Wedding - Way of Life

True to the core - "To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with". What one person cannot do - two can; and what one person can do, two can do still better. This is the basis of any society, team or family.

During riddle time there used to be a question - where do Divorce come before marriage? and now it appears that this is comming true in every walk of life.

Inspite of it, people spend so much of money on marriages, why?

1. Our culture is very old. Older the culture, bigger the burden, deeper the conditioning. "If its been around for so long, it must be right". Most actions are based on beliefs than rationale, with deep rooted traditions. So if you disagree, it makes you 'wrong', not 'different'.

2. Western influence is changing things: This is not a judgmental - but a factual statement. In the 50s you would have dutifully done what your parents said, in the 80s - you would have expressed your opinion but conformed anyway. Today you dare to consider the possibility of actually doing what you think - because you have seen that its possible. Does not make it 'right'.

If people are really in love they would not need an invisible string of marriage to hold on. The fact that one is needed suggests that peope couldn’t love enough to make it work.

People might not express - but somewhere deep down, most of the people as they grow up wants to get married; and some really do not want to. Belive it or not; it has not been a year, I heard by nephew and cousin of 5 years discussing, seeing my sisters marriage video - Will you get married when you grow up? I will; and the other said - no I will not. Guess that feeling is inculcated in the mind as we grow up, as we see the lives of people around.

Most of us would have witnessed parents have had the worst fight of their lives. They would swear not to talk to each other again. We would think they would leave each other; go their separate ways. But most of them have stuck to their vow to be with each other in thick and thin - untill death dead them apart. This thought held the family together.

This made me realize that relationships are not only about love but they are also about hatred, frustrations and disappointments;and marriage was that invisible thread which held peope together when the light of your love is wrapped around by the clouds of misunderstandings. It held people together during those weak moments of your relationship. No matter how much love you have for each other, sometimes there comes those weak moments and marriage held couples together during such tough times. But it no more does; same as is the case with Joint family system vis a vis Nuclear family.

But with people becoming economically and socially independent; and moving into an age of throw away times - anything that lasts long, repulse and so do commited long lasting relationships; untill and unless they are really strong.

Inspite of this, it is hilarious, how much of money people spend on wedding; when they could use it for other worth while purposes.

1) Costly wedding cards - How many of them are really preservied? Is this really needed? We say Go Green read on screen; and then why spend so much on wedding cards?
2) Long Guest Lists - Well you need to have your loved ones around, if required(not mandatory) when you move into a new beginning of your life; but it does not make sense to invite - every one you know - mind you; all the people you know are neither your friends, nor your loved ones.
3) Lavish speding - You might want to make your special day a memorable one; but this does not mean you need to spend lavishly for this day - spend all the life's earnings? You need to have a better life after your wedding, and not just a grand wedding day.

If you are destined to meet your Mr./Mrs. Right, and you are bound to be tied by the holy knot of wedding, you will be; God willing. But how much you spend for this one day or you make the rest of your life happy is upto you.

One person's cost is another person's review - a way of life. Good, let the people who have money and want to spend do it. But the irony is when it becomes a norm. When everybody want's to replicate the style of elite.

What is the guarantee that inspite of all the spend, the couple would live happily ever after?

It has become a routine, marriages, divorces & suicide. Either one of the partner or the parent. Now Pratyusha Banerjee; similar tragedies of Nafisa and Jiah Khan in recent times; and innumberable in all the years gone by who were all 'beautiful and talented girls'; most of them in love give up their life? Agree to Hemaji's tweet - “All these senseless suicides which achieve nothg! Life is God’s gift for us to live not for us to take at will. We have no right to do that,”

So very true - 90% of success in life depends on marrying the right person. The cost of Love - as Mr. Amari Soul rightly mention - Falling in love with the wrong person could cost you everything..

King of Good Times....

Whatever goes up has to come down...& It is only greed that can bring a person down.

Harshad Mehta, Lalit Modi, so many to name and now Vijay Mallaya. Missing my father to have a heated debate on this..as we had during the fall of big companies.

Once called the "King of Good Times" and "the playboy of the East" due to his extravagant lifestyle, Mallya and his companies have been embroiled in financial controversies and difficulties in recent years, and especially since 2012.

Mallya became the Chairman of United Breweries Group in 1983 at the age of 28, following his father Vittal Mallaya's death. Since then, the group has grown into a multi-national conglomerate of over 60 companies, with an annual turnover which increased by 64 % over 15 years. UB Group is an Indian conglomerate with interests in beverage alcohol, aviation infrastructure, real estate and fertiliser among others.

Vittal’s son and sole heir Vijay Mallya started Kingfisher Airlines almost on a whim in 2005, with a sudden announcement at a board meeting, disregarding warnings by his trusted lieutenants about a business which required insane amounts of cash and gave little or no returns. But once the airline was set up, anyone who travelled on it sang its praises due to excellent service standards, set by Mallya himself. However, never in all of its existence did Kingfisher Airlines turn in a profit though.

Today a consortium of 17 state-owned and private banks, led by State Bank of India have alleged that Mallya diverted some Rs 4000 crore of the money he borrowed from them to offshore tax havens like Mauritius and the Cayman Islands.

As per the disclosure of property - as required by MP's of Rajya Sabha, he has no houses. So what about all the lavish houses in Mumbai and Goa, where he had parties, the answer is; they are in the balance sheets of United Spirits Limited (USL), Mr Mallya's flagship spirits company, sold to UK-based liquor giant Diageo in 2013.

Diageo found the company it owned had 13 properties on its balance sheet, including Mr Mallya's sea-facing house in Mumbai, his bungalow on Sardar Patel Marg, Delhi and the splashy Kingfisher Villa in Goa.

So the liquor company had paid for a multitude of mansions for Mr Mallya's private use.

Diageo's scrutiny also suggested that as the airline's debt entangled Mr Mallya, a billionaire, USL signed an agreement with a company called PE Data, nominated by Mr Mallya, granting it first rights to buy these properties; but Diageo has done with the agreement, with PE after investigations, finding it to be a defunct company.

Clouds of uncertainty loom over Virat Kohli’s IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).Mallya bought the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in 2008 for $111.6 million (about Rs 476 crore). RCB has reported substantial losses since then. Royal Challenge Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL).

Mallya resigned with effect from February 25, 2016, as chairman and non-executive director of United Spirits Ltd (USL) and as director of RCSPL, as part of a sweetheart deal with UK-based Diageo. RCB was owned by USL.

Mallya has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after a sweetheart deal he inked with Diageo, the current controlling owner of United Spirits, under which he is getting Rs 515 crore (USD 75 million) out of which has already paid USD 40 million,to exit from the board of the company founded by his family and taken to the top by him.

Grounding of Kingfisher Airlines in 2012, under huge financial stress, led to one-by-one unravelling of Mallya's huge business empire that once consisted of beer, spirits, fertilisers, engineering and aviation businesses along with huge real estate assets.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/diageo-to-review-tribunal-order-says-3640mn-paid-to-mallya_5855761.html?utm_source=ref_article

Well he is still communicating with the world, without disclosing his whereabouts, that is the world we are living in today...

The Lone Fighter

Destiny has it's own ways. Life is full of various families and people. Some with all greatness, some a constant fighter, and some flighters.

Whatever she does - whenever I think of her and the life she lived - I count my blessings.

Youngest of the five siblings, when she saw her mother being burned alive in Mumbai; she was 5 years, with her eldest sister married, and three elder brothers in between them. Who knows if it was an accident, suicide or murder? The elder married daughter continued living in Mumbai, while the other four where brought to their Native land - where grandparents lived. Their father would very rarely visit them; so they grew up with their relatives untill the elder brother started earning, which he had to take upon soon. The youngest of the three brothers had mental disorder, might be because of the shock from viewing the death of his mother. Medicines kept him in control.

Things started appearing to get better with the second brother getting into an MNC. Elder brother going to middle east and settled. The second one too marrying his sweetheart. But slowly things started slipping again. Elder Brothers Wife started having issues with him spending for his family. Second one got into heavy drinking and drugs - his wife left him first, then he lost his job. Who is to be blamed? Destiny or lack of self control?

When she was of marriageable age, she had to look out for proposals by herself. Finally she got married, and like every women urged to be a mother. Alas 10 years of marriage, and she could not have her own babay. Finally they did adopt one.

Her elder brother's wife divorced him, they do not know the reason why, and he was not in touch with anyone at his home town; what happened to him? Did he fall prey to ISIS? Younger brother was supported by her, at times he would stop his medicine if no one reminded, which would add to the problems. Middle one too lost his job, and being addicted, for money started selling things. At times he would go to mumbai - sold gold bangles of his neice's who was married. So his elder sister asked him to stop comming home.

The younger sister neither had the will to leave them alone, nor had the skill to take care of them. She kept struggling with her financials, in laws and brothers. Hoping and praying that she is able to end her fights and have a peaceful life ahead.

Life..Death and Sibila....

നടി : കൽപന
കഥ : അക്ബർ കക്കട്ടിൽ
ഗാനരചന : ഒ.എൻ.വി
സംഗീതം : ഷാൻ ജോൺസൺ
പാശ്ചാതല സംഗീതം : രാജാമണി...
ഛായാഗ്രഹണം : ആനന്ദക്കുട്ടൻ
സംവിധാനം : രാജേഷ് പിളള
ദൈവത്തിന് ഒരു നല്ല സിനിമ കാണാൻ തോന്നിയിരിക്കണം. നടന്റെ കുറവുണ്ട> യി രു ന്നു . നല്ല നടനെ ദൈവം തെരെഞ്ഞെടുത്തു. നാടൻ പാട്ടിന്റെ മണി മുത്ത് കലാഭവൻ മണി അന്തരിച്ചു .ദൈവത്തിന് നല്ല സിനിമ തന്നെ കാണാം .... ആദരാജ്ഞലികൾ....

Well not only in the film industry but even outside.

Each passing day is a day closer to death. Nobody knows when that final moment to bid good bye is and then what next. Daily innumerable; somebody, somewhere. But when among them if anyone is ours its unbearable, especially when we know that it could be at anytime immediate; but not sure when.

Life is a miracle, our body is the temple of holy spirit who lives within. There is no other heaven than in between our loved ones; hold them tight and never let them go...Just as air is everywhere but we at time need fan to feel it; visiting temples and praying hard for peace and good health helps.


Jan 10th she was hospitalised, 12th was her surgery and on 24th it was said she would leave at the most for 2 days; but it is only Reghus prayes that is holding her. Hats off to him, and his courage.

When in hospital, me and her sister had disucssed about Kala Bhavan Mani and so many other people. But never knew they would all leave us soo soon, when she is still battling in the hospital.

When people have been to Moon, Mars and around the world decades before, when atom bombs and hydrogen bombs are manufactured, when there was penicillin in the 1940s; why is still there no vacine or cure for cancer? If Xray was found long back in 1895; why does it take so long to detect cancer? Is it true that the pharmaceutical industry would never release a new drug which cured cancer even if they accidentally found one? Is it because curing cancer would cut into the profits of the super-rich owners of the pharmaceutical industry?

True there is still no cure for diabetes or BP too, but people live a long life if these diseases including cancer are managed well! People are slowly realising to peacefully coexist with the deases. And it appears that those not having any of these diseases, and those who neither drink or smoke are dying sooner?

Could be because we are surrounded by carcinogenic stuff! And most of the sources are completely lawfully produced products.

Fifty Shades....by E.L. James

Have you heard about 50 Shades of Grey? If you are an English novel lover and have not heard, you are most likely living in a cave. Women everywhere are buzzing about this bestselling erotic novel, which tells the story of a wealthy entrepreneur’s affair with an innocent college student by First-time author E.L. James. (Real name is Erika Mitchell (born 7 March 1963)from London)

James has turned 50 Shades into a trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. In E.L. James' bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey, one of Christian Grey's most endearing qualities is that he is a very successful businessman. So successful he may have purchased 49 of his 50 shades. The 27-year-old dropped out of Harvard to start his own business in Seattle and Grey holds the illustrious title of Most Successful U.S. Businessman Under the Age of 30 it is "a world leader in communication technologies, sustainable energy and intelligent systems development." The company also focuses on mergers and acquisitions, buying underperforming companies and, ahem, whipping them into shape. While Christian Grey may be fictional, there are still some valuable lessons to be learned from his success in the boardroom and the bedroom.

Here are seven traits that successful CEOs can learn from 50 Shades of Grey: (Courtesy MSN)

1. Resilence:

Christian Grey may be private about some aspects of his personal life, but his rags-to-riches story (born to a crack addict mother, adopted by a well-to-do Seattle family, a billionaire by the age of 25) is well known. His journey from poverty to success taught him resilience--a lesson he took into his bedroom, too.

The best CEOs know that the best businesses are worth pursuing and that failure is just another lesson on the road to success. As Steve Jobs said, "If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”


2. Be Passionate

Passion is what drives the best companies. As Zappos founder Tony Hsieh said, "Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.” A passionate leader can recruit equally passionate team members, raise capital from driven investors, and keep their teams willing and able to put in the long hours necessary to build a successful company. But passions can also cloud a CEO's judgment, lead to poor choices, and mislead a leader about their business prospects. Christian Grey has very singular passions, but keeps them completely controlled and entirely out of the workplace-- sublimating his passions into career drive. Great corporate leaders know how to balance passions, letting them drive a company, but keeping them in check and in perspective.

3. Find the Right Team Members


When Christian first met Ana, he almost instantly knew that he wanted her to become his, shall we say, team member. He knew that she had certain desirable characteristics that would make her a valuable partner. To recruit her, he set about learning everything he could about her before wooing her on to his, um, team. Careful recruiting is the key to growing a successful business. The best leaders know that they alone don't have all the required skills to build and run a successful company. They must self-assess their own skill sets and then use that information to hire people with skills that will complement and buttress their own. CEOs also need to know their team members' strengths and weaknesses and take the time to learn what makes them tick, what makes them miserable, and what makes them excited. This knowledge can help a CEO -- or someone like Christian Grey --know which skill to apply in which situation to ensure success.

4. Commit to Learning

Over the course of Fifty Shades, Christian makes a commitment not just to Ana, but to learning how to be in a committed relationship. Competent CEOs know that they don't know everything. As companies grow, the most thoughtful and effective leaders make learning an active part of their day, seeking advice, consulting with experts, and encouraging their team to do the same. If learning becomes an active part of corporate culture, companies can stay agile and responsive in a quickly changing environment.

5. Be A Constructive Critic

One of the most important skills for a CEO to have is the ability to be great at difficult conversations. While in Fifty Shades Christian's most challenging conversations were usually held in the bedroom and not the boardroom, CEOs do need to be able to have uncomfortable talks with employees, investors and themselves. Because of his capable way with words, Christian was able to tell Anastasia about his singular sexual proclivities, and offer constructive criticism so she could learn and grow as a companion. Good leaders need to be ready and able to deliver critical feedback in a way that that is encouraging and not demoralizing; to give feedback that teaches the recipient how to succeed.

6. Be Respectful

A good CEO knows that respect is something you earn: from the customer, employees, investors and, eventually, the industry at large. To earn respect, listen to people, treat your employees like people; not like subordinates, work hard, recognize and reward effort and be genuine. Treating people with respect also breeds happiness and the happier your customers are the more likely they will stay, grow and refer others to your company. Same goes for team members, investors, and, of course, boyfriends or girlfriends. Christian tried to be respectful of Anastasia's boundaries, but his refusal to compromise about their relationship resulted in her leaving him in tears at the end of the first book. While Christian had two sequels in which to make it up to Anastasia, businesses may not get a second or third chance to woo a customer back. Treating everyone with respect from the get-go is a far more productive choice.

7. Be Risk Aware (and Tolerant)

Building a business--or a relationship--is all about taking risk. The best CEOs recognize risks and figure out ways to manage it whether bringing in oversight teams or using scenario planning to devise strategies in advance or, even better, devise ways to leverage risk and turn it into opportunity. Still, there is being risk tolerant and there is taking unnecessary risks that can jeopardize a business.

While Christian says, "risky decisions have never bothered me," he did have Anastasia Steele sign a Non Disclosure Agreement before revealing his big secret.

Well the book as the name suggests has fifty shades of Grey's character. It made me to research on the concept called BDSM, and not just Vanella - which I had never heard before - BDSM is a variety of erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves as practicing BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM community or subculture is usually dependent on self-identification and shared experience. Interest in BDSM can range from one-time experimentation to a lifestyle. It is made up of:
BD - Bondage & Discipline.
DS - Domination & Submission.
SM - Sadism & Masochism

Very scary even to read - Don't know why and how people find pleasure in pain.

As the authoress E.L. James blog say about Christian Grey who exercises controll in all things:

his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

Read the Trialogy if you want to know more...Well why is the movie banned in India and not the book?

Vettah

So many back to back deaths in films industry and around now all in 40's. Director Rajesh Pillai of Traffic fame, passed away on Saturday, the 5th of March 2016.

Vettah just released on Friday and he was in hospital to bid good bye for ever on Saturday; indeed - We do not choose life, life chooses us. Life is a hunt, we choose either to hunt or be hunted.

"The biggest success for any crime thriller is to open as many loops, confuse the audience, surprise them with the final revelation and smartly close all loops. Rajesh Pillai checks the first two off the list but misses the last two. This mind game involving a criminal (Kunchacko Boban with a sly smile trying to look evil) who exploits the minds of 2 investigating officers Sadly the cops in the film are people lacking the common sense of school kids what with they not bothering to check the precedents of the criminal in their custody or failing to trace the origin of all those secret messages they are getting."

Kunchaco Boban is the actor who had to do bulk of the acting and it was a sincere attempt from him portraying the mystery character of Melwin to perfection. There were different phases and the character passes through desperate situations and he was successful with his acting. At times he had to convey something through mere looks or smile and he was upto the task. Well he did what Manju did in How old are you?

Indeed Rajesh Pillai did leave a legacy and a big question mark in the minds of many, at least me - may be because I am around that age...

Siblings Estrangement

Happen to view Malayalam Actress Kalpana's interview with Britas in Kairali TV. Did not know her relationship with Urvashi was estranged. So is it a common phenomenon?

This is what most parents do not want to happen, well there are exceptions everywhere though; and it appears that only 26% of 18-65 reported having a highly supportive sibling relationship; 19% has apathetic one, while 16% has hostile, in an Oakland University survey.

Siblings do stop speaking, why ties break down and how real families reconcile, do vary from case to case. But Brother and sister estrangement is a common unspoken phenomenon. Most siblings in contentious relationships still feel pulled towards one another.

Most of the times, it is rivalry that turns to strife. As kids, brothers and sisters fight. They get angry for stealing toys or crossing invisible boundaries. The ability to fight with your siblings and resolve those conflicts is an important developmental achievement. Siblings who never learn to manage these conflicts are most at risk for adult estrangement. You have no incentive to remain in contact. You just want to stay away.

There are two personality types who appear prone to being estranged by siblings: those who are extremely hostile and those who are grievance collectors. Those with successful careers and fulfilling lives are less likely to fixate on the past and even enjoy over-coming their 'underdog' reputation.

Completely cutting off a sibling, regardless of how much it may be deserved, has serious ramifications. Those who initiate estrangement often feel deep regret later. We have our parents for at the most say 30-50 years, but we have our siblings for 50-80 years, and they are the only person who remembers your childhood, and you have nothing to say to them? It's tragic, Fight open up...

Live Life...

I liked this msg .. Felt like Sharing...

No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgement.
Give others the privilege to explain themselves.
What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others.
Which is why we should never only focus on the surface and judge others without understanding them first.
Those who like to pay the bill, do so not because they are loaded but because they value friendship above money.
Those who take the initiative at work, do so not because they are stupid but because they understand the concept of responsibility.
Those who apologize first after a fight, do so not because they are wrong but because they value the people around them.
Those who are willing to help you, do so not because they owe you any thing but because they see you as a true friend.
Those who often text you, do so not because they have nothing better to do but because you are in their heart.
Those who take out time to chat with you, does not mean they are jobless or less busy, but they know the importance of keeping in touch.
One day, all of us will get separated from each other; we will miss our conversations of everything & nothing; the dreams that we had.
Days will pass by, months, years, until this contact becomes rare... One day our children will see our pictures and ask 'Who are these people?' And we will smile with invisible tears because a heart is touched with a strong word and you will say: 'IT WAS THEM THAT I HAD THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WITH'.

Only a few people care, the rest are just curious. Share your emotions with those you accept and love you the way you are. Give your best fake smile to the others.

Life laughs at you when you are unhappy. Life smiles at you when you are happy. But, life salutes you when you make others happy. Spread Happiness. Be selective in your battles; sometimes peace is better than being right.

"Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, while many people in this world are dreaming of living your life..

A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of flying. But a pilot on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of returning home.

That's life! Enjoy yours...If wealth is the secret to happiness, then the rich should be dancing on the streets. But only poor kids do that.

If power ensures security, then officials should walk unguarded. But those who live simply, sleep soundly.

If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages.

Live simply, walk humbly and Love genuinely...All good will come back to you...

Neerja

Emotional and pride filled beginning to the weekend with Neerja, Indeed there is a Neerja in every girl – strong but soft, hiding her fears, who do not like tears, but has it and holds it back. Sonam appears to have worked hard but struggles with the character; at times with a slight smile on her face; when it would have been a tension or fear; the performances by the men who play hijackers especially the guy who plays the hot-headed Khalil; is so convincing and you do feel terrorised. Good to have quality bio-pics being released off late; indeed a food for thought.
http://neerjabhanot.org/home.html


Courage. Commitment.Compassion.

Three simple words that best personify Neerja Bhanot.

Neerja Bhanot Pan Am Trust is keeping the memory of Neerja alive by reflecting, in its objectives and actions, two main and basic features of her character:

1. Do your duty, come what may, AND
2. Never tolerate any injustice and never compromise on self-respect.

Hussain(A passenger in the flight) reminisced the farewell words of Neerja, to him and other passengers of "Get Out. Run" would forever ring in his ears.

To Heroine Neerja
Harindranath Chattopadhyaya

You have become historic
And made heroism heroic!
Your valour even hallows
Great martyrs on the gallows'
Even Death itself, 0 Sweet!
Must befalling at your feet!
To you the salutation, Neerja!
Of the whole nation.

Nothing is more sorrowful for a mother than to have her kid pass away when she is alive. For the rest she would be a lesson, a great learning.

Annual Day at Vidyodaya - Dashavataram & Wizard of Oz

A mesmerising day – beginning with the traditional Rangappoja – ‘Dashavataram’ enacted so well and ending with the beautiful recreation of ‘Wizard of Oz’ well organised – Hats off to the staff and students of Vidyodaya Nursery…The future is budded with talent…

The Wizard of OZ By L. Frank Baum; which was made into a Hollywood movie, and is also part of Broadway shows.
The story unfords in the Kansas Prairie. Dorothy lived in a small house that was in the middle of dry Kansas Prairie. She lived with Uncle Henry, a farmer and aunt EM along with her dear pet ‘Toto’ the dog. One day as Dorothy stood in the door with Toto in her arms, they heard a low wail of the wind and the long grass rippled before the coming ‘Twister’ – The Cyclone.
Cyclone subsides, Dorothy to her surprise, finds herself in the middle of the beautiful land – ‘The Munchkin city’.
Ginda the good fairy of the north appears and declares Dorothy as the sorceress of the Munchkin city and hands her the magic shoes of the witch of the wast, saying “Dorathy you put an end to the cruel witch of the east.” Dorathy requests Glinda to help her get back to Kansas Prairie. Glinda tells her –‘Go to the Emerald City. Meet the Oz. He will help you.”
Dorathy on her way meets ‘Scarecrow’ in the beautiful cornfield.
Dorothy meets ‘Tinman’ – a man made entirely on tin and cowardly ‘Lion’.
All the five friends off they go, at last they reach ‘the poppy field’.
In the poppy field they meet the queen mouse and her friends who guide Dorothy and her friends towards the Emerald city.
Dorothy and her friends finally reach ‘The Emerald City’ and meet Oz –Oz promises to help Dorothy on one condition – ‘Kill the witch of the west and hand me her broom’. So off they sent off to fulfil the mission.
Dorothy and her friends set off towards the castle of the witch of the west..in the middle of their journey, all five are seen being kidnapped by the winkies the winged monkeys –the slaves of The Black Witch.
Dorothy puts an end to the wicked witch of the west. All were freed from the shackles of the witch. OZ keeps his promise. Glinda guides reach Kansas Prairie.

The day was filled with mixed emotions - back to childhood days; and filled with awe....Indeed the future artist being moulded...

Pluralism

Pluralism, yes we find it in Individual minds, in family, in society, in the world today.

Was interesting to listen Sudeep say - X is getting married and Y is still waiting, because Y has more options/choices. Indeed; with diversity; more options; decision making becomes the key - and once decided we would keep wondering if the other choice was better.

As culture and religion often overlap, they can and do become central forces in shaping politics and society. And when we have a mix of these coexisting in a society, it is termed as pluralism.

One of the biggest challenges of our time is how do we learn to live in proximity to difference – different skin colours, different beliefs, and different ways of life. How do we peacefully talk to and negotiate with people with whom we may violently disagree? This is not easy but increasingly necessary in the contemporary world with so much movement of peoples, cultures and ideas. In this regard, the Indian experience offers some helpful lessons for diverse societies. The Indian experience shows that a delicate balance has been struck between individual and collective rights, the forces of centralization and decentralization, and the accommodation of diversity and universalism in society

India is the world's most complex and comprehensively pluralistic society, home to a vast variety of castes, tribes, communities, religions, languages, customs; and inspite of this we have Unity in Diversity; and is one of the biggest democracies in the world.

India is often referred to as the land of cultural plurality and diversity where two contrasting worldviews - that of the traditional and continuous and the formal and official (inherited from the British) thrive. These two views today coexist uncomfortably, often at cross purposes, clashing with the contemporary official and is impacting our cultural resources adversely; all said about its apprehensions in brief; it do have its own aspirations; due to which we are what we are today; attracting people around the globe.
Indian Cultural Landscape can be called ‘intellectual landscape’, a collection of religious, cultural and physical meanings ascribed to geographical components through collective memory, planted on the ground (shaped in real world and real time - the landscape) in active engagement of communities over generations, empowering nature and land. India was once called a country where on the branches of every tree golden birds resided. And therefore she attracted the Moghuls, Europeans; who came here; settled and took away many valuables.

Almost 70 years post Independence, education and professional training, hence the decision-making and policies of governance, hinges greatly on the Colonial perception of India. This limits the understanding, quality (relevance) and actions of our official systems for effective identification and safeguarding of our cultural resources, associations and values. But constitution of India protects it. In India no unified law applies to all citizens in respect of marriage and divorce. The Indian legal system is pluralistic in at least two ways. It is pluralistic in the sense that there are distinct personal laws for adherents of different religious faiths. A state sponsored system of codified law and civil and criminal courts coexist with a family court system. The existing body of writing does not adequately address the issue of the effectiveness of different strategies (as by and large the implementation was left to the state). Besides, the rapidly changing socio-economic and cultural context, wherein significant attitudinal transformation is occuring, necessitates identification of newer ways to make the 'old' concerns like tolerance and pluralism appealing.

Now as we move towards borderless world or in fact should; as various currencies in Europe have been replaced by single Euro; is it necessary, good and possible to be singular? An uphill and impossible task – as long as there are people; there would be differences of opinion; and with geographic differences same lifestyle would not be appealing. Need of the hour is to understand and co-exist; enjoying the beauty of it; and being in harmony with it. Education should teach us not to fight saying only what we do or say is right, but to accept the differences and embrace one and all.

Temples of Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu holds the credit of having the highest number of Temples (Nearly 34000) in the country.

Was fortunate to cover some of them - with family - in the new Fiat Linea - over a week from 16th Jan to 22nd Jan - with memorable expereince of nature around - hills, mountains, rivers, lakes, paddy fields, ocean, Bay, Water falls, fog, heat, cold, along with the temples.

It all started with:

Madurai :


Via. kumbam, Theni - was a great scenic view for driving.

Madurai city is an energetic, ancient city in Tamil Nadu, called, the city that never sleeps. The 2500 plus years old city, which has a rich heritage, is located on the banks of Vaigai River Its skyline is dominated by the 14 colorful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Amman Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, the Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site.
Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple
Is one of the most famous temples in South India. The huge temple that extends beyond 6 hectares of land is dedicated to god Shiva and it is named after goddess Parvati. The temple was constructed by Kulasekara Pandya. The temple has been mentioned in the songs sung by ancient saint as early as the 7th century. Invasion of Malik Kapur in 1310 resulted in the ancient temple being destroyed. When Hindu kings returned to power, the temple was restored and the present form is a contribution by Nayaks who ruled Madurai between 16th and 18th centuries. The thousand pillar hall is one of the amazing works in the temple that is famous for architectural brilliance. It is the temple’s museum and the statues here are exquisite.

Hotel Nami's was very close and at a walkable distance to the temple.

Rameswaram:

Rameswaram, in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, located on Pamban Island or Rameswaram Island, is separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel. The Pamban Bridge connects the two. A visit to Rameswaram temple would take at least half a day, especially if you wish to take the obligatory religious bath at the various wells. If you desire to visit Danushkodi also, set aside a full day. In between, you could squeeze in a quick look at the other temples and religious sites. Ideally speaking, set aside two full days for a soul-satisfying and soul-purifying experience.
1. Trip to Dhanushkodi:
This is the place where the Indian ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet. This is a sacred spot as Lord Rama came here after defeating Ravana to perform certain rituals to absolve him of the sins of killing Ravana who was no doubt evil but was a devotee of Lord Shiva and a brahmin by birth.
You cannot reach the shores of Dhanushkodi in an ordinary vehicle but need a four wheel drive or a jeep to drive through the sandy path. There is no proper road.
Dhanushkodi is a mere strip of land barely 1 kms wide and 20 kms long. It is roughly 3 kms from the Rameswaram Temple. It may be reached by boat or by surface transport or, if you prefer the mightiness of the ocean, by walking. Its barrenness was further exacerbated by the tsunami that hit this coastline on December 26, 2004. The ex-President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, hails from this fishing hamlet.
As you turn your back to the land mass and face the waters, you are met by the calm sea of the Bay of Bengal mingling with the roughness of the Indian Ocean, the salty breeze assailing your eyes, your nose and your lips. The scene is truly incredible and as you watch the mighty ocean, you realise how utterly puny you truly are. An evening visit is magnificent as the setting sun turns the entire scene iridescent.
These two seas resemble a bow at their confluence with the strip of land akin to an arrow on the brink of release.
• Prior to 1964, there was a British-built railway line as well as a railway station here. However, the devastating cyclone of 1964, destroyed the village as well as all semblance of the railway line. The tsunami has done the rest, leaving not a rack behind.
The Panchamuka Hanuman Temple
is located only 2 kms from the Ramaswamy Temple. The idols of Hanuman, Lord Rama and Sita were re-located here after the devastating cyclone of 1964 at Dhanushkodi. An example of the ‘floating’ stone used by Hanuman to build the bridge connecting Rameswaram with Lanka, is also kept in this temple. The image of Hanuman, with five faces and covered in vermilion, is of special interest here.
Rameshwaram temple was preparing herself the the gingatic Kumbabishekam during the next 3 days - which was a memorable experience to view.
The Location of the TTDC where we stayed was awesome - facing the beach, with a view to the sunrise from the room.

Chidambaram:


The journey from Rameshwaram to Chidambaram was too long; but we could cover various districts; and the drive was a great experience.

Nataraja is one of the famous temples in India. It is also one of the pacha buthas dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are three dieties and one without any statue. Temple is huge and has colorful paintings on the wall. Unfortunately, the temple premises is filthy. There are no dustbins placed, and people were throwing garbage all around.

Tiruchirappalli:

The 4th largest town in Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirappalli is an ancient town with a recorded history that dates back to the 3rd century BC. The city has been ruled by various ancient and historical kingdoms and empires. The Cholas, the Pandya, the Pallava, the Vijaynagar Kingdom, the Carnatic Kingdom and the British have ruled this region and have deeply influenced the city’s culture over the years. As a result of the various cultural influences Tiruchirappalli is famous for its various monuments and temples. Also, due to the city being surrounded by various channels of the Kaveri River is rich in vegetation and natural resources.
Rockfort Temple
refers to an ancient fort and the temple which is situated in the fort’s highest reaches. Rockfort played a major part in the Carnatic wars that was a major battle that helped establish the British Rule in India. The fort also has the famous Ucchi Pillayar Temple which was built in the 7th century and stands 83 meters high atop a rock in the fort complex. The cave temples built by the Pallavas in 508 AD are the oldest structure in the fort and is also a must be seen attraction.
Jambukeshwara Temple
The Jambukeshwara Temple is one of the 5 major temples in Tamil Nadu which are dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva. The temple was built in Dravidian style of architecture by the Cholas in the 2nd century AD. The marvelous stone carvings depict the various mythological events and are fine examples of the artists’ stone carving mastery.
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple
Often listed among the largest functioning Hindu temples in the world, the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple was built between the 6th and the 9th centuries by the Azhwar Saints. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is the 1st of the 108 Divya Desams or Vishnu Temples in the world. The temple complex is spread across 156 acres and is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple gopuram is 72 meters in height and consists of 72 tiers. The temple is a must visit and is one of the major Hindu temples in the country.
Hotel Mayas was centrally located - and is now my home at Trichy - having been here with father before and now with mother & family.


Thanjavur

Brihadishwara Temple :
Enchanting, Amazing was the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The World Heritage–listed Brihadishwara Temple was built between 1003 and 1010 by Rajaraja I (‘king of kings’). The outer fortifications were put up by Thanjavur's later Nayak and British regimes.


Palani
Palani is a town and a municipality in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km north-west of Madurai and 100 km South-east of Coimbatore and 60 km west of Dindigul. Murugan temple on a hill - Was fortunate to be here just before the festival. To get the golden fruit - Lord Subrahmanya mounted His peacock to go around the world. Lord Vinayakar circumambulated around His parents, symbolising the world, and got the fruit. On return, Lord Subrahmanya found that He was cheated. In anger, He renounced His family and came to this spot to settle forever. Lord Siva and Parvati came to pacify Him. They said, "Pazham Nee" ('You are the Fruit'). Hence the name Palani is a popular syncopation of the two words mentioned.

Thanks to Hotel Subham, North Giri Street, Adivaram, which motivated us to get on to the hill - inspite of the rush and crowd.

Well it was not the end of the trip - unexpected further beauty awaited us - enroute our return route. Indeed a mismerisingly beautiful landscape with mist even in the afternoon - with more than 75 hair pin bends, water falls, rivers, forests, tea estates - we returned via Valpara, Malgapara, Athirapilli to Chalakudy. Back to routine.

Temples

Life is a miracle, our body is the temple of Holy spirit who lives in (1 Corinthians 6:19) Nature is our divine mother…and we are her children. There is no other heaven than in between our loved ones. Be it our family or friends, hold them tight and never let them go.
Just as air is everywhere, but we at times need fan to feel it and though there are pen and paper but someone need to hold a pen and write to leave a mark of the thoughts; visiting temple and praying hard for peace and good health helps.
We visit temple for calm and better mind set. Also 5 reasons/benefits are:
1. Location and structure: Normally they are located at ‘Moolasthanam’ or ‘Garbhagriha’ which are high positive wave centric places.
2. Temple and 5 senses: Ringing bell while entering and listening to its vibration – hearing; lighting camphor – sight; hands over camphor flame – touch; offering flowers – smell; drinking theertham – taste. These have the 5 senses activated.
3. Pradakshina: Literally means right side in Sanskrit. Once 5 senses are activated we need to go around the ‘Moolasthanam’ or ‘Garbhagriha’ preferably 9 times.
4. Applying Tilak/kumkum: Normally on the mid-brow region, when done Adnya-chakara is pressed. Facilitates blood supply, helps retain energy in the human body and control the various level of concentration. Also Ashes represent, that the end would be only Ash - Ash is that would remain of everything.
5. Prasadam : Coconut and Banana are considered to be sacred and have important place in all religious activities. All other fruits are tainted (partially eaten; and grown from partially eaten fruit).


Dejected about the circumstances around - especially diseases - taking away the life of young ones - with just born kids - wondering When people have been to Moon, Mars and around the world decades before; when atom bombs and hydrogen bombs are manufactured, when there was penicillin in the 1940s; why is still there no vacine or cure for cancer? If Xray was found long back in 1895; why does it take so long to detect cancer? Is it ture that the pharmaceutical industry would never release a new drug which cured cancer even if they accidentaly found one? Is it because curing cancer would cut into the profits of the super-rich owners of the pharmaceutical industry?

People come to our life - some for a reason; some for a season and just a few for lifetime...we cannot hold on to anyone..time moves on and so do the people as per their priorities...We can definitely learn from them...what to do and what not to...and cherish the moments...Pray hard for the wellbeing of self and all of us around.

Food - Cook to Live

Food a basic necessity to live - and eating is what I love. So thought of understanding the basics.

Cooking this gave me a sense of joy and satisfaction – for Neil’s Piranal – though none of them could have it; except for me, Janumuttu and amma. Well this is –Cooked Cheera with grinded coconut, green chilly and Jeera; Kichadi – with grinded coconut with mustard seeds and little curd.

So easy to blame others, for changing life style when things can be better done by us. Indeed let us try – cultivating basic necessities – cook our own food –and have good one. Stop wasting lot of money on costly outside food.

Just Rs. 2,500/- and 20 kids had delicious sadhya – felt sad on the amount of food being spend in big hotels and then lot of food wasted.

Well need to start cultivation as well this year.

Osho

His books have never attracted me though very inspiring, but was curious seeing Osho for Men and Osho for Women, both with my Sis and BIL; to read about him more,

Have heard a lot of contraversies during school days about him -born Chandra Mohan Jain, and also known as Acharya Rajneesh from the 1960s onwards, as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh pronunciation (help·info), during the 1970s and 1980s and as Osho from 1989, was an Indian mystic, guru, and spiritual teacher who garnered an international following.

Was surprised to hear that his first secretary Ma Yoga Lakshmi, is Reshma's mothers own elder sister, quite interesting; whom Chandra Mohan personally asked to leave and then Ma Sheela became his secretary.

A professor of philosophy, he travelled throughout India in the 1960s as a public speaker.

1.Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also.
2.There is no God other than life itself.
3.Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
4.Love is prayer.
5.To become a nothingness is the door to truth. Nothingness itself is the means, the goal and attainment.
6.Life is now and here.
7.Live wakefully.
8.Do not swim—float.
9.Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
10.Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.
”

He underlined numbers 3, 7, 9 and 10

While Osho's teachings met with strong rejection in his home country during his lifetime, there has been a change in Indian public opinion since Osho's death.

For me - "Never obey anyone's command unless it is coming from within you also."

2016 and so on Till The End...

Surest way to die is being born. Whatever comes together must fall apart..We might be here today; and not tomorrow; - this is with time; New Years; Life and people. ...

“Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,...
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.”

(The Tempest Act 4, scene 1, 148–158)

The flower that smiles today, tomorrow dies; All that we wish to stay temptes and then flies; what is this world's delight, Lightning that mocks the night; brief even as bright.

So what can be done by one soul, one life - have a goal - 'To help humanity' - To Live, Love, Lead, Learn and Leave a Leagacy.

So well written by Anju:

" Love is what we all are born with. Fear, anger and greed are what we are taught here. Just because this is what we are taught, it does'nt mean it has to stay with us. Help yourselves to change what you have been taught. Open your heart. Forgive. Love. And help. The world needs it. The world needs it now. As long as you act with your heart and love every one no matter what, you are changing the world, making it a better place to live in.

By every heart you touch, spread love. Spread happiness. Spread Peace.

Sending love and light on this New Year's Eve,
Celebrate the Year,
Happy 2016!

Well celebrate - would want to visit places, enrich knowledge, lend a helping hand - Target 100 books, 100 temples, 100 people for 2016 - Less outside food in big hotels, instead spend time with needy/charity- Provided I am blessed with life and health; and equipped with the necessities. Well, first and foremost, need to change the life style - get up early, exercise, meditate, eat to live and try cooking.

As the wishes from our BHR:

Let’s work towards being better than what we are today;

• Be better in our work – Think creatively, efficiently and get the details right
• Be better with our stakeholders – in how we prepare, how we communicate and how we add value to those who seek our services
• Be better with our teammates – in how we support each other, how we communicate and how we care about them as people
• Be better in our community & workplace – in how we give off our time and effort to make our town, company or neighborhood a great place to live or work
• Be better in our relationships out of the office – in how we communicate, encourage and support others
• Be better to ourself – in our self-talk, in our personal expectations and in our commitment to being all that we can be

And I need to engrave this in my heart - and remember as long as I can for survival:

1.Don't let things slip..Stay on top of things....
2. Keep up the reputation we could establish
3. Make your career development a personal priority

Where did the year go by?

Happen to read the article on Where did the year 2015 go by in the Times of India - so true the pace of time never change, but some people never get much done, and others achieve the moon in the same span of time - Is it all because of perception? Every time as December approaches, you realise that yet another year has passed by before you even knew it. A better alternative is to set CLEAR - Clear would mean Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable - goals.



Enjoy what you do. You need not wait for weekends to enjoy.

12 Daily Reminders

1. The past cannot be changed.
2. Opinions don’t define your reality
3. Everyone’s journey is different
4. Things always get better with time
5. Judgements are a confession of character
6. Overthinking will lead to sadness
7. Happiness is found within
8. Positive thoughts create positive things
9. Smiles are contagious
10. Kindness is free
11. You only fail if you quit
12. What goes around, comes around.

Ladies Coupe by Anita Nair

Trying to read this book some years back, but not being able to and having put this aside; for some reason was tempted to read this in full this Christmas season.

Well though not highly recommended; better than the three trending Engineering+MBA trending authors.

Something that I perceived, which I had not before were -

1) Though it speak of 5 ladies; it actually had stories of 10+ ladies and their (Anita Nair's) perceptions.
2) The train knew where it was headed. The train would stay awake while the passengers slept. The passengers need not tell the train what to do. (This resembeles life - we need to make choices; which there are in plenty - decision making matters; and when we feel we are not on the right track - change)
3) There are 5 elements that constitute life : and one can classify oneself into each of them - Like Margaret considered herself to be water.


The five ladies sharing Ladies Coupe were the old and experienced Janaki, Rich Prabha Devi, Margaret (Maragatham) the Chemistery Teacher, the young Sheela, poor (sister to the real thing) Marikolanthu, and the Central Character Akhilandeshwari or Akhila who sets out on a journey to Kanyakumari at the age of 45, single an income-tax clerk, who had to step into her fathers shoes, when he passed away; and was never allowed to live outside her roles as a daughter, sister, aunt a provider. She wonders: Can a woman stay single and be happy, or does a woman need a man to feel complete?

How does one know if one loves, hates or is merely indifferent to a man? How does one measure what one feels? Love is a colourless, volatile liquid. Love ignites and burns. Love leaves no residue - neither smoke nor ash. Love is a poison masquerading as the spirit of wine. Love beckons with a rare bouquet. Love demands your drink of it. And then love burns the tongue, the senses. Love blinds. Love maddens. Love separates reason from thought. Love kills. Those who can't have love have to settle for need. What is love if not a need disguised?

Do every womam desire for the meeting of the sperm and egg which are parts of the potential human life and create zygote the biological human life?

Once you stop worrying what the world will think of you, your life will become that much easier to live. You have to look out for yourself. No one else will.

Also the other women in the story are Akhila's mother - who married her Uncle, and was so much in love with him, that Akhil felt, if the couple are very much in love through out their life, their children would need to live the life of an orphan? Sarasa Mamai - when the head of the family dies, the family dies with him - will any mother want to go through what Sarasa Mamai had to? Karpagam - Akhila's friend - who made her dream and think of change. Sujatha Akka; Ladies K & L.

Well there are men as well - and I wonder if the cover page is Akhila waiting for Hair or is it the Ladies Coupe? Though had taken the book the second time to know the ending - it leave with a question mark.

Who made Akhila realise - Happiness is being allowed to choose one's own life, to live it the way one wants. Happiness is knowing one is loved and having someone to love. Happiness is being able to hope for tomorrow.

Women are not weak. Women are strong. Women can do everything as well as men. Women can do much more. But a woman has to seek that vein of strength in herself. It does not show itself naturally.

Akhila is Akhilandeswari decimated into ten entities:

Kali - Ready to destroy all that comes between her and the flow of time.

Tara - With the golden embryo from which a new universe will evolve. She will be her own void and infinity.

Sodasi - Fullness at sixteen. Nurturing dreams and hopes. Even now at 45.

Bhuvaneshwari - The forces of the material world surge within her.

Bhairavi - Seeking to find ways and means to fulfil her desires before all is null and void.

Chinnamasta - The naked one continuing the state of self - sustenance in the created world; making possible destruction and renewal in a cyclic order.

Dhumathi - Misfortune personified. An old hag riding an ass with a broom in one hand and a crow on her banner.

Bagala - The crane-headed one, the ugly side of all living creatures. Jealousy, hatred, curelty, she is all this and more.

Matangi - Seking to dominate.

Kamala - Pure consciousness of the self, bestowing boons and allaying fears...

Together and seperate this is Akhila.

End of yet another year...

The year began climing the Malayatoor hills - a wondeful trecking with sis and family - which Neil thoroughly enjoyed. View from atop a pristine hill is simply awesome; and for sis and family it ended up by the beach at Kovalam. The warm sun, calm water, and a great set of friends. For me it is a quite evening at home; being 3rd death anniversery of my father; besides his grave;a midnight bonfire might help? I remember:

Jab bhi tum khud ko akela mehsus karo to pareshan mat hona ... Bas apni ankhe band karna aur KHUDA se kehna ke kyu tune muje itna keemti banaya ke koi muje hasil hi nahi kar paaya....


Had lost my grand mother in the beginning of this year, not a shock, expected; So true...every mothers expect, pray and wish that her children will love each other long after she is gone....and many have left the world disappointed not being able to see this...What is the use of all rituals after death when one cannot be together when alive? What should we say and do with the people who try to bring barriers among the children - to the extend of declaring some of the siblings not alive, when they infact are; and other useless; except when they need them!! May the people doing this realise and pay for their folly.

What is the use of balming the discremination in the neighbourhood, when one cannot rectify it in ones own family?

Holiday week - the last week of the year, family time - Beginning with Neil's Bday and ending with Neil's Piranal; Achan's death anniversary and Amma's 60th Birthday in between; with Christman, New Year and Thiruvathira.

Thank you for all your support this year. Each of you have been valuable for me, in their own way, Not sure I’d survive without you! Yes, met so many of my old friends, had been to places, tasted variety food, saw the most number of cinema in theaters in my entire life till date and spend quality time with Ra of me.

Sending you best wishes for a happy and relaxing festive holiday.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!


Your's faithfully,

Bajirao Mastani

Bajirao Mastani is an enchanting, engrossing, entertaining but exhausting 2015 Indian epic historical romance film produced and
directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who also composed the music score of the film. Bhansali's perspective, so there indeed is Bhansalisam in the movie.

Aakhir Dil hey hindustani, and heart goes to Kashi, somehow cannot appreicate Bajirao going behind Mastani - howsoever good she may be - and therefore can see a true concerned mother in Radhabhai - though could not justify the brahmins - if Mastani was his first love it would have made sense - but oh ya...Love is blind and when you fall in love, you do not realise if it is first or second or nth, right; nevertheless so are the lovers. Tanvi Azmi, who portrays the role of Radhabhai mother of Bajirao, was amazing, so where both Bajirao and Mastani.

Well, well, it appears that in the years gone by, or done, most men are akin Bajirao - and have Mastani's - Rich or poor, modern or traditional, famous or common man - Some have them in their life, and is known by all; for some it is a secret - open or hidden. This relationship might be known by many names - Sauthan, extra marital affair, 2nd wife or whatsoever. And its difficult to identify - who is Kashi and who is Masthani in a man's life. To name a few - Jawaharlal Nehru, Amithab Bachan, Aamir Khan...and the list would go on and on...

Don't know why some people go intolerant, without understanding or knowing the facts. Though the movie was released around the same time as Dilwale and I was confused on which one to watch, as I had time for only one; am glad that Bajirao was choosen over Dilwale. As whoever have seen Dilwale inspite of the bad review, have just given double negative feedback and have nothing good to say.

Nazar jo teri laagi main deewani ho gayi, Deewani haan deewani ho gayi, Mashoor mere ishq ki kahani ho gayi...Thank you for the tickets...Ladies(sister's) Friday night out was a memorable one.