THE KOLAVERI MUSINGS

Ok!! I have had enough of this Kolaveri mania. The new mantra that has taken the nation by frenzy. Twitter, Facebook, discussion forums, practically it’s all over the social media. People might not even now how much a kg of rice costs in the nearby ration shops but they sure do know the minute detail of this much talked about song. So much so that they consider it cool to reproduce their own versions of kolaveri.

The first tamil song to be played by MTV(As if it’s some status symbol and pride!), the song that has won the you tube gold award, which honours viral videos from across the world, 15 million hits on you tube, blah blah blah the list of accolades is just too long to even list. The attention is intense. And if this is not enough the actor himself was invited to a red carpet screening of the Tom Cruise Movie Premiere.

At the heart of it, the song has worked for various reasons. Its quirky lyrics, the strong tamil accent and the way it has been sung, far from the conventional has added to its merit. For music purists it is well music to the ears and has redefined pop culture. The song has been a shot to national fame for the 28 year old Dhanush who is riding high post his national award and the sleeper hit of his latest venture Mayakam Enna.

Even a fortnight after its release, my facebook page continues to have at least three news item related to this song and some ten thousand people liking it and going ohh so cute aaragh get a life! Yes the music is awesome, lyrics are good, the singer is fab but does this one song require such a wider coverage?

It was quite disheartening to find even the leading papers carry a front page article especially when the newspaper space is sacred. Following suit, we have our own television channels churning out different specials of a humble and poised Dhanush mouthing similar responses across the interviews despite the different questions. And it doesn’t stop there we even have the international media, the Times and BBC carrying news article on what they call it as a “gibberish song” that India can’t stop listening to. The poor lad wouldn’t even have thought in his wildest dream that he would become a household name as far as the last city on the globe. Talk about the power of the social media.

One take away from this kolaveri frenzy is a viral marketing plan that has played out very well for its makers ensuing a good publicity of their film. Well, to an extent even the Kollywood industry has benefitted from this because for once the people north of Vindhyas are coming of age to realise there is more to our industry than just Rajini, Kamal and A.R Rahman. Do not be surprised if you find IIM or Harvard students undertaking this as an academic case study. In this era, just about repeat just about anything is possible.

On hindsight, I often wonder why is it every time we have songs that condemn girl friends behaviour become runaway hit? Is there any song that talks about boy friends behaviour? Male Chauvinism at its heights. Surprised that Justice Katju has not come out with a rejoinder condemning the wider coverage of this song over other important “socio economic issues” that concern the nation. Why this kolaveri di?!

THE POPULISM WAR

It’s a war of populism quite literally. With the election manifesto of the two major Dravidian parties out in the open, the people of Tamilnadu have their task cut out. The onus is now on the common man to carefully sift through the bag of goodies from both these camps and make an informed decision. With what free electricity to the BPL families to free laptops to college students, people are literally spoilt for choice.

The Queen Bee of Tamilnadu Politics took everyone by surprise when she announced her party's manifesto for the 14th assembly elections in Tamilnadu. If the grand old man of Tamilnadu politics promised free wet grinders or mixies, Amma has gone a step further to not only provide those two but also a fan to every women in the state. And if you think that’s going to increase your electricity bill,well Amma has taken care of that too. She promises to provide three-phase power connection across the state in four years. Jayalalitha has a slew of measures up her sleeve to counter every single freebie from the ruling camp.

Fancy this, if Kalaignar promised free laptops to college students Amma has gone the extra mile to extend that facility to students of class eleven& twelve. Under Jayalalitha’s rule all the school students will get four set of uniforms as against the present three and not just uniforms they will be given a pair of shoes as well. The elderly too have been wooed by both the camps. With bus pass being common, the opposition is planning to set up free homes for the destitute and elderly.

And if its increase in subsidized diesel for fisherman by Kalaignar, Amma is proposing to set up a special protection force and offer an assistance of 4000 rupees during the lean periods. And as an alternative to the Kalaignar housing scheme, Amma is giving away free houses of 300 sq feet.

The electorate of Tamilandu has never had such a bonanza like this. With the political temperature soaring high, both the camps are expected to extend and modify their freebies and manifesto to capture people’s heart. Will the magic of wet grinder combined with mixie and fan win against the 30 kg rice will be known on the 13th of May.

CONFESSIONS OF AN AMATUER BLOGGER

Dear Blog,

My sincere apologies, I haven’t been good to you. Sorry I did not keep in touch. Its been so long that i even visited you. I really do not even have a concrete reason to explain myself! There were so many issues that i strongly felt about and wanted to tell you but it stopped just there. And then there were days when I was ashamed of myself for not knowing what to write. From the last time I visited you, till now so many things have happened. The age old ayodhya verdict has been delivered. Yes you heard it right! Ayodhya verdict it is, After months of dilly dallying, Thalaivar’s magnum opus enthiran released and whatte day that was!, The Presidential couple danced to a marathi folk number, M.S Dhoni is no longer single, And I have got a job and an interesting one at that. Thinking of it, change seems to be the only constant in our lives of variables. I am sure your counterparts would boast of how people write to them almost on a daily basis or should I say an hourly basis?! But i am sure you wouldn’t want trivial details of how and why I zeroed in on those red polka dots socks or of why the girls go week in their knees over Robert Pattinson (that dude sheesh!!) or of whats happening in my life 24/7. I am sure you respect my space as much as I do of yours. And here I am not taking you for granted I am just reiterating that I do not want to defeat the very purpose of writing to you. Sometimes I wonder why the fervour that I had during the initial stages when I started writing to you is now slowly fading. Maybe the answer is, I am being lazy!. Hmm anyways, I am not going to promise that I will visit you or that I will write to you on a regular basis. But I am just happy that I actually wrote to you at present. Or should I rephrase it as guilt free:P .

Auf Wiedersehen

HUMANITY ON WHEELS

Flocks of people globe trot every minute. The travelling industry is booming like never before. While most travel to seal business deals, attend conferences there are also people who travel to explore. There is an element of mystique in the journeys we undertake. Nothing is worse than travelling in sleeper class from Chennai to Delhi or vice-versa! And inevitably, I end up in sleeper class however early I book my tickets sigh! Every time I embark on this never ending journey I diligently pray for good co-passengers. There is nothing to do in this tedious journey that traverses from North to South through barrens of vast land. This post is an account of the interesting characters I have met in my journey.

Cinema has spoilt us. Believe me when I say this. There is neither Shahid Kapoor who can distract us nor Surya who croons and can sweep us off our feet. It’s all good only in the celluloid. In reality we just travel with normal people. (Or that’s what been happening in my case! Lucky if you have met your loved ones on trains.)

CASE 1:
THE LOWE BIRDS:
They are common a lot. And I have never met anyone who are so into each other. So much so that they even shared the same berth (am not exaggerating!) when you are single and you witness such public display of affection it kinda gets to you but surprisingly all I wanted to say was “get a room”. But I must confess, it was great entertainment watching the birdies. Respite from the monotony of the journey.

CASE 2:
THE ANGEL:
Kids are adorable. Time flies when you are with them. One can just keep observing their cute little gestures and talks. I was lucky to meet one such angel. Jessica was confined to her mother’s territory. Despite repeated attempts I failed to evoke her interest. A pack of playing cards did the trick. We later bonded on the stone, paper scissors game. Her smile and happiness in winning the game gave me immense joy. I also learnt lessons on colouring and drawing from Jessica. She was my best co passenger so far.

CASE 3:
THE SNORERS
Nothing can be worse than getting stuck with grouchy elders who scrutinise and probe into your entire life history. It’s hard to escape their rhetoric. Sleep was my instant escape. I wake up only to be disturbed by the snoring of the entire lot in my bogey which was otherwise silent. I was fuming, their snores were deafening. I sat up the entire night counting exactly how many berths, rods, switches, fans and lights were in my bogey not to forget my battle with the mosquitoes.

CASE 4:
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Again a lowe bird but in a distant relationship! Figured out his entire life history through his loud talks on the phone. The most trivial of details were shared with utmost sincerity on a roaming call. How vain can people get! I must thank him for the amazing Ilayaraja songs he played throughout the journey. A pack of cards kept us busy from afternoon till night. We played nonstop. People from the other bogey's joined in too. That was the day I learnt tricks of the trade and became proficient in playing cards. I would be doing great injustice to this list if I do not include the platter of cuisine that is laid out. From the greasy paranthas to the vegetable that seems to be cooked in rancid oil, the smell of food hangs in the compartment. The vendors with their never ending cries of snacks, sugary beverages, samosas and cuppa’s of chai helps to fend of boredom. There are also the aloof kinds who hums to the music jarring from their I pod, oblivious to whatever is happening around. What really irks me is the intrusive passenger who barges in your compartment to plug in his cell phone charger. To top it all the persistent ringing of the cell phone wants to make me smash that piece of technological menace. And then you also have the introspective variety who are lost in thought gaping outside the flat glass panes.

At the end of it all, it’s the eccentricities of my fellow passengers and their idiosyncratic ways that keeps me entertained.

Dearest Chennai,

I yearn to look forward when I am away from you
There is something quaint that pulls me to you wherever I go.

Is it the warmth of people, sumptuous food, serene beaches or feeling of coming home?
It’s difficult to choose.

You provoked, stimulated and inspired me,
I am what I am because of you.

For you have instilled in me to believe in myself and be hospitable
You may not win awards for being clean and green but you sure find your way to people’s heart.

What is the essence of you?
Does it lie in the beautiful temples?, the bustling Ranganathan Street?, the expanding identity of its citizens, or is it the famous filter kaapi that is uniquely you!

Not to forget the Marghazi festive season and the beautiful kolam that adorns every house.

Where ever I go my heart will always be here, in the city’s length and breadth that I grew up in.


POST SCRIPT: My first attempt at poetry(??:D) I am scared, am slowly turning a regionalist:D

365 days and counting.....

As Dawn breaks we set foot into another year with dreams, hope and aspirations. For many 2009 was the year of recession recovery, a year that saw first Afro American being sworn in as President of the most powerful (??) nation in the word. A year in which Indian citizens claimed tall awards from Oscars to the Nobel Prize. Many will remember it for the death of King of Pop, Michael Jackson, the swine flu scare and the failure to secure a legally binding deal at Copenhagen Climate summit. For me 2009 is just another year nothing significant except for the fact that I graduated and turned 21.

Midnight revelry and parties extending up to the wee hours have become common in the past few years. Every single ad in the newspapers/ tv/ radio scream of the new year bashes. Police forces gear up in style to welcome the New Year too. Innovative ideas, themed parties, sumptuous food, unlimited alcohol is a must on every New Year bash across the city. Television channels and FM radio’s get ready with their top 10 of the year lists. They do this exercise with utmost sincerity. And you have the astrological predictions. We can see people glued to television sets, switching off their brains and fervently listening to the astrologer’s prediction for the year 2010. The recent rumour of the world ending in 2012 has further added to this frenzy.

I never quite understand this concept of New Year; it’s just another year a change in the calendar. Why so much of hype? It’s funny that every aspect of this is commercially exploited and how we have fallen prey to it. Advertising Zindabad!!. Lets see what 2010 has in store for us. Only 2 more years are left so please make the maximum use of it. The clock is ticking; book your tickets for the world tour and get ready for the bungee jump, for there is no time left.
Oh ya Happy New Year!!

ITS JUST THE BEGINNING

In a country that is facing so many problems, strangely enough what is hogging the media limelight is the battle of separate identity to the Telugu speaking people of Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. The game being played out with human emotions as the key player has been on the burner for some time. The decision to carve out a separate State of Telangana has come about after a struggle of 40 years. Home Minister P. Chidambaram statement that the "process of separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh will be initiated soon" is very ambiguous as it does not divulge into matters regarding the timing and the content of passing a resolution at the Andhra Pradesh state assembly. Contradicting views of the members of the ruling party adds to the chaos. Had there been “consensus” amidst the parties, 100 M.L.A’S from Andhra and Rayalseema wouldn’t have put their papers en masse.


It’s sad to note that the first Indian state to be bifurcated on the basis of The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, is facing such an end. An in depth study into the pages of the Indian politics provides an interesting insight to this issue. The States Reorganization Committee formed to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines in December 1954 was in principal opposed to inclusion of the Telangana region with the then Andhra state. The report observed that the people of Telangana region where not in favor of the unification as they feared that their resources may be diverted to Andhra thus depriving their opportunities. Headed by Justice Fazal Ali the commission recommended to the government that it “will be in the interests of Andhra as well as Telangana area to constitute into a separate State, which may be known as the Hyderabad State with provision for its unification with Andhra after the general elections likely to be held in or about 1961 if by a two thirds majority the legislature of the residency Hyderabad State expresses itself in favor of such unification."


The central government decided to ignore the SRC recommendations and established unified Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956. However, a Gentlemen’s agreement provided reassurances to the Telangana people as well to Andhra people in terms of power sharing as well as administrative domicile rules and distribution of expenses of various regions. The agreement known as Gentlemen's agreement of Andhra Pradesh (1956) proved futile and sowed the seeds of Telangana movement way back in 1969. Had the recommendations of the Fazal Ali committee been heeded Andhra Pradesh could have saved itself the political turmoil that it has gone through.


It’s a mind boggling affair to study how the people of India vote their leaders. How many ever Rath Yatra’s or promises made by the politician, one can never judge the pulse of the voters. While the TRS received flak during the recent Loksabha elections, it has garnered more than enough support for its latest fete. By adopting a well planned strategy Chandrashekhar Rao not only got his span of political mileage at the cost of his health, but also raked the government at the centre with his indefinite fast.


The state that has sent the maximum number of M.P’s to the parliament is having a rough patch. First with the untimely loss of a towering leader in Dr. Rajashekhra Reddy, followed by the sudden outburst for the Telangana statehood. Lack of strong and an efficient chief minister can also be attributed to this problem. Had Y.S.R been alive this menace would have never surfaced. Dr. Reddy always kept a check on the extremists and kept them at bay.


The Congress should convene an all party meeting and take an appropriate decision on this contentious issue after taking into account the interest of all the stakeholders concerned. Till such time the B.J.P is only too happy as it’s freed from the constant media coverage received in wake of the Liberhan commission report.


With granting of statehood in the Telangana region, alarm bells have started ringing in the north east , west, east and northern parts of India. Claims of a separate BodoLand, Vidharba, Gorkha land, and Harit Pradesh are gaining momentum. Had the centre handled the matters more decisively and astute it could have averted its precarious position that it finds itself at present.


At the heart of any struggle is the deprival of basic opportunities and economic oppression. Telangana is no different. Despite being the largest area geographically, (1,14,800 km2 ) of the three regions of the state , yet much of the land is arid and not nearly as fertile as the agriculturally rich coastal region. Telangana has been a victim of official apathy since the formation of Andhra Pradesh and has lagged behind other regions in development and no government in the State or at the Centre made any honest attempt to bring it on a par with the other regions.


By granting greater autonomy and creating smaller states be useful in effective administration? Do smaller states translate to better governance?? The Telangana statehood issue has indeed opened the Pandora ’s Box. The answers will have far reaching consequences and can alter the geo political scenario of this developing nation.

Sir Winston Churchill quoted,

It has been said that Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time

.