Journey with Gentle (police) man

God play his dice so wisely that he could bring an interesting experience in our life in no time. Similar experience happen to me last week when I was traveling from Bangalore to Erode. It was past 6 PM when I reached krishnagiri, as I was driving my car slowly near krishnagiri toll gate one police constable stopped my vehicle and inquired where I am going, I replied him that I am traveling Erode. He said one of his senior police officer will board on my car and will get down in Salem. I wanted to say no as I felt it is not appropriate to board some unknown person in late evening that too when traveling alone. But the policeman didn't give a chance to speak at all, so I don't have any other option than accepting it. In a minute a tall police officer(definitely more than 6 feet) boarded my car and sat in co-driver seat. Immediately my car was given special way in toll and they didn't collect fee also.

As the vehicle moving i inquired him where he want to get down, he replied that he wanted to get down in Salem with firm voice. Hearing that i was telling myself that next 2 hours is going to be uncomfortable where i could not even hear any songs. Few mins passed on, suddenly he pulled a pen drive from his pocket and plugin in to my music player and said hear some good Ilaiyaraja songs. With smile i replied, my pen drive have full of Ilaiyaraja songs. As we move on song started playing, first song started with Raja voice 'Seru pon maniyum puthu isaiyum' and followed 'Naan Thedum Sevanthi poovithu'. We started discussing the nuances in the song and that break the barrier between us. Now with mild voice he asked me 'Why don't let me drive and you sit & enjoy the songs'. With little hesitation i said ok and he took the driver seat. For a beginner level driver like me his driving looked more professional. 

With Raja song playing in the background we started exchanging name and other details. He started sharing his experience of college life and how he entered in to police department and his 16 years of journey there. Variety of topic like current education system, life style were discussed, I could easily sense his self confidence and patriotism in his speech which are very important quality for a police officer. Now and then he was giving some good driving practices. 

He was asking about where i am working and how my daily work in office would be. As i was explaining about work and work from home option he was taken back and started telling that he is out of home last 12 days on investigation of a murder case in Salem and he added that he was longing to meet his kids. Lesson for me here, if you complaint about difficulty in your current job think of someone who is handling more difficulty than you. Life is equally challenge for everyone.

As the discussion continues he said he recently completed his doctorate in one of the university in Salem. I was taken back and asked how it is possible for you finish doctorate in his busy schedule and he replied it is his childhood dream to do doctorate. Again a lesson for me, how busy your schedule is if you are passionate you can do whatever your want. 

As we are nearing Salem i asked him whether he is ok to give his contact number, without hesitation he said i am good friend of you now so don't have problem in giving contact details. Soon phone numbers were exchanged and he was showing his kids photos that he had in his mobile. Before getting down he gave some landmark in salem where i can take good tea break if i need one. He got down in Salem with his Cap on his head.    

Debut Activity of our Trust

The initial thought on ‘Giving back to society’ was disseminate by my friends Madhu and Gokul three years back, since then we were planning to do some social activities specifically targeting school children. Recently we had debut activity of our trust and in this post I would like to share my experience and learning through this activity

One fine evening I got call from my friend Mohan babu and he asked me ‘Why don’t we plan our Trust’s debut activity this month’, immediately I started giving him number of reasons to convey that will not possible. But he persistently motivated me to take up this challenge. At this time Mohan’s friend Ravi Kiran also joined his hands for this activity which enhanced our confidence to take this up. Mohan recommended one Government school near HAL aerospace division; we found this school to be suitable for our debut activity.

For few days we were discussing about what we can contribute to the students, starting from notebooks we list down many things and took this to head master of the school. To our surprise all these basic amenities were already provided to students by other philanthropic group. Then we realized that our thoughts are too narrowed down to help students and forget to analyze the real need of students. So we decided to go and understand the present need of the students. This is a real eye opener for us, our perception changed from helping students to fulfilling their needs. Though I had encountered many situations in my work to think from customer shoes it took a short time to apply this in real life situation.

Our next discussion with head master went very well because we were completely open to understand their needs. Finally we came to know that sweater is the current need to the school to make students to come to school on cold days. Mohan and Ravi started getting quotation for 100 sweaters, our initial quotations that we got from Sivaji nagar was disappointing as the estimated cost was two times than what we had at our hands. But we decided not to compromise on quality at any cost, so thought of giving one more try at different shops at service road. And this time we were able to get them with reasonable price with same quality.

So we are all set to distribute sweaters to 100 students from class one to seven on Aug 5^th. We didn't plan on how to distribute them to students but then head master already arranged for a small event for this distribution. We were very happy to see the commitment of teachers and head master to channel the facilities to their students. Since we are not familiar with Kannada we were not able to interact with students but then we were happy that educational officer who came for that event conveyed the message to young sparks that we had in our mind on that day.

My Recent Trip to Singapore & KL

Recently I went to Singapore and Kulalumpur (KL) for one week trip; I just want to share my experience so that it will help for the people who are planning for these places in future.

Singapore and Malaysia Visa: Getting Singapore and Malaysia tourist visa is very simple; if you are living in major cities you can contact any travelling agent and apply for the visa. Visa fee comes around Rs.1600 & 1300 per head for Singapore and Malaysia respectively, this includes commission amount for the travelling agent. Usually it will take maximum of one week for getting this Visa. If any of your friend or relative staying in Singapore with PR then it is very easy for them to apply Visa for you through online and it will take only one day for processing.

Flight Travel: I started trip from Chennai through Silk airlines, Silk airline is subsidiary of Singapore airlines and ticket cost is economical if you book before a month. Flight is small but service is good especially food is really good. The flight will not be spacious but since the travel is just 4 hours you can manage. Return we came by Singapore airlines as we want to experience world’s one of the best fly experience, Singapore airlines flight will be very big and very spacious. I would suggest people to book
Silkair for one-way and Singapore airlines for other way so that you can feel the difference.

Changi Airport: This is one of the biggest airports in the world; you can spend at least 3 hours to explore this airport. The airport is so big and neat; you don’t need to ask anyone about the direction as the sign board and directions are very clear. You can do very good shopping here since for all the items you have duty free.

Places you shouldn't miss in Singapore:

Singapore flyer : Flyer is giant rotating wheels with cabin, you can enter in to cabin to take 45 minutes travel to view entire Singapore, entry fee comes around 30$ per person.

Singapore river cruise: You can have a very pleasant boating in Singapore River, this is also 45 minute’s travel , you can take lot of snap while this travel. The entry fee comes around 20 $ per person.

Singapore Merlion: It is just one side of the river where you can see water falling from lion’s mouth. It is just a photo point where you can spend one hour to look around and take snaps.

Marina Bay sand hotel: This is the tallest hotel in Singapore, you can have spectacular view of Singapore at 88^th floor, entry fee comes around 30 $ per person. It is better to go this hotel around 6.30pm in the evening so that you enjoy both day view and night view.

Jurong bird park: One of the finest bird park in the world, the entry fee comes around 50$ per person including Singapore zoo night safari. Don’t miss different shows inside Bird Park, you can walk around the park and can spend 3 to 4 hours there. Have heavy food before going there as you need more energy to walk around the entire bird park although you have trains running inside the park.

Singapore Zoo night safari: Singapore zoo is perfectly a forest look, if you are really interested in experience of walking inside a forest you can cover the entire zoo by walk and it will be very interesting to explore all places with a map in your hand. You can take tram to visit the entire zoo in 45 minutes. We covered 70% of places by walk and rest by tram.

Marina barrage: Marina barrage is a bridge built to separate sea water and river water. It is view point to take photographs and relax. Inside this you have museum, worth watching and no entry for this. It is better to go Marina barrage in the evening so that you enjoy pleasant breeze.

Sentosa: This is one of the finest places in Singapore to spend one whole day; Sentosa is a big area with lot of fun in one place. You have underwater world, 4D magic, 4D thrill rides, outdoor theme park and many more. Each one of this entertainer is located at different place inside sentosa, you need to take bus inside sentosa. The basic entry fee will cover train fair and mobility bus inside. If you go with kids one day is will not be enough for exploring all the fun. Don’t miss the ‘Songs of the sea’ show at evening which one of the best show I have ever seen. One downside of this place is you need spend money for each fun event which I personally feel very expensive, but sometimes they will provide some offer if you opt for some 3 or 4 fun events.

Singapore to KL: There are lots of buses available to KL from Singapore. It will take 6 hours to reach KL including immigration. I feel like buses are also not so expensive, you can check different travels which provides at range of 20 to 40$ per person.

Places you should not miss in Malaysia:

Batu Caves Murugan Temple: Don’t miss gigantic Murugan statue at Batu caves, it is very far from the city hence better to take taxi to reach here.

KL city tour: We took KL city tour through ‘Yaji’ travels, they charge 80RM per person. Though 80RM is little expensive they covered most of the important places in and around the city, Independence square, KL king palace, freedom fighter statue, twin tower are some good places to take good snaps.

Genting Highland: Genting Highlands is a beautiful hill station located around 50km from KL, either you can take bus or taxi to reach Genting. Taxi will charge 80RM, but we took bus as it is very cheap, around 10RM per person including sky train ticket. Bus will drop at particular point from there you can continue by sky train or by taking another bus. We took sky train to reach first world hotel and travelling in sky train is one of the best experience. First world hotel in Genting is very good place to stay, one of the world largest hotel in size with nearly 6500 rooms, you explore first world indoor theme park and mall, casino is one place you should not miss in Genting.

Times Square Mall: It is a very big shopping mall where you can buy everything, 10^th floor is best place to explore food different countries.

Shopping in Singapore: China town is best place to shop at cheaper rate provided you are good in bargaining. Mushtafa shopping center is very famous shopping place in Singapore where you can get A-Z items in one place. Orchid road is another place for shopping but all the items here are very expensive, so we did window shopping here.

Transport in Singapore: Transport is very easy in Singapore, you can get prepaid card that can be used for both bus and train. Normally buses will not be too crowded but train will be crowded at peak time. Travelling in train is very easy as the announcement will be given between each station including alight place for changing trains. All train station has clear sign board so you don’t need to ask anyone for direction. Taxis are cheap in Singapore; typically it comes around one dollar per kilometer.

Verdict: Singapore & Malaysia are very good place for a short trip.

Human Personalities And Music Lovers

Year back i got an opportunity to attend interpersonal training where i came to know about different types of human characters. After understanding different characters my relationship with everyone become happier than before. As per my personal observation the likes and dislikes depends on character of a person and Musical interest is not an exception. Suddenly thought of sharing my own observation with you all so started writing this post.

Though the personality of a person is unique, character of a person can be put in a generalized form. Thinkers, Relaters, socializer and Directors are generalized category of characters.

Thinkers : Thinkers are self contained and organized. They love planning things and doing them sequentially, they prefer accuracy in anything they do. Thinkers love logics, they always put things in logical form. Thinkers usually spend lot time for preparation, they feel confident with preparation. Thinkers are least risk takers, when things are not favor at their end they usually withdraws or avoid as they are irritated by unpredictability. As per my observation thinkers loves music that have certain patterns and well organized form, they are interested to know the technical aspects of music. They equally prefer melodies and beat songs. They always like sound orchestration and multiple layers of music.

Relaters : Relaters are open and direct. Love, affection, care are the words they like to hear from others. Relaters are feeling oriented and always willing to have good relationship with everyone they meet. They want themselves to be loved by all, they spent lot of time in talking. They will show more interest to hear others problem and often they will share their personal things too. If anyone is in deep trouble relaters are the first to go and help them out, they will be loyal to their friends and family. Since relaters are too sensitive if someone hurts or neglects them they will be frustrated. Relaters loves music that makes them feel, they prefer music which stay long in their heart. They give much importance to lyrics of the song, and usually they will remember them for long time. They always prefer melodies.

Socializer: Socializer are open and takes the life as it comes. They hardly plan things, they do everything spontaneously. since they will always have bunch of ideas with them even major decision in their life would be taken in minutes. They love to say ‘Life is to enjoy’, they often expect changes and will be irritated by routine work. they are so flexible and always ready to accompany anyone at anytime. They love risk, and thus socializers are often risk takers. They will be always fresh and enthusiastic, socializer needs fun in everything. Coming to musical interest socializers prefer fast beat songs, they want song that give more energy to them. They will give least importance to lyrics, and hence will not remember them even for while. They will not prefer to hear same song again and again, they need changes often. 

Directors: Directors are self contained and bold. Result, achievement, leadership are their favorite words. They are least bothered about process and more concerned about results. Directors will not prefer to listen long stories from others and they wants things to be in points. They love statistics and happy to results, track records etc. Directors will be frustrated if someone don’t obey them or didn’t listen them. Directors are keen are hear popular albums in the market.

Bottom Line: Any person would not always fit in to one of the above category, as per my observation most of the people will be in mix of two characters.

This is my personal experience and observation, if your music interest doesn’t satisfies above mentioned cadre then deliberately sorry.

KaviArasu:Ilaiyaraja KaviperArasu:A.R. Rahman

Kaviarasu Kannadasan, Isaignani Illaiyaraja, Kaviperarasu Vairamuthu and Isai Puyal A.R.Rahman are invaluable people for tamil cinema. All these four people are unique in their own way thats why they are called as Legends.

When we hear Kannadasan song we would ask ourself how this man come up with these lines, all his songs would exactly fits the situation of the movie. To my surpirse i heard that Kannadasan never sits and write a song, usually the director will tell the tune in no minutes he will start saying lyrics (Panchu Arunachalam will keep writing the lyrics). All his songs are simple and crisp but also he never misses creativity in his song. Recently i read a news about Kannadasan, Kavignar wrote a song 'Anbu Nadamadum Kalaikudamey' for the film Avan thaan manithan and it went for Recording. While giving this song Kavignar mentioned that he gave good hint in this song. The entire unit was bit confused and finally Mellisai Mannar MSV broked the secret Word 'May' followed in the entire song. During start of the movie, director mentioned to kavingnar that the movie is going to hit the screen in the month of may so that he wants the lyrics quickly. Kavignar replied superbly with his lyrics.

Isaignani Illaiyaraja is also of same cadre, he never things and write songs. Once the situation is given Raja will start giving tune. For his caliber recording all the songs for the movie karakatakaran (Tune, orchestration, recording) in less than half a day is not a big deal. Once in an interview ace director maniratnam said Raja would complete BGM for a movie in One stretch, he will see the movie once then he will start writing notes. If we play his notes, the BGM will exactly fits the situation and it will exactly synchronize with video with accuracy level of seconds. How this man do this? Still breaking my head to find out.

Coming to Vairamuthu and A.R.Rahman, they are creative thinkers. Both of them sits for long time to mold the song to perfection. Vairamuthu took even days to write a song, but when you hear the song you can feel the his creativity to greater extent. A.R.Rahman employs so many layer of music in his songs, during my school days while hearing songs of Mudhalvan, Jodi i was taken to different world and surprised of hearing so many sounds in seconds gap.

So what is the final verdict, do i am relating Kannadasan and Illaiyaraja with my previous post Karma theory? Keep reading my post :)

PASANGA - Movie Review

Pasanga is a neat movie by debut director pandiyaraj. As title imply the movie revolves around two small boys ‘Anbu’ and ‘Jeeva’. The two boys really acted well especially Jeeva (the same boy who acted in Katrathu Tamil) scores well. Director moulds every character beautifully (anbu’s little brother is good example) all the characterization are so natural, especially Anbu’s father and mother character, typical middle class. One good thing I liked about the movie is use of positive messages throughout the movie, use of Abdul kalam’s dream to encourage children is really great, hats off to the director.

Love sequence is also good in the movie, Vega (saroja fame) did her part well, usage of Ilaiyaraaja’s track for their love is good but then I don’t know why all the directors is doing this. Since already sasikumar used some tracks of Raja in Subramaniapuram i am not sure whether he is fan of Raja or James vasanthan is fan of Raja. Coming to music of the movie, James vasanthan scores well in the songs but fail to impress in BGM. First half an hour film is spoiled by BGM, I was thinking what would happen if Raja scored music for the movie while watching first half an hour. Two songs are really good, one song sung by Shreya Goshal ,Naresh Iyer and other song sung by Dr. Balamurali Krishna are surely of repeated hearing genre. Picturization of these two songs are really appraisable.

Coming to downside of the movie, Climax is too cinematic and also it reminds Anjali movie. Director should have made first half an hour little more interesting. But overall the movie is worth watching.

Verdict: Movie with Message

NAAN KADAVUL- MOVIE REVIEW

A director who tied up audience emotions with movies like Sethu, Pithamagan comes with another movie ‘Naan Kadavul’ of same genre but with heavy dose. Salute to the director for giving this kind of movie. The story line is simple as expressed in title of the movie, hero thinks himself as God who do Agoram of villain. Ayra performance stuns everyone; he lived as ‘Ruthran’. His Eyes and body language speaks lot. In Pithamagan ‘Sithan’ Character is beautifully handled by bala and hence viewer are very clear about the character but this was missing in ‘Naan Kadavul’. I think this would have avoided if Arya would given more scenes in the movie (I am not sure whether censor edited so many scenes). This is the rare movie in tamil cinema where you can see so many physically challenged people in the screen; everyone did justice to their role, kudos to all of them and special kudos to director for spending so much time to get good performance from them. Pooja steals the entire movie by her overwhelming performance; she is certainly eligible for National award.

Songs and BGM are top class as it was handled by Maestro Illaiyaraaja. Rightly said by bala once ‘Who could able to do music other than Illaiyaraaja?’ . But it is sad that only two song comes in the movie. Bala would have included ‘Kannil Parvai’ song in the movie, thanks to Maestro at least we can able to hear interlude of this song in BGM. The way ‘Pichai Pathiram’ song picturized is excellent. I am sure ‘Ohm Siva’ song will ring in the ears when you come out of the theatre. Final chasing is high light of the movie. Cameras, Stunt, Arya’s performance are extra ordinary in this scene. Illaiyaraaja’s BGM elevates this scene to higher level.

Bala would have excluded the scene in police station where MGR, Sivaji and Rajini were imitated, and would have included songs. We should appreciate bala for his bravery attempt.

Verdict: Heavy dosage of Emotion for normal filmgoers.