Azhwars - an Intro's intro

Sometime back during a casual conversation that came up on 12 Azhwars, my friend raised several questions viz - 1. the roots of Azhwars 2. what they tried to communicate 3. Why are we following traditions et al. Those questions may sound hard to even digest but that gave me a thought of just trying to understand what the science is all about!
Thus began my search. Though I have not gathered much inputs on understanding the topic, I would also request readers to stop by and contribute to knowing Azhwars as to understanding what they intended to communicate!

This should not definitely raise theist / atheist thoughts but just a mere understanding to praise them better and understand the language and know Divya Prabandhams in a proper way. I shall start it soon!..Contributions most welcome...

(Hope no one should brand me fanatic :-) )

Growing Plants at home

We talk about Vegetarianism, deforestation, going green etc... Unfortunately, not all people living in Apartments have the luxury and space to grow plants. One such unlucky lot is my apartment. We have very limited space (balcony) that has about 30 - 40 sft.

My father is a blessed person on this earth must say. Whatever plant seeds he sows, they grow and yield at least one flower / vegetable before they die. This is mainly because lack of proper sunlight and constrained creeper.

I must say one incident that happened recently..There was a plant growing in a pot. We tried our guesses on what it could be but in vain! The reason being the creeper kind of varieties like White Pumpkin, Water melon, Musk melon etc belong to the same family and you can not identify them separately by looking at their leaves. Hoping that we could see a glimpse of the flower (thinking we could identify!. What a botanical mind!!). One fine evening, we were amazed to see four flowers (in different size). But by then the leaves started to decay...So, they were falling down and it was having its own natural end... since it grows on a pot and there is no space for the roots to penetrate in the soil to grow. It is still a surprise as we do not know what plant it is!. Whatever my father sows, they grow at least to one extent and yield their maximum. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY DO THEIR DUTY TO THE FULLEST.

He has transfered the interest in to all of us I must say. If not for the space limitation, we would have had all (possible) plants grown at home.

I strongly believe every parent must teach their kids on the importance of growing plants at home. From our house Gen 3 is ready for the same. Hope it is with every person's house who reads this blog...

Some more - my family had the blessing to taste Vendaya Keerai at home and hopefully to have some lab lab (Avaraikkai).

The best plant that can grow easily with proper compost such as vermi compost, and such ones. Hoping and keeping fingers crossed for Bitter Gourd and Avaraikkai to grow more !!! :-)

Will share some photos soon...

Some special words in Iyengarism

Few days back, when I happened to talk to one of my friend's mother (very orthodox), she was talking to me with some new words which I never heard of. I was for a minute amazed and surprised if words like that exist. (I am not even able to recall..). I checked with my mother and came to know that they talk in olden days ( a special chapa - muthirai of an Iyengar). Sometimes, if I listen to the paribashais, I laugh but at the same time respect the language 100 percent.

Just to ensure I dont forget them, I am writing some words that I know in this blog post. People who read this may be aware of many many more words.. Contributions welcome... :-)

Saadhikkaradhu - to serve in food - parimaarardhu
Saathamudhu - Rasam - Saatrin amudhu (amudhu - juice)
Thaligai - Cooking - Samayal
Thirukkanamudhu - Payasam
Akkaravadisal - Sakkarai Pongal
Karamudhu - Vegetable - Curry
Thaligai amsichacha - offering food to god
Dadhyodannam - Curd rice - thayir sadham
Sevithal - Prostrate ( Falling on one's feet) - Namaskaram
Thirumanjanam - Abhishekam
Thiruthuzhai - Tulasi
puzhakkadai - backyard - kollaipuram

ksheeraannam - Kalkandu paayasam

Apart from these, there might have been words but I have not heard that much.. Even I guess if these words are used in daily usage!

(May be in my next post, I shall post some more)
Hema

Thanks from the heart

Today is August 01st. People all over the world celebrate today for 2 reasons - One being a Sunday and the second one being the world celebrating FRIENDSHIP DAY..

Personally, I dont really believe in all these "Days"- Sister day, Father's day, Mother's day et al. But from another stand point, I see this as a very big marketing opportunities for bigs such as Archies, Hallmark etc. Because presence of a friend is for life and you dont need to thank them on one single day...

I understand from some sites that this concept began in the US in 1935. Nevertheless, it has been commercialized so well that the bigs have made whole lot of money. When I say I dont buy in to this concept, I do not mean that I dont have friends.

I have whole loads of friends right from my friends in KG to 12th, to MBA, to work spot, violin etc. Many are friends for life.

Taking this as the right occasion, I wish to thank each and everyone who have made a big impact in my life by your acquaintance turning out to be friendship.

Like there is a saying "The smallest moments shared with friends bring us the brightest joys".

I wish each and everyone a very happy friendship day!!!!
Special thanks (12th friends) to

GS - mom of 2, an amazing singer with her mellifluous voice and a great friend,

VSB - a mom of 2 and an inspiration for me for her balancing household chores and office and making delicious recipes,

PS - soft spoken, caring.
Rad, Shree - you mean a whole lot for me... You know and in addition - (we wish each other during Sep end when our birthdays fall)
My friends in MBA - LV, SP, RR aka WD, SM - you guys have made me feel very very young at heart.
My violin friends - RS, BS, DS, AS,RVR - You have created a perfect symphony ;-) to our friendship.
All my other friends, I thank you all for being there in my life

Football fever that lasted for about 30 days

South Africa, a nation known for many good things just added one more to its cap by successfully hosting this year's world cup. A game that glued millions to their seat and stay awake to watch their favorite players. The game started with 32 teams on June 11th and ended with 2 teams on July 11th with SPAIN clinching the title.

I was thinking how I got attracted to this game. The answer came to me as 'my parents'. Thanks to my parents particularly my father (who has been a footballer himself & played in College matches in 50s). He keeps telling the fellow viewers watching TV on the fouls/ missed chances/ corners that a Forward/Defense/Midfielder does. Wait.. Did I tell all the positions? yes. Taking words from him and getting inspired I started following this sport. I stop by here (on me watching) just by making a comment - Every parent should motivate their ward (boy or girl) to get associated with some sports other than cricket. Say Basket ball or Football or Tennis. India can produce lots of Jordans, Villas and Nadels.

I still wonder why due attention and motivation is not given to this wonderful game. Today if at all, football is known in India, its primarily due to the playing states - Kerala, WB and Goa out of 27 states in India. Thats about 10 percent. All the other states love and watch football. Thanks to Mohun Began and East Bengal teams and Santosh trophy - still football is alive. It is a known fact that the past history of Indian football was not all that gloomy and bright. There are lots of FB associations in India with the same (torch) bearers in the post doing nothing.

Adding to it, is the dirty politics that exists in every sports. The government can step in to promote this game by providing extrinsic motivation, proper infrastructure, have excellent coaches like Dunga? Whynot? When cricket can have a foreign player as their manager, why not Football? Afterall, its money and passion. The quality of the game should come a long way.

Professionally managed associations (no Government interference) to oversee the selection of players, giving them intense training etc. The task is challenging by a doable one. We can definitely make the 2 time Asia cup winner to play in WC.

Government, are you listening? All it takes is to allocate 10 percent of the money you spend towards promoting CRICKET to FOOTBALL. India will SHINE!

Technology and Mind

Technology makes people lazy? - True / False..

Leaving to individual's opinion. I feel it kind a makes people lazy and dependent on it.

Until seven years back, I had never heard of cell phones or possessed one. If anyone conveys their contact number to me, it was a customary practice for me to either register it in my mind (Had a little memory power that time ;) .. or pen down in a paper and immediately transfer it to a diary. Interestingly, many people nowadays look at their cell phones for their own number of their residence number. It makes me wonder with surprise as to how people could not register in their mind a small 8 digit number. What if you do not have cell phone with you in case of emergency or that you want to call home? I see a higher dependency factor here. I feel people should learn to live without gadgets or live with fundamental non-electronic, non-electrical gadget called paper and pen. What was thought to be an emergency item or an essential item is now a luxury item. Where will this type of technology lead people to? Will it make people lazy?

Having said this, the addiction towards social networking sites is also to be considered. I begin to feel that people (any age as long as you are a user of that SN site) do not know the real meaning and purpose of social networking sites. What are they meant for? What do people get to see? What is the privacy level? What are the related hazards to it? etc. Having asked so many questions, I myself being an active member of couple of SN sites except that I have clear limits in disclosing any information.

This began to rule my mind and a spark came that what if I live without it for sometime? Will I lose anything? Well the answer was a search for controling my mind. Thus began my MCE - Mind Control Exercises. To begin with, I decided to stay away from electronic gadgets for 24 hours christened as E-GAP - Electronic- Gadgets Abstinence Program. Thanks to my friend who coined this term for me. Initially tough for an hour or so. I slowly diverted my mind. At the end of 24 hours, my crazy or affection or dependency - whatever you call it faded away in toto. Even after 24 hours I was not inclined to watch TV - where favorite teams were playing. I guess its all in the mind.

The second program was away from Facebook or similar networking sites. This time around I decided I will go on for 48 hours. As of now, going on well :).

If someone asks me what would be your happiest / peaceful day in your life - my answer certainly would be

A day - A peaceful, serene environment with birds chirping, greeneries, and with a beautiful set of books - be it sci-fi - Matthew Reilley or Michael Crichton or authors like David Baldacci or Jeffrey Archer or our own beautiful writer Sujatha Rangarajan's books. Added to it would be a minimal food to feed my tummy and bottles of plain drinking water to quench my thirst. You live that life for 12 hours. I bet that day would be the HAPPIEST DAY IN LIFE.

Any views, please comment. Thanks!!

Kutty kutty thoughts on instructions

Here are some situations which really kinda made me wonder! Thanks to technology too.

Generally I see people tending for instructions when it comes to directions or dining at restaurants etc. There are very few who make genuine effort to figure out. Suppose we decide to meet up and say lets meet at ABC and it is located on Road and landmark A. This landmark is very very prominent in the city. Now isnt it easier to reach the place..

The questions related to this typically are!

1. Is it on the LHS or RHS? (No equations here)

2. What would be the color of the board? will it be visible or not?

3. How far should I go from that landmark to reach that place?

4. Will it come as soon as I cross the signal or should I take any U turns there? so on and so forth.

These generation people are so pampered and protected and that they are given directions so clearly with all the aforesaid questions answered in the directions to reach the place. Many dont take that small extra bend in life in figuring out or asking people / shops in the nearby location and get there.

This really annoyed me and I was reminded of one incident - (Not comparing here). When I was searching for job in mid 90s, I hardly knew the city of Chennai (then Madras) and I was new to Chennai. Haven't even had the luxury of stopping by or taking shelter in 3 /5 star restaurants due to rains. I was given one address called Poes Garden (dont remember the door number) for a job requirement. I figured out the way to get to Poes garden from West Mambalam and enquired some 7 - 8 people to get to that location(We never had the luxury of Google Maps). I am really wondering why people these days dont take small efforts to just ask people for directions. Female readers dont mistake me. I have observed this more in women than men. I genuinely would like to understand the possible reasons. Again I am not accusing one gender alone. This case is there in both men and women except that the ratio is different.

Also, everything is set for them.. Is it a good thing for this generation?? Should parents allow girls to learn by observing or teach them? Seriously I do not know. All I could say is No doubt the present generations (Generations X or Y or whatever) are street smart and are very clear in knowing what they want. Its great to have that clarity at very young age. Certainly it helps!!!. At the same time, I feel everything is provided to them. They do not learn to search for it. Having said that, should we blame the parents, society, technology?

Readers, please share your views, comments / opinions.. This is not to hurt anyone.. Just my views.