El-Oh-Ve- Ee

Love. El -oh-Ve- Ee. What is love? The two parties in love can be one of the million things that exist in universe. My love for chocolates. A kid's love for her teddy bear. Or Abhishek Bacchan's love for Ms Rai, at the end of the day it boils down to the same emotion. Love. Just that it has different hues. Depending on the people involved. I am not going to sound cliched by talking about love between a mother and a child, or between a pet and its master. I am going to talk about love, as is understood by the younger generation, the state of perceptual anesthesia, the game of give and take, the limits of sacrifice, the moments of pleasure. Yes, the love between Eve and Adam.

Throughout my life, I have witnessed many couples make and break. Not that each story is too different from the other. But the circumstances are most certainly different. One thing is certain, anything can be forgotten. Anybody can be forgotten. Sounds rather harsh, but alas thats the way it works. I had frowned at my friend who said this to me long before. But I am beginning to see it now.

One particular couple that I want to write about. Guy was the typical one who came to college just to ogle at girls and show off that he was the coolest dude. A back bencher who would wonder what to do with answer sheets and would end up making rockets. Girl, who thought falling in love was a bigger crime than murder, extremely committed to two things : her books and Christ.
Two people with very different perceptions of life, very different goals, very different natures. It was a shock to all of us that the girl had fallen for this guy. Everyone condemned her choice . Is this why they say "Love is blind" , I questioned myself. Guy who had a double digit arrear, no aim in life whatsoever. But before we realized, her love started impacting him in a big way, he cleared his arrears. Changed the way he spoke. Changed the clothes he wore. To top it all, he graduated with a 70%. He made a job with one of the best firms in the country. My respect for her grew exponentially. I call this a 'WOW story'. Now they are happily married.

Another one: All was going on well between them, they knew it right from the beginning that it wouldnt work out considering their conservative parents. They did not stop? No they did not. Did they take efforts to convince their parents? No they did not. Do I call it not-all -that-strong -love ? or do I call it practicality- at-its-best? I am seriously confused.

My dad's opinion about love made me laugh. He called it an "arrangement". An arrangement as long as its convenient for both. If its not, then call it quits. My take on this :- In the journey of life, each one takes his path to find his treasure. On the way, he finds a beautiful rose, picks it up, admires it, loves it, but when its thorns start withering away , falling on his path, he throws it away, clears his path and moves on.

Am I sounding cynical? What do you guys think??

Small moves, Big moves

you make small moves, someone's heart makes big moves...

Yes, its the small things that matter to me the most. I may sound corny. But trust me, thats what it is , thats the way it will be, thats the way I want it to be. I am trying to learn, trying to be more sensitive to surroundings. Not bad, I am making progress.
I cannot handle indifference well, rather I cannot handle it at all. Be it towards me , or towards anything that I feel,is unwarranted. Master's education in the US has taught me life. Taught me to fight it. Taught me to enjoy it. Taught me to sail through.

Met some people. agreed. Made friends with them. agreed. Like being with them. agreed. All kinds of people live in this world. No one is perfect. I am not, you are not. But being "sensitive" has its pros n cons. On one hand, you are able to do small things that people appreciate, on the other, you are injured by their indifference.

Ever thanked the driver that stopped to help you cross the road? Ever called a toast to someone who cooked you dinner? Ever sent your wishes to someone celebrating victory? Ever tried to acknowledge everyone in a party? Ever held your grandmother's hand and told her how much you love her? Ever complimented someone on their looks? Ever reassured one in distress that things will be fine soon? Ever told your parents that they are the best ones on the planet? Ever told your loved one how much you miss her/him? Ever thanked your friend for making you feel special?

I have come across people who are nothing short of a gem to their loved friends, and nothing short of a monster to people they dont care about. I dont respect them. Period. Everyone has priorities, I am not advocating that everyone should be meted out with same justice. But be good to people who are good to you, whether you care or not.

Lakhs to Orphanage, Millions to Old Age Home,
Success coming your way, all credit to your dome,
You aint big yet, dear man, you aint.
The perfume of pleasure may make you faint,
You aint there yet, dear man, not surely yet.
Burn arrogance, let your ego melt.
You are getting there , dear man, you are.
Smile, let the world know you are there,
To help, to care, to make the difference.
You made it, dear man, this is life : you , its essence.

-- Maduri

Messed up thoughts? Yes, by all means they are. Result of anger? Well, may be. Result of something that I lived through recently? More definitely yeah :)
Is it just me? or does anyone else feel the same? Or Am I just being an emotional bundle as always :-?

Sail on....

Ignite the fire

Ignite the fire, Feed the desire,
Albeit it means, toiling for the next myr,
Cease not my child, the need is indeed dire,
To prove, to acquire, to reach levels higher,

A born winner, your goal is near,
Let nothing, your determination deter!

-- Maduri

Click here to listen to Chale Chalo from Lagaan :
http://maduri.rn.googlepages.com/ChaleChalo-Lagaan2001.mp3


Man is a social animal. Wide gamut of emotions mixed with the 60,000 million veins, countless thoughts running in the tiny winy brain and what not. It is very natural that at some point of time in life, we say " Ahh I give up. This is getting too much." " Dont feel upto anything" "Motivation is reaching its best negative peaks". This happens with everyone. Frustration , depression, lack of motivation, boredom. All these terms are related to each other to a certain extent.

Self Motivation is your genie. It is but a wonder to see how it changes the moods of a man, his perception of life, and urges him to charge at his goal. A few tips to keep the fire burning :

1) Set short term goals in life, achievable ones. This way you know , you surely can get to them with just a little more effort. This is the strong brick of our house.
2) Chart out a plan giving some leeway to unforeseen circumstances.
3) Adhere to it, feel proud about yourself, think of how organized your life is, feel excited to see yourself making small steps towards your goal.
4) When you see the fire dimming down, take a small break, but promise to come back with a bigger bang.
5) Patience thy Virtue, if your goals are big ones, dont expect them to happen overnight. This aint a fairy tale, this is your life, you gotto make it happen.
6) Think of the pleasures of your achievement.
7) If that doesnt work, dread your failure.
8) Reward yourself periodically as you progress.

Lo and Behold you are there before you realize!

MANAM IRUNDHAAL MARGAM UNDU

ARR does it again!

Yes, I am talking about Azhigiya TamilMagan. ARR has churned out a neat album with the right mix of beats that the masses of TN like listening to, and the 'Style' that tags along with Vijay.
Thoughts .....

Ellapughazum:-- ARR
Title song, the rhythm sounds repetitive, the tune , a straightforward one. Not one of ARR's best vocals I should say, I still go with Dil Se. Lyrics..Good Old Vaali, looks like he is becoming popular with writing title tracks for Kollywood heroes( Remember Athiradhi from Sivaji).

Kelamal Kadhale :- Saindhavi, Sriram Partha.
Melodious number tuned to a racy rhythm.. A 'must listen to' for guys who love the flowing numbers of ARR Sriram Parthasaarthy emotes well, the same cant be really said about Saindhavi, her voice lacks strength albeit being one of the sweetest sounding voices in the industry.

Maduraikku Pogadhe:- Benny, Archith, Dharsana
Folk number, somehow feel it has an Ilayaraja flavor to it. Nothing much to be talked about.

Nee Marlyn Monroe: - Benny, Ujjaini,& Co
The strings at the first bit of the song makes one look forward to it. Stylish number, naughty n funny lyrics, great voices, my pick in this album. Female voice (guessing its Ujjaini) is really bratishhhh and filled with attitude:)) Suits Namitha does it??? Song full of energy. Listen to it with your bass adjustments turned to the maximum.

Ponmagal Vandhal:- M.D Aslam, Ember
The song starts with "Muthukkal.." and I am sure you guys are gonna say ,oh not another remix again! But this one really makes one rock. Foot Tapping number. Retains the tune of the old song, experimental with the BGM I should say...catch the little bit of Jaltarang. 'Tanglish' Rap in between, which is typical of ARR albums.., its always half eaten, half processed Tamil !!=)) The English Rap isnt too impressive.

Valayapatti:- Naresh Iyer,Ujjaini & Co
Another folk number fused with classical music, Reminds one of Kummi Adi from Sillendru Oru Kaathal. Naresh has done a great job! The number gets experimental in between with Sivamani's creativity hogging the limelight.

Well, to sum up, ATM is a treat to all music lovers! Hail ARR!