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
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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
Musings on Empathy
Prelude : I am not an avid watcher of TV mega serials. Had sat in front of TV very casually today evening joining the family for their regularly watched "chellame" starring Radhika....and here you have another posting from me....!! If any one thinks I am making mountain out of mole hill, indeed I do.....!! The very purpose of my existence in this planet is just to explore the vastness of existence....which can only be tested by observing and absorbing every little damn experience !!
Dear All
It was a moving episode today in CHELLAME....!! I have always admired Radhika's capabilities ever since her CHITTI days....though I don't watch these mucks (I am sorry...mega serials) regularly....but when I sit in front of TV on some day sporadically, there is no other way other that to get involved.....and enjoy the quality of her tele serials - generally speaking.
Let me briefly give the gist of what happened in today's episode. An unfortunate girl undergoes a series physical and mental trauma in an unfortunate incident when she is going out with her boy friend. The situation turns out that her own mother (seemingly a villain piece in the serial) does not have trust in daughter's integrity. The distraught daughter tries her best to explain her mother with all her energy and emotion to the mother that she is innocent. She even tries to commit suicide. In between these two poles stands the father of the girl like a ROCK, a real rock star according to me....who literally gave the spark for me to post this piece.
He appears to console his daughter as much as he can - in parallel, he tries to warn his wife on her needless utterances but she is not the one to budge and stop her nonsense. He handles the situation in best possible manner by doing his best of solacing to his little girl and making arrangements for her safety and mental piece by leaving her in the custody of the grand heroine of sun TV - Radhika madam...!!
I am not going to touch upon the wonderful plot and the way the facts and fictions got blended in the complex situation...and the mystery revolving around the created confusion - for - even I am not too clear as I don't watch TV at all. From what I gathered in this one episode, I could see the plot was extremely balanced one and passing on any comments in the nature of "bull shit" can indeed be a immature comment. Lemme come out of the description of the episode without drifting away any further from the chosen title.....!!
Yes, I have always heard people explaining the difference between the words "empathy" and "sympathy". We sympathise with lesser mortals and poor souls...and it is sort of related word to kindness. We are kind to cattle who does not speak like us, right ? The oft repeated definition of the word "empathy" is the ability to appreciate others feelings by stepping into their shoes. I have heard this in too many training sessions and in fact have been sharing this to my juniors / trainees when ever occasion demands....!!
The husband character - the way in which the gentleman portrayed himself - was a classic description of the word "empathy". I am not just talking about his empathy towards his own daughter but also to his wife. He was quite stern when he shouted back at her BUT never lost his cool beyond a point of breaking down himself and behaving emotionally....because.....because he empathised her TOO .... and accepted her with her own limitations. It is because of his empathy he was able to respond to his wife's behaviour and make him decide to leave the daughter in the safe custody of some one else to avoid any further suicidal attempts by the poor girl....!!
Well, I also have a glimpse of thought flashing across my mind that he could have handled his wife bit better right from day one to make her slightly better than what she behaved in this episode...YOU SEE, we can always keep dreaming about "what if" and "why not"...... hovering in the past....!! It is always much easier to be a consultant for other's problems than handling one's own problems that too the present ones....One at a time.....and only one at a time......!!!!
I am not sure if every episode of Radhika madam has so much of learning value or its just the danger-me who gets excited unnecessarily whenever I happen to see her serial ?? I prefer not to take up such silly questions and get myself receptive to next wonderful TV episode....!! Wish it wont be too long......!!
With Love
Suren
Dear All
It was a moving episode today in CHELLAME....!! I have always admired Radhika's capabilities ever since her CHITTI days....though I don't watch these mucks (I am sorry...mega serials) regularly....but when I sit in front of TV on some day sporadically, there is no other way other that to get involved.....and enjoy the quality of her tele serials - generally speaking.
Let me briefly give the gist of what happened in today's episode. An unfortunate girl undergoes a series physical and mental trauma in an unfortunate incident when she is going out with her boy friend. The situation turns out that her own mother (seemingly a villain piece in the serial) does not have trust in daughter's integrity. The distraught daughter tries her best to explain her mother with all her energy and emotion to the mother that she is innocent. She even tries to commit suicide. In between these two poles stands the father of the girl like a ROCK, a real rock star according to me....who literally gave the spark for me to post this piece.
He appears to console his daughter as much as he can - in parallel, he tries to warn his wife on her needless utterances but she is not the one to budge and stop her nonsense. He handles the situation in best possible manner by doing his best of solacing to his little girl and making arrangements for her safety and mental piece by leaving her in the custody of the grand heroine of sun TV - Radhika madam...!!
I am not going to touch upon the wonderful plot and the way the facts and fictions got blended in the complex situation...and the mystery revolving around the created confusion - for - even I am not too clear as I don't watch TV at all. From what I gathered in this one episode, I could see the plot was extremely balanced one and passing on any comments in the nature of "bull shit" can indeed be a immature comment. Lemme come out of the description of the episode without drifting away any further from the chosen title.....!!
Yes, I have always heard people explaining the difference between the words "empathy" and "sympathy". We sympathise with lesser mortals and poor souls...and it is sort of related word to kindness. We are kind to cattle who does not speak like us, right ? The oft repeated definition of the word "empathy" is the ability to appreciate others feelings by stepping into their shoes. I have heard this in too many training sessions and in fact have been sharing this to my juniors / trainees when ever occasion demands....!!
The husband character - the way in which the gentleman portrayed himself - was a classic description of the word "empathy". I am not just talking about his empathy towards his own daughter but also to his wife. He was quite stern when he shouted back at her BUT never lost his cool beyond a point of breaking down himself and behaving emotionally....because.....because he empathised her TOO .... and accepted her with her own limitations. It is because of his empathy he was able to respond to his wife's behaviour and make him decide to leave the daughter in the safe custody of some one else to avoid any further suicidal attempts by the poor girl....!!
Well, I also have a glimpse of thought flashing across my mind that he could have handled his wife bit better right from day one to make her slightly better than what she behaved in this episode...YOU SEE, we can always keep dreaming about "what if" and "why not"...... hovering in the past....!! It is always much easier to be a consultant for other's problems than handling one's own problems that too the present ones....One at a time.....and only one at a time......!!!!
I am not sure if every episode of Radhika madam has so much of learning value or its just the danger-me who gets excited unnecessarily whenever I happen to see her serial ?? I prefer not to take up such silly questions and get myself receptive to next wonderful TV episode....!! Wish it wont be too long......!!
With Love
Suren
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