Ayyappanum Koshiyum - Movie Review

'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'

A nice movie is engaging; a well directed movie makes you feel the same emotion along with the characters...but a great movie, along with those, just lingers on...even after days, months, you remember the scene, the idea, the characters vividly...(and at least your own impression of the movie is etched in your memory for years.) Ayyappanum Koshiyum was one such after a while. The last one was 'Kaakka muttai'!!

Yes, the recent movie, starring the same hero Prithvi Raj, driving license and this one, both deal with an ego clash that start from a small mistake/misunderstanding but take up the whole movie.

I was wondering, then, what makes AK stand out. Didn't 'driving license' have a neat story line in fact, just sticking to what's needed to the story, no digressions, yet engaging, actually more nail biting than AK,funny dialogues, the same smart hero? Starting from that very comparison, below are

What stood out and made it just adorable to me:

1. The depth and detail - 'Attappadi' setting

When I was just about to think why attappadi, why mix of so many characters, why the different ideals of liberation, maoism etc. for the theme? etc. (why so much paraphernalia to present the same theme as driving license) I realized how amazingly it builds the character of the protagonists rather, every role in the movie is characterized with such depth, so clearly and precisely that each one seems so important and essential to the story!!

2. So real that makes it surreal.

The village and the characters are so real that it makes you feel as if you are there, know all of them, reading through their minds...

you know Kannamma, Kurien John, CI Satheesh, Sujith, Faizal, Jessy, Kuttamani, the stoen thief, Kumarettan, Joby, Ummen , Ruby , advocate all...

It seems the one who plays Biju Menon's wife's mom is Nanjamma, an actual tribal woman from Attappadi and is the one who has also sung the song 'Kalakattha'.

3. Music: And this song should be the highlight of the movie

https://youtu.be/mR2wpadUDUA.

It is the real raw voice of the native Attapaadi singer . Kudos to the music director for packaging it so beautifully - the bgm has no jarring instruments; probably all country instruments were used - the rhythm touches your heart and gives an instant energy. p.s. Dont miss the warm dialogue between Prithvi Raj (his awesome voice) and Nanjamma's innocent laughter in response, at the end of this video-  you feel like giving her a hug.

Love all the songs , esp. the one that Prithvi Raj and Biju Menon have sung and also the pallavi of ariyaathariyaatha....

4. Of course Biju Menon and Prithvi Raj - Used to be a die hard fan of Biju Menon and to see him back in this awesome role ..aww that 'nice guy ' smile, the composure, the fights, the jump on to the jeep ....and Prithvi Raj, super talented, as always awesome voice, flawless dialogue delivery. Every scene displays his amazing talent...eg. when he puts up this brave mask but asks for lift or his reaction when his driver Kumarettan says Biju Menon is all set to kill etc ...wow!! Wonder how many days he took to grown his loong, thick beard!!

5. What a strong character ! Kannamma. Apt casting too. See the contrast , Kannamma is a poor villager but such a strong character with deep ideals, independence, just whose words scare this macho hero away and make him stagger but there is Ruby the affluent but is so helpless in her own home !! And how nicely it was portrayed...this was the first thing that struck me in the movie.

6. The police camaraderie - its so cute to watch all the characters ..CI Satheesh, Faizal, Jessy how they stand up for each other. It was a change from the usual conspiracies, manipulation, power fight and the female shown as subject to sexual victimization.

7. The central theme of how the safety of 'affluence and influence' net instigates all the crime in the world!! Isn't that so true? The good and their sincere work is taken for granted!!!

8. Feeding the ego - the role of Kurien John by Ranjith makes you feel so irritated but that again is so real and convincing...it is often these ego boosters that instigate most of the crime also....daring somebody to be stupid and reckless....

9. The good Samaritan act - the tip by CI Satheesh about the 'hand trap' in the end that finally makes them step back and think..while they both know neither of them is really 'bad' its just the rage and ego to not give up...

10. Crushing down the house, burning down the jeep seemed a little too much but that is how far rage can get you and the director had kind of justified giving the ' kummatti ' background etc....and that he needs to be tamed and the best part is Koshy just understands that so well!!

#Reposted from my Facebook post 

First Step into the World of Thevaraaram

Blogging after more than 4 years. Facebook took over blogging. Yet, blogging has its own charm :)

First Step into Thevaaram
I knew who the Naalvar were - Thirugnyana sambanthar, Appar, Sundarar, Thirunaavaukkarasar because my parents used to do annual poojai at the Vairan Temple in Vairavanpatti called Naalvar Guru Poojai. There was a dedicated sannidhi for them. Knew they were one of the Siva devotees but nothing about their contribution, only the yummy prasaadams  - the super yummy pulisaadham we go after the poojai!! ;)
And since 6-7 years started hearing the terms  Thevaaram, Muttrothal, Thirumurailand so on more but had never actually listened to them.
Recently, Shri Pazha Pazhaniappan ayya of Kamban Kazhagam gifted me a little book - compiled by him titled  'Payan Tharum Pathigangal'. They had selected pathigams with a short description about each. I could not have asked for a better introduction to this Ocean of Thevaram. With sincere thanks and seeking his blessings here is my first attempt.
 Thevaaram_moondraamThirumurai-VedaVelviyai


Experts, please pardon that this is not in the prescribed pann or tune but only my humble attempt to recite in a tune that came to my mind and is comfortable. But honestly, as I recited it a few times it was really very very satisfying. Hope you like it too and benefit from it. This pathigam is believed to help fulfill any task you take up successfully. Hopefully someday I can grasp the right tune also.

THiruchittrambalam

Narayaneeyam for the wealth of health !!

Happy New Year to all ! இனிய ஜெய வருடப்பிறப்பு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் !! വിഷു ആശംസകൾ !!!

"If you take one step towards Guruvayurappan, he takes 100 steps towards you !" 

"Ever since your goal found out that you were traveling towards it, it has been running towards you " - Paulo Coelho !  (A "not so religious" equivalent for that) !! 

Ever since I took interest in Narayaneeyam, any search on the internet, and the events around me lead me to Narayaneeyam. Probably, I was struck by the history fact that the author himself got cured of his 'vaadam' (arthritis so severe that he was paralyzed) when he finished writing the 100 dashakams on Lord Guruvayurappan.

I have tried everything for my slip disc / back-neck pain other than surgery - chiropractor, 3 different physical therapy centers, accupunture, Ayurveda centers both in the US and India, steroid shots from time to time. Thanks to all the wonderful therapists and my genuine well wishers who provided me with the resources to get to these and other specific stuff like certain Yoga poses, Baba Ramdev Yoga, vaazhga valamudan exercises and this book called '8 steps to a pain-free back'  by Esther Gokhale and of course valuable advice. All work  to manage the pain better but the annoying pain is just not gone and gets frustrating and limiting pretty regularly. 

When everything else fails, Faith prevails !!!   

So want to take up Narayaneeyam as a  challenge for this year -  to write or recite Narayaneeyam completely ( at least once to set the expectations low). Hoping to use this blog space to share my experiences and progress with Narayaneeyam ! 
Here is my video on youtube - Intro to Narayaneeyam.

My Narayaneeyam References:

Text

Meaning

Prabhashanam Playlist

Text with recitation (based on  meter and set to specific ragas)

FAQ on Narayaneeyam 

Audio source of my favorite recitation rendered by Dr. A. Sukumar ( Like this chanting the best to listen to - it immediately transports me to the temples of Kerala).

Youtube playlist of the same audio uploaded by user ramyagiri

Jazzercize - A healthy indulgence !

Regular exercise is just one of the things that takes a really hard drive but doing it in a group can be highly motivational. Combining physical exercise routines with hit music, dance and the happy spirit that is contagious from fellow exercisers, Jazzercise fits the bill perfectly.

Had enrolled myself into Jazzercise last summer. Could not do justice to the exercise part personally but  am doing too much to the jazz - have become a regular of 106.1. Cannot stop appreciating the modern philosophy in some of the lyrics ;) that is the ones that I get ! The rest are either hard to hear in the heavy beats or the ones that I will keep away from (the words)!

Love it all...Roar..., Let her go, Lorde ... Queen bee...., hips dont lie....
"Everything that kill me makes me feel alive" from Counting stars is just genius.  Love the line  like a daily prayer!

Here is a playlist of my favorites with the lyrics 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrCrJMse5oAh5ixE0OgMVo8UDnLnA7ILj
Enjoy!!

Hoping to fix my back, become fit enough and join back soon for health and happiness!!
As a challenge to myself, will comment back when I complete one whole month !

Chottanikkara Amme Jagadambike

This is one song that gives me peace whenever I hear it . There is something magical about this song, not sure if it is the tune or the simple  words or the voice Ganesh Sundaram and party or because it is on chottanikara Bagavathy. It just lingers on

Chottanikkara Amme Jagadambike song on Youtube

My kids have also listened to it when I heard it first a couple of years back. And surprisingly they still remember a couple lines from it.

So, now when I found  a Tamil version with the same tune on "Aadhi Parashakthi", I was thrilled to make a shorter version of the same with lyrics for my kids and their friends to learn to perform for a Adhiparasakthi Guru Birthday. Here is the : Adhiparasakthi thiruvadi saranam 

And here is a short version of Chottanikkara amme also that I have made an attempt and uploaded on youtube.

Hope you like it !!

Somvar Vrath Katha and my vrath routine

Successfully completed my Solah Somvar Vrath ! Blogging the modalities I followed for friends who would be interested.

I was advised in India to follow somvar vrath but was not sure what exactly to follow - the one where they eat fruits at the end of the day or just refrain from rice ....Thanks to my friend who was observing the sixteen weeks fast which starts with a puja in the morning, allows eating any fruits, nuts and milk  through the day and one meal without salt at the end of the day. I decided to follow that picking some more details from the web and customized a little :) .

I have created a video of the puja reciting mrithyunjaya manthram and reading the story as a dedication - Somvar Vrath Katha Video.

Somvar Puja

When to start

Any Monday in the waxing period of moon is good preferably in the month of Shravan . I started on August 12 2012. 

Puja needs

A small shivalingam for abhishekam and Puja.

Water, Milk, sandal powder, vibhoothi, flowers, fruits, rice, agarbatthi, ghee lamp.

The vrath story to read or listen to. I followed this link Somvar Vrath Katha in English to read.

Puja Needs

Puja Procedure

I would take a shower in the morning, arrange everything, light the lamp and agarbathi. Would play Anuradha Paudwal's shiv arthi while doing abhishekam - first with milk, then water, then sandal, again water and then finally vibhoothi and let that stay. Then would read the vrath katha and then done. If time permitted I recited the "mrithyunjaya mantram" in the evening.

What to eat

Fruits, Nuts, Milk, yogurt, Tea, Coffee but only one meal with no salt, no pulses. My friend told you can eat saboodana any time during the day. I do not know what kind of meal exactly. I started my day with tea, breakfast was mostly banana, lunch was apple or something and milk. And then early dinner around 6 PM.  Luckily my mom was here.  So she made wheat puttu with sugar and coconut with banana for dinner  and that was the best option. Chapathi without salt , wheat dosa etc., ragi semiya are other options I tried.

Udhyapan

This is the consummation of the vratha on the 17th week when you do the puja with family and friends making a prasad. It seems you make it with wheat, ghee and jaggery.

I enquired with the local temple, the Durga Mandir in Route 27 and Somvar Vrath Udhyapan was one of the services offered. So chose to do that. Paid the service dakshina to the temple and as intructed took 1/2 gallon milk, white vasthram 1.5 yards ( a white towel is accepted), 16 white flowers ( a bunch would do also) and 16 fruits (not necessarily)  and a white sweet ( I took kheer but dry sweets like kaju katli is good since it is easy to distribute). 

The priests did a wonderful puja with all the devotees who joined that day for this vratha. In the end all devotees did abhishekam to the Shivalingam at the temple while all shiva sthothras were chanted by the priests. I followed the same diet for this day also.

Benefits

It seems whatever you wish for when you take the pledge to do this vratha comes true. In my case, I do not really long or wish for whatever I wished for  anymore...isn't that even better :) . Thanking God for that little transformation.  

Note: Both men and women can do this puja. Women can continue to fast during their periods skipping the puja.

Oruneramengilum ....

Happy Janmashtami, Krishna Jayanthi everyone !!

ഒരു നേരമെങ്കിലും കാണാന്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞത് എന്റെ ഭാഗ്യം  !

Sheeveli, Guruvayurappan temple

It was for the day we had planned to leave Palakkad, we had planned to visit the Guruvayurappan temple - our train back home was from Thrissur and at 11 PM.
But alas, just as it often happens in Kerala, the previous evening a '6 AM to 6 PM All Kerala Hartal' was declared...
I remembered that the first time I had visited Guruvayur, we had waited in the queue for  a couple of hours...I said to myself  "even if we started as soon as the hartal was over...we might reach at the closing time ...." but somewhere deep inside, I had a strong hope that we will get a darshan of guruvayurappan!!
However we had cut so close...we were one of the last ten visitors or so to be let in; there was queue only after entering into the temple. Within ten minutes after a quick darshan, the shree kovil was closed. But to my greatest satisfaction and a pleasant surprise, got to light the chuttu vilakku and walk with the sheeveli !! :)  Even  a well planned visit could not have guaranteed that !
In fond rememberance of that wonderful experience,  have attempted singing 'oru neramengilum kaanathe', my favorite devotional song on Guruvayurappan sung by K.S. Chithra from the album Thulasi Theertham
(Music Director: Radhakrishnan TS
Lyrics: Chovallur Krishnankutty
Original singers: KJ Yesudas, KS Chitra)

Lyrics in Malayalam

ഒരു നേരമെങ്കിലും കാണാതെ വയ്യെന്റെ

ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പാ നിൻ ദിവ്യ രൂപം  

ഒരു മാത്രയെങ്കിലും കേൾക്കാതെ വയ്യ നിൻ 

മുരളി പൊഴിക്കുന്ന ഗാനാലാപം (2)

(ഒരു...) 

ഹരി നാമ കീർത്തനം ഉണരും പുലരിയിൽ 

തിരുവാഗച്ചാർത്തു ഞാൻ ഓർത്തു പോകും (2)

ഒരു പീലി എങ്ങാനും കാണുമ്പോൾ അവിടുത്തെ (2)

തിരുമുടി കണ്മുന്നിൽ മിന്നി മായും  (2)

(ഒരു...) 

അകതാരിലാഴ്തുവാൻ എത്തിടും ഓർമഗൾ

അവതരിപ്പിക്കിന്നു കൃഷ്ണനാട്ടം (2)

അടിയെന്റെ മുന്നിലുണ്ടെപ്പോഴും മായാതെ (2) 

അവതാര കൃഷ്ണാ നിൻ കള്ള നോട്ടം (2)

(ഒരു..) 

Lyrics in English

oru neramengilum kaanaathe vayyende
guruvaayoorappa nin divya roopam

oru maathra engilum kelkaathe vayyanin
murali pozhikkunna gaanaalaapam (2)

(oru...)

hari naama keerthanam unarum pulariyil
thiruvaaga chaarthu njaan orthu pogum (2)

oru peeli engaanum kaanumbol aviduthe(2)
thirumudi kanmunnil minnimaayum (2)

(oru...)

agathaarilaarthuvaan eththidum ormagal
avatharippikkinnu krishnanaattam (2)

adiyente manasilundeppozhum maayaathe(2)
avathaara krishna nin kalla nottam (2)

(oru ....)

Annamayya Sankeerthanam - Anthayu Neeve

Thanks to Nithya Santhoshini's some song that I stumbled upon - a world of Annamayya Keerthanams has opened up for me ! Had no clue Nithya was an established playback singer in Telugu - but loved the voice immediately- it was like Chithra's. On more search, found a lot more Annamacharya keerthanams by her...it seems  she actually started her career with Annamayya Albums !

I have fallen in love with Annamacharya Keerthanams. They are really simple in tune and words, have a range of emotions from the folk pidikita thallambraala to the heart touching, melancholic, profound naanaatti bathuku to this very devotional anthayu neeve that I have attempted. On listening to them more and more of them, one is reminded of a lot of movie songs.
In fact, anthayu neeve sounds so similar to 'margazhi poove' from May Maadham  ('manasa veena' in Telugu) that I tend to sing anthayu neeeve like margazhi poove. They are both based on the same ragam - indolam. Isn't it amazing that anthayu neeve was from the 15th century ? Music is the same - only the packaging has changed ....And this speaks for itself that Annamayya has mastered the packaging so wonderfully that his words and tunes could be followed by the common man and reach Lord Venkateshwara!
Enjoy this  youtube playlist that I have created with a few Annamacharya Sankeerthanams in the voices I liked them the best.

For those who do not know
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya (Telugu: శ్రీ తాళ్ళపాక అన్నమాచార్య)  (May 9, 1408 – February 23, 1503) is a vaggeyakara (meaning a composer who pens the lyrics as well as sets the tune and the rhythm) . He is believed to have composed more than 32000 sankirthanams in praise of Tirupathi Lord Vekateshwara. If you would like, watch 1997 Nagarjuna starrer  'Annamyya'  with English subtitles.

I learnt this song from these wonderful posts with the music lessons to this song :
Part1, Part 2 , Part 3
Hope you find them useful and hope they post more of these :) .

Anthayu Neeve Lyrics & Meaning

అంతయు నీవే హరి పుండరీకాక్ష - చెంతనాకు నీవే శ్రీరఘురామ
కులమును నీవే గోవిందుడా నా - కలిమియు నీవే కరుణానిధి
తలపును నీవే ధరణీధర నా - నెలవును (or నెరవులు) నీవే నీరజనాభ
తనువును నీవే దామోదర నా - మనికియు నీవే మధుసూదన
వినికియు నీవే విఠ్ఠలుడా నా - వెనకముందు నీవే విష్ణు దేవుడా
పుట్టుగు నీవే పురుషోత్త మ - కొన నట్టనడుము నీవే నారాయణ
ఇట్టే శ్రీవేంకటేశ్వరుడా నాకు - నెట్టన గతి ఇంక నీవే నీవే

Pallavi:
antayu neevae hari punDareekaaksha
chenta naaku neevae shri raghu raamaa ||

Meaning: Oh lotus eyed Hari, you are everything. Oh Sri Raghu Rama, you alone are close to me ||

Charanam 1
kulamunu neevae govinduDa naa
kalimiyu neevae karuNA nidhee
thalapunu neevae dharaNeedharaa naa
nelavunu (or neravulu) neevae neeraja naabhaa ||

Meaning: Oh Govinda, you are my origin and prosperity (Kulam means caste but I guess the intended meaning is that God is our source) . You are ocean of Compassion. Oh bearer of this earth, you are my abode and thought. ||

Charanam 2
thanuvunu neevae daamOdaraa naa
maniki yu neevae madhusoodanaa
vinikiyu neevae vithhaluDaanaa
venaka mundu neevae vishNu daevuDa ||

Meaning: Oh Damodara, you are my body and my prosperity. Oh Madhusudana, you are my listener. Oh Vitthala, oh Vishnu, you are in front of me and behind me (all around me) ||

Charanam 3
Puttugu neevae purushOtthamaa kona
nattanadDumu neevae naaraayaNaa
ittae Sree venkataeshwaruDaa naaku
nettana gati inka neevae neevae ||

Meaning: Oh Purushottama, you are the origin, the middle and the end. Oh Sri Venkateswara, you and only are my ultimate destination.||

A tribute to my beloved paattu maami

Baalaambaal maami (08-20-1931 to 12-12-12)

Baalaambaal maami  was not just  my music teacher but a role model, a family friend and almost like a grandma with her tales of rich experience as a mom, teacher, radio (aakaashavaani) artist and a devoted wife.  She was a wonderful instrumentalist too. She always played the violin or the harmonium when giving music lessons.

She was a conservative, extremely disciplined person yet a forward thinking personality, always full of modern thoughts - that is she could accept and appreciate the change and understand people. She was strict but flexible. She started her day with a bath in the cold water, visit to the temple  in the agraharam, never skipped her daily newspaper read, did all the household work herself and made sure she gave food and medicines to her husband on time. Both her wonderful daughters and grandchildren lived  close by and visited her almost everyday  yet, she preferred to live  in her own house with her husband and later on her own after he passed away.

My sister and I started taking lessons from her after she had retired as a Government school teacher from  SSLPS (Shankara Subbaiyer Lower Primary School) in Karamana. Incidentally, since the legendary singer K.S. Chithra studied in SSLPS, she happens to be our paatu maami's student too! And the humble, modest person that K.S.Chithra, paattu maami used to tell us that Chithra came to visit paattu maami and get her blessings quite often even after she became super famous.

She has taken music tuition to hundreds of children many of whom became kalathilakams and kalaprathibhaas in the Kerala State Youth Festivals. It goes without saying that I was not one of  her top students ...but was definitely one of her favorites - we had a special bond. She herself would ask me to concentrate on my studies especially because we had school on Saturdays unlike her other students.  She would say "nanna padichu jolikku poganam. Pinne paattu padichirintha kacheri nnu pannaattalum, aavishyam varumbo naalu kozhanthelkku tuition edukkalaame ". (You should study well and go to work ...If you learn music even if you do not do kacheris you can at least take music tuition to kids later if you need to stay home). Hope some day I can teach as she always insisted but have to learn and pursue more to gain the confidence and have to remember her cute advice  "odathaedi konthai" :) (Do not increase the tempo while singing) .  Actually my first music teacher had told I can never sing...so, whatever little music I have,  I totally owe it to Bala mami's music and more importantly her Blessings.

I have never failed to visit her whenever I went to Trivandrum - it is really disheartening when I realize that I cannot see her when I go next time...
Here is a song tribute to her - my humble attempt at 'Shreeman narayana' which she had taught me when I had been to TVM five years back - she herself had learned just by listening from an 'M.S.S.  amma program ' on Asianet TV.

New Year 2013 - Quick and Easy Payasam

Decided to make this paayaasam (or paayasam as I am used to calling it) for this new year as it is simple and my family likes it. And my daughter wanted to help me! So thought of making a video with her cooking.
Here is the my video on youtube - Quick and Easy Payasam .

Quick & Easy Payasam

While making I realized making it for home is so different from making it for writing a recipe. I have always cooked only by rough measurements ...so had a tough time guessing number of cups, spoons of the ingredients. And in the end sugar was more so had to increase the quantity of milk when writing the recipe. Hence the ingredients' photo taken at the beginning may show a little distorted picture of the quantities of milk and almonds! MAy be from next time I have to make it twice to get it right !!

Shreya Goshal's Munbe Vaa

Wow Wow Wow What a voice, What a diction and What a beautiful young lady Shreya Goshal is! She is really unbelievable - she sings Hindi like a North Indian, Tamil like a Tamilian and most important malayalam like  a malayalee - have to listen to her 'Kannin ima neele' from Anwar to believe it.
Shreya has a clear, very feminine voice  like K.S. Chithra that is plain 'sweet' and not distinct - so automatically becomes the voice of all sweet girls and choice for all sweet songs :). Matches Lata Mangeshkar in the open throat, effortless singing high pitch and has the language dynamics of Vani Jeyaram! And got the looks of a model, rocks on stage... Above all, appears very modest in her interviews.  Truly, a  consummate singer !!
What more proof do you need to say she is the Best we have now than, the fact that she has already sung more than 1000 bagging four  National Awards along the way at this young age when there is so much competition!
I first heard her in 'Munbe Vaa' her Tamil super hit from 'Sillinnu Oru Kaadhal'.
Actually, was a fan of 'bairi piya' for Aishwarya Rai but little did I know that Shreya was the singer and her voice had added some magic there. Same with Challamai chellam, ninaithu ninaithu .... !
She sounds so native in unnavida- virumaandi, uruguthey - veyil, the recent sollittaale - kumki and so on especially when Tamil songs sung with a non-Tamil accent have become a trend now :)!

Here is my humble attempt at Munbe vaa...

Happy Vinayak Chathurthi - Modhak recipe

Modhakam as we know is Lord Ganesha's favorite prasaadam. The modhakam that I knew was what my grandma made - a brown sphere of a homogenous mixture of broken rice, jaggery, dhal, coconut etc. And my mother also made an erukkalam kozhukkatai which has a white rice flour covering with jaggery/dhal/coconut filling inside.
Somehow never tried making either of them but last year, when I came across this 'modhak' which is a Maharashtrian special that looked very artistic, wanted to give it a try for Vinayak Chathurthi which was near approaching.
While I started to prepare on Chathurthi, to my pleasant surprise my neighbor/friend dropped in for  a casual visit...
So handed her the camera (Thanks madam, you are a wonderful camerawoman :) !) with the intention of making a food video some time - a dream for a long time...And it has been fulfilled today after one year at least in time for  Chathurthi this year....
Here is the video - how to make modhak

Hope you like it and find it useful!

The Tamil Alphabets

A language is best learned to speak if we grow up in that language or live around people who speak it. But to read and write, a good training material is enough for eg. the good old 'Balaji Publications'. I could vouch for that - I don't even remember the method that was used in it but surprised that I still remember the Telugu I learned through that. Thanks to my dad who had almost the whole series in his little library.

A couple of weeks back, during a casual conversation about languages, when a Telugu friend mentioned he knew Tamil but has forgotten now, I immediately offered to bring him my son's elementary Tamil books to refresh. But then on a serious thought, how could that help unless some body reads it or there is transliteration in a language more familiar to them?

Hence, decided to make this video of the Tamil alphabet with transliteration in Telugu and also English. Have also included a beautiful song by Mrs. Vani Jeyaram which is like an add-on pronunciation tutorial having the Tamil alphabet as its lyrics. The song is from the movie 'Kaanchi Kaamaachi'.

Hope you like it !

For those interested, below are the websites I have used for
typing in Tamil
typing in Telugu

Kannulaku Choopandham

Kannulaku choopandham from the Telugu Movie Padhmavyooham (actually the dubbed version of Puthiyamugham)  is one of the few songs where the dubbing has been done full justice.
The words fit perfectly in the rhythm in fact, sounds even better in Telugu and the words are very close to what it is in Tamil. Just the first line, 'Kannulaku choopandham' is a deviation from the theme - describing how something enhances the beauty of something else. While  'Kannukku Mai azhagu'   means the coal or kajal adds beauty to the eyes, kannulaku choopandham means eyesight adds beauty to the eyes when eyesight is what eye is for!

This song is unforgettable for many reasons one, this was one of the early hits of AR Rahman, Revathy and her husband Suresh Menon acted in this movie. This was the first audio cassette we had in the new white plastic packaging ( along with the lyrics sheet and having the names of the musicians also) instead of the two piece hinged one that always broke! And then there was a kumudha or anandha vikatan contest to write lines in the lines of Kannukku mai azhagu. I remember sending 'Sippikku Muthazhagu', of course did not hear back ;-) !

For a long time, wanted to give some Telugu song a try - this seemed easy - so here is a video with me singing along with the lyrics in English.

Balamuralikrishna's Shree rama neemamemi ruchira

This is a sequel to my earlier post Shree rama namam
because this is also a Bhadrachala Ramadasa song tuned by Shri Balamuralikrishna. Learnt it form his rendition and his favorite disciple Shri Rama Varma's lesson to the students of Veenvadhini School of Music in Perla.

Have created a video singing the same with lyrics and meaning.
Rama Varma sir, please pardon the musical flaws ! :)

This is another beautiful version by the Priya sisters but somehow I think in Dr. Balamuralakrishna's tunes and renditions, the  meaning is completely justified - the meaning is conveyed in the tune itself. It is as supportive as the body language to a  talk. Even a lay listener is automatically pulled in instead of dismissing that as a 'carnatic' song that only a few folks are able to appreciate fully.

Lyrics
Shree Rama nee naamamaemi ruchiraa
Oh Rama neenaamamentha ruchiraa

Kariraaja prahlaadha dharanija vibheekshanulu gaakhina neenamamaemi ruchiraa
Kariraaja prahlaadha dharanija vibheekshanulu gaakhina neenamamentha ruchiraa
kadhalee kharjooraadhi phalamoolakadhikammu |
pathitha paavana naamamaemi ruchiraa ||
pathitha paavana naamamentha ruchiraa ||

anjanaa thanaya hrithkanjadhalamunandhu ranjillu neenaamamaemi ruchiraa |
anjana thanaya hrithkanjadhalamunandhu ranjillu neenamamentha ruchiraa ||
sadhaashivudu ninnu sadhaa bhajinchedi
sadhaanandhanaamamaemi ruchiraa
sadhaanandha naamamentha ruchiraa

thumburu naaradhulu dambu meeraga gaanambu chaesedi naamamaemi  ruchira|
thumburu naaradhulu dambu meeraga gaanambu chaesedi naamamentha ruchira ||
araya bhadhraachala shreeramadhaasuni
aelina neenamamaemi ruchiraa
aelina neenamamentha ruchiraa

p.s. Thanks to my Telugu friend for clarifying the meaning.

லிங்காஷ்டகம் - lingashtakam

Mahashivarathri was on Feb 19th this year. 'Shivarathri' is used almost as a synonym for 'staying awake in the night'. But a true Shivarathri would be to dedicate the night in prayers to Lord Shiva. I was familiar with the விடிய விடிய (day/night) poojas on Shivarathri and also the 'Shivalaya Ottam' where people visited twelve Shiva temples on this day back in India...
May be because our temple visits were limited to those on very important days and obviously, Shivarathri not being one of them for us, I had no clue that day-night poojas were conducted here in New Jersey temples too. Luckily the next day being a holiday on account of President's day, we decided to visit the Guruvayoorappan temple in NJ. It was a nice experience - thanks to the pooja, the devotees, the bhajans, it had the very same flavor and scent of the temples in India.

Though we did not stay through the night, I felt highly motivated to spend the night creating a song video with lingashtakam. Successfully started it that night but could not stay awake even past midnight! Have finally completed it today..... here is the lingashtakam video with some information on the Pancha Bhootha Lingams and Sthalams.

Reciting the lingashtakam in a Shiva temple is considered very noble.

Hope you like it!

Nottuswaram - Vandhe Meenakshi

Influenced by western classical music, great musicians like Muthuswami Dikshithar and Muthayya Bhagavathar have composed a lot of songs in the western style where the swaras are sung as plane notes with no gamakams. They could be called 'Carnatic Volts' as Prince Rama Varma explains here. The second part has the famous 'English Note'.
Had used maestro Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan's 'Note' for an earlier post.
Here is Madurai Mani Iyer's who actually popularized the English Note.

Vandhe Meenakshi, set in Shankarabaranam is a very simple 'nottuswaram' song composed by Muthuswami Dikshithar. I was excited to learn and create a video for this as the thaalam is really easy - no wonder it is used as an exercise for beginners! I have given the swarams and the lyrics ( some words have been split to match the beat).
This is a dedication to a little friend who introduced me to this song and was looking for the swaram!
Hope you like it ...

Here is a certified version of the same (sung beautifully by a 13 year old) that I learnt from...

Kangal Neeye from 'Muppozhuthum Un Karpanaigal'

'Kangal Neeye' song by Thamarai for the Tamil movie 'Muppozhuthu Un Karpanaigal' has a fresh perspective to a motherhood song. When most of them talk about the sacrifices of a mother, this one is about the mother's content and her simple joy. ( We had the award winner 'Kannathil Muthamittaal' but that was more situational to the movie). The pain we go through to bear and rear them is our dues to enjoy the happiness they give us back - nothing comes free!

I was so delighted to see this line 'unnai meendum alli eduthu karuvil vaikka nianikkiraen'. I have often felt this when overwhelmed with love and admiration for the baby (of course, they do act up, test our patience and we scream at them like monsters) but have dismissed it as a non-progressive thought...I am relieved it is not a crazy thought after all. Ideally, this feeling in the marital relation should have been the origin of a child ! :)

The old saying 'Kaakkaikkum than kunju pon kunju', how every mother feels proud of her child is so eloquent through the lines 'Suvar meethu kirukkidumbothu Ravivarman nee ...naan kollum garvam nee'. The whole song is full of beautiful words and thoughts even if not highly poetic.

The first couple of times I heard without paying attention to the lyrics, had no clue it was a mother's song - may be because of its closeness to Kanaa Kaangiraen song from Anandathaandavam or the tune itself - it sounded more like a heroine's longing. But after listening to it a few times, it sounds amazing in G.V. Prakash's music. And the singer Sithara's ( must be the Apple mega star winner on Jeevan TV) heavy voice with a classical base makes this song so touching.

On the whole, a definite candidate for any collection of 'mothers' special' songs !

I have created a little movie singing this song . Hope you like it.

Paathayaathiraigal - Thai poosam - Muruga Muruga Song

Thaipoosam as the name suggests falls on the poosam (same pooyam / pushyam ) day of the Tamil month 'Thai' every year, this year on Feb 7th.
This day again is celebrated as the victory of good over evil - the day when Lord Muruga got the 'Vel' (spear) from Mother Parvathi to defeat Soorapadhman. Lord Muruga is considered the 'Tamizh Kadavul' and hence Thai poosam is a very important festival for all Tamilians even outside India. In fact, the largest celebrations take place Singapore and Malaysia - Thaipoosam day is declared as a public holiday in many states in Malaysia. This does not mean non-Tamilians do not :) actually it is celebrated in all Murugan temples in Kerala too . Just that the number of Murugan temples are comparitively lesser though steadily increasing in the form of new temples or Murugan sannidhis in the existing temples!

Two pictures that come to my mind in connection with Thaipoosam are

1. The Rice Mountain: The Murugan temples and madams do annadhaanam (referred to as 'Vadikkarathu' in our native place). All devotees offer rice and vegetables. The boiled rice is offered in front of God in a huge heap on which is perched a silver Murugan Vel. Then it is served to all the devotees for lunch.
2. Kuthiyottam: The most Thaipoosam celebrations I have been to were at the Subramanaya Swamy temple on the banks of Karamana river in Trivandrum (Kerala). I was always struck in awe and a bit of fear watching the hundreds of devotees that come in a procession to the temple (as a pledge made to God) with spears pierced through their bodies, cheeks and so on. Most of them are in a trance and give out vibhoothi prasaadhams to the people on their way. In Tamilnadu, its called velkavadi.


Another important venduthal or naercha (an offering / activity pledged to God) done around our native place is the paadhayaathirai (more often referred to as nadakkirathu), the promise to undertake a journey by foot to the Murugan temple in Palani. People form groups and start from a central location typically a week before Thaipoosam. They walk during the cooler times of the day and take rest in the night.

I have never done this but have visited people who walked to vaitheeswaran Kovil ( a similar paathayathirai but since it is during summer they walk during the nights) when they take their breaks and sleep like jet-lagged people in the viduthis ( the inns generally associated with a temple) and then resume their journey. I am sure it is pretty tiring but what they say makes it easy is the company and the songs they sing (called vazhinadai paadal) . They are typically the bhajanai songs which are simple group songs. For most of them, the charanams are sung by the lead singer and the repeating pallavi is sung by the whole group as a chorus.

Here is one - Muruga Muruga Vel Muruga that I learnt from my cousin sisters who themselves learnt and sang when they walked to Vaitheeswaran Kovil.

Hope you like it and Happy Thaipoosam!

Manathil Uruthi Vendum - Bharathiyar Song

A friend of mine who teaches Tamil to small kids including mine was preparing them to sing 'Manathil Uruthi Vendum' and looking for a simple tune. I had come up with this (must have gotten into my head from some nursery rhyme! ) but was worried that all lines did not fit into the tune. However, the teacher and the kids both managed it perfectly. So thought of sharing the youtube video with lyrics in Tamil and English.