To the best ‘Ammi’ in the whole world !

Amma left for India today. It was easy bidding goodbye to her at the airport…. The ‘cursory hug’, ‘Will call you daily’, ‘Travel safe’, ‘Call me when you land’ etc. etc.

It was only when I walked into the empty house I realized that it was no longer ‘home’.

It’s merely not about the delicious food she makes, not about the smallest of things she made note of before I left for work, not about the fact that she would stay silent when I had to take my early morning calls at home, not even the fact that EVERYTHING was taken care of everyday.

I reminisced the innumerable times when I lay lazing on the couch and demanding her to get stuff done for me… “Get me some water” or “What’s there for me to munch?” or “Can you get me my phone from the other room?”. I cannot remember her ever asking me to do the smallest of such jobs.

My weekend grocery shopping is never going to be as organized as it was. Watching movies at home is not going to be fun without her comments. There will be no one to ask me how my day was at work, when I return home. Will miss every minute of her not being at home.

Such departures make us want to cherish the moments of togetherness even more.

Back to the regular grind of work and home, will sure keep me occupied enough to cloud the emotions. I keep reminding myself that, “This too shall pass…. For better things to come….”

Here’s to Amma, for being the best Mom and for more such reunions……………………………..

Neutron... Electron, un neela kannil motham ethanai?

Endhiran’s music has topped the charts and this is no surprise. A R Rahman, the genius musician had to weave magic for the Rajini – Aishwarya starrer, which also happens to be the most expensive Indian movie made till date.

Whilst all songs have a different freshness and melody, my personal favorite is Kadhal Anukkal. The song is rendered by Shreya Ghoshal and Vijay Prakash. This track has less of the ‘techno’ effect with plain strums of the guitar as the song begins. A soothing mix of the harmonica and accordion with sweet lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. This song is bound to get into the ‘evergreen duets hall of fame’.

Special kudos to both the singers. Vijay Prakash brings that naughty tone in his voice while Shreya Ghosal maintains her melodious self. Love the ‘O Baby’ bit of the song with Vijay Prakash singing alongwith the chorus. Sherya does not fail to surprise me with every rendition of a regional track. Her diction and pronunciation is her biggest strength. It is hard to believe that a Bengali girl can utter the toughest phrases in Tamil with so much ease. Her balance of pitch, flowing from low to high is mind blowing. Trust A R Rahman to bring out the best in the singers.

This song will play on my iPod for many weeks to come J

Ps : Not sure of what happened to the rumored ‘En Nilavidam’ song from Endhiran. Would have loved to see the song be part of this album. Was it an A R Rahman composition at all?

Mani Ratnam proves himself again!

Watched the much criticized Raavanan today on the big screen and wanted to pen my thoughts.

Mani Ratnam’s adaptation of Ramayan was pretty much on wafer thin ice. It is hard to believe that Mani did not concentrate more on the story and screenplay aspects of the movie. The first hour of the movie was a bit of a drag.

The movie stands out with the technical expertise, cinematography & art direction. The life-like sets and the plush green locales combined with Santosh Sivan’s magical camera work moves you right into the forests of Chalakudy and Ooty where the movie was shot.

Vikram has done total justice to the role of Veera. His portrayal of the mixed emotions was truly outstanding. Needless to say, Aishwarya Rai looks stunning throughout the movie and has rendered her role with class. Prithviraj, Karthik, Prabhu and Priyamani fit in well in their respective roles.

Mani uses water as a motif throughout the film. Shooting the movie in the dense forest with continuous rains makes one realize the ordeals the cast and crew would have gone through. The final fight sequence on the bridge is breathtaking.

Songs are definitely not a strong point in Raavanan. My personal favorite is ‘Usure Poguthey’.

Overall, I enjoyed watching Raavanan and am glad that I chose to watch the Tamil version. I have always been partial towards Mani Ratnam movies and will continue to be. Raavanan is definitely not one of his classics but the movie certainly has its highlights.

I choose not to watch the Hindi version now. Will wait for the DVD to come out and then compare Abhishek’s performance to Vikram’s. In my mind the verdict is already out….. and Vikram wins, without doubt ;)

If you are a die-hard Mani fan…. Don’t miss Raavanan.

Stand against discrimination

Lots of hype surrounds this Shah Rukh – Kajol starrer. It did not matter to me and I wanted to see the film on big screen irrespective of opinions.

My few cents about ‘My Name is Khan’.

Not sure why some of the folks banished it as a ‘not worthy’ movie. I truly loved the message that was being conveyed. The message over shadowed every other aspect of the movie that, they dint matter to me.

Thinking back about performances.....

Khan did total justice to the role – contrary to what many feel, he did not overact

Kajol looked awesome and did her part well.

Music was pleasant and the songs sounded better with the picturization.

The rescue team arriving at Wilhelmina was very moving. What’s in a Bollywood movie, especially Karan Johar’s, without some melodrama.

It is unfair to compare this movie to ‘3 Idiots’ as both are in different leagues.

Overall, I enjoyed watching ‘My Name is Khan’ for telling a tale which is so true in any part of the world we live.

Kudos to the cast and crew of MNIK !

Adieu.....

All my bags are packed, am ready to go !

Am bidding goodbye to my home of 150 days today. The feelings are mixed. Staybridge Suite 206 has been my pad and I will miss every moment of my comfort living here. At the same time, the excitement of moving to my own apartment gives me a ‘high’. I have most of the essentials already set and have some more shopping to do.

“When one thing ends, something else begins….” And this is so apt at this very moment.

Here’s to a new home in the new year….. Cheers !!!

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

When I landed in DFW on 13 Aug 2009, little did I know that I would find a friend for life.

With each passing year as I grew up, I began to believe that it was increasingly difficult to find true friends. My belief was that the new acquaintances that I made would remain as acquaintances.

My 4 month stint in Irving proved my whole belief wrong. My first dinner in Irving began with a drive in a black Volkswagen to Carino’s. Its 4 months since…. whether it’s a hair-cut at Sports Clips, grocery shopping at Walmart / Kroger’s, late nite movie shows, trips to Austin – Houston & Oklahoma, pick up and drops to the airport every time I travelled out of DFW, a couple of dozen home-made dinners, or my visit to the Shiridi Sai Baba Mandir on my birthday, its been the same black Volkswagen that has been my ‘vahan’.

I write this blog to respect the thought and deeds of a friend who has always been there for me in this new country. A friend who has never shrugged his shoulders to help me in many ways, without my asking for help or support.

Its truly rare to find such a genuine friend. As Douglas Pagels says, “A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be”. I will strive to be a genuine friend to the owner of the black Volkswagen.

Friendship isn’t a big thing, anyways – it’s a million little things. Am happy to have people around me who can fill my life with million little things J.

Counting my blessings.....

It’s that day of the year and am back here. I am contemplating on changing the name of my blog to ‘The Birthday Blog’, considering this being the only time I actually return :D

“It’s a nice feeling when someone thinks about you, but it feels much better when you know that someone can never forget your birthday”

Dec 5, 2009 has been a birthday with a lot of difference and excitement. Am still away from home, family and friends. Yet, being in Irving made a lot of difference. My friends here organized a midnite cake cutting and out came the awesome gift – a super smart long-coat, right for my winter travels J.

It definitely is the longest birthday I have celebrated till date. My birthday started at 1230 pm Central time on 4^th December, when friends from India called to wish me at midnite, Indian time. Its 1000 am here on the 5^th, and I have the whole day ahead making it a 36 hour birthday. Wow, I am doubly blessed J

The day has been filled with phone calls, text messages and most importantly Facebook posts with a lot of good wishes piling on ‘my wall’. A deep sense of happiness and content has been working on my facial muscles and that perpetual smile prevails thru the day.

MM, Patti, Funny, Rumzz – If you are reading this, here is a big thank you for making my day.

Gundu – For being my Birthday Bud and making that first call to wish me

And to all of you who remembered me today – its these small things that make life worth living. As I end this, I being to count my blessings again……..

(lyrics of ‘Count your blessings’ came to my mind)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.