தோழா தோழா கனவு தோழா

எனக்குப் பிடித்த பாடல்

தோழா தோழா,
கனவு தோழா,
தோழா தோழா,
தோள் கொடு கொஞ்சம் சாஞ்சிக்கணும்,
நட்பை பத்தி நாமும் பேசி தீர்த்திக்கணும்,

உன்ன நான் புரிஞ்சுக்கணும்,
ஒன்னொன்னா தெரிஞ்சுக்கணும்,
ஆணும் பெண்ணும் பழகிக்கிட்டா,
காதல் ஆகுமா?
அது ஆயுள் முழுதும் தொடர்ந்தாலும்,
நட்பு மாறுமா?
–
நட்புக்குள் பொய்கள் கிடையாது,
நட்புக்குள் தவறுகள் நடக்காது,
நட்புக்குள் தன்னலம் இருக்காது,
நட்புக்கு ஆண் பெண் தெரியாது,
நட்பு என்னும் நூல் எடுத்து,
பூமிய கட்டி நீ நிறுத்து,
நட்பு நட்புதான்,
காதல் காதல்தான்,
காதல் மாறலாம்,
நட்பு மாறுமா?

காதல் ஒன்றும் தவறே இல்லை,
காதல் இன்றி மனிதனும் இல்லை,
நண்பர்களும் காதலர் ஆக,
மாறியப்பின் சொல்லிய உண்மை,

நீயும் நானும் பழகுறோமே,
காதல் ஆகுமா?
இது ஆயுள் முழுதும் தொடர்ந்தாலும்,
நட்பு மாறுமா?
—
தோழா தோழா,
கனவு தோழா,
தோழா தோழா,
தோள் கொடு கொஞ்சம் சாஞ்சிக்கணும்,
—
நீயும் நானும் வெகு நேரம்,
மனம் விட்டு பேசி சிரித்தாலும்,
பிரியும் பொழுதும் சில நொடிகள்,
மௌனம் கொள்வது ஏன், தொழி?
புரிதலில் காதல் இல்லையடி,
பிரிதலை காதலை சொல்லுமடி,
காதல் காதல்தான்,
நட்பு நட்புதான்,
நட்பின் வழியிலே,
காதல் வளருமே,

பிரிந்து போன நட்பினை கேட்டால்,
பசுமையாக கதைகளை சொல்லும்,
பிரியமான காதலும் கூட,
பிரிந்தபின் ரணமாய் கொல்லும்,

மின்னலே! உறவின் பெருமை அறிவாயோ

எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்த பாடல்களில் இவ்விருப்பாடல்கள் எப்போழுதும் இருக்கும். எனக்கு பிடித்த சில வரிகளை பெரிது(bold) செய்துள்ளேன்.

அழகே சுகமா உன் கோவங்கள் சுகமா
அழகே சுகமா உன் கோவங்கள் சுகமா
அன்பே சுகமா உன் தாபங்கள் சுகமா
அன்பே சுகமா உன் தாபங்கள் சுகமா

தலைவா சுகமா சுகமா
உன் தனிமை சுகமா சுகமா
வீடு வாசல் சுகமா
உன் வீட்டு தோட்டம் சுகமா
பூக்கள் எல்லாம் சுகமா
உன் பொய்கள் எல்லாம் சுகமா
அன்பே சுகமா உன் தாபங்கள் சுகமா

அழகே உன்னை பிரிந்தேன் என் அறிவில் ஒன்றை இழந்தேன்
வெளியே அழுதால் வெட்கம் என்று விளக்கை அணைத்து அழுதேன்
வெளியே அழுதால் வெட்கம் என்று விளக்கை அணைத்து அழுதேன்
அன்பே உன்னை வெறுத்தேன் என் அறிவை நானே எறித்தேன்
உறவின் பெருமை பிரிவில் கண்டு உயிரில் பாதி குறைந்தேன்
உறவின் பெருமை பிரிவில் கண்டு உயிரில் பாதி குறைந்தேன்
பழைய மாலையில் புதிய பூக்கள்தான் சேராதா
பழைய தாலியில் புதிய முடிச்சுகள் போடாதா
வாழ்க்கை ஓர் வட்டம்போலே முடிந்த இடத்தில் தொடங்காதா
வாழ்க்கை ஓர் வட்டம்போலே முடிந்த இடத்தில் தொடங்காதா
அழகே சுகமா உன் கோபங்கள் சுகமா

பாடலாசிரியர்: வைரமுத்து
திரைப்படம்: பார்த்தாலே பரவசம்
இசை: AR ரஹ்மான்
பாடியவர்கள்: ஸ்ரீநிவாஸ், சாதனா சர்கம்

மின்னலே நீ வந்ததேனடி
என் கண்ணிலே ஒரு காயமென்னடி
என் வானிலே நீ மறைந்துப் போன மாயமென்னடி
சில நாழிகை நீ வந்து போனது
என் மாளிகை அது வெந்து போனது
மின்னலே என் வானம் உன்னைத் தேடுதே

(மின்னலே நீ)

கண் விழித்துப் பார்த்தபோது கலைந்த வண்ணமே
உன் கை ரேகை ஒன்று மட்டும் நினைவுச் சின்னமே
(கண் விழித்து)
கதறிக் கதறி எனது உள்ளம் உடைந்து போனதே
இன்று சிதறிப் போன சில்லில் எல்லாம் உனது பிம்பமே
கண்ணீரில் தீ வளர்த்தே காத்திருக்கிறேன்
உன் காலடித் தடத்தில் நான் பூத்திருக்கிறேன்

(மின்னலே நீ)

பால் மழைக்குக் காத்திருக்கும் பூமியில்லையா?
ஒரு பண்டிகைக்குக் காத்திருக்கும் சாமியில்லையா?
(பால் மழைக்கு)
வார்த்தை வரக் காத்திருக்கும் கவிஞனில்லையா?
நான் காத்திருந்தால் காதலின்னும் நீளுமில்லையா?
கண்ணீரில் தீ வளர்த்துக் காத்திருக்கிறேன்
உன் காலடித் தடத்தில் நான் பூத்திருக்கிறேன்

(மின்னலே நீ)

பாடலாசிரியர்: வைரமுத்து
திரைப்படம்: மே மாதம்
இசை: A.R.ரஹ்மான்
பாடியவர்: S.P.பாலசுப்ரமணியம்

P!NK - Just Give Me A Reason

Thanks to my brother Manikandan. He is the one who regularly updates me with good English songs even since my college days. In March 2013, he introduced me this song 'P!NK - Just Give Me a Reason' which I have been listening for so many months. Today it is haunting me. 

Official Lyric Video (below)

Official Video Link

Lyrics

Right from the start

You were a thief you stole my heart

And I your willing victim

I let you see the parts of me

That weren't all that pretty

And with every touch you fixed them

Now you've been talking in your sleep

Things you never say to me

Tell me that you've had enough

Of our love, our love

Just give me a reason

Just a little bit's enough

Just a second we're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars

It's been written in the scars on our hearts

We're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

Im sorry I don't understand where all of this is coming from

I thought that we were fine

Oh we had everything

Your head is running wild again

My dear we still have everything

And its all in your mind

Yeah but this is happening

You've been having real bad dreams

Oh oh

You used to lie so close to me

Oh oh

There's nothing more than empty sheets

Between our love, our love, oh our love, our love

Just give me a reason

Just a little bit's enough

Just a second we're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars

It's been written in the scars on our hearts

We're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

I never stopped

You're still written in the scars on my heart

Your not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

Oh tears ducts and rust

I'll fix it for us

We're collecting dust but our love's enough

You're holding it in

You're pouring a drink

No nothing is as bad as it seems

We'll come clean

Just give me a reason

Just a little bit's enough

Just a second we're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars

It's been written in the scars on our hearts

We're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again

When you are away Nothing to tell as Life

ஏன் என்று தெரியவில்லை நேற்று காலை வண்டியில் அலுவலகம் செல்லும் பொழுது இப்பாடலை வாய்விட்டுப் பாட ஆரம்பித்தேன். ஆனால் கடந்த இரு நாட்களாக இப்பாடலை மனதுள் பாடிக்கொண்டே இருக்கிறேன். நெஞ்சின் மிக அருகில் உள்ள சில வரிகள் இதோ. 

நீலத்தை பிரித்து விட்டால் வானத்தில் ஏதுமில்லை;
தள்ளி தள்ளி நீ இருந்தால் சொல்லிக்கொள்ள வாழ்க்கை இல்லை;

ஜீவன் வந்து சேரும் வரும் வரை தேகம் போல் நான் கிடப்பேன் ;
தேவி வந்து சேர்ந்துவிட்டால் ஆவி கொண்டு நான் நடப்பேன்.

நித்தம் சொல்வேன் என்னுள் அவள் இருக்கிறாள். அவளை தவிர வேர் யாரும் இப்பாடலில் எனக்கு தெரியவில்லை.

(முழு பாடல்)
வண்ணம் கொண்ட வெண்ணிலவே ;
வானம் விட்டு வாராயோ;
விண்ணிலே பாதை இல்லை ;
உன்னை தொட ஏணி இல்லை ;

பக்கத்தில் நீயும் இல்லை ;
பார்வையில் ஈரம் இல்லை;
சொந்தத்தில் பாஷை இல்லை ;
சுவாசிக்க ஆசை இல்லை ;

கண்டு வந்து சொல்வதற்கு காற்றுக்கு ஞானம் மில்லை;
நீலத்தைப்  பிரித்து விட்டால் வானத்தில் ஏதுமில்லை;
தள்ளி தள்ளி நீ இருந்தால் சொல்லிக்கொள்ள வாழ்க்கை இல்லை;

வண்ணம் கொண்ட வெண்ணிலவே ;
வானம் விட்டு வாராயோ;

நங்கை உந்தன் கூந்தலுக்கு நட்சத்திர பூ பறித்தேன்;
நங்கை வந்து சேர வில்லை நட்சத்திரம் வாடுதடி;

கன்னி உன்னை பார்த்திருப்பேன் கால் கடுக்க காத்திருப்பேன் ;
ஜீவன் வந்து சேரும் வரும் வரை தேகம் போல் நான் கிடப்பேன் ;
தேவி வந்து சேர்ந்துவிட்டால் ஆவி கொண்டு நான் நடப்பேன்.


பாடல் ஆசிரியர்: வைரமுத்து.
பாடி இயற்றியவர்: எஸ். பி. பாலசுப்ரமணியன்
திரைப்படம்: சிகரம்
பாடலின் ஒளிப்பதிவு இணைப்பு: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7fXQrIg21o

My First and Last Telegram

Today, when I sit to look back if I have ever come across a telegram, I remember that a telegram carried a news about my great grand mother in 1994. After that neither I nor my family members received a telegram. Last couple of days, I have been reading in newspapers and in internet that today July 14th 2013 Sunday will be the last day telegram services would operate in India. An idea struck me and I was contemplating for a long time whether to send a telegram to my egyptian lotus. I felt, it would be really special to send and receive a telegram which can kept as souvenirs with us and show it to our next generations. My egyptian lotus was special to me and I wanted to send her one. Actually, I also wanted to send to Nambiar, Xavier, Vasanth, Gokul as well. But somehow I couldn't find a telegram office nearby in Bangalore and even if I find it would be really too far away. I was not sure if post office operates on Sundays. I vaguely remember that telegrams are sent from BSNL Telephone offices. I called up on Nambiar and requested him to send on behalf of me to my egyptian lotus from Pondicherry. However, initially, he didn't agree. But later, after few emotional statements, he agreed. I sent him the message to be sent to her in a SMS (You are special. Hope you are doing good. Best Wishes. God bless. Sincerely, with Warm Regards, Rajesh). To my surprise, he called me in the evening and asked her address. Oh my God, my joy knew no bound. I gave him her address as well as edited the SMS (as "Hope you are doing good. Best Wishes. God bless. Sincerely, with Warm Regards, Rajesh"). And he sent the telegram to her. I don't know how much thankful I can be to my Nambiar. I am indebted to him lifelong. I hope that my egyptian lotus feels special on receiving the telegram.

And I sincerely thank all the employees of Telegraph offices for the service they have provided us right from common man to high-profile government officers.

God Bless. 

நெற்பயிர் விளைவு செய்.
Meaning: Harvest paddy grain

You could have been for some more time with me. What is the urgency honey ?

During my childhood, shutter bug bit me. In May 1996, during our vacation at my Uncle’s home in Bombay, I shot couple of shots in an automatic camera. I remember, my neighbours, much elder to me, discussing about shots, depth, brightness etc. Learnt my first lesson in my family function in which I wasted almost a roll by taking 10-15 pictures which made no sense. And I started enjoyed taking photos and framing shots. I would hardly be there in couple of snaps in album. So I started making myself available in few more snaps in the album. Till second year in my college days, my family camera helped me. And later my friend Prasanna Devi graciously admitted me to use her digital camera. I am always thankful to her for that kind gesture.

In 2005, having landed up in a decent job, I looked to own a digital camera. However, a good digital camera with more megapixels and higher optical zoom was expensive. In July 2007, Prasanna travelled to USA for an onsite assignment. With a verve, I explored, specifically dpreview.com as suggested by my friend Balasubramani. Overwhelmed by brilliant visuals, I wanted to own a DSLR though I haven’t used it earlier. But, at that time, for me, it was expensive considering my salary was lesser than the camera itself. I negated that it is an one time investment and let it be a good one. I mailed Prasanna to buy me a DSLR camera. She was enthusiastic to buy me but found the price to be around USD 700 (approx INR 26000). She gauged that I have gone crazy and replied that she won’t buy me now a DSLR and suggested me to learn using point and shoot camera first and later own a DSLR once I gained more confidence. Finally, in October 2007, she happily got me a Canon Powershot S5 IS camera - my first possession. I felt proud to own it from my earnings and I would cherish it for my lifetime..

Camera was a staple in all my travel. Inspired by a colleague who writes short stories, I decided to have my own blog. In December 2007 (though I created this blog in April 2007 and scribbled something) I started posting. I was obsessed to post only photographs in this blog and let them talk. Only since July 2010, I started writing posts. After a long hunt for a right title, I titled my blog as FROZEN MOMENTS (after listening to a speech by veteran cinematographer Balu Mahendra). 

Canon S5 IS was more than a camera to me. It practised me to envision things differently, observe the shots in films more closely, look for details, and practise simplicity in shots. As I always believe, post-processing (photo-shopping) doesn’t help to bring the best out of a photographer, I say complete no to post-processing. And I hate pictures that were spoiled by layers of excessive post-processing. To me, raw photographs reflect the photographer’s credentials truly. Little bit of post-processing is okay. I was enthused in taking landscapes, architectural buildings, people and culture and started working on them. My Camera played a huge role during my maiden trip to New Delhi, Kullu & Manali, Taj Mahal in June 2008. Capturing those mighty Himalayas, architectural splendour of Taj Mahal, landscapes of Shimla in that trip wouldn’t have been possible without my Camera.

When I shifted to New Delhi in July 2008, I had more time to spend alone. And I had more time to experiment with my camera. My colleague Yusuf Rampurawala taught me to operate in manual mode. He taught me what is aperture, timing etc. From then on, I rarely used Auto Mode and started enjoying the challenge of shooting in manual mode to come up with some memorable photographs. I walked across Delhi to visit Humayun Tomb, Red Fort,  Raj Ghat, India Gate, Pragathi Maidan. I visited Mussoorie, Jaipur, Taj Mahal on a full moon night, Shimla and Fagu. There were many children in the PG colony (Possangipur, Janakpuri, New Delhi) where I stayed. Many kids earnestly popped up with smiling faces displaying half-tooth’s. In few instances, few men questioned me ‘who are you, why taking snaps ? any bomb ?’ (during the days after Mumbai Terror Attack in November 2008).

Holi festival is a perfect occasion to capture vivid colours, candid expressions and joy among people of all age groups. And I have a prized possession of a photograph that I took during Holi. I enjoyed capturing my travelogue in my blog and circulating the updates to my friends. Few of them persistently encouraged me. And Balasubramani perennially encouraged me and pushed me to improve my acumen and expand my horizon. Slowly, imbibing some wisdom that I gained my friends, I started enjoying myself in taking snaps.

Since I owned it, Canon S5 IS has been my great companion in many occasions such as Prasanna’s marriage, Prasanna’a in-law’s house, Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Suresh Raja's Marriage, Vivek's Marriage, get-togethers, New Delhi-Agra-Shimla-Kullu-Manali-Manikaran, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Delhi (My Egyptian Lotus, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Humayun Tomb, Connaught Place, India Gate, Shani Bazzar, Dance & Music Concerts, Amaltos Flowers, Rainy season), Agra (Taj Mahal, Fort, Fathepur, Sikri) Auli, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Yelagiri, South Korea (Seoul, Suwon, Seoraksan National Park), Shimla, Holi Festivals,  Diwali, Train journeys, Gokul’s Reception/Marriage, Xavier’s Reception/ Marriage, Kerala (Munnar, Alapuzzha, Athirappilly Falls, Valparai) etc. Anybody who have read this unending list would imagine the amount of travel I would have done as well as the kind of different terrains and climates my camera would have been subjected to  (It weathered from minus -20o  C to 47 o C). 

Canon S5 IS is one of my possessions which I handled with utmost care. Nevertheless, unfortunately, like many good things, my camera faced an end. Service centre chaps found the problem to be with the optical sensor. I wanted to keep this camera alive at least for minimal operations. But repairing it is expensive (much higher than current generation cameras). This loss is definitely a very sad loss to me. Many times I found solace by taking it with me out. Twice, I have just went with my camera in my travel bag on a lonely two day trip to Athirappilly Falls. I feel emotionally handicapped. I can say that it was my happiness and my sorrow (என் இன்பம் நீ என் துன்பம் நீ).  I would always cherish the company I had with my camera, many tender moments that I had and some memorable satisfactory snaps that I took with it.

இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நேரம் இருந்தாக்க என்ன ?

என்ன அவசரம் என்ன அவசரம் ஏ பொன்னே ?

(You could have been for some more time with me.

What is the urgency honey ?)

Canon Powershot S5 IS- October 2007 – June 2013.

P.S: I give myself some more time for other things in my life before owning up a DSLR.

நிலையில் பிரியேல்.
Meaning: Never compromise on your principles 

நீதானே என் பொன்வசந்தம்

[You Are My Golden Spring]

நீதானே என் பொன்வசந்தம் ..
நீ இருக்கையில் எனக்கு
வேர் ஏது சொந்தம் ...
மனதின் உள்ளே  சத்தம்
வெளியே நிசப்தம்
கேட்பது உன் சங்கீதம்
கேட்காமல் இருக்கிறேன்
உன் சத்தம்
பேசாமல் இருக்கிறேன்
எனக்கு ஏன் இந்த சித்தம்
பெண்ணே நித்தம்
உன் சித்தம்
பேச எனக்கு
ஏன் தயக்கம் ?

Sometimes a second chance is the best gift you can give to yourself!!

2:25 a.m. 15-Dec-2012

நேர்பட ஒழுகு.

Meaning: Be honest

Life is short but Love is big

I felt to write a small blog about one of my favorite poems from Kurunthokai - a compilation of poems from Tamil Sangam Literature. 

குறுந்தொகை
18. குறிஞ்சி - தோழி கூற்று 
வேரல் வேலி வேர்க்கோட் பலவின் 
சாரல் நாட செவ்வியை ஆகுமதி 
யாரஃ தறிந்திசி னோரே சாரல் 
சிறுகோட்டுப் பெரும்பழந் தூங்கி யாங்கிவள் 
உயிர்தவச் சிறிது காமமோ பெரிதே. 
                    -கபிலர்.

Literature: Kurunthokai
Song#: 18
Region: Mountain Slopes
Said by: A girl
Author: Kapilar

O man of the mountain slopes
where the jack fruit tree has fruit almost on its roots
with the small live bamboo for its fences,
be of good thoughts and think of marriage.
No one knows of her state.
She’s like those other trees on the slopes,
their giant jacks hanging
from slender boughs;
her breath is short,
and her love great beyond bearing.
Translated by A.K.Ramanujan

Meaning: (A girl says to her friend)

Girl says that her lover is from the region of mountain slopes where jackfruit trees that bear fruits near roots are fenced using bamboos. She beautifully gives a brilliant imagery here. Much like a huge fruit on a slender tree, my life is insignificant, my love is immeasurable. Her love is increasing and she should be married at right time else she would die. "Does her lover understands this ?" , she questions her friend. This poem stands out for the phrase "சிறுகோட்டுப் பெரும்பழந்" (Much like a huge fruit on a slender tree).

Hope you enjoyed this poem.

Celebrate Love!
 

அனந்தல் ஆடேல்.

Meaning: Dont sleep for long duration

Romancing

I am romancing with this beautiful yellow Lily flower in my room on a wonderful Sunday evening. Its's fragrance is  pleasant and soothing :-)

மலரே அவள் சுவாசம் உன் வாசமோ

என்னை மயக்குகிறது

மயங்குகிறேன்   

எங்கு இருக்கிறாள் அவள் 
============================
உனக்காக நான் வாங்கிய பூக்கள்

என்னுடன் வாடுகின்றன

பூக்களை வாடவிடாதெ 

மேன்மக்கள் சொல் கேள்.

Meaning: Follow the words of scholars.

My Egyptian Lotus

உன்னோடு நான் கண்ட பந்தம்

மண்ணோடு மழை கொண்ட சொந்தம்

காய்ந்தாலும் அதில் ஈரம் எஞ்சும்

- வைரமுத்து

Happy Tanabata Day 2010

July 7 2010 - still fresh in me. In Gurgaon, it was in me. It was raining heavily. The roads were jammed at Plot 314. Amidst flooded roads, I went down to search for biscuits . But I could not get it. Came back. A brilliant idea flashed. Maggi!!! Then we went down, had a walk - ecstasy. From Route 4 bus near the Tea shop to Plot-314, for me, it looked like a runway in heaven. The moment I said Maggi, that bright face fresh from wet rain, sparkling eyes, the black hair giving a clean look + the child like enthusiasm for Maggi - it was serene. Went in search for Maggi @ Plot-314 cafeteria. There was a huge demand. Came back. Ten minutes later, approached once again. Got it. Maggi!! I was just telling myself - Unlike at college canteens, have it slowly. Yummy Maggi it was. Both of us enjoyed it. Yummiest Maggi I have had in my life! Wanted to tell what I had for the last two days in me.  But to live the present, I deliberately procrastinated it and didn't tell it. And went back to the bus and waited for another 2 hours for the roads to clear. And we chatted a lot that day. Best day in my life!

நினைவென்னடி பெண்ணே நீ இல்லாமல் 

நிலைகுளைந்துள்ளேன் நீ இல்லாமல்

நீர்வீழ்ச்சியாய் என்மேல் பாய்வாய்

நில்லாமல் என்னுடன் பேசுவாய் 

நித்திரை தனை தருவாய் 

நின்கதியாய் நான் உள்ளேன் மறவாதே 

Happy Tanabata Day. My wish for this Tanabata day is next Tanabata should be like 2010.

Again at Athirappilly Falls on my birthday

I celebrated my 28th birthday (on 9th June), rather in an unusual way, as a nomad travelling around Kerala. First I went to Guruvayoor to seek the blessings of Lord Guruvaayoorappan (Krishna) and Mammiyoor's Lord Mahadevan (Siva) and Thriprayaar's Lord Ramanamaswamy. Then I went to Athirappilly falls. 

Athirappilly falls is one of my favorite destinations. This visit, my third, to Athirappilly falls was simply rejuvenating. This time, the timing was perfect, monsoon has just started and the water in the falls was adequate. My previous visits to Athirappilly happened in peak monsoon, hence I could not view the falls from the bottom. But this time I could view the falls from the bottom. And luckily the clouds were gracing the spot beautifully. The view was spectacular. The rocky landscape mountain plus the river were simply majestic. Whatever may be the lack of words, Athirappilly falls is truly spectacular.  A must visit kind. 

I would recommend everyone to visit Athirappilly in the first week of June (onset of Monsoon). If it is on a weekend you might feel bit crowded. If you are going with your fiance/spouse alone you will "feel" a lot more than me :-) 

In short, my 29th year started beautifully. 

இந்த நேசம் பாசம் நாளும் வாழ்க

I fairly remember, I used to acknowledge myself that this song "தென் மதுரை வைகை நதி" as my favorite song during my high school days. Those days I used to sing it incorrectly like "செம்மதுரை கை நதி" until I corrected myself during my college days while I used to listen  it in my PC. Earlier I used to like this song for tune, lyrics, singers. And now I write this here in my blog because I am able to associate myself more with the lyrics of the song. I dedicate this blog post to my brother and Egyptian lotus.

தென் மதுரை வைகை நதி
தினம் பாடும் தமிழ் பாட்டு
தேய்கின்றது பொன் மாலை நிலா
தேயாதது நம் ஆசை நிலா
இது வானம் போலே
வாழும் பாசம் (தென் மதுரை )

நம்மை போல நெஞ்சம் கொண்ட
அண்ணன் தம்பி யாரும் இல்லை
தன்னை போல என்னை என்னும்
நீயும் நானும் ஓர் தாய் பிள்ளை
தம்பி உந்தன் உள்ளம்தானே
அண்ணன் என்றும் வாழும் எல்லை
ஒன்றாய் காணும் வானம் என்றும்
இரண்டாய் மாற நியாயம் இல்லை
கண்ணோடுதான் உன் வண்ணம்
நெஞ்சோடுதான் உன் எண்ணம்
முன்னேறு நீ மென்மேலும்
என்னாசிகள் கை கூடும்

இந்த நேசம் பாசம்
நாளும் வாழ்க (தென் மதுரை )

நெஞ்சில் என்னை நாளும் வைத்து
கொஞ்சும் வண்ண தோகை ஒன்று
மஞ்சள் மாலை மேளம் யாவும்
கண்ணில் காணும் காலம் இன்று
பூவை சூடி பொட்டும் வைக்க
மாமன் உண்டு மானே மானே
உள்ளம் தன்னை கொள்ளை கொண்ட
கள்வன் இங்கு நானே நானே
உன்னோடுதான் என் ஜீவன்  

ஒன்றாக்கினான் நம் தேவன்

நீதானம்மா என் தாரம் 

மாறாதம்மா என்னாலும் 

இந்த நேசம் பாசம்
நாளும் வாழ்க (தென் மதுரை )

----------------------------------------------

படம்       :   தர்மத்தின் தலைவன் 

இசை      :   இளையராஜா

பாடல்     :   வாலி

ஆண்டு   :   1988

----------------------------------------------

P.S: I sincerly apologise to all non-tamil readers.

Kerala Trip - Day2 [From Valparai to Athirappilly Waterfalls]

On Day 2 of our trip, we were ready by 8am and had thenir before we started to Athirappilly Waterfalls. On the way it was full of tea plantation estates. Early morning was fitting to watch the green of tea leaves completely dominated by the green before the sun gives different touch to it.  First we came across the Sholayar Dam. On one side of the dam there were calm green mountains and large water body. Far to the eyesight we could see virgin waterfalls silently pouring water to the dam. On the other side of the dam it was marvellous to catch the glimpse of the green on the walls of dam. Seeing the vast drench of gorgeous trees and mountains was fascinating. While it was drizzling, stretching the hands to the sky to finally cushion the head and circling 360 degrees (like Director Bala Mahendra captured beauty of Nilgiris/Ooty in “Kannae Kalaimaane” song) to register the landscapes again and again in heart and to realise what we have done to be in this beautiful planet was an experience of lifetime. At one place we could see a tea factory. And later we had Kerala’s delicious Appam as our breakfast from a home-cum-hotel like. (One Appam costs only Rs.5!! and one Vada costs only Rs.3!! Either trust me about the tariff I mentioned or travel there. But worth travelling).

From Sholayar Dam

From Sholayar Dam

Sholayar Dam

Tea Factory

 

Check post at forest entry point

Large extended family of  jackfruit

Once we crossed the interstate border we were stopped at the check post monitored by the forest officials. Adjacent to the small forest department complex, there were couple of Jackfruit trees. These trees were an adobe for the large extended family of about twenty Jackfruits huddling at different places.  And many of these fruits would weigh close to half my weight (on which I should soon work on).  The roads ahead were guarded on the both sides by the trees of dense forest. The roads were taking at least one bend/curve for every 150m. The roads were narrow and bit pathetic. In a way it was okay for me to have pathetic roads; we travelled slowly in the jungle and enjoyed the depth of the silence in the deep forests.   The atmosphere was terrific and we kept the windows open all throughout the journey. According to our chauffeur, normally we can witness elephants. Due to rain, elephants were not found.

Monkeys

Valley started

Valley of mountains

There were complex networks of shrubs, wild creepers and climbers, tall trees.  Wondering how the botanists keep count of the species available in this forest alone. With the help of grey clouds, sun started playing hide & seek with the forest and provided us numerous shades of green in the forest. We came across a valley of mountains on our right side.  I completely lost myself in the valley. Just observed it. On a grassy mountain, there were footsteps making way towards a factory.  At many places I stopped the car to just click snaps and didn’t worry that it made our journey long. I didn’t need any time compose the frames. I just had to click it, nothing else.

 

Pink flowers smiling

There were creepers, happily decorating the wet huge rocks with smiling pink flowers.  Every one of us enjoyed it. We came across silent silvery lake mirroring the mountains and the trees. We witnessed black monkeys of the forest. Vazhachal Waterfalls and Athirappilly Waterfalls arrived. We didn’t know how the 3.5hours journey went. We never felt bored. It was an awesome experience. One of the best routes for adventures travel in bikes etc. I had a silent wish to travel in an open roof ferry for two persons. Our chauffer didn’t stop at many places because there would be movement of wild animals in the forest. [But another reason is I was stopping at many places to take snaps. Trust me; I limited myself to take snaps because I was consciously aware not to lose the joy of the trip by clicking many snaps). I would highly recommend this trip (Valparai to Athirappilly Waterfalls) to everyone. The road from Valparai to Athirappilly Falls has everything for nature lovers’ viz., trees, creepers, shrubs, green, lake, monkeys, valley, flowers, mountains, waterfalls, dam, delicious food etc.

  Snake (Our chauffeur said that this snake will pluck human eyes. Reminded me of my friends who during school times narrated numerous fictional stories based on this snake) 

Creepers

 

Lake (mirroring the mountains)

 Didn't compose. Just clicked in my camera.

 

(This is not Athirappilly Falls)

By the time we reached Athirappilly it was raining heavily there. The water was flowing at a greater speed. We enjoyed it. Since it was raining we couldn’t spend more than 30” at the waterfalls. I have written more about Athirappilly falls previously here. Now we are in Kerala. On way to Chalakudy we stopped and had our lunch [as wont find much hotels in Athirappilly Waterfalls, I admitted my family to prepare the lunch]. Via Chalakudy we went to Kodungallur. The deity Bhagavathy Amme/Amman in Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple was ravishing, majestic. The deity was ornamented with gold plating glittering amidst numerous ghee lamps (nei vilakku). Next we went to Paravoor Mookambikka temple. The shrine here was admits Lotus ponds. The deity was simple and elegant without ornaments. Now we headed to Triprayar. Sri Rama temple here is the only Rama temple adjacent to a river in the planet. Ghee lamps framing the idol were adding a serene touch to the atmosphere. We were fortunate to go at the right moment (just the last people before the Pooja for which the shrine would be closed for a brief time) to pray for a long time. The best thing about Kerala Temples is simplicity. No archanas (Pooja), no special queues, home like divine feeling. 

With Family @ Vazhachal Waterfalls