Variety is the spice of life

 I often think about the houses where we were staying when i was a kid, trying to remember my life as a school going kid. Somehow, like the characters from "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", i have either blanked out those memories clean, or considering that i am never a good observer nor great at remembering incidents or for my lack of any appetite for doing new things, might've not had any thing that stands out as memory. At least that was how i used to convince myself, whenever i hear people go ga-ga about their childhood memories. Being an introvert whose world existed only inside the square tiled pages of comics, didn't help either. But after watching "Meiyazhagan" movie. feels like there is hope for cases like me as well!!! Konjam..illa..rombavay too muchaana expectation to imagine me like Arvindsamy, looks la solaleenga..character in that movie wise. I am quite sure there are several characters like Karthi in the movie, who re-live and masticate

I always have an issue with people who, even though have been in Chennai for decades, never have good things to say about Chennai. They complain about pollution, crowd, noise, disrespecting culture or the lack of it, pace of life and the everything that is a daily way of life will have some and more points of criticism from them. Like any "blue blooded" kannadiga who will take offence at similar such things being mentioned about Bangalore and will retort with "who asked you to come here" i am tempted to throw the same dart for such comments. Recently there were two instances that made me look back at the origin of such comments and possibly made me relook at my own potential responses as well. Fact that each of those instances couldn't have been more diverse in nature is the reason behind this post! Build up panniyaaachha...now to the actual topic. There was a red alert weather situation recently and as per the norm, social media was swarming with several dozen

"Nee yenna periya Tata va Birla va" used to be a common quote to put someone in place if they are trying to show off and possibly that was the first time i had heard about that famous surname. So much so that there is even a tamil movie by the name "We are not Tata Birla". Yesterday was a sad day for India business world with passing away of Ratan Tata. A person who hardly had any haters (not sure about a mystery mistry though!!) and was wholesomely loved by anyone. Some how the mob mentality, i believe, has a big role to play in the life of public figures. I wonder how many would post such touchy feely posts after Mukesh Ambani or a Birla or even Godrej for that matter!! Not that they were bad people, but they are often painted or projected as the typical rich who bandy about their wealth and show off at every possible opportunity. Again. Nothing wrong and no comments against such acts. Pallu irukaravan pakoda saapdraan has long been my standing dictum for such pra

When i was a school kid, i remember my dad, taking me to watch Republic day parade in Marina. He used to be very enthused about the military parade that they show on TV, for that would be the only program for the whole day which would be telecasted Live. Except for knowing about new missiles and their replicas, it never felt much exciting, but for the fly past. The fighter jets and those magnificent flying machines never fails to impress and becoming a pilot would be the dream job for many school going kids. When the jets began their practice fly pasts since last week, for the air show in chennai, it was quite exciting to say the least. Having been at a touching distance of old airport in Bangalore, the noise of airplanes, especially the air force fighter jets are nothing new for me. But looking at those stunts from the terrace of our house was quite something. We decided to visit our relatives place, who stay very close to the beach to have a clear view of the whole show. But much to

A lady who belongs to an elite family of bureaucrats, who have made their career in Foreign office department, follows in her father's footsteps and finds herself promoted as the Deputy head of Indian embassy in UK, much to the surprise of her own relatives and chagrin of her colleagues. She finds both support and animosity in equal measure at her new place. She meets a charming guy who takes her out for fancy dinner and is found to be the chef of her favorite restaurant. She falls for him and the next day when she meets him at an embassy party, he begins to blackmail her with videos of their intimate moments. She is torn apart between duty for her country, bad name for her family that will eventually screw up her dad's career as well in the ministry and fear of getting caught. She obliges to the threats made and ends up getting two of her colleagues killed and several other spy members exposed in foreign land. Some how she gains some perspective when all of water goes over hea

 At times i wonder, how certain english movies makes us so involved while watching only to realize the wafer thin plot and so many logical loop holes as after thought, long after the movie is over. I used to think, it was because of the performances of the actors who make it look so genuine and sincere. Many  a times i watch those movies without any sound for late night is usually my movie watching time and i wouldn't want to disturb anyone. That became a practice and even though i watch movies over weekend during day time, i still forget to switch the sound on and just go by subtitles . Even with such reduced option to create an impact, some movies leave you spell bound throughout. Many of Tom Hanks movies are like that for me and he is my most favorite actor. Some how even without any dialogue, he can convey the scene's emotions. Someone who looks good even when he cries and genuinely warm when he laughs and when that guy looks serious, you know situation is grim!! I personal