When I was in my school, we used to spend some time with friends near my house, watch people bursting crackers, roam the streets and then go home. But as days went celebrating New Year seems yet another festival especially for me. I started my career in a software company on Dec 6^th 2006, just 25 days before the New Year. Being a US based concern, they celebrate X-mas and New Year, with events, parties etc.  

The management of the company had plans for us and had organized for an event in a reputed 3 star hotel on the eve of New Year. We all went there to take part in it but alas, it was nothing special except for the crowd. We couldn’t see what was happening in the stage, who the chief guest was, who is doing what… etc. We all went back to office had some talks and returned home. The next day as usual went to temple, watched a movie and spent the rest of my time watching programs in television. 

I didn’t want to do the same from the next year onwards. Discussed with my friends and we all planned to celebrate it in some hill station, differently. We planned a trip to Ooty to celebrate the end of 2007. It was 29^th Dec and my manager had invited our team to his house to have a party. I couldn’t deny it as it was the first time, went that night to his house, had nice time with him, cooking, chatting, gossiping etc. The next day morning we were supposed to catch the train at 7 AM in the morning. I didn’t know what to do, while I was on the way to my native the next day, gave him a call and said that my grandpa is serious and I have to be there. He said take care, no issues and dropped the call.

Finally went to Coimbatore on 30^th, had some time with my friend lakshman’s family, hired a van which could accommodate 20 of us, and started traveling. Reached Ooty, roamed, enjoyed to the core and were back to Chennai on 01^st evening.

One year ran like anything and we friends planned a similar outing to celebrate the end of 2008. But I had to get permission from the same manager this time too. Being in sales I was given some targets which I had to complete before the end of Dec 31^st. Besides, according to our plan I had to be there in a forest resort some 40 kms above Kodaikanal with my friends for that New Year. What do I tell my boss? My colleagues were kidding me like anything as the day neared… By gods luck I had achieved some 82% of my target but what reason can I give my boss to get my leave approved?                                                                                                     

Grandpa.. Ohh he passed away last year, grandma… no she is alive, not feeling well… no, reason gave by me the previous week …. Gosh.. no ideas..hrrrr. couldn’t think of anything…

Suddenly my friends were planning to attend another friend’s brother marriage near Madurai, from where we had planned to start to Kodai. The marriage was on 29^th December and I had to bunk 3 official days to celebrate my New Year. I had no other go than to say that I had viral fever. Monday went by, Tuesday passed and on Wednesday night suddenly I received a call from my colleague informing me that my boss had read all the mails about the plan for my New Year celebration and he is waiting for my arrival. I don’t know whether I should call him to make up the situation with him or he will call to blast me. Finally called him and told him that I am sick and that I have come to my native to take rest. He had no other go but to get convene, he kept silent and dropped the call. 

The next day after few other friends came from Chennai; we all met together and started to Kodai… this time we were frustrated. The guy who arranged for the trip didn’t turn up and the place which he said sucked liked hell. It was nearly zero degrees there and most of us were shivering like anything. The van got punctured, no power, no shop, we didn’t have anything to do but enjoyed to the core… Went to the house, called the watchman, asked him to cook, to our surprise there was no gas stove, he had to cook using wood, no power till the next day, had dinner and started gossiping about each other, our future etc. Lit a couple of lanterns which the watchman had and started partying. As usual started the next day from Kodai, to catch our train to reach Chennai.

Though my reasons seemed childish, I wanted to be with my loved ones, enjoy the moment and have a fruitful year. I can very well tell my manager about the celebrations and get permission but not every year. Being in Sales we also have other commitments to be achieved. I know I can’t sacrifice both, but a couple of days by the year end is no big game. 

Hours went, days went, months went and I had also changed my company. Things running fine now thought of penning down about my New Year Celebrations, this year to celebrate the end of 2009, with the same friends in Chennai but with a different lie to a different Boss .

Started the day with my prayers, I went to a place some 5 km’s away from my home to get some application forms which my uncle wanted me to do. Spent some time there and met a close relative of mine while returning. Had a chat with him and came home by 11.30 AM. 

As scheduled I was supposed to be in my gym around 1.30 PM, but had a few other works in bank and reached there by 2. Jogging with my other friends in the gym, we were gossiping about our previous company, precipitating the frustration among our ex-colleagues etc. 

The next thing after my gym was to meet one of my best pals, he was calling me to his house for weeks, but I couldn’t make it up. But I didn’t want to miss this time. Met him, around 4PM in his house, we were discussing about several things for a long time… finally came out from his home around 6.30 PM. 

It was a good, different, expressive discussion and what not. We know each other for the past 10 years, but it was after 2007, that we became close to each other. He is a nice guy to move with, one can share all kind of information with him, he listens patiently, gives his feedback, takes decision wisely, may be I was a bit unlucky to become his close one, only after a few years. Right from our college days we used to discuss about many things but those were generic. We had different thoughts, varied opinions but had one big thing along our way of life till now which always held us together and made us in force many things on others, that is “Don’t complicate life too much when you have decided to enjoy life-Just make it possible to rejoice the present”.

But this time, we had much more to talk about each other, our families, personal life and many more…

By the time he started to share his personal….. man you won’t believe it was like butterflies in my stomach.

X: Don’t laugh or kid, hearing the news… 

Me: Go ahead; tell me, enough of your suspense…. 

X: Recently I have fell in love with a gal, am sure you know her… All of the sudden I felt this, thought humpty of times if I have taken a right decision, didn’t discuss with anyone as they might confuse me or just make a mockery of me. But I felt, I’m have made the right attempt, sincere and heartfelt and have decided to take it forward…

Me: Silent….. Surprised… Shocked.. ..  Is it you …X.  Pinched myself to check if it’s true… Yes it is… Back again silently…Go ahead… 

X: I know her for quite a long time and have conversed well during occasions…. Of course few of us from our gang…. After asking many questions, convincing myself, I decided to share this to her. It was one of the nervous moments in my life, to be honest. I felt I should express her, what I felt. And after prayers, gathered all the bloody guts in conveying it to her on my birthday… She was also annoyed, shocked and felt completely out of words.

Me: Of Course… she would have..  

X: She said that she will call back later 

Me: Good… Then 

X: She called me in a couple of days and told that it would be best to talk with each other, understand better and then decide upon this. 

X: We started talking each other and in another 5 days, and accepted, and it’s all in the air now… 

Skipping few things here as it might be too personal (for X). 

X: Now, what do you think… I discussed with Lux, Victor and now you… wanted to discuss long before but didn’t have time…. 

Me: Interesting, Good and Happy. 

Yeah, she is a good girl, friendly, matured (no more words to think) but I’m really stunned to hear this from you. Not only me, your family, friends, our gang, she, he, every one who knows you must have.

 X : Yes, but I don’t wont to give up. I know I have to face a lot, there are many issues from my side, her side… but I’m not going to take a back step on this …

 Me: Nice… Hope all’s well, and ends well. 

Left his home wishing him all success and you wont believe me.. I was really flummoxed thinking what might happen, what/whom all to face…. 

Around 9 PM met Lux, who knows this already, had a chat with him and had some sort of relief… came home enjoying my drive…. Thinking some thing ……

 A bad day for the world with a good beginning for me, my friend…

India had already lost 2 matches in the same ground. Only Yuvraj Singh had scored 2 hundred on those matches. Apart from this, like the others, I was also eagerly waiting for the Master Blaster’s another milestone.Yes he was hardly a few runs short of his 17000 runs in ODI Cricket. Australia had scored 350 runs and India had to chase 351 in 50 over’s. With a good batting line up, India started chasing slowly; it was good but a small partnership between Shewag and Sachin. Though India lost Shewag soon, Sachin made his milestone with some classic cuts and drives. He was the first cricketer to reach the 17000 ton of runs in ODI Cricket.

Tendulkar reached the milestone of the 17th delivery on his 435th limited-over match. As he completed the 17K mark, applause came from all around the stadium, Aussies whispering their congrats, and crackers bursting in the skies, one could also here Sunil Gavaskar’s comments,  this little master, was the first to score 11000, first to score 12000……. And the first to score 17000. 

What can one say about his classic game? He had scored 175 runs out of 141 balls, a splendid, innings like the one we saw in Sharjah in 1998. The Aussies were all down until this happened. Tendulkar trying to flick a shot was caught by the wicket keeper, and the whole crowd stood applauding the master for his wonderful innings , bearing in mind, will India win this game or not? 

The lower order players failed to make up the required 19 runs to win he game, and India lost the match with another 3 runs short.Although Sachin was recognized with the Man of the Match title at the end of the match, he humbly said he would have been satisfied if they had won the game. There were many critics before the match  and earlier regarding Tendulkar’s game but the master had proved everyone that all are wrong.

Wishes from every one flooded, the first was The CM of Maharashtra (Ashok Chavan) sending him a congrats letter, the Big B wishing him more success, rival captain Ricky Ponting mentioning that he is amazed of his longevity in International Cricket , team mates wishing him , that he break’s records on monthly basis. Quoting what Sachin said, it would have been a lot happier had India won that game. Long live Sachin! The more you play the more India wins…..

Note: The Original version of the video’s downloaded from you tube.

It was a good weekend nearing by and we guys were planning for a big party and a music show. One of my friend was flying to US and the next day we had to go to Mahabalipuram to watch the legend A.R.Rahman’s concert organized by MARG Foundation. As usual we went to the airport on Saturday night and had good fun.

The time was 2.30 in the morning and I urged my friends to start soon as I had office on Sunday. Back home, few watching some program, browsing and I went to my bed weary…. A disturbing sound woke up the next day and I was shouting at my friend asking him for the time. He said it’s half an hour for 1pm. Oh  …  my gosh… office… manager… 

Was blank for few minutes, called my manger and told him that I’m on off and then went back to sleep. My friends were getting ready for the show, and of course I was the last one. As per our plan we were supposed to start to the destination by 2 PM, as it was 45 Kms from Chennai and the tickets for the show had mentioned that we have to be there before 6.30 PM else we cant get inside the show. 

By the time we started it was 4 PM and slowly we traveled across Adyar to pick up one of my friend. As we reached the place, suddenly one of them asked me where are the tickets? Err..Err…sorry guys I forgot, left them in home was my reply…. panic again. Every one got irritated, few started shouting at me. One of my friend’s mom and her cousin sister had come from Chidambaram and they were not able to do anything other than keeping mum. Then we called upon one of our friend from the room, got the tickets and started towards Mahabalipuram. By the time we neared Mahabalipuram, it was 6.15. We were not able to see any hoarding, lightings nor the sound of music. 

One of them in car dialed my other friends who started earlier to confirm the place and gosh……. It was another 45 kms from Mahabalipuram. What to do? We could have skipped it but we were great fans of ARR, moreover we had crossed half the way.  

We went, crossed many cars, buses, roads, hectic traffic at one place, no way to move around and finally reached the place and it was nearly 7.30 PM. It was very near to Pondicherry. As we reached we could hear a few songs….. We were 16 of us who went for the show and half of them were little earlier before us. We missed them and didn’t have time to look for them as the show had started. It was a huge gathering; thank god there were no showers. 

We had booked the 500 rupees ticket and when we went to that area there were a few thousand people occupied, since we were late we had no other option other than standing. We stood for some time and one of my friend said we can go to the 3000 Rs stand which is free and we had a few chairs also. Then slowly we all 16 gathered together. 

By the time the show was picking up and all were on the edge of the seat, a few dancing, shouting etc.. suddenly it stopped. The stage was covered with a few priests, father and a Muslim man, all were praying and were busy with their slogans. The owner of MARG, followed by the managers and the organizers occupied the rest of the stage. 

Each of them started marketing about MARG, how it started, what they do etc etc. When he was half way through, one fourth of the crowd dispersed followed by half of our group. They didn’t like the event and there was nothing till then. We didn’t’ bother to go as we wanted to watch the full event as we came to know that there are a few more performances from ARR.                                                          

After a few minutes everything was over and then the show started with AR Rehman giving a cheque of 1 crore rupees to Sakthi foundation which Marg had sponsored. Once that was over Fun began.It started with Blaaze and Benny coming up with Taxi Taxi from Chakkarakati, one of ARR’s youth song. Then it was time for Chitra to give us a couple of melodies. Followed by ARR with some classical Hindi songs along with Hariharan. 

Back to beat, for a few mins , yeah the whole crowd enjoyed to the core, it was none other than Sivamani alias Drums Mani with his extraordinary performance. Our hero ARR came out with the everloving Mustafa Mustafa and Antha Arabic Kadal Oram(Bombay), all the crowd were on their toes… from kids to grandma’s , all dancing with candles , shouting,etc. Followed by the two was ARR’s favourite religious song from Jodha Akbar…As the time went we thought the show concluded when he began to sing Jai Ho!. But with a big applause from the crowd he finished with Vande Martam! By 10.45 the show was over, we all, who came late to the show, just enjoyed to the core.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

The show was a cool, good marketing event by MARG, who are coming up with some apartments ,flats etc over there . A good promotional event for music lovers but for the rest, they were unhappy as they had to travel such a long distance.

Came late night to Chennai, had our dinner in one of the 24hours restaurant, … back home, Monday morning ,work, office…..huh…. what a life…:-(

It had really been months since I have written a new post for my blog. Even if I could provide you more reasons, my first priority would be ‘my laziness’. Though I had time to read other blogs, to surf etc… I didn’t have the patience to write one. And once again it was Vimal’s posts, which inspired me to start again. Wanted to write one, long before but since was held up in my best friend’s marriage, was unable to. This time it’s about Unnai Pol Oruvan and my comments on the film.                                                                           

Kamal Haasan’s ‘Unnai Pol Oruvan’(UPO), a remake of Bollywood hit ‘A Wednesday’, is one of the most awaited movie of this season with two of South India’s best actors. UPO does complete justice to the original with only an extra character. The plot of the movie revolves around an individual’s anger against terrorism and the steps he takes to express it. The movie concludes with the message that Terrorism is the only answer for Terrorism. It is an honest outburst of anger from a common man against mass killing in the name of Jihaad. The objective of Kamals character (he doesn’t have a name in the movie) gets revealed only in the second half until then the audience mind rolls with curiosity what and why is he plotting against the police and the public.

Mohan Lal plays ICR Naadar, the role of the Chennai city Commissioner. The applause among the audience in the theatre shows how much they enjoy watching his character and empathize the mess a commissioner goes through from the hands of Power, Politics and Public. The Music and BGM is by Shruthi Haasan and is praiseworthy. A tiger’s cub got to be tiger and yes she leaps 16 feet with her debut movie itself.

UPO takes away the usual screenplay and clichés of Tamil cinema and is a totally new genre. Infact the hero of the film is seen seated on a chair throughout the film but still pulls the audience to the edge of the seat. The credit goes to the Debutant Director Chakri Toleti. He deserves a pat on his shoulder for setting the story straight forward and not moving out to commercial elements. UPO is a movie to sensitize people against the injustice to the Public in the name of terrorism.

UPO is a must watch experience; an excellent story well told. And yes, it makes you think….in a new way! But no wonder, if there is a change after this.Loads of questions pondered my mind as I came out of the theatre…

If Kamal’s role in the film comes true in reality… what will happen…?

Why is the government not taking any measures after films like this?

Why are the rules and regulations of the Indian government not changing? Why isn’t the punishment harsh enough?

I hope everyone remembers a mail thread about a few Kamal’s film.. Whatever he does or predicts in his film, it happens in our real life after a few years… so can we expect something like that after UPO. Sounds quirky, but I would prefer to do that role if I didn’t have any commitments or a family.

(TDP) suffered a complete rout in Andhra Pradesh, while its alliance partner BJP was wiped out. This time, the situation is completely different. The TDP has dumped BJP and emerged stronger than last time.

 In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress registered a great victory both in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh was the state that helped Congress to form the government at the Centre.

While the BJP is not in a position to win Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh, the main contest will be between Congress and TDP. Praja Rajyam(PR)  has received overwhelming response in the state and its party cadres have been campaigning in every nook and corner in the state for over three months. But it’s not sure whether that will convert into votes.

The TDP has emerged stronger and with a new partner Telanga Rashtra Samithi(TRS), it is expected to do much better than last time. The Congress, which is fighting regional issues, may lose a a few seats, but the battle will be tough for both parties.

Both Congress and TDP are worried over Chiranjeevi’s (PR) rising popularity in the state.  Given the ground reality in Andhra Pradesh, it is difficult to predict which party will win more seats. The TDP and TRS are part of the Third Front now. While most people predict a hung Assembly in Andhra Pradesh, there could be a neck-to-neck race between the Congress and TDP-led alliance in the Lok Sabha polls. Since the election is still a month’s away, the situation may change over the next few weeks and the Congress could work hard to retain power in the state and win maxmium Lok Sabha seats. It would be interesting to see how people will respond to five-year Congress rule, TDP’s new image and Prajya Rajyam’s promises

Key Contestants:

1)     Congress                                                                               

2)    TDP and TRS  (Third Front) 

3)     Prajya Rajyam (Chiranjeevi’s Party)  

With PR giving importance to youngsters, females and bringing a change to the people of Andhra, Chiranjeevi will definitely win a few seats in both the elections. It might be a real miracle if PR assists the Congress to form the government.

 The TDP and TRS are joining hands with other parties in India to form the Third Front, which will be a good contestant for the Congress. No wonder if the Third Front, wins! 

With the vote bankers splitting between PR ,TDP and TRS , will the Congress be able to win a good number of seats in AP? Time alone will tell !

In my opinion the party which caters to the needs and problem of the agriculturists will alone come victorious in the election. Mere sugar coated words will not help to solve the problems. Issues mainly related to these agricultural problems, rising prices and resultant inflation rise are some problems prevailing around the state. The moment we think of these problem we are reminded about the measures taken by united front government and state Government to solve these problems. The measures taken are not satisfactory in solving the issues. The people in Andhra Pradesh should think of their problem they face on day-to-day life and cast their votes intelligently.

Will India see a New Prime Minister in the 15^th Lok Sabha election? Who will win the majority number of seats, Congress or BJP? Every day the media comes with a new, shocking news and no one knows what’s going to happen. Will there be more individual contestants. Will the third front lead the race. Lots and lots to probe …… but whats the role of the youngsters in the Election? Will there be a Change in India … what we want to see/have? 

With all the hype from all sources of communications viz. media, newspaper, radio, campaigns and of course the Internet…, youngsters/civilians are thrilled to elect a New Government where there is No poverty, No criminal politicians, No bribery, secure country and what not.  

In this post I would like to explain a State wise analysis of the Election’09 and the “Change we all need”. But before I start a state wise survey, analysis, I would like to explain about what the people/youngsters expect. 

Here in India we need to change a lot… Bribery prevails in each and every corner, Education, Work, Politics, and Sports. Wherever you go, money plays its role. As they say, the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. No Security, do you all expect to see another 26/11 attacks. And I also heard that the government has planned to spend nearly 2 crores to save (from Pakistan) the terrorist who has been caught by our brave NSG commando’s.

No Criminals at all. I guess this is really impossible especially in North India. Thanks to Times of India to highlight these kind of issues. They have listed down the entire politicians name who have been accused earlier and the cases which are still pending in the court. 

So as said earlier we will see a state wise analysis of Tomorrow’s India. 

VKK enriches when it comes to a new feel but when it comes to narration and theme, it reminds us of the previous old films with the same theme. The same old village story where a boy and girl looking at each other, falling in love and a beautiful melody along with the film reminds us  the recent past mega hit Subramaniapuram. 

But guess what, the film, really is a good one when compared to the latest Pongal Releases ‘Villu’ and ‘ Padikadhavan’. Worth watching it.  

As such, along with my friend I went to VKK, playing in a theatre near my house, with no expectations. The director of the film Susindhran bounded by his own life experiences of his father blends it with VKK. Does his spell work magic abundantly on the screens? Of course, it does. But towards the end, the narration turns flimsy leading to an unconvincing climax. For sure, many audiences would accept my point of view.  

It’s all about a few village guys teaming up together for ‘VKK’ where they love playing Kabadi ( one such sport played in villages) always. Their passion to the game does not make them winners but as losers always. The whole film is depicted towards a inter-district Kabadi match , with a help of their hometown Kabadi Coach played by Kishore ,they enter the game and win laurels. Once they win the final, I can see people departing the theatre but here you come to see the director’s touch adopting the style of director Bala and Aamir. All throughout the film we see a beautiful story with good romance , interesting game , realistic comedy scenes but again, the climax could have ended on a much happier note. 

The debutante Vishnu (Maari) is one bright player among the team but you don’t see him playing often.(A good reality by the director). You also have to shower praises the heroine Saranya who has done well in the film. Although she has appeared in lots of films before this,VKK really adds more value to her career. The rest of the cast have brilliantly portrayed their role giving the audience a satisfying experience. 

The music is scored by Selvaganesh with a melodious song and excellent BGMs. Realistic approach makes the audience to speak about the film again and again. On the whole VKK is a good entertainer for the season or to say for the year to start with.