AGARAM......AGANDAM.......AANANDHAM......

Prelude : This is an impulsive and bit of emotional post unable to resist myself. Please go on..

Dear All

Am not an avid watcher of TV but then some times it so happens that I sit in front of TV on some significant and wonderful programs. 

One such moving program is going on at Vijay TV right now (Surya's participation in "Quiz" of Prakashraj) and I just saw it for 15 minutes which was sufficient for me to get moved, inspired and.....made me bit emotional.

As I understand from this brief watching - it was Surya's special session with his NGO (Agaram) volunteers occupying the audience group to witness their hero's participation in this program.

Few of the stories shared by the volunteers who were present - were stunning (to say the least word) and I felt really proud for Surya and his personal satisfaction levels which reflected too obviously in his eyes as the camera focus was back on him. He seems to be a real life hero too; (Well, just to add, I don't rate him as a great actor, but have formed a very positive opinion about this young man who seems to be sincere in his contribution to society.

I have developed - off late - a very perverted opinion about few of the (so called) service organizations; 

Couple of years earlier, I distinctly remembered I blasted a girl, who was following up with me regularly (and quite vigorously) about the orphanage they run and how much they needed my financial support. It went to a point that my acid tongue played its part quite on its own and I passed on a comment if by any chance she is paid incentive based on the amount of donations that she generates for the orphanage 

(Of course, soon after making this statement, I realized that I should have been more diplomatic.....and felt bit ashamed within myself).

Visibly hurt, the poor girl gave the phone to her higher up at the orphanage who tried to explain the genuine work they are doing (seems this one is the part of the management team). 

I had to entertain some more of her talk and took a while for me to have a STOP of their phone calls.

With few such instances in personal life, it really amazes me that a person of stature like Surya (belonging to family of a famous hero of yester-years) is immensely contributing to social causes and is nudging many young people in positive direction.

Ladies and Gentleman, we always hear great things about charity done by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet at international level. 

I just felt like recording my sincere wishes to AGARAM group and their champion Surya for being what they are......!!

Amidst all the match fixing (am sorry, spot fixing) scandals and natural tragedies like the one that happened in my beloved Kedarnath recently, it was a good gasp of positive fresh breath to see this program - at least for a short while. 

World seems to be a beautiful place in spite of "if"s and "but"s that our minds keep telling us....!! Huh ??

Love // Suren

Film Review of an English Film

முன் குறிப்பு :- இதற்கு முன், பல முறை - தமிழ் படங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில் விமர்சனம் (அல்லது,  "என் பார்வை" என்று சொல்லலாமா? ம் ம் ம் .......? )  எழுதியிருக்கிறேன். ஒரு மாறுதலுக்காக ஒரு ஆங்கிலப் படத்திற்கு என் தாய் மொழியில் எழுதலாம் என்று பட்டது.

மேலும் ஒரு முக்கியமான நோக்கம் தமிழில் எழுதுவதில் உண்டு.....கடைசியில் சொல்கிறேனே ?? சரியா....? 

மேலே படியுங்கள்....

அன்புடையீர் 

7 - 8 வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னால் வெளியான "Crimson  Tide" என்று ஒரு ஆங்கிலப் படம் பார்க்கும் வாய்ப்பு சுமார் ஒரு வருடம் முன்னால் எனக்கு வாய்த்தது அற்புதமான அந்த திரைப்படம் (காவியம் என்று சொல்ல இதயம் துடிக்கிறது....கௌதம் மேனன் வகையறா-வின் காவியம் போன்ற பெயர் வைக்கும் திறமை சம்பந்தமில்லாமல் நினைவுக்கு வருகிறது )  அகண்டத்தில் பொறித்து வைப்பதற்காக மீண்டும் ஒரு முறை பார்த்து விட்டு இப்போது எழுதுகிறேன். 

எழுதத்தொடங்குவதற்கு முன்னால் இந்த படப்பெயரின் அர்த்தம் பற்றி ஒரு ஆர்வம். 

இணையத்தில் தேடியதில் - இது சுமார் நூறு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்னால் ஒரு  முக்கியமான கால் பந்தாட்டப் போட்டியைக் குறித்து ஒரு பத்திரிகையில்  ஒரு குறியீடாக வந்த ஒரு பிரயோகமாம்.....!! பெயர்க்காரணம் - படம் பார்த்தால் நன்றாகவே புரியும். ஏன் ..... இந்த திரை விமர்சனமே ஓரளவு அதை புரிய வைத்து விட முடியும்.

என் வார்த்தைத் தவம் பற்றி எப்போதுமே எனக்கு சற்று அபரிதமான நம்பிக்கை தான்.....!!

நான் இந்த திரைப்படத்தின் இயக்குனராக இருந்தால், அப்படி ஒரு வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தால், "இருவர்" என்று தயங்காமல் பெயர் வைத்து இருப்பேன் (இயக்குனர் மணி ரத்தினத்தின் சம்மதம் பெற்று தான்....; சந்தேகம் வேண்டாம் ) .....ஒரு நீர் முழுகி கப்பலின் கேப்டனுக்கும் அவரின் முதல் அதிகாரி ( XO - Executive Officer) -க்கும் இடையே நடக்கும் ஒரு தர்ம யுத்தம் தான் இந்த இரண்டு மணி நேர படத்தின் மையக்கதை.

திரைப்படங்கள் பார்க்கும் பழக்கத்தில் - ஆழமான, இது போன்ற தேர்ந்த படங்களை நான் பார்க்கத் தொடங்கி இருப்பது சமீப காலமாகத்தான். 

குறிப்பாக - ஆங்கில, ஹிந்தி படங்களைப் பார்ப்பத்தில் இருந்த ஒரு விதமான எதிர்ப்புணர்ச்சியை மிகவும் போராடி வென்று இருக்கிறேன். 

முதல் முதலாக இந்த திசையின் முயற்சி "a wednesday" என்று கொள்ளலாம். Better Late than Never என்று ஆங்கிலத்தில் சொல்வார்களே.....

அப்படித்தான் ஆசுவாசம் செய்தது கொள்ளத் தோன்றுகிறது.

குறிப்பாக - இந்த ஆங்கிலப் படத்தை முதல் முறை பார்த்த பொழுது திக்பிரமை பிடித்தாற்போல் தான் பார்த்தேன்....

இது என்ன வகையான படம் ? 

வெறும் வசனங்களால் நம்மை நாற்காலி நுனியில் உட்காரவைத்து - படத்தின் கடைசியில் நம் மனத்தை பிசைய வைக்க முடியுமா ? என்று எனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட பேரதிர்ச்சி  இப்போது இரண்டாம் முறை பார்க்கும் பொழுதும் தட்டாமல் வந்தது.

நமது சிவாஜியின் மிகை நடிப்பை கொண்டாடிக்கொண்டு இருக்கும் சமுதாயத்தில் ஒரு அங்கமாக இத்தனை நாள் வாழ்ந்து இருந்தாலும் (ஒரு சில படங்களின் அவரின் நடிப்பையும் இரசித்து இருந்தாலும்), அளவான கச்சிதமான முக பாவங்களோடு அற்புதமான வசனங்கள் நம்மை கட்டிப்போட, சில சமயங்களில் கதா பாத்திரங்கள் கண்களால் மட்டுமே அபரிதமான நடிப்பை வெளிப்படுத்த ..... பற்பல நேரங்களில் மனதை மயக்கும் இசை நம்மை  நெக்குருக......இந்த படம் நிச்சயம் பொழுது போக்க அல்ல ! 

நம்மை வேறொரு உலகத்திற்கு கொண்டு போய்ச் சேர்க்க......!! 

சந்தேகமே இல்லை.

நமக்கு (முக்கியமாக எனக்கு) அவ்வளவு பரிச்சயம் இல்லாத களம் - (நீர் முழுகி கப்பல்) மற்றும் அந்த இராணுவக் குழுவினரின் சங்கேத வார்த்தைகளும் வாழ்க்கை முறையும் (highly protocol ridden) படத்தின் முதல் காட்சியிலிருந்தே நம்மை கட்டிப்போட்டு விடுகிறது. 

ரொம்பவும் technical ஆக பல்வேறு வசனங்கள் மற்றும் காட்சிகள் கூட நம்மை படத்தின் மையத்திலிருந்து அந்நியப்படுத்துவதில்லை என்பது ஒரு ஆச்சர்யமான உண்மை....

திரை நாயகன் (அற்புதமான முக பாவங்கள் கொண்ட அந்த அழகான கறுப்பர்...."கருப்புதான் எனக்கு புடிச்ச கலரு....என்று பாடத் தோன்றுகிறது ) மிக அழகாக நடித்திருக்க - அவரின் (வெள்ளை)அதிகாரி - captain - அவருக்கு ஈடு கொடுத்து நம்மை பிரமிக்க வைக்கிறார். 

அந்த முதியவர் கடைசி காட்சியில் தன நாய குட்டியோடு நடந்து போக நமக்கு - உண்மையில் யார் கதாநாயகன் என்று சந்தேகம் வந்து தொலைக்கிறது.....!! 

கதை பற்றி ரொம்ப எழுதுவதில் எனக்கு விருப்பம் இல்லை. ரொம்பவும் புராதானமான - நமக்கெல்லாம் ரொம்பவே பரிச்சயமான மகாபாரத்தில் மின்னும் "தர்ம சங்கடம்" பற்றிய கதைதான்.....! 

சிறப்பான அம்சம் - வாசங்களும் தேர்ந்த நடிப்பும் தான் - அநேகமாக எல்லா நடிகர்களுமே உணர்ந்து நடித்து நம்மை உணர்ச்சிவசப்பட வைக்கிறார்கள்.

முக்கியமாக நான் இரசித்தது பூடகமான வசனங்கள் கொண்ட அந்த உரையாடல்களைத்தான் ....!! 

கதாநாயகன் தன மனைவிடம் சொல்ல நினைக்கும் செய்தியை மகனுக்கு - தங்கள் நாய் பற்றி சொல்வது போல் அனாயாசமாக தெரிவிக்கும் முதல் காட்சியில் இருந்து ..... குதிரைகள் பற்றி தான் நினைத்துக் கொண்டு இருந்தது தவறு என்று பெருந்தன்மையாக (?) ஒத்துக்கொள்ளும் captain - ன் கடைசிக் காட்சி வரை.......வார்த்தை தவம்....தான் !! 

இசை ? 

முதல் காட்சிகளில் அந்த நீர்முழுகி கப்பல் நீரைக் கிழித்துக்கொண்டு இறங்கும் பொழுது ஆண்களின் குரலில் பாடப்படும் அந்த choir இசையிலிருந்து.....கடைசி காட்சியின் விறுவிறுப்பான பின்னணி இசை வரை.....எதைச் சொல்ல ? எதை விட......?? 

இசை ஞானம் அதிகம் இல்லாத நானே இரசிக்க முடிந்த பொழுது, சற்று சுட்சமமான இசையையில் தேர்ந்தவர்கள் நிச்சயம் மேலும் விரும்புவார்கள். (ஆங்கிலப்படங்களில் ஏன் குத்துப் பாட்டுகள் வருவதில்லை ? உங்களுக்காவது  தெரியுமா ?)

மேலாண்மை படிப்பில் கவனம் செலுத்துபவர்களுக்கு conflict management பற்றிய ஒரு அற்புத காவியம் - ஆக படம் மிளிர்வது சிறப்பம்சம்.

இரண்டாம் முறை இந்த படத்தை பார்த்த நான் - இது போன்ற வாய்ப்புகள் நிறைந்து இருக்கும் இந்த பேரகண்டத்தை  - பாஷைகளின், கலாச்சாரங்களின் எல்லைகள் தாண்டி போவது - எவ்வளவு சுலபத்தில் ஒரு தனி மனிதனுக்கு கிடைக்கக் கூடும் தற்காலத்தை "கலி காலம்" என்று கரித்துக் கொட்டும் மானுடர்களும் இருக்கிறார்களே என்று வருந்தினேன்.

ஆம்....ஆத்ம ஞானம் அதி சுலபம் என்று ஒரு ரிஷி வாக்கு நம் கலாச்சாரத்தில் உண்டு - அது பற்றி எனக்கு திடமான கருத்து எதுவும் இல்லை.

ஆனால், நம் மனத்தடைகளைத் தாண்டி போவது அதி சுலபம்.....தேவையானது நாம் நமது மன ஜன்னல்களை சற்று திறந்து வைப்பது மட்டுமே......!!

(நீங்கள் "மல ஜலம்" என்று படித்து இருந்தால் அது உங்கள் துரதிர்ஷ்டமே தவிர "என்" குற்றமல்ல......  )

இப்போது புரிந்ததா - நான் எதனால் தமிழில் இந்தப் படம் பற்றி எழுதத் துணிந்தேன்....என்று ? தாய் மொழியில் தானே நமது எண்ணங்களை எந்த தடையும் இல்லாமல் பகிர நம் வார்த்தைப் பொக்கிஷங்கள் இருக்கின்றன ?? சரி தானே.....

இருங்கள் ....கடவுளிடம் இது போன்ற பேரனுபவங்களை வாரி வாரி வழங்குமாறு - பாஷைகளைத் தாண்டி அவருக்கு தெளிவாக புரியும் வண்ணம் பிரார்த்திக்கிறேன்......உங்களுக்கும் சேர்த்து தான்...... சரி தானே ?? உஷ்........இதோ கடவுளிடம் என் வேண்டுதலை ஆரம்பிக்கிறேன்...

alpha alpha charlie beta ..............

புரியவில்லையா...படத்தை பாருங்கள்.....!! 

புரிந்து விடும்......!! 

அன்புடன் - மிக்க மன நிறைவுடன் - வணக்கத்துடன்

சுரேன்

Ananda Vikatan Mahaathmiyam .....ONCE AGAIN

Dear All

Even in my faintest memory, I remember I wrote about this subject at least thrice - not just @ AGANDAM but also in my earlier blogging adventure (I mean 2007 - 2009).

Unable to find any other worthy Tamil magazine up to the standard of AV & fully realizing the bliss this book offers me week after week, here I am writing my (latest) impression on this weekly magazine - with special reference to the past two weeks.

(1) One of the piece that I enjoy immensely @ AV is Valai Payudhae....where some of the humorous / timely comments in various twitters are published. I am quite delighted that even Madhoo has become a fan of this section - these days. As a sincere parent (& also an equally sincere fan of AV), my duty is to check with her these days if she had understood the pun intended / humor inscribed the words published....!!

YES, this is a latest and one of the healthy chat between a father and daughter at our home. 

(2) I particularly relish "Aaram Thinai" - an article on going natural with our food habits - in particular and our life style in general. I read with some shock about the widespread danger of cancer as we consume things from the plastic containers straight from MICROWAVE OVEN..

Think, to have a natural death is going to become a luxury for our generation....Hmmm...

(3) Another beautiful and informative article with a nice Tamil name "ARIVIZHI" is some thing I read with lot of earnestness. Being (and so particular about being so) blissful person by nature by never trying to understand technology / computers, this article gives me lot of wonderful moments - as lot of current revolutions in IT field are explained in simple TAMIL by the writer.

Can you visualize a mother forcefully feeding her own adamant child which closes the lips tightly ? the same feeling here too...me getting fed by (not fed up - please read carefully) mother AV.

(4) Password - the simple article by Vijay TV fame "GOPINATH" is another article I like very much. Though most of the earlier ones were too straight and simple without much food for our thought, I particularly enjoyed last week's article and this week's too.

Last week, he had written about Quadrant II of time management in his typical style (things which we want to do but never becoming urgent for us....). In the current week, he had raised concern (100 % shared by me too) on materialistic and modern ways of life and consumerism trend of our current society.

(5) Poems (pudhukavidhai) and jokes section continue to delight me.

It is so good to see that many contemporary subjects are touched upon - at ease and with tremendous open mind. 

(6) Last point is on the short stories section (Star writers - as AV terms it). I was aghast and thrilled when I read the short story written by Nanjil Naadan - during last week.
The story was quite an experience and I patiently (of course, thoroughly enjoying every word written and the emotion that it triggers) twice more sitting all alone in a busy main road - in front of a closed shop. Hats off...

Bechaara, with the same expectation, when I tried the story of the current week written by Sivasankari (I could not believe that this lady is still writing......!! hmmm....). It was too ordinary and the story line & narration disappointed me terribly. This last para is just to announce it to the vast agandam that I am not getting entangled with Aanandha Vikatan and still continue to be a critic too - when it deserves.....!!

Well, The post got little longer than I expected. I sincerely wish that I continue to keep writing about Ananda Vikatan and HSB at least once in three months as both these institutions have made me "grow" into what ever I am right now.....!! (hope that does not discourage any one of you to stop reading AV and going to Saravana Bhavan....he he he !!!)

Fine....Chalo !!

Love // Suren

A Poem in English

Prelude : I am dedicating this post done @ late night to TANGEDCO (Formerly TNEB).
Due to continuous  power cuts since 10 PM until now, I had no other choice other than to get up and get along with this midnight musings.
You see the position of my GURU has moved in to a favourable square. Nothing stops me and my energy level any more.......!!

Dear All

Little Madhoo - with a sheepish smile - approached me today with a strange request.

Though I was glued to my priority at that point of time, after hearing her out for a minute or so, I started intently listening to her as it was not only an interesting request but a challenging one too.....!

Here I start......!!

It appears that her English Teacher picked up randomly few of the students and "demanded" them to write a poem with a title given spelt out....!!
(First thing first....., it was peculiar to even listen it from her; 
How come any creative piece - as abstract as a poem - be written up any one all of a sudden ?? 
These are ways of modern education...Huh ??)

Being one of the scapegoats, Madhoo got the title "MYSTERY" and was summoned to write a poem and bring it on the next day (which is of course today - as it is past 12 Midnight now).

Poor Madhoo spent close to half hour at school itself writing and re-writing and decorating the "title" of her poem totally unsure of how to start off.
And then, she had put all her efforts to write some thing;
Her request to me was to look at it for possible improvement that can be made.....!!

I was peculiarly delighted at this bomb shell - as this is first of the instance of this kind at home PLUS I had no clue about English Poems
(though I continue to maintain the illusion that I write "poems" in Tamil !! 
You know some thing - its more than 12 months since I wrote my latest one......
I don't know when I am blessed to write my next one....hmmm.... That was just an interlude)

As I went thru' what she had written herself, I should confess that I was visibly pleased....
In particular -  the "plot" of the poem was some thing which I never expected from her though she had expressed it more as a "prose".
The creator within me woke up with full intensity and in next twenty minutes, I redrafted the poem with usage of different words and trying to bring a sense of rhythm as much as I could.....!!

Needless to say - I was pleased more at this piece below much more than Madhoo....!!

Gosh, When am I going to discover - rather, uncover - myself fully ??
In fact since my birthday last week, I have started looking quite sadly at the twilight of "grey" hairs in my moustache.....
(Forgot to tell, I am growing a beard too these days; Really curious to know if I am going to develop grey hairs in the beard too....)

Well, here is the poem presented to you and the vast AGANDAM - which is a joint production by me and Little Madhoo.

                                                                        Mystery

I made up my mind
             to reach out a faraway land....
Set off my journey
             with moon as my only company.....


Pitch Dark it was....
              I lost my sense of direction
Stray dogs did bark....
              But then, I kept moving !

After some time of walking
               Totally exhausted I became...
Unable to take an extra step
                Completely drenched my dress became...

Slowly and slowly
                 My eye lids became heavy......
Painful and weary
                 my legs turned numb - really....!!

The next morning......

I woke up from bed - hearing 
                    the chirping sound at my window....
Adventure of prior day appearing
                    to me a real  history !!
Sitting at bed....I kept thinking deeply
                   Believe me - until now its a mystery !!


How'z that.....???

Love // Suren

ps:- My nephew Nandhoo had suggested me to write my views on a wonderful movie which I saw along with him six months back (appears to be his favorite).
I had to see it once again and do it before the end of this week.
Watching out the number of hits @ Agandam which is still limping at 15s and 20s, I have to oblige to the requests made by near and dear......so that the hits don't further come down - you see !!
Stay Tuned......Nandhoo....and Ulagap Pandhoo (I meant Mother Earth !!)

Reverentially Yours.....

Dear All

It was a memorable birthday - getting greetings thru' mail and phone from near and dears.

I am particularly delighted to get quick feed backs from few of them on my maiden book which I had published last night (How much struggle the writers and thinkers of yester-years used to undergo to get their literary work published....Hmmm?? Technology seems to be really helping all of us in unimaginable ways.)

Thanks, thanks and thanks to all and .... of course to the whole AGANDAM.

Well, there was a news item in yesterday's news paper to which I was glued for couple of minutes.
The same is scanned and pasted below.

It is quite impossible for me to catch up the abstract feeling which got generated by this news and - as it happens quite often these days - I am realizing the utter pointless-ness about the world of words.

I found that it was perfectly apt to make this post - short and sweet - rather, closing it abruptly.

May be it is a sweet paradox to end this note in this manner on a day which is special to me......!!

Regards // Suren

Fabulous 40

Dear All

In next half hour, I will be turning 40.

As I go thru' my earlier postings randomly - I am not only surprised to see the volume of my words, but equally thrilled.
..... Thrilled - not because that I have written so much but due to the realization that what I have shared is  just tip of the ice berg!

This blog had been a most important initiative for myself more than for any body else - supporting me to get out of my depression spells and in venting out myself during tough moments which were destined for me.

I have compiled few of my chosen posts - in this very same blog - which gives me a rare sense of satisfaction as I step into my next year of life (Link given below)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bx1KYh2w0KXqYzV1aHlIMzdGU3c/edit?usp=sharing

In fact - with few latest developments on the personal side, I realize that my time for blogging will get rationed gradually but still I will ensure that I set aside at least couple of hours on weekly basis to this basic craving of mine !

Love and Regards

Suren

The Ending of My Week Ends

Dear All

This is rather a nostalgic posting from my side! Lemme explain why.......

Whenever we utter the word "week end", we always take it to denote "laziness", "freaking out" and "relaxation".... right ? (May be some of you do purposeful things on sundays. I just meant people of my creed :-) !!)

Carrying a passion in teaching career, I have been trying to get a breakthrough to identify a "Scape Goat" Academy @ city - which is willing to give chance to a middle aged man with no practical experience (I mean myself) and with a deep longing to "some how" get started. I do have some experience in a limited way teaching to nears and dears - now and then - but am also fully aware about the challenges (rather opportunities) in teaching a group of   students who are slightly intelligent (hence pursuing a professional course, right ?).

At last I found a gentleman who was empathetic to my plight and has offered me to join his team to take classes at his Academy. I in fact got in touch with him only on last Saturday who asked me to reach him on Monday to have a face to face discussion. More than him to have a look at my face, looking at the serenity and humility of this gentleman, I intuitively felt that my joining him (and his academy) is going to be a long term relationship. To begin with, he has assured me that I will have classes only during Sat and Sundays and will ensure that this will not disturb my other priorities.

I am in fact meeting him tomorrow to have a detailed discussion and to clarify on few practical aspects. Since I had planned to reach my parents home tomorrow, I have taken his consent to meet him at 9 AM en route.

Well, Perhaps many people of my category (with a flair to get into teaching profession) might have got into the same quite effortlessly at a much lesser age. It was peculiar in my case that I never took serious initiatives to satiate my passion which I have been holding within myself for more than a decade & has waited for circumstances to push me to get into the act. I will not be surprised that I could be the senior most (in terms of age) but the junior most (in terms of experience) in his band of faculties.....

In the vast AGANDAM, every peculiarity has its own deserving space and I don't feel odd about it at all !
Better late than never - as the age old saying says.....Right ?

I am convinced that - as I pick up experience in this area - my week ends are going to get busier and more busier and I am helplessly aware that the next two days are the last week ends for me and this life.....!!

Every jubilation / sense of achievement comes with a price tag with it.....Huh....??

Regards // Suren

MK @ 90

Dear All

Today is the birthday of our Ex Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi who turns 90 years. Since he is out of power now- understandably -  the celebrations are kept bit sublime and within the party circles.

(Did you notice the last page of THE HINDU ?

The current CM had given full page on her new developmental works at Srirangam.....

 I am not sure it is just a co-incidence....er er er......Lets skip it any way)

I have always been charmed by this grand old man of Indian Politics for more than one reason - which I wish  to put it on record

AGANDAM is meant for recording my feelings / moments of joy more than any thing.....Right ?? 

First thing first, MK is approximately 50 years elder to me. The round number of course delights me......!!

(YES, my birthday falls during next Wednesday - just approx a week difference). 

Secondly - since both of us being GEMINIS -  I have seen glimpses of my spontaneity in him too 

(OR is it other way round.......??). 

I particularly enjoy his eloquence and timely quirks which is too admirable considering the level at which his public life had been.

Thirdly, I have thoroughly enjoyed the film by Mani Rathnam - two decades back - IRUVAR - which gave a good insight about MK's earlier part of life (even before my birth) 

My fascination for this gentle man got enhanced with Prakashraj's beautiful portrayal about the shrewdness of this Grand old man who was abnormally intelligent and applied himself extremely well in competitive politics of his own party. He was in fact able to proclaim the CM position after Anna's sudden demise with his tact, bypassing the seniors at that point of time

(How can I forget the scene where Prakashraj holding the palm of Mohanlal (who played MGR's character) and raise it together in front of the frenzy crowd.......!! Some times visual impact outweighs tons of words....)

Last but not least.......

I always have a strange sense of sentiment for all aged people.

When I started off my AGANDAM , it was a damn serious affair for me which I had in fact penned a poem (also available in this blog during early 2009) & also taken care to make a presentation which I circulated to my inner friends circle

(yes....sort of constitution for this blog -  I still preserve this ppt - you know.......)

With my limited exposure to life, if there is so much to share to outside world, I shudder at mere imagination of how much of practical wisdom such old people would have acquired thru' their lives ?

Particularly, a person like MK - who has seen umpteen numbers of ups and downs in life ought to be respected - rather admired - for his sheer exposure to life and its design.....

In current Ananda Vikatan issue (dated 5th June), there is a beautiful and BALANCED article about MK which I re-read for the comprehensive coverage. 

The article written by Mr.Thirumavelan is worth trying if you had missed it - please go thru'. 

My Birthdays had always been special for me and this post became important for me today - though I have few other things to catch up.....

Well, that is also a gentle word to all of you who go thru' this post to take care reading my post on my birthday - which falls next week.

Cheers and Love

Suren