Monday, November 28, 2011

Mundane Matters !!

Dear All

I have observed umpteen number of times and thoroughly enjoyed this grand truth - for that matter, even writing couple of my (best) poems on this subject - but never got it coined so powerfully in just two words..... (refer the title above).

Its not just another title, Comrades - it can hold a totally different meaning if you give a pause in between the two words....Yeah..., the most trivial , simple and mundane things matter a lot and this is what going to be another posting from me before the end of this year.

I am going to try out not just one post but actually two - one in english and another in tamil for a specific subtle reason. Many times, I am finding even our own thinking process gets verbalized in a particular language that is well known to us (nativity of thought ? I am not sure.... !!).

Have you read translated books ? Did you not get a feeling that it would have been much better to read the original book instead of this one quite often when we read such books ? Perhaps for the same reason, I have observed that few of the powerful humorous jokes in English just get faded out when we try to translate in Tamil (and vice versa too !!).

So, Gentle man and Ladies, this is just a long prelude for putting on record all my excitement that I have been experiencing by sheer observation of simple things in life. In fact I am just getting started to record them from today onwards and could be posting it only when it reaches a justifiable size. Why this prelude now ? (Barking dogs seldom bite ??).

Its just that I am going to actually make a twin posting (in English as well as Tamil) on the same breath - which will be neither an apple to apple translation...and at the same time will not be totally different ones. Where ever I am going to find comfortable expressing same thought in both languages, I am going to allow it BUT the experiment is to give myself the luxury of writing few of my thoughts in a particular language only where I am comfortable with....!!

So its going to be like a "REMAKE" of the high budget films of SHANKAR and so on......!!

Does any one in blog world brags so much about what he is going to brag after a month.....??
You see.... in the vast AGANDAM every creature has unlimited opportunities....

Love // Suren

Ram....Ram......!!

Prelude : This musings can also be named as "Intangible delight from Tangible things"

Dear All



During the last week of July this year, amidst one of my usual "mood out" phase when I became totally numb and paralyzed (I fondly call my this state as "INERTNESS"), I started off Rama Japam.


I was actually in a mental state which was resembling the famous tamil usage / proverb.... "Ethai thinna pitham theliyum" & when I visited my (usual) astrologer, he spoke few dirty words on my uncanny ability of getting into such depression spells - which I would prefer not to post in AGANDAM - and suggested me bit unexpectedly about trying "Rama Japam". He told this quite matter of factedly but quite unexpectedly; I was slightly taken aback as I never could imagine myself doing JAPAM for more than one reason !!


Of course the primary reason for my repulsion towards RAMA JAPAM was the sarcasm that we (not just me) for this particular Japam in the manner my own dear Daddy at home performs it for most part of the day. He literally lives Rama Japam for more than a decade....getting up as close as 3 AM in the morning and doing it for close to 3 - 4 hours and then following it up with for double such duration ... dont smile !! - when he sits in front of his favourite TV serials...!!


I also had my Guru speaking with a slight malice (If I am not mistaken) about Japam when he was elucidating on TAPAS in a different context where he tried to explain (hopeless) disciples like me the importance of "intensity" in any thing that we do in our life.


To sum up, I started off Rama Japam at roughly around 8.30 PM after falling flat at my own daddy's feet (yeah...got formally initiated to his delight and giving more food to his ever kiddish enthusiasm) on 24th July 2011....Shubha Arambam....!!!


After chanting for 15 minutes on the first day (roughly 2000 chants ... Are you wondering the time span....Try just "ram ram" yaar....its possible to cover at a "particular speed" he he he), I some how manage to do it a minimum of the same number on most of the days until today. The morning bus travel in the company bus is quite handy for this new habit which puts me in a beautiful meditative and serene state instead of becoming sleepy and dull which used to my case before this new habit....


There were days - I mean few sundays - I had made it at a bigger number too but still cannot forget the last sunday (2nd Nov) when I touched the golden number of 5 Lacs.....!!




I am putting below few pearls of wisdom that I derived out of this little self experiment to close this loooong musing....




1. Yes, it is bit a paradox but such things meant for intangible aspects of life has been coined with tangible "counting" (Can you visualise those days RISHIs having Japa maala in their hands which keep rolling steadily); but the bottom line is to be aware and alert during the process.


In the nutshell, .




IT IS NOT THE ACTUAL NUMBER THAT MATTERS BUT THE ABILITY TO KEEP OURSELVES LIVE AND INTENSE DURING THE PROCESS OF COUNTING THAT REALLY MATTERS.




2. I had a suggestion from one of my well wisher / friend / Hare Ram Devotee to try "Hare Rama Hare Rama....." INSTEAD of just "Ram" with obvious sincere intentions from his side....which of course I too tried with same level of seriousness it just did not continue for long time for me.




DOING JAPAM IS LIKE USING A TOOL. USE THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND CONVENIENT ONE FOR YOU AND BECOME A MASTER IN THE USAGE.


NO POINT IN SHUFFLING / EXPERIMENTING EVERY THING. THE WHOLE ASPECT IS TO "SETTLE DOWN" IN A SUBTLE WAY.....!!




3. I could clearly see the tranquility of mind at the end of a "session" as I would prefer to call it - which is an enormous discovery as far as I am concerned !!




Having never tried any thing with so much sincerity for close to 120 days now - I am really happy at the discovery. The more important discovery happened yesterday - as I watched the Ballet Ramayan by Smt.Anita Guha's Dance school at Vani Mahal yesterday.




It was a wonderful (dance) drama of this great teacher covering the Sundara Kandam of our ancient Epic which enthralled us for close to 3 hours !! There were some really moving scenes showing Hanuman's reverence towards Rama...and as He jumps and dances around the screen chanting RAM RAM, I had few "extra" drops of tears in my eyes than usual....!!!




WE ARE ABLE TO FEEL MORE ABOUT ANY THING ONLY WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO RELATE OURSELVES TOWARDS IT. BE IT IN LIVING CREATIONS OR BE IT ANY OTHER ASPECT OF OUR LIFE, WE EXIST ONLY BASED ON WHAT WE ARE AND OUR INTERESTS ARE....!!




(incidentally yesterday I skipped the Japam in the morning as I got up very late - but I did not really feel bad about it after this Dance Drama as I felt part of "Hanuman" !!!




(5) Last but not the least, have I become TRANSFORMED completely with this new experiment.....? With all honesty, a big NO NO....In spite of tasting bliss here and there, I clearly (and most HUMBLY) realize I have to go a very long way in this and realize the potency of great people who chanted for whole of their life. This is in a way of life like YOGA...there is no point in talking / writing about it, no need to keep thinking about it...and not even about doing it all the time. Its about HOW intensely and sincerely we become THAT....!!




WHEN WE SEEK MOMENTARY SOLACE FROM OUR MOOD SWINGS, ESCAPE ROUTES (LIKE JAPAM) HELP A BIT BUT NEVER RELIEVES / TRANSFORMS US COMPLETELY. NEVERTHELESS, IT CLEARLY SHOWS A WAY......!! IT IS UP TO US TO WALK THE PATH OR CHANGE THE COURSE...




For that matter, I have decided to walk the path.....!! Ram....Ram......Ram....




Love // Suren

Sunday, November 13, 2011

TVS

Dear All

In the Seminar that I participated yesterday, I was blessed to see a gentleman in action who is a Teacher Wizard - if I can take the liberty of coining.

Mr.T.V.Subramanian, a frail old man enthralled us for close to 3 1/2 hours post lunch. Of course, the forenoon session too was good but this session was just great.

This man spoke an English which was consciously accentuated slightly differently from the general English Speaking Tamils..... was full of wisdom more than knowledge and training skills. I am sure he is quite a popular face in the industry - as he has been quite long at the helm of the industry.

I could see the entire 2 dozen participants were enjoying themselves but in my case, I was rolling all over and did not have enough hands to wipe out my tears out of my intense bliss...(yeah believe me, I cry in an unstoppable manner when I am too happy). It was a delightful experience which I can never forget in my life. Apart from adding humour touch liberally he was hooked to the subject that he covered and gave lot of practical examples and real life incidents, much more than we were able to jot down / memorize.

This man must be at least seventy, had a poor eye sight (I helped him during a particular slide by reading out as he was really struggling to read the presentation on his own), wore chappals and most simple clothes (I am getting reminded of my earlier posting - where I had bragged about my fresh looks when I went for this program), had the ability to have a rock like face when he was introduced and facilitated..a real seasoned teacher / trainer.

During the session, he fondly shared with us about the nick name he got in a particular MBA institute as "O Square B Square" which expands to OLD, Obsolete, Bald and Blind !!
Actually the tag "obsolete" was added by himself to the original name given by the students as OB Square !!

During the break, I shared my genuine feeling to one of the participant (who was equally over awed by Mr.TV Subramaniam) that a Good Teacher carries lot more potent energy than all other good professionals - be it Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer by virtue of his "live" sharing and transmitting ability. The co participant smiled at my remark and nodded his head vigorously accepting what I told....!!

Mr.TVS, people like you can never get obsolete...!! Even if you go away from this world, teachers like you become manure in this already fertile planet for the next generation teachers (like me ??) to get inspired, remembered and emulated....!! Hats off

Suren

Laughing at myself....

Dear All

Yesterday I had the privilege to participate in a workshop on "Vendor Management" - courtesy :: My employer. More than the knowledge value, I really needed a break from routine and I was mentally ready for this from the prior day evening itself (quite accidentally noticed in the calender; had enrolled at least two months back and almost forgotten).

First deciding to go in some formal wear, suddenly I felt like attending this seminar in our company uniform itself - just more an impulsive thought than for any other great reason. With well groomed hair (had a hair cut quite recently and its in full control at least for one week after the monthly routine !!) and neat shave face, I felt I really looked smart when I had a quick look at the mirror - believe me, I never have this habit of seeing myself in the mirror.

Went to the Venue in my little boy FIGO - which is a rare luxury I allow myself - owing to company provided transport normally - I was at the height of my confidence, morale and what not.....!! Reached the venue just in time and I wished back the Support Staff at Radisson Hotel (the venue of the seminar) who dutifully took the car keys for valet parking.

I got down of the car, enjoying my every step of dignified walk, moved towards the main hall of the hotel in a typical unhurried manner (still more than 5 minutes left for 9 AM; The program starts only at 9.30 you know). A young man hurriedly welcomed me (part of admin staff of the program) and he ushered me to the conference hall with lot of respect. Enjoying every moment, as I reached the reception area of the conf hall, I reached the staff who were registering the participants AND in a very low kept but serene voice told them - from which organization I have come....!!

It was not there turn to show their respect and with a polite "wait a second" a pretty girl kept glancing thru' the list at least twice or thrice and then with a sweet voice asked me "Are you going to pay CASH or Cheque Sir ??". I was taken aback as my case was company sponsored !!
Still gathering myself, I told her this fact in a confident voice but she was quite defiant....!!

My hand fumbled to take out my mobile to reach out my colleague at office who handles admin affairs - as this was some thing that I never expected. At that point of time, exactly, a voice in microphone started off inside the conference hall and that does mean the program is starting half hour ahead ??
I was bit puzzled for few seconds but my fingers automatically stopped the ringing of the mobile to my office colleague (who luckily did not pick it up....you see, they are HR guys) as my eyes fixed up on the entrance of the Conf Hall. In a big nice Board, it was prominently written "Conference on Metallurgy". Gosh....!! So, I am at the wrong Hall and had been so oblivious about the surroundings not even reading some thing which was so obvious.....!!

Then the natural things happened...!! My sheepish smile and apology, walk back towards the reception area to check with the Hotel Staff about my venue....and of course I reached my venue in time.

It was so good an anti climax of a gentle man show....!! It all happens yaar....

Love // Suren

சினிமா நல்ல சினிமா.....

இன்று காலை வெகு அதிசயமாக நான் FM ரேடியோ கேட்டேன்....!!
வழக்கமாக கம்பெனி பஸ்-ஸில் பயணிக்கும் நான் இன்று எங்கள் city office ல் வேலை இருந்ததால் என் செல்லப் பையன் (Figo )-வில் பயணம் சேர்ந்ததால் இந்த பழக்கமற்ற ஒரு செய்கை !!
(எங்கள் பஸ் டிரைவர் எப்போதும் பக்திப் பாட்டு மட்டும் தான் போடுவார்....)
காசி தியேட்டர் அருகே மாப்பிளை அழைப்பு காராக ஊர்ந்து போகும் அலுப்பு சட்டென்று மறைந்து போகும் வண்ணம் ஒரு அழகிய பாட்டு....!!
"காலங் கார்த்தால
மறஞ்சிருக்கும்
சூரியனைப்போல என்னைப்பார்த்தாலே
ஒளிஞ்சிக்குற ….பெண்ணே "
ஏதோ ஒரு பெயர் தெரியாத படத்தில் முகம் தெரியாத நடிகன் (ஒரு வேளை ? ) அவனை விட சுமாராக இருக்கும் கதாநாயகியைப் பற்றி வர்ணித்து பாடும் பாட்டு போலும்.....!!
இந்த வரிகள் மிக சாதாரணமான கவித்துவத்துடன் இருந்தாலும் பாடும் குரல் அதைவிட சுமாராக தோன்றினாலும் மெட்டும் மெட்டுக்கேற்ப வெட்டி வெட்டி இழுத்தாலும் அந்த மிக நேரான அர்த்தம் தெரியும் வரிகள் என்னை மயக்கின....!!
பரபரப்பாக என் டயரியில் அந்த வரிகளை சுறுசுறுப்பாக எழுதினேன். அதற்காகவே காத்திருந்தது போல எனக்கு முன்பாக இருந்த வண்டிகள் பொறுமையாக (எருமையாக?) நின்றன போலும்.....அல்லது இதுவும் என் வழிகாட்டி பாபாவின் திருவருளோ ?
சிறிது மாதங்கள் முன் ஆனந்த விகடன் -ல் படித்த அப்துல் கலாம் கேள்வி ஒன்றுக்கு அளித்த பதில் (எனக்கு மிகவும் ஆச்சரியம் கொடுத்த ஒன்று !!) ஞாபகத்துக்கு வந்தது. நான் மிகவும் மதித்து பாசம் காட்டும் (??) அவர் சினிமா பார்க்கும் வழக்கமே இல்லாதவராம்.....!! சிறந்த விஞ்ஞானியாக மட்டுமில்லாமல் ஒரு கவிஞராக-வும் பரிமளிக்கும் அவர் இந்த வழக்கம் (அதுதான்.... சினிமா) இல்லாததால் நமக்கெல்லாம் நஷ்டந்தான் என்று எனக்கு தோன்றுகிறது.....!!

மிகக் குறைந்த அளவு சினிமா (அதுவும் தமிழ் தமிழ் தமிழ் தான் ) பார்த்திருந்தாலும், எனக்கு இந்த ஊடகத்தின் சக்தி பற்றி மிதமிஞ்சிய மரியாதை உண்டு. பக்கம் பக்கமாக, ஏன் வண்டி வண்டியாக எழுதித்தள்ளி நம்மையெல்லாம் பிரமிக்க வைக்கும் அறிவு ஜீவி எழுத்தாளர்கள் சாதிக்க முடியாததை வெகு சிறிய நேரத்தில் ஒரு சில காட்சிகளிலேயே வசியம் செய்யும் வல்லமை பெற்றது சினிமா....!!

என் பிரியமான குரு சத்குரு இருபது வருடங்கள் முன் கோயம்பத்தூர்-ல் ஒரு தியேட்டரில் "காட்டுக்குயிலு மனசத் தொட்டு பாட்டுக்கொன்னும் பஞ்சம் இல்ல .... பாடத்தான்....!!" என்ற பாட்டுக்கு அங்கேயே தன்னை மறந்து ஆடி மகிழ்ந்தவர் தான் என்பதில் எனக்கு ஆச்சர்யத்தை விட பெருமை அதிகம். அதுதான் சினிமா.... !! (இன்று வரை ஈஷாவில் "பாவச்பந்தனா" வகுப்பில் இந்த பாட்டு ஒரு முக்கிய பங்கு வகிப்பதை அந்த அனுபவம் பெற்றவர்கள் ஆமோதிப்பார்கள் !!)
இப்போது இந்த என் சரித்திர முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்த இந்த கட்டுரையில் (ஏன் என்று பிறகு சொல்கிறேன்.....) முக்கியமான திருப்பம் வரும் நேரம் வந்து விட்டது....!!
அவ்வளவு முக்கியம் வாய்ந்த இந்த சினிமா அகண்டத்திலேயே இல்லாதது போல வாழ்ந்திருக்கும் அப்துல் கலாம் போன்ற போற்றத்தக்கவர்கள் இல்லையா என்ன ? ஒருவர் நல்ல சினிமா என்று கொண்டாடும் ஒரு படம் மற்றவர்களால் காறித் துப்பப் படுவதில்லையா என்ன ? கலைப்படம் வெகுஜனப்படம் என்ற தெளிவான பாகுபாடு பற்றி காலம் காலமாக சொல்லப்பட்டு வந்தாலும் கலைப்படம் சில மிக நன்றாக ஓடி பிரமிக்க வைப்பது போல் அதி விரைவில் பெட்டியில் போய்ச் சேரும் பிரம்மாண்டமான படங்கள் இல்லையா என்ன ?
அவ்வளவு ஏன் ? வெகு சுமாராகத் தோன்றும் இந்த பாடல் வரிகள், ஒரு பக்க மிழற்றலாக (அதுதான் ஐயா , musings ) விரியவில்லையா என்ன ?

மனித மனத்தில் கற்பனை சக்தியும் அதன் அளப்பரிய ஆற்றலும் வார்த்தையில் அடங்காதவை. கவிதையால் அதை கட்டுப்படுத்த முயலுபவர் சிலர்....கதையால் விரிக்க முயல்பவர் வெகு பலர்..... இது இரண்டுக்கும் அவ்வளவாக சில்லறை சேராததாலும் நமது ஜனத்தொகையை நம்பியும் இன்று பரந்து விரிந்திருக்கும் திரைப்படத்தின் பட்டொளி வீசி வசீகரிக்கும் இந்த துறையில், தூண்டிலில் சிக்கும் புழுக்கள் மிகப்பலர்....!! எல்லாமே பராசக்தியின் விளையாட்டு தான்....!!

இதில் மிகவும் விந்தை அளிக்கும் ஒரு விஷயம் - என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரையில் - ஒரு தனி மனித மனம் மட்டும் தான்....!! கனகுதூகலமாக இருக்கும் நேரத்தில் மிகச்சாதாரணமான இந்த வரிகளில் அற்புதம் கண்டு பிடித்து ரசிக்கும் இந்த தெய்வீக மனம், துயரத்தால் வாடும் போது உலகத்தின் மிகச் சிறந்த படைப்பில் (கவிதை / கதை / திரைப்படம் எது வேண்டுமானாலும் ) ஈடுபட முடியாமல் வீட்டோரம் முடங்கி எல்லாம் மறுத்து மருகும்.....

அடடா.....!! இந்த கட்டுரை ....சினிமா பற்றி என்றா நினைத்தீர் ?
உம்மையும் முக்கியமாக என்னையும் பற்றி ஐயா !!
மொத்த வாழ்க்கையுமே சினிமா வாக பார்த்து ரசிக்க துடிக்கும் என் பேதை மனம் பற்றி.....!!
போம்..... போம் …… போய்ப் பிழைப்பைப் பாரும்.....!!
சுரேன்
பின் குறிப்பு : முதலில் இதில் ஆங்கிலத்தில் (வழக்கம் போல) எழுத நினைத்த நான் திடீர் என்று உற்சாகம் பெற்று மிகவும் பொறுமையாய் கிட்டத்தட்ட ஒன்றரை மணி நேரம் செலவு செய்து என் மிகக் குறைந்த தமிழ் தட்டச்சு ஞானத்தால் தட்டுத் தடுமாறி உருவாக்கியுள்ள இந்த படைப்பு சரித்திரப் பிரசித்தி வாய்ந்தது தானே ? குறைந்த பட்சம் என் சரித்திரம் ஐயா.....என் அகண்டத்தின் சரித்திரம்....!! போம் போம்....நிற்காதீர்......!!