Kaala - Some Probing Questions...

To start with a disclaimer: I believe in equality and my views should not be twisted in the name of religion, caste, colour or creed. My view is that when we observe things, be it a movie or a theatrical or an event, we are influenced by our upbringing and our own biases, beliefs and ultimately we see it through those multi-coloured lenses. Some quotes to start setting my write up:

Desmond Tutu “When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.”

EVR : “While all men are born as equals, to say that Brahmins alone are the highest and all others are low as Pariah (the Untouchables ) or Panchama is sheer nonsense. It is roguish to say so. It is a big hoax played on us”

Swami Rāmānuja (Sri Vaishnava Guru) the first of his 82 commandments “Serve all devotees without regard to their status.” For the uninitiated, Swami Rāmānuja’ espoused equality and sought a lower caste “guru” to initiate himself and then went on to do social engineering (and this was a 1000 years ago and during a period when discrimination was supposed to be at its heights and none of the western religions or EVRs weren’t even around). The irony is that today within Swami Ramanuja’s context, even amongst the Srivaishnavas themselves, one does not get equal treatment, let alone Dalits or Thirukulathar, the way Ramanuja named them to socially blend the downtrodden.

Pa. Ranjith’s Kaala is quite contextual to read alongside these quotes. It’s a movie of struggle for land ownership among the downtrodden and can be seen as anti-establishment (especially the current Indian ruling party) as well as anti-Hindu.

Kaala has reminded me of the purpose to which I had aspired in my earlier parts of the life. Even though I have been cocooned in a plush environment in the last 15 years, during my schooling, I grew up in an economically challenged situation back home. Those days, there was a rebel in me that helped to see things differently. But being a rebel is not enough to understand a Dalit’s mindset and struggle.  I had an opportunity to spend some time through the அறிவொளி iyakkam to serve  the downtrodden in 1994. Though an overnight camp was enough to give a feel for the pain, to understand truly, one needs to experience it inherently from birth. 

My immediate honest reaction after the movie was sheer frustration and that Rajini has fallen!

Then my soul searching and questioning mind took over. These key questions came up, also I read a negative review about the movie. Sometimes to see light, one needs to experience darkness. The negative review made it clearer or gave me an opportunity to look positively. In my view Kaala brings many contradictions and nuances. I sincerely hope everyone takes a positive bit out of it, as opposed to get blinded by their inhibitions and beliefs.

Contradictions and nuances: (the way I see them...)

1.  Why would a spiritualist like Rajini agree to a movie like this especially when he is allegedly associated with the ruling party’s principles ? He’s someone who’s acted Raghavendara to Linga all that espouses hard work, spiritual quest etc. He is also known for selecting his movies carefully.
2. If he wanted to cover communities for the sake of votes, he could have done a Muthu.
3. Is he that gullible to fall into Pa. Ranjith twice!?
4. If he believes in the superficial script of Kaala, why say the exact opposite in Tuticorin?
5. Kaala's son a vegetarian but also a body builder - goes on to save his dad
6. Beef shop just in front of Kaala's house
7. Rap Song after the death of an young guy
8. Ravana kavyam in the background with Ram followers trying to usurp the land
9. Kaala has a big image throughout the movie, but only once he gets into a fight and rest of the movie he is being protected by his people
10. He doesn't drink, except for once when he drinks, something bad happens and he regrets for that
11. He almost romances his ex-lover and manages his wife as well (as opposed to a conservative cinematic view)
12. Both Kabali and Kaala have pro-Dalit themes

The biggest nuance of all, is that for many years Kaala, the leader has done little for his people, yet lives in a spacious big individual house,  has his family around him, all his kids are educated in one way or another, and well settled. He has a nice sporty, trendy jeep for himself, but hasn't done constructively anything for his folks in the slum, not even a decent place for morning doodies. This is the hidden biggest message that Ranjith tries to portray in my opinion. 

The so-called leaders are not prioritising what needs to be done and are unable to make step-change or a systemic change to the lives of downtrodden. Sometimes to win the war, some battles have to be lost - to move from an underdog status, Kaala doesn't think strategically but carries his battles for another day. This is the biggest contradiction of all. - Do we go with development or deal with slow, yet steady change? (and the rappers would sing, tell us kaala, now what to do? - he doesn't have any answers?!)

The problem of land struggles, discrimination, step-motherly treatment by the establishment etc. are problems, not just for India, across the world, for a long time such struggles are going on. Maybe that is why African return Zaareena featured in the movie as Africa return. (Hence my quote from Desmond Tutu). Well known is the fact that China has been usurping Africa and its natives, so did the west in the yester years. West or East, Capitalism or Communism, governing powers maybe seen as discriminating and marginalising the downtrodden. Africa is the biggest living example. Should India allow itself to be manipulated in the name of anti-development or should it 'sacrifice' and develop its people in the Capitalist model? If the answer was so easy, we wouldn't have this movie or we would have developed the whole world.

We are in times of conservative nationalism and protectionist regimes, in such times, it takes more guts to treat everyone equally and it's not easy. Kaala asks probing questions to both left and right, to the ruling and opposing and to the downtrodden and the so called 'settled'. 

Kaala can come back to life in reel-life, but not in real life - so do you fight and loose the opportunity to live now? Hari dada has everything and continues to live happily (even after Kaala kills him, his family would continue to enjoy the benefits), Kaala has enough comforts and his family surrounds him during fun and grief; whereas the ordinary is left to dream for a future and doesn't seem to have an answer to live for the day. That's the take-away Pa. Ranjith wants everyone of us to think!  The clue is in Rajini's interview where he says Pa. Ranjith is such a nice guy, his best quality is he wants everyone to live happily. To live happily compromises are necessary.

The way i see it, Rajini initiated himself into spiritualisim mainly through self-made gurus and not the usual 'madams' that espouse the varna system. This is where Rajini's true spiritualism shines. Both Kabali and Kaala with Pro-Dalit themes have found support from Rajini and he may be purusing a systemic change by appealing directly through their view of the world.

Swami Ramanuja knew equality was difficult to attain, but livelihood and day to day living is more important, hence he reset the system in Srirangam and brought people from all sects to participate in temple administration, this was a step-change and systemic-change in 1100AD. That gave a way for people from different sects to blend socially and a means to feed the starving as well as the hope that one day we will be equals. We needed a spiritualist to do that. At times i think the DMK patriach Kalaingar realised very late and the best he could do was telecast Swami Ramanuja's life and the need to do something here and now, but not oppose everything just for the sake of opposing.

Can Rajini reset the system and bring a spiritualistic progress where everyone has a means to live with a level of satisfaction?

All views are strictly personal

2014 will be a special year for many

I wish 2014 to be a special year for many and my hunch is it will be.

2013 for some reason, has been a challenging year not only for me, but for many of my near and dear ones; also to some of my friends of friends. When such a challenge comes, I only see the benefit, that we will all come better off with the experience. I remember the write-up by Clayton Christensen about how to measure life. Please do read this article. (Click here).

I had 4 clear objectives for 2013. 2 of those have been accomplished, other 2 are in-progress. These are not monetary goals and hence not some thing that can be easily quantified. However the accomplished goals are going to deliver through my rest of my life. With that the case, I am signing off 2013 in a strong state of play.

So why I think 2014 will be special to many?

I admire Aandal  for many reasons. An 7-8th Century Woman mystic who occupies a special place in Hinduism and will always be remembered at the end of every year. A lot of Hindu followers in South India, sing her poems during the month of Margazhi. (December - January).

I grew up in Neyveli in quite a religious context with every morning of this season spent in Krishnan Temple. A special memory that forms part of this season goes back to days when i was about 10 or 11 years old. The cook of this temple fell sick and I was called for help to cook Pongal under his guidance and that also became the starting point of my culinary skills. It was a daunting task given the fact the amount of pongal that need to be prepared and also that it was for public consumption. It may have been under the chef's instruction, but preparing in open fire with very minimal prior experience was a huge ask. I still remember the excitement and nervousness when I was called in for the service. I really don't know till date, why I was woken up at around 3:15 AM and summoned for cooking.

Anyway, this season is always remembered with Aandal and to her paeans. I may not be religious today, but I am a lot more spiritual then i ever was and I owe it to her a lot. When people talk about the plight of Woman in India, I think of Aandal and Maitreyi. Once in India, these two women reached the heights that cannot be described. Also, it allows us to reflect on the society's maturity those days.

Aandal is one among the 12 highly acclaimed poets of Hindu tradition. This is unfathomable feat. Also one of the paeans proclaims that her 30 songs is actually the essence of Vedas and in fact anyone who hasn't read these 30 verses are said to be a burden to earth and its existence. If indeed the society was male-dominated those days, then this achievement gains a lot more respect.

Many have written about her 30 songs (known as Thiruppaavai); I am keen to present my interpretation but will reserve it for another day.
As a gist,
the first 5 stanzas describe the 5 earthly elements and its impact,
the next 10 stanzas attempt to wake up the human spirit to recognize,
the next 1 is to open up the heavenly gates for change,
the following 5 stanzas is to wake up the Godliness,
the next 7 stanzas portrays different abilities of Gods
and the last 2 establishes the Oneness.

The tradition is every one of these stanzas are associated with a day in Hindu Calendar. 2013 ends with the 16 stanzas that attempt to wake up the human spirits and the rest 14 will play out in 2014 January. Today 31st Dec coincides the 16th stanza and it is about her request to open the heavenly portal (metaphorical portal for change). It is hard to miss the symbol as the new year dawns to this change. It is a great coincidence and hence my hunch that 2014 will be a great year for betterment. (btw can one actually explain the reason for hunch?)

So I wish a happy new year 2014 and let this year usher welcome changes to you and all leading to fulfillment. In Aandal's words Let us all be together and happy(கூடி இருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோர் ); Let the light be with all of us. (எங்கும் திருவருள் பெற்று இன்புறுவர்)

Missus and her friends suddenly turned religious?

Back in India, month of Margazhi is an auspicious time and is dedicated to Godliness. Especially in the yester years, girls wake up early in the morning and do rangoli etc.

This afternoon the missus, her friends and their friends were discussing on the phone about an early morning program. I heard them saying - we should get up early in the morning, quickly bathe, dress-up and be ready for queuing up. They also chatted about their pre-marriage times during Margazhi that it was habitual and used to wake up early during Margazhi, bathe in spite of the cold weather (!) and hence this should help for the next day activity. Hmm I thought what happened to these women? Has the Margazhi month finally made an impact on these women that they have suddenly become so pious...

One of them talked about the fact that crowd and queues can be challenging, that husbands take care of the kids. I got a bit queasy... OMG how am I going to manage a 2 and 6 year old the next day morning. I just nodded uneasily without clues.

Then they started talking that it is once in a year activity and benefits the whole family. So they indeed should go early in the morning.  Hmm the women must be keen to participate in the religious activity and seek blessings for the whole family; if so, then I should take care of the kids.

The next topic was that I should probably make the food, so they can come back around 11 have a brunch and head back. Wow I thought, these women are indeed trying their best, may be catching up the missed opportunities for the whole year and earnestly making efforts to touch-base to their religious side. If this is the case, then somehow I should manage the kids and cook as well. Now they are talking about waking about 4AM or 5AM... They even talked about the point that if they over-slept then may be can queue up after 11 as the crowds would have tamed.

I really felt glad that the missus, her friends have suddenly turned a new leaf and planning to participate in the religious events. I said to myself that the next day must be Vaikunta Ekadesi. So I rushed to check the calendars if it was vaikunta ekadesi - the annual 11th day festival when the heavenly portal opens up and people are blessed. But no it is not ekadesi? So where are they all planning to queue-up?

Apparently Boxing Day sale! Aaha withouth realising this, I promised to cook and take care of kids as well. Worse, the wallet is going to go for a toss! 

Divine eyes to see the Vishwaroopam...

Who is the cause for this ‘VISWAROOPAM’ (Universe)?

‘Yathornaabhih Srajate granhate cha yatha
Tathaaksharaat sambhavatiha viswam’ - Mundaka Upanishad.

‘As the spider creates the web out of itself and withdraws unto itself’ from the imperishable comes out the universe’. - It means the creation, creator and the created are one and the same.


The Universe-form is banned!? The actor-director-producer Kamal Hassan (ADP K. Hassan from here on) will not lose much money, but in fact will earn more due to the controversy.

I am sorry, ADP K.Hassan created this mess and he has to withdraw into this mess and from this, will come Vishwaroopam. Someone had a comment in vikatan some time back, that Rajini who in spite of his association with MK and other atheists, had a mind of his own and followed things in a way different to ADP K.Hassan who in the same association always struggled and never was able to rest his mind.

This struggle made him to reach out and has landed him in a mess. However now a lot of reports emerging that there is nothing offensive in the movie, but certain scenes create a projection and there is no denying. It may not be offensive to some in fact majority - because the majority believes in pluralism and doesn't mind certain projections., But  are all the five fingers same?

Key questions:

1. If I am docile and bear whatever is thrown at me, doesn't mean others to be and react the same way and manner (all 5 fingers analogy) - Some people albeit minority among minority feel offensive, at least the perception is so and they are acting on it. - Don't they have right to show their protest?

2. If this was caused by Jaya TV license issue, why don't ADP K. Hassan come out open on this? I am sure he would have - wouldn't he?

3. Don't see this as a Cinema/arts - People from a particular sect are making/taking efforts to change the perception - if the majority Hindu population choose not to protest or even lift a finger when someone makes a joke about  their Hindu Gods - does it mean the minority should follow the same attitude? - Don't they have rights (democratic) to protest?

4. Have the violated any laws? They have taken legal means to ban the movie... Unlike those who assault Valentine's day and MF Hussain's Hindu bashing arts, they have only taken legal steps... so is this wrong?

5. If an opinion is freedom of expression, is it not the same freedom of expression to say the movie is trying to portray terrorists in certain way? So why stop that?

6. NASA pictures showed the Sethu bridge as an existing sand bridge, but an elected government created an economic policy and planned to destroy a Hindu-faith associated bridge, was it not only a small section of Majority that made efforts to stop it? So in the same way if a small section of minority try and legally ban a movie - should it become an issue?

I am not necessarily saying it is right or wrong - I am saying it is a chance for India to truly introspect on how  to manage and evolve the multi-faith without damaging the fabric and protect democracy... Crux of the problem is "People will see what they want to see..." Gandhi (not Rahul) - Babuji tried and he did influence a lot of people, he had to sacrifice a lot in order to change perceptions and bring the society closer... The losses he had were huge and he couldn't change everyone (In fact he ended being on enemy camps for both groups), but his efforts have impact even today and I am one of them. Hey Ram!

So if ADP K.Hassan really wants to engage and debate with the society and do seva to arts and humanity, he has to accept this in merit and not be worried about economic failure but continue his debate. Good Luck Sir... Please continue.

Final question - I infer that from his follow-up statements, it is clear to me that he hasn't realized the magnitude of change required and the cost/efforts to change the perception and bring unity - Does he? and If he reads this blog (Oh yeah!) and if my point clicks in his brain, will he still be up for change?

One needs courage, one need to sacrifice many things to make a change at that level. But as a society we need to introspect to create harmony and humanity.

And to the title... According to the legends, Krishna had to provide divine eyes to see Vishwaroopam - But it turns out Arjuna cried for mercy, as he couldn't withstand the sight. Truth is harsh and one needs to open up to reality! Question self...

Christmas concert and my emotions...

I was a bit emotional this morning, when I attended my son's act on the Christmas concert. He played three wise-men and to my surprise the concert was 'de-christianised'! (not that I mind about religion, I guess its the other extreme of whats happening on India, a by-product of politically correct Britain) Nothing about Christmas or Jesus Christ - it was all about baby Jesus crying and about 30 kids did many things to calm down Baby Jesus... The school HM was clear that they appreciate these ancillary activities, but the school was all about education - reminded me of my own school (Jawahar  School). In fact they had spent less than a week in all to do the show and I was quite impressed! Doing a show like that with thirty 4-5 year olds, those teachers are excellent! Well done Feltham-hill infant school!

I couldn't dismiss my thoughts about the similarities in Krishna and Jesus's early life stories...

I thought about my school day interests on dramas and how i never made it to those... (not to mention I am Piscean) Interestingly Rajesh and I did a skit and recorded on cassettes... We were that creative! Selling our own drama shows on recorded cassettes at the age of 12 or so.

So my question - were the emotions from my childhood or the religious similarity kindling my passion about Krishna or the missed chances of theaters and plays?

I concluded that it must be my 5 year old who's growing up and making me proud. I am thinking of working with the school to help their governance... I am impressed with school teachers and with the little boy... He may not know, but it's an important day and step in his life...

Multi-language Sama veda book

Just to share, My father has been working to publish Multi language Sama Vedi book that includes Sandhyavandan and other regular kramas. Some of you may remember that he initially published a Tamil version of this book in 1997. Recently I have heard from people from US, Australia, Mumbai etc. for a Sanskrit or English version.

Also, we had reviews about the current version that it is only available in Tamil,  a bit difficult to use daily, absence of appropriate pictures to support the text etc. So I mooted that he work on an revision. This time he is currently working on publishing it in Sanskrit, English, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam and the first draft is ready. 

This is expected to be published shortly. He is doing this as a service to a sama veda padasala in Tamilnadu, India. I will keep you posted on progress. If anyone has any ideas, views please write to me.

PS: This is intended to be a paper copy not a e-copy. I am looking for some support to publish it as a e-copy, but  need to workout a payment mechanism so the payment goes to the Padasala

Ta,

Sama Veda Post & Sankalpa for tomorrow

http://bajisden.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/sama-veda-upakarma.html

The above link has got links to 4 zip files that should help you through tomorrow's upakarma. Sankalpa for tomorrow.

Nandana-nama-Samvatsare (Nandana named year)
Dhakishna-Ayne (When the earth is is on its southern sojourn)
Varusha-Rithu (Rainy Rithu)
Sraavana-Maase (Month)
Shukla-Paksha (Moon on Waxing State)
Dvitiyam (Day - 2)
Soma-vasara (Monday)
Hastha Nakshthra (Star of Hastha)

Hari Om!

Sama Veda Upakarma

Most of us know the vedas have been in existence through word of mouth and not created by man. But little does the current generation know about its golden past, meanings and many other things. Same do I. What I learnt is also by word of mouth - through swara or sruiti. Rig, Yajur and Atharva Vedis (Ones who practise those sects) celebrated Avani Avittam recently. However for sama-vedikas are to celebrate on Sep 10th (this year). Sama-veda is well known for its musical foundation, is said to be the base for Indian music too. This veda has three sects - Jaimini, Gowthama and Ranaiana. I am aware that all these three sects are dwindling.

Few years ago, when my father retired he took up the hard task of publishing the sama-vedic daily karmas such as sandhyvandanam etc. It took him an year or so to complete the book which includes the karmic duties of a brahmacharyam as well as grihastha based on Jaimini Sama. He has also included things like 'abivadhinam' (introduction). Abivadhinam is a sanskrit term equivalent to Introduction. When an indvidual meets an elder, it is a way of introduction that outlines his ghotra, his lineage and the vedic association prior to prostrating to the elder. This book is a very good handbook that also gives basics on 'Pariseshanam' 'Agnihotra', Historical references to Sama Vedikas etc. etc. At the moment we have a couple of copies left and there is no master-copy to reprint it.

This year I decided to scan the book and host the link. If people wish to download and use for their sama-upakarma, they could. Also if you are a sama-vedi, please write to me and I will be happy to be in touch with you. My intention is to bring a samelan of Sama-vedis to propogate the knowledge.

Step 1 is an introduction to upakarma and what it means.

Step 2 is the text for agni-krama. e.g. Samithdhanam for bramacharis or Owpasana for grihasthas

Step 3 is the text for Kamokarishin Japa, Maha-Sankalpam & finally yogyobhaveetham

Step 4 is the brhama-ygaya prayogam
btw (the zip files contain the pdfs which need to be rotated to read in a book mode)

Sanskrit equivalent for the year, month, day & star =
Vikruti-nama-Samvatsare (Vikruti named year)
Dhakishna-Ayne (When the earth is is on its southern sojourn)
Varusha-Rithu (Rainy Rithu)
Sraavana-Maase (Month)
Shukla-Paksha (Moon on Waxing State)
Thriuthiyam (Day - three)
Brihu-vasara (Friday)
Hastha Nakshthra (Star of Hastha)

(My friend partha has given london's location and I refer to his site for details)

So do why all this? Basically the tradition is that for six months from Avani to Thai months (Aug/Sep-Dec/Jan), one can learn vedas and then the next six months, it is said they should not learn BUT recite and memorise the ones that they have learnt. So when the next cycle starts, the vedas are to be begun again. However if someone does not do these kramas(duties), then to repent and re-initiate is through upakarma. Hence the importance of upakarma which is now referred as avani avittam. (If anyone wishes to have the full book, please write to me and I will photocopy and post it. - Appreciate if you can donate an amount to Thoohur pada sala in Trichy where Aacharyan Sri. Mahara Bhushnam teaches Sama Vedikas today.) I had been there a couple of years back and I got some videos. Will find and post them.

I intend to do properly this year and begin to learn vedas through CDs and online. People recommend to do through aacharyas and I am not gifted in the place where i live. However Vedas are set to be apourashya (not made by humans) and to be cognisicsed through sound. So I seek it through sound tracks online or through CD. I also intend to visit a near by temple and seek blessings from one of the priest to guide me. My intention is to make a start. Learning never ends, does it?

Fall or Autumn - time for "Insight"

If you have noticed, my summer has passed like a whirlwind. Be it office, family or at my Uni, I have worked very hard and 'smart' to deliver. Riding many horses at the same time has been a challenge, but I am getting better by inches. Fall or Autumn is a season of insight to me. Why do people have many words for the same thing? How could I do better? I know my goal, but there are many paths... which one should I choose?

A few years ago, I asked my dad (who is a staunch believer in God) about polytheism and his view on it...Hinduism is a way of life or a religion of religions, so practising a way is such a challenge if your roots belong to it. His view was quite simple. Let us say you want to go to destination A and if it has 10 routes, travelling by route 1 for 5 miles and route 2 for 4 miles and route 3 for 3 miles won't take you to A. But all routes do take you to A. All roads lead to same destination. The message was 'You have to choose a way AND stick to it'. Very important is the AND clause. I have been riding many horses but not many paths, but I am now at the junction of many paths. The situation reminds me of Robert Frost's 'Road Not Taken'. I have to choose one! Languages do have different words for same thing, religions have many paths to same God. I choose simple words to describe complex things, so is simplicity the best option? A conjecture.

Family tree is getting rusty, the roots need my support or do i yearn for support from the roots? A Banyan tree symbolises my position. I am an 'aerial prop' trying to reach the roots and not yet there, but will be there one day. Is the prop supporting the tree or the prop wishing to take support from the root? Science says that these props become trunks and are indistinguishable. But thoughts question the logic "the props do they support the roots or take support by growing to the roots?"

Don't get me wrong, I am not melancholic, this is an insight into the path that should be taken. I am strong, sound and resolute to achieve! Readers have asked me on the absence of thoughts, actually they are never absent, just silent.

So what did i do the last fours months? Assignments for the Uni, family time, extended family time, moving houses. Ah! that reminds me that i am sitting in a developed world where it has taken 2 months for the telecom company to provision a broadband for me. I am not joking, in fact i should say it has taken me 3 months. I called TalkTalk on Aug 14th to mention i am moving houses (I moved on Sep 20th), they disconnected me on Sep 10th and i got my broadband on Nov 3rd. What a service! I called, tweaked, poked and finally gave up! you have to win some and loose some... I ordered a slow mobile broadband and ploughed through my way...Life now is a bliss with the super fast 4Mb broadband!!!

I imagine what if one day the internet goes down? (post for a different day)...

Ram + Ayan - Path of Rama.

I have been very busy on all counts - family, official, personal... I have often observed that when i am busy on one facet of life, somehow it spreads to other facets and keeps me occupied... blogging is an activity that needs some special time... I just can't blog with no clear thoughts... i.e. don't want to blog crap things; one might read mine and say well you have got enough craps, why not add more?

A few things in the last couple of weeks - the financial markets, bomb blasts in my home country, debacle of labour leadership in my adopted country etc etc. People have blogged all over about these things and today my favorite topic is about my mother tongue - Tamil. My parents are here visiting their grandson and i have been re-living some of our past time moments and one fine evening i played Pulavar Keeran's kamba ramayanam (Click here to know more about it) discourse. I was born and brought up in Neyveli, TN, India - a planned city that meets prime % of India's power needs using lignite based combustion technology. Wiki talks about the culture of neyveli - a multi-cultural one.

During 1980s Tamil Nadu was facing anti-Hindi and anit-brahaminical, atheistic fanaticism. People who were in those buckets had to hide their backgrounds. Brahmins were attacked and their hair do (Kudumi) was cut off in aggressive attacks, and the fanatics bashed all hindi/sanskrit speaking people... Life was such and i was 4 or 5 then and hearing those scary stories was pastime. Anyways in such a climate Pulvar keeran stood tall for his pro-theist discourses and those were in Tamil. His oration on Kamba ramayanam was the best of all. Day before, we listened to one of his discourses on kamba ramayanam. That's the one that brought back the memories! Pleasant memories - every year summer holidays were usefully spent on listening to his discourses on various Hindu epics. The speeches were interlaced with academic references to tamil poetic and prose rules/grammar etc. an example - 'asathi aadal' is a subject area within a classification - 'samayam' i.e. Under the topic of 'Religion' this particular 'asathi aadal' is a style of writing the writers use to express his/her pleasure/displeasure to God as he would do it to a friend that too in a mocking manner! As and when possible ,he would relate such academic references and imparted knowledge to the youngsters like me, hence our Tamil flourished.

On the contrary, the fanatics who adopted aggressive anti-hindi positions spoke rubbish tamil interlaced with uncultured and un-parliamentary words. But children like us who listened to Keeran's speeches have our tamil living in very good states. That's true - my tamil is better than most of the tamilians around and its just not in speech, but in vocabulary, capability in understanding very difficult proses etc. Though Pulavar keeran is not with us today, I am proud to say his works have inspired and instilled some of the good things that i have today. (also to mention that during his discourse he presented prizes to kids who answered his questions correctly - i got one of his books signed by him in one such occasion and I still have it proudly)

I need to put down some of my thoughts on Ramayanam... Two key things from the epic. I believe Ram existed and he stood up for Monogamy in the times when polygamy was prevalent and was not frowned upon. In fact, his father the King who ruled from Ayodhi was said to have 60,000 wives and situation were so bad those days, that Rama had to stand up and live faithfully in conditions where one could have so many chances to be an infidel. He was the prince and a son of the powerful king, where no one could question him and he could have ignored Sita and led a 'happy' life; but he stood up for Monogamy and went in search of his wife.

In his search he had to cross the sea and he had a bridge to move into Srilanka. (Ram Setu aka Adams Bridge). In his times, the sea division between India and Srilanka could have been very less and he could have very easily built a bridge and one such floating stone is still found in a north Indian temple, where the record says the stone was brought over from Ram Setu when they returned to Ayodhi. This stone still floats in water and is living proof of Ram Setu. I recently saw this in TV. The bridge is a memoir for us to remind ourselves to be faithful to our marriage life. In the day of AIDS and other VDs, we should think about our lessons from Epics and make a point to ourselves.

Then i come to my second point - Ramayan means - The path of Rama - Ram + Ayan = Ramaayan. Ayan means path in Sanskrit. So we got to remind ourselves the path of Ram and the key message is to be in one marriage. In fact Ram was known for his three 'ones' - One Word, One Arrow and One Wife. He sticks to his word; Just needs one arrow to bring his enemy down; People would come up with this question why did he doubt his wife - Sita, when she returned from Ravana's captive. Rama's to that question are very much in detail. To keep a house at its best, one could sacrifice a member of the family and to keep a county at its best, a house could be sacrificed and to keep a state at its best, one can sacrifice a county and it goes on to a country as well. In this case Rama who stood for virtuous life heard a fisherman foul mouthing Sita as she was in Ravana's captive. Rama was taken aback and he had to keep his wife away to be an example to his state subjects. To do so, he thinks for quite a long and this though process is well documented in some forms of Ramayan. People who would like to understand these can well read those. So this was not a mere excuse for Rama to exile Sita, but a well thought and painful decision.

Two key messages from the epic - one to be a faithful husband at any cost and what all hardship he went through and the second much more insightful as to why he had to exile his loving wife and the one he loved so much! Contrasting but very meaningful messages... Could we think of any such acts in the world history?

Dasathavatharam Review Part II

A fore note - In my previous blog - i meant 'switched off' as a mode where one is less indulged in the pleasures of an entertainment, but rather the one who reviews it in a 'lower indulgence' mode. Before i go any further, let me say these comments are a reflection what i saw on the movie; i clarify this because, people form their own opinion and view, from the same set of words.

In this case i review it from the angle that Kamal has taken a subject of science and religion to portray both brings evil with it, whether we like it or not. This is such a turning stand from him, given his afflictions to narrow atheist views. I don't mean turning to a theist's view but a balanced view that he tries to find himself as well as try to put it across to the audience. To get the argument across, he has used his acting skills in 10 dimensions, so he could leave a stamp on Filmworld's history. So his personal aim in some sense has clouded his argument - that's where he has failed to deliver or may be succeeded ! - I will come to this point in the end.

Kamal's 11th role is quite underplayed, but that's the important role that we should be reviewing. That's his role in Story, Screenplay and Dialogue. Some subtle dialogues clearly portray the viewpoint- He starts with a chaos theory view and mentions a religious war in India in 12th century and rubs in a line - 'a time when no Islam or Christian gods were there to war, the locals warred using Indian Gods' I think this is such an important quote to reflect - religious hatred existed/exists irrespective of which religion you follow - (Hinduism like to identify themselves as peace loving - note: i consider Buddhism as part of Hinduism) So he has chosen an intra-Hindu religious aggression to convey that point and moves onto science and its menace. As he moves on, another line is thrown in - why did one Hindu god allow its follower to kill and the other Hindu God let its supporter to die in spite of fighting for the God's cause?

Now moving onto Science and its problems - actually science in its own conceptual world is not a problem, the scientists or the people again are the problem-doers! But he well mixes it with the people like the Dalit, the Muslim family, the 95-year old grandma to show humanitarian sides as well.
All in all, he has attempted very well to put a holistic view that People are just different and problems or happines is all self-created! Finally, he quips 'It would be nice, if Gods existed' - the theist heroine who's supposed to marry him is happy that he has reconciled his stand about Gods without understanding what he actually meant!

So goes back to my question - has he failed or succeeded?

If i say he has succeeded, then its indeed a success, coz' i treat it so; but a failure because many others don't agree or do not find the arguments shared similar to my review?

If i say he has failed, coz' he has clouded the argument with his personal aspiration of ten roles and the screenplay defects, then its indeed a failure; but in a way he has succeeded in his argument that it's - inherent human nature to be flawed!

A finishing comment: So if our human nature is inherently flawed - could a scientific solution actually solve it or a religious awakening acknowledge it and move on?

Shambo Mahadeva!

Last Saturday i heard about Skandavale from a friend... It was interesting to know about a place which is similar to Pazhani hills - abode of Lord Murugan. The curiosity to visit the Hills heightened... Could you imagine non-indian priests performing Hindu ceremonies etc... I decided that i would one day go over to Skandavale. FYI: Skanda refers to Lord Murugan.

So the next day i visited their website and found this controversial news. It's really a delicate issue to handle - as a Hindu follower i signed the petition; but as a good citizen should i follow the rules? If i look at the supporters views, the government could have given some more time... why?

A. The bull was not infected, but a carrier only
B. The effectiveness of the tests are still debatable
C. A similar case in Devon was given more time
D. the supporters were ready to pay extra money to get tests from US that's more conclusive

Given all the above, my heart feels for Shambo; having said that would the Government start slaughtering AIDS infected or carriers? What about people who oppose death penalties? what does blue cross say about these?

On a different note, people appreciate non-pujaris doing Hindu ceremonies in places like Skandavale, would they agree the same in India?