Maargazhi Raagam - Visual Audio Treat for Carnatic Rasika

At Gulf Cinema on April 29th 2009 Wednesday at 6:50  p.m. on reaching the theatre after beating the C-Ring road traffic, couldn't control the excitement and suspense, thinking what will be in store in this 'movie' and how they'd have presented.  And  the movie started at 7 p.m. with a meaningful musical silence with titles rolling on the screen and after that started flow of rich carnatic music (with out gimmicks) with wonderful raagaalapanas, difficult swarasangatis that took breath away. 

The experience offered by this film was the first of its kind. A Great Innovation to present Carnatic Music in the form of a movie. Sridhar's Audio design , the visual treat of PC Sreeram's Digital RedOne Camera, aesthetically designed sets by art director  rajeevan and satish kurusowa's crisp editing gives a different kind of treatment for this carnatic music movie.  One can't express this musical voyage in words. should watch in a DTS theatre to get the real feel of it. 

Attaching a trailer which gives a glimpse of this concert movie. 

Memorable Evening of Bharathanatyam and Ghazal

It's a memorable evening of bharathanatyam and ghazal at Doha cinema on 22nd April 2009 Wednesday. As usual following the soorya standard time, the programme started at 8 p.m. with bharatanatyam. Next day was a working day and inspite of that, we never wanted to leave the auditorium and stayed back till 11 p.m.

Click on the pictures to view enlarged. 

World Earth Day

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. This date is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
The United Nations celebrates an Earth Day each year on the March equinox, which is often March 20, a tradition which was founded by peace activist John McConnell in 1969.

April 22, 1970, Earth Day marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated, with a goal of a healthy, sustainable environment.
Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his old staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.
Mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting the status of environmental issues onto the world stage, Earth Day on April 22 in 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. The April 22 Earth Day in 2000 combined the big-picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990. For 2000, Earth Day had the Internet to help link activists around the world. By the time April 22 came around, 5,000 environmental groups around the world were on board, reaching out to hundreds of millions of people in a record 184 countries. Events varied: A talking drum chain traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa, for example, while hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., USA.
Earth Day 2000 sent the message loud and clear that citizens the world 'round wanted quick and decisive action on clean energy. Earth Day 2007 was one of the largest Earth Days to date, with an estimated billion people participating in the activities in thousands of places like Kiev, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; Tuvalu; Manila, Philippines; Togo; Madrid, Spain; London; and New York.
Founded by the organizers of the first April 22 Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect change in local, national, and global policies. Earth Day Network’s international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year.

IPL Fever

IPL has started from today. My Cartoon on this.

RamaKatha A Classical Song

Ramakathaa Gaanalayam Super Classic of all times | Upload Music

Recorded in 2007 for a gulf based programme telecast in KairaliTV called Qatar Kanavugal. A great composition by Raveendran maashu which should have given him National Award for best music Director which he never got. This song fetched Yesudas one more national award.

Happy Vishu

Vishu Greetings.

This song was composed and recorded in my doha binmahmoud house in the year 2003 for a vishu programme by my friend Balu (Balamurali). He composed this song penned by Gopi who is working in Tayseer Doha. Balu also handled the Dholak, Tabla, Mridangam instruments. Keyboard was played by Arun and rhythm composer by Manoj. We did the recording track by track. It took one full night. I did the track vocal for balu who was supposed to sing but finally the same track was used for the programme. One of the precious gems from balu which's gone unnoticed.

Performance at CEC on March 26th 2009 by Sruti

Sruti performed at Children Education Centre as part of farewell programme. Photos taken at our home after the performance.

Jai Ho ARR

Watched the SUN TV Special episode of ARR beign felicitated by entire musical family at Chennai on March 1st 2009. (Telecast on March 8th 2009). Got really touched the speech of Maestro Ilayaraja pouring accolades. Heaping laurels on Rahman, maestro Ilayaraja said that there are only a few who possess immense talent and go on to make it big. Rahman is a phenomenal musician. He added, "If MSV is Athara Sruthi, me Panchamam and ARR has gone to Uchcha sthyai." (Sa-Pa-Sa) a beautiful personification of these legends.

I do consider Tamil Music period as the same. MSV-IR-ARR. It's really a musical heaven with only musicians felicitating ARR. Few exceptions were there like Director K Balachander, AVM Saravanan and few others. Could see old singer PBSreenivas, TM Soundarrajan, L Raghavan. S. Janaki created sentimental waves. This feliciation function 'll be  a mile stone in the Indian Music history.

 Rahman was really humble and in the end speaking on the occasion, he said, ‘I was bit disappointed watching media channels especially certain websites that were continually passing abusive comments by comparing Ilayaraja sir with me. He’s the great master of all times and I’m nothing when compared to him… Elder Musicians like him laid the foundation and I’ve represented them for these awards’

Jai Ho Rahman. 

Dharavi becoming Tourist Spot !

This's the cartoon that flashed in my mind the moment 'Slum Dog Millionnaire' was declared winner of the oscar. Dharavi will be a tourist spot in future.. especially for AmeriKans..(Indian Americans as well). 

Click on the cartoon to view.....after this getting inspired to draw more cartoons...hmmm. let me give it a try ! The Cartoonist inside me is coming back again...

Movies in my 2008 Vacation

Malayalam movies are still upto the standard. Although, there are no exceptional movies like in the 80s and 90s it's much better than other language movies, where you always feel 'paisa vasool';

On December 9th Tuesday 2008 - Girjia Theatre DTS
Veruthe Oru Bharya’ is one of the best films of recent times, dealing with domestic marriage discords resulting from mismatched characters of two people who stick to their incompatible agendas. It may hit too close to home for some; others might not key in on the psychology, but find it as a digestible fun-filled drama with light hearted moments. Jayaram, after a long gap, scores heavily in a role that is tailor made for his capabilities. He invites claps as never before, when imitating the singing styles of all heroes from yester year, Prem Nazir to today's Mammootty. Gopika looks evidently younger that what the role demands, but make better by convincing act in her complex title role as Bindu. She makes a poignant cake walk through the role, delivers majority of the dialogues and at times appear strong and scared at alternate scenes. Nivedita also shines as their daughter. Rahman and Ganesh kumar appear in short cameos.

On December 11th Thursdsay 2008 Jose Theatre DTS
Twenty: 20’ and its makers were there all over the net, news channels, and other media for quite some time. This mother of multistarrer '' being the most hyped movie of our times, there is only one big question to answer.... Does it live up to the expectations? The answer is a big 'YES'.What works heavily for ‘Twenty: 20’ is that it lives up to its name-just like a 20:20 match, you can't predict what will happen in the next reels. Just when you fix this as the last twist in the tale, will arrive the next that will keep you in tight seats.Personally, I feel, Mohanlal has got more scope than Mammootty and he handles the role with ease. Mammootty as advocate is prefect. But it is suresh gopi, who steals the show many a times from below superstars feet. Dileep, Manoj K Jayan, Madhu, Siddhique and Jayaram also have some solid characterizations, which they have done extremely well . Noted Missing actors are Nedumudi Venu, Murali, Thilakan, Ganeshkumar, Devan, Shankar etc. Only the songs department is very weak with no songs leaves mark. All in all, a masala movie ,that delivers good entertainment.

Was waiting for the SRK-Aditya Chopra film for long time. And that too was lucky to watch this movie in my favourite Theatre Thrissur RAGAM.

On December 12th 2008 Friday
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
It's a journey filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, music, dance and a lot of love. A journey that makes us believe that there is an extraordinary love story in every ordinary jodi. And is a true SRK movie; and SRK is not disappointing. But...the biggest flaw is that how come a woman fails to recognize her husband with a slight-make over…. The characters of Surindar and Raj differ merely with thin moustache, hair style and costumes. Both the characters have same voice sans any modulations….On the whole, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is enjoyable on many parts with fun, frolic, lots of music and dance, pains and emotions.


On December 23rd 2008 Tuesday at RaviKrishna DTS
A Surprise thriller from BharathiRaja..BOMMALAATTAM
Firstly, the end is new. Secondly, despite the film being a murder mystery blood and gore have been handled with subtlety. And finally, the circumstances that drive the murderer to take the extreme step are shocking! The impact on the viewer is treme ndous and Bharatiraaja proves that his creative skills are pretty much active. This is literally a NanaPatekar Movie; From the very beginning to the end Nana is covered in the frame.
But to maintain suspense and not to go directly to the novel climax in between unnecessary sequences are squeezed in. And some major loopholes are there in the climax but can be ignored.

Venus Jupiter and Moon

Venus, Jupiter and the moon formed a bright triangle in the night sky on Dec 2nd 2008. The next time the three will be as close and visible will be November 18, 2052

Mumbai Terror 26/11

The November 2008 Mumbai attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks across Mumbai, India’s financial capital and largest city. The attacks began on 26 November 2008 and ended on 29 November 2008 when Indian security forces, in Operation Black Tornado, regained control of all attack sites. At least 188 people were killed and at least 293 were injured in the attacks.

Eight of the attacks took place at sites in South Mumba proper: the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe,Cama Hospital, the Orthodox Jewish-owned Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building behind St. Xavier's College.There was also an explosion at the Mazagaon docks in Mumbai's port area. A possible tenth incident involved a taxi blast at Vile Parle near the airport, but it is uncertain whether this was connected to the other nine attacks.

By the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj Mahal Palace had been secured by police and security forces. An action by India's National Security Guards on 29th November resulted in the conclusion of the Taj Mahal Palace encounter, ending all fighting in the attacks.

Initially, a previously unknown organization called the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility. Later, Mohammad Ajmal Amir the only terrorist who was captured alive, disclosed that the attackers were members of Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Pakistan-based militant organization, considered a terrorist organization by India, the United States, the United Kingdom, among others. However, no official attribution of responsibility has been made by the Indian Government.

The attacks drew widespread condemnation across the world.

Tribute to the GREAT SalilDA

Salil Chowdhury is one of the great music directors I admire on par with Ilayaraaja and ARRahman. Although he's not a malayali he had given most of his hits in Malayalam along with bengali and hindi. He started with CHEMMEEN in malayalam from 1966 and ended with Kadappuram in 1995.

KairaliTV Channel from kerala had arranged a special musical tribute on Salil chowdhury titled SMRITHI, as part of weekly programme DOHA DURBAR aired every friday 1:30 p.m. IST (11 a.m. Doha Time). All the singers were from doha and I also by god's grace got a chance to offer a gurudakshina for this great composer in the form of a song.
This song will be aired in Kairali soon after RAMADAN may be in Oct or Nov.

I invite every one of you to just listen to the AUDIO version of this song. This was orginally sung by Dr K J Yesudas in 1978 film 'Samayamaayillapolum'; I have tried my best to do justice to the song. CLICK on the play button to listen to the song I have rendered.


Boomp3.com

Birthday Wishes from my music students

It's like going back to my school days when I gave sweets on my birthday. Friday Morning batch music students and evening batch students wished me Happy BIRTHDAY. Felt like becoming young as I also joined them. Sruti distributed the sweets for the morning batch.

Almana Showroom at City Centre Opens....

Finally the long wait was over by July 16th 2008 Wednesday. Thanks to the effort of AhmadBerzanjee, PankajPatil, Basantha...the list goes on... the long awaited City centre showroom (OE Division) was inaugurated by Member of Board of Directors of Almana & Partners company, Mr  Nasser Almana, at around 10:45 a.m. Watch the highlights of the Inaugural ceremony. All the OE Executives and invited guests were present at that time. 

FedEx stopped

What a great tournament and what great final. could watch only from the middle by 7:00 pm. (doha time) Congratulations have to go out to Rafael Nadal for capturing his 1st Wimbledon crown and dethroning the former king of grass Roger Federer. Nadal was awesome through out the event.Felt sorry for Federer/Fedex being stopped at creating another record by surpassing Bjon Borg. But the fight was really thrilling like a hollwood thriller. May be in my friends group I'm the only won to watch as most of them are cricket fans and don't spend time watching this game however I think tennis is better than cricket and love more than cricket doesn't mean that I hate cricket. It will be tennis, football then cricket. that's the line up.

Spain are the Eurocup 2008 champions

On June 29th 2008, Sunday Watched the Euro cup final late night. Spain became European champions for the second time after Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008™.

Spain had won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men chose to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it took just one goal – in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and unerring finish – to end their long wait.

during the break time browsed Safari in my macbook and got this.

"Rested reasonably well last night, so why the lethargy on work today. Is it true the longer you sleep the greater the lethargy.? Should sleep less then ! Yes.?" -these words were in the mobile blog by the person I and we respect a lot, Amitabh bachchan. He's the real inspiration to do multitasking in the life. it's real that the more work or active you are the less lethargic you will be which is true and just try out that. but remember you have to really enjoy doing what ever you do and try to cherish each moments even if it's a tiring job.

Prakash Send Off Party

On June 23rd Monday evening 5:15 p.m. we had send off party for Prakash Pattabiraman, who had been with us for 8 years. He's moving on to dubai/abdudabhi for a new phase in his career. had nice time. enjoy the video below. 

Gopal-Varshini-Vivan's Party

After my carnatic classes on friday noon went to JBK Villas to attend the party arranged by gopal.I was meeting most of the friends after a long gap. was glad to see everyone in the party. Gopal varshini were really enjoying the new phase in their life. Vivan has brought them new energy and could see their faces more brighter with joy. 

Some moments from the party is below in the small video clipping. 

Dasavatharam - Confused on Incarnations

Decided to watch Dasavatharam today which was released in Doha last week. couldn't go because of other commitments.Today there was a special prog on Dasavatharam in Star Vijay  conducted by cartoonist Madan, in which director ravikumar gave the comparison with vishnu's dasavatharam, in which only poovaragan (dalit's) character, nambi and japanese characters are  convincing. Calling the villain as parasurama is too much.

One more interesting thing is the japanese name, he is supposed to be narasimha avatar (convincing) name also resembled. Shingen Narahasi (Narasimha jumbled).

The list is as shown below. 

 Matsya-Nambi Rangarajan in 12th century obvious fish in water

Koorma-Bush the turtle was beneath the huge churning that emitted poison leading Asuras and Devas into battle Varaha/Vamana -Khalifullah, the tall God also dwarfed by minority community status 

Parasurama hatchet man/Fletcher-the hitman 

Balram-Balram Naidu 

Rama-Avtar Singh in love for his wife 

Narasimha-Shingen Narahasi, the man who takes on the disbeliever on the shore, at dusk in bare combact (remember hiroshima?>>>  

Krishna -Vincent, saves the girl from molestation when she calls Narayana, loses out the political negotiations as his community is bought over by drink. Krishna tries for a Yadava -Kaurava negotiation hat fails as Yadavas succumb to booze and Krishna and Vincent die by the seashore, their feet wounded. 

Buddha-paati and today Buddhism is the religion of the Dalits in India, Vincent seems like her son as she attains enlightenment 

Kalki-Govind, harbinger of doomsday through virus.

Personally, I was disappointed by this movie as  What could have been an exiting adventure is spoilt due to Kamal Haasan’s indulgence and  wanting to be the first actor to do 10 roles in a film. but we can't blame him for that considering the great pains he has taken to do these roles. The only fantastic  feature of this film is the first 15 minutes set in the 12^th century. Quite Brilliant and excellent and is par with hollywood. Also to some extent the last 15 minutes of Tsunami but Computer Graphics has got some flaws. especially, you can't compare with Hollywood Tsunami (it is no where near 'Day After Tomorrow' scene).

 

Those who couldn't understand the first dialogues of Kamal in Nehru Stadium, he talks about 'Chaos Theory' and 'Butterfly effect'(which is a component of Chaos Theory) , which is true and no one has attempted these things in Indian Cinema.

 

The idol that is drowned in the sea along with Rangarajan(first kamalahaasan)  in 12th century by Chozha king results in a fault being developed at the bottom of the ocean and creates tremors more than 800 years later. These tremors result in the Tsunami. This is classic example of  'Butter Fly' effect.  (The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. ) Another explanation is that Govind is in fact the reincaranation of Rangarajan. As Rangarajani he couldn’t protect God and died in the name of God.In order to fulfill his Karma,he is reincarnated as Govind Ramasamy who ultimately saves the world from destruction.The idol in the end somewhat hints to this theory; his story began with the idol and it ends with the idol.

 

Basically a chaotic system  is one wherein long term predictions are impossible. Like for example, if I push a car, I know that it is going to move and it will continue to do so if I go on pushing it on and on. However, in a chaotic system, this situation cannot be predicted over a long period of time. Weather, for example, is a chaotic system.

 

Here in the movie, The 1st scene is perfectly connected to the climax, remember what Kamal says in the first scene, that he will not say “Om Nama Shivaya” , but Asin tells him to chant it , but still Kamal refuses , he believes in his god more than anything, but Asin feels “Its ok if we change the god or chant other god’s name, its life thats most important.” Now if u see the climax its JUST OPPOSITE…. Kamal doesn’t believe in god much and values lives of people the most…. but Asin deeply believes in god and that too this dialogue comes when both Asin and Kamal’s hand is on the god which came from the sea , and it also means that they are getting united from the place they departed hundreds of years back ( Kamal and Asin).

 

All these points if you analyze  are really great, but execution of the other parts  and dragging scenes spoil the film.

 

(One more personal point, I liked the scene in which my favourite Apple Computer is shown. George bush is using Apple Macbook Pro.)

You should not forget to mention kamalhaasan acting. from India glitz which had given a good review on Kamalhaasan. The eyes are considered the most effective tools in creating the right kind of attitude for any actor and Kamal Haasan is a master at that. There are many a time in the film when the audience would have to force themselves to believe that it is the same actor who is the good guy as well as the bad guy.The expressive and determined eyes of the priest, the mushy and yet funny countenance of Balaram Naidu, the hilarious CBI officer and the peaceful martial artist eyes of the Japanese character have all shaped up to fit into any acting text book. Hats off to Kamal Haasan on the acting front!!