as I read thru' the book.
(For Eg., in India, we DO NOT have the species called "parrot" at all....We have only paraketes which has longer tail than parrots. He subtly also mentions "In India, even parrot's tails are longer"; Another example is about some thing I carried a doubt for long time.... Difference between Cheetah and Leopard.... the former is Siruthai and the second one is Siruthaippuli.....He goes on to say due to canniness and skill set, the latter one is still surviving while Cheetah is getting extinct rapidly as it it is not street smart - or is it "forest" smart ??)
(4) There are no dearth of understanding and appreciating poetic beauty in various art forms. He gives a wonderful example of a debate between sculptor group and artists. The former group tells the artists (who paints pictures) that their art (making statues) is 3 dimensional and a painted picture is after all two dimensioned one.... To prove a point, a particular artist (this is a some real life incident in a western society) painted a beautiful girl's back side in a picture and also drew a mirror in front of her which reflects us back her front side. To add more weight, using his creativity he paints a pond filled with fresh transparent water in one side of the girl AND a ceramic wash basin on the other - both of them reflecting the girl's side view.......) !! This example / incident is quoted in the context "all art forms have some wonderful aspects"...How's that ??
Well, I also understood the basic difference between an Artist AND an artisan - the former gives himself completely in the creation process while the second one does the job mechanically. That's why we normally call those people who make utility articles as artisans. He also adds quite sincerely that an artisan can even elevate himself to the status of Artist....AND vice versa too can happen - which all of us can appreciate instantaneously !!
(5) Last but not the least, I was thrilled and got a shudder until the end of my spine when I read a particular instance about Sage Ramana Maharshi. It appears there was a heated discussion amongst his devotee group whether they can compose tamil verses in the form of "parani" - a particular intricate form of poem which is traditionally used to praise high esteemed people like Kings.....
A devout group was arguing that Maharshi richly qualifies to be praised in this format of scripture...while there was another group of people who felt that they cannot make technical mistakes and create exception to future literature of the language. They decided to ask Maharshi himself on his opinion and gathered in front of him - who was sitting as usual - dressed in just a loin cloth and with a mystical silence as usual. When one of the devotees described the situation to Maharshi and asked for a opinion - rather a decision - Maharshi's face became like a rock and his silence got intensified....!! From what I read in this book, for close to two days Maharshi was in a state of Samadhi which was bit infectious making even the devotees too to experience a deep silence. No further talk happened in the hall for such a long time....AND after two days, an unanimous decision was taken by the devotees.....!! YES, with such a high level of maturity and ability to stay with a still mind, Ramana Maharshi richly deserves to be sung Parani on himself....and the decision was carried out without any further delay....!!
Well, I have no intention to extend this musings any more. There are few learning one has to undergo himself and it is necessary to make some efforts in searching. With all sincerity and earnestness, I recommend any one reading this posting to try out this book which should be available in all reputed book stalls. In fact I am going to get one set for my sweet little Madhoo....as the one that I read had been borrowed from a library....!! Libraries Zindabad....!!
With Love
Suren
Hope you had a coffee break......after the earlier musings...!! Cheers ...and here you go....
V.Iraiyanbu is an inspirational speaker and has been in lime light for more than two decades. Along with another contemporary Sukhi Sivam, I have a strong feeling that we are blessed to have some of the best thinking and speeches in our mother tongue though they are liberal enough to quote from western world too. (I do appreciate the latter one is more into spiritual realm ... nevertheless, I prefer to quote these two gentleman together for unexplainable reason - as perhaps they appear to be of same age group !!).
Well, I am going to present this musings in an extempore style instead of a compilation of all the points that I liked from the book. It could be a much better if I can make this posting in the style of "glimpses" which is more oriented towards MY learning than presenting another translation work... (after all, I was lamenting about "original" tamil writing in my prior posting !!).
(1) The book basically is "musings" on various subjects with articles not more than 3 page about each of the topic; The topics chosen are very close to our life...and many of them chosen with a purpose to educate and inspire a common man; Lot of quotations, jokes and references from western literatures are available thru out the book.
I remember reading in the preface of the book that it is a compilation of his lectures that he was regularly giving over Radio. Not sure if he is giving this even now.....
(2) As I had mentioned in the previous posting, I had read the first and third volume - but let me tell you , it was a complete experience.
Getting reminded of a particular piece in Kribhanandha Vaariyaar Lecture..... "Rama had adopted a brother in north (Gughan, the boat man) and another one too - down south at Sri Lanka (Vibeeshanan, brother of Ravanan) . It means that all the men in between too are brothers of Rama"
It was so striking to see the evolution in the articles....with the first volume being devoid of humour element while in the third volume, there was a good dosage of entertainment value. Like the style of INDRU ORU THAGAVAL radio broad cast by THENKACHI Swaminathan, all the articles of the third volume end up with a small joke to prove the point. Good presentation....!!
(3) There was so much of information available thru' out the book and it was quite mind boggling to know about those facts that I never knew until now. In fact some of my earlier doubts got cleared as I read thru' the book.
(For Eg., in India, we DO NOT have the species called "parrot" at all....We have only paraketes which has longer tail than parrots. He subtly also mentions "In India, even parrot's tails are longer"; Another example is about some thing I carried a doubt for long time.... Difference between Cheetah and Leopard.... the former is Siruthai and the second one is Siruthaippuli.....He goes on to say due to canniness and skill set, the latter one is still surviving while Cheetah is getting extinct rapidly as it it is not street smart - or is it "forest" smart ??)
(4) There are no dearth of understanding and appreciating poetic beauty in various art forms. He gives a wonderful example of a debate between sculptor group and artists. The former group tells the artists (who paints pictures) that their art (making statues) is 3 dimensional and a painted picture is after all two dimensioned one.... To prove a point, a particular artist (this is a some real life incident in a western society) painted a beautiful girl's back side in a picture and also drew a mirror in front of her which reflects us back her front side. To add more weight, using his creativity he paints a pond filled with fresh transparent water in one side of the girl AND a ceramic wash basin on the other - both of them reflecting the girl's side view.......) !! This example / incident is quoted in the context "all art forms have some wonderful aspects"...How's that ??
Well, I also understood the basic difference between an Artist AND an artisan - the former gives himself completely in the creation process while the second one does the job mechanically. That's why we normally call those people who make utility articles as artisans. He also adds quite sincerely that an artisan can even elevate himself to the status of Artist....AND vice versa too can happen - which all of us can appreciate instantaneously !!
(5) Last but not the least, I was thrilled and got a shudder until the end of my spine when I read a particular instance about Sage Ramana Maharshi. It appears there was a heated discussion amongst his devotee group whether they can compose tamil verses in the form of "parani" - a particular intricate form of poem which is traditionally used to praise high esteemed people like Kings.....
A devout group was arguing that Maharshi richly qualifies to be praised in this format of scripture...while there was another group of people who felt that they cannot make technical mistakes and create exception to future literature of the language. They decided to ask Maharshi himself on his opinion and gathered in front of him - who was sitting as usual - dressed in just a loin cloth and with a mystical silence as usual. When one of the devotees described the situation to Maharshi and asked for a opinion - rather a decision - Maharshi's face became like a rock and his silence got intensified....!! From what I read in this book, for close to two days Maharshi was in a state of Samadhi which was bit infectious making even the devotees too to experience a deep silence. No further talk happened in the hall for such a long time....AND after two days, an unanimous decision was taken by the devotees.....!! YES, with such a high level of maturity and ability to stay with a still mind, Ramana Maharshi richly deserves to be sung Parani on himself....and the decision was carried out without any further delay....!!
Well, I have no intention to extend this musings any more. There are few learning one has to undergo himself and it is necessary to make some efforts in searching. With all sincerity and earnestness, I recommend any one reading this posting to try out this book which should be available in all reputed book stalls. In fact I am going to get one set for my sweet little Madhoo....as the one that I read had been borrowed from a library....!! Libraries Zindabad....!!
With Love
Suren
Adult Learning
Prelude : Mind you, this is going to also touch upon review of a book that I recently read....
Warning : I am increasingly concerned these days about the average size of my musings. This posting too is not going to be an exception - looking from any angle.....viz., content, coverage, too much earnestness from my side, confusion from poor "you".....!!
Dear All
Thinking people clearly perceive the difference between reading and learning.....!! In fact this basic difference is only tip of the ice berg; "Learning" - by itself - contain many dimensions and the scope of such "ever continuous" words has to be understood in the parlance of the adjectives that is getting associated with these words.
Let me muse today about "adult learning" which is an all new subject compared to the root word "learning".
An "adult" mind (I mean only "technically"!!) denotes maturity and reaching of saturation point in terms of evolution. It is really a paradox if only we appreciate the fact that real maturity means constant learning process getting imbibed into a person as a habit more than a virtue !! Some one who is worth his salt can identify himself as "matured" person only when he at least knows for himself how much immature he IS and keeps moving towards the matured state constantly and continually. This movement to more awareness (Asathoma Sathgamaya - as our age old prayer verse says) can only happen only when he develops an yearning for improvement AND do not get stuck up with a self clarity and gets stuck up there for ever. (Have you noticed this ??...some people very proudly declare "enakku mun kobham konjam jasthi-thaan.....")
YES, the natural process of "learning" becomes bit complex and require lot of awareness when it comes to grown up people. There could be numerous slippages viz., "I KNOW IT ALL" syndrome, "HOW DIFFERENT ?" questioning and "WHY TO CHANGE ?" arguments...!! That's why "Training" industry in corporate arena has become a specialized skill these days needing lot more than basic teaching skills. One needs to learn the art of enticing and entertaining people if he wants to be successful in handling "soft skills" training sessions at offices which are meant primarily for employee engagement.
Coming to learning thru' books - many people go on reading books - approach it in various ways. There are many who develop an ego about remembering things that they read and quote them appropriately when they talk while few others read them quite seriously as an input for their professional speaking (at times even for their "written works") ; Many read for the purpose of getting into sleepy mode (??) instead of tossing in their beds while very few read out of their sheer passion. Many like to read general category books while very few like to read books on intricate subjects or technical subjects. Depending on the need and craving - so is the choice of the book and the degree of involvement.
I always carry an interest in the category of books which is called "self" improvement books and have found them amusing and interesting when ever I have stumbled upon one of them. This category of book is bit intricate and tricky compared to all other categories - according to me - as the purpose of reading ("learning") gets completed only when some impact happens to us as a result of reading !! Let us leave out those people who read even such books only to "kill" time or to keep themselves busy in their beds until their eye lids become heavy - they are outside the scope of this musings and also my thought process.....!!
Learning from an inanimate object like BOOK (I particularly mean "self improvement" book here) needs lot more humility, receptivity and earnestness than compared to learning from people / life experiences. People around us and tragic incidents that happen to us teach us ANY WAY.....many times after inflicting some damage too !! A mere volition to read a self improvement book and to learn some thing from it before some tragedy happens to us -according to me is one of the pro active step that a human being can take for himself.....AND just in case he succeeds in allotting time for this and reads thru' such books in a consistent manner, believe me....it works. In fact as I have consciously used in the beginning of this para, the adjective "inanimate" will become inappropriate if one learns life's lessons thru' a book. It becomes a treasure for him with life kicking out of every page and perhaps even every word imprinted on it.
I read some where that in western countries (particularly in US), self improvement books are big business....AND it is not surprising to see volumes of literature and dozens of authors are available in this section at any book store even in our book shops when it comes to English Language. Tragically (it is my little experience) there are very few genuine writers in tamil in this subject as a specialization though we can always learn life thru' the umpteen number of scriptures that we have in our wonderful language. I think one of the first who attempted this specialized writing was Mr.Udaya moorthy (UNNAL MUDIYUM THAMBI series) who wrote some real original stuff at least 3 decades back. I have also admired "LENA" Tamilvaanan's books during my school days and had a particular flair for his musings in his weekly magazine. These days a brand of "translators" have cropped up who are smart enough to pick up (or perhaps the smart publishers pick them up...what ever way it is) the best sold book in Western countries AND do a copy cat job in Tamil and make it a roaring success here too....!!
I am not advocating any specialized writing skill needed for self improvement in Tamil Nadu or other Indian Languages.....Neither do have any aversion for "translation" as an art by itself. But, it appears to me that there is tremendous possibility of writing such books with our own roots and culture instead of borrowing from West....!! In fact many of our deep rooted philosophies are slightly different from western societies (perhaps it is so much different....!! I am expanding this part at a later stage) and I see a real danger of dilution of our culture and our intrinsic strengths when we get into translation mode for such books.
Happened to see a wonderful book written by V.Iraiyanbu, IAS recently and it was so enticing that I could not leave a single page un-turned. The book is titled EZHAAVATHU ARIVU (Seventh Sense) and is in three volumes - I understand; I read the first and third booklets quite rapidly. Eager to share some snippets of this book with you all ... but considering the size of this posting already, let me continue it as next posting......with your kind permission....
Asathoma Sathgamaya....... (Lets move from darkness to light......) !!
Suren
Warning : I am increasingly concerned these days about the average size of my musings. This posting too is not going to be an exception - looking from any angle.....viz., content, coverage, too much earnestness from my side, confusion from poor "you".....!!
Dear All
Thinking people clearly perceive the difference between reading and learning.....!! In fact this basic difference is only tip of the ice berg; "Learning" - by itself - contain many dimensions and the scope of such "ever continuous" words has to be understood in the parlance of the adjectives that is getting associated with these words.
Let me muse today about "adult learning" which is an all new subject compared to the root word "learning".
An "adult" mind (I mean only "technically"!!) denotes maturity and reaching of saturation point in terms of evolution. It is really a paradox if only we appreciate the fact that real maturity means constant learning process getting imbibed into a person as a habit more than a virtue !! Some one who is worth his salt can identify himself as "matured" person only when he at least knows for himself how much immature he IS and keeps moving towards the matured state constantly and continually. This movement to more awareness (Asathoma Sathgamaya - as our age old prayer verse says) can only happen only when he develops an yearning for improvement AND do not get stuck up with a self clarity and gets stuck up there for ever. (Have you noticed this ??...some people very proudly declare "enakku mun kobham konjam jasthi-thaan.....")
YES, the natural process of "learning" becomes bit complex and require lot of awareness when it comes to grown up people. There could be numerous slippages viz., "I KNOW IT ALL" syndrome, "HOW DIFFERENT ?" questioning and "WHY TO CHANGE ?" arguments...!! That's why "Training" industry in corporate arena has become a specialized skill these days needing lot more than basic teaching skills. One needs to learn the art of enticing and entertaining people if he wants to be successful in handling "soft skills" training sessions at offices which are meant primarily for employee engagement.
Coming to learning thru' books - many people go on reading books - approach it in various ways. There are many who develop an ego about remembering things that they read and quote them appropriately when they talk while few others read them quite seriously as an input for their professional speaking (at times even for their "written works") ; Many read for the purpose of getting into sleepy mode (??) instead of tossing in their beds while very few read out of their sheer passion. Many like to read general category books while very few like to read books on intricate subjects or technical subjects. Depending on the need and craving - so is the choice of the book and the degree of involvement.
I always carry an interest in the category of books which is called "self" improvement books and have found them amusing and interesting when ever I have stumbled upon one of them. This category of book is bit intricate and tricky compared to all other categories - according to me - as the purpose of reading ("learning") gets completed only when some impact happens to us as a result of reading !! Let us leave out those people who read even such books only to "kill" time or to keep themselves busy in their beds until their eye lids become heavy - they are outside the scope of this musings and also my thought process.....!!
Learning from an inanimate object like BOOK (I particularly mean "self improvement" book here) needs lot more humility, receptivity and earnestness than compared to learning from people / life experiences. People around us and tragic incidents that happen to us teach us ANY WAY.....many times after inflicting some damage too !! A mere volition to read a self improvement book and to learn some thing from it before some tragedy happens to us -according to me is one of the pro active step that a human being can take for himself.....AND just in case he succeeds in allotting time for this and reads thru' such books in a consistent manner, believe me....it works. In fact as I have consciously used in the beginning of this para, the adjective "inanimate" will become inappropriate if one learns life's lessons thru' a book. It becomes a treasure for him with life kicking out of every page and perhaps even every word imprinted on it.
I read some where that in western countries (particularly in US), self improvement books are big business....AND it is not surprising to see volumes of literature and dozens of authors are available in this section at any book store even in our book shops when it comes to English Language. Tragically (it is my little experience) there are very few genuine writers in tamil in this subject as a specialization though we can always learn life thru' the umpteen number of scriptures that we have in our wonderful language. I think one of the first who attempted this specialized writing was Mr.Udaya moorthy (UNNAL MUDIYUM THAMBI series) who wrote some real original stuff at least 3 decades back. I have also admired "LENA" Tamilvaanan's books during my school days and had a particular flair for his musings in his weekly magazine. These days a brand of "translators" have cropped up who are smart enough to pick up (or perhaps the smart publishers pick them up...what ever way it is) the best sold book in Western countries AND do a copy cat job in Tamil and make it a roaring success here too....!!
I am not advocating any specialized writing skill needed for self improvement in Tamil Nadu or other Indian Languages.....Neither do have any aversion for "translation" as an art by itself. But, it appears to me that there is tremendous possibility of writing such books with our own roots and culture instead of borrowing from West....!! In fact many of our deep rooted philosophies are slightly different from western societies (perhaps it is so much different....!! I am expanding this part at a later stage) and I see a real danger of dilution of our culture and our intrinsic strengths when we get into translation mode for such books.
Happened to see a wonderful book written by V.Iraiyanbu, IAS recently and it was so enticing that I could not leave a single page un-turned. The book is titled EZHAAVATHU ARIVU (Seventh Sense) and is in three volumes - I understand; I read the first and third booklets quite rapidly. Eager to share some snippets of this book with you all ... but considering the size of this posting already, let me continue it as next posting......with your kind permission....
Asathoma Sathgamaya....... (Lets move from darkness to light......) !!
Suren
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
An afterword to the poem "samarasa sanmaargam"
Dear All
I took a commitment - not long ago - that I will never keep describing my poems with preludes and afterwords.....!! Want to make an exception now with a specific reason - which lemme tell towards the end of this posting.....
This poem got flashed to me just yesterday when I had a usual petty tussle at home with an unusually ordinary incident. There were two water jars at the kitchen one of which was full and another one was half empty (or half full ?? what ever way it is).
I reached out randomly for one of the jars and two unfortunate things happened in seratum !! I picked up the full jar and emptied 50 % of it. The second and more important thing that happened was that it was noticed by my ever vigil better off. It was almost an automatic reaction (which did not surprise me much though...) why I picked up some thing which was full while there was another "incomplete" one waiting to be finished off ?
Honestly, I did not argue back and left the place calmly (these days I am getting wiser)...but helplessly started wondering the plot of my next musings.....!! I was able to see the logic behind her restless-ness but it was quite soothing for my eyes to see two water jars with same level of 50 % water in it.....which is in a way logically perfect too.... - though even in any stretch of imagination I had thought about it when I picked up a jar randomly.....!! I was wondering which logic is correct though I never had and will have the guts to get into a trivial arguement with her..... (she is getting old these days; not able to stand my healthy arguement however sweetly I try to explain her !! )
As I had mentally made note to post this as a musing, today it struck me its ages since I wrote any poem....AND whether you see the connection between this little incident and this poem or not, I can see it very clearly with my abstract eyes.....!! If you are not convinced, you can take this incident as a trigger of this poem AND will be an invisible foundation for this poem to be firmly footed in this blog.....!! I am really curious to know if I can really recall this little incident if I read this poem 40 years from now....WITHOUT getting reminded about these two postings.....and the connection between them which is so LIVE and crystal clear to me....as of now......!!
Well, if you ask me how this AFTERWORD to the poem and this posting is justified now at the end of this posting...you see, its just a compromise or samarasam of my earlier decision.....!!
One is not supposed to be too firm on any thing.....but being fluid at every thing is equally dangerous.....
Krishnaarpanam...as always....
With Love....
Suren
I took a commitment - not long ago - that I will never keep describing my poems with preludes and afterwords.....!! Want to make an exception now with a specific reason - which lemme tell towards the end of this posting.....
This poem got flashed to me just yesterday when I had a usual petty tussle at home with an unusually ordinary incident. There were two water jars at the kitchen one of which was full and another one was half empty (or half full ?? what ever way it is).
I reached out randomly for one of the jars and two unfortunate things happened in seratum !! I picked up the full jar and emptied 50 % of it. The second and more important thing that happened was that it was noticed by my ever vigil better off. It was almost an automatic reaction (which did not surprise me much though...) why I picked up some thing which was full while there was another "incomplete" one waiting to be finished off ?
Honestly, I did not argue back and left the place calmly (these days I am getting wiser)...but helplessly started wondering the plot of my next musings.....!! I was able to see the logic behind her restless-ness but it was quite soothing for my eyes to see two water jars with same level of 50 % water in it.....which is in a way logically perfect too.... - though even in any stretch of imagination I had thought about it when I picked up a jar randomly.....!! I was wondering which logic is correct though I never had and will have the guts to get into a trivial arguement with her..... (she is getting old these days; not able to stand my healthy arguement however sweetly I try to explain her !! )
As I had mentally made note to post this as a musing, today it struck me its ages since I wrote any poem....AND whether you see the connection between this little incident and this poem or not, I can see it very clearly with my abstract eyes.....!! If you are not convinced, you can take this incident as a trigger of this poem AND will be an invisible foundation for this poem to be firmly footed in this blog.....!! I am really curious to know if I can really recall this little incident if I read this poem 40 years from now....WITHOUT getting reminded about these two postings.....and the connection between them which is so LIVE and crystal clear to me....as of now......!!
Well, if you ask me how this AFTERWORD to the poem and this posting is justified now at the end of this posting...you see, its just a compromise or samarasam of my earlier decision.....!!
One is not supposed to be too firm on any thing.....but being fluid at every thing is equally dangerous.....
Krishnaarpanam...as always....
With Love....
Suren
சமரச சன்மார்க்கம் - ஒரு கவிதை
இது இப்படித்தான் அது அப்படித்தான் - என
நேர்க்கோடாய் நெறி வெறியாய் சிலர் வாழ்க்கை....
சித்தன் போக்கு சிவன் போக்காய் சுழன்றடிக்கும்
ஊழிக்காற்றாய் காட்டுத் தீயாய் வேறு சில.....
வெளியே புலப்படும் சவால்கள் மிகச் சிலவே - மனிதருள்
தோன்றும் பிணக்கும் மனக்கசப்பும் மலையளவே......
பனிப் பாறையாய் ஒரு துருவம்.... பெருங்கடலாய் மற்றொன்று....
உயிர் வாழ கையகல நிலம் திண்ணம் - நடுவில் எங்கேனும்....
சுரேன்
நேர்க்கோடாய் நெறி வெறியாய் சிலர் வாழ்க்கை....
சித்தன் போக்கு சிவன் போக்காய் சுழன்றடிக்கும்
ஊழிக்காற்றாய் காட்டுத் தீயாய் வேறு சில.....
வெளியே புலப்படும் சவால்கள் மிகச் சிலவே - மனிதருள்
தோன்றும் பிணக்கும் மனக்கசப்பும் மலையளவே......
பனிப் பாறையாய் ஒரு துருவம்.... பெருங்கடலாய் மற்றொன்று....
உயிர் வாழ கையகல நிலம் திண்ணம் - நடுவில் எங்கேனும்....
சுரேன்
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