KORKAI NOVEL

   உலகம் முழுக்க பல்வேறு பகுதிகளில் வெவ்வேறு காலகட்டங்களில் நாகரிங்கள் தோன்றியும் மறைந்தும் உள்ளன. உழவுத் தொழில், மனித நாகரிகத்தின் அடிப்படை. நிலப்  பகுதிகளில் உழவும் அது  சார்ந்த தொழில்களில்களுமே மக்களின் வாழ்க்கைப்பாடு. இந்த பகுதிகளில் புது நாகரிக அறிமுகங்களும் அதனால் ஏற்படும் பழக்கவழக்க மாறுபாடுகளும் 1800கள்  வரை மிக மிக குறைவு.

  தமிழர்கள் நெடுங்காலம் தொட்டே கடல் சார்ந்து இயங்கி வந்துள்ளார்கள். கடற்கறைகளிலேயே நாகரிகங்கள் சந்தித்து கொண்டன.

  சேலம்  மாவட்டத்தில் பிறந்து, நாமக்கல், திண்டுக்கல், ஈரோடு , பெங்களூரு , டாக்கா , கோவை போன்ற ஊர்களில் வாழ்ந்ததால், கடலை பார்ப்பதே அரிதான ஒன்றாகி போனது. அதனால் கடலையும், கடலோடிகளின் வாழ்வையும் , அவர்களின் வரலாற்றையும் புரிந்து கொள்ள ஒரு  ஆர்வம் இருந்துகொண்டே இருந்தது.


   அந்த தேடலில் கிடைத்த எழுத்தாளர் ஜோ.டி.குருஸ். அவர் எழுதிய இரண்டு  நாவல்கள் 'ஆழி சூழ் உலகு' மற்றும் 'கொற்கை'. ஆழி சூழ் உலகு, மீன் பிடி தொழிலையும்,அதன் லாவகங்களையும், பரதவர்களின் வாழ்வியலையும், சமயங்களையும், போர்த்துகீசிய படையெடுப்புகளையும் பற்றி மிகவும் விளக்கமாக கூறும் நாவல்.

  அடுத்ததாக 'கொற்கை', இது 1914 தொட்டு 2000 ஆம் ஆண்டு வரையிலான கடற்கரை வாழ்க்கையையும், மாற்றங்களையும் அந்தந்த காலகட்டங்களில் நடந்த உண்மை நிகழ்வுகளை  கொண்டு எழுதியுள்ளார். இதில் 38 குடும்பங்களும், 150க்கு அதிகமான பாத்திரங்களும், 5 தலைமுறை வாழ்வுமே இந்த நாவல்.

  கொற்கை  நகரமே முக்கிய  கதை களம். பேச்சு வழக்கு தமிழில் உள்ளதால் அந்த பகுதி மக்களாக இல்லாதிருப்பின் வேகமாக படிப்பது சற்று கடினம்.

  1914ல்  கொற்கை ஒரு துறைமுகமாக துவங்கியதில் ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. பரதவர்கள்  மற்றும் நாடார்கள்  என இரண்டு சமுதாய மக்களின் வாழ்வையும்   தாழ்வையும் எந்த விதமான ஒப்பனைகளும் இன்றி சொல்கிறார் ஜோ.டி.குருஸ். தான் ஒரு பரதவர் என்பதால் கடற்கரை வாழ்வியலை கண் முன் நிறுத்துகிறார்.

  1128 பக்க நாவலை பற்றி முழுமையாக கூற இயலாது. எனினும் என்னை கவர்ந்த. பாதித்த, வியந்த செய்திகளை சொல்வதானால் இனி படிப்பவர்களுக்கு ஒரு அறிமுகமாக இருக்கும்.

  நெடுங்காலம் தொட்டு மீன்பிடி, முத்து குளித்தல் என்று இருந்த பரதவர்களின் தொழில் ஆங்கிலேயர்களின் வருகைக்கு பின் கடல் வாணிகம்,ஏற்றுமதி/இறக்குமதி என அது சார்ந்து இயங்கத் தொடங்கியிருக்கிறது.

  பரதவ மன்னரான பாண்டியபதி ஆளுகையின்  அந்திம காலம்  இயல்பாக கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. பிரான்சிஸ், கடைசி வாரிசு முடிசூட்டிக்கொள்ளாமல், வங்கி வேலையில்  இருந்து கொண்டு, கூலிக்கு மீன் பிடிக்கும் தொழிலாளர்களின் உரிமைக்காக உழைப்பவராக காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

  வல்லம் கட்டும் விதமும் , அதன் பகுதிகளும் விலாவரியாக கதையோடு விளக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

  ஆங்கிலேயர்கள் நூல் ஆலைகளை இயக்க ஆரம்பித்த பின், கொற்கை நகர் இரண்டு முக்கிய பொருட்களை கையாளுகின்றன 1. நிலக்கரி 2. பஞ்சு. இதற்காக கொற்கையில் சரக்கு ரயில் வசதியும் ஏற்படுத்தி இருக்கிறார்கள். ஆலைகளுக்கான இயந்திரங்கள் கப்பல்கள் மூலமே இறக்குமதி செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.

  கொற்கை துறைமுகம் ஆழம் இல்லாததால் நடுக்கடலிலேயே சரக்கு மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. சரக்குகளை மாற்ற தோணிகள் இயக்க்கப்பட்டு  வந்துள்ளன. தோணிகளை விட பெரிய வல்லங்களை கொண்டு சரக்குகள் கொழும்பு, கொச்சி, மும்பை, குஜராத் ஆகிய துறைமுகங்களுக்கு கொண்டு சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளன.

  இதில் கொற்கை-கொழும்பு நடை மிக அதிகமாக நடைபெற்றுள்ளது. கொழும்பு துறைமுகம் ஆழம் அதிகம் ஆதலால் பன்னாட்டு சரக்கு மாற்றம் அங்கேயே நடந்துள்ளது.இன்றும் அதே நிலைதான்.

  பரதவர்களில் பணக்காரர்கள் மேசைக்காரர்கள் என்று அழைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். 400 ஆண்டுகளாக போர்துகீசியர்களின் வருகை தொட்டு மாதாவை வழிபாடுபவர்களாக இருந்துள்ளனர், இன்றும் இருக்கின்றனர். இவர்களில் முக்கிய குடும்பங்களாக பெர்னாண்டோ,கார்டோஸா,ரிப்பேரா, பல்டோனா குடும்பங்கள் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளன. வெள்ளைக்காரர்களின் கடல் வணிகத்தில் இவர்கள் பங்கு அதிகமாக இருந்துள்ளது. இலங்கை விடுதலை வரை கொழும்பு துறைமுகம் இவர்கள் கட்டுப்பாட்டிலே இருந்துள்ளது.

  யாழ்ப்பாண தமிழர்கள் - இந்திய தமிழர்கள் -சிங்களவர்களுக்கு  இடையேயான உறவு, அரசியல் நாவல் முழுக்க சொல்லப்பட்டு இருக்கிறது. மலையக தமிழர்களை நாட்டை விட்டு வெளியே அனுப்புவதில் சிங்கள அரசு மிகவும் முனைப்புடன் செயல்பட்டு இருக்கிறது. இது போன்ற செய்திகள் வலிந்து தினியாமல் இயல்பாக கதையோடு இழையப்பட்டு இருக்கிறது.

  அரவிந்தன் நீலகண்டன் முன்னுரை எழுதியிருப்பதும் ஆசிரியர் ஹிந்தி ,ஜோசியம் போன்றவற்றை தூக்கி பிடித்திருப்பதும் இயல்பானதாக தெரியவில்லை.

  'ஆழி சூழ் உலகு ' கொற்கையை காட்டிலும் இயல்பானதாகவும் உயிரோட்டமாகவும் இருந்தது. எனினும் 100 ஆண்டுகால கதையை தொய்வின்றி படிக்க ஏதுவாக எழுதியிருப்பதும், பெரும்பான்மை அறிந்திராத கடல் வாழ்வியலை வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகளோடு கூறியிருப்பதும் இந்த நாவலை நிச்சயம் படிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதற்கான எனது காரணங்கள்.

                                                                  நன்றி !  

Chernobyl-HBO Mini Series

Chernobyl series was the talk of social media when it was released. My brother saw the series and recommended to me.

This Series has 5 episodes and each run for an hour. Chernobyl is the name we come across whenever there is a talk about an industrial disaster. I had a case about Chernobyl in the Engineering ethics subject. The case was about moral dilemma. It's a theory paper, as usual story writing was enough to clear it. This series made me understand why it was taught at a college in India. Its not just about Russians, its about humanity.

This series starts with a man recording the the chronicles of Chernobyl disaster and hangs himself subsequently.

He is the professor Valery Legasov, who was instrumental in containing the nuclear disaster which otherwise would made the section of Europe and Asia inhabitable. Another key person is from communist party of Russia, Boris Shcherbina, who was the minister of fuel and energy, appointed to contain the situation.

Apart from these two key people, there are thousands of foot-level soldiers, miners, doctors, nurses, engineers who sacrificed their lives to contain the radiation.
The essence of this series is how can a disaster of that magnitude happen. You can witness,

1.Human ego, arrogance & Greed, values of different lives.

2. Hyper-nationalism, opaque governance, superiority complex, silencing the voice of dissent in the name of country and the leader.

3. And the technical aspects of the reactor and the disaster. You learn about the fuel U-235, Boron rods, nuclear fission, dosimeter, roentgen, the structural & operational details of a nuclear reactor.

It's a documentary with a extraordinary production. You will be into the story and have the shivering, pain, anger, helplessness as the protagonists. The actors Jared Harris, Stellan Skasgard, Emily watson and each everyone in their respective roles did a awesome job.

2600 Sq Kms of Ukraine and Belaraus around the Chernobyl reactor is still a restricted area even after 34 years. This shows the extent of damage. Always the good protects us and evil leaves us in peril.

Here too you witness how the human tenacity, grit, selflessness and righteousness saved the world. And the opposite of those brought that disaster.

Don't miss. It will kindle you and change the perspectives.

Zoned Out- The secret life of Walter Mitty

Day dreaming, which would take you out of reality for sometime. People do day dream and the frequency differ from person to person. I do day dream but never intended to write about it. A movie made me think about the day dreaming and its genesis. The movie is 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'. I heard about this movie through a random Facebook friend. The protagonist is Ben Stiller (Hero of Night at the Museum). He acted as Mr. Walter Mitty, a 42 year old negative(Film) asset manager in a nature magazine (LIFE).

Walter has the habit of day dreaming. Most instances he create a fancy world around his desires, interests and get zoned out of the real world. He lives a very calculated life and buried his passion deep inside. Day dreaming gives him a parallel life or moments which he can cherish. This is well shown in the scene where he sending Cheryl a wink in a dating website and subsequent scenes in office & railway station.

The problem starts when the company decides to go only online. And that transition would make many jobs redundant. The photographer for LIFE magazine is a freelancer and never use any modern day communications. He send a film roll and preferred the 25th negative for the final edition. He also sends Walter a purse as a gift. But Walter and his assistant couldn't find the 25th negative. From here movies takes off and Walter travel to find the photographer.

Following a clue, he lands in Greenland, takes ride in helicopter with drunken pilot, jumps into the ocean, fights with shark, travels in a ferry to reach Iceland. Iceland is a Inexplicable beauty in the movie. Alas! he couldn't reach the photographer. He comes back to US and get fired in the course of time.

He takes the skating board bought in Iceland to Cheryl's home to give it as gift to her son. Mistaking the fridge mechanic as Cheryl's husband, he drops the skating board and returns. He goes to home, tells mom about the job. He found that the photographer went to northeast Afghanistan in Himalayas. He travel there and find him only to know that the negative was in the purse which he threw into dustbin before starting. The conversation between Walter and photographer is wonderful one to notice. Particularly the dialogue when photographer says why he didn't take the picture of snow leopard.'Sometimes i don't allow the camera in between while seeing the beautiful things'

He comes back to US and the purse is given by his mom. He gives the negative to the CEO and ask him to respect the people who build the magazine. He adds adventures in the resume, proposes Cheryl which she accepts graciously and found that the 25th negative is nothing but the picture of himself taken by the photographer Sean O'connell.

In the course of journey Walter Mitty's habit of zoning out reduces to zero. When he caught in the web of responsibilities, low level of confidence & shyness, day dream seems as an option to console himself. But once start living life of his heart there is no more day dreams.

I too have accustomed to day dreams and get zoned out. My friend Tholkappiyan keep making fun on  my zone outs ( :) ). Though its not as bad as Walter Mitty, i too have experienced. I am not judging the day dream as good or bad but hope i could live an adventurous life of my heart and keep the day dreams at bay! Just like Walter Mitty! Ending with motto of LIFE Magazine.

“To see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and within rooms, things dangerous to come to, to draw closer, to see and be amazed.”

மாதொருபாகன் எனது பார்வையில்

மாதொருபாகன்  விடுதலைக்கு  முந்தைய காலகட்டத்தில் வாழ்ந்த ஒரு குழந்தையில்லா கணவன் -மனைவி கதை. நான் நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம் திருச்செங்கோடு வட்டத்தை சேர்ந்தவன் என்பதால் இதில் பயன்படுத்தபட்டுள்ள  செய்திகளும், சொல்லாடல்களும் எளிமையாக இருந்தது . அநேகமாக நான் படித்த புதினங்களில் மிக வேகமாக படித்தது இதுவாகத்தான் இருக்கும். நான் ரசித்த சில வழக்குச்  சொற்கள் ; பயா -பையன் /மகன் , உதுட்டு -நீக்கிவிட்டு , ச்சுடேய் -நாயை விரட்ட , பொட்டுக் கூடை -சின்ன கூடை. இந்த புதினத்தில் குழந்தையின்மையே கரு. திருச்செங்கோட்டு மலையை சுற்றி உள்ள இரண்டு  ஊரில் நடக்கும் கதை திருச்செங்கோடு திருவிழாவில் முடிவடைகிறது.

காதல், பாசம் அனைத்தையும் மீறி  குழந்தையின்மை கதைத்  தலைவன் தலைவி இல்வாழ்க்கையை சோகம் நிறைந்தாகுகிறது . தலைவிக்கு சமூகம் கொடுக்கும் அழுத்தமும், அதனால் உண்டாகும் வலியும், அந்த வலியால் உண்டாகும்   நிகழ்வுகளுமே கதையை நகர்த்தி செல்கின்றன. சாதி பிரிவினைகளை அந்ததந்த சாதிகளின்  வாழ்கை முறைகளையும் , அடுத்த சாதியுடன் கூடிய உறவையும் கொண்டு உணர்த்திய விதம் அருமை.

திருச்செங்கோட்டு மலையில்  செங்கோட்டையன் ,அர்த்தனரீஸ்வரருக்கு  இணையாக  காட்டுக்குள்  பவாத்தா கோயிலை பற்றி வரும் பகுதி அருமை. நெய்வேதியும் படைக்கப்படும் கடவுளும், கோழி படைக்கப்படும் கடவுளும் ஒருங்கே இருக்கும் செய்தி எனக்கு ஆச்சரியம். அடுத்து திருச்செங்கோட்டு மலைமீது இருக்கும் வரடிகல். குழந்தையில்லா பெண்கள் இதை சுற்றினால் பேறு கிடைக்கும் என்பது நம்பிக்கை. எனது அம்மாவின் ஆயா இதை சுற்றியதாக வீட்டில் கூற கேள்வி பட்டுள்ளேன். கரணம் தப்பினால் மரணம் என்பது இந்த கல்லை சுற்றுவதற்கு பொருந்தும். இந்த கல்லை கதை தலைவி பொன்னா சுற்றுவாள். இந்த ஒரு காட்சி விவரிப்பு குழந்தை இல்லா பெண் பட்ட பாட்டை விளக்கும்.

கதையில் வரும் தொண்டுபட்டியும், அதன்  பயன்பாட்டு விவரிப்பும் அருமை. ஆங்கிலேயனின்  நரித்தனம் நல்ல விவரிப்பு. பூவரச மர உவமை அழகு.சமூகம், குடும்பத்தில் இருந்து விலகி நிற்கும் நல்லுபையன் சித்தப்பாவும், அவரது முரணும் அருமை  . தனி ஒருவராக விவசாயம் செய்து மகனை வளர்க்கும் மாராயி பாத்திரம் நடைமுறை  வாழ்க்கையில் நான் பார்த்த ஒன்று.

 கதை இறுதியில் தலைவி மற்றொருவன் மூலம் குழந்தை பெற்று கொள்ள எடுக்கும்  முடிவும், அது திருச்செங்கோட்டு திருவிழாவின்  பதினைந்தாம் நாளில் நடக்கும் ஒரு வழக்கத்தின் மூலம் நடப்பதுவுமே சர்ச்சைக்கு  காரணம். இதில் தலைவியின்  முடிவு அவளால் எடுக்கப்பட்டது என்பதை விட சுற்றத்தால் தள்ளப்பட்ட ஒன்று என்றே கூற வேண்டும். அது கடவுள் நம்பிக்கையுடன் தொடர்படுத்தி இருப்பது ஆய்வில் ஆழம் மற்றும் ஆசிரியரின் ஆளுமை பொருத்தது. ஏனென்றால் இது பத்து-இருபது வருடங்களுக்கு முன் நடந்தது அல்ல , நூறு வருடங்களுக்கு முன் நடக்கும் கதை. ஆய்வு செய்து எழுத ஆசிரியர்க்கு எவ்வளவு உரிமை உண்டோ அதனை ஆய்வுக்கு உட்படுத்தி எதிர்துரைக்க உரிமை எவருக்கும்  உண்டு. ஆனால் கடைசி நான்கு பக்கத்தை படித்துவிட்டு கூச்சல்  இட்டு மிரட்டுவது குறை குடம்  கூத்தாடுவதற்க்கு சமம்.

 ஆழி சூழ் உலகில் இதை காட்டிலும் தனி மனித ஒழுங்கீனங்கள் எழுத பட்டிருக்கும். அது கடல் வாழ் மக்களின் வாழ்கை.அதை எழுதிய ஜொ.டி.குருஸ், அவரது இன்னொரு நாவலுக்கு சாகித்திய அகாடமி  விருது பெற்றார். ஆக எந்த நாடும், இனமும், சமூகமும் ஒரே பழக்க வழக்கத்தை  தலைமுறை தலைமுறையாக பின்பற்றியதில்லை. எல்லாம் சிறு முதல் பெரும் மாற்றத்திற்கு உட்பட்டது.

எனவே எனது பார்வையில் இது நூறு வருடங்களுக்கு முன் இருந்த பண்பாட்டில் வாழ்ந்த ஒரு பெண்ணின் கதை. சரி அல்லது தவறு என்றுரைக்க நான் வரலாற்று  ஆசிரியனோ மொழியியல் வள்ளுனுனோ அல்ல. இதற்க்கு எதிர் கருத்துள்ள புதினத்தை யாரேனும் எழுதினால் அதையும் படிக்க தயார்.

Crossing Knives- My view on Kathi

It was a sunny morning in Ahmedabad. I and my younger brother were on the way to Acropolis Mall near Vastrapur Lake. A day earlier we decided to watch the movie ‘Kathi’ as it was the only Tamil movie screened in Ahmedabad. We got the ticket and were waiting in the lounge for an hour. My brother has always been a critic of vijay’s action movies. He argued that vijay naturally fits in the comedy genre rather than punch line uttering characters. And slowly our chat turns towards issue lingering over kathi movie. The movie producers ‘Lyca productions’ owner Subhaskaran told that this movie’s profit is his one day revenue from his other businesses. There was a tint of arrogance in his statement.  I told my brother, “If it’s not a matter of money for the business, what else he would gain from it. And if it’s the matter of service for Tamil people, he would have started the NGO”. My brother nodded my argument. And I continued; “Now we are paying Rs.360 for Lyca”. We smiled at each other and enter the theatre.

The audience strength was around 25-30; Most of them are Tamils, few Malayalis, a Tamil-Hindi couple (Initially we were bit confused by seeing Hindi speaking couple waiting to see a Tamil movie). It was an average intro and first one hour was not gripping as such. Hiphop Tamizha’s rendering was amazing and sathish’s jokes created quite few giggles.  My brother has already told me that there have been FB shares on anirudh’s copycat theme. And the funny thing is I found a copycat BGM in the scene where kathiresan(Vijay) is attacked by two white women. It’s 99.9% copy from A.R.Rahman’s Rang de Basanti theme. At last, towards the interval there had been good performance by Jeevanandam (Other Vijay). And the second half of the movie was with some purpose and whole events were sequenced only for the kathiresan’s (Vijay’s) press meet. Last 15 minutes was just an appendix because movie actually ended immediately after press meet. Murugadoss’s cameo and English delivery were funny.

Overall it’s a below average screenplay in first half and average screenplay in the second half.  The life of the movie is the core issue of corporate exploitation of natural resources. It’s a bold attempt to tell about Methane gas exploration in Cauvery delta, Packaging and selling of our own water resources, corporate loan defaulters. And the idly analogy on communism is already the talk of town.

But it’s undeniable that there are lots of conflicts in interest and authenticity of the people who given the message. According to the Murugadoss’s interview to Indiaglitz, he satisfied with production house’s answers for his questions and he doesn’t bother about the groups of people who have nothing to do with his business. If so, the corporates, against which his hero fight against have very much convincing answers than Lyca did to him. Adding to that he bluntly says movie is just a 15 days affair which people would forget after that. Then why he bothered to tell such a burning issue in the movie. Media corporates are dangerous than water sucking corporates, as movies are the medium which shapes the thought process of the society.  If Lyca’s intention is to make people of TN to think only internal problems not about the issues with Srilanka, then it’s not on the greater good of the Tamils. It’s only my speculation but it can’t be denied as per Kathi’s theme of corporate cunning attitudes.

Special mention about 2G Scam can be seen as appeasement of Jayalalitha and nothing more than else.

Already few people are questioning the moral stand of Vijay as he endorsed a cola company and endorsing a telecom company. Both are epitome of corporate structure. If the same dialogue has been uttered by Kamal, Rajni or even Vijay sethupathy might not brought criticism.Neither Vijay not Surya has that authenticity as sizable share of their income comes from the endorsements. Even Amir Khan suffered this trust deficit when he speaks in Satyavame Jayate. Incase, Vijay announce the people that he is just a mirror of director’s thought, it’s justifiable. But he seems to take the credit. And Murugadoss endorse this in ‘Coffee with DD’ interview promo that he want to see Vijay speaking the on screen dialogue off screen too.

It’s not new that cinema actors endorse, preach the principles. It’s good to the society. This is not new as it has been done by people like N.S.Krishnan-Rajam, M.R.Ratha, etc. But they lived as they preached. It becomes dubious attempt only when On-screen and Off-screen principles don’t match.

Last but not least- The fun show by Thirumavalavan and Velmurugan team. If they really felt that Lyca would be against the conscience of Tamils, they should went to people who would watch the movie at the end of the day. There is no clear justification on their opposition. It’s a very meek attempt and it brings only the frustration to everyone who follows them.

The future activities of Kathi team will give greater insight into their intentions. As of now it’s good profit for Lyca, Credit and money for Murugadoss, Rejuvenation and money for Vijay, Warning bells for Anirudh, Thalapathy Diwali for Fans, Pinch for corporates and government, Appeasement for Jayalalitha, Vengeance for DMK, Flop show for Thiru&Velu, Continued struggle for common man.

Friendship-My Perspective

I don't know the clear definition of childhood friendship. Guess, its all about togetherness. I don't have a perfect framework to fix the ideal childhood friendship. Childhood friendships are more of playing. Ego is an integral part of any relationship at any stage of life. Imagine how adamant we were during our childhood. I had ego clash with friends of my childhood but those are like passing clouds;shapeless and last no longer than a day or two. But the problem was that i didn't have have enough buddies during my teens. I was very much detached from crowd. I had a reasonless inherent fear to mingle. It may be a Social phobia. The school days were deprived of close friends. Its all started when i joined Diploma (Courtesy: Poor performance in entrance examination). I was out of the circle for the first the first time. For the first time, i had a sense of protection when i was in group. I was bustling out to make friendship like a hungry animal (Social Animal!!!). I reinvented myself to adjust with different personalities. I got inspired, endorsed, encouraged, amused, comforted, helped, soothed by my friends. I learned to respect the difference. My first slam book written by my friends when i was out of PSG Polytechnic gives a different perspective of me. I joined Btech at SSM College of Engineering where i have encountered a different breed of friends who were experienced and had a practical acumen. Thats the time when my father passed away and that incident teaches about many aspects of life. 'Friendship' was one such aspect which nourished out of by worst times. I was overwhelmed by the gestures of my friends during those days and thereafter. I always tried to be the part of their life in all the Good/Bad moments. And working hard to keep this self-promise.

When the needs are fulfilled by the parents, enough time to call up and chat with friends for hours, all seems to be smooth. There would be a void when we join job, take the responsibility of the family and subsequently getting married. Particularly marriage brings a different colours to the friendship. More the depth of friendship, higher the chances of family friendship after marriage.

I strongly feel, the preconceived notion about the traits of a friend or pushing them to behave in our way doesn't helps the friendship at all. When i be myself and let the people have their space, i believe the friendship blossoms. I am still a reluctant guy to initiate a friendship but still am getting friends. I guess thats the norm of friendship. But from my view there should be common ground for the stakeholders(friends) in friendship. It can be interest, hobby, cause,  etc.

We guys used to discuss about the friendship of a girl and a boy . Mostly we conclude that it won't last for long at least after the girl's marriage. But it has been proved wrong and it would be myth within this generation. From my experience, when there is a mutual respect, friendship lasts long.

Its difficult to get a true friend after college! True, its difficult but its not impossible. I came across wonderful people who were no match with me in age, status, education etc. But still it doesn't stop us to become friends. So avoiding prejudice is the best way to get good friends even after college.

Here comes maintaining friendship! Is it tough nowadays? Yes, its damn difficult. At Least with advent of social network. You may say, "Damn, What the hell are you saying? Social network kills friendship?". Yes its killing because i felt that i am not spending quality time with friends. I have an illusion that i am closely following the friends on day-to-day basis. But that gives me contention thats not very profound in nature. Actually i should have to call or meet to discuss about the life, crack jokes, share the joy/sorrow. Its not like we have to speak on daily basis. It should be like that we have to share the bond with which we can start where we left (even if its before 2-3 years). As like every other relationship friendship also needs a quality time.

My friends are the ones who boosted my morale and one of the reasons for my present being.I have to thank my friends for whatever they gave to me. I don't know whether i am justifying the friendship but trying hard to do so.

                         Happy Friendship Day to my friends who have a warmth place for me in their hearts!

இவர் இறைவன்

இறவாப் படைப்புகளை கொடுத்ததால்,

இசை இறைவனுக்கே சொந்தமாதலால்,

இரும்பும் இவர் இசையில் இசைவதால்,

இமைப்பது போல் இசைப்பது இவரியல்பு ஆதலால்,

இனியவை பெருக்கி இன்னாதவை விலக்குவதால்,

இசையால் இவர் இருப்பு நிரந்தரமாதலால்,

இரைச்சல் வாழ்வின் அமைதி இவரிசை ஆதலால்,

இரவின் ஒளி இவரது ஒலி ஆதலால்,

இயல்பு மாறாமல் இனமனைத்திலும் சேர்வதால்,

இவ்வுலகில் இந்திரன் சொர்க்க இசை படைப்பதால்,

இறையச்சம் உள்ளோருக்கும் இறைவனை எள்ளுவோருக்கும் இவரிசை பொதுவாததலால்,

இறப்பு வரை துணை வரும் இவர் பாடலால்,

-இவர் இறைவன்!இளையராஜா என் தலைவன்!

                         -பெ. கு. செந்தில்குமரன்

                                                 

Inner ME

Virtual bonds tied me from my flight

Nightmares scared me to a take a steep dive

Consciousness stopped me from do what others do

Fear blind folded me from seeing the hope

Moment of sorrow warned to celebrate the joy

Dwelling on thoughts made me a slow doer

Hasty decisions proved me disastrous

Guts conflicted with my rationalism

Creativity faded with opinions

Reading didn't go well with physical workout

Reasons helped me to justify everything

Guilty prevails on reading and seeing ideal things

Heart breaks made me to averse of relations

Instead being one of the parties, I happily judge

‘Trying good to everyone proves good to none’, made me sad

Swayed by time, situation and people

Dreams and practicalities seemed like poles away

Traits brought in positives and negatives

Change panicked me

But i am aware of my ‘Inner ME,’

And sitting in the driver's seat, though having a bumpy ride!!!!!!!!!!.....................

Rationalize the Emotions

  Q1: Why people of Tamilnadu so concerned on Srilankan Tamils?

  Q2: Why should India interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation-Srilanka?

                                                 These are the two questions asked to any sympathizers of Eelam-Tamils (Srilankan Tamils). The people who face these questions mostly have emotional attachment to that issue rather than a rational one. So in course of conversation they are bound to compromise or get out abruptly. Here the apt answer for the first question,

A1: A German meets another German in china. How he rejoice that gleefully! There is a sense of bonding if you have something in common. This is simple psychology. This is why India expresses the concern when Hindus in Pakistan are attacked. This is why Israel raises voice when there is violence against a Jew in any corner of the world. This is why people of Tamilnadu are concerned of Srilankan Tamils. 

                                              Those who voice out the empathy on Tamils are not chauvinist or fanatic. Those who keep mum or against it are not neutralist or idealist.  No man is complete and so aberrations can’t be taken as examples in either way.

                                              And here comes the next question. Everyone can have empathy or concern on the suffering of Srilankan Tamils on humanitarian ground. But bloody, being an Indian how dare you are to ask India to interfere into the internal affairs of a sovereign nation!

A2: Tamils in Srilanka are the people of the land. Its against the popular perception Tamils immigrated from Tamilnadu. Even Tamils who were taken by the British to work in Srilankan tea estates are still called as ‘Indian Tamils’. Since Independence Sinhalese majority don’t want Tamils treated equally. So constitution was tweaked to favor Sinhalese majority. Sinhalese was made national language. It is mandated that only Sinhalese-Buddhist can become president of Srilanka. Tamil students were denied equal opportunities during admissions.

       S.J.V. Selvanayagam (Thanthai Selva) inspired by Mahatma Gandhi fought peacefully to get equal rights to Tamils within in united Srilanka. But till his death he was unable to do it. From 1948 the year Srilanka get independence from Britain till 1977 the year Selvanayagam died there was no war despite the fact that there were no equal rights. Even Selva’s party calling for ‘free, sovereign, secular, socialist state of Tamil Eelam only in 1976 after humongous efforts.

    During 1970s many Tamil youths go against their leader’s principle of non-violence. And involved in anti-state activities. From here let’s see how India used this conflict to its advantage and aggravated it.

    After Indo-china war Srilanka threatened to give base to china. So in 1964 Lal Bahadur Shahstri  went on an agreement with then Srilankan president Sirimavo Bandaranayke to  call back  Indian Tamils.  Similarly after Indo-Pak war Srilanka threatened to give base to America. In 1974 Indiragandhi-Sirimavo Bandaranayke made a similar pact call back Indian Tamils. Likewise 60,000 Tamils came back. Also in 1974 an islet of Indian Territory (kachatheevu) was ceded to Srilanka. Till today TN fishermen unable to do fishing without fear because of this.                                                                                                                          

    After these threats from Srilankan government, India started to fund Tamil youth groups and encouraged their growth. In 1981 Yazhpanam library which had 90,000 rare Tamil books, Tamil business buildings were torched by Sinhalese mob. Thousands of Tamils died and fled out of country. India made use of this between 1983-1987, outfits like TELO, PLOTE, LTTE, EPRLF, TELA were given training, monetary support & arms. Of this LTTE rose to prominence with the support from RAW

   On 5^th June 1987 to show the solidarity with the Tamils, Indian air force dropped food parcels over Jaffna and warned Srilanka of dropping weapons in same fashion. Then LTTE was at the verge of  defeat, India dropped 25 tons of medicine, food. Subsequently Srilankan president Jayewardene –Rajiv Gandhi made an accord for the devolution of power.

    Indian peace keeping force (IPKF) was deployed in Srilanka. Against this Sinhalese youths formed JVP a communist outfit and many of them were massacred by the Srilankan government. Initially Tamil rebels gave up the weapons to IPKF but LTTE didn’t accept complete disarmament until 13^th amendment for devolution of power is made. When IPKF forced violently it end up in a blood shed where thousands of Tamil women’s were sexually assaulted and nearly 5000 civilians and 1200 army personnel died.

    After 3 years V.P.Singh called back the army. In 1991 Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by LTTE. But Jain commission raised many suspicions including the involvement of CIA, Subramanian  swamy, Chandra swamy were left out. Former CBI investigating officer K.Ragothaman raising many questions and pointed out the loop holes Investigation. In 2009 the war which was allegedly told as Indian sponsored war (Rajapakshe, srilankan president himself told ‘we fought India’s War’) came to an end. Kumaran pathmanaba one of the prime accused of Rajiv’s assassination is in srilanka and enjoying full freedom. No extradition was asked even after 4 years of war.

                       Throughout the bloody history, Indian and Srilankan government used and decimated Tamils. After the war also no devolution of power. Indian and Chinese companies are in the race to acquire land once owned by now displaced Tamils.And there is a strong lobby in media to showcase this as a illegitimate claim by fanatics in Tamil community. This could give the basic understanding on the exploitation of a community by two nations.

                                                     

Mind the Minority

                             Mind the Minority

Can we differentiate the Diwali holiday and Ramzan/Christmas holidays. People may say all are national holidays. What a national holiday mean? It tries to implicate all citizens of India are going to celebrate, participate the celebration, share the joy. But I have seen through my school days, Ramzan and Christmas are not treated alike Diwali. The students of that particular religion are asked can take leave and others has to attend the school. It has been perceived as the discipline & decorum. I don't know the children whom with they going to celebrate. And what impression do the children of majority population get in their mind.

But if anybody asks for the starting point of any extremism i would say the discrimination at your childhood. The tipping point can be anything at any part of the life.

I had the chance to have a conversation with a guy in Chittagong , Bangladesh. In broken English he started to speak with me. He is a Hindu by birth and his ancestors are from a village near by Chittagong. He know am an Indian and told he have relatives in west bengal. He just asked my religion and i told him that am a Hindu. Then he just started telling that here they have a famous durga puja every year. And he was not able to celebrate because of restriction laid by Muslims. He told that he cant use drums. And a famous Ragunath temple in Chittagong has been demolished to pieces. Also he told that his family owns a big farm and ancestral house and no longer they can go back and live there. If it’s India he might get some help to get back his property. During liberation war, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhist fought against Pakistan but after that they didn’t get the equal treatment. He told that they don’t have happy life here but still dont want to leave as this his motherland and tears were in the verge of trickling down. After he showed a Bengali novel written by him. At the end he told that he shared everything because we are "Same-Same".

Apart from being a Hindu I didn’t share any identity with him. Even i never went to a Kali temple. But the pain of loss and loss of identity in his own motherland is unbearable. Ragunath temple demolition in Chittagong, Babri Masjid demolition in Ajodhya, Yazhpanam Library demolition in Srilanka (Here in the name of language) are alike and done to against the minorities.

This is felt after hearing from a affected person. I never spoke with a person who expresses the pain of being a refugee after leaving the motherland. I never spoke with the person who has been stamped as Maoist for being a tribal. I never spoke with the children who cant go to school through a street with the slippers in foot. I never spoke to a person who has seen his own neighbours raged in night over him for being Muslim.

If everything happen against minorities in India then it can happen anywhere in the world. Because we have best of constitutions and the best ideologists. 'Unity in diversity', implies, have your identity and respect others.

Public Toilet System teach us Political theories!!!!

Capitalism:

                Toilets charging Rs.3 and the cleanliness is of high quality.Lets divide the society into A and B. 'A' beneficiary of open market afford to pay  for him and family. Women dignity is undisturbed. Cleanliness maintained.'B' whose strives to fill the family members stomach cant afford. So here it creates filthy environment which can stink even the 'A'. But here 'A' is a objective who thinks his practice will inspire 'B'. Here the use of toilets is a 'IMPROVEMENT'

Communism:

               Toilets Charging only Rs.1 and is mandatory to use urinals. Whoever breaks the rule will be fined. Toilet quality is moderate as it is accommodating everyone. Here above said  'A' can be the government officials who could bribe to bypass and for better toilets. 'B' are the commoners boils within and wait in the long line for their turn. Here the use of toilets is a 'PRIDE OF NATION & EQUALITY'

Indian socialism:

              1. Toilets are free of cost and its your will to use it. Toilets are of bad quality and you cant demand for cleanliness as its free. 'B' use this toilets and sometimes outside too.

             2. Toilets charge Rs.5 and its just better than free toilets. 'A' use this toilet and yell at 'B' for not using this toilets. Here the use of toilet is a 'STATUS SYMBOL'

                                                                                               -  Voice of Conscience