Kaliyugam (2012) - New Movie

Our close friend Durai's brother Yuvaraj Alagappan has directed a Tamil movie "Kaliyugam" and they recently released the audio. Their Dad Mr.Alagappan was a well known Director/Producer in Tamil Movie Industry. Yuvaraj was the assistant to director Sasi for the movie "Dishyum" and "Kaliyugam" is his first movie on his own. We really want to wish him the VERY BEST and a BIG Victory. Here is the link to trailer, songs and audio launch.

Trailer: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/trailer/16059.html

Songs: //tsongs.net/kaliyugam-­songs-free-download-2/

Audio launch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucdseuPyBDs

Reading - My Favorite Hobby

I love READING. Be it a story or a poem or an article. I love to read all the time. It gives me lot of happiness. When I retire, I want to have a huge library at home and read all the time. If I think back, I remember started reading tamil magazines/books when I was 6 or 7 years old (without aloud reading). I still remember the day when one of our family friend asked my mom what am I doing with the magazine, she answered to him that I am reading the magazine and he did not believe it. He made me read it aloud to confirm :). I think it came from my Mom side genes. My grandmom (mom's mom) read a lot and she still does. Damu Mama (my mom's 2nd brother) has and reads lots of books. His huge iron box (trunk potti) with 100's of books is in my memory still.

My mom reads all the time and I think she is the great influence on me. We both discuss on what we read and she even suggests me books. Last time when she visited us, she brought "Kallikaatu Idhigasam" and "Karuvaachi Kaaviyam". I read it during my maternity leave in 2011 and it was awesome. I liked Kallikaatu idhigasam much better than the Karuvaachi Kaaviyam. When I read the stories, I feel like I live with them in that place. It is a very nice feeling.

May be its because that my mom reads more, she knows more stuff and she could talk about lot of things. She got married when she was 17 and did not get a chance to attend college & being a homemaker, she really knows lot of things than my Dad :). Forgot to mention about another book which she brought "Saagavaram" by Iraianbu IAS. It was very beautiful too.

One of my favorite author is "Sujatha". His real name is Rangarajan and he writes on his wife's name. He passed away in 2008. He wrote lot of short stories, science fiction, articles etc. His "Srirangathu Devadhaigal" is my all-time favorite. Everytime I read it, I feel like I am in Srirangam with the characters on the stories. He also worked with Shankar, Kamalhasan in some movies. He is the one who started working on "Endhiran" movie dialogues and passed away before finishing it up. Madhan Karky (Poet Vairamuthu's older son) continued his work and finished it up. Endhiran has some influence from Sujatha's science fiction books - "En Iniya Iyandhira" & "Meendum Geno". He wrote lot of science terms in simple language for common people to understand. His "Katradhum Petradhum" article that came in Anandha Vikatan was very very nice. He talks about almost everything in this world. It was very creative and influential. I always feel that his writings are very realistic and convincing. He is really GREAT!!! If you ever get a chance and can read Tamil, please read his "Srirangathu Devadhaigal", it is really fun and beautiful.

Whenever I go to India, I try to buy books. This time I brought Neeya Naana Gopinath's "Indha puthagathai vaangadheenga" & "Ner Ner Thema" and the 5 volumes of "Ponniyin Selvan" by Kalki. I have not started Ponniyin Selvan yet. Hope I get sometime to read them without any disturbance. I really want to get involved and read them, but not sure about the possibility with 4 year old & 1 year old :).

Anyways, Happy Reading & Stay Tuned for More Thoughts!

Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2012) - Realistic

We watched this movie over the weekend. Balaji Sakthivel (who directed Samurai, Kadhal, Kalluri) directed this movie. Simple and neat presentation. Sree (acted in Kanaa Kaanum Kaalangal as a +1 student couple of years ago) is the hero and acted very well.

The characters are well-etched. Everyone suits to the character nicely and I really loved the screenplay of this movie. Person who acted as Inspector performed very well.

The first half of the movie showed the story from one perception and the second half filled in the gaps from the first half. The screenplay was very clear and I think that is one of the main thing about this movie's success. I am glad that they did not finish the movie with the usual sad ending like other realistic movies. Director took couple of steps ahead and finished it better. If you get a chance, go for it!

My India Trip 2012

We just got back from our month long India vacation. Not sure how to name it? Had lot of experiences. I was really happy to see my parents and stay with them. Also they get to see our little angel Samanvi. Yes, my mother-in-law helped us with my delivery and my parents could not come when our little one was born last year. So, my parents got to hold our little one finally. Got to see so many relatives and friends. Very nostalgic!!!

My mummy (my mom's mom) visited us. We call her mummy, don’t know what the reason was. I heard it was because my brother (who was the eldest grandkid) called her mummy and all of us followed him. Her name is Lalitha. She is a very bold and energetic lady I have known so far. She is only 85 years old and very active. She came to visit us and we were happy to get her blessings.

We visited Damu mama house at Madippakkam. Was able to meet Damu mama, Gauri athai, Iyappa, Mythili & their little one Nattu (she is 2 days younger to Samanvi). My trip was really very nostalgic. I was thinking about the days when I go and stay in Madippakkam for few days during my annual leave. I was asking my mama and athai about all the kids I played with. Nobody was staying there anymore, but I got updates about them from mama and athai. I went upstairs with Damu mama and checked the terrace (mottai madi). I was thinking about the days I learnt riding bicycle in madippakkam. My mom and dad would send us there for few days, but after 2 days, my dad will be coming to madippakkam to pick us up as he felt the house was empty without us :). Very sweet! I thought about all that when I was in Damu mama house. Gauri athai is still the same. She prepared Chappathis and Channa masala in thirty minutes. I am not sure how she could still do that fast. We stayed for the evening and went to Aso mama house which is at Pozhichalur.

Was able to meet Aso mama, Banu athai, Rogini and her 2.5 year old Keerthi. She is really a big vaayadi :). It was very sweet to meet everyone after a long time. Rogini did not change much, still looks the same and talks the same. Got to eat again here - dosa, chutney & sweets. Couldn’t say no, so had dinner one more time. Looked at my cousin (Prabu Santosh) Pulli's wedding album. Pulli was not at chennai at that time. He got married last year and had a baby boy "Athish Rahul" this Feb. It was very nice to catch up with my mama, athai and Rogini. The only thing we missed was we did not take any pictures in their home. Bummer!

We went to Chinnoo's house at Arumbakkam this time. I saw her during my wedding time in Nov 2005. She was in sixth grade and now she wrote her +2 exams and waiting for the results. Those who know me would surely have heard about Chinnoo already. But if you have not, here it is. Her family came to our house as tenant when was 5 months old baby and she was one of the twin girls. So, she grew up with us most of the time. She is like my own sister. I was surprised to see her a big girl now. She is ready to get into college this year. Again, lot of food & love from her and their family.

We went to Shirdi with my parents, mother-in-law and with both the sister-in-laws' families. Was very fun traveling in train for more than 24 hours one way. Satvika enjoyed every bit traveling and playing with her cousins.

We went to Mahabalipuram beach resort "Golden Sun" and stayed for couple of days. Vijay & his Brother-in-law integrated their company's annual meeting with this and we had all employees' and their families with us for a day. Was very fun hanging out with them.

We went to MGM resort restaurant with Vijay's friends' families - Chakra, Kavitha & their kid Vedanth, Balaji, Anitha & their kid Neha, Arjun, Devi & their kid Joshiya. We left Samanu with my mother-in-law and went with Satvika. It was a nice evening with lot of food to eat :). Since we had our "Virundhu" at our younger sister-in-law's home that afternoon, we actually could not eat much that night ;). It was really nice to catch up with them.

Finally the day came - April 28th. We had to leave India and I was pretty upset the last few days. When we were entering the airport, I did not want to cry in front of my parents. So, I just told everyone bye and came inside. Checked in and was waiting at the gate. All of a sudden, I thought about everyone and started crying. Satvika looked at me and asked why am I crying? Vijay replied stating that I am missing my parents. She immediately told me "Amma, Don’t worry. We can talk to Ammamma and Thatha over phone and we can see them online". It was really very very cute. A 4 year old consoling her mom :). She was very practical and composed. I think I will cherish that moment FOREVER.