March 2006
One of the reasons I still watch Sun Music is for songs like this.
1. I never knew a movie called Kodambakkam got released
2. I never expected siRpi to compose such a nice melody.
Any idea who penned the lyrics?
ரகசியமானது காதல் மிக மிக ரகசியமானது காதல்
ரகசியமானது காதல் மிக மிக ரகசியமானது காதல்
முகவரி சொல்லாமல் முகம் தனை மறைக்கும்
ஒரு தலையாகவும் சுகம் அனுபவிக்கும்
சுவாரஸ்யமானது காதல் மிக மிக சுவாரஸ்யமானது காதல்
சொல்லாமல் செய்யும் காதல் கனமானது
சொல்ல சொன்னாலும் சொல்வதும் இல்லை மனமானது
சொல்லும் சொல்லை தேடி தேடி யுகம் போனது
இந்த சோகம் தானே காதலிலே சுகமானது
வாசனை வெளிசத்தை போல அது சுதந்திரமானதும் அல்ல
ஈரத்தை இருட்டினை போல அது ஒளிந்திடும் வெளி வரும் மெல்ல
(ரகசியமானது)
கேட்காமல் காட்டும் அன்பு உயர்வானது
கேட்டு கொடுத்தாலே காதல் அங்கு உயிராகுது
கேட்கும் கேள்விக்காகத்தனே பதில் வாழுது
காதல் கேட்டு வாங்கும் பொருளும் அல்ல இயல்பானது
நீரினை நெருப்பினை போல விரல் தொடுதலில் புரிவதும் அல்ல
காதலும் கடவுளை போல அதை உயிரினில் உணரனும் மெல்ல
(ரகசியமானது)
கடலை பருப்பே,
வரும் சட்டசபை தேர்தலில் தே.பொ.டி.க(தேசிய பொறம்போக்கு டிமிக்கி கழகம்) தனித்து போட்டியிட போவதில்லை. கடந்த சில மாதங்களாக கூட்டணி கட்சி நண்பர்களுடன் ரூம் போட்டு ஆலோசனை செய்ததில் எற்பட்ட உடன்படிக்கை பின் வருமாறு.
கூட்டணி பெயர் –> ஜனநாயக பொழுது போக்கு கூட்டணி
தே.பொ.டி.க- 143 இடங்களில் போட்டியிடும்
தி.தொ.போ.க (திருவிழாவில் தொலைந்து போனவர்கள் கட்சி)- 69 இடங்களில் போட்டியிடும்.
வ.வா.ச.(வருத்தப்படாத வாலிபர் சங்கம்) - 21 இடங்களில் போட்டியிடும்
மீதி பத்து தொகுதிகளை Choice இல் விடலாம் என்று முடிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.
நமது கூட்டணிக்கு வாக்களித்து வெற்றி பெற செய்யுமாறு பணிவன்புடன் கேட்டு கொள்கிறேன்.
கையில Mouse உடன்
பிரபு
Yesterday, myself and Ravages set out on a mini trip towards some old temples(Whats new in this? :-)).
Bheemeswarar temple, Serapanancheri:
This place is some 5 kms from padappai, on the mudichur kancheepuram road. 5 kms after padappai when you proceed towards kancheepuram. After you cross padappai, keep looking towards the right. There will be a small board mentioning ‘Bheemeswarar temple’. Ask the villager around there, if you cannot locate it. Its pretty popular there. Anyone you ask says that the temple is 3000 years old(Oh yes, 3000 years old). The temple does look extremely extremely old, and the architecture is nothing like what I have seen before.
It is in a pretty bad shape, and looks like some renovation work is happening slowly. In the left wall of the temple, the inscriptions are in a different font. And in the right wall, even older inscriptions. Definitely signs of this temple being built and renovated in 2 different centuries.
Pooja happens once a day in the morning. And do lookout for a stone containing some inscriptions, to the left of the piLLayar temple.
If any of the archaelogy experts are reading this, request you to visit this place. It will be really nice to protect this temple. And please do find the age of the temple and let me know 
Arunachaleswarar Temple, Walajabad
This is on the Chengelpet-Kancheepuram road. If you are coming from padappai, then take a left turn at walajabad cross road towards chenglepet. Some 1/2 km after the junction you will find this extremely old temple towards the right. This temple is around 4oo to 500 years old. In a highly depleted stage. It seems this temple was built by a villager, when many people in the village died to due some mysterious disease. After building a temple, everyone got cured it seems. Thats what the old man in the temple mentioned to us. It seems there is a court case on who is the owner of the temple 
In case you visit walajabad, drop into this temple for some 10 to 15 minutes. The durgai silai is very artistically done. And dont forget to visit dakshinamurthy There is a murugan temple opposite this too, on the other side of the road. It seems the kumbabishekam was bound to happen any time. Check it out, if you visit this place.
Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Pazhaya Seevaram
8 kms from Walajabad, on the way towards chengelpet is a small town called as Pazhaya Seevaram. There is a small hillock, and atop it a beautiful Lakhsmi Narasimhar temple. It seems the Varadarajar silai was installed here first and later on moved to Kancheepuram. Every year on the day of maatu pongal, Varadar comes here in an oorvalam. He stays here for 2 days and poojas happen here. This temple is maintained by My college trust(DG Vaishnav college). The lakshmi narasimhar statue is pretty huge when compared to other temples.
Venkatesa PerumaL temple, Thirumukkodal
Thirumukkoodal. The place where 3 rivers(seyyaaRu,paalaRu and vedavathi) converge. Near that, there is a PerumaL kovil. This temple is maintained ASI. A very huge temple, which is very differently built. Like the perumaL sannidhi entrance is from the side. And it comes very close to the outer compound. Not much gap actually. Since this is very close to the river, there are chances of floods coming inside the temple. If you carefully observe at the mandapam’s behind the main sannidhi, you will find a decent drainage system for the water to flow. This temple must be easily around 1200-1500 years old according to the priest!
On the whole it was a very satisfying trip. We started at 6 in the morning and returned by 1 PM. Covered around 140 kms on a 2 wheeler 
Do visit these temples if you get time.
P.S. Click on thumbnails for bigger version. There are some notes. Do read them. And mail me, if you want a better resolution pictures
Let it be Jaya Bachan or Sonia Gandhi, almost everyone is looking at sacrifice/impact and all sorts of crap. I dont see anywhere where people are appreciating the Election Commission for being strict, and not bending for the politicians? Why? Good things dont attract media attention?
Some comments for my old posts, amuse me no end like this one Have a look at comment no 16
He and She are colleagues. They have started talking just some 2 or 3 weeks back. On a Friday He mails She, and asks if she is free over the weekend. She agrees to meet him.
Saturday
Morning 10.00 AM.
He wants to send a sms to She. But doesn’t know how to start or what to send. So he sends just a message ‘Good Morning. Have a nice day’. Waits for some 15 minutes. No response. He then proceeds to take a quick shower. He keeps thinking to himself, why She hasn’t responded, whether she wont be meeting him. Or if she became busy. Whatever! He is restless. Suddenly he hears the message ring tone. He drapes himself in a towel and rushes to check what message it is. It turns out to be a sardarji joke from some friend. Poor he gets back to the shower. After a while the phone rings. He is not in a position to receive the call. The call gets cut. He quickly finishes his shower, and with all anticipation rushes towards the phone. He looks at the missed call. Its an unknown landline number. Promptly He
Calls that number. It turns out to be a PCO. And the PCO guy doesn’t know who called. Not even a guy or girl And the area is somewhere else. Neither He’s area nor She’s area.
After some hesitation, He calls up She.
He: Hey hi!
She: Hello
He: Err. Did you call me now? I got a call from a landline number. Wasn’t sure who it was
She: No. I didn’t call
He: Oh ok. Fine. Catch you in the evening. Bye
She: Bye
Afternoon 2.00 PM.
He finishes his lunch. Is wondering whether He should call She and plan for the evening. But is worried, if She will be sleeping and he will end up disturbing her. Again he is restless. Tries to sleep, but fails The clock seems to be ticking slowly than normal.
04.00 PM
He calls She
He: Good Afternoon madam
She: Sollunga sir
He: Eppo meet panlaam?
She: Around 5?
He: Err. Enga polaam?
She: You should only tell me. I am new to Bangalore
He: Ok. Inga basavangudi la there is a temple. Bull temple. Romba famous. Anga polaama?
She: Polaame. I have heard about it. Never seen it
He: It’s a nice place. We can go for dinner after that. You like Chinese or far eastern cuisine?
She: Wont it be too late?
He: No no. We can be back by 9
She: Hmmm
He: Enna?
She: Ok. But lets try to be back as early as possible
He: Sure. Lets do onething. Lets meet by around 5.30. You stay in Jaya Nagar right? Shall I come to pick you up
She: Shall I come directly?
He: Ya. But I thought you don’t know the place. Adhaan
She: Hmmm. Ok
He: Ok. Tell me where should I come?
She: Come to cool joint in 4th block by around 5.30
He: ok
By the time the call is over, He is sweating profusely. And sighs with relief when the call is over.
05.30 PM
He: Hiii!
She: Hello
He: Polaama?
She: Ok. Eppadi ukkaranum. Single side or double side
He: However it is comfortable for you.
She places her handbag between them
06.00 PM.
He is riding the bike. He takes extra care that he doesn’t apply sudden brake or get into any potholes. But it is Bangalore. Irrespective of his extra care, the bike gets into 2 or 3 potholes. Add to it, the speed breakers. And He promptly asks sorry everytime this happens. She is amused, but doesn’t say anything.
06.15 PM.
They reach bull temple
She: Endha hotel kku porom dinner kku
He: We can goto Shiok in CMH Road. Amazing restaurant
She: Avlo dhoorama? Pakkathulaye engayavadhu polaame?
He: Err. Ok. There is a place called Cosmo Village near Brigade Road
She: ok. Lets go there
He: Sure. Hey. Archanai thattu vaangikalaam.
She: Ok.
(He knows that she is an iyer girl through common friend. But he doesn’t know how to ask, her natchathiram gothram etc)
They reach the sannidhi.
Archagar: Yaar perukku archanai pannanum. He promptly tells his details, and eagerly looks towards She
She: Saami perukke pannidungo
(He kku semma bulb).
He: Hey. Appa amma perla archanai panradhu dhaane.
She: Uh oh. I could have done that
He: No problem. Inga pakkathulaye dhodda ganapathy temple irukku. Anga pannikalaam
She: Ok
(They pray)
They reach Dhodda Ganapathy temple
Archagar: Peru natchathiram
She: She, magma natchathiram, Bharathwaja gothram
He: What?? Neeyum Bharathwaja gothram aa?
She: Ya ya. Bull temple la nee un gothram sollachaye Kaekkanumnu irundhen.
(By this time the archagar starts the archanai. So they keep quiet.
After a while
He: Cant believe it. Rendu perum ore gothram. Ha ha
She: Yes. Interesting
He: ya ya
(Unfortunately our He cant show the !!!!! expression, nor his disappointment)
Chennai- Right to Information!
The Chennai Right to Information Initiative
Do you get tired of people complaining about how inefficient, unaccountable and corrupt our public authorities are, but do nothing about it?
Do you want to play your part in effecting a transparent and accountable government without having it disturb your daily life?
Can you spend two hours a week volunteering from home / work / beach / coffee-shop?
Yes? Head here right away!
Where can I find more information about this?
A one-hour meeting has been organized at 5 PM on Sunday, March 26 at
Altius IAS Study Circle
27, Eldams Road, Alwarpet
Chennai 600018
The meeting will be to bring together people interested in this initiative. The idea outlined in the will be explained and discussed. Please drop in to the meeting to know more and contribute your opinion. If you know anyone who might be interested in this initiative, please forward this email. At this early stage, we are depending on word of mouth for spreading information about this initiative. If you are interested and would like to attend the meeting, send in an email to chennairti@gmail.com.
For more information, contact
Email: chennairti@gmail.com
Groups: chennairti-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, http://groups.google.com/group/chennairti
Exclusive flash news after India lost out to England.
Who knows, any of these might happen!
I was reading todays editorial from the communist parties propoganda paper(Some people call it Hindu). This para was very very interesting.
“By displaying an amazing propensity to switch from one end of the political spectrum to another, the DIC(K) actually damaged its credibility. Indeed, the apprehensions voiced within the LDF that the DIC(K), an offshoot of the Congress, was unreliable as an ally seemed entirely justified. Not surprisingly, the UDF was also wary of a party that could switch sides with such ease.“
Wow. Look who is talking about credibility. We are all in for a great entertainment during april and may. Communists will campaign for congress in tamilnadu. Cross the border and campaign against congress. Vice versa for congress too. Tch tch!
I really pity Sonia and Manmohan Singh when they tour the southern states for campaign. The people who prepare their speech must be extremely careful. Else it might end up with Sonia praising communists in Kerala, and saying things against them in Tamilnadu.
And here we have someone from the communist party talking about switching from end of political spectrum to another, that too in an editorial. Wow!
Any resemblance to this is intentional
We are looking for Vodkathon slogans. Mind you, it is not restricted to the idea of vodkathon, the slogans should reflect the spirit of being Spiritual (whatever that means to you and all of us). They can be one line, two short lines, or three very short lines…hic, if one word does the trick, great! If you are better with images than words, do it graphically. Go wild! Let your creative juices flow. Send us your entries at Vodkathon [at] gmail [dot] com (or in the comments)
For your trouble, we’re handing out free Van Heusen shirt buttons for the first 25 ‘creative’ submissions and non stop (The famous search engine company) Ad clicks for the top three entries. The contest ends on Wednesday, March 29 at 11:59pm IST. The ‘creative’ submissions will be added to this post as they come in so don’t think of plagiarizing because Vodkathon readers are pretty smart.
Your entries become property of the Vodkathon Creative Commons license; trademark fanatics, don’t bother. Feel free to advertise this contest on your blogs (extra brownie points if you do). More details as questions arise.
UPDATE: We invite active participation from women too. If you win, we will get you safety pin or allen solly working women’s shirt buttons based on your choice
The Karnataka Government presented its budget yesterday. Most of them were related to agriculture. But I saw a new tax or registration fee which caught my attention. The Karnataka govt has decided to levy a 7.5 % registration tax on caution deposits for house advances.
‘If you pay 1,00,000 Rs as caution deposit for your house, then Rs 7500 will be the registration fee. Before you needed to pay only 100 Rs.’ Whereas the government has reduced the registration charge for buying new houses.
But its not mentioned who has to pay it. Will the landlord happily pass it to the tenant or will it be 50-50? Actually am thinking of shifting to a bigger house. Guess I will hurry before this rule comes into place!
P.S. I saw this in print edition. Am unable to find it online. If you get the link, pass it on.