Mallus at their best !

The first time i heard and enjoyed comedy, it was thru' casette tapes, that came from kerala. It included mimicry, sound effects, skits and the most important creativity came thru parody songs. The first one i remember is from a skit on a modified version of Ramayana, where i forget who, but someone asks for a map to find Sita. There starts a song "Mappu tharu" (give me a map), which was a parody of the original malayalam song "Maappu tharu" (forgive me).

Ithu Original Version


Parody Version

God's own Country...

I have watched this song on and off on Asianet. I just assumed the tune and music was classical (ie meaning tuned long back). I found recently that the music was created by none other than ARR. But more than the tune, it is the lyrics by P Bhaskaran, that touch me.

I know there are other songs that describe kerala - devathinte swantham naadu.
But here is something to enjoy.

Shyama Sundara Kera Kedara Bhoomi
Jana jeevitha pala dhaanya sambana bhoomi
Ithu shyama Sundara Kera Kedara Bhoomi....

Manavaarku samatha nalkiya mavalithan bhoomi
Madhura mahitha
Lalitha kalakal
Viriyum malarvaadi
Shyama Sundara Kera Kedara Bhoomi.....

Thaalamela vaadya naadam saahidheyaam pokile geetham
Vividha jaathi Matha vamshaka sahajare polu onnai
Nava yugathin ponprathirukal vilayicheedum bhoomi

Shyama Sundara Kera Kedara Bhoomi

Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!!
I heard this quote in a movie 'Sliding Doors', used by a character to cheer somebody up. The point is not the joke so presented here by the Monty Python team, which is quite funny by itself and can cheer people out of their wits.
There is also something more profound. Nobody expects the worst to happen. So i guess what happened happened, but you can overcome it.

Aaoge Jab Tum..... Do Dil Aise Milenge

Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana
Angana Phool Khilenge
Barsega Saawan, Barsega Saawan Jhoom Jhoomke
Do Dil Aise Milenge
Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana, Angana Phool Khilenge

Naina Tere Kajraare Hai, Naino Pe Hum Dil Haare Hai
Anjaane Hi Tere Naino Ne Waade Kiye Kayi Saare Hai
Saanson Ki Lay Madham Chalein, Tose Gaye Barasega Saawan
Barsega Saawan Jhoom Jhoomke, Do Dil Aise Milenge
Aaoge Jab Tum Ho Saajana, Angana Phool Khilenge

Chanda Ko Taaku Raaton Ko, Hai Zindagi Tere Haanthon Mein
Palkon Pe Jhilmil Taarein Hain, Aana Bhari Barsaaton Mein
Sapnon Ka Jahaan Hoga Kela Kela Barasega Saawan
Barsega Saawan Jhoom Jhoomke, Do Dil Aise Milenge




Dont know why i found this song so haunting? Actually i do, and i guess that's why i wanted to post it here.

Subtle, but serious

I got this recently from a friend. I have seen a similar one (still searching the web) about Kalpana Chawala and her brother. I dont know who is responsible for the advertisement. I searched the web for this and similar (save the girl child) advertisement, but not much luck.

The image reads 'What is Jawaharlal Nehru's son's name?'.
The fine print at the bottom reads 'Do not neglect the girl child'.

When i first saw the lines, i was wondering who the brother of Indira Gandhi was, and his name etc. That was for about a second, as i was scrolling to the bottom of the image. I didnt have to read the small print, but it struck me about the same time. Now isnt this a cool advertisement?

Well, i guess it has the same effect as 'smoking is injurious to health', you turn the page and move on. I wonder how it affects the people who think about this, in their desperate efforts to conceive a male child.

What can I do ?

I have been worrying lately, a little too much i must say about the world, earth, and life for my kids, about a decade or two from now. I do, get a little carried away with these thoughts. and as a result, go to extremes, in my reaction.

While, i might be paranoid, i think there is a real reason to be worried. But that should only goad us to think and act better. There are several things we can do now, to avoid the course the globe is taking today. The answer is clearly in our hands.

Well what can we do? Well !!

Can I change a light bulb ? Can I close a running tap? Can I get on a bus or train ? Can I turn off the TV if 'am on the computer ? Can I turn off the computer if 'am watching TV? Can i eat all that is served on my plate (not waste anything)? Can I turn of the A/C or Heater and enjoy the climate as it is, atleast once in a while ?

If we can do any of these or a hundred other small things, we can help. we can also help by talking about this and letting our friends and family understand these many options. I do some of these. I try to add one more criteria everytime, i stop and think about this.

Just hoping it works.

To eat or not to eat

Recently Ms. Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State of the US, said that people from India and China are responsible for the food crisis.

Well, i, for one, had fully expected this. There are several truths here:
- there is a crisis - food price is up and there is shortage all around
- people in the new developed countries are consuming more, because they can afford it now
- people from the existing western world are feeling the pinch, slowly but steadily
- altho these people are not ready to share or consume any less

For all this, someone is to blame, question tho is who ?

The food consumption is only expected to increase, with the increasing population and one that can afford to buy and eat better and more food. The already developed, who have been leading a good life, is not about to give up their over luxurious life and reduce their consumption any bit. In all these years, when the oil prices have been going up, they havent moved a bit to reduce their oil consumption, so how can one expect something more personal like food habits.

The world is ever shrinking. All of us are being held up to the same standards now. Everyone will have to give up something, or else, we all can get ready for a big food fight. I somehow feel, knowing us humans, the latter is a distinct possibility.

New Post on Dharmashatra

This is really lame. But i figured, i was writing in a few places, i would consolidate them in one place and cross-link them, sort them, alphabetize them, present alternate views......

Oh who the hell cares !!!

I just posted a new blog about religion and associated thoughts on my Dharmashatra blogsite. If you have landed here, then go there. There is also a related post on my Yahoo site recently, titled 'Blood Religion'. Altho' the context of writing and the issue is different, i think they ask the same question. Or actually i am asking the same question, 'why fight over religion?'

Land called Paradise

I picked this up from someone at 360 @ Yahoo. An amazing video. The song is by a Muslim country music singer, Kareem Salama, from Texas.



I watched the video, a couple of times. Truthfully, i havent listened to the lyrics as much as watch the ones that come in the video. I was trying to figure which message i liked best. After a couple of runs, i settled for the last..."i'm human. i'm sorry".

Valentine's day !!

Need i say anything more ...

Cartoon in The Hindu, a few days before valentine's day