Tea girl

This little afgan angel is selling tea for drivers close to my office....

In mood for some Fruits !




step 1  halfway thro'...

 

step 2  voila..the fruits are ready !!!



Today after many years I found some good mood to do a few paintings...But not with paint and brush on paper...I dont have time for that anymore..But on computer with a mouse using a very rudimentary software 'Paint'!

Sketches in MS Paint...

mother and child...






My Fist !

sketches made with MS Paint

Great day!

Today I moved to the next phase of my Life. Became a Dad ! at around 18.30 IST my daughter was born ! Iam walking on the clouds!

Boom boom booooom

I recently heard this old Tamil film song…
“Boom boom boom maatukaran theruvil vanthandi….doom doom doom melam kotti sedhi sonandi”…(very crude translation : the boom boom boom cow-man came on the streets …doom doom doom-he drummed and gave the tidings…).It woke up some sleeping memories.
In my childhood, for no reason the distant sound of the boom boom maadu (cow) will send shivers down the spine… this was utilized by elder bullies (read parents) “if u don’t finish your breakfast (read idlis), I’ll call the boom boom maatukaran”…(poochandi threat was reserved for dinner)…
Actually, it is only a harmless but holy temple cow. But its bizarre attire, its sharped horns, its violent head shake backed with the eerie drum will give chills to any kid.

The 'cow-man' would stand at the doorstep and make a boooing (cant think of a better word) sound by scratching his stick across his drum in a curious rhythm. The People of the house run to ask questions to the intelligent cow - which would shake its head vigorously …and this shake would be interpreted by the 'cow-man' for an answer. So it was sort of an advanced method to know your future, if you’ve got one. And of course a complicated method at taking alms!
The boom boom madu is another dying tradition now.
Iam sure many of today’s city kids many not understand what a boom boom maadu is… Just wondering what today’s bullies use to threaten their kids into eating idlis…………

(Photos: from the net - maybe the last surviving boom boom madu @ the meenakshi temple )

and the ' veeraval ' goes to...

I have no idea who this guy V. Balakrishnan is…I don’t know who are all the members of his Amutha Surabi Kalai Mandram…no clues what they do the rest of the 364 days in a year..but what they've been doing on one day every year is most amusing.They've been bringing to Madurai some of the iconic legends of Tamil filmdom like Vayapuri, Laila, Abirami, Shyam etc and presenting them with amazing awards and titles…in a gala event at Raja Muthiah Mandram.
This time they presented ‘veeravals’ (swords of valor) to Sneha, Priyamani and Padmapriya. Very brave ladies indeed…to come and accept such an award itself needs guts…so no need of any doubts here. And of course, Sneha made her acceptance speech in chaste ‘Madura tamil’ and made the day for the mob…Another ‘veeraval’ recipient was director Pee.vasu. He was once titled by this same mandram as ‘navarasa eeyakkunar’…for directing the silliest movie of all time ‘chinathambi’…man this was needless…for the quality of movies he makes, he already has the fitting title in his initials…I almost forgot. Some new actor called Prasanna was also encouraged with a veraval..but who cares for dessert, lets focus on the main dish…Sneha made her speech in…..ok ok I already said that

Well, the only glaring difference between this awards show and Oscars is that, here the award winners have to undergo an interactive question answer session with the audience. So guys, its just not fun but informative as well..

Nothing can match the fanatical film craze that this city embarrasses you with. Ok, Trichy still holds the Guinness record for building worship places for actresses…But what you see in Madurai is unmatched hilarity in its own way… So what, Sneha made her speech in……

Random thoughts from my vacation...

I have always traveled in Indian Airlines between Chennai and Madurai. They serve you puli satham or keerai satham for lunch! Yuck! And they have hostesses who will remind you of your school teachers! When they greet me near the flight entrance, I will be almost tempted to say “gooodmorneeeeeeng mam” like in school days… Even though it’s barely an hour’s flight time I find it the most boring journey for such obvious reasons. The only thing that will keep me awake is the thought that Iam nearing home.
But it all changed for me this time. I took Jet airways for a change. I was skeptical when I entered the flight because of my previous experience in another private airline- Deccan where they sell food on the plane. Not even water is free. And to top it all I had my ears paining for 12 hours after I landed.
But my jet experience was really pleasant…. Excellent food and a couple of enthusiastic young hostesses who were always smiling… I can’t wait for my next trip to Madurai.


Indian Airlines is now changed to "Indian"......they say they are building a new image..Hmmm...u have to do something better than that guys! send home the teachers on retirement...


I rediscovered that Madurai is the cheapest place for ‘good food’ in the whole world. When we went to Bell Hotel for breakfast, my wife ordered “set Tiffin”.I was wondering what that was ? In a few minutes the waiter brings a platter with an idly, a big scoop of pongal, a cup of kesari, a dosai, an assortment of sambars and colorful chutneys and finally a cup of coffee….all for an unbelievable 25 rupees package! whew!
( I was content with a masala dosai as the first two items in the set Tiffin never agree with me!)


I clicked this pic as I drove past the 'Nel vaniha valaham' thats next to mattuthavani bus stand.It stood fully complete but deserted. The green tiles looked odd against the rest of the color scheme...now a days, every govt building has to have some green to please "amma" (who may not even know that such a building exists).... It has a solar paneled dome –hmmm...something interesting! But why this multi million dollar project is still standing unoccupied is a mystery we have to solve.


At SAP , Prof. Ravi used to talk hours about the influence of politics in buildings. Here is one sorry specimen for him-the High Court at Madurai. This building was started in the DMK regime and completed & opened in the present ADMK regime. The building was initially designed with elements resembling the ‘anna arivalayam’- to please 'Dr.kalaingar'. And, finally colored green to please 'amma'. sigh*...

Cravings ...

Where the green grass,
To the tune of wind,
Gently waves in a dance:
There will I lie in a trance,
To rest my tired mind.

For the song of the cuckoo

That fills the green vale,
And it’s overflowing echo:
My wealth, my wants, I’ll forgo;

Even my life and all.

1991

Happy Republic day !

Mr.O.Jayapandi showed his patriotism with his tri colored boat on the Vaigai river, Madurai (file photo : 26.01.2004)

Know this place?

Colonial villas, green and colorful landscape, cool breeze, captivating vistas and delecious food...thats none other than the Taj Garden retreat in Madurai.




This centuary old celebrated property (previously owned by Madura Coats) is perched atop the Pasumalai hill, amidst 62 acres of landscaped gardens .





peacocks on the porch...
The panaromic night view that you get from here of the Temple city is worth every rupee you spend on the costly food




Vaigai Hall, were our weekly Rotary (Metro) meetings are held...

visit "Foodie Madness in Madurai " @ Noa's blog for more on Taj food.