Kodi - it was such an unplanned trip for me. KK was planning to cycle the hills with a couple of friends. My Kodi trip was supposed to start on Friday (28th) evening. Then I thought - what the hell, why would I want to go to Kodi for just 1.5 days? So I checked with KK if I could join him for the cycling trip. Luckily, there was a cycle available for me at the Kodi guest house.
That was it! On 25th morning, I jumped onto KK's Indigo and we drove to Kodaikanal. Reached there around 5pm. Our first stop was the Golf Club where we met the gang. The cycling plan was explained to us and then we were all set.
Day One - We started around half past nine on the observatory road. there were three Ford Endeavors with food and water, two people on the motorbike to help with us any problems with the cycles, and a masseur. the first stretch was an uphill and it was quite bad. most of the them were gasping for breath, but still made it. flat roads to begin with would have been better i thought. from there it was downhill for a while. this road was taking us to Mannavanur. the total distance was around 35 kms. at the downhill stretch, our bikes were speeding at more than 40kmph. little did we know what was going to happen. my bike went out of control at a bend. i tried braking hard - didnt work out that well. the bike was skidding and i was going to go straight into the mountain. thats when i realized that i had to do something. so i jumped off the bike and landed on my back. luckily, nothing serious except for a minor internal damage to the thigh muscle. about 50 mtrs behind another person fell - and that was KK. he had a bad fall - bruised his elbow and knee. we started off again. what was waiting for us was one helluva hill climb - a never ending one rather. with every turn we took, we hoped that it would lead to a flat road, but it never worked to our favor. finally, we came to our lunch spot. it was like a cliff, from where we could see the sheep farm and the area surrounding it. from there it was downhill. we kept cycling till we reached a point where the road forked to Berijam and Kavunji. We took the road to Berijam and cycled a few kms. Berijam is a protected area and tourists are not allowed into that forest belt. a few kms towards the Berijam lake and then it was time to head back.
Kodi Biking Trip
Day Two - started with two rounds of the lake. then we took a right turn at the bus stand near the lake into the road that led to Villupatti. Initial downhill, after that, it was 1.5kms of pure uphill. when we got to the top, most of us were knacker ed. we took the straight road which was another downhill-uphill combination. at one point, the road forked and went further up. if we had done that hill as well, then it would have been the best climb. but didn't do it - junta was tired. that hill was leading us to Nayudupuram. we drove back and took the road to Kurinji Temple. towards the right of the temple there was a small road that was leading us back to the lake - a distance of about 5 kms i guess. this trip was close to 25kms. the best part about day two cycling - the uphill and downhill circuits were more frequent. so, more work. in the day one track, we had flat roads and small gradients as well. in such places we could cycle fast and get some pace. with the uphill downhill combo, the problem was - one needs to keep braking when downhill and then change gears to prepare for uphill. all the speed that you gather when you come downhill comes down by a fifth. if you didnt brake, then you'd definitely be under one of those speeding cars coming on the opposite side.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Evano Oruvan: Thinks like Everyone
Everyday we are sick and tired of so many things that happen around us. For people like me - the bike in front cuts the lane to make you brake hard, one rain and the whole city is inundated, authorities are not bothered, people jump the STOP LINE at the signal and take off 4 seconds before the Green signal. people park their vehicles on the main road and block the traffic.. the list goes on.
For an average educated man, lets say middle class - who is either a government employee or has a bank job, its a little different. He struggles to make ends meet. His life runs on a budget. Even a slight shake given by an external force would trouble his normal life and routine. And this is what we see about Sridhar Vasudevan (Madhavan) - a middle class Brahman bank employee.
Let me not spend time in writing about what the story is. It would be better if we concentrate on the main characters and the screenplay.
The main credit goes to the handling of the story. Although Nishikanth Kamath - the screenplay writer and director of this movie is giving us a re-production of Dombivili Fast, the original movie, we still need to give him extra credit for showing us a protagonist who feels just like how many educated individuals do.
Madhavan plays a character who is affected by corruption and malpractice happening around him. He has his own principles and his principles aren't anything strange that this society would mock at. He wants to be honest, hard working and sincere. He expects the elements around him to work quite like him. This is when all the trouble starts.
The long queue to get a bucket of water, the street vendor who charges extra money for aerated drinks, the depositor who gets a loan sanction without submitting proper documents, policemen who are not bothered by neighborhood unfriendly activities, the school principal asking for a hefty donation to provide admission - all these incidents show extreme pressure on a middle class individual who expects the system to help his existence.
The monotonous middle class life that runs like the hands of a clock - the daily alarm at 5.30am, the same vegetables, packed curd rice, train journey to office, punching a few checks at the bank, the 5pm bell and you are back home - ready to start another day. Along with this, you have the wife and children.
Sangeetha plays the wife character. Very genuine and typical - the way you'd see it in most families. Her life just goes in preparing lunch, taking care of the house and running behind the uncooperative children shouting at them to get ready for school. She is annoyed that her husband lives by the rule book. She wants a moderately happy lifestyle for family and she is prepared to let the system function the way it does, even if its taking a toll on their family budget.
Seeman, the police officer, is perhaps the best character. In a supporting role, he is able to understand the emotions of an educated man. He accepts the fact that the inefficiencies and loopholes in the system coupled with the people that exploit the same are reasons for anger and despair. At the same time he is unable to do anything to change the same. The same reflects in the climax. He succumbs to the system.
For me it was a very hard movie, especially when it was a night show. I walked out feeling heavy. But the society has to learn a lot from this.
I feel bad that such movies will just go away with the screen impact. IT professionals like me, who have new found wealth will further ruin this - we will not bother about paying a small premium for no better service. And this will directly impact the people in the middle strata, because their salaries will not rise like ours, but the system will demand more from everyone.
For an average educated man, lets say middle class - who is either a government employee or has a bank job, its a little different. He struggles to make ends meet. His life runs on a budget. Even a slight shake given by an external force would trouble his normal life and routine. And this is what we see about Sridhar Vasudevan (Madhavan) - a middle class Brahman bank employee.
Let me not spend time in writing about what the story is. It would be better if we concentrate on the main characters and the screenplay.
The main credit goes to the handling of the story. Although Nishikanth Kamath - the screenplay writer and director of this movie is giving us a re-production of Dombivili Fast, the original movie, we still need to give him extra credit for showing us a protagonist who feels just like how many educated individuals do.
Madhavan plays a character who is affected by corruption and malpractice happening around him. He has his own principles and his principles aren't anything strange that this society would mock at. He wants to be honest, hard working and sincere. He expects the elements around him to work quite like him. This is when all the trouble starts.
The long queue to get a bucket of water, the street vendor who charges extra money for aerated drinks, the depositor who gets a loan sanction without submitting proper documents, policemen who are not bothered by neighborhood unfriendly activities, the school principal asking for a hefty donation to provide admission - all these incidents show extreme pressure on a middle class individual who expects the system to help his existence.
The monotonous middle class life that runs like the hands of a clock - the daily alarm at 5.30am, the same vegetables, packed curd rice, train journey to office, punching a few checks at the bank, the 5pm bell and you are back home - ready to start another day. Along with this, you have the wife and children.
Sangeetha plays the wife character. Very genuine and typical - the way you'd see it in most families. Her life just goes in preparing lunch, taking care of the house and running behind the uncooperative children shouting at them to get ready for school. She is annoyed that her husband lives by the rule book. She wants a moderately happy lifestyle for family and she is prepared to let the system function the way it does, even if its taking a toll on their family budget.
Seeman, the police officer, is perhaps the best character. In a supporting role, he is able to understand the emotions of an educated man. He accepts the fact that the inefficiencies and loopholes in the system coupled with the people that exploit the same are reasons for anger and despair. At the same time he is unable to do anything to change the same. The same reflects in the climax. He succumbs to the system.
For me it was a very hard movie, especially when it was a night show. I walked out feeling heavy. But the society has to learn a lot from this.
I feel bad that such movies will just go away with the screen impact. IT professionals like me, who have new found wealth will further ruin this - we will not bother about paying a small premium for no better service. And this will directly impact the people in the middle strata, because their salaries will not rise like ours, but the system will demand more from everyone.
Monday, December 17, 2007
The evolution of dance
Judson is the creator and performer of “The Evolution of Dance” the Internet video that has taken the world by storm amassing over 10 millions views in under two weeks and featured on CNN, MSN.com, E! Entertainment, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Today Show, AOL.com, Google, and countless others.
#1 Most Viewed All Time Video on YouTube.com
#1 Top Rated Video on YouTube.com
#3 Most Discussed Video on YouTube.com
#1 Most Viewed All Time Video on YouTube.com
#1 Top Rated Video on YouTube.com
#3 Most Discussed Video on YouTube.com
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Billa 2007: the sleek outlaw
The best of the breed Derringers, Walthers, and Colts that slip to everyone's hips, chic women and dapper men clad in elegant black suits and Ray Ban sun-glasses, sports class mercs and bmw's, a picturesque Malaysia - is what takes Billa 2007 to a class of its own.
Billa 2007 is a re-make of the original Billa starring Superstar. To give you a background. It was first Don by Amitabh B, then Billa by Superstar, then Don again by Shah Rukh Khan and now Billa with Ultimate Star Ajith.
Storyline is pretty much the same. No changes that alarm you. I liked the handling of the screenplay to some extent. Since it was a re-make, importance wasnt given to explaining why some events were happening. It was rather expected to be understood. Hats off to the director and the production team - few characters who appeared in the original movie were thrown off. Teh script was much more crisp. Efforts were spent in ensuring the actors and locations match the current trends.
The movie was completely shot in Malaysia, which is something worth mentioning. Not too many movies are done like that. The choice of locations had an amazing blend with the screenplay. Drug and weapon dealings in airport hangars and old workshops give you a feeling of seeing a Hollywood movie. Then relaxing in spa resorts with a glass of wine and babes by your side gives that James Bond touch.
Ajith fits well into the role of Billa. He has done a good job. We know he can't dance that well. He tried to do something in two dance numbers, but it wasnt any good. So lets leave that part out. Dialogues were too cool - atleast for the first Billa. Velu's dialogues weren't fitting too well. It looked like there was enough reel space to waste. But when Velu comes back as Billa, things came back to normal. Ajith also performed well int he fight sequences. One part worth mentioning is the car chase. Ajith being a race driver had probably done this by himself. This was really cool.
The babes - Namitha and Nayanthara. Justice somewhat done. Namitha - my friends call her "Yaana-mitha". She definitely looks like a baby elephant in the movie. But still doesnt go away from short dresses. Babes associated with mafia have never been so plump - okay for such a judgement, my first reference is hollywood. Nayanthara - wow, wasnt she amazing!!! Stiletto heels and sports wear displaying more than what was required; with the pistol hanging by the hips; when she was walking or maybe parading; she looked like she was imitating Angy in Lara Croft and Halle Berry in the Bond movie. Her electric and athletic looks helped in pulling attention and she was a much much better fit inside the bad gang.
What like best about Nayanthara's role - there is one part where she comes to the swimming pool wearing a bikini. The camera pans directly to her back and you can see the Billa tattoo, just like the picture above. Crazy Sexy Cool it was.
Music is awesome. Yuvan Shankar Raja has given a feel of arrogance and attitude for most songs. The background music is also amazing. Two songs remixed from the old movie - pulled off quite well.
The most funny thing was Billa, police and the villain fighting for a pen-drive. Maybe, the director or the screenplay writer just ran out of ideas. In the current scenario, where technology is just everywhere around you, you'll roll on the floor and laugh when someone shoots a climax scene just for getting hold of ONE pen-drive. One could have just made a copy and given it.
The Billa fever has caught up already. Two people I know are wearing the same type of glasses that the babes used in the movie. I am sure that the tattoos are on the way.
Billa 2007 is a re-make of the original Billa starring Superstar. To give you a background. It was first Don by Amitabh B, then Billa by Superstar, then Don again by Shah Rukh Khan and now Billa with Ultimate Star Ajith.
Storyline is pretty much the same. No changes that alarm you. I liked the handling of the screenplay to some extent. Since it was a re-make, importance wasnt given to explaining why some events were happening. It was rather expected to be understood. Hats off to the director and the production team - few characters who appeared in the original movie were thrown off. Teh script was much more crisp. Efforts were spent in ensuring the actors and locations match the current trends.
The movie was completely shot in Malaysia, which is something worth mentioning. Not too many movies are done like that. The choice of locations had an amazing blend with the screenplay. Drug and weapon dealings in airport hangars and old workshops give you a feeling of seeing a Hollywood movie. Then relaxing in spa resorts with a glass of wine and babes by your side gives that James Bond touch.
Ajith fits well into the role of Billa. He has done a good job. We know he can't dance that well. He tried to do something in two dance numbers, but it wasnt any good. So lets leave that part out. Dialogues were too cool - atleast for the first Billa. Velu's dialogues weren't fitting too well. It looked like there was enough reel space to waste. But when Velu comes back as Billa, things came back to normal. Ajith also performed well int he fight sequences. One part worth mentioning is the car chase. Ajith being a race driver had probably done this by himself. This was really cool.
The babes - Namitha and Nayanthara. Justice somewhat done. Namitha - my friends call her "Yaana-mitha". She definitely looks like a baby elephant in the movie. But still doesnt go away from short dresses. Babes associated with mafia have never been so plump - okay for such a judgement, my first reference is hollywood. Nayanthara - wow, wasnt she amazing!!! Stiletto heels and sports wear displaying more than what was required; with the pistol hanging by the hips; when she was walking or maybe parading; she looked like she was imitating Angy in Lara Croft and Halle Berry in the Bond movie. Her electric and athletic looks helped in pulling attention and she was a much much better fit inside the bad gang.
What like best about Nayanthara's role - there is one part where she comes to the swimming pool wearing a bikini. The camera pans directly to her back and you can see the Billa tattoo, just like the picture above. Crazy Sexy Cool it was.
Music is awesome. Yuvan Shankar Raja has given a feel of arrogance and attitude for most songs. The background music is also amazing. Two songs remixed from the old movie - pulled off quite well.
The most funny thing was Billa, police and the villain fighting for a pen-drive. Maybe, the director or the screenplay writer just ran out of ideas. In the current scenario, where technology is just everywhere around you, you'll roll on the floor and laugh when someone shoots a climax scene just for getting hold of ONE pen-drive. One could have just made a copy and given it.
The Billa fever has caught up already. Two people I know are wearing the same type of glasses that the babes used in the movie. I am sure that the tattoos are on the way.
Friday, December 14, 2007
What is my safety?
New money and old mindsets clash amid claims dishonest wives are exploiting the freedom of men.
A few days back, I read about a Delhi software engineer and his parents getting arrested and being jailed for an offense that does not need any investigation. What are we talking about here? Its the INDIAN DOWRY LAW.
The real offense was a failed marriage but a complaint from his wife on dowry grounds has just turned the whole story Topsy-turvy.
And what do we have - a man who is accused of a crime he was never into. His name has been recorded in the police register. In effect, his future has been taken for a big ride.
Why are men being subject to such treatment? Why cant there be an investigation? Why cant they register a case against both parties concerned? When a family combines both man and woman, why is a dowry related case always against the man?
I just cant understand why the laws in this country seem to be one-sided. More than 80% of this country's tax-payers are men and the women get more benefits for paying tax? And then they talk about equality for women. They have seats reserved for women in the assembly, on buses and trains. So why can't they have seats reserved for men too? Till when will our society live like this?
Let me tell you something. Perhaps the situation was bad before - even with the middle class people. Our society had discriminated against women for centuries. Agreed. And now, it might still be bad with the people at the lowest levels but with the educated class, things are much much better. But, we see educated women misusing the law to their benefit because they know that there is a loophole in the legal system.
A lawyer argues - "Just look at conviction rates for rape in England which are also low but nobody says rape does not happen". Very True. I have no doubt about that. But our law also says that you can let 100 criminals escape but not let one innocent person behind bars. So why does this law work this way?
The police commissioner claims that only 2 percent of dowry cases are this way. So what? Are you trying to fix those?
I know that - our country is still male dominated. Ours is a place where a crime against a woman happens every 33 minutes and there is one "dowry death" every 104 minutes. Less than half of the women can read or write. And more than 10 million female fetuses have been aborted in the last 20 years.
Today, I wonder. This is one portion of an educated society that I am totally unaware of. Maybe there is more to come.
A few days back, I read about a Delhi software engineer and his parents getting arrested and being jailed for an offense that does not need any investigation. What are we talking about here? Its the INDIAN DOWRY LAW.
The real offense was a failed marriage but a complaint from his wife on dowry grounds has just turned the whole story Topsy-turvy.
And what do we have - a man who is accused of a crime he was never into. His name has been recorded in the police register. In effect, his future has been taken for a big ride.
Why are men being subject to such treatment? Why cant there be an investigation? Why cant they register a case against both parties concerned? When a family combines both man and woman, why is a dowry related case always against the man?
I just cant understand why the laws in this country seem to be one-sided. More than 80% of this country's tax-payers are men and the women get more benefits for paying tax? And then they talk about equality for women. They have seats reserved for women in the assembly, on buses and trains. So why can't they have seats reserved for men too? Till when will our society live like this?
Let me tell you something. Perhaps the situation was bad before - even with the middle class people. Our society had discriminated against women for centuries. Agreed. And now, it might still be bad with the people at the lowest levels but with the educated class, things are much much better. But, we see educated women misusing the law to their benefit because they know that there is a loophole in the legal system.
A lawyer argues - "Just look at conviction rates for rape in England which are also low but nobody says rape does not happen". Very True. I have no doubt about that. But our law also says that you can let 100 criminals escape but not let one innocent person behind bars. So why does this law work this way?
The police commissioner claims that only 2 percent of dowry cases are this way. So what? Are you trying to fix those?
I know that - our country is still male dominated. Ours is a place where a crime against a woman happens every 33 minutes and there is one "dowry death" every 104 minutes. Less than half of the women can read or write. And more than 10 million female fetuses have been aborted in the last 20 years.
Today, I wonder. This is one portion of an educated society that I am totally unaware of. Maybe there is more to come.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Doobography
This post is dedicated to COW, who plays Ultimate with us in Chennai. Why COW - well, ask his numerous girlfriends.
Click here to check his profile on ORKUT.
Also, click here to see a community on his name with a huge fan following.
These enthusiastic fans are the creative brains behind the following film names/adaptations. By the way, all the film names given below are Tamil Film Names. So, non-tamil readers please excuse me.
Dooba - Baba
Dooba Oru Kelvi Kuri - Buvana oru kelvi kuri
Dooba Appathithan - aval appadithaan
Naan Dooba Illai - naan mahan illai
Doobadhavan - padikadhavan
Murattu Dooba - murattu kaalai
Pokkiri dooba - pokkiri raja
Thani kaatu dooba - thani kattu raja
Paayum dooba - paayum puli
Thudikkum dooba - thudikkum karangal
Adutha dooba - adutha vaarisu
Thanga dooba - thanga magan
Naan sigappu dooba - naan sigappu manithan
Mr. Dooba - Mr. Bharath
Doobathin thalaivan - Dharmathin thalaivan
Doob parakuthu - kodi parakuthu
Dooba durai - Dharma durai
Doopathi - thalapathi
Anbulla albertkanth - anbulla rajnikanth
Moondru Doobam - moondru mugam
Doobayutham - dharmayutham
Doobachalam - Arunachalam
Doobaji - Shivaji
Sri Doobavendra - Sri Raghavendra
Doobakann - Netrikann
Dooba Piravi - Athisiya Piravi
Doobayappa - Padayappa
Doosha - Baasha
Dilla - Billa
Doobathi Dooba - Raajathi Raaja
Doobamalai - Annamalai
Doobthu - Muthu
Dooban - Mannan
Doobavirku entha ooru - Thambiku entha ooru
Apoorva Doobangal - Apoorva Ragangal
16 Doobinile - 16 Vayathinile
Driya - Priya
Dooba Oonjaladugirathu - Ilamai Oonjalaadugirathu
Dooba kudutha Varam - Iraivan kodutha varam
Dooba meethu sathiyam - Thai meethu sathiyam
En Doobaviku enna bathil - en Kelviku enna bathil
Oordooba - Oorkavalan
Dooba sisyan - Guru sisyan
DOOBASTONE - BLOODSTONE
Doobspillai - Mappilai
Justice Doobanath - Justice Gopinath
Kuppathu Dooba - Kuppathu Raja
Ninaithale Dubikum - Ninaithale Inikum
Daali - Kali
Dooba potta saval - Naan potta saval
Doobajanai - Garjanai
Raanuva Dooban - Ranuva veeran
Enkeyo ketta dooba - Enkeyo ketta kural
Dooba kodukum dooba - Kai Kodukum kai
Dooba kannil neer Vazhinthal - Un kannil neer Vazhinthaal
Doony - Jhonny
Naatuku oru Dooba - Naatuku oru nallavan
Click here to check his profile on ORKUT.
Also, click here to see a community on his name with a huge fan following.
These enthusiastic fans are the creative brains behind the following film names/adaptations. By the way, all the film names given below are Tamil Film Names. So, non-tamil readers please excuse me.
Dooba - Baba
Dooba Oru Kelvi Kuri - Buvana oru kelvi kuri
Dooba Appathithan - aval appadithaan
Naan Dooba Illai - naan mahan illai
Doobadhavan - padikadhavan
Murattu Dooba - murattu kaalai
Pokkiri dooba - pokkiri raja
Thani kaatu dooba - thani kattu raja
Paayum dooba - paayum puli
Thudikkum dooba - thudikkum karangal
Adutha dooba - adutha vaarisu
Thanga dooba - thanga magan
Naan sigappu dooba - naan sigappu manithan
Mr. Dooba - Mr. Bharath
Doobathin thalaivan - Dharmathin thalaivan
Doob parakuthu - kodi parakuthu
Dooba durai - Dharma durai
Doopathi - thalapathi
Anbulla albertkanth - anbulla rajnikanth
Moondru Doobam - moondru mugam
Doobayutham - dharmayutham
Doobachalam - Arunachalam
Doobaji - Shivaji
Sri Doobavendra - Sri Raghavendra
Doobakann - Netrikann
Dooba Piravi - Athisiya Piravi
Doobayappa - Padayappa
Doosha - Baasha
Dilla - Billa
Doobathi Dooba - Raajathi Raaja
Doobamalai - Annamalai
Doobthu - Muthu
Dooban - Mannan
Doobavirku entha ooru - Thambiku entha ooru
Apoorva Doobangal - Apoorva Ragangal
16 Doobinile - 16 Vayathinile
Driya - Priya
Dooba Oonjaladugirathu - Ilamai Oonjalaadugirathu
Dooba kudutha Varam - Iraivan kodutha varam
Dooba meethu sathiyam - Thai meethu sathiyam
En Doobaviku enna bathil - en Kelviku enna bathil
Oordooba - Oorkavalan
Dooba sisyan - Guru sisyan
DOOBASTONE - BLOODSTONE
Doobspillai - Mappilai
Justice Doobanath - Justice Gopinath
Kuppathu Dooba - Kuppathu Raja
Ninaithale Dubikum - Ninaithale Inikum
Daali - Kali
Dooba potta saval - Naan potta saval
Doobajanai - Garjanai
Raanuva Dooban - Ranuva veeran
Enkeyo ketta dooba - Enkeyo ketta kural
Dooba kodukum dooba - Kai Kodukum kai
Dooba kannil neer Vazhinthal - Un kannil neer Vazhinthaal
Doony - Jhonny
Naatuku oru Dooba - Naatuku oru nallavan
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Poem: Dazed
they got off the subway
she walked across the busy road
did not say a word
expressions were bold
"everything is wrong;
i am wrong"
she said
this is it and
nothing more
he stood there
watching her
he wasn't sure
where to start
the 'another i' showed up
told him to break free
he was lost
behind those hazel eyes
he thought - was she messing with my mind
she walked across the busy road
did not say a word
expressions were bold
"everything is wrong;
i am wrong"
she said
this is it and
nothing more
he stood there
watching her
he wasn't sure
where to start
the 'another i' showed up
told him to break free
he was lost
behind those hazel eyes
he thought - was she messing with my mind
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Fiction: Summer Holidays II
Continued from Summer Holidays I
Ramesh and Murali were back in the house. The house, although was nothing in comparison to the ones that landlords owned in villages, was still like a palace to the children. City was crowded and packed.
From door at the entrance, you could see the other end of the house. It was a straight path. The children used that like a running track. The path was also obstructed by steps. The steps were the bifurcation points to various rooms. These steps were the hurdles and Murali was a master in taking a leap across every one of those.
At the right side of the house was the cow-shed. Ramesh was scared of the cows. Earlier, it wasn't like that. When he was three, he did not know what he was doing and he actually walked up to the cow. The animal went for him and he was thrown over onto a small haystack that was lying nearby. From then on, he was not allowed to get near the cows. But he still loved watching them. Everyday morning, Ponnamma Chaechi* used to milk the cows. Later, Saami, their grandpa, used to take some of it to the temple for the morning rituals.
At the left side was the storage house. This housed the coconuts and the grains. Everyday morning, the workers used to come to the storage area, pick up the grains in a sack, take it to the open area in front of the house and spread it under the sun. At almost mid-day, the grains looked like tiny pieces of gold.
The area that surrounded the house was almost 3 acres. There were just trees around - coconut, mango, jack-fruit. Then crotons, wild flowers, jasmine decorated the front portions of the house. Saami used the jasmine for his everyday puja at home.
Grandma called the children for breakfast. Breakfast was simple and healthy food. Porridge made out of par-boiled rice. Breakfast was a whole new event for the children. The fun part was about having the porridge. Cups to hold the porridge were made out of leaves from the jack-fruit tree. The children took a lot of interest in plucking the leaves. Then Ponnamma Chaechi* would make a small cone out of it and bind the ends piercing a small stick in between.
It was soon time for some more activity. The large wooden swing in the hall was the next target.
*Chaechi - elder sister
Ramesh and Murali were back in the house. The house, although was nothing in comparison to the ones that landlords owned in villages, was still like a palace to the children. City was crowded and packed.
From door at the entrance, you could see the other end of the house. It was a straight path. The children used that like a running track. The path was also obstructed by steps. The steps were the bifurcation points to various rooms. These steps were the hurdles and Murali was a master in taking a leap across every one of those.
At the right side of the house was the cow-shed. Ramesh was scared of the cows. Earlier, it wasn't like that. When he was three, he did not know what he was doing and he actually walked up to the cow. The animal went for him and he was thrown over onto a small haystack that was lying nearby. From then on, he was not allowed to get near the cows. But he still loved watching them. Everyday morning, Ponnamma Chaechi* used to milk the cows. Later, Saami, their grandpa, used to take some of it to the temple for the morning rituals.
At the left side was the storage house. This housed the coconuts and the grains. Everyday morning, the workers used to come to the storage area, pick up the grains in a sack, take it to the open area in front of the house and spread it under the sun. At almost mid-day, the grains looked like tiny pieces of gold.
The area that surrounded the house was almost 3 acres. There were just trees around - coconut, mango, jack-fruit. Then crotons, wild flowers, jasmine decorated the front portions of the house. Saami used the jasmine for his everyday puja at home.
Grandma called the children for breakfast. Breakfast was simple and healthy food. Porridge made out of par-boiled rice. Breakfast was a whole new event for the children. The fun part was about having the porridge. Cups to hold the porridge were made out of leaves from the jack-fruit tree. The children took a lot of interest in plucking the leaves. Then Ponnamma Chaechi* would make a small cone out of it and bind the ends piercing a small stick in between.
It was soon time for some more activity. The large wooden swing in the hall was the next target.
*Chaechi - elder sister
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