Reminiscences from Radiant

 While coming back from work, I was recalling some incidents that happened in the past. What more could I think of as I walk past Brindavan Street - Radiant!. I travel back my journey right from entry to walking out gracefully! ( A little lengthier Note)

The journey of reminiscence thus began. My stint with Radiant was for a little longer period as compared to my peers. In a journey, it does not matter how long you travel but with who you travel along!. Radiant set a learning platform for me and honed my database skills. It just did not stop there. It gave me a good acquaintance of people and some subsequently became friends for life!.

I joined Radiant on May 6th. Initially, I was wondering what Oracle can do that Sybase can't do. But somewhere, the passion towards the database was there and thus my learning continued. For a period of 1 month, I was not given any batch to handle. Just helping students in solving Oracle SQL queries. I slowly began to develop some apprehension which soon faded away. I was given my first batch to be handled. It was an early morning batch. During that time, my mother was ill. So, I had to do some house hold chores and then get ready, come to office to handle a batch. After few days of the training, I got the first feedback from students. It is like appearing for a public exam. Little bit of tension but at the same time confidence!. The feedback was like a 4.5 on 5 kind rating. I vividly remember a student's comment - 'Trainer sent from heaven- Such an excellent trainer' - this is not to brag about myself. Just a piece of excitement and encouragement!. I guess I delivered decently if not that great!. (Only my friends/students need to say).Now on to people: (With some incidents I could recollect off the fly. 

I begin with Sridhar Sir, Giri Sir, Ramanesh - I learnt a lot from you all!. Thanks!

During the Machine room time, I got myself introduced to this person who was strong in her own subject - Visual Basic. My interaction with her in the form of Q and A and some exchange of good conversations!. What I liked the most in her was her simplicity in explaining. Later, we turned to good friends. - She is none other than Radhika.

First ever Radiant Team Meeting at a hotel in Kasturi Rangan Street, Nr. Russian Cultural Center, Alwarpet.. And a good 2 wheeler ride back home by Sridhar sir in his own vehicle.

Oh!! How could I ever forget trip to Golden Sun beach resort - First time with  the team...A whole bunch of real good souls - Kaushik sir, Magesh, Bhuvana, Ganapathi, RK, KSV, et al. I still remember a dialog with Kaushik Sir on my cold (I was down with severe cold)!

RK doing a head count, taking attendance.., playing Dumb charades!! Amazing it was!!!.

I kept watching this person though as I climb the second floor though he did not talk much initially but his knowledge spoke!!. He is a numero uno in ASP, Javascript, Java, VB Script and the list is endless.. A soft spoken, ever smiling Raguram!!

Always friendly, with an extreme thirst of learning (even till date) and a always ready to explain -  Magesh!

After several months of my stint, a extremely bubbly, enthusiastic, always on her toes  joined. The first meeting happened in the 1st floor library. She became a Branch Manager, Area Manager and so on... Vijayashree. How could I forget the wonderful 2 wheeler ride to VGP Golden Beach with Viji, Sampath, TG, self. With only on my way back, falling down and getting hurt in the legs and silently sneaking home and later getting nicely from mom!.- Sampath, Shree - I hope you remember this! :-)

(To read this statement, please go back to your stay at Radiant)

I typed a query -

Select upper(Name), skill_type from Skills where skill_type='Oracle SQL 8 Master';

It returned me 1 record.

The record is none other than

SRIHARI Oracle SQL8 Master

Such is his power and mastery in SQL. I remember the way he taught Oracle 8 objects. And his timely witty jokes are just simply superb. I still remember my conversations with him.. I am sure he is rocking even now..

(Srihari, thank you so much for the foundation on Oracle Objects! :-). Do you remember it?

 Some humour I was part of / happened -

1. During a counselling interaction with a prospective student - we were talking about knowledge on programming, I asked what languages he knew of (he was originally from Orissa). Bang came his answer - Hindi, Oriya, and English. Controlling my laughter, I asked him what COMPUTER languages he knew of.

2. The first day of a Visual Batch (I went to help a batch that was handled by Kannan Thillairajan) - Pressing F4 for properties is a default function key in Microsoft. This lady was trying to press letter F and number 4 together with me explaining to her about function keys.

3. When a staff - Kumar just then started from work to home in the night, a colleague wanted to talk to him and those days we never had of the concept of Mobile. The colleague called office to talk to Kumar, a security answering to him in English as Kumar sir just passed away!.

- Many more!!!

My 0930 - 1230 Oracle fast-track batch was a wonderful batch! (All my batches were indeed). It had a full packed attendance on all the days - I think my lecture did not bore them!!. Lol. - There emerged a student who subsequently turned in to an excellent trainer - Sampath Kumar!

With the Dumb charades at Sridhar sir's residence and then Sampath getting hit in his eyes during a Cricket practice and me rushing to the hospital and being there with his mom.

Me then moving to Coimbatore to set up a branch and then coming back in to the team of Mastermind and IWH containing Radhika, Self, Magesh, Ajay, KSV - each managing one subject! With able support from Mohan Satakopan and Prakash. How could I forget being a part of in-house material (Infowarehouse) along with others. The best part of my journey - clubbed with fun, healthy fight, knowledge sharing, handling Induction programs et al. And to top it was the Kodaikkanal trip in a van. OMG - That was a great fun!

A newly formed next line of team - Radha, Bala, Kalyani, Siddhu, Muni, Ramesh, Pranav and all.. Launch of CADRe with Magesh, Ragu, Muni, Siddhu, KSV conducting Train the trainer programs....

Early morning batch 630 am with Ravi as a very prompt student and glad that he carved a name for himself though I did not do much!. Did I Ravi?

 Srinivasa Street:

This was a different experience – Working along with different teams - Prasath, Magesh, Java Badri, Sankari, Ajay, Anand and many others!

The always hilarious Vaidy to sincere duos - Bhoopathi and Mani, the studious Rajesh. I must mention about one person here - Udayshankar. - Guess our first meeting happened when he was doing his parttime MBA. The excellent HR team comprising of  - Uday, Deva, Sriram, Raju, Hari...Whenever the clock strikes 7 pm I am reminded of Uday even till date - for one thing - his interest towards the serial - Metti Oli. I think he was instrumental in me watching it and taking a liking.

Able knowledge inputs on DBA by Ramanesh helped me a lot. The birthday fun, cake cutting at Srinivasa street..

I do not know if I handled Oracle to my students' expectation... Nevertheless, it kindled a strong liking in me in understanding the subject very well! I am still able to remember it after so long years! Thanks to Radiant for laying that foundation!

If I have not mentioned any names, pardon me it is not because of any particular reason.

I am thankful to everyone, who has been part of my stint at Radiant!

Like I said earlier, it does not matter how long, but with whom you travel with. The journey is so reminiscent and it will remain to be!

                                                          This is dedicated to all the peers!

Radiantians, welcome to share your piece of experience, joys, etc...

Dasar Padas and Navarasas

Purandaradasa, Sangeetha Pithamaha of Carnatic music has composed numerous songs on Lord Narayana | Vittala (in different forms) and other deities. His first song was "Aanalekara" - a geetham in suddha saaveri. He is said to have composed about 4.75 lakhs of songs. (Not sure of the exact number though). Dasar pada are generally referred to the songs by Purandara. But then, there were other dasas - Vijaya Vittala Dasa, Kanakadasa, to name a few.

Navarasa are the nine moods. Emotions have given human life a rich foundation which governs our existence. It is a feeling that one undergoes at various circumstances. Rasa in Sanskrit refers to the "emotional state". It adds shades and colors to our human life. Nava meaning nine and rasa meaning essence | taste, is often exhibited in the dance art form as it is a visual depiction.

How do we show that in music? It is through the lyrical beauty and musical melody. The nava rasas - Shringara(love), Haasya(laughter), Karuna(compassion), Raudra(anger), Veera(courage), Bhayankara(terror),  Bheebatsya(disgust), Adbhuta(surprise) and Shaanta(tranquility).  While it is easier to depict this in the visual art form such as dance, to bring that expression through music can be done only through strong lyrics and an absolutely blending music.

Choosing a song that exhibits an emotion that is closer to a particular rasa is not that easy as most of the songs by composers are of requesting | pleading. In an attempt to blend the navarasa emotions with that of lyrics and choosing a raga that closely provides that feeling, Vidushis Sindhu and Smitha have released an album - Navarasa. Conceived by Vid Suchethan Rangaswamy and music scored by world renowned violinist Vid HN Bhaskar. They have already released a few songs from the album. This album is a unique of its kind for the richness and beauty in lyrics, song selection, melody in music composition, soothing singing by the sisters, visual beauty in its picturization, location spot etc.

A small info about the musicians:

Sindhu-Smitha:

The sisters are basically from Mysore and hail from a musical lineage and are the 3rd generation violinists. The sisters who are vocalists as well reside in Bengaluru. They are the disciples of Ganakala bhushana Vid Shri HK Narasimhamurthy.

Sri. HN Bhaskar:

Hailing from a family of musicians, Vid. Sri HN Bhaskar is world renowned violinist and a composer and is known for his emotive playing. A recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi award and a Best Violinist from the Madras Music Academy are some of the awards. He has accompanied almost all the musicians and has performed in many prestigious sabhas - both as violinist and as an accompanist. 

Dr. Suchetan Rangaswamy:

A vocalist, a veena player and a music composer. He is a mentor for the TV show Saregamapa in Zee TV Kannada. He is also a television actor.

For a person like me who can't read or write or speak Kannada, subtitles and the meaning are a boon to easily understand and comprehend.

Links are provided below. Listen and subscribe to the channel.

• Karuna rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdz4CKoLwfQ

(Dasarapada- Karuniso - Vijayadasaru - Behag - Aadi)

• Raudra Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLaNuj9N8KQ

(Dasarapada - Simha roopanaada srihari - Purandaradasa - Mayamalavagowla - Aadi)

• Haasya Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxcP6Q1hUJs

(Dasarapada - Intha Hennanu Naanellu - Purandaradasa - Kathanakuthukala - Aadi)

• Bhayanaka Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR-Bx54-F6E

(Dasarapada - Gummana Kareyadire Amma - Purandaradasa - Kamach - Aadi)

• Adbutha Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQG9s1yQRv8

(Dasarapada - Nee Mayeyolago - Kanakadasaru - Karmavu - Kandachapu)

• Shrungara Rasa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ9g83sV1eg

(Dasarapada - Neere Nee Karetaare - Purandaradasa - Darbari Kaanda - Aadi)

ஏதேனும் ஆவேனே!

இப்படியும் ஒரு தரிசனம் கிடைக்கும் என்று எள்ளளவும் நினைக்கவில்லை.

ஆம். திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீனிவாசனை காண வேண்டிய பயணம்...

கடந்த செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை தி நகரில் உள்ள திருப்பதி தேவஸ்தானம் கோவிலில் சென்று அழுது வேண்டினேன். அடுத்த செவ்வாய் -க்குள் உன்னை காண வரம் தா என்று!.

ஏன் வேண்டினேன் - நிரம்ப மாதங்கள் ஆயிற்று!

ஒரு பக்கம் CORONA வைரஸ் உலகையே தாக்குகிறது. social distancing - ஒரு மிக பெரிய தேவை என்ற நிலைமை. மனதிற்குள் ஒரே சஞ்சலம். 

மற்றொரு பக்கம், இதை ஏதும் எண்ணாமல் "எல்லாம் அவன் செயல் - சர்வம் கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்" என்பது போல அவன் மேல் பாரத்தை போட்டு புறப்பட்டேன் திருப்பதிக்கு ரயில் மார்க்கமாய் திங்கள் அன்று.

தங்குவதற்கு ஒரு இடம் தேடி பிடித்து கொஞ்சம் ஆசுவாச படுத்திவிட்டு உணவு அருந்த சென்றேன்.

இரவு மணி 8.15. ஆங்காங்கே ஒரு சில மாமா மாமி-களின் உரையாடல்கள்.

ஒரு மாமா மாமி - free darshan ட்ரை பண்ணலாமா என்று பேசி கொண்டிருக்க, நாங்களும் போவோம்ல - என்ற வடிவேலு போல், அவர்களிடம் permission (கூட வர) சற்றும் வெட்கமே இல்லாமல் கேட்டு பின் தொடர்ந்தேன் 

கரும்பு தின்ன கூலியா!

பிக் பாஸ்-இல் சொல்வது போல - மணி 8:20. 

free பஸ்-இல் ஏறி, தர்ம தரிசனம் க்யூ -வில் சேர்ந்து சென்றோம்.

"நடந்த கால்கள் நொந்தவோ" - என்று ஆழ்வார் பாடியது சாரங்கபாணி பெருமாளை நோக்கி. இங்கே நடக்கும் கால்கள் செல்வது வேங்கடவனை பார்க்க அல்லவா!. 

நாங்கள் 5 பேர் ஒன்றாக நடந்து சென்று சன்னதி செல்வதற்கு சற்று  முன் வரை நடந்தோம் (படிக்கவும் - நடந்தோம்). Checking எல்லாம் கூட நேரம் எடுக்கவில்லை.

2 இடங்களில் தான் ஒரு 5 - 7 மினிட்ஸ் நிற்க வேண்டியதாக இருந்தது. கர்ப கிரஹம் ஐ நோக்கி செல்ல செல்ல என்ன ஒரு ஆனந்தம்!.ஆம். இடத்தின் பெயர் ஆனந்த நிலையம் தானே!. வாய் விஷணு ஸஹஸ்ரநாமத்தை சொல்லி கொண்டிருக்க கண்கள் அந்த  "தாமரை கண்ணினன்" (Refer திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் decad பெரிய திருமொழி 1-8) அழகை காண ஆயிரம் கண் வேண்டாமோ!

திருமங்கை மன்னன் பாடியது போல, 

"கொங்கலர்ந்த மலர் குருந்தம் ஒசித்த கோவலன் எம்பிரான்...

செங்கயல் திளைக்கும் சுனைத் திருவேங்கடம் அடை நெஞ்சமே!"

Free தர்ஷன் நிஜமாகவே free ஆக இருப்பது போல - மிக மிக நன்றாக ஒரு சேவை. நின்று நிதானமாய் ஒரு தரிசனம். 

கடுகளவும் எதிர்பார்க்காத சேவை!. 

நிற்க - தாயார்,  கோவிந்தராஜர்,வராஹர், பின் வேங்கடமுடையன் - இது தான் முறை!. 

ஆனால் சில காரணங்களால் இந்த order follow செய்ய முடியவில்லை. இருப்பினும், எங்கு சென்றாலும் மக்கள் கூட்டம் இருந்த போதும் "ஜெரகண்டி" என்று சொல்லாமல் பிடித்து தள்ளாமல் நன்றாக எல்லாரும் மகிழ்வுறும் படி செய்த TTD- க்கு ஒரு பாராட்டு.

குலசேகர பெருமான் வேண்டியது  போல, 

"ஊனேறு செல்வத்து பிறவி யான் வேண்டேன்..... 
செம்பவள வாயான் திருவேங்கடம் என்னும் எம்பெருமான் பொன்மலை மேல் ஏதேனும் ஆவேனே!"

ஏதேனும் ஆவதற்கு கூட அவர்  திருவுள்ளம் இசைய வேண்டுமென்றோ!

இனி corona உலகிற்கு வரக்கூடாது என்று வேண்டுவோம்! 

வேண்டியதை தந்திட வெங்கடேசன் என்றிருக்க 

வேண்டியது வேறில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா!

Hampi - Land of ruins

In what turned out to be a last minute travel with "on the verge" of missing the train, I went out for a 2 day trip to Hampi. Hampi is located around 12 km from Hosapete, a city in Ballari district in Karnataka.

People may ask what is there to see the ruins. But, only when you visit you will be able to feel, how a dynasty known for building traditions of South and Central India came together got destroyed and every architectural beauty got decimated.

Hampi got declared as a UNESCO Heritage site in 1986. Located near the Tungabadra river, Hampi was once a wealthy and a grand city. Trading was a major activity which attracted traders from Portugese and Persians.

Known as King of Kings, Vijayanagara empire flourished during Krishna Deva Raya period and this empire served as a barrier from Muslim invasion in to the South. Krishna Deva Raya's successors however tasted defeat. After the defeat in the hands of the coalition of Muslim sultanates, the Vijayanagara empire fell and its capital was conquered, pillaged  and all the Hindu architectural buildings, temples were demolished and the ruins were thrown in to the river(circa 1565).

If one plans for a Hampi trip, you will need at least a bare minimum of 3 days to see around the town. And if you are inclined to the art - photography, you will need at least 5 days. The sun falling on the pillars of mantapas, the structural beauties, monolithic stones, boulders - everything is a beauty to see | visit. If you have seen the new INR 50 rupee note, you could see the Stone chariot.

I took a 2 day off and started off on a train from Chennai - Hubbali (via Hosapet). The train is a bi-weekly express. My co-traveler who is a passionate photographer and I reached Hosapet at the midnight 1.40 am. We got in to an auto and reached Hampi by around 230 am and stayed in Kamalapura, 4 kms from Hampi.

The tour was organized by leading Monument Photographer, Professor, ex-banker, Mr Ramanidharan. All I had to do is just travel. He took care of all the 6 of us(4 of them were already there 2 days earlier). He explained every monument and gave us tips as to how to capture light and in which angle.

Ramani sir must have visited Hampi at least 25 times. He knew the length and breadth of entire Hampi. If any one is interested in Hampi, and in addition you are a photographer, plan a trip.

The beauty of Hampi is that, when you leave the city, it sports a smile and says "Visit me again". 

Some of the photos displayed here. Copyright - Hema.

 Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

                                                         Virupaksha Temple - Boulder view

 Pattabirama Temple - Axial mantapas

 Pattabirama Temple - View for another entrance

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills 

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills - Light Hues

 Sunset from Hemakoota Hills

 Virupaksha Temple - Pillar view

Enjoy your trip to Hampi!

AaNdaaL & Chithirai Festival

Chitra Pournami - A blend of both Saivism and Vaishnavism. When AaNdaaL sets out from Srivilliputtur to Srirangam to marry Lord Ranganatha, she stops by at Kallazhagar temple and prays that if her wish was fulfilled, she will offer 100 pots of sweet pongal and 100 pots of butter. This has been described in her Nachiar Tirumozhi.(#9). Starting with describing the beauty of thirumaliruncholai Lord.
சிந்தூர செம்பொடிப்போல் திருமலிருஞ் சோலையெங்கும்
இந்திர கோபங்களே எழுந்தும்பரந் திட்டனவால் மந்தரம் நாட்டியன்று மதுரக்கொழுந் சாறுகொண்ட சுந்தர தோளுடையான் சூழலையினின் றுய்துங்கொலோ
This pasuram is in 9.1. It is interesting to note that in this shrine AaNdaaL is in sitting position as against standing position in most of the temples.AaNDaaL's 9.6 pasuram explains her prayers to Lord Sundarajara PerumaL. Knowing Krishna is fond of butter, she feels if the food is offered, HE might come and she will have a change to meet the Lord.

நாறு நறும்பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான் நூறு தடாவில்வெண்ணெய் வாய்நேர்ந்து பரவி வைத்தேன் நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன் ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்திவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ

Oh Lord of Thirumaliruncholai which has so fragrant flower gardens, I give my word that I will offer 100 pots of butter and sweet pongal. Will the Lord who holds Lakshmi come and accept my offering?
But, AaNdaaL could not fulfill her promise as she was invited by Ranganathar to join him in Srirangam. This happened around 8th century.
Ramanujar who is also refered to as UDayavar, decided to fulfill this promise himself by offering them to Lord at Thirumaliruncholai a couple of centuries later. When he went to Srivilliputtur after this offering, it is said that AaNdaaL came out of the shrine and called him as "en Anna" (my brother who fulfilled the promise) in view of his love for her.
Of course, the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai as part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.. People from Madurai are blessed to witness this festival.People welcome Lord Kallazhagar as he enters Madurai. This is called as Edhir-sevai.

It is said that KaLLazhagar wanted to witness his sister(Meenakshi)'s wedding with Sundareswarar and by the time he reached the Vaigai river, he is informed that the wedding is over. Knowing this, he gets upset and stops at Vaigai. Meenakshi and Sundareswarar on hearing this, visit the Vaigai river to pacify him. Saddened and angered that he could not witness the wedding, he enters in to Vaigai river and hands gifts and goes back to Azhagar Kovil in palanquin decorated with flowers without visiting Madurai.

There is another story on Mandooka rishi was cursed by Durvasar and he got his curse relieved by praying in Azhagar Kovil. Sage Durvasa cursed him to be a frog. Impressed by his prayers, Lord of Tirumaliruncholai comes to relieve the curse.

Although this festival was intiially done in Jan (thai month in tamizh), they needed people to pull the chariot. Thai month being a harvest month, the festival did not see much crowd. Hence, it was shifted to Chitirai (Apr- May). (as heard). The water splashing event is also a form to combat the heat during April.

Hope to visit this shrine soon!. For those, who would like to know how akkara-adisal is being made, please visit Akkara-adisal

She and Him

After a brief hiatus... It has been almost 5 years since I wrote anything. Somewhere, I lost my strand to write and there are several reasons. I hope to gather some strands and continue in the forthcoming days. I begin with a cute love story.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Lao Tzu

It was perhaps love at first sight for both of them. The way she cuddles him, the way he loves her unconditional, everything is sweet. 

Somewhere between the Hi's in the morning and to the Good Night's in the night, the love blossomed every day. Every day it grew by a cm. Be it the jogging mornings or the playing evenings, every conversation between them is beautiful. The chemistry between them worked just perfect. He can study her mood to an extent and he also knows how to keep her happy. When he got hurt in his legs, she was petrified. Scared if he will limp all through his life, she applied ointments, gave medications (all with extra care and love). He never disappointed her. A fine evening, he started playing football and to her surprise sprinted a 10m run as well!.. After all, he is her cute pup who she raised giving unconditional love. What you give is what you receive. Give Love in abundance, it will multiply and come back to you!

Self confidence

Recently, I came across this interesting story told by our honorable CM. I have tried to capture the entire story. The story goes like this. 

Once there was a rat which was very scared of cats and other animals. It saw a rishi and prayed to Rishi, "I am getting scared of cat..... Can you convert me in to a cat?". The sage looked at the rat, smiled and said, okay!. Will convert and the rat became a cat. It felt happy. The cat was wandering in the forest and after a few days it met the same sage. It went up to the sage and said, "Thanks for converting me. But,these days, I am getting scared of whenever I see a tiger. Why don't you change me to a tiger. Tiger is big and majestic also!". The sage again smiled and made the now cat to a tiger. The tiger was very happy and was going all around the forest..... After a few days, the sage again saw the tiger and asked if the tiger is doing fine. The tiger said, "yes". But, I really get scared whenever I see a hunter. I have a feeling that he will hunt me. So, is it possible for you to convert me into a hunter. That way, I will never be more happy!. The sage got a bit annoyed and said, "Oh rat, the fear in you is not going to change in whichever form I change you to!. Unless you come out of the fear in you, the appearance makes no difference. Until, you get out of fear, be in your original form itself... ". He converted the tiger back to its original form.

The inner fear many times proves to be an obstacle in our growth trajectory. Nice and interesting story to shed all inhibitions and fear!.

Signing off,
SPH

My Playlist - 1

Ever since I got inducted(!) in to listening to Carnatic music, my mind has not traveled anywhere other than listening to good music. Thanks to my parents who have never objected to my listening even if it involves skipping house hold work. They rather welcomed it :-). You never know when you get that feeling in you that your soul gets purified every time you listen to good music. If you note carefully, when you start appreciating good music, music will in turn take care of you/speak to you!. This is my personal feeling. The listed is not in any particular order. Some of the list I love listening to any time by the vocalist (and of course in Violin as well) in bracket

Shanmukhapriya (M - 56) - I got introduced to this ragam through my parents and thanks to Maharajapuram Santhanam audio cassette and "All India Radio, Tiruchirapalli Vaanoli nilayam.- Isai arangam"- in the mornings. The first song I listened in this ragam is "vilayada idhu nerama"!. Called as Chaamaram in Dikshidhar school, there are lot of compositions on Lord Muruga. Perhaps, I wonder if it got the name because it is a ragam loved by Shanmugha?.  This ragam evokes a kind of a bhakthi rasa or a perfect divinity so as to say. As lots of compositions are there, my personal favorite other than mentioned is "Siddhi Vinayakam anisham" by Dikshidhar. ( Palghat K V Narayanaswamy with Shri MSG - bliss!) not failing to mention the fireworks of swarams at prasidha gana nayakam.. - Total bliss!

Karaharapriya (M - 22) - This has a distinct melody while listening. Said to be a parent of many famous janya ragas, the perfectly rendered aalapanai brings out the karuna rasa. There are many songs in this raga which I listen to with abundance of joy everytime. Some being - "Chakkani raja"  ( Smt MS Subbulakshmi), "Mithri Bhagyame" (Shri KVN), "Okkapari" by Annamacharya (MS Subbulakshmi), "Appan avadharitha" by none other than Shri T M Krishna. I love listening to the aalapanai on the violin!. It just takes you to a different world! More like a meditation!.

Bhairavi (J - 20 - Natabhairavi) - Though this is a sampoorna raga, this does not have a distinctive place as a Melakartha ragam. Yet another ragam to be listened to in violin!. From the famous Viribhoni varnam to "Upacharamulu" by Thyagaraja, there are many lovely songs in Bhairavi.  "Yaaro Ivar Yaaro" (Madurai Mani Iyer), "Balagopala" (Shri MD Ramanathan), "Enaati Nomu" (Smt Bombay Jayashri), "Keechu keechendru" - Tiruppavai (Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar / ML Vasanthakumari / KV Narayanaswamy)

Kalyani (M - 65) - Considered to be the Queen of the raga family, this is one ragam in which almost every vageyakaras have composed a song!. Many janya ragas having the surname as Kalyani(! :) to name a few - Hameer Kalyani, Hamsa Kalyani, Yaman Kalyani, Mohana Kalyani. It elicits a graceful rasa and provides ample scope for improvisation. The very famous Ethavunara, Pankaja lochana (Ranjani Gayatri), Bhajare re chitta (Bombay Jayashri, MDR - particularly neraval at "devim shakthim bheejothbhava...", "Kamalambham bhajare" (Sanjay Subramanyam), "Unnai allal" (Maharajapuram Santhanam). When I listened to a full fledged "Pankaja lochana" in Violin, I was totally immersed and was taken to a spiritual world and had to come back later to the materialistic world!. The famous RTP by ARI with Pallavi - "Sankarabharananai azhaithodi vaadi Kalyani Darbarukku" is very interesting to listen to!

I have personally loved listening to some of the violin accompanists of yesteryears - to name a few - Rajamanickam Pillai (MMI - Perfect team - Pazhani Subramaniya Pillai - Kanjira, Palghat Mani Iyer - Mridangam), Shri MS Gopalakrishnan (MS) - solo as well, Shri TN Krishnan (ARI, KVN),Shri VV Subramaniam, Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman to name a few!. They are gems!.

Playlist continues...

Signing off,

SPH

Life is all about expression

Life is all about expression - such a nice statement said by my friend. Ever since I heard this statement, there has been a thought in my mind to understand it better!. How profound it is! Not just expression... positive expression!!

Most of us engage in conversations with others. Only sometimes we add feelings to it. A conversation gets richer, healthier and beautiful when we add positive feelings to it. This in turn, builds a connection and an intimacy between people.

How many times would we have said, " I feel happy and positive speaking to you"!. "You made my day!", 

We are sometimes apprehensive of conveying positive and negative feelings(all the more).. 

When we express our self, I see some intrinsic benefits. We feel happy, make others happy, create a happy environment. You are happy, I am happy and thus WE are happy!.(Eric Berne style! :D)

The formula of conveying / expressing makes a difference. By saying you made a difference or I felt happy because you said this..et al makes people feel good and brings the relationship closer. And be genuine in saying so!. Not for the sake of saying.. Whenever you feel it is apt to express a positive feeling, do that and express as often as you can(from the heart!).

It is as simple as an emoticon - :-( :-) .. Depends on what side you pick!.. Being and staying positive is not only a nice way to live, but also the best way to live!. 

Whenever I get stressed, I prefer to do two things - Either walk or listen to soul stirring music or both!. Trust me, it does work! When I walk, I just don't walk - but thinking and thanking people who have spread positiveness in me!. Be grateful to people close to you and people who care for you. Thank them for any big/small change they have made in your lives.

After all, life is to express yourself and not to impress others!

Thanks, my friend for spreading positiveness in me!. Happy Birthday as you are celebrating your birthday this week!.

Signing off,

SPH

30 years down the ground(lane)!

Circa June 25, 1983. A magical moment and a proud moment for every Indian and more than that a very die hard cricketing fan.... India lifting the Prudential Cup stunning every one who watched it live, listened to it through radio. It looked like a fairy tale for me. As a young school going girl, with little-moderate knowledge on cricket, but loving the game. It was played on the house front portion by the siblings and their friends. As a ball picker | watcher, the interest grew naturally in me. Parents cemented interest in games if not play at least to follow.

The third edition of the World Cup was held in England with lots of expectations from the defending champions West Indies... There were the mighty Desmond Haynes, Holding, Logie, curly haired Larry Gomes, Marshall, Roberts. India had a daunting task of facing the mighty Windies in the finals. But, the path to finals was not an easy one. They had to fight against Aussies, Windies and the Zimbabweans.

In the Semi final, they had to beat the home team England to take berth in the finals. Whoa! What a herculean task for Kapil and his men. Little they might have even thought or the cricket lovers would have predicted from being an odds of 66-1 to finals!

Until Kapil scored an incredible 175 n.o., of 138 odd balls against Zimbabwe in the qualifying match, India was not at all looked up as a team that could emerge as a winner. This game made the world look at India! The Kapil Dev(il) created history by clinching the title. That proved as a turning point coming down from 17-5. Both the openers went out for duck and others just managed to open their accounts. And then on, winning continued...Chasing 183 was one of the easiest task for Windies. They must have thought it would have been simple. Richards scored 33 off 27 balls and perhaps must have been thinking to have an early dinner with his team 🤣 and some hits off the fence to score some quick runs.

Just when their thoughts sinked, India excelled in its fielding and bowling departments. Kapil's catch was something incredible. A loft to the on-side from Madan Lal's bowling was a game changer. Perhaps, he never thought the ball was a prey in the hawk eyes of Kapil. He ran. Ran. Ran and then the catch. I am sure we could not see any catch that can match this one. The devotion, commitment is something great from Kapil da!

Cricket has since then evolved to various formats and incorporated many new rules and regulations. Am sure any cricket loving fan will vouch for this series as one of the best(est)! And that catch as the most excellent catch of the century.

India might have won many Cups since 1983 - Asia Cup, World cup, T20, etc. But, there will be nothing as compared to this win that cemented cricket's primacy in India.

Meet the Artist - New concept

Margazhi.org, a site for promoting classical music and dance had organized a new concept - Meet the Artist by inviting the famous duos Ranjani Gayatri who do not need any introduction. I really liked the way the theme was conceptualized, planned and well executed. Paduka, the store (sister arm of Sarangi) shared their space which added further beauty!. The icing of the cake was their blissful rendition in Kannada.

Such kind of innovative concept aims at building a close bond between the rasikas and the artists. It becomes important that artists get to meet rasikas off stage and share good moments filled with joy and humor. It was nice to see many rasikas sitting there and eagerly listening to their favorite artists speak which never happens when they are on stage. They speak musically though;). They take the rasikas to an entirely different world, travel along with them for sometime and come back to the materialistic world!. 

It was nicety all through - invitation, call to remind the rasikas, introduction about the artists, ambience, question to ask sheet, excellently behaved crowd, nicely crafted questions, wonderful hospitality by the team - right from welcoming artists, as well as rasikas. It gives a satisfying feeling when you see such concept evolving to promote the very traditional and prestigious form of music. Wishing the team all the very best for their efforts and may this continue more and more!. 

Signing off,

SPH @Hema

Confidence level at its best

Recently, I stumbled upon a video that is quite interesting. Something that people who watched it might have forgotten. I never got a chance to watch it though... In those times, Youtube comes to our rescue.

This video is about the Miss Universe pageant 1994. Yes, 1994. The year Ms. Sushmita Sen got crowned MU.

Somehow, I liked the video( though I don't generally subscribe to the idea of Miss xxx as every one has a beauty within and outside) for the reason - the way the participants answered. I was totally impressed by 2 answers. One by our own Indian and one by Ms. Phillipines.

Ms. Phillipines (Charlene Gonzalez - one of the top 6 finalists) was being asked  -

Q - Being in pageants is a kind of legacy for you too, right? 

A - Not necessarily, this is my first pageant prior to my first local pageant.

Q - What I mean is it happened in your family before. goes on....

....

Q - The one thing I have learned is you have a bunch of islands here. How many islands are there in the Phillipines? (One of the question that is being asked in quizzes)

We expect an answer in terms of a number right... She questioned back!

A - High tide or low tide?

(Everyone laughs)

Q - In both?

A - In high tide, we have 7107 and in low tide, we have 7108.

This was not a deciding question though...

People who watched the video would have certainly admired her confidence level, smiling face and more than anything her absolute knowledge about the country's geography... 

Confidence level at its best. Sometimes, it does not matter whether you win or not.. What matters most is when you get really satisfied after delivering your best... That is when you emerge a winner to yourself. A brilliant answer, though!.

Our own Sushmita Sen gets her chance to answer the deciding question:

Q - What for you is the essence being a woman?

A - (by SS) - I think being a woman, by itself, the very fact that you are a woman is a gift of god which all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is the mother and is the woman and a woman is one who shares love, and who shares and shows the man what love, caring and sharing is all about. That is the essence of a woman.

This emerges as the winning answer. There might be such brilliant answers in the past and in the future.

Loving, sharing and caring are three key characteristics of a woman and all the women who read this are already exhibiting and all the men take a bow at your woma/en who make your lives special! :-)

We live a life once.. Only when we love, we care.. We care and hence we share..
Let all lives be happy, cheerful!. God bless!.

Signing off,

SPH

Short story on focus and concentration

Recently, I listened to this story that is about concentration and focus. Just sharing for the message it carries...

Once there was a King who worshipped Lord Shiva everyday two times. Wherever he went, he worshipped Lord Shiva at the near by temple. Once, King and his friends decided to go for hunting. He along with his minister went to a forest. He did not find Lord's idol or temple to do his daily worship. So, he decided to use the sand and made a lingam to worship. At this time, there was a hunter who was in search of a deer that he spotted. The deer ran fast and the hunter chased it.

The deer crossed the King and ran even faster. The hunter who was chasing did not notice the King sitting and on his way, stamped on the lingam and ran faster. The King got offended and ordered his men to search for the hunter and punish the hunter. They searched for the hunter and could not find neither the deer nor the hunter. The minister who was watching this, told the King to wait as he felt the hunter will be coming back in this way(route). The King felt its a good idea to wait for the hunter to return back. 

The hunter returned back with the deer on his shoulder and happiness on his face. He succeeded in his attempt to hunt the deer. On his way back, he saw the King and bowed him and enquired him. He also offered help to the King if the King wanted to hunt any particular animal. The King listening to this suspected the hunter if he is lying.

The King raised his voice and said, "Look, you passed by me when you ran. I was sitting here and you also stamped on the lingam on your way.How can you go without seeing me? I am the King, remember!". 

The King was shocked by the reply the hunter gave. The hunter said, "My King, I ran chasing the deer. I stayed focused to hunt the deer. On my way, if I see anyone or anything, my concentration to hunt the deer will slip and I will not be able to achieve my goal. When I went for hunting, if I had seen you are there, you are worshipping etc, I will slip in my task. The deer will go out of my sight. I will not be able to catch the deer. When there is 100 percent concentration on the task that I do only then I will be able to complete it. This is the lesson, I learnt out of experience."

The King realised. If a hunter is so focused and committed in his duty, I as a King should have stayed focused in the worship that I did. Instead, I slipped and looked for who ran crossing me etc. When I noticed these things, my concentration towards worship went down and I did not give my 100 percent.

Whatever we do, it is very important that we stay committed and give our full concentration to it. This holds true to our prayers. It is important to think GOD and only GOD when we offer prayers. 

Signing off,

SPH

Kshetram #4 - Thiruvellarai

Recently, we started on a quick 2 day pilgrimage tour down to Trichy with focus on "The Kovil" aka Srirangam kshetram, the first of 108 divya desams. After a wonderful darshan, my brother decided that we cover nearby divyadesams.. Thus our journey to 2,3,4,5,6 began..

I was completely awed by the temple architecture at the kshetram #4 - Thiruvellarai. The temple must be around a 1000 years old. The temple is a big temple with the praharams being very long.The shrine that gets its name as there are lots of white rocks in that place. The main deity is called Pundarikaakshan and his consort - Pankajavalli. This deity is very different from all other deities in other places. It is said that the 18 steps you climb before getting Lord's darshan is the eighteen chapters from Bhagvad Gita. Lord Vishnu in standing posture with both the sides - Chandran(Moon) and Suryan(Sun),  Periya thiruvadi - Garudan, Markandeyar, Goddess Lakshmi, Sibi chakravarthy(the priest there refered as human form of aadi seshan). The sanctum sanctorum is about 50 feet high. Goddess Lakshmi has the first right in this temple. There are only 3 temples where thaayar has the first right - Srivilliputhur, Naachiyar Kovil and Thiruvellarai. There is a separate sannidhi for thaayar amidst Chakkrathaazhwar, Hanuman.

One must definitely visit the temple at least for its size and the primary deity's beauty. This temple is about 15 kms from Srirangam. Periyaazhwar has sung 11 pasurams on this deity.

Signing off,

SPH

Music - medicine to mind, ears and soul

It has been 2 months since I posted. Been caught with different things.. Sorry for the break...Back with my favorite one - Music... 

Music and emotions are inseparable. We have always connected music to express our feelings.. Be it Saint Thyagaraja or Trinity or their contemporaries.. All of them have used music to express their devotion and total surrender to God.

Music is established as a stress reliever tool. Listening to music has a beneficial effect on us. When we listen to good music, I repeat, good music, it kind of lowers your stress levels, you feel relieved and it also sometimes acts as an energy booster.Some of us do exercising, while some do meditation (again with music on), some read to ease the stress level and some of us play music to relieve from the stress.

When you want to calm down, it is best to listen to classical music as it has an uncanny(can I say that) knack of holding your emotion and soothing your mind to help distracting from unnecessary thoughts what would otherwise be stress increasers or boosters.

It does help me in a greater extent as I am in the listening list. I listen to melodious pieces. I enjoy good music... Sometimes, I resort to listening to instrument (one that is close to my heart - violin, flute). 

One needs to select the type of music you want to listen to.. Sometimes, jarring music can turn the math around.. We can write so much about the benefits of listening to music. I leave to readers to explore..

When music is on, 

stress is gone! ;). 

Am sure when there is good music to ears, eyes, mind and soul, your BMI has a positive impact... BMI is Body, Mind and the Intellect and not Body Mass Index... :)

Signing off,
SPH

Who is a LEADER

I am writing this note after listening to Suki Sivam's speech(spiritual and motivational speaker) on "Who is the Leader". I was so inspired by the story that I thought I should share it. Please read on:

There was a bus in which a lady(Lady A) was traveling along with other passengers. She wakes up very early, prepares breakfast, lunch for the entire family and along side got ready to go to office. By the time, she completed her regular morning household chores, she did not have time to even eat for herself!. She had to get ready to her office.

She came rushing to the bus-stop and got in to the regular bus. By then, she was very tired(and very hungry as well). She was shivering and felt very uncomfortable. She had packed rice for her lunch. She decided, she will eat what was packed for lunch. She opened the lunch box and was about to eat. That is when the driver applied a sudden brake and all the food spilled on the bus floor. It accidentally fell on a lady (Lady B) sitting beside her. Lady B got upset, annoyed and was furious. Lady A felt very guilty(she did not have food, tired and the food is water) of having spilled and caused inconvenience to fellow passengers. 

Everyone looked at her in a nasty way. No one seemed to understand the ordeal she underwent that day. She cried and apologized to each and everyone who she felt might have got disturbed. She cleaned the entire place and collected the spilled food in a bag to throw. She almost wiped the entire place. The lady sitting next to her, said"What big sorry are you saying after all these things? My saree is already spoiled.. Your sorry can't give me back my saree. Lady A felt bad and put her head down.

There was a six year old boy watching this entire episode. He slowly approached the Lady A. He opened his lunch box and said, "Aunty, my mother has packed 3 idlies for lunch. Would you like to eat? Will this be enough?. Adding,"Since you were very hungry, you opened the lunch box. Else, you would not have opened the box, right?". Listening to what this boy said, all the fellow passengers were moved and started crying and felt bad about themselves. the boy was the only person who understood the lady's feeling and what she was going through while the adults did not even bother to talk to her. The boy's action changed the entire passenger's attitude. This little boy emerged as the Real Leader... Born Leader.

A Leader is a person who understands other's feelings and changes the situation so as to make the other person and others happy!.

Signing off,

SPH

Controlling your Anger

Every one of us, sometime or the other get annoyed or angry. Some of us throw tantrums like children whilst some raise our voice and show our anger. If we notice, it is all momentary. It take so much of practice to control anger. I do not take an exception to my anger. I must admit, I am not a good candidate to Best Anger Management Practice. ;).

Having said that, I was browsing the Internet and found this short story which conveys so much of meaning. I will make conscious effort not to nail my fence.... ;).

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was very talented and creative and very bright. Let's say a natural leader. The kind of a person everyone would normally want to have on their team or project. He was also self-centered and had a very bad temper. When he got angry, he usually said, and often did, some very hurtful things. In fact, he seemed to have little regard for people around him including friends. So, his friends list shrunk. He told to himself, "May be this just shows how stupid people are!"

As he grew, his parents were concerned about this personality flaw, and pondered long and hard about what they should do. Finally, the father had an idea. And he struck a deal with his son. He gave him a bag of nails, and a BIG hammer. "Whenever you lose your temper", he told the boy, "I want you to really let it out. Just take a nail and rive it into the oak boards of that old fence out back. Hit that nail as hard as you can!"

Of course, those weathered boards in that old fence were as tough as iron and the hammer was very heavy, so it was not nearly as easy as it initially sounded. Nevertheless, by the end of first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Gradually over a period of weeks, the number dwindled down. He started holding his temper. That proved to be easier than driving nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy did not lose his temper at all and felt very proud. He told his parents about that accomplishment.

"As a sign of your success,"his father responded, "you get to PULL OUT one nail. In fact, you can do that each day that you don't lose your temper even once."

Many weeks passed. Finally one day, the young boy was able to report proudly that all the nails were gone. At that point, the father asked his son to walk out back with him and take one more good look at the fence. "You have done well, my son", he said. But, I want you to notice the holes that are left. 

No matter, what happens from now on, this fence will never be the same. Saying or doing hurtful things in anger produces the same kind of result. There will always be a scar. It won't matter how many times you say you're sorry, or how many years pass, the scar will still be there.And a verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. People are much more valuable than an old fence. They make us smile. They help us succeed. Some will even become friends who share our joys, and support us through bad times. And, if they trust us, they will also open their hearts to us. That means we need to treat everyone with love and respect. We need to prevent as many of those scars as we can.

Let us try to build bridges rather than barriers in Relationships!

Signing off,
SPH