Mohan's Musings

Earning Potential Sivaji Ganesan or Sivaji Rao (Rajinikanth) ??

2012-01-08T06:08:00.001-08:00

Someone asked me the other day , when I remarked that during their heydays actors of the 60s were quite reasonably paid , those who had invested wisely are till today comfortable and those who frittered away their hard earned money are facing tough times.

My friend remarked that at his peak in the mid 1960s Sivaji is reputed to have charged a 1,00,000 or maybe a 1.5 lakhs , whereas today's Heros are all charging several crores - this set me thinking on who will have the greater earning Potential ?

Though the Title suggests the names of two leading actors, these observations are general. When I went through a historical record of the average Gold price for 10 gms of Gold in India , Yearwise I was quite surprised - Just for information , the data is as below.

In 1932 , the Year my father was born it was - Rs 23 per 10 gms ( average price)

In 1956 , when I was born it was - Rs 91

Whereas the price in the 60s ranged from Rs112 In 1960 and it rose to Rs 175 and in 1969.

Let us average it as Rs 150 for the 1960s and the quantum of Gold a Top hero could have bought from a Picture's earnings would have been 1000 , 10 gm coins - assuming 1.5 lakhs as his income.

The 2011 average Gold price is given at Rs 26, 400. ( 2006 . -Rs . 8,400 , 2007 - Rs.10,800 , 2009 - Rs.14,500 and 2010 - Rs.18,500 ).......To Buy 1000 coins of 10 gms , we will have to spend Rs 2.64 Crores now, or 1.45 crores in 2009. This is surely much more than what a top hero gets paid..... Does it mean that Today's stars are getting more ?

The answer is far different if we do some Historical analysis - I have heard that The Bungalow in Boag Road , as it was then called was Purchased for a Cost of One Picture's earnings. At a modest estimate of Rs 4 Crores per Ground (2,400 sq feet) , todays hero will have to shell out More than 60 Crores to acquire such a Property , if available.....Here I am not sure of the price as a single plot can probably fetch more too. I cannot think of any Hero making that kind of Money in Indian Cinema Today in one Film. (Unless he is Producing it as well.)

In the 1960s my father was offered a ground at about Rs 2,500 in Poes garden , When Anna Nagar was formed the price of a ground was even less in the late 1960s and early 1970s , so I think when we compare the Real estate Value of Money , The yester year Heros do fare far better.

Now for the Sting in the Tail - Please remember that In the 1960s , 70s and even 80s for all those declaring a net Income of over 6 figures , the Income Tax Rate was 90 plus percent.....Compare it with the Highest tax slab today....what does it reveal ???

That those who invested wisely , and let the real Estate Holdings just appreciate are far better off ?

I am just as confused at the end of this piece as I was at the beginning.....

Whatever be the amount they earned - Those legends left a telling mark because of their Competence and professionalism , as well as their concern for Society. It is my Prayer that we follow all the Good things they stood for and eschew that which we find bad.

Murugan Talkies , Mint -Article by me in the Hindu Metroplus.

2011-12-31T23:45:00.000-08:00

from Hindu April 1932 ,

Another one bites the Dust. ( Kinema Central – Sri Murugan Talkies is no more)

It is a common site for a Chennaiite to see an old building being torn down to make way for a modern structure. Residents of Xavier Street , in Mint woke up last week to find one of their iconic structures being brought down –The Sri Murugan Talkies . With this demolition one more Single Cinema Hall is reduced to rubble. “It is not because the Theater is doing badly, as we were screening B Grade dubbed films that draws a fair crowd but to more effectively utilize the land and create better facilities” said Balasubramanian the Grandson of the founder. The proposed Construction plans to include a mini Theater , so that the 100 plus year old tradition started by his grandfather continues.

In 1895 , Murugesa Mudaliar, a rich Landlord from Ponneri came down to Madras to start some Business. He acquired a square plot of 10 Grounds , surrounded by streets on all four sides and built a “Market”. Sadly the business did not take off as he had hoped. During his frequent travels to Bombay he had noticed many Halls built for staging Plays. He came back and in 1910 converted the Market to a Theater and called it “Majestic Theater”. Many popular Drama Troupes like T.K.S Brothers , Kali N Rathinam, S.G.Kittappa and M.R.Radha staged many Plays here. “Avvai” T.K.Shanmugam recalls in his autobiography that it was in Majestic Theater that he first played under Electric Lights and it was also the first time he ate “Poori – Potato”. He also called it “Grand” and not Majestic.According to the family In 1915 Murugesa Mudaliar went to Bombay and purchased equipment to screen Movies. A huge crowd gathered to welcome him and the Projection equipment at the Central Station and he was taken in a procession led by a band and folk dancers to the Theater. He started screening silent films . Huge crowds gathered to watch this wonder , called the Motion Picture and Business was booming.hey built a second Theater in 1923 on the same plot and called it Prince , to mark the visit of the Prince of Wales to India. The Theater ran into a problem with the licensing authorities and shows were suspended after a few months, so the first multi Theater venture did not take off.

In 1931, Majestic’s name was changed to “Kinema Central” , it soon screened “Alam Ara” the first Indian Talkie. People from all over Tamil Nadu were fascinated with this new audio visual experience and flocked to the Theater. People came by Road and Rail to watch this film. There were 2 shows every day and the highest class Ticket was priced at One Rupee only. People used to bring food, snacks and even drinking water to the shows.

On October 31^st , 1931, the first “Tamil-Telugu” Talkie Kalidasa was also screened here. It is ironic that exactly 80 years later the Cinema Hall is coming down. Soon the films of M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, P.U.Chinnappa , T.P.Rajalakshmi , K.B.Sundarambal , T.R.Mahalingam were all screened here. The Theater was made to look like a Sivan Temple for Avvaiyar and that attracted huge crowds who broke Coconuts and lit Camphor outside the Theater. The Lobby has a huge collection of Photographs , a film historian’s delight.

After Murugesa Mudaliar passed away in 1942 , his son Paramasiva Mudaliar took charge and for 60 plus years his practice of opening the counter and selling the first 11 tickets daily till he passed away in 2006. He changed the name to Sri Murugan Talkies in 1948 in memory of his father. It had a capacity of 908 seats. It was his Passion for Cinema that kept the Theater functioning despite all odds.

Classics like Meera, Shakunthala , Avvaiyaar , Chinnappa’s Uththama Puthiran, MGR’s first film Sathi Leelavathi , K.Subrahmanyam’s Thyagabhoomi were all released here. MKT’s Ambikapathy , Thiruneelakantar, Ashokkumar enjoyed great runs and Chinthamani ran for nearly 3 years in Kinema Central. Once MKT wanted to watch the film along with the audience and a special Box was built to accommodate him.

MGR was a close friend of Paramasiva Mudalier. He re- released “Maruthanaattu Ilavarasi” and gave it a lot of Publicity to coincide with MGR ‘s taking over as Chief Minister. MGR wanted to watch this film and when they offered to send the Print over , MGR refused and said , though the Theater did not have Air Conditioning he still wanted to watch the Movie in Murugan Theater. Normal shows were suspended and the Chief Minister and his brother , and many friends watched a private show , re living memories of their youth when MGR used to stay near Wall Tax Road and watch movies here.

My Article in the HINDU on P.Kannamba , Actress.

2011-10-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Nobody is sure of Pasupuleti Kannamba's date of birth. Various forums mention the year as 1910, 1912 and 1913. However, in an interview toPesum Padam in October 1949, Kannamba said her date of birth was October 5, 1911, which makes this her centenary year. It is probably the earliest recorded interview of hers, giving personal details. Here her daughter-in-law Kalavathy gives insights into the legendary actor-producer's life.

Kannamba was born in Cuddapah to Lokamba and M. Venkanarasaiah, a Government contractor. She was their only child and grew up with her maternal grandparents in Eluru. Her grandfather, Nathamuni Naidu, was the village doctor. Her grandmother doubled as the village nurse. Even as a child she could sing well and was taught Carnatic music. Her grandfather who was a lover of literature and poetry supervised her education.

ENTRY INTO THEATRE

In 1927, when she was 16, she attended a play, titled “Harichandra”, staged by the Narala Nataka Samajam in Eluru. In the play, the actor who played Chandramathi sang and cried herself hoarse, but the audience laughed. Kannamba shouted that she should perform better. Upset, the actor said acting was not easy and dared the girl to try it. Kannamba jumped onto the stage, sang, acted and moved the very same audience to tears — a precursor of things to come. From the very next day, she became the leading actor of the drama company and went on to play Anusuya, Savithri and Yasodha to great appreciation.

One of the organisers of this drama group was K. P. Nagabhushanam. He fell in love with Kannamba and they married in April 1934 — this was his second marriage. The same year the couple launched their own drama company called Sri Rajarajeswari Natya Mandali and performed all over the Madras Presidency and the Nizam's Territories. The next step was obvious. A. Ramaiah of Star Combines approached her for the role of Chandramathi in their production “Harichandra”, to be shot at Shalini Cinetone, Kolhapur. She accepted the offer and thus her film career was launched.

The Saraswathi Talkie Company from Bezwada (Vijayawada) approached her for the title role in “Draupadi Vastrapaharanam” (1936) again to be shot in Kolhapur. In “Kanakadhara” shot at Vel Pictures, her portrayal of pathos got her rave reviews and she inched her way to stardom. She partnered with H. M. Reddi and B. N. Reddi in their production “Gruhalakshmi” (1938). She also acted in “Kalidas” made by Jaya Films, which became Shobanachala Studios and Venus Studios much later. In partnership with Saraswathi Talkies, she made “Chandika” and played the title character, displaying a gamut of emotions — anger, hatred and passion all of which were new to her tragedy queen image.

When Rajagopal Pictures wanted to make “Krishna Thoothu” at the Motion Picture Producers Council (later Gemini Studio), director Raghupathy Prakash approached her for her first Tamil film. Her dialogue delivery left much to be desired and her pronounced Telugu accent was one of the reasons why the film failed. Thankfully, the producers of the M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar classic “Ashok Kumar” approached her, despite the earlier debacle, and she delivered screenwriter Elangovan's lines in Tamil so perfectly that she became the automatic choice for the title role in the 1941 film, “Kannagi”.

By this time, she and her husband had started their own banner, Sri Rajarajeswari Film Company. She learnt Bharatanatyam to dance to MKT's singing, and this “ivar paada – avar aada” type of scene was so well received by the audience that it became a trendsetter.

ICONIC PERFORMANCE

In the Jupiter Films production of “Kannagi”, directed by R. S. Mani and written by Elangovan, she handled the literary and poetic Tamil without compromising on emotion, diction or cadence. Her performance in that film remains iconic. Kannamba became synonymous with Kannagi.

The question and answer in song between her and U. R. Jeevaratnam in this film became a pattern that many movies later followed. The music director of this film S. V. Venkatraman (who too celebrates his centenary this year) got this break because he was already composing for Kannamba's home production “Thalli Prema”. He went on to give classics such as “Meera”.

A pious person, Kannamba performed pooja every day before leaving for her film shoots. She was not blessed with children and adopted a son and a daughter. The daughter Rajarajeswari married director C. Pulliah's son, C. S. Rao, also a director. Kannamba's son was a tabla player. Her performance as the Queen Mother in “Manohara” was another highpoint in her career of over 150 films as an actor and over 25 films as a producer.

Veteran actress Anjalidevi recalls how helpful Kannamba was to aspiring actresses. “She taught us how to deliver dialogues in Tamil and even simple things like how to greet people with a Namaskaram. She was the inspiration for many Telugu-speaking actors to enter the Tamil film world.”

Kannamba passed away on May 7, 1964. Kannamba proved that you can excel as an actor in any language, provided you decide to learn it — a lesson many today need to learn.

(This was published in the Hindu Metro Plus of 1st October 2011.)

GOWRAVAM – Re visited.

2011-09-17T01:16:00.001-07:00

With Sivaji in Meendum Gowravam where he reprised the Role for a TV serial

made by Sivaji Films for Doordarshan - we clashed in the Court.

Barrister Rajinikanth - in Gowravam

My Father Senior Advocate Sri V.P.Raman

Sri.T.S.Narayanaswami

Cho, Mrs YGP, YGP, MGR, ARS and Y.G.Mahendraa

When a number of us (including the YG family) went to watch the re run of the Sivaji starrer – Gowravam at Shanthi Theater , my mind went back to how the movie came to be made. Some 40 plus years ago , Mr YGP , the founder of UAA , a Stage Play group came to my father , late Sri V.P.Raman , with a request to check out a Play written by “Vietnam Veedu” Sundaram . YGP’s reasoning was that the Play was based on the travails of a Barrister’s family because of two Trials - The first where Barrister Rajinikanth the Senior Advocate gets a man acquitted from Murder charges and the second where the same man is again accused of another Murder.

My father was initially reluctant to do this task but his close friendship with YGP could not get him to refuse. So , Vietnam Veedu Sundaram , the writer , came home and read out the Play – scene by scene. I vividly remember these sessions , when my father used to correct the legal angles , The Court Dialogues , the Judges normal comments etc . The difference between the Trial in the Sessions court and the High Court appeal was correctly portrayed probably for the first time on Tamil Stage. There were many scenes in which my father , who was himself a great lover of Cinema , allowed “poetic” licence to the playwright. In the end YGP was satisfied that the Play had been “legally vetted”. Then they inaugurated “Kannan Vandhaan” – this was the original title and every time the Play was staged , my father’s name was mentioned in the Titles as the Legal consultant. In fact when UAA Celebrated its Golden Jubilee Y.G.Mahendraa gave a memento to my late father that I had the honour of receiving.

When Sivaji wanted to make this Play into a film , one of the first questions he asked was – “is it accurate – legally ?” – He was told that my father had corrected the script and that satisfied him.

Many years later , after my father had passed away , Sivaji asked me whether I knew the inspiration for the character of Barrister Rajanikanth , that he had essayed on Screen . He then elaborated that the Pipe smoking style was inspired by the Industrialist T.S.Krishna of TVS , The hair style was inspired by the other Industrialist T.S.Narayanaswami of India Cements and some of the other aspects were from my Father.

I was stunned to see so much of my dad on screen. The “rationalist” – anti ritual thoughts from a man belonging to “orthodoxy” , the love for a glass of “ale” , the swanky dressing , the mannerism of clasping the hands behind the back and walking , the sheer confidence in one’s own ability and talent and so on. In fact to quote Sivaji he said - "maththa ella thimurum unga appan da". The ability of Sivaji to pick traits from various people and blend them into a stylish package amazes me. He was always so keen an observer , noted various points from various people seen in various times and all of that was stored in that Computer Brain of his, to be suitably modified and blended for later use. What an Actor !!

Almost as if the Circle had to be completed – Sivaji reprised the role in his only ever Television Serial – “Meendum Gowravam” – I played the Public Prosecutor and opposed him in Court , that still remains the highpoint in my career.

Cinema Rani - The first Lady Director and Super Star of Tamil Cinema

2011-06-23T02:11:00.000-07:00

I have written an article that was published in today's ( 23/6/2011) HINDU -Metroplus.... on the first lady film Director from South India - Mrs T.P.Rajalakshmi.

I am publishing here the article as Unedited....this gives her date of birth , researched and found out by me for the first time...... she was born on 11/11/11...... A truly No 1 , date of birth.

“CINEMA RANI “IS 100 –

This is the centenary year of Smt. T.P.Rajalakshmi. There are many legends in the history of South Indian cinema. Among them TPR holds pride of place. She was the first woman director in South Indian Cinema – and second in Indian Cinema after Fathima Begum . She was the path breaker for P.Bhanumathi, Vijayanirmala, Jayachithra, Sripriya, Suhasini , Revathy , Jayadevi and V Priya , all Ladies who have successfully wielded the directorial baton in Tamil cinema. TPR Produced, Directed, wrote and donned the lead role in her films Miss Malini , which she Edited too and Madurai Veeran in the 1930s . Her remarkable life was an example of dogged determination and a willingness to go through hardships in order to realize her potential.

TPR was born to Panchapakesa Sastri of Thiruvaiyyaru, who was the Karnam of Saliamangalam Village. As a child she could sing any song that she heard. She studied upto 5^th standard. Hers was a child marriage. At the tender age of 7 she was given in marriage to a Muthumanii. Soon after there was some misunderstanding between both families and she never went to her husband’s home. Her father died – he did not commit suicide as is often written. Her mother Meenakshi did not get any support from her family and moved to Trichy.

TPR has given an account of her life in an Interview to a Tamil Magazine “Kundoosi” in 1950 – she states she was born in 1911 ( Virodhikkridhi ) – based on the Punarvasu Star she mentions for Aippasi month we can say that she was born on the 11^th of November 1911. She also mentions that it was a Thursday and the 13^th day of the month , these do not tally with the Almanac.This is verified by the Head of the Department of Astrology at the Madras Sanskrit College.

In Trichy, she joined the Theater to help the family which faced abject poverty. Her mother took her to meet V.S.Shamanna Iyer, whose Drama Company was camped in Trichy. Luckily for TPR, Sankaradas Swamigal who was there recommended her as she had nice features. TPR always felt that the blessings of the father of Tamil Theatre Shankardas Swamigal helped her in life. This move angered her family and the orthodoxy that they cut off all links and excommunicated her. The family of Muthumani formally dissolved the marriage .

Her first role was in the famous play “Pavalakkodi”, a play that went on to become a movie launching the careers of M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S.D.Subbulakshmi and its Director K.Subrahmanyam. She then joined Aryagana K.S.Chellappa’s Drama Company and moved on to K.P.Moideen Sahib’s troupe. Here she was to remain for 3 years, the longest she spent in any Drama Troupe. Here she started playing the lead role in all the plays and even travelled to Rangoon toperform. On her return she joined the famous Cunniah Company – she was the first woman to be admitted there – here she played Sita to S.G.Kittappa’s Rama. From here on she stopped working for any particular drama company but became what is known as a “Special Drama” – Star. She even acted opposite MKT in the early staging of Pavalakkodi in Chennai, when MKT was contracted to Nataraja Pillai.

In 1929, she joined The General Pictures Corporation founded by A Narayanan to act in the Silent Film “Kovalan”. The film bug had bitten her and she shifted to the Associated Film Company in which K. Subrahmanyam was involved. She worked in “Ushasundari “and Rajeswari “in 1931, playing the lead in the latter opposite Raja Sandow. When the Imperial Film Company was keen on making a “Talkie” film they approached K.Subrahmanyam for casting suggestions and he recommended TPR. She donned the heroine’s role in the first South Indian Talkie, sang two keerthanas, two patriotic songs and performed a kuraththi dance. She then did Ramayan (1932) and Sathyavan Savithri (1933). In 1933 S.Vincent made Valli Thirumanam – this shot her to Stardom and she was bestowed the title – “Cinema Rani “. It was here that she met and fell in love with and later married the actor playing Narada – T.V.Sundaram. She stayed on Calcutta to make several films like Kovalan, Draupadi Vasthrabharanam, Harichandra, Gul e Bhagavali, Lalithangi.

On her return she started Sri Rajam Talkies and wrote, Directed , edited and Acted in “Miss Kamala” – 1936. She followed this up with “Madurai Veeran” where she paired up again with V.A.Chellappa, this proved to be a Hit. Her next Directorial venture – “Indhiya Thaai” proved to be a financial failure – undeterred she carried on gamely. Her younger brother T.P.Rajagopal was a talented musician and composed the music for all her home productions. Her other brother T.P.Rajasekharan assisted her in her business. She passed away on the 20 th of August 1964.

“She was given the Kalaimamani award in 1961 and as he did not want her to come in a taxi , MGR personally sent his car to pick her up and have her dropped back” recalls her daughter Mrs. Kamala. Kamala’s only tryst with the film Industry was when she played the infant Nandhanar in the 1938 film Nandhakumar. “We owned several properties in Kilpauk , all of which were steadily sold to maintain the upkeep of the family. In the end she suffered a stroke and without her knowledge she was shifted to a rented premises in Aspiran Gardens and our house in Rajaratnam Street too was sold . She wanted to celebrate her grandson’s first birthday and the family took the Gold in her Kalaimamani award , melted it , made some rings and gave it to TPR to present to her grand son. She was not aware of the dire financial straits that the family was in.”

Her daughter asked me in a voice filled with emotion – this is my mother’s centenary year, will anyone remember her in a fitting manner? I did not know what to reply – Will the Cinema Industry and the Government wake up and honor the first Queen of South Indian Cinema?

Book on M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

2011-03-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

At long last a definitive work on the life of MKT.

I wonder if Passion is also transmitted through Genes ? Some years ago , in 2000 to be exact, I met a Mr Bala (Balakrishnan) who was a retired Bank Officer and one of MKT's biggest fans. He had written a small booklet in Tamil on the Films etc of MKT. We were in touch for a while and then I lost contact....

Two days ago my friend Kavithalaya Krishnan wanted to get a book on MKT in English , to which my answer was - not to my knowledge (barring articles on him by Randor guy ) ... then he came up to me this morning with a wonderful book....I was stunned to say the least...Immediately I went to meet the Author , a young man, born probably after MKT died , and he turned out to be Mr Bala's son.... Mr Suresh Balakrishnan , he is an advocate by profession and had done his legal studies in England. He seems to have inherited his fathers passion for MKT and the result is this book - all 514 Pages of it.

There has been tremendous research and I sure see a labour of Love. I have scanned the Book in full and have read the first 50 pages - am actually writing this blog in the gap between reading. It has a very exhaustive account of the Lakshmikanthan Murder Case and being an advocate he has analysed it very well and dispassionately. Indeed , many a small error , found in Randor's writing of the case has been corrected here.

He has in London , collected some material , especially the coverage of the Trial by "The Mail" Newspaper and also to the film archives in Poona - where he even watched MKT's first film "Pavalakodi" in the archives... wonder why the archives have not bothered to release it as a DVD for all to see, after all it is the EARLIEST TAMIL TALKIE available.... Wish the K.Subrahmanyam family will take it up.

The book is being sold at Higginbothams , he has not been able get through Landmark/ Cross word etc....A pity , wish some Book Distributor helps him do so. The Book costs Rs 495 , and every paise is well worth it.

He may be contacted at

catch.suresh@yahoo.com

New No 22 Devanathan Street

R A Puram , Chennai - 600028

PS - I am not his Press agent....ha ha ha....but would like every film buff who loved the early Musicals and the Music makers to read this work.

Heroines at last

2011-02-27T06:19:00.001-08:00

India Post has honoured six legendary heroines drawing from the earliest like Devika Rani, who dominated the early silent and talkie era. She was Tagores niece, and had studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts....she married Himanshu Rai and co founded bombay Talkies....her role in Achyut Kanya (1934) ensured that Pandit Nehru became a fan of hers.

Kanan Devi , started first as Kananbala became a legend of early Bengali cinema. She started as a Child artiste and went on to act in Barua's Mukti, and soon became the top star of New Theatres which she left in 1941 to freelance in both bengali and Hindi Films.

Leela Naidu , was the femina Miss India in 1954 and was featured in Vogue as one of the most Beautiful women of the world. She made her film debut in 1960 with Hrishikesh Mukherji's Anuradha. She acted in a few Merchant Ivory films like the Householder and Guru.

Nutan - Daughter of actress Shobana Samarth , made her debut in Hamara beti, to be moulded by Bimal Roy and his successors like hrishikesh Mukherji, Bimal Dutt and Sudendu Roy. Her song with Kishore - Yeh ratein yeh mausam , is one that still haunts me and is a favourite of mine. Her classic beauty is so very evident in the image on the Stamp.

Meena Kumari - Born Mahjabeen , renamed baby meena , joined films at the tender age of 6 and went on to become one of our most celebrated actresses. Renamed meena Kumari for Bhatts baiju Bawra , she acted in all genres , comedy - Miss mary, Socials - Parineeta and the classics like sahib bibi aur Ghula, Do bigha Zameen and her husband kamal Amrohi's classic - Pakeezah. She also wrote urdu poetry under the pen name Naaz. A tragedy queen , had a tragic life too much like the next heroine to be honoured with a Stamp.

Savithri - What can I say about this brilliant actress ? Just ask people to watch "Paasa Malar" , made during her peak or even Chandrababu's Thattungal Thirakkapadum , made during her last days and you will know. She started as a dramatist , worked in Drama with NTR, Jaggiah etc. Made her debut with L V Prasad's samsaram and K V Reddy's Paathala Bhairavi until she hit stardom with her role in Pelli chesi choodu.

I personally think this is probably the only case of Husband and wife both being honoured with a stamp in the Film world . Gemini , got it a few years ago....of course actress Devika Rani mentioned above , went on to later re marry the Russian Painter Svetoslav Roerich , who has also been given a Stamp.

Balasaraswathy , Dhanammal and T.N.Rajarathinam

2010-12-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

T.N.Rajarathinam Pillai

Thanjavur Balasaraswathi

Veenai Dhanammal

On the 3rd of December 2010 , The department of Posts , released 3 stamps to honour 3 great Geniuses in the world of Music and Dance. Two of them T.N.Rajarathinam Pillai and Balasaraswathy are connected to Cinema and hence form part of my collection.

TNR was born on 27th August 1898 in Thiruvaduthurai ( Tanjore Dist.). He was sent to learn vocal music and gave his first concert at the age of 7. On the insistance of the elders in the family and those of the late Natesa Pillai ( a legendary Nadaswaram Vidwan) he was sent to learn Nadaswaram from A Kannuswami Pillai. He mastered the art with a great deal of hard work and practice. He was famous for his alaap of ragas which would at times last for hours.

He acted in the Movie "Kalamegham" - This film was made in 1940 , directed by Ellis R Dungan on the life odf the poet Kalamegham. The film also had N S Krishnan and Mathuram. The heroine was Dhanalakshmi and the screenplay and lyrics were by Bharatidasan.

T. Balasaraswathi - The legendary Bharatanatyam exponent and her great grandmother Veenai Dhanammal were honoured with stamps on the same day - a first time in Philatelic History. Bala, as the Satyajit ray film on her was called , was born on the 13th May 1918. She was skilled in music and took to dancing , mastering it with a wide repertoire at her command. She travelled widely across the country and all over the world. She was Honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeetha Kalanidhi among many other awards. She passed away on 9th Feb 1984.

Her Great Grand mother was born in George town in 1867 and mastered both Veena and Vocal Music. She had a long innings of 60 years of Music and did not much care for performing before latge audiences but preferred to give her recitals before a small group of knowledgable Rasikas. She passed away on 15th October 1938. She was held in awe and was much respected for her Knowledge and life style.

LALIT MODI - From "Raja" of IPL to "Raju" (Ramalinga type) of IPL.

2010-10-14T23:10:00.001-07:00

I had posted the above title on Facebook and a reaction was - why am I targeting Modi ? Is it because of my "friendship" to N Srinivasan (NS) ? - The answer is simple - I wish I was NS's friend - I am not .

I do know his brother and his Sammandhi , both of whom are in my Rotary Club - In fact I have seen/met him twice in the past 20 years - once , when he was the chief guest at the Inauguration of the "Mahesh memorial Cancer ward" at the cancer Institute , Adyar and the second time at the MCC club, when the Chennai Super Kings were felicitated. On both occasions we exchanged a smile and maybe a "hello" - there were more than 500 other guests present. If this can make him my friend - then , yes, I am his friend.

My brothers are Advocates by profession ( so too my son as was my father) . As we are not a joint family staying together etc - their clients/friends are not people I meet. My brothers are too professional to discuss anything concerning their business with me.

They like all in the family are Cricket Lovers and they have played League cricket , indeed one of them as the Secretary of a Team has been in the TNCA for more than a decade - he is currently the vice President there. Still it does not make NS or anyone else from any Cricket Body "my" friend. It is as absurd as saying that a colleague of mine say -Mr Delhi Ganesh is a friend of my brother. I preface all this so that my remarks are understood in the correct context and perspective.

1. Chennai Super Kings is NOT owned by N.Srinivasan. It is owned by India Cements. India cements is a Public limited Company founded by the family of Mr Sankaralinga Iyer as well as by Mr T S Narayanaswami ( NS's father) in 1946.

NS as an individual holds 0.05 % of the Share capital of the company - as the promoter family he and the other investment companies hold approximately 28 %. Please check out this document available if you google it as I did -

http://www.indiacements.co.in/shareholder_distribution.htm

IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT MORE THAN 70% IS HELD BY THE PUBLIC, BANKS, F I I 'S ETC. So it is NOT an Individuals team or a private consortium like The Rajasthan Royals . Probably The Ambani's holding Mumbai Indians and the Mallya's in Royal Challengers are the other few totally transparent non overseas funded totally Indian team like the Chennai Super kings - maybe the Deccan chargers too but I have not studies them.

2. NS probably got the Board to change the rules to facilitate this purchase - whether that was done legally or not is being questioned by Shri A C Muthiah in his appeal to the Supreme Court - the matter being sub judice, it may not be correct to comment on that - Let me add that the lower court ( Madras high Court) has held in favor of NS and Shri ACM has gone on appeal. Let us await the verdict. It is the very same ACM's father who, as Secretary of the BCCI registered it in Chennai as a Society - and today ACM's friend Lalit's advocates are stating this as an example to show that this is a personal fight between NS and Lalit. What is probably a personal fight is the ACM - NS one.

3. The charges against Lalit Modi are that he was involved in a "Criminal Conspiracy" and set about to defraud the BCCI. Times Now, the Channel gave a lot of details and compared him to Suresh Kalamadi - they did , not I . He is said to have been responsible for over 450 crores being diverted away from BCCI to himself ( ?) . Here too we find that a Criminal Complaint has been lodged and FIR filed.

On the other hand NS by paying money has contributed to the coffers of the BCCI. So there is no comparison - as some have sought to make. Simply put - NS gave while Lalit took.

Here i wish that you click on this link and check out what lalit said immediately after announcing the results of the bids in 2008 . http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jan/24ipl1.htm

4. Many have said that the IPL was lalit's creation and concept and he was a genius etc....I question that statement too....

The IPL was the brain child of many many others - Many don't recall that Subhash Chandra of Zee TV started this as The Indian Cricket league. Incidentally he too was a client of my brother. Check this link for a history of this league whose Inaugural season was in 2007 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Cricket_League ) .

The Chennai Team was called the Chennai Superstars and had many like R Satish and Hemang Badani in it ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Superstars ). This was considered a rebel league and did not find support with the BCCI , hence failed.

The official version based on this model was started by the BCCI and Modi appointed its "head". To credit him with inventing this is as stupid as crediting Zee TV , for all this is based on the Cricket leagues overseas and they on the Professsional Football/Basketball/Baseball Leagues of the World.

MODI JUST TOOK IT FORWARD. MAYBE IF A PROFESSIONAL WAS APPOINTED WE COULD HAVE HAD A MUCH CLEANER, TRANSPARENT AND SCANDAL LESS IPL.

I am surprised how people can justify his actions by saying that after all "it was his baby". IT WAS NOT. Maybe if the BCCI had asked Subhash to continue its ICL and given it official sanction then all this would not have happened.

The credit to Modi is that he converted everything - including the time taken in between balls to an opportunity to make money.

I ask , what do you think the IPL would have become like had a Professional Sport promoter / event manager headed the show and Professional Marketing people Branded it.

I ask , how would the IPL have grown had say a Ratan Tata or a Nandan Neelankeni headed it, both being Industrialists with a spotless track record, been at the helm of affairs as a against a man whose track record for ethics is dubious to say the least. Indeed his background check seems to reveal many things like the typical Soap opera.

Many have said that none of the existing BCCI guys could have done it, bit they are all people who are running multi crore companies and it some case the country - they know how to hire the right people.....in this case they did not choose correctly. Wrong choice - or knowing who were at the helm of affairs then, maybe it was intentional. ? Creating Frankensteins is a policy too.

Finally , I am surprised that many a "Tamil" is questioning NS and in fact supporting Lalit.

It was the bold enterprise of NS that got us in Chennai a Team. I do not know if any other Tamil Nadu based consortium bir for this....maybe we would have been happier if a consortium of businessmen operating through a Caymen island holding company bought the franchise for "my city" - of course with the statutory 25% held by lalit modi.

People like Vijay Mallya had bid even for the Mumbai Team but lost to Ambani. He was not exclusively Loyal to Bengaluru, his home town but viewed this as a investment opportunity.

NS bid for HIS City, his State and bought the best players - making the Chennai Super kings , the most succesful Team in the 3 editions of the IPL.

Why then question the man who has worked to enhance the pride of every cricket lover from our State ?

Vijay Mallya is the Vice president of the KSCA and the CEO of Royal Chellengers - Brijesh Patel, the secretary of KSCA , I understand that Mr Mukesh ambani too is in a state Cricket association , people from these states are proud of "their man" - the Tamil will always be different....

My take on "Endhiran"

2010-10-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

I am a die hard "Rajini" fan and love him both as an actor and a human being, many an earlier blog of mine will prove this.

I watched Endhiran and must say I came out with mixed feelings....

The great positive vibe and feel was the "technical" brilliance that tamil Cinema has advanced to as well as the sheer gloss and richness that the film had in every frame. Kudos to Shankar and his Team.

The brilliance of the Graphics especially the last few minutes with the army of Robots has to be seen to be believed. Matches any Hollywood film.... definitely beats Bollywood by a mile.

They have spent crores and it was seen in every frame , every paise of it.....Hats off to the producers , who have taken tamil Film Production into a different orbit - albeit a dizzying one.

For it is this film that has made the rest of India wake up and notice us here.

The other lovely part of the movie that I truly enjoyed was the "Chitti" part. Rajini has proved what a consummate actor and performer he is in his avatar as the Robot ( corrupted). What elan, what dash, what an actor.....truly deserves the sobriquet "Superstar"....

This is not a Keanu Reeves movie , a Superman, Batman or Spiderman film , nor is it the Robin Williams starrer "Bicentennial man" - which in many ways is the inspiration for this film , if you want to know more about this film's plot click here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicentennial_Man_(film)

Now for me as a "Rajini" fan going to a Rajini film....to enjoy my "Thalaivar"

I always love it when Rajini dons the hero , he is the brave, honest good guy ( maybe a coward in the beginning but is transformed into a "Veeran" ) who is wronged by a Villain - he could be a friend turned bad like Sharat Babu in Annamalai , a truly bad guy like Raghuvaran in Baasha or even Suman in "Sivaji" - but there has to be a Duryodhanan - and Rajini , the Panchapandavargal all rolled into one , must in the climax "Thulp" the man out of his senses......

Superstar can also tame the shrew as he did Vijayashanthi in Mannan or Ramya Krishnan in Padayappa - BUT HE MUST HAVE A UNIQUE MANNERISM OR STYLE - that is what makes him the Super star and he MUST HAVE A PUNCH LINE - as Aishwarya says in this film "unnodadhu Thani vazhi"....In these aspects I was disappointed with Endhiran.

He should have had a one to one with Danny Denzongpa or Chitti ( preferably both) and kicked the @#$% out of them . On the contrary he runs away from a drunk toddy tapper who is teased earlier by Aishwarya.....My hero had NO moment of Glory except right at the end , and that too it is not physical but keeps chitti magnetically immmobile etc.... Great for Keanu but not for my Thalaivar.

Despite being the hero he must have at least one nice comedy scene - like the scooter ride with the priest as "paramasivan" or the snake around the neck in a Ladies hostel.....These are a must. Here too Endhiran disappoints

A scene or two with his parents and siblings highlighting "Family" sentiments , - remember that song ? - "Amma endru azhaikkaadha...?" - maybe even a song on the thaththuvam of life like " 8 x 8 vaazhkkai" - nothing like that here - in fact there is NO solo song for him here.

He must also have a nice comedy sidekick like Janakaraj in Basha etc or Goundamani in Mannan or even Vivek in Sivaji..... the duo in this film disappoint to say the least.....

His entry in the film must be with a bang - and a song - remember "Naan autokkaaran.." or "Vandhenda paalakaaran..." or "Devuda devuda..." - nothing like that here in Endhiran for Boss comes into the film without as much as a whisper......

Songs bring me to the point that I found the re recording absolutely brilliant but the songs left me disappointed....I am a die hard fan of the music of "old times" and for me melody is the key , I still relate to modern music if I can hum the tune as I walk out of the theatre - like the "style' song in Sivaji.....I am simply not able to recall a single tune ( I do not listen to FM , watch songs on TV or listen to the CD.) , the first time I listen to the songs is in the film and it must stick to my head. Needless to say the locations and the picturisation was extraordinary , loved it when Rajini does the Robot style dancing. All in all I thought the music of Rehman , another genius, did nothing to lift the film to greater heights as it did in Sivaji or Padayappa.

I must here say that the Stunt sequences were brilliant , probably the best in any Indian Film thus far. Peter heyn must be complimented and of course Rajini who must have had hours and hours of back breaking work - his professionalism and total submission to the Director never ceases to amaze me.....what a man !!!!!

I thought "Chandramukhi" was itself a mild risk as it lacked the elements of the classic "Rajini" film like a clear cut, well defined villain etc but made up more than amply with the songs, the humour and the basic story, not to forget those few glorious moments when Vettaiyan comes on the screen. The Robot here I thought was an extension of the "lakalakalaka" Vettaiyyan - as usual the superstar excelled in it so much so that the last scene was extremely poignant.

My Take -

As a Tamil film fan - Extraordinary Film -what a technical coup.

As a die hard "Superstar" fan - an ordinary film.

As a fan of the "actor" Rajinikanth - a film to be relished... Chitti , takes the cake.

My Talk on Chandrababu .

2010-08-19T00:57:00.001-07:00

Indian Express of the 18th August carried an article on my talk. I am thankful for the fine reporting. Please click on the article to get a more magnified, readable image.

The Guru Dutt Stamp

2010-06-06T05:47:00.001-07:00

The government of India had honoured one of Hindi Cinema's iconic Directors Guru Dutt with a Postage Stamp in the year 2004.

Guru Dutt Shivshankar Padukone was born on July 9th 1925 in Bangalore. His father worked in Bank while his Mother was a school teacher.

He did his early schooling in calcutta but did not study beyond Matriculation as his family could not afford it. He was always interested in Arts and joined the Uday Shankar "school" in Almora and studied dancing. Then joined prabhat Films as a Dance Director. Here he did not stick to Choreography alone but showed an interest in all other Departments and even did some small roles.

After his contract was over he joined as Assistant Director to Amiya Chakravarthy and later to Gyan Mukherji for his film "Sangram" - 1950.

Much earlier he and his friend an aspiring Actor had promised to give each other a chance the moment the first one makes it Big - the actor who kept his word was Dev Anand who called him in 1951 to Direct the Film "Baazi" - a crime thriller.

During the recording of songs for this film he met Geeta Roy , love blossomed and they married in may 1953.

"Aar Paar" in 1954 saw him being reckoned as a Director of some Repute. This was enhanced by his string of classics that followed Mr and Mrs 55 , Pyasaa , and Kaagaz Ke Phool.

The last film was a disaster in Box Office terms that a dejected Guru Dutt NEVER directed a film after that - at least it was never released in his name. This film is still viewed by fans and critics alike for the sensitive portrayal and superb Photography - Please see my earlier Blog on V.K.Murthy , The Cinematographer.

Soon after he acted and Produced in "Chaudivin Ka Chand" and "Sahib Bibi aur Ghulaam".

To him must go the credit of introducing long focal length lenses of 75mm and 100mm for Close up shots in Indian Films. His selection of themes, use of music and song and finally beautiful dialogues all shot with great care and play of light and shadow ensured that each frame was a masterpiece.

He died on October 10 , 1964. It is said that he committed suicide as he was constantly fighting depression and a battle with alcohol - another great career cut short by that vile and addictive extract of fruits and grain.

A nice Biography of him is released by Oxford written by Nazreen Munna Kabir for those interested in reading more.

Please watch geeta Dutt sing Waqt ne kiya in Kaagaz ke phool and let me know if such precise camera movements and lighting is there in any song by any body !!!! What a classic and REMEMBER he was a Dancer , and yet look at the minimal movements he has given to the actors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gir2ccDdiGE&feature=related

Absolute Pawar - corporates Absolutely.

2010-06-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy India Today.

The media has been crying hoarse about this "scandal" - Mr Pawar , I do not wish to go into the technicalities for I am sure all those ends will be tied up by you and your people.

I just have a few basic queries......

Why did the Board of the Company pass a resolution that the Company should not enter the IPL ?

Obviously the Managing Director had disclosed his intentions to the Board ( When ? Mr Pawar.) and the Board met , discussed and came to the conclusion to stay away from the gravy train , is that so Mr Pawar ?. When was this Board meeting held, who were all present, where was it held and when did you come to know of your MD's intent and the Board's refusal ?????

No Board , out of the Blue will pass a restrictive covenant against its MD unless it had prior information - one does not see the TATA Board asking Mr Ratan Tata NOT to buy an IPL Team.....so obviously the Board knew of the MD's intentions - maybe as you are a minority share holder, you did not know.

As a responsible Cricket administrator you should have done something - INFORMED THE IPL GOVERNING BODY THAT THIS MD OF YOURS IS A LOOSE CANNON AND THAT THE COMPANY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS BID.

Even after he had made his "failed" bid. Did you Mr Pawar ? After all your MD was sending a signal to the IPL that his bid has the backing of the all powerful Pawar.

Did you as a responsible cricket lover inform the BCCI of this Bid's illegality - I do not think the Bid was disqualified for lacking the needed corporate backing but it failed because they did not bid high enough.

Theoretically , the document was obtained under your companies name and the tender too submitted under the name of the company and if the company did not authorise him then the whole bid should have been thrown out or your MD obtained a different set of application forms from the IPL under his "personal" name and filled it up and submitted it.

Can the Public see his Bid document Mr Pawar ?

Will make interesting reading , we can find out for sure if he "misused" your good offices.Maybe he has put your name as one of the "minority" share holders , who were the Bankers he has offered ? Let us see what this errant MD of yours has done ?

I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU TOLD THE PRESS OR THE PARLIAMENT FOR YOU NEED NOT TELL THEM ANYTHING , YOUR PREROGATIVE - BUT THE CRICKET BOARD ? WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM ? IT IS YOUR BABY MR PAWAR.

Lets us take this scenario , just a scenario.....you let it pass because you wanted the Board to know that this bid is yours - unfortunately you took the advice of your protege's CEO - I mean Lalit Modis man, who, had even advised Tharoor to bid around 1200 odd crores , remember the e mail sent by Praful Patel's daughter - you may not. Praful may have leaked this to your MD who stuck to the figure while Shashi , the crafty one, upped the ante. The Board of course felt bad that both your Bid and that of the present IPL chief got thrown out of the window. Your protege got upset and he wanted to get his own back on Tharoor and Tweeted - the rest , as the say , STINKS.

Can we all forget which of you made money through your connections and what not and focus on sending an Indian team to the Asian Games....

I APPEAL TO ALL INDIANS NOT TO WATCH THE NEW ZEALAND SERIES BOTH ON TV AND LIVE , THE MEDIA NOT TO COVER THIS SERIES, IF WE ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN THE ASIAN GAMES.

IIFA at Colombo- Kudos to the Southern Film Industry

2010-06-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

I was watching the National ( English) TV Channels and the focus that was on the IIFA Awards being held at Colombo. It set me thinking , what made me act - at least prodded me to Blog was dinner with an old friend of mine, one of India's finest film makers , who has also set one of his films in the backdrop of the Tamil's struggle in Sri Lanka.

We discussed this Humanitarian crisis that the Tamils are facing there and it came out as we spoke that what the Politicians have not been able to ( or do not want to) , the Tamil film fraternity has achieved. We have been able to get the media and therefore the people all over India to become aware that there exists a situation in Sri Lanka that is not good , that must be addressed by the world , not just the Tamil world but the Human world.

In that sense we must be proud of belonging to a fraternity that has decided to raise a voice in support of those displaced and suffering. It is no longer an issue of just the "Tamil" people but one that is of a section of Humankind that is suffering - Thank you my friend for that enlightening bit of discussion we had.

It also showed me that however small a voice you are , if you are just and crying , it will be heard and will have some effect.

I always felt that the Hindi Film Industry did not care what we did in the South.

Our opinions and concerns did not affect them in any way and that we cannot do a thing about anything -Oh , how wrong and stupidly short sighted I was.

I understand that the Bachchans , SRK and a few other Top Stars are staying away. As the cry came a bit late not much could be done regarding the shifting of the awards itself to some other venue . Vivek Oberoi spoke to a channel on how he is using this a chance to do some rehabilitation work for those affected by the strife. Building a school etc.

I guess I was so wrong about my own Profession and its Power (Many of my Blog's readers and my friends in facebook did point it out.) . I asked earlier when Cricketeers and Politicians are not asked about their "links" with lankans why target only film people....I now know why....because, WE CAN....

We may not have prevented the IIFA from happening but if in the process the Nation's attention is given to this issue albeit for a day or two, then if there is some respite and even a single human being in Lanka is benefited, then the whole thing was worth it.

The next time I ask why me ( or in this case -Us.) I must change it to Why not me.....

நமக்கு என்னனு விட்டுட்டா அது மனுசனா பொறந்ததற்கு அடையாளமே இல்லைன்னு புரிஞ்சுகிட்டேன் .

Down memory lane - Nadigar thilakam documentary

2010-06-01T10:39:00.001-07:00

From Left to right standing - Mahesh, Music Director, Yours truly,

G.Ramkumar and Director K.Subaash.

Around the late 1990s Sivaji films wanted to make a TV show on Nadigar Thilakam (NT).

This was tentatively titled "Naanum oru rasikan" and was to have been him reliving

his experiences with around 100 of his colleagues, seniors and even those who came later.

His thoughts on them, his roles with them and then we wanted to get reactions from each of them ( those available). He wanted to trace the trip from M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar down to

the then present day.

Subaash , probably one of the few "friends" I have from this tinsel world, many like Prabhu and Ramkumar were friends before I became an actor, was excited to work with NT as his father Krishnan (Panju) was the one who introduced this legend in "Parasakthi" with that immortal first shot -"Success".

At a time when graphics had not grown his plan was to merge NT at home moving about when suddenly VO Chidambaram, Kattabomman, Parama sivan, prestige padmanabhan, barrister rajinikanth and several others keep walking past and to each of them NT reacts -

I was to have interacted with him and assisted Subaash with the research, script and editing.My good friend Mahesh was to have made the Music. For all of us it was the joy of working with the living legend.

In fact this helped me sit and discuss with him the list of people he wanted - the Producers, The Directors ,The Technicians ( all the crafts from Camera, Dance, Make up, Costume, writers and so on), His fellow actors and others whom he had enjoyed watching on screen - Olivier , Brando , Spencer Tracy , Paul Muni and many others up North including Prithviraj Kapoor etc. In fact we were wondering how to source footage from Hollywood films and the Royalty costs etc. You must remember the economy had not opened up as much as it is today.

Mahesh was toying with a medley of his songs , sometimes the old tune with new words and sometimes the old words with new tunes etc.....and one fully new tune.

The experiences he shared with us will live evergreen in our minds and the kind of respect he had for people like L.V.Prasad, Nagesh , M.R.Radha , Balaiah , Sridhar , APN , Chandrababu, ACT , His mentors P.A.Perumal and Subaash's father Krishnan , AVM , MGR ,the present CM Kalaignar, S.Balachander , Heeralal Master , Padmini, Kannamba , Manorama , Savithri to name just a few was really high .

We actually took up a list of 60 plus names to work with initially .

This was to have been either for Doordarshan or Sun TV - in those days DD was still in the big budget League.

Just reliving those moments brings tears, both of Joy and sorrow - Like he sang -

Naan azhudhukonde sirikkindren.

Why target Kamal Haasan ?

2010-05-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

All over Chennai have sprung up Posters which roughly say this

"Padmasri Kamalhaasan please resign your post as Honorary President

of FICCI which is running the awards in Sri lanka to cover up the genocide -

Live Like BharathiRaaja who threw away his padma Sri title - take him as an example"

This is the most factually incorrect statement I have ever seen - another clear case of Actor bashing.

Dragging the poor chap into a controversy that is NOT THERE.

Firstly FICCI IS NOT the organiser of the Awards - It is done by IIFA.

Kamal Haasan is not the President (Honorary or otherwise of FICCI) It is Rajan Mittal of Bharti. In fact in the FICCI website there is a list of 250 office bearers in which Kamal does not even feature.

Why do these people unnecessarily drag a Cinema person's name -

What do they mean Bharathi Raaja - as an example for kamal to follow...

He is a good Director - If he was so sensitive to any Title given by the "Central Govt." then he should not have any Truck with the DMK Party that is allied and supporting the Sonia Gandhi/Manmohan Singh Government.

Can he do that ?

Then what will happen to the nearly 2 lakh Rs. that is paid to him every day for his serial by Kalaignar TV - Therkaththiya Ponnu. In fact they even had a big function to celebrate its 500th episode , an event presided over by Dr Kalaignar.

It is an acknowledged and accepted fact that the DMK and its Chief is an avowed "Tamil" lover , even he has not commented in this regard - why do these lesser minions howl ? Can they not follow Kalaignar who shows astute political wisdom and sagacity as well as a practical approach to solving the Problems faced by the Tamils there ? No one can deny that there is great suffering there. No self respecting Indian should deny it.

The country is part of SAARC and our own PM visited Lanka in 2008 for the SAARC summit - the declaration mentions nothing about the Tamil Issue. What protest was there then?

A Sri Lankan member of parliament - Sanath Jayasuriya , played along with Sachin and company - are we going to ask sachin to quit Mumbai Indians ? Or ask Ambani to sack Sanath ?

Why not ? It is a logical extension of this argument on Kamalhaasan.

A Team was led by a Lankan in IPL , Dhoni had Murali playing for him so shall we boycott all these guys or ask them to resign ?

Please do not pick on Film Stars for everything. We are entitled to have our own views -

political , social, religious , economic etc. Do not force people to think only on the Lines that you want them to think. We are still living in a Democracy and are entitled to free speech and thought. This Fascist approach will be the death knell to free and creative thought.

Kamal is Tamilnadu's greatest film and artistic asset, one who has dedicated his life to Cinema do not belittle his achievements - many in the Film Industry must learn from him and follow his example on Commitment to the Arts.

FIRSTLY CHECK YOUR FACTS -

SECONDLY DO NOT PICK ONLY ON FILM ACTORS

Just because you need Publicity for your cause do not pick on them for a Piggyback Ride at his/her cost.

IPL / BCCI - The Media's selective Bashing ?

2010-04-24T01:59:00.000-07:00

THE DRAMATIS PERSONAE OF THIS BLOG

Vijay Mallya - Liquor baron, Owner BRC, VP Karnataka State Cricket Assn

N.Srinivasan - Industrialist , President TamilNadu Cricket Assn , Owner CSK, Secretary BCCI

Suni Gavaskar - Former cricket Player, Commentator , Member IPL Governing Council

Ravi Shastri - Former cricket Player, Commentator , Member IPL Governing Council

Brijesh Patel - Former player, Secretary KSCA and Manager BRC

Suhel Seth -

There are three Major issues raised in this blog.......

WHY IS THE MEDIA SO SELECTIVE IN IT'S BASHING ?

Everyone mentions that Mr.Srinivasan has bought a team , while being the BCCI Secretary etc. This was done after express written permission of the BCCI. This was questioned by Shri Muthiah ( I shall not get into that Politics here) in the Madras High Court and the Court held that what Mr Srinivasan (NS) had done was not illegal. Now the issue is on appeal in the Supreme Court. Being a matter Sub Judice I shall not comment on this case.

However, What NS did was to pay money , ie he spent monies that he was in charge of (technically India Cements' shareholders money). He did NOT take money from anyone to whom he was in a position to do favours or grant contracts.

Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are in the Governing Council of the IPL. The IPL had awarded a contract to Sony , then rescinded and then Sony covers the same through another company which was paid a facilitation fee etc etc , this tangled web need not be discussed here.

HOW CAN THESE TWO DRAW FINANCIAL BENEFITS FROM A SUB CONTRACTOR TO A VENDOR ,THEY HAVE GIVEN THE CONTRACT TO ?

I understand that these two plus the Nawab draw a salary from the IPL - please clarify......Media - ask the relevant questions please.

The media has conveniently forgotten about this....who is the "badder" man , one who spends his money or one who takes money.?

These two gentlemen are Commenting on the current IPL and drawing a salary from a Vendor. Is this not Pecuniary benefit of an "interested" kind ?

Now they even have the gall to suggest that Ravi Shastri head the IPL or be part of the three member team to manage it. No problems , he may do an excellent job ,but do not gloss over his alleged misdeeds and sins of omission and commission. The media must be fair in its comments and tar EVERYBODY with the same brush.

THE NEXT ISSUE -

Vijay Mallya is the vice president of the KSCA and Brijesh Patel the Secretary of the KSCA , by this , they are in the BCCI - de facto. They are owner and manager of the Bengaluru Royal Challengers - this is acceptable ???? but the CSK cannot be owned by NS.

What double standards ? Media , wake up. or are you just pretending to sleep.

THE FINAL ISSUE

Mr Suhel Seth made an offensive remark on a National TV Channel that should make every Tamilian's blood boil. I am seriously contemplating suing the man.

He said - why should the BCCI be in "that" Tamil Nadu, why should it be registered there? Let us move it out of there......

Implying that the BCCI being in Tamil Nadu is the root cause of all evil and that Tamil Nadu and the Tamil People are the source of corruption.

What gall....

Mr Seth , the BCCI was registered here in the early 1960s when Mr. M.A.Chidambaram was the president ( 1960-63) , this was at a time when the Association had little or no money - not the millions it has now. So please get your background check done before you shoot off your mouth.

IS TAMIL NADU NOT A PART OF INDIA ? THE HEADQUARTERS IS MUMBAI , SIR , ONLY REGISTERED HERE SOME 47 YEARS AGO.

I appeal to all self respecting Tamils to mute the volume the next time this obnoxious man comes on Television spouting his wisdom - why do the channels call him ? I do not know , he has a nice , albeit artificial accent - clipped and what not , uses decent english but there it stops.

I do not know what businesses he has promoted and run so successfully ? - Mallya at least expanded his father's empire and NS turned around a massive loss making company to a profitable one.

He is not an acclaimed Philospher like Jiddu Krishnamurthy or even a thinker /writer like Nirad Chaudri - just a petty, offensive human being. Who thinks that Tamil Nadu is a den of vice and that Tamilians are corrupt and tainted - wish the Chief Minister will launch a campaign against him - his remarks are defenitely more injurious to the Tamil image than what Khushboo said.

He and Arnab Goswami who allowed it to be said must apologise to the Tamil people.

THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE – 2016

2010-04-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

This is a Projection based on total imagination : Although the names are real , all these “reports” are totally fictitious , just for a good laugh. Remember a laugh , even at one self does wonders for the soul.

Cricket and Politics have always held hands and been strange bedfellows right from our own Pataudi standing for elections, Sidhu and Azharuddin too to boot – Jeyasuriya winning one recently in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Cricket Administration with its Powar , I mean Power has attracted politicians of all shades and Parties. Jaitly and Narendra Modi to name just a few.In the Post Independance era Big businessmen took over from the Maharajahs who ran and played the Game alongside the Brits. Now the mix is the Political Business of the Game….

Let us see what may happen. Shashi Tharoor is a visionary, a fore runner for he opened the eyes of the politicians to the fact that they need not fight hard battles and later legal ones to take control of the cricket machinery of a State , all they need to do is to acquire an IPL Team.

The year 2011 saw new electoral alliances both in Politics and Cricket. This was the post Lalit Modi era. Readers may remember the expose that all Channels , after the Sun TV Network splashed it all over , ran of the Nithyananda like episode involving him and two starlets , one of whom , an Ammu Kutty from Vadaserikara was found to be underage. Modi claimed that she was planted by “politicians of Malayalee origin” keen to destroy him.

Sri Shashi Tharoor who was the Chairman of Satyam Computers claimed a moral victory and that he had nothing to do with this as he was in Mogadishu working out a deal for his company.

In any case the PM’s office quickly stepped in and the BCCI appointed Sri Rahul Gandhi , the IPL commissioner.

The BCCI President Shri. Narendra Modi , (whose election was a political masterstroke suggested by the Tamil Nadu Leader M.Karunanidhi , thereby mollifying the Gujaratis and the saffron groups in one stroke) , was being ably assisted by Vice Presidents Sri Rahul Bajaj ( that kept the Industrialists quiet) and Mrs Deepika Mallya, wife of Liquor Baron Vijay Mallya’s son.

Readers may be well aware that Mr Mallya was also the first successful man to take his Team as a Public Limited company , issue Shares ( currently quoting at 16 paise – Face Value of Rs 100.) as against the Mumbai Indians whose share is quoting at Rs 1,234 , face value Rs 10.

Needless to say the aggrieved Ambani sibling claims that the price is rigged and that his brother has hived off the entire share premium generated –a staggering 17,000 crores and is promoting the Indian Premier Kite flying League in West Bengal with the active help of Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He also accused his brother of divesting over 70 percent of his shares in the company.

Thereby gaining in total a staggering 73,000 crores.This charge was totally denied by the Companies Cricket CEO and former Player Mohammed Azharuddin. The Board’s Secretary was Shri. Jagmohan Dalmiya and the Treasurer Ms. Kani Karunanidhi. You will also recall that she had shortened her name to facilitate it’s easy pronounciation by all Indians , especially Tamils. Her step brother Azhagiri however retains his name .

The last appointment you will recall came about as the earlier Treasurer had sold his Team , the Chennai Super Kings to Kalanidhi Maran for an undisclosed sum believed to be in excess of 3000 crores (although the Market Value of the Team was easily 10,000 plus crores.) and shortly thereafter the company went Public – An IPO of 25 percent shares valued at 4000 crores.

As a quid pro quo for his suggesting the Election of the BCCI President , Sri Karunanidhi swung the appointment of the Treasurer and to sweeten the pill back home in Tamil Nadu he was able to obtain Two new franchises for Tamil Nadu , the Madurai Marauders owned by Dayanidhi Azhagiri and the ECR Easyriders owned by Gunanidhi Stalin. The entire cricketing community was aghast at the fact that a single state had 3 franchises.

They were all mollified when Smt. Sonia Gandhi, threatened to resign as the Patron of Indian Cricket and all dissent died down. Shri L.K.Advani and his spokesperson Shri. Jaitly , called on Sonia Ji and briefed her about the affairs of the DDCA and how Virendra Sehwag has been successfully bought back from the clutches of the Kolkatta Knight “Red”ders – note the change of name which happened when the ownership went from Shah Rukh Khan to the nephews of Buddhadeb and Prakash Karat.

This was of course possible as the Polit Buro had cleared all these dealings even before it happened. This of course left the heir of the home Minister, PC , extremely unhappy as his similar request - for a franchise "The Chettinad Chutneys" was not cleared by the CWC. ( A procedure followed post the Shashi Tharoor controversy)

The Pune Punishers bought over by the Thakarey Group ( a wholly owned subsidiary of Raj and Udhdhav Thakarey, captained by Ajit Agarkar and his team ( Salgaonkar, Wadekar Jr , Rohan Jr , Jaideep Sardesai , etc ) of Pure bred Maharashtrians has just resolved to admit a few “foreign” players like the three Khan lads (children of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir) as they are second generation Mumbaikars and have no links with any other State and as they could not play for the Mumbai Indians being under age at 13, 11 and 7 respectively. This was considered a master strategy politically for they had by this erased the “Hindutva” tag at one go. The first Child of Sania and Shoaib being a Girl was also being considered , more on that later. Sources say that the Ministry of Child welfare may well object and Arnab Goswami had already started a stink on "Child labour". Rajdeep Sardesai was being circumspect.

Laloo Prasad Yadav and Navin Patnaik have resolved their internal differences and a new look Team under the Captaincy of M.S.Dhoni is likely to enter the Tournament - “The Kalinga Konquerors” . Ram Vilas Paswan though has objected to the fact that the Team is not truly “Mandalised”. This sentiment was echoed by Mayawati and Anbumani Ramdas – who is miffed that his bid for a Team the “ Panrutti Payalgal” was rejected on grounds that the owners were fictitious and no such persons existed on the electoral roles. Mayawati’s team the “Ambedkar Adventurer’s” will however be Mandalised over the next few Season’s said a franchise spokesperson.

Selvi J.Jayalaitha , has claimed that IPL must reach the Tribals , and has suggested that they Play a few matches in Kodanad – she has assured that a world class Stadium will come up there. Much against her wishes her Party wants to name it as the Puratchi Thalavi Stadium and the IPL Team – “ Jaya – Sashi Josiars”. This name suggests that more than the Coach and Physio all decisions will be based on the Projections of "amma's" astrologers/Vasthu consultants/Priests/Numerologists and Sashikala's nephew who is a big cricket fan"

The reason this cannot happen say Political Pundits is that she wants the IPL Commisioner to come to her house and collect the needed signatures and that the entire BCCI working committee must join her for Breakfast and request her to join the bandwagon. They are to report at the main gate at 6 AM , gates will open at 8 AM and breakfast will be served at 9.30 AM , the next day.

Needless to say , with 32 Teams – a total of 4 groups and a League of the 3 winners in each group in another League the IPL runs into 10 months and 360 odd matches. Most Cineplexes have a dedicated Theatre for IPL and there is an add on Film as a bonus shown as well both before and after a match. As IIT’s , IIM ‘s and all other Colleges have had no takers – no one scoring the minimum marks to qualify for admission , they have all been converted to Sports Acadamy’s .

Brinda Karat and Mamta Bannerjee are proposing a bill to amend the rules so that each team will have at least 3 women players. This Bill was neutralised when , after much acrimony , Smt Sonia stepped in and proposed that 30 percent of all profits from the IPL will go to Women related causes. Smt Neeta Ambani was quick to point out that her franchise had already taken this up and in fact had spent over 37 percent last year. One of the Tamil Nadu franchises has taken up the rehabilitation of Ms. Ranjeetha ( of Nithyananda fame) while the Cochin franchise is actively considering the case of Ms.Sunanda Pushkar.

Bollywood , Kollywood and even Hollyood is hoping that like the “Mega Serial” , this IPL phenomenon too will fade away. Meanwhile just to add glamour a mixed sex Team of Stars is being considered – one each from North and South. Talks are on as to who will Captain the Tamil side – Vijaykanth fans have gone on fast that by virtue of his name their “thalaivar” alone has the right to be "Captain". Ajith appealed to the CM , that actors like him should not be "forced" to Play as racing and not Cricket was his passion, he assured the CM that he will gladly race even a bi cycle to protect the pride and honour of the Tamils.

Rajinikanth is considered for the post of Coach and Kamal has left for a 6 month tour of England/Australia and South Africa to study the Cricket leagues there. He has already suggested a few changes on the basis of the Japanese Karate League of which he claims to be an avid fan , in fact the only fan from India. Vijay’s father is waiting to see what will happen and if Vijay is be called for a ‘regular” team itself , if so which one to Join ? Hence , Vijay is busy shooting in Mauritius.

The "Nadigar Sangham" - the actors Union is divided as the President and Vice President do not see eye to eye Politically and the Secretary is an avid "Gilli" fan. The Treasurer along with 5 of the committee members have all decided that "Marbles" will be a safer game to play. The TV actors Union not wanting to be left behind assured the CM of their fullest co operation as in any case post IPL no TV actor was getting any work and all channels were only re telecasting the old serials - Chiththi was doing its 7 th re run , its first at the old slot time of 9.30 PM.

A separate “religious” crowd has started another movement – If they can play at Dharamsala – where the Dalai Lama is, why not play at Sringeri , Poori , Kancheepuram , and other Holy places for Hindus , they have threatened to dig up all the pitches with a “Trishul”. There are some rumblings on Naagore and Velankanni being adopted by a few franchises keen on scoring brownie points from the minorities.

The chief spokesman for the minorities Shri N.Ram , the editor of " The Secular" , (yes, they changed the name after a brief power struggle in the company before it was bought over by the Pope and Al Jazeera newspaper group ) whole heartedly supported this move and spoke at length on National Television to Barkha Dutt , another espouser of the cause.

AYYO , where is all this going ?

Trick or Tweet - The IPL Franchise Halloween Story

2010-04-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar

Shashi and lalit Modi

These days if you want news you better be an active Twitter - and if you do not want to be in the news ensure that you and all those whom you contact are NOT in Twitter.

An unseemly controversy has erupted over the Cochin Franchise and is bound to rock both the Parliament of the Country and the Cricket establishment. In a way it is good, for the cupboard is now opened before more skeletons can be shoved into it.

This is like an old Hindi /Tamil film a Love Triangle - with the the three corners being Lalit Modi , the Commisioner of the IPL . The Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor and a lady from the Middle east , Sunanda Pushkar , Sales manager of TECOM ( A real estate company).

Let us take the dubious roles of each of the three - Ladies first . She has been given a sweat equity in the Cochin IPL franchise valued today at 75 Crore Rs ( media report). The Franchise representative Mr. Gaikwad says her name was recommended by a "friend" and this is for her Professional expertise over the next 10 years - unbelievable !!!

It is more than the base salary that Indira Nooyi draws - In fact annualised at 7.5 crores - which is wrong as this has been given up front and assuming this Marketing whiz is not going to draw any compensation from the Franchise - the salary is more than what any of the CEOs draw in any company here. It is at least three times the salary that people like Ratan Tata , Rajiv Bajaj , Azim Premji and Muthuraman ( Tata Steel) draw as salaries - Sunil Mittal of Bharti draws a salary of 12 odd crores.

I have not heard of this lady being any kind of Brand Manager, Media expert, Cricket expert, Advertising Creative Head . This compensation is certainly not for just "expert marketing advice"- Who are you trying to fool Mr.Gaikwad ? You could have hired almost any Top Indian Executive for that Price , Indeed even taken the best brains from the European Football League for the first two years and then sent them off , without diluting your stake and parting with shares that will probably double in a few years. Have you not heard of the report that the Punjab franchise is up for sale and each share holder will probably triple his/her investment.

Now for the "external affair" , the second corner of the Triangle singing "Dost dost naa raha..." - He claims that he was just a "mentor" because he wants to spread cricket in Kerala , give the State a fillip etc. The motives are great and worthy of emulation. A mentor does not have to follow up every bit of the way - a mentor will guide and let them take the needed action - what is the need for such a mentoring ? If the stature of a Minister is required to counter "other" pressures or neutralize other forces then Shashi should have brought it up to the attention of the PM and got the process made transparent and open. After all was this not done in the 3G spectrum auctions ? , much to the chagrin of Shri Raja and his band of supporters. This obviously shows that all is not above board with the IPL. This clearly implies that there is much more than what meets the eye and the Minister has not just been a mentor but more a Tutor and the Tuition fees was paid not to him for his hands are clean - paid to his friend and he "did not know of her business deals". Amazing !!!

What is more shocking is that Mr Gaikwad accused lalit of many things , which would have come to the mentor's attention , after all when you can call for delayed forms etc , you must have been in the know of things , especially such a shocking "bribe" attempt, WHY DID YOU NOT BLOW THE WHISTLE THEN....? Why did you not ask Mr Gaikwad to at least complain to the BCCI President the very same day.? Why wait till now to unleash all that dirt on Lalit Modi ????

We now come to Lalit Modi - the "drug peddler" - according to Shashi's aides leaked information , the man who offered a 50 Million dollar bribe to Cochin to keep away etc. A lot of crap is thrown at this man , most will not stick. The bribe part is ludicrous as the team's were auctioned off and paying 50 million to them will only result in a re auction and not transfer of Title. In any case that will not prevent them from participating in the re auction with a "new" mentor if needed. So is Lalit squeaky clean - I do not think so. He is a wheeler -Dealer and if at all he has short changed anybody it is the BCCI . I do not know if we , as Citizens can claim that BCCI's wealth is national Wealth etc.

I wonder why no one has, under the Right to Information act asked for details of franchise owners ? I agree that the BCCI is not part of the Government but it is under the aegis of the Ministry of Sports. Maybe RTI may not apply but a PIL will certainly stick.

The time has come for the entire financials of ALL the franchisees to be examined , who spent what, what is the source of funds, where did the funds originate, who gains from it, do they pay taxes , what expenses are they claiming, has Tax been paid on that - does IPL a kind of entertainment form part of the "Service Tax" net ? Are exemptions being given ? if so why ?

This should be probed and answers provided. But will they ? The answer is an unequivocal "NO" as many State associations are today under the Presidentship of the Politicians. The others are with Business men who are probably better as they at least have the "legitimate" source for Money. No one can claim that Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings were financed by " dirty/laundered " money. India Cements is a listed Company and it's balance sheet available for scrutiny.

I do know that a very very large part of the BCCI's earnings ( almost 80 plus percent) is shared by all the State associations and that a few of these associations actually spend the money for the promotion of the game at all levels in the State ( Tamil Nadu does).

WHAT IS NEEDED IS A THOROUGH ENQUIRY BY A COMMITTEE OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES - THE UN INFLUENCABLE KIND - INTO THE WAY THE BCCI , STATE CRICKET ASSOCIATIONS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IPL IS RUN (with special emphasis on the financing and spending) ..... Just like what took place in America years ago - and a regulatory agency brought in. After all did not SEBI come into being only when the Stock Market really Boomed - now Cricket has.

Manmohan Ji , can you rock the boat ? sorry Ship ?

Never , for like the Titanic it may sink.

Therefore the easy and painless way out is for two of the three corners of the Triangle to be faded away - Shashi and Lalit slowly eased out and the Philip Kotler from the middle east will by a natural process disappear - the IPL will continue and we will all still howl for sachin , anil, shane , dhoni etc to perform .... they will both on the field and in Advertisements which will go to further fund the Channels and then The IPL and then the Teams and then more auctions and more mentors - but will all mentors have such "beautiful" Marketing Gurus/Consultants....I doubt it, and that is a sad thought.

Cricket - has it changed ?

2010-04-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

The entire sub continent seems to be gripped by the IPL fever - your truly is also affected. It set me thinking on how much the Game has changed or has it ?

The first match I recall watching was at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai when MJK Smith's team played us - Barrington and Bolus Vs Bapu Nadkarni. 1963-64 ,we moved back to Chepauk during the 1966-67 visit of Gary Sobers' Team. Bobby Simpson's team too had visited us. I remember the annual of the magazine Sports and Pastime that carried a lovely colour photograph of him. The colour snaps in that magazine were currency for the young man - the issues that had a hockey player or athelete in colour on the cover were viewed by us as a total waste of time and money as they could not be exchanged later for either a rare snap or even cash. The only source of great cricket books and the Wisden was the British Council Library.

An english willow bat was the ultimate status symbol - I had one that was signed by Colin Cowdrey and hence he became the ultimate batting icon - Oh , how I extolled his virtues that he came to the field to bat in a plaster cast despite a fracture.

Yes, the 5 day test match , white flannels , cherry red ball, have all become optional. Coloured Clothes, shortened versions , also the arrival of helmets, arm guards, mongoose bats and of course Television replays have changed the way the game is played. The latest innovation being the Mongoose.

The straight bat ( cross bat shots can break the willow ? ) is no longer the only way to play. A hoick from outside the off stump to mid wicket is today par for the course.

The gentle amble of a fielder towards a speeding ball is today a think to be frowned upon. I remember many a young man copying the young Nawab of Pataudi's style of kneeling down and fielding - many a friend got his chin cut when the ball hit a stone and bounced up at the Gopalapuram grounds - where we conducted all such experiments. Parents howled when we had our "collars up" like Sobers or Rohan Kanhai. In fact Sunil has named his son after this great batsman. Jaisimha's style was also worth emulating the swagger as you walked.

These are all defenite changes...

What has probably changed more is our view of the Game, how we follow/report it, how much we encourage our youngsters to take to it.

SIR NEVILLE CARDUS

CHANDRA AT THE OVAL

THE GREAT RANJI

THE DON

OVERHEAD VIEW OF CHEPAUK - Before the Stadium

In the days of C.K.Nayudu and the likes - the 1920s/30s and 40s there was a clear distinction between Gentlemen and Players. Those who played as professionals and the "Rich and influential" who played it because they loved the game.The Book -A Corner of a foreign field by Ramachandra Guha chronicles this era very nicely.

This was when society looked upon both Cricketeers and Cinema Actors as "entertainers". It was nice to know them etc but you will not permit your son to follow this career. It was for Maharajahs like Vizzy ( remember his expert commentary) , Ranji ( after whom the domestic tournament is named and the "inventor" of the leg glance) and the senior Pataudi.

The attitude of the gentry toward "players" is nicely shown in the TV serial "Bodyline". These Games were eagerly followed by Cricket fans through that wonderful instrument called the Radio. Commentary was by so many famous voices - Bobby Talyarkhan, Pearson Surita, V.M.Chakrapani , our own Ananda Rao, Berry Sarbadhikari to just name a few. The BBC which used to be a great source of cricket info had the famous John Arlott , Christopher Martin Jenkins, Brian Johnston, and Radio Australia Alan Mcgilvray , Jack Fingleton till our own Chakrapani joined them. Tony Cozier of the West Indies too was a famous voice.

It was a pleasure to wait for the next mornings paper to read about the exploits , see a picture or two of the match that we had followed on Radio. I remember the Historic spell of Chandra under the victorious Wadekar's team - the raspy voice of John Arlott saying "Shandra moves in and bowls....", the photograph in the next mornings Hindu of a jubilant Chandra was almost exactly how I imagined it would have been. So the way we follow the game has changed.

Come the era of Colour television with live telecasts and multicameras the need to know the "queen's english" has gone. Why hear when you can see , why read when you can watch ?

Just before this era was when we had the masses of India becoming interested in the Game and hence came the Vernacular cricket Commentary - remember the time when the english commentary will be interrupted by the Hindi one and as the only Hindi Student everyone at home used to ask me how much a "ninyaanve" was - they had, however , mastered the numbers ek, do, teen, chaar and chakka. This was the era when cricket was becoming more mass based. A Game of the millions - not just the educated/ english speaking big town boy but the essence of India its Rural masses. For the first time a non metro player called Kapil Dev was ruling the roost.

It was not even during the post Pataudi, Wadekar or Gavaskar era but only now, these past 7 or 8 years that parents have realised not to stifle cricketing Talents in their kids but encourage it. credit for this must go to the Millions pouring into the Game through the Idiot Box and to that phenomenon called Sachin Tendulkar.

Where does this leave someone like me ? I still yearn for the writing of Rajan Bala , E.W.Swanton, John Woodcock , Alex Bannister, Dicky Rutnagar to name just a few.

The one thing I really miss are the lovely and exquisite writings of Sir Neville Cardus .

I wonder how many have read that great master , his wit as sharp as a Gundappa Viswanath Square Cut, the flow of English as smooth as a Gavaskar , It was as complete a package as the spin quartet was, leaving us totally sated but always ready for more like a Sachin Tendulkar Century

I really miss his essays - am wondering how he would have described some of the Modern greats like Sachin , Shane and the unorthodox but effective Murali. The spin quartet - the fluidity of a Bedi or Prasanna -the unpredictability of Chandra and the reliability of a Venkat.

The achievement and grit of Anil Kumble and the effusive Saurav. The phenomenon called

T 20. Oh there are so many lovely things he can wax eloquent on - the sheer contrast of a technical perfectionist like Sunil Gavaskar at one end and the inimitable Cheeka at the other end.

Maybe someone like my friend Nirmal Shekher of the Hindu must get down to the task of "Cardussing" these legends - in that old man's style. This in no way diminishes the style of modern writers like him and R.Mohan , just that I yearn to read more and more Cardusian writing.

Oru "Thalai" Raagam - My friend Ajith's views.

2010-03-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

AJITH TESTING THE RACE CAR IN SEPANG MALAYSIA.

( snap courtesy my friend above )

At a function held by the film fraternity my friend and colleague Ajith spoke his mind . This was twisted and turned in every manner possible. I must still admire his Guts. This guy has both the mind and spirit to state his feelings in unambiguous terms. I think it is because he feels that where he cannot be 'free" he will not stay - he might just drop it all and go off to the racing circuit doing something that is his passion - and even more risky , or is it less than acting in Todays situation ?

BEFORE ANYONE LEAPS TO A CONCLUSION - I AM (SO IS AJITH) NOT ANTI TAMIL OR ANTI THE RULING PARTY.

I AM A FRIEND OF ALL ACTORS -THEY ARE MY FAMILY AND I DO NOT TAKE SIDES AS I BELIEVE NO ONE SHOULD.

I was there at the function and heard what he said - all that he said was

1. When there are eminently qualified and experienced people like the Hon'ble CM , why should people in the film fraternity jump the Gun and issue statements and organise protest fasts/morchas etc even before the Government/CM has publicly reacted.

2. Actors are NOT to involve others in their fraternity in active politics - those who want can join/start political parties.

3. Do not force anyone/Threaten anyone with dire consequences if they are not inclined to participate in any socio political activity - this is not Democratic but Dictatorial.

4. We just want to act -to do our job - in peace , please leave those who wish to be left out , alone.

I for one thought these were very poignant sentiments expressed by one who has felt the pain of being arm twisted. He added a very moot point for which the "Superstar" stood up and applauded - that man has guts too.

If we protest or object we are termed "anti Tamil".

I am at a loss at why everyone got so upset and riled about this speech of Ajith's. He felt it and so said it. Agreed many ask of the tamil proverb "yedam, porul ,Eval" - was it the right place and the right time to have said these - look at it from Ajith's point of view....when else ?

Here we have the CM and the rest of the State Dignitaries, you have the entire family ( film fraternity) and so when and where else ? That could have been his thinking - secondly, all said the CM is a film person too and the "elder" of the family so he had to voice his feelings to the Kudumba Thalaivar - probably felt that the Pressure and threats were too much.

Still , maybe Ajith could have refrained - that is a point of view that I am not going to disagree with. He did not, and now how do you react to that. By making it into a Political / Caste based/ Controversy ? The CM had the correct approach when he told all to just "Keep quiet".

I have been meaning to Blog on this for a long time but wanted all the tension to die down and this to become the non issue that it really is.

Personally I agree that in a true Democracy NOTHING SHOULD BE FORCED. Especially in a creative art. Remember the film "Saraswathi Sabatham" where both Money and Muscle try to force the "Poet - Creative person" to sing in Praise of the Queen. The conclusion from that film stands true even today - Money, Muscle and Learning ( knowledge/creativity) all go together nothing is superior to the other.

I wonder why no action was contemplated against people like Cho and Vijayakanth for not attending the function. Cho is probably one of the senior most actors in the Industry today , can you ask him to speak ? Does anyone have the Guts to take that risk..Ha ha ha...?

Now for the arrangements - Seniors like Mr. A.V.M.Saravanan ,Actor Sivakumar had no place to sit and so we all went behind the Stage and watched the entire show on a TV monitor. In fact Surya too was sitting with us till someone found a seat for him. I understand many people like Mani Ratnam, Radhika and others came only to be turned away as there were no Seats - Maybe my friend Ajith is thinking that he should have come another 20 minutes later then he too could have gone back without a seat and avoided all this heartache. He he he.

Over all these years - from the film "Minor Moses" , through the films of another friend K.Subaash ( a lovely technician who is unfortunately living in Mumbai away from his family for the past 6 years trying to make a living) , till today , I find one endearing quality in Ajith - he is unchanged. Most people change after Success and /or Marriage , in his case he has happily had both but remains that plain speaking person who remembers all his "old" friends.

I write this as a colleague , a thinking person , a lover of democracy , a great admirer of the Literature of Dr.Kalaignar , a film fan and last but not the least a Tamilian in Body and an Indian at heart. I must admire the Guts of Ajith to have spoken his mind and that of Rajinikanth to have stood up and applauded Ajith whilst sitting right next to the CM - Proud to know both these Men. Even more Proud to be an actor in the Tamil Industry.

We need more MEN.

GODSPEED AND BEST WISHES IN YOUR RACE , AGAINST CARS AND UNFAIRNESS.

Nithyananda - N.D.Tiwari and the like

2010-03-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder how life can go Topsy turvy on you ? You need not look far...just peek at what these two "gentlemen" have done as well as A third across the seas - Tiger Woods is not on Par as he is a self confessed sexaholic undergoing detox.....

My point is that there is a difference in the way both have been treated....

N.D has been politely edged out of office and given a welcome in his native town with channels interviewing him and he promising that the 'truth' will come out and that he will return to Politics....Why has this been done ? Probably because he is from the Party in Power...

Take the case of the other "offender" he is being hounded, chased,effigy burnt and property looted, accused of everything from kidnapping to cheating etc.A few Advocates claiming cases to be filed against him and theistic right wing forces immediately jumping in to save the cad.

I do not understand how the offence is any less or different if done by a saffron clad bounder as opposed to a khadi clad one.

In fact the media has been quite partial too - they blasted Nithyananda's escapades but then N.D.T got away ( the courts gave him a respite ? I am not sure , in which case why was this individual refused ?).

Why should one person be treated so differently ?

In all this I pity the actress who is caught in the middle of this imbroglio. I wish the media had not burnt her so effectively and efficiently as well. I have a few points that are glaringly different in this Nithya episode from the Raj Bhavan one. I guess the location for a start - one is the first house of the State of Andhra...the other a Private place. In that sense the NDT crime is far more for there was a quid pro quo alleged etc etc...In the Nithya case it is two Adults having Consensual sex. They are not even cheating any Spouse , So please tell me what is the "Legal" crime ? I am not for a moment suggesting that the actions of either are morally condonable or should be left unpunished/unpublished.

I am upset that the Media can play such censor able material ( The Hon'ble Chief Minister did make this point today) and the Press Publish Photographs of two people in flagrante delicto.

He is not a Mutt head or a Catholic priest who is supposed to be Celibate - He is a "lifestyle" Guru, preaching some kind of meditation or some other thing , like many others in this game. So nothing is there in Law that states he should not get married ?

IF, TOMORROW, BOTH CLAIM THEY WERE MARRIED - (GANDHARVA STYLE OR BEFORE GOD) AND SHE SAYS SHE IS MRS NITHYANANDA ?

what will the Media do ? How can they publish the bedroom life of a married couple ?

Can they rewind life ?

The media just went berserk. This is another case of the need for an Ombudsman or a censor board for the Television Industry. In fact I wonder if any Film Censor would have permitted half the shots that were shown in the Nithyananda case. Much worse is seen in films is one arguement.

If what has been done is OK , then we better be prepared to give up all individual liberty and privacy.

Beware my friends -

Big Brother is not just watching but Video Taping as well.

Sachin Tendulkar - True Genius

2010-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, The dimunitive master blaster from India notched the record book once again , probably for the n'th time in his career that now enters its 21st Year of International cricket. At nearly 37 years young he seems to defy everything we know of eyesight , reflex, speed and Stamina. His thirst for runs and Indian victories seems unquenchable and thankfully so.

Sachin, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly to name but a few are classic examples of the contribution sports medicine , physicall fitness and personal discipline have made to sports today. Considering the quantum of competitive cricket they play it far surpasses the achievements of longevity of all time greats like Sir Len Hutton -who made 50 plus in his last test at the age of 39 , Sir Dennis Compton , who again played till he was 39, John Edrich who played his last test at the age of 41, Sir Garfield Sobers who played till he was 38, The Don played his last test at 40, Tom Graveney played at 42, Cowdrey opened for England at 43 and our own Vinoo mankad who bowled 55 overs in an innings in his last Test at 43. All these greats did play at a fairly advanced age - even for their times.

In fact another thought is - how would they have fared if they were equipped with modern safety gear, bats , pitches etc. But comparisons are always odious - how would Kamalhassan have done if he had worked under Guru Dutt or Sivaji Ganesan for Cecil B Demille ? What more would Einstein or Ramanujam have discovered if they had the benefit of modern super computers ?

The answer is clear - Genius and Class when combined with passion and dedication will always succeed and stand apart. They would have made their mark in any era - The nightmare of most bowlers would be when The Don and Sachin were both batting for the opposite side. Which reminds me of what Shane Warne ( he played till he was 38) said of the little Master -

"I'll be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the

wicket and belting me back over the head for six. He was unstoppable. I

don't think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin

Tendulkar. He is just an amazing player"

Some more memorable quotes on the Master.....

"Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed because even the Lord is watching."

A placard at the SCG when Sachin Tendulkar was on his way to a magnificent century

Nothing bad can happen to us if we're on a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on it."

Hashim Amla, the South African batsman, reassures himself as he boards a flight

Yaseer Hameed:

"Sometimes you get so engrossed in watching batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar that you lose focus on your job."

"To Sachin, the man we all want to be"

What Andrew Symonds wrote on an Aussie t-shirt he autographed specially for Sachin

BBC on Sachin:

"Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium,

there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure.

Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that,

forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot

even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their TV sets and

switch off their lives "

"But the finest compliment must be that bookmakers would not fix the odds -or a game - until Tendulkar was out."

"Tuzhe pata hai tune kiska catch chhoda hai?"

Wasim Akram to Abdul Razzaq when the latter dropped Sachin's catch.

Brian Charles Lara:

"Sachin is a genius. I'm a mere mortal."

"We did not lose to a team called India...we lost to a man called Sachin"

Mark Taylor, during the test match in Chennai (1998)

M. L. Jaisimha:

"The more I see of him the more confused I'm getting to which is his best knock."

Glenn McGrath:

"The joy he brings to the millions of his countrymen, the grace with which he handles all the adulation and the expectations and his innate humility -all make for a one-in-a-billion individual"

Anjali:

"I can be hundred per cent sure that Sachin will not play for a minute longer when he is not enjoying himself. He is still so eager to go out there and play. He will play as long as he feels he can play"

Matthew Hayden:

"I have seen God, he bats at no. 4 for India"

Anil Kumble:

"I am fortunate that I've to bowl at him only in the nets!"

Shahrukh Khan-

"Q: Who do you think as most important celebrity ?

Shahrukh: There was a big party where stars from Bollywood and cricket were

invited. Suddenly, there was a big noise, all wanted to see the approaching

Amitabh Bachhan. Then Sachin entered the hall and Amitabh was leading the

queue to get a grab of the genius!!"

Navjot Singh Sidhu:

"India me aap PrimeMinister ko ek baar katghare me khada kar sakte hain,par Sachin Tendulkar par ungli nahi utha sakte.."

Waqar Younis:

"He can play that leg glance with a walking stick also."

A banner once said

"I will see God when I die,till then I will see Sachin Tendulkar"

Allan Donald:

"Sachin Tendulkar has often reminded me of a veteran army colonel who has many medals on his chest to show how he has conquered bowlers all over the world"

Allan Donald again:

"I was bowling to Sachin and he hit me for two fours in a row. One from

point and the other in between point and gully. That was the last two balls

of the over and the over after that we (SA) took a wicket and during the

group meeting i told Jonty (Rhodes) to be alert and i know a way to pin

Sachin. And i delivered the first ball of my next over and it was a fuller

length delivery outside offstump. And i shouted catch. To my astonishment

the ball was hit to the cover boundary. Such was the brilliance of

Sachin.His reflex time is the best I have ever seen. Its like 1/20th of a

sec.To get his wicket better not prepare. Atleast you wont regret if he

hits you for boundaries."

Peter Rebouck, Aussie journalist:

"On a train from Shimla to Delhi, there was a halt in one of the

stations.The train stopped by for few minutes as usual. Sachin was nearing

century, batting on 98. The passengers, railway officials, everyone on the

train waited for Sachin to complete the century.This genius can stop time

in India!!"

NKP Salve, former Union Minister (This was when he was accused of ball

tempering):

"Sachin cannot cheat. He is to cricket what (Mahatma) Gandhiji was to

politics. It's clear discrimination. "

Andy Flower:

"There are 2 kind of batsmen in the world. One Sachin Tendulkar. Two all

the others."

Hansie Cronje:

"I had to remind Gary Kristen often that he was in the covers to field

against Sachin not to applaud him"

Shane Warne:

"You have to decide for yourself whether you're bowling well or not. He's

going to hit you for fours and sixes anyway."

During the Bangalore Test, frustrated, Michael Kasprowicz went to Dennis

Lillee and asked, "Mate, do you see any weaknesses?" Lillee replied, "No

Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride that's all you can do."

"Cricket is my religion, Sachin is my God"

"What do you call a critic of Sachin Tendulkar?Atheist"

"Indian defeat was God's way of saying... 'I exist'. He was threatened that

Sachin would take over"

Ravi Shastri:

"Sachin has been sent by God to play cricket and then go back."

Ajay Jadeja:

"I can't dream of an innings like that. He exists where we can't."

Adam Hollioke:

"In an over I can bowl six different balls. But then Sachin looks at me

with a sort of gentle arrogance down the pitch as if to say 'Can you bowl

me another one?'"

Paul Strang:

"What we (Zimbabwe) need is 10 Tendulkars."

Dennis Lillee:

"If I've to bowl to Sachin, I'll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball

so hard."

Sir Donald Bradman:

"I saw him playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on Television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...his compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel !"

Desmond Haynes:

"In terms of technique and compactness, Tendulkar is the best."

Sir Viv Richards:

"I think he is marvellous. I think he will fit in whatever category of

Cricket that has been played or will be played, from the first ball that

has ever been bowled to the last ball that’s going to be. He can play in

any era and at any level. I would say he’s 99.5% perfect."

Mohammad Azharuddin:

"The more I see him, the more I want to see him."

Steve Waugh:

"We won with ten, but lost to one"

Harsha Bhogle:

"For every ball Sachin has two shots in his mind. And he gets out when he

plays the third one".

"People say they saw Christ walk water..People say they saw Gandhiji win us

freedom..People say they walked alongside Buddha 'The Enlightened One'. I

will always say ~~ I SAW SACHIN BAT ~~"

Greg Chappell:

"He is a perfectly ablanced batsman and knows perfely well when to attack

and when to play defensive cricket.He has developed the ability to treat

bowlers all over the world with contempt and can destroy any attack with

utmost ease"

Mark Waugh:

"The pressure on me is nothing compared to Sachin Tendulkar.Sachin,like

God,must never fail.The crowd always expects him to succeed and it is too

much pressure on him.But,he rarely disappoints them"

Brett Lee:

"You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good

ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind midwicket.His bat looks

so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick"

Shane Warne:

"Don't sledge Sachin,rather befriend him"

Michael Kasprowicz:

"Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours."

Wasim Akram:

"Cricketers like Sachin come once in a lifetime, and I am privileged he

played in my time."

Mathew Hayden:

"When Tendulkar goes out to bat, it is beyond chaos - it's a frantic appeal

by a nation to one man."

Shane Warne:

"You have to watch India in India truly to appreciate the pressure that

Sachin Tendulkar is under every time he bats. Outside grounds, people wait

until he goes in before paying to enter. They seem to want a wicket to fall

even though it is their own side that will suffer"

Geoffrey Boycott:

"Technically, you can't fault Sachin. Seam or spin, fast or slow nothing is

a problem."

V.K.Murthy

2010-02-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled with the news of Shri V.K.Murthy being given the Dadasaheb Phalke award. He is the first Cinematographer to be given this , India's most prestigious award for Cinema. He was the cameraman for Guru Dutt and I am reproducing an interview given by Guru Dutt's son - which is so self explanatory.

His mastery over light and shadow is to be seen to be believed - who can forget those shots in kaagaz ke Phool - when the heroine runs through the sets in search of the "old" director......masterly.

It is unfortunate that the Tamil film Industry has not yet held a function to felicitate him. After all he is the first film technician from the South to be given this award.

NOW THE EXTRACT FROM THE INTERVIEW....Quote.

Could you tell me more about [cinematographer] V K Murthy ], who you have worked with.

Murthy uncle (with some animation)! The more I talk about him, the less it is. He's a gem of a human being. Totally non-controversial. He will not talk at all about the personal life of my father. He was totally non-political.

I've heard your father picked him after seeing him do things others could not.

Yeah. Actually, when he [Guru Dutt] was working in Baazi, the cameraman was Falisaab -- Fali Mistry. Murthy uncle was Fali Mistry's assistant. There was a certain requirement by my father in the film that required a lot of movement of the camera.

In those days, we used to have the Mitchell -- a heavy American camera. Falisaab was very fat. Those sort of movements -- it was not possible for him. So Murthy uncle did that entire shot. He's very skinny and, you know, short. Still -- handling a Mitchell -- he handled it beautifully. When my father saw the rushes, he was very impressed. He then told Murthy uncle that from my next film onward you will be my cinematographer.

Kagaz ke Phool was perhaps his peak. What happened thereafter?

Even Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam had very good photography. Basically, he was so good with black and white images that when [films] became colour, he couldn't really match. After my father, none of the other directors could really tell him exactly what [they] wanted.........

Unquote

Martin Scorcese and Tamil Films????

2010-01-19T01:58:00.001-08:00

A reader from Bangalore Mr.Gokul wrote to me about the non availability of Tamil Classics , as he put it so eloquently.
It refers to the non availability in any format of several Tamil Films. I was watching the Golden Globe awards and one of the reasins for martin Scorcese being awarded the Cecil B Demille award was his active restoration efforts in bringing back the old classics.
I am quoting from what he said -

"I am proud to present this first line-up of films restored with the aid of the World Cinema Foundation. We launched the foundation in 2007 with the goal of restoring and preserving neglected films from around the world. We also understood, very quickly, that we needed to help create awareness of the films, to get them known and seen. That’s why we entered into a partnership with The Auteurs.
The diversity of these pictures reflects the foundation and all it stands for, but it also reflects world cinema itself, and the richness to be found in the lost corners of cinema history.
These films were made at different moments in history, under a variety of circumstances, all across the globe. Each title needed attention and care. I’m glad that the World Cinema Foundation was able to help with their restoration and preservation. Each and every title is precious to me, and my hope is that a viewing on this website will lead you to seek out screenings of these pictures or perhaps DVDs as they appear. They don’t deserve to be kept a secret. They deserve to be known.
-Martin Scorsese"

The state of affairs in Indian Films is deplorable and that of the Tamil Industry Pathetic. At least in Hindi there were efforts to restore Mughal e azam and a few others.

To my knowledge only A.V.M have managed to preserve and digitise all their 170 odd films from the pre independance days. ALL OTHERS HAVE LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

I do not blame the others for archiving films is a very laborious and costly affair. The negatives/prints have to be stored in temperature/humidity controlled rooms and need to be regularly taken out and aired to prevent fungus from forming.

Many a great film produced between the 30s and now are no longer available, The reasons for this are plenty... The most important one is that there are no Prints/Negatives available. For those that are there - the ownership or rights holder is unknown/subject to litigation. Many a great film made by the veena Viruoso and film director S.Balachander have gone this way...Indeed for my talk on Chandrababu I was searching for a Print of the film Kumararaja - especially for the song " Aan ondru Paada..." where he dances with Helen ( ?) I think. Not available. I was told that many many such films have gone into thin air. How sad.....

What is sadder is that no effort has been taken by anyone to bring about this process of restoring these classics.....In fact , even the prints of a few of the MGR and Sivaji classics are in such a bad shape , many have actually gone into oblivion. The other issue is the absence of a proper archiving facility - the Pune archives I believe has some rare prints like "Thyagabhoomi" - wonder what else they have. Can we do something about it ?

Before we loose what little we have.

THE ENTIRE SILENT FILM ERA FROM 1918 TO 1932 HAS GONE TO THE WASTE PAPER BASKET......NO FILM SAVE PARTS OF ONE IN THE USA... IS AVAILABLE.

Shame on us....We keep crying of Tamil Culture and Panpaadu.....lovely way we have preserved it. Thank you Gokul for waking me up. I will try to set something in motion.

A report on the 1st October function

2009-10-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

This was written by my friend and fellow Sivaji fan.....thought it will be good as it goes into fine detail of the function - my previous blog covered it in brief.

நடிகர் திலகத்தின் பிறந்த நாள் விழா நிகழ்ச்சிகள் நடிகர் திலகத்தின் 81-வது பிறந்த நாள் விழா சிவாஜி பிரபு அறக்கட்டளை சார்பில் சென்னை அண்ணா அறிவாலயத்தில் கலைஞர் அரங்கில் [நேற்று] அக்டோபர் 1 அன்று நடைபெற்றது. அந்த விழா துளிகளில் சில. நிகழ்ச்சியை தொகுத்து வழங்கிய திரு. மோகன்ராம் முதலில் வந்து இறை வணக்கம் என்று சொன்னவுடன் எழுந்து நின்ற அனைவருக்கும் ஒரு இன்ப அதிர்ச்சியாக மேடையின் இருபுறம் வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த பெரிய திரைகள் வெளிச்சம் பெற நடிகர் திலகம் திரையில் தோன்றி பித்தா பிறை சூடி என்ற பாடல் பாட [திருவருட்செல்வர் படத்தில் இடம் பெற்ற] விழா இனிதே துவங்கியது.

தனது முன்னுரையில் மோகன்ராம் நடிகர் திலகத்தைப் பற்றிய ஒரு உரைநடை செய்யுளை வாசித்தார். முதல் பாதியில் நடிகர் திலகத்தின் குண நலன்களை சொன்ன அந்த படைப்பு ["அரசியல் கட்சி தந்த காசு அல்ல, அந்த கட்சி தந்த அதிகார காசு அல்ல, அதிகாரம் மூலம் செய்த ஊழல் காசு அல்ல உன் உழைப்பினால் வந்த காசை வலது கை கொடுப்பதை இடது கைக்கு தெரியாமல் கொடுத்தவன் நீ" என்ற வரிகளுக்கு அரங்கம் ஆர்ப்பரித்தது]. அதன் இரண்டாம் பாதி இதுவரை அறக்கட்டளை மூலம் கௌரவிக்கப்பட்டவர்களை அவரவர்களின் சிறப்புகளோடு [(உ.ம்) இறுதிவரை நிறம் மாறாமல் நிழல் போல் இருந்த வி.கே.ஆர்] பட்டியலிட்டது. இதை தயாராக்கியது நடிகர் திலகத்தின் தீவிர ரசிகரான திரு.கணேசன் [கட்டபொம்மன் விழாவிலும் இவர் கவிதை இடம் பெற்றது]. வரவேற்புரையாற்ற வந்தார் ராம்குமார். இந்த பிறந்த நாள் விழாவைப் பற்றியும் இந்த அறக்கட்டளை மூலம் செய்யப்படும் நலத்திட்டங்களை பற்றியும் சொல்ல ஆரம்பித்தவர் அதன் ஆரம்பம் என்னவென்பதை சொன்னார். கலையுலக முன்னோடிகளுக்கு நினைவு தபால்தலை, தபால் உறை வெளியிடுதல் என்பது நடிகர் திலகம் இருக்கும் போதே தொடங்கிவிட்ட போதிலும் அவர் இறந்த பிறகு அதை பெரிய அளவில் செய்ய சொன்னதே மங்கேஷ்கர் சகோதரிகள்தான் என்றார். லதா அவர்களும் ஆஷா அவர்களும் அவர்கள் தந்தையார் ஹிருதயநாத் மங்கேஷ்கர் மேல் மிகுந்த அன்பு உடையவர்கள். அவர் மறைந்து போன போது அவர் நினைவாக ஒரு அறக்கட்டளை ஏற்படுத்தி கலையுலகை சேர்ந்தவர்களுக்கும் மற்றவர்களுக்கும் உதவிகள் செய்வதை சொன்னதோடு மட்டுமல்லாமல் தங்களையும் அப்படி செய்ய சொன்னார்கள் என்பதை நினைவு கூர்ந்தார் ராம்குமார். அனைவரையும் அவர் வரவேற்று முடிக்க விருது வழங்கும் நிகழ்ச்சி ஆரம்பமானது.

முதலில் ஒப்பனைக் கலைஞர் முத்தப்பா அவர்கள் ஆதரிக்கப்பட்டார். பராசக்தி படத்திற்காக நடிகர் திலகத்திற்கு மேக்கப் டெஸ்ட் எடுத்தவர் இந்த முத்தப்பா. அன்று தொடங்கிய அந்த உறவு இன்றும் நீடிக்கிறது என்றார் மோகன்ராம். பராசக்தி படத்திலிருந்து நடிகர் திலகம் தன் தங்கையின் முன்னாள் நின்று நந்தவனத்தில் ஒரு ஆண்டி பாடுவதிலிருந்து கிறுக்கண்ணா என்று ஸ்ரீரஞ்சனி சொல்லுவது வரை அந்த கிளிப்பிங் நீண்டது. பிறகு அந்த நாள் படத்தில் நடிகர் திலகத்திடம் other woman பூங்காவில் வைத்து பேசும் காட்சியும் காண்பிக்கப்பட்டது. முத்தப்பா அவர்களுக்கு விருதை, விழா தலைமை விருந்தினரும் தமிழக தலைமை வழக்கறிஞருமான திரு. பி.எஸ்.ராமன் எனப்படும் பரத்ராம் [நடிகர், நமது ஹப்பர் மோகன்ராம் அவர்களின் இளைய சகோதரர்] வழங்கினார்.

அடுத்தவர் என சொல்லிவிட்டு விளக்குகள் அணையை திரை ஒளிபெற்றது. அங்கே அத்தான் என்னத்தான் என்று சாவித்திரி வாயசைப்பில் சுசீலாவின் தேன் குரல் ஒலித்தது. பல்லவி முடிந்தவுடன் மோகன்ராம் ஒரு அரிய தகவலை சொன்னார். பாவ மன்னிப்பு வெளி வந்து ஓடிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் போது லதாவும் ஆஷாவும் அன்னை இல்லத்திற்கு வந்திருக்கிறார்கள். இந்த பாடலை ஒலிக்க விட்ட நடிகர் திலகம் இது போல் உங்களால் பாட முடியுமா என்று சவால் விடுத்தாராம். இதை சொல்லி விட்டு அந்த பாடலை பற்றி ஆஷா அவர்களே புகழ்ந்து பேசி பாடிக் காண்பிக்கும் வீடியோ காட்சியும் திரையிடப்பட்டது. தொடர்ந்து சொல்ல சொல்ல இனிக்குதடா பாடல் திரையில் வந்தது. அதை தொடர்ந்து மலர்ந்தும் மலராத ஒளிப்பரப்பாக அரங்கமே கைதட்டல்களால் அதிர, இதை பார்த்துவிட்டு கண்ணீர் சிந்தாதவர்கள் உண்டோ என்று மோகன்ராம் கேள்வி எழுப்ப பலத்த குரலில் சபை அதை ஆமோதிக்க நீண்ட கைத்தட்டல்களுக்கிடையே சுசீலா விருது பெற்றார்.

அடுத்து சிவாஜி மன்றத்தின் சார்பில் விருது பெற்றவர்களுக்கும் மோகன்ராம் அவர்களுக்கும், கிளிப்பிங்க்ஸ் தொகுத்து வழங்கிய இயக்குனர் பரத் [ஆனந்தக் கண்ணீர் படத்தின் வசனகர்த்தா மட்டுமல்ல நடிகர் திலகம் நடித்த ஒரே தொலைக்காட்சி தொடரான மீண்டும் கெளரவம் தொடரை இயக்கியவர். இப்போது ஜெயா டி.வியில் திரும்பி பார்க்கிறேன் தொடரை இயக்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார்] அவர்களுக்கும் கிரி ஷண்முகம் அவர்களுக்கும் நினைவு பரிசு வழங்கப்பட்டன.

அடுத்து வந்தவர் பி.பி.ஸ்ரீநிவாஸ் அவர்கள். இவர் நடிகர் திலகம் படங்களில் நிறைய பாடியிருக்கிறார் ஆனால் நடிகர் திலகத்திற்காக பாடியது இரண்டு பாடல்கள் மட்டுமே. நான் சொல்லும் ரகசியம் படத்திலிருந்து கண்டேனே உன்னைக் கண்ணாலே பாடலும் புனர் ஜென்மம் படத்திலிருந்து என்றும் துன்பமில்லை பாடலும் திரையிடப்பட்டது. தொடர்ந்து பி.பி.எஸ் விருது பெற்றார். அடுத்து பாடும் நிலா. இவரைப் பற்றி நான் சொல்லுவதற்கு என்ன இருக்கிறது என்று சொன்ன மோகன்ராம் சங்கராபரணம் படத்தில் வரும் பாடல்களை தன்னால் பாட முடியாது என்று எஸ்.பி.பி., கே.வி.மகாதேவனிடம் சொன்னதையும், மகாதேவன் அவரை வற்புறுத்தி பாட வைத்ததையும் அதன் மூலமாக கே.வி.எம். அவர்களுக்கு இரண்டாவது முறையாக தேசிய விருது கிடைத்ததையும் சொன்னார். தொடர்ந்து நடிகர் திலகத்திற்காக எஸ்.பி.பி பாடிய பாடல் காட்சிகள் என்று அறிவிக்க அரங்கமே நிமிர்ந்து உட்கார்ந்தது, என்ன பாடல் காட்சி வரும் என்று எதிர்ப்பார்ப்பில். ஒரு சின்ன இடைவெளி முடிய, திரை உயிர் பெற, நீல கால் சராயும் கட்டம் போட்ட அரைக்கை சட்டையும் அணிந்து நடிகர் திலகம் இளமை பொங்க நின்று "மலை தோட்ட பூவில்" என்று தொடங்க, காதடைக்கும் ஆரவாரத்தோடு அரங்கம் அதை ரசித்தது. தொடர்ந்து "இரண்டில் ஒன்று" வர ஆரவாரம் அதிகமானது.[அண்ணா அறிவாலயத்தில் அண்ணா தி.மு.க. தலைவியின் பாடல் காட்சி ஒளிப்பரப்பிய சாதனையை செய்யவும் நடிகர் திலகத்தால் மட்டுமே முடியும்.] சந்திப்பு படத்திலிருந்து உன்னை தான் நம்பிட்டேன் பாடலும் சோலாப்பூர் ராஜா பாடல் காட்சியும் திரையிடப்பட்டன.

பிறகு எஸ்,பி,பி. விருது பெற்றார்.

இதன் பிறகு வேட்டைக்காரன்புதூர் முத்துமாணிக்கம் நடிகர் திலகத்துடன் வேட்டைக்கு சென்ற அனுபவங்களை பற்றி எழுதியுள்ள "வேட்டைக்கு வந்த சிங்கம்" என்ற புத்தகம் வெளியிடப்பட்டது. அதை திரு.பரத்ராம் அவர்கள் பெற்றுக் கொண்டார். அதற்கு பின் முத்துமாணிக்கம் பேச அழைக்கப்பட மைக் முன் வந்தார் அவர். எளிய பேச்சு தமிழில் அமைந்திருந்த அவரது உரை சற்றே உணர்ச்சிவசப்பட்ட நிலையில் அமைந்தது. 1954 முதல் தொடங்கிய நட்பைப் பற்றி சொல்லும்போது அது வெளிப்பட்டது. வெளிநாடு சென்ற நம்மூர் இளைஞன் சொந்த ஊரை நினைத்து ஏங்குவது போல தன் அருமை நண்பரை அனுதினமும் நினைத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பதாக சொன்னார். Nostalgia என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு அந்த நட்பு தலைமுறை தலைமுறையாக தொடர வேண்டும் என்ற காரணத்தினாலேயே வேறு வேறு சமூகங்களை சேர்ந்த தங்களிருவரும் சம்பந்திகளானோம் என்றார். தனது தம்பி மகளை சிவாஜியின் தம்பி மகனுக்கு [கிரி ஷண்முகம்] கல்யாணம் செய்துக் கொடுத்திருப்பதை குறிப்பிட்ட அவர், எங்கள் நட்பை பற்றி எழுதுவதற்கு ஒரு புத்தகம் போதாது ஆனாலும் அவரது வேட்டை அனுபவங்களை இது வரை யாரும் ஒரு புத்தக வடிவில் வெளிக் கொண்டு வரவில்லை என்ற காரணத்தால் இதை எழுதியதாக சொல்லி தன் உரையை முடித்துக் கொண்டார்.

ஆண்டு தோறும் ஒரு கல்வி கூடத்தை தேர்ந்தெடுத்து அவர்களின் முயற்சியை ஊக்குவிக்கும் வண்ணமாக பொருளாதர உதவி செய்வதை வழக்கமாக கொண்டுள்ள இந்த அறக்கட்டளை இந்த வருடம் அதற்காக தெரிவு செய்தது போக்கஸ் அகாடமி [Focus Academy] என்ற பயிற்சி நிறுவனத்தை. சென்னை அண்ணா நகரில் அமைந்திருக்கும் இந்த நிறுவனம், இந்திய ஆட்சி பயிற்சி மற்றும் இந்திய காவல்துறை பயிற்சியில் சேருவதற்காக நடத்தப்படும் நுழைவு தேர்வுகளுக்கு மாணவர்களை தயார் செய்கிறது. அந்த நிறுவனத்திற்கு ரூபாய் இரண்டு லட்சம் நன்கொடையை அறக்கட்டளையின் சார்பாக ராம்குமாரும் பிரபுவும் வழங்க அந்நிறுவனத்தின் நிதி நிர்வாக இயக்குனர் திரு.குருமூர்த்தி பெற்றுக் கொண்டார்.

அடுத்து வந்தது திரை இசை திலகம் கே.வி.மகாதேவன் அவர்கள் நினைவு அஞ்சல் உறை வெளியிடும் நிகழ்ச்சி. கே.வி.எம். அவர்கள் பற்றி சொன்ன மோகன்ராம் அவரின் சிறப்பு திறனாக கே.வி.எம்மின் அனைத்து பாடல்களுமே கர்நாடக சங்கீத்தை அடிப்படையாக கொண்டவை என்பதைக் குறிப்பிட்டார். அவரின் இசையமைப்பில் நடிகர் திலகம் நடித்த பாடல் காட்சிகளின் ஒரு தொகுப்பு என்று அறிவித்தவுடன் அரங்கத்தில் மீண்டும் ஆர்ப்பாட்டமானது.
திரை இசை திலகம் இசையில் நடிப்பிசை திலகம் என்று டைட்டில் வர ஆத்தூர் கிச்சடி சம்பா என்று செங்கோடன் பாட ஆரம்பித்தவுடன் தாளத்தோடு தொடங்கிய கைதட்டல் அடுத்து காதல் களிப்பில் நடிகர் திலகம் என்ற தலைப்பில் டாக்டர் ராஜா இரவுக்கும் பகலுக்கும் இனி என்ன வேலை என்று பாடிய போது அதிகமாகி அதிலும் உலகம் நமக்கினி ஆனந்தக் கோலம் என்ற வரிகளின் போது நடிகர் திலகம் இரண்டு காலையும் சற்றே அகற்றி இரண்டு கைகளையும் மேலே தூக்கி தோள்களை குலுக்கிய போது பாடலின் சத்தத்தை விட இங்கே ஆரவாரம். அடுத்து வந்த ரங்கன் உள்ளதை சொல்வேன் என்று பாடிய போது மீண்டும் ஆரவாரம். அந்த பாடல் வரிகள் நடிகர் திலகத்தின் உண்மையான இயல்பை குறிப்பதாக அமைந்ததால் அதற்கும் அப்ளாஸ். எங்கள் நடையழகனின் ராஜ நடை என்று டைட்டில் வர பொற்றாமரை குளத்தின் பிரகாரத்தில் சிவபெருமான் அந்த கோப நடை நடக்க கூடவே தருமி ஓட்டமும் நடையுமாக வர அரங்கம் அதிர அடுத்து மீனவனாக கடற்கரையில் நடந்த போது டெசிபெல் லெவல் கூடிக்கொண்டே போனது.[நமக்கு ஒரு சின்ன ஆதங்கம் வெற்றிவேல் வீரவேல் நடையையும் எங்கள் தங்க ராஜா நடையையும் உத்தமன் நடையையும் சேர்த்திருந்தால் இன்னும் பிரமாதமாக இருந்திருக்குமே என்று].

அடுத்து களிப்பின் மிகுதியில் நடிகர் திலகம் என்று டைட்டில் திரையில் வரவும் அனைவரும் ஆவலோடு எதிர்பார்த்தது போல கட்டழகனாதோர் கற்பனை ராஜ்ஜியம் என்று ஆரம்பித்தவுடன் சேரிலிருந்து எழுந்த மக்கள் கூட்டம் அதில் நான் சக்கரவர்த்தியடா என்ற போது உச்சக்கட்டமாக அலறிய சத்தம் மவுண்ட் ரோட்டில் எதிரொலித்திருக்கும். பொங்கி பாய்ந்த அந்த உணர்ச்சிகளை கட்டுப்படுத்தும் விதமாக பக்தி பரவசமாக நடிகர் திலகம் என்ற தலைப்பில் சித்தம் எல்லாம் எனக்கு சிவமயமே காட்சி வந்தது. சிறிது அடங்கிய உணர்ச்சி வெள்ளம் அடுத்து பறவைகள் பலவிதம் என்று நடிகர் திலகம் கண்ணடிக்க மீண்டும் பொங்கியது. தொடர்ந்து கானகுயிலாய் எங்கள் கலைக்குரிசில் என்று டைட்டில் வர மனதினிலே வரும் காட்சிகள் கோடி அந்த மயக்கத்திலே பாடுதே ஊஞ்சலாடி என்று ரசிகர்களை கிறங்க வைக்க, அடுத்து நவராத்திரியில் ஒரு தசாவதாரம் என்ற டைட்டில். கூத்து மேடை சிங்காரம் சத்யவானாக மாறி அதாகப்பட்டது என்று பேச, தொடர்ந்து தேசபக்தியில் செவாலியே என்று டைட்டில் வர, வீரம் உண்டு தோள்கள் உண்டு வெற்றி கொள்ளும் ஞானம் உண்டு என்று பாரதமாதாவின் முன் பணிந்து நடிகர் திலகம் "இரத்த திலகம்" இட்டுக் கொள்ள, "ஆடை அணிகலன் ஆடம்பரங்கள் ஆண்டவன் விரும்புவதில்லை" என்று வித்யாபதி கோவிலில் சரஸ்வதி சன்னதிக்கு முன் நின்று பாட, நாதஸ்வர சக்கரவர்த்தி சிக்கலாராக நடிப்புலக சக்கரவர்த்தி தில்லானா வாசிப்பதோடு அந்த இசைப் பயணம் நிறைவுற்றது. உணர்ச்சி களிப்பில் இருந்த ரசிகர்கள் ஒன்ஸ் மோர் கேட்டுக் கொண்டேயிருந்தனர். வாழ்க கோஷங்கள் ஒலித்துக் கொண்டேயிருந்தன.

கே.வி.எம்மின் அஞ்சல் உறையை தமிழக அஞ்சல் துறை தலைவர் திரு த.மூர்த்தி வெளியிட மாமாவின் மைந்தன் திரு கண்ணன் அதை பெற்றுக் கொண்டார். அடுத்து பேச வந்தார் திரு. மூர்த்தி. பொதுவாகவே இப்படி ஒரு உணர்ச்சி குவியலான நிகழ்ச்சிக்கு பிறகு யார் பேசினாலும் அதை ஆழ்ந்து கவனிக்கும் நிலையில் கூட்டம் இருக்காது. அதை புரிந்துக் கொண்ட அஞ்சல் துறை தலைவர் அஞ்சல் துறை எப்படி சமூகத்தின் பல்வேறு துறைகளில் புகழ் பெற்ற மனிதர்களுக்கு மரியாதை செய்கிறது என்பதை சுருக்கமாக எடுத்துரைத்தார். கூடியிருந்த மக்களின் மனோநிலையை அவர் நன்றாக உணர்ந்திருந்தார் என்பதற்கு மற்றுமொரு உதாரணம் அஞ்சல் தலைகள் யார் யாருக்கு வெளியிடப்பட்டிருக்கிறது என்பதை சொல்லும் போது ராமச்சந்திரன் என்று கூறி [சட்டென்று யாரும் புரிந்துக் கொள்ள முடியாத வகையில்] அடுத்த பெயருக்கு சென்று விட்டார். அவரின் உரையில் வெளிப்பட்ட ஒரு செய்தி அவர் பள்ளியில் படிக்கும் காலத்தில், தமிழாசிரியர்கள் நடிகர் திலகத்தின் வசனங்களை படித்து பார்த்து தமிழ் உச்சரிப்பை சரி செய்ய சொல்லுவார்களாம்.

மேடையில் அனைவரின் கவனத்தையும் கவரும் வகையில் காவி உடை அணிந்து அமர்ந்திருந்த அறிவொளி என்ற ஆன்மீகவாதி அடுத்து பேச வந்தார். நடிப்பின் இமயத்திற்கு நடக்கும் விழாவில் இந்த சாமியாருக்கு என்ன சம்பந்தம் என்று நினைக்கலாம். எனக்கும் அதே சந்தேகம்தான் என்று பேச்சை தொடங்கியவர் ஒரு வேளை இமயத்தில் அமைந்திருக்கும் கைலாசத்தை வணங்குபவன் என்ற முறையில் என்னை அழைத்திருக்கலாம் என்று நினைக்கிறேன் என்று ஒரு விளக்கமும் கொடுத்தார். ஆனால் சினிமா பற்றி பெரிதும் தெரிந்தவர் என்பது அவர் பேச்சில் வெளிப்பட்டது. 3500 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் தமிழில் சைத்தியம் என்ற புத்தகம் இருந்ததாக குறிப்பிட அவர்,அதில் நடிப்புக் கலையின் நவரசங்களையும் பற்றிய குறிப்புகள் எழுதப்பட்டிருப்பதாக சொன்னார். ஆனால் அந்த புத்தகத்தை சிவாஜி படித்திருக்க முடியாது என்றார். ஆனால் நீங்கள் புத்தகத்தை படித்து விட்டு சிவாஜி நடிப்பை பார்த்தால் இரண்டும் ஒன்றாகவே இருக்கும் என்றார். அன்னையின் ஆணை படத்தின் முக்கியமான காட்சியான சாவித்திரி சிவாஜியை அடித்து பனியனை கிழித்து விடும் காட்சியை விவரித்த அவர், நடிகர் திலகம் அமைதியாக காயங்களை கழுவிக் கொண்டு வந்து டர்க்கி டவலால் சாவித்திரியை விளாசும் காட்சியை ரசித்து சொன்னதை கூட்டம் ஆரவாரத்தோடு வரவேற்றது.

கட்டபொம்மன் நாடக விழாவில் அண்ணா கலந்து கொண்டு மொட்டு விடும் போதே கணேசனை எனக்கு தெரியும். அவர் எங்கிருந்தாலும் வாழ்க என்று வாழ்த்தியதையும் நினைவு கூர்ந்தார். கலைஞரின் வசனங்கள் சற்று கடினமானவை என்பதை சொன்ன அறிவொளி ஆனால் அதை பட்டி தொட்டியெங்கும் கொண்டு சென்றவர் நடிகர் திலகம் என்றார். கலைஞரின் வசனங்களை பேசியதால் சிவாஜிக்கு சிறப்பா [கூட்டம் அமைதி காத்தது] இல்லை சிவாஜி பேசியதால் கலைஞரின் வசனங்கள் சிறப்பு பெற்றதா [பலத்த கைதட்டல் - நிறுத்தும்படி ராமும் பிரபுவும் சைகை செய்கிறார்கள்] என்று ஒரு பட்டி மன்றம் வைத்தால் அதற்கு கலைஞரே நடுவராக இருந்தால் கணேசன் பேசியதால்தான் என் வசனங்கள் சிறப்பு பெற்றன என்று தீர்ப்பு சொல்லியிருப்பார் என்று அறிவொளி அவர்கள் சொன்னபோது பயங்கர கைதட்டல். [அண்ணா அறிவாலயத்தில், கலைஞர் அரங்கில் கணேசனால்தான் கருணாநிதியின் வசனங்கள் புகழ் பெற்றன என்று பதிவு செய்யும் சாதனையை நடிகர் திலகத்தை தவிர வேறு யாரால் செய்ய முடியும்?]. வாய்ப்பளித்த நடிகர் திலகத்தின் பிள்ளைகளை வாழ்த்தி விடைப் பெற்றார் திரு.அறிவொளி.

இறுதியாக பேச வந்தார் முக்கிய விருந்தினர் திரு.பரத்ராம். தமிழில்தான் பேசப் போகிறேன் என்று சொன்ன அவர் திரு அறிவொளிக்கு பிறகு தன்னை பேச அழைத்ததற்கு செல்லமாக கோபித்துக் கொண்டார். [சச்சின் செஞ்சுரி அடித்ததற்கு பின் அடுத்த பாட்ஸ்மான் விளையாடுவதை யாரவது பார்ப்பார்களா?] ராம்குமார் தன்னை தொலைபேசியில் அழைத்து நேரில் வருவதாக சொன்னவுடன் தான் வேறு ஏதோ விஷயம் என்று நினைத்ததாகவும், விழாவிற்கு தலைமை என்பதை கேட்டவுடன் அதுவும் லதா மங்கேஷ்கர் வர வேண்டிய இடத்தில் என்று கேட்டதும் வார்த்தை வராமல் நின்று போனதாகவும் சொன்னார். தன்னை எதற்கு தேர்ந்தெடுத்தார்கள் என்று யோசித்ததாகவும் பின் தன் தந்தையார் திரு வி.பி.ராமன் அவர்களும் நடிகர் திலகமும் கொண்டிருந்த நாற்பதாண்டு கால நட்புக்கு மரியாதை செலுத்தும் விதமாக தன்னை அழைத்திருக்கிறார்கள் என்று நினைத்துக் கொண்டேன் என்றார். உயர்ந்த மனிதன் படப்பிடிப்பின் போது கொடைக்கானலில் உள்ள தங்கள் வீட்டில் ஒரு மாத காலமும் மாலையில் ஷூட்டிங் முடிந்தவுடன் நடிகர் திலகம் தங்கள் வீட்டிற்கு வந்ததை பெருமையுடன் சொன்னார். அது போல தங்கள் தந்தை காலமான போது காலையில் தங்கள் வீட்டிற்கு வந்த நடிகர் திலகம் மாலை வரை இருந்ததையும், சகோதர்களான தங்கள் மூன்று பேரையும் அருகில் அழைத்து கொடைக்கானல் நினைவுகளை பங்கிடும் விதமாக அந்த நாள் ஞாபகம் நெஞ்சிலே வந்ததே என்று பாடியதையும் உணர்ச்சிபூர்வமாக நினைவு கூர்ந்தார். அன்னை இல்லத்தோடு இன்றும் அந்த நட்பு தொடர்வதாகவும் அது என்றென்றும் தொடரும் என்றார். இன்று விருது பெற்ற அனைவருக்கும் தான் ரசிகன் என்று குறிப்பிட்ட அவர், தனக்கு கிடைத்த ஒரு நல்ல மேடையாக இந்த நிகழ்ச்சியை குறிப்பிட்டு விடை பெற்றார்.

விருது பெற்றவர்களின் சார்பாக பி.பி.எஸ். வந்ததார். நடிகர் திலகத்தை வாழ்த்தி தான் எழுதிய கவிதையை படித்து காண்பித்த அவர் அதை பிரபுவிற்கு பரிசளித்தார். பிறகு காலங்களில் அவள் வசந்தம் பாடல் மெட்டில் நடிகர் திலகத்தை பற்றிய ஒரு பாடல் பாடினார். சரணத்தின் மூன்றாவது வரியில் பிரமிப்பூட்டுகிறாய் அந்த விண்ணுலகை என்ற வரிக்கு பலத்த கைதட்டல். பாடும் போது சற்று தடுமாறும் இந்த குரல் பேசும் போது இன்னும் அதே கம்பீரம்.
நன்றியுரையாற்ற வந்தார் இளைய திலகம் பிரபு. விருது பெற்ற ஒவ்வொருவரையும் தனி தனியே பாராட்டினார். முத்தப்பாவிற்கும் சிவாஜிக்கும் இடையே நிலவிய நட்பை சிலாகித்து சொன்னார். ஏ.வி.எம்மில் பணியாற்றிய முத்தப்பா எப்படி ஏ.வி.எம். செட்டியார் கேட்டுக் கொண்டதின் பேரில் நடிகர் திலகத்தோடு பேசி உயர்ந்த மனிதன் படத்தில் நடிக்க சம்மதம் வாங்கினார் என்று குறிப்பிட்ட பிரபு அவரை சிவாஜி வெள்ளை என்றுதான் அழைப்பார் என்றார்.[ஆள் நல்ல கருப்பு நிறம்].

சுசீலாவின் குரல் என்றால் அப்பாவிற்கு மிகவும் பிடிக்கும் என்று சொன்ன அவர் மேடையில் முன்பே சொல்லப்பட்ட லதா ஆஷா சகோதரிகளிடம் சிவாஜி சவால் விட்டதை மறுபடியும் சொன்ன பிரபு படித்தால் மட்டும் போதுமா பாடல் கம்போசிங்கின் போது சிவாஜி அங்கு இருந்ததையும் தன்னிலவு தேனிறைக்க பாடலின் ஆரம்ப மெட்டு சிவாஜி சொன்னது என்றும் சொன்ன பிரபு அந்த பாடலை சுசீலாதான் பாட வேண்டும் என்று பீம்சிங்கிடம் உறுதிபட சொன்னதை கூறினார்.சுசீலாவைப் பார்த்து உங்களுக்கு விருதளிப்பதில் எங்களுக்கு பெருமை என்றார்.

பி.பி.எஸ். அப்பாவிற்கு ரொம்ப பிடித்தவர் என்று சொன்ன பிரபு, அப்பா எப்போதும் முணுமுணுக்கும் பாட்டு என்று பொன் என்பேன் சிறு பூவென்பேன் பாடலை குறிப்பிட்டார். கமலா அம்மாளை பார்த்து இந்த பாடலை பாடுவார் என்ற சுவையான செய்தியை சொன்ன பிரபு பி.பி.எஸ்ஸின் கல்யாணத்திற்கு தம்பதி சமேதராக சிவாஜி சென்று வாழ்த்தியதையும் சொன்னார். பி.பி.எஸ் அவர்களுடன் நடிகர் திலகம் கன்னடத்தில்தான் உரையாடுவார் என்ற உபரி தகவலையும் வெளியிட்டார்.

எஸ்.பி.பியை பற்றி சொல்ல வேண்டுமென்றால் நேரம் போதாது என்று சொன்ன பிரபு ஆயிரம் நிலவே வா பாடலை கேட்டு விட்டு பாலுவை தன் படத்தில் பாட வைக்க வேண்டும் என்று சிவாஜி எம்.எஸ்.வியிடம் சொன்னதை சொன்னார். அன்னை இல்லத்தின் ஒரு பிள்ளையாகவே பாலுவை பார்ப்பதாகவும், திரையுலகில் எப்படி ஒரு நடிகர் திலகம், ஒரு மக்கள் திலகம், ஒரு கலைஞர், ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டார், ஒரு கலை ஞானி மட்டும்தான் இருக்கிறார்களோ அது போல ஒரு பாலு தான் என்றார்.

முத்துமாணிக்கம் பற்றி சொன்ன பிரபு அவரை பெரியப்பா என்றுதான் அழைத்திருந்ததாகவும் பிறகு தன் தம்பி அவரது தம்பி மகளை திருமணம் செய்துக் கொண்டதால் மாமனார் அந்தஸ்திற்கு போய் விட்டதாகவும் சொன்னார். ஓய்வு இல்லாமல் உழைத்துக் கொண்டிருந்த போது அப்பா ரிலாக்ஸ் செய்வதற்கு செல்லும் இடம் வேட்டைக்காரன் புதூர் என்று பிரபு குறிப்பிட்டார்.
பரத்ராம் தங்கள் குடும்பத்தில் ஒருவர் என்று குறிப்பிட்ட பிரபு அவர் தந்தை ஒரு சிங்கம், இவர் குட்டி சிங்கம் என்றார். தங்கள் குடும்ப நலனில் ராமன் குடும்பத்தின் அக்கறையை சுட்டிக் காட்டிய பிரபு அவர்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கும் நன்மையே வரும் என்றார்.

இறுதியாக ரசிகர்களை நோக்கி திரும்பிய பிரபு சிவாஜி என்ற ஜீவ காற்றின் ஆக்ஸிஜன் என்று ரசிகர்களை குறிப்பிட்டார். நீங்கள் எங்களோடு இருக்கும் வரை எங்கள் தந்தை எங்களுடன் இருப்பது போன்றே உள்ள உணர்வு கிடைக்கிறது. நீங்கள் எப்போதும் எங்களுக்கு துணையாக இருங்கள் என்று வேண்டிய பிரபு தான் சில நிகழ்ச்சிகளுக்கு ஷூட்டிங் காரணமாக செல்ல முடியவில்லை.அதனால் தன்னை தப்பாக நினைக்க வேண்டாம் என்று கூறினார். அனைவருக்கும் நன்றி கூறி விடை பெற்றார்.

பிரபு பேச்சில் இரண்டு விஷயங்கள். கடந்த நாலைந்து வருடங்களாக பார்த்த பிரபுவின் பேச்சில் இப்போது நல்ல சரளம். தங்கு தடையில்லாமல், எழுதி வைத்து படிக்காமல் நேரிடையாக பேசுகிறார். இரண்டு - மனதிலிருந்து பேசுகிறார். ஆகவே ஆடியன்ஸை அவர் பேச்சு நேரிடையாக பாதிக்கிறது.
இறுதியாக நாட்டுப் பண். இதிலும் புதுமையாக கையில் தேசிய கொடியேந்திய திருப்பூர் குமரனாக நடிகர் திலகம் திரையில் தோன்ற நாட்டுப் பண் ஒலித்தது. ஒருவர் கூட கலைந்து செல்லாமல் அமைதி காக்க விழா இனிதே நிறைவுற்றது.

K.V.Mahadevan Postal cover

2009-10-02T08:28:00.001-07:00

Last evening there was a function to mark the 81st Birthday of Dr.Sivaji Ganesan. In this , as is the practice annually a Special day Cover was released to honour the great Music director K.V.Mahadevan. The Sivaji Award was also presented to

Sri . Muthappa - Make up artiste , who worked in the film "Parasakthi".

Smt. P.Susheela

Sri P.B.Sreenivos

and Sri S.P.Balasubramanyam.

Curiously, my brother Bharat ( P.S.Raman) , who is currently the Advocate general of the state was the chief guest and as is the practice since 2000 , when we started this, I was the Compere.

This was covered by a few dailies and I am attaching the Photograph as it appeared.The Sivaji Award given each year on his Birthday also consists of a cheque for Rs 50,000. Several people have been given this award. So too have many famous film personalities been honoured with a special cover - either on 1st October or on 21st July to mark the anniversary of the passing away of the great thespian.I will be blogging later with images and the list of people so honoured later.

Ritwik Ghatak - The Bengali Brecht

2009-09-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

"Ritwik was one of the few truly original talents in the Cinema this country has produced" was how the great Satyajit Ray once described him. Though he has made only eight feature films ( and several documentaries) he is considered by many to be a master craftsman.

Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh , on 14th Nov ( Like Nehru) in 1925 his family moved to Calcutta to escape the horrors of the Famine of 1943-44 and the tragedy of partition that followed. But these must have become imprinted on such an impressionable mind that most of his films had these and the plight of the refugee as the theme.

He first wrote Plays and then associated with the IPTA - The Indian People's Theatre Association where he wrote, acted and directed several plays as well as translated works of Bertolt Brect and Gogol.

In 1950 , he made his debut in the Film Industry as an actor and assistant director with Nemai Ghosh's " Chinnamul". Ghataks first completed film was in 1952 - Nagarik. He combined a Theatrical style with Documentary Realism - to bring out his active political stance and served as a visual expression of his radical political thoughts.His best known films were "Meghe Dhaka Tara - 1960 , Komal Ghandhar - 1961 and Subarnalekha - 1962 , a Trilogy on the plight of the refugee in Kolkatta. In the mid 60s he moved to Pune to teach at the Film Institute , for just a year.

He was truly one of the boldest film makers who did not succumb to the pressures of commercialisation and continued to make movies that spoke his political, social and personal views on society and the establishment.Though his film preceeded Ray's by a good three years as one of Bengal's best in terms of realism - Ghatak never attained the level of International Popularity that Ray obtained for his films. Ray constantly promoted the films of Ghatak but still no avail.

Ghatak's most famous foray into commercial cinema that most non bengalis will recall was "Madhumati" - the classic film on re-incarnation for which he wrote the Screenplay.

Ghatak died in february 1976 - as a result of complications from his extreme alcoholism. His life too was as stark and bleak as his film's subjects - indeed an element of being autobiographical in his films is also there......A True master - but like most who are endowed with Genius - he had enough of the self destructive gene in him.........Maybe that is why he titled his Book on himself and his films as - Rows and Rows of fences....

Mehboob Khan

2009-09-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

- An interesting Stamp with images from his most famous film -

Mehboob Khan , was also honoured by the Postal department....many may ask who is this person, we know Sharukh, Salman and Amir khan, even Irfan Khan but this name is not heard so much in Cinema Circles....especially amidst the South Indians....

Mehboob Khan was one of the true pioneers of Indian Film. He started as a bit player in the silent film Alibaba and the 40 thieves made in 1927 after he had run away from home , in Billimora, Gujarat. After a struggle he ultimately got the chance to Direct his film - for Sagar Movietone. He made Manmohan, Watan,We Three and Ek hi Rastha , which brought him fame and recognition as a Director of thought provoking films that dealt with several socially relevant problems. He then went on to make Aurat, Behen and Roti for National Studios. Aurat made in 1940 is considered by many as a pre cursor to his all time classic "Mother India"

He set up his own company Mehboob Productions when he made Najma and Anmol Ghadi ( 1946) - the music track for the latter by Naushad with Noorjehan and Suraiya singing is still considered by many to be a classic. He then made Andaz and Aan , to be followed by Mother India - the first Indian film to be nominated for an Oscar in the 1958 Foreign Film Category award.

Many attained stardom because of his movies....Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Raj Kapoor , Raj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar to name a few. He was given the Padma Sri. He passed away on 28th May 1964.

So many Chief Ministers on the same Dias -

2009-09-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

My father V.P.Raman speaks - from left to right MGR ,
Mathiazhagan, Anna , Rajaji and Mu.Karunanidhi

That's Me - next to my dad....Rajaji lends a sympathetic ear to Anna.

In January 1968 - My father, Mr.V.P.Raman , organised a function to mark the 10th Death Anniversary of my grandfather Mr.A.V.Raman. This was a superbly organised , terrific function, I guess any son should be proud of doing this for his Parents. The memorable thing about this fuction was the presence of 4 Chief Ministers of Madras/Tamil Nadu. Present were C.Rajagopalachari -Rajaji , C.N.Annadurai ( Anna) the Chief Minister , Kalaignar Karunanidhi ( the CM after that and Today) and M.G.R ( the CM after Kalaignar). It must be noted that my father had left the Party and Politics at least a decade before - in Paper , for he continued to represent MGR,Kalaignar and even Bhaktavatsalam and Rajaji. There is one Photograph that I have not posted in Picasa or in this Blog - A lovely snap of me, my dad, Anna , kalaignar, MGR and Rajaji - that I have promised to a weekly magazine. Will post that after it has been published ( If). On the dias were also Sri Ananthanarayanan , Chief justice of madras and Sri "Chithra" Narayanaswami.

Just looking at these photographs makes me go back to those times ..... even the venue , Abbotsbury is no more there - however in the audience was Tarapore , who owned the property. I could also recognise Mr.K.Rajaram and Mr.Loganatha Mudaliar.

In fact when my grandfather passed away - My father who at that time was in the DMK Party refused to let any "orthodox" religious rituals be performed. My grandmother it is said went and cried to Rajaji , who in turn spoke to Anna - and Anna is reported to have told my dad , that he must not hurt his mother and yet do as his conscience commanded him to. Kamaraj , the CM then , is also said to have put pressure on my father - My grandmom must have really raised a hue and cry. To my knowledge my father did not budge.....
Funnily , he gave me specific instructions that nothing must be done for him when his time came. He told me - "I know , you have faith and belief in all this - dont do anything until you immerse my ashes - after that you are the head of the family , do as you please....I carried out his wishes to the T.....and continue to perform the rituals for him and my grandfather and my great grand father etc every Amavasya as well as the "thithi" - death anniversary as per the South Indian Calendar. Well , faith , is hard to shake....
My father stood firm on this much after he left the party - My wife ( ours was not an arranged marriage - but what is commonly called "Love Marriage"), wanted a traditional wedding with the whole works - my father refused to participate in the rituals and sat in the first row, waiting for us to finish with the rituals and then bless us.My mother's brother stood in for him and performed all the rituals. My father was very firm about his beliefs but never prevented others from following their's .He was NOT an atheist - but just against organised religion - especially the "money making" ritualistic part. He often said - I do not need a mediator between me and my God. He did go to Tirupathi , a trip that made him give up his extreme stand on God ( deserves a blog by itself - will post it soon ) and then later even to Puttaparthy.

I HAVE POSTED SOME MORE SNAPS HERE.....CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

http://picasaweb.google.com/mohanraman/AVRamanFunctionJanuary1968#

Kavignar Kannadasan

2009-09-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

From Left My father in law Dr.M.Ramachandran, Wife padma, Me, my Mom and Kavignar

Page 287 - In this Book he refers to himself as "avan" - in the third person

During the Wedding Reception - also in the Picture Mr.R.Krishnaswamy , Advocate

Page 341 of his Book - vanavasam.

I have been reading the book "Vanavasam" a biographical account of his years in the DMK by Kannadasan , the greatest lyricist , Tamil Cinema has ever produced, my view at any rate. There was many a time that I have met him, indeed it will not be incorrect to say that he, MGR, Kovai Chezhiyan, Sridhar ( Director) were all close friends of my dad - from the Entertainment Industry. I have consciously avoided mentioning Anna and kalaignar for we will, for this blog consider them as from the field of Politics.

Many are aware that Kannadasan went to my good friend G.Thyagarajan's recording (Moondram Pirai Producer) and Kanne Kalaimaane , a real beauty, turned out to be his last recorded song. Before going there that morning, around 8 AM , he landed up at home. I was downstairs and he asked me to call my Dad, who had probably not yet woken up or had just done so. It was the time when , they both had some tiff......they fought pretty often like Husband and wife - so close was their friendship.My dad came on the phone and told kavignar he will not see him, when Kavignar said that he was off to America and wanted to say bye....My dad told him to go there get well ( a euphemism for Kavignar to get rid of a few habits) and come back and that on their return My dad and he will share a drink - something they used to do on a daily basis , till this tiff. Kavignar put the Phone down, and told me - Bala ( thats how his friends called him) Kovichikittu irukkan, poittu varennu sollu.....I said seri Uncle and he was off......this was sometime in September 1981. He passed away that October 17th.

For A full ten years - till 1991 , when my Father passed away , almost daily , he used to lament - sollikittu poga vandhaan, paarka mattennu solli anuppittene.....I saw two references to my father in this book - which I have reproduced....The snaps with kavignar were taken during my wedding Reception - July 1979.

Bimal Roy - The "Devdas Director"

2009-09-10T03:59:00.000-07:00

BIMAL ROY (12th July 1909 - 7th Jan 1966)

Bimal Roy was born the seventh child of a landowning , affluent family from Suapur, a suburb of Dacca , then East Bengal.He completed his education at the Jagannath College in Dacca and joined as an assistant to the famous Cinematographer Nitin Bose. He soon became a famous Cinematographer and started to work in films like P.C.Barua's Mukti. Here he honed his craft and also became sensitised to the many socio-economic issues facing the People. He joined the IPTA ( Indian People's Theatre Association ) and made the path breaking film "Udayar Pathey".This film was against exploitation and served to inspire several young bengali film makers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen.

Migrating to Bombay in 1950 he went on to make some of his classics like "Do Bigha Zameen", Bandini, Parineeta, Madhumati ,Sujatha and his classical version of Devdas. His films were artistically beautiful, sensitive and socially relevant as they captured the essence of human existence with all its melodrama, romance and pathos for all his films were firmly rooted in reality. His message though subtle often left a deep impact on the viewer. Especially those Musically inclined. Bimal roy mostly used Salil Choudhry or S.D.Burman and some of the classic songs as seen in his films are......

"Jalthey Hain Jiske Liye" from Sujatha (1959),music by S.D.Burman.

"Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen" ,"Aaja Re Pardesi" ,"Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadake" from Madhumathi (1958), music by Salil Chowdhury,
"O Sajana Barkha Bahaar" from Parakh (1960), music by Salil Chowdhury,
"O Jaanewale Ho Sake To Laut Ke Aana" from Bandhini (1963), music by S.D. Burman,

He was awarded the Filmfare award seven times as best director and Four times for best Picture, He also won the National Award for Do Bigha Zameen in 1953. He won the International Prize at Cannes for the same film , which was also nominated for the Grand Prize.This film was the first to pave the way for a parallel , new wave cinema to hit the country.

If some of these songs are familiar , now you know whom to thank......

Udumalai Narayana kavi -

2009-09-07T00:57:00.000-07:00

This great Poet was born on 25.9.1899 in Poolavadi Village near Udumalpet.His early education was only till the 4th Standard and thereafter he learnt under Muthuswamy kavirayar. He later learnt the art of Harikathakalaksebam from the famed harikesanallur muthiah Nhagavathar.

Even as a young lad he was inspired to act and did so in several Plays.It was the time when the Freedom Movement was active and several young men were inspired to join the freedom struggle. He too went around the nearby Villages selling khadi products and singing nationalist songs. Some of these became very popular. His famous patriotic songs were sung by some of the most popular actors of that time - the early 1920s.

Cinema , entered the "Talkie" phase and the need for Actors/Singers and Poets was felt. He came into Cinema in 1933 - his association with N.S.Krishnan brought about several songs that were of great social relevance. His learning the art of harikatha obviously helped him when he wrote along with NSK , the satirical - Kindhanaar - based on the Nandhanaar story. His collaboration with NSK served to enhance the reputation of both. Along with Madhurai Bhaskara Das, Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram he dominated the lyrics department till the advent of Kannadasan the Poet. In the later years he wrote for MGR , with the Dravidian , Rationalist Philosophy in mind.....One of his greatest will probably be....the NSK song- Vingyanaththa Valarkka Poren dee......

Film heritage buff and teacher ?

2009-09-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

There were two articles one each in The Deccan Chronicle and the Hindu....which mentioned me as being a teacher and a Film heritage Buff....I am deeply indebted to the writers of both - whether I deserve this sobriquet or not, Time and the quality of my work shall determine.

The first article , though , carries a few small errors - I do not teach regularly at the St.Josephs College , but have addressed Students - in various educational Institutions like The Thyagarajar School of management- Madurai , Pearl Acadamy of fashion , Many Rotaract Seminars and seminars organised by the Symbiosis School -Pune. The second is a minor spelling mistake , it should read as ...I train them in Team Building and Not Corporate Building. These very minor things apart, it is good to be called a "Teacher". I thank the writer , for it feels good to be recognised in this manner.

The second article in the Hindu has a far greater import - The authority on anything on Madras City and its history is Mr. S.Muthiah . It was an honour that he was present for my lecture the other day at the Tag Centre. Randor Guy and Dr.S.Krishnaswamy, two other noted Film historians were there too , adding to my tensions as I spoke. When Mr. Muthiah has classified me as a FILM HERITAGE BUFF....it feels like I have been baptised , indeed , much like Vishvamithra after getting the nod of approval from Vasishta - I am indeed thankful to him for these kind words. I hope and pray that God grant me strength and wisdom to live up to these words

If in the process , we , are able to locate the site of "Tower House", on Miller's Road, Kilpauk then it will have really served the purpose. For that is the birth place of Cinema in the South.

B.N.Reddi - film maker

2009-09-03T05:11:00.001-07:00

First day cover

Stamp

The Government marked this great producer/Director's centenary last year with a Stamp. Many have often confused him with his brother B.Nagi reddi.

This is Bommireddi Narasimha Reddi , born in Cuddapah District on the 16th of November 1908. After his Schooling in Prodattur, he came to Chennai, did not complete his graduation from Pachaiyappa's College , but joined a firm of auditors and Accountans. He was interested in Dramatics and used to act in many telugu plays staged by the Andhra Mahila Sabha. It is but natural that an artistic young man like him be drawn to the magical world of cinema , through the famed Director G.Ramabrahmam.

He started Rohini Pictures with that great director and "bheeshma of south indian cinema" H.M.Reddi. They made "grihalakshmi" in 1938 with P.Kannamba. The two seperated after this and BN went on to associate with two other brilliant men K.Ramnoth and A.K.Sekhar and promoted the historic Vauhini Pictures. He made several films like Vande matharam (1939) , Sumangali (1940) , and Devatha ( 1941) all of which established him as a producer/Director with great artistic sensitivity and also served to help the actor Chithoor V.Nagaiah , who played the Hero/Lead role in these. They stayed together as a team till 1942.

BN Reddi went on to make several films like "swarga Seema" in 1945and malleswari (1951). His last film was in the late 60s. He was honoured with a padma bhushan in 1974 and was the first South indian to be honoured with the dadasaheb Phalke award in 1975.

The Vijaya - Vauhini Studio's were taken over by his brother Nagi reddy and Chakrapani much earlier.

He passed away in 1977.

Uttam Kumar - Bengali Actor

2009-09-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

The Government of India , Had honoured a few more film personalities with a Postage stamp , and I have been a bit irregular in reporting the same. Today , they have come out with a stamp to honour the famous actor Uttam Kumar , a legend in the Bengali Film world. Born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee on 3rd September 1926 he began acting in Plays at a young age and won many laurels. He completed his graduation and and worked at the Port Commisioners office.He , being a good singer also gave singing lessons. He was determined to make it in the Film world and after a struggle his first released film was "drishtidaan" and his breakthrough came with the film "Sare Chuyattor". He then never looked back and went on to become a producer and director as well. His foray into the hindi Film Industry was not very succesful but his contribution to the bengali film Industry is immense. He won the first ever national Award for best actor - for his performance in Satyajit Ray's "Chiriakhana" and the film "Antony Firingi" in 1967, the year the Awards were introduced. He achieved the dream of all Actors - to die working. He passed away of a massive heart attack while shooting for the film Ogo Bodhu Shudori in 1980 at the young age of 54.

Cinema A Time capsule part 2.

2009-08-31T01:28:00.000-07:00

T.R.Sundaram of modern theatres

S.S.vasan

T.P.Rajalakshmi

raja sandow as raja harischandra

K.Subrahmanyam

Raghupathy Prakash.

Nataraja Mudaliar went on to make a few more films in his banner “Indian Film Co. His second venture was “Draupadi vastrabharanam” made at a much lesser cost but collected more than Rs. 75,000. Ms. Violet Berry , a British lady ( ? ) played the role of Draupadi and hence an English knowing actor called Doraiswamy Pillai was cast as Dussasana. In 1920 he made “Lava Kusa” and “Rukmani sathyabhama” – for the first time a Brahmin lady named Janaki came forward to act as Rukmani while Jeevarathnam played Sathyabhama. He went on to make “Markandeya” and “mayilravana”. Thus making a total of 6 films between 1917 and 1923.
His success went on to inspire people like Raghupathy Venkaiah Naidu and his son Raghupathy Prakash to enter film production. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier set up the first Cinema Theatre in Gaiety , Crown and Globe (later re named Roxy). They set up a studio with a Glass roof behind Roxy and made several films. People like Raja Sandow , joined the fray , and the silent film Industry flourished. Sadly a fire struck Nataraja Mudaliar’s studio and gutted all his equipment , this was followed by the death of his son , these two disasters proved to be too much for him and he wound up shop.
Then came an era in which a number ( more than a 100) films were made , all silent and mostly from the efforts of Pioneers like R.Prakash, Raja Sandow, A.Narayanan, Y.V.Rao,T.J.Huffton, H.Desai, P.V.Rao, M.Seshaiah, Jiten Banerji and Sundararao Nadkarni to name a few of the major producer/ directors. Notable among these was A.Narayanan who went on to set up South India’s first “Sound” studio in Poonamallee High Road. His Studio was Srinivasa Sound City and made the first Talkie from the South – Srinivasa kalyanam. His wife was the first lady sound engineer in India , probably the first in Asia or the world. Of course , T.P.Rajalakshmi , the heroine of the first “Tamil” talkie – went on to become a much bigger star than she was , and even became the first “lady” to Direct a film. The funny part of the first “Tamil” talkie – Kalidas (1931) , directed by H.M.Reddi was that the heroine spoke in Tamil, the hero in Telugu and a few others even spoke in Hindi…..Truly a “tamil” Talkie !!.....then strode a colossus in to the field in the form of K.Subrahmanyam , who held sway over the Industry much after he stopped making films – he was one of the earliest “Movie Moghuls” of the South.
He started his Studio in Madras and a few years later , it was bought in auction by S.S.Vasan and converted to Gemini Studios. It is this Time capsule like quality which is being used to take a peek at how Madras looked in the years gone by. Some of these sights, like the Gemini Circle before it became Anna Flyover, many may remember.

Thereafter more and more people entered the fray – A.V.Meiyappan , S.S.Vasan , Nagi Reddy , Modern Theatres T.R.Sundaram , L.V.Prasad, Jupiter Somu and many many others who firmly established the Film Industry in Chennai. A few from overseas too joined the list of those early “directors” , the most notable being an American called Ellis R Dungan – who made those classics like Meera and Shakunthala. To his credit must go the introduction of M.G.R in the film Sathileelavathi.
I wish to acknowledge the following –
1. The Hindu .
2. The Message Bearers by Theodore Baskaran.
3. Chithralaya Magazine.
4. Roja Muthiah Research Library.
5. Randor Guy.
6. Filmnews Anandan.

7. S.Muthiah and V.Sriram of madras musings...

Cinema - A Time Capsule....Part 1

2009-08-31T00:50:00.000-07:00

H.M.Reddi , Director of kalidas, The first talkie...

B.Nagi Reddy of Vijaya-Vauhini

AVM

A.Narayanan - the first "sound" film Producer - made in the south , he set up "Srinivasa Sound City"

A view of gemini Studio

Ever since Cinema, was invented in 1895 by the Lumiere brothers it has always served various other purposes than just entertaining. In a way they have helped in bringing about social change, promoted a number of worthy causes, educated people and served as a Time Capsule. In this I mean they helped us understand how the people of that era lived. Well researched films of the West have helped in all of us imagining how the Pharoes of Egypt lived, How the Romans in Caesar’s day behaved, the Greeks treated Helen of Troy, early American Indians felt and what their customs were, What happened during the two great revolutions the French and the American, The American Civil War and the great Wars. They not only showed us in graphic detail how History was made but also how people felt and reacted. Their Costumes and Customs. All this is possible if the makers of the movies have taken care to be historically accurate and did their research accurately. The Cinema Camera has recorded all this, but when it moves out of the confines of a created Set but moves into an actual City, then it captures the City as it was that day. In recent years we have the benefit (?) of computer animation that we may not be able to believe all that we see. However the films made in the past have truly reflected the city and the society of the era.
In India films started in the early 1900s with Phalke making his Raja Harischandra. In the South the first feature length film Keechaka Vadham was made by Nataraja Mudaliar in Chennai. The first 20 odd years saw films being silent and more than 95 percent of them were based on mythology or the lives of great Saints like Kabirdas and Meera. To recreate this, the movie makers took Literature and Fine Arts as a source of Information. Sculptures and Paintings like those found in Temples were used to help them visualize the mythological characters. Paintings by modern masters like Raja Ravi Varma were a great influence. By the mid 1930s films began to talk and then “social” film also began to become popular fare for the public. Till our Independence from the British , films have had a subtle message for the people. In a few cases the message was not so subtle leaving the film maker to face the consequences. In all these cases these films served to educate the masses, move them, and served as agents of social change. Many films spoke of issues that were of great importance then like caste, poverty, landlessness, unemployment, abuse of power, women’s rights and widow remarriage to name just a few. From the early Mythologicals and Saint Bio Pics the Indian film Industry has come a long way. In this process the film camera has also captured the lives of people and more importantly the City in which it was shot. After the first showing of the “moving” picture was done at the Victoria Public hall in Chennai , one Swamikannu Vincent , went about exhibiting this “curiosity” all over. His pioneering efforts paved the way for people to start liking this form of entertainment.
In 1917 Nataraja Mudaliar , set up his Studio in a rented premises called “Tower House” in Millers road and there was shot the first film in South India – Draupadi Vastrabharanam. He erected a “Pandal” in the premises and draped a huge white cloth instead of the roof to allow diffused sunlight needed to shoot the film – it must be noted that there were no electric lights available then for filming.
He was a relative of the great Stage Personality Sambandha Mudaliar. When Nataraja Mudaliar was in search of a subject for the first film, it was Sambandha Mudaliar who suggested this small episode from the Mahabharatham. The reason was it has the necessary emotional content (sentiment) especially when Draupadi bemoans her fate , that even though she was blessed with not one but five husbands still , no one was able to save her from the molestations of the evil “Keechaka”. It has the sensual element ( the stamy part) in Keechaka’s attempts and also the much sought after action ( the actual fight between Bheema and the Villain). It is therefore no wonder that this successful formula has remained with us for nearly a century. His relatives were all against him shooting this “inauspicious” subject matter for his maiden venture. Nataraja Mudaliar completed the film at a cost of Rs. 35,000. Raju mudaliar a stage actor played the role of keechaka while Jeevaratnam played sairandhari. While there was no sound, he had some Title cards made for important places in the film. These were made in Tamil, Hindi and English. While the tamil and English titles were written by Dr.Guruswamy Mudaliar , the Hindi Title cards were written by Mr.Devadas Gandhi , son of mahatma Gandhi. The Film was released in early 1918 and shown for two weeks in Elphinstone Theatre. It was later widely shown all over India and as far as Rangoon and Karachi. Nataraja Mudaliar went on to collect over Rs.50, 000 from his maiden venture.

Continued in part 2.

Old Madras as seen through the Cinema Camera

2009-08-07T06:24:00.001-07:00

Gemini Circle - Studio Gates seen open circa 1948 from En manaivi...
Camera is placed where the US Consulate Visa Entry is now....

The beach Road in 1937 from K.Subrahmanyam's Thyagabhoomi.

The Time has come for my talks in the Madras Week Celebrations......

The Schedule is as follows

Hotel Park - Thurday 20th August 7 PM - Madras Nalla Madras - Nagesh a Genius.

Hotel Green park - Sat 22nd Aug 7 PM - Madras as seen in Films - 1930s to 1970s.

ALL ARE WELCOME.........

Here is a little something I wrote on this topic -

CINEMA - A TIME CAPSULE

by Mohan V Raman

Ever since Cinema, was invented in 1895 by the Lumiere brothers it has always served various other purposes than just entertaining. In a way it has helped in bringing about social change, promoted a number of worthy causes, educated people and served as a Time Capsule. In this I mean they helped us understand how the people of that era lived. Well researched films of the West have helped in all of us imagining how the Pharos of Egypt lived, How the Romans in Caesar’s day behaved, the Greeks treated Helen of Troy, early American Indians felt and what their customs were, What happened during the two great revolutions the French and the American, The American Civil War and the great Wars. They not only showed us in graphic detail how History was made but also how people felt and reacted. Their Costumes and Customs.

All this is possible if the makers of the movies have taken care to be historically accurate and did their research properly. The Cinema Camera has recorded all this, but when it moves out of the confines of a created Set to an actual City, then it captures the City as it was that day. In recent years we have the benefit (?) of computer animation thereby we may not be able to believe all that we see. However the films made in the past have truly reflected the city and the society of the era.
In India films started in the early 1900s with Phalke making his Raja Harischandra. In the South the first feature length film Keechaka Vadham was made by Nataraja Mudaliar in Chennai. The first 20 odd years saw films being silent and more than 95 percent of them were based on mythology or the lives of great Saints like Kabirdas and Meera. To recreate this, the movie makers took Literature and Fine Arts as a source of Information. Sculptures and Paintings like those found in Temples were used to help them visualize the mythological characters. Paintings by modern masters like Raja Ravi Varma were a great influence.

By the mid 1930s films began to talk and then the advent of the “social” film also began. Till our Independence from the British films have had a subtle message for the people. In a few cases the message was not so subtle leaving the film maker to face the consequences. In all these cases these films served to educate the masses, move them, and served as agents of social change. Many films spoke of issues that were of great importance then like caste, poverty, landlessness, unemployment, abuse of power, women’s rights and widow remarriage to name just a few. From the early Mythologicals and Saint Bio Pics the Indian film Industry has come a long way.

In this process the film camera has also captured the lives of people and more importantly the City in which it was shot. It is this Time capsule like quality which is being used to take a peek at how Madras looked in the years gone by. Some of these sights, like the Gemini Circle before it became Anna Flyover, many may remember. Some others may well be alien to many.Hence it is nice to open the time capsule now and then.

Mahesh Music and "The Bucket List"

2009-07-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

Ever since my friend Mahesh succumbed to Cancer , I have not had the inclination or should i say courage to watch a movie that has cancer as its central theme.....even Philadelphia kind of got me all soppy - that was not because of Tom hanks or Denzel.

I had the chance to facilitate and train in Ahmedabad yesterday and we passed the campus of the famed Indian Institute of Management , my memories went back to my interview for admission and the manner in which a Prof Meenakshi Mallya ( i think i have the name right? ) cornered me and of course thankfully refused me an admission. Thankfully because it gave me my life's loveliest two years .... listening to mahesh play and of course my friend T.T.Srinath sending me up on Stage for the first time ( I did get on stage in my school days though) to play a small sketch based on "the tea house of the August Moon".

I was also remembering how I cycled to Mahesh's house, in the lane next to ACM Rakeswari Kalyana Mandapam, when in my 8th standard with my new BSA Aristocrat bicycle , the coverage of the article in a Tamil magazine on Mahesh and his group "Versatiles" - called Kalyanaththil Come September ( Come September in a Marriage), the practice sessions in that house behind Nageswara Rao Park - they were trying to get Solitary Man going.....and friend ramaswami Subbiah was also going...his own way. Much to mahesh's chagrin. Great times.

Well we had even greater times in those wonderful musical evenings at my place and the memories as years rolled on and alcohol clouded were a bit dimmer than the school/college day memories.

In the seminar i had been exhorting people to unblock their minds, remove bias and prejudice, overcome irrational fears and face life square on. Hence, when I got back home past midnight - terribly long hopping flight from there to chennai - I decided to watch - "The Bucket List ".....

Boy what a film and what performance. That settled , self assured , dignified performance from Morgan freeman and that flamboyant , leery , devil may care one from jack Nicholson. No , I did not cry for I was just so enthralled at this display of histrionic brilliance that I did not feel anything else but a deep desire to applaud genius.

My friend mahesh too had a Bucket list of sorts...only this was to his friends after he kicked the proverbial bucket.....to do 'something' for the Cancer Hospital in Adayar. I am so proud that his friends have all done him proud - The Mahesh Memorial Paediatric Ward was inaugurated and is doing well - Kudos to Chithra and the other Trustees of the Mahesh memorial trust.........

For those who want to listen to what the Big B had to say about the Trust I give the link to my you tube posting of the "kaun banega Crorepathi" episode that Mani Ratnam , another friend , was able to get going for us to raise funds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqV6gL7zzYo

I have posted a few snaps we took during those great music sessions.........check out PICASA

http://picasaweb.google.com/mohanraman/MaheshAndMusicalEvenings?feat=directlink

Well mahesh....your Bucket is nicely full my friend...... while many of us dont seem to realise that we have to get our respective bucket list ready....and pray that we are able to inspire our friends the way you did with aplomb and ease.

Kishorekumar -Chandrababu

2009-07-20T03:36:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of speaking to the members of the Madras Gymkhana Club on the life and work of two of Cinema's most eccentric geniuses - Kishore Kumar from Hindi Cinema and J.P.Chandrababu from tamil.

I called it 'A Tale of two eccentricities"....

This talk was so well received that although i say so myself by popular demand i delivered a second part , the next month, thus it became a 4 hour lecture. That is when they asked me to work on Nagesh as the next topic.....unfortunate that he passed away and it had to become a sort of eulogy.

PARASAKTHI - Special day Cover

2009-07-20T02:15:00.000-07:00

Before I am asked how a film classic like Parasakthi was not honoured, while Veerapandiya Kattabomman was , I thought it wise to post what was done in the year 2002.

To mark the golden jubilee of the release of this cult classic we , again the Soviet Cultural centre and the Sivaji parabhu charities trust came together and brought out this special day cover.

Parasakthi not only launched the career of south, nay, Indian film's greatest actor but also sowed the seeds for the firm entrenchment of "dravidian" socio politico thought in Cinema and thereby paved the way for the DMK making steady in roads into the Politics of the State. It was around this time that the snap of my dad with MK etc was shot( please see my earlier blog).

P.A.Perumal , of National Pictures , one of the producers, the other being AVM, was a die hard follower of Periyar and indeed later went on to make Raththa Kaneer.......

Sivaji started working in the movie in 1950 - approximately July/August and was in the process of making the film for over 2 years.The film was released in October 1952. Sivaji had the highest regards for Mr.Krishnan ( of Krishnan-Panju) , the director , Mr.P.A.Perumal and Mrs.Rajeswari A.V.Meyyappan as they were the 3 people who stood by him steadfast on him doing this role while all others wanted to remove him and bring in M.K.Radha ( not M.R) for the role.

In fact he suffered so many humiliations and insults during the making of this film from all concerned that he once asked me......

If the trees in between the Floors were still there in AVM , I said yes.....his reply was they have all grown to this size not because of ....in Tamil.....Chettiar Vitta Thanneer illa da Mohan , indha ganesan vitta Kanneer da....(not the water that Chettiar poured but by my tears.......).

I must here mention the honour the studio has given him....Please see my earlier Blog on the Memorial they have erected to mark the spot where he began his career in AVM. A first if not only time that such an honour has been given to an actor.

My Talk on Nagesh

2009-07-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of making a multimedia presentation on the genius of nagesh. This was at the Madras gymkhana Club and am happy to say that it was well received.The club magazine carried a report on the talk, that is shown above.
AS PART OF THE MADRAS WEEK CELEBRATIONS ...I am speaking again on Nagesh , with a slightly different twist , called MADRAS NALLA MADRAS. The material from his films remains the same, so too the stories and anecdotes but the slant is also towards the Madras that Nagesh saw.
This will be at THE PARK HOTEL , on the 20th of August , 7 PM.
ALL ARE WELCOME

Nagesh the genius

2009-07-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

Here is an article I wrote for a Paper called madras musings on that wonderful person and brilliant actor called "Nagesh".
This was written more like an Obituary and came a few days after he passed away. I have been wanting to post it but the sudden attack of laziness kept me away.

Kattabomman

2009-07-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

I have been remiss in not blogging for a while now, lest you think it is because of a tremendous amount of work let me correct you, it was just laziness.....

We had a lovely function to mark the 50th anniversary of the film Veerapandiya Kattabomman. This was jointly organised by the Soviet Cultural Centre and the Sivaji Family. I compered the event in addition to designing and bringing out the special day postal cover.

I am reproducing a small report made by Mr.Raghavendra , a die hard Sivaji Fan in an internet forum discussion.I stronglu urge anyone who is interested in the Cinema of Sivaji Ganesan to view the threads in this forum. In fact this thread on Nadigar Thilakam is the oldest and longest continuous one....The address for this page is - http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewtopic.php?t=12282&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=495

Needless to say you can go to the beginning, the index and navigate your way through the forum. I quote -

As you said, in spite of the odd nature of the Day ( The election results had just come out), there was substantially good crowd at the function. Mr. Marudu Mohan, who is doing research on Nadigar Thilagam, spoke in detail of the chronology of the legacy of Veerapandiya Kattabomman. Mr. Veeramani of Gem Granites, Mr. Lakshmi Narayanan of Russian Cultural Centre, Mr. Thangappan of Indo-Russian Chamber of Commerce were among the dignitaries who spoke. Mr. Thangappan presented the clipping of Nadigar Thilagam's speech during the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence celebrated there in 1997. Mr. Parthiban (the actor who played JACKSON Durai) was very staunch in lauding Nadigar Thilagam and clearly underlined it was Nadigar Thilagam, who was the only actor who did not act in PUBLIC LIFE and POLITICS. Avar cinemavil mattum than nadippar, nija vazhkkaiyil nadikka theriyadu. The Post Master General released the Special Day cover received by the Director of Russian Cultural Centre. The event was preceded by an exhibition on Memorabilia of the film Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The exhibition contained display of paper cuttings, award certificates, etc. Ms. B.R. Vijayalakshmi (The daughter of the producer and director Mr.B.R.Panthulu)has also presented for display, the shields, the certificates, the sword and the soccer, and the photo album taken during the shooting of the film. Besides, the display contained among other cuttings, the achievements of the film at the Box Office as wrote here by our Murali Sir, and Telugu paper cuttings sent by another fellow hubber, A. Balakrishnan, 50-th Day, 100th Day, 25th week ads, NT's writing on his experiences at Cairo. -

Unquote.

Also honoured was Mrs.S.Ve Shekhar , who is also the grand daughter of the music director, G.Ramanathan. It is pertinent to point out that at the Afro Asian Film festival held in Cairo three awards were won by this film - Best Actor - Sivaji ganesan , Best Picture Kattabomman and Best Music - G.Ramanathan. Hence it was nice that all these three great film personalities were represented by members of their family. The surprise was the veteran actor Mr.Parthiban , an erudite Gentleman , who came for the function and requested that he be permitted to speak. His speech really came from the heart.

Dad ,Kalaignar ,E.V.K.Sampath

2009-05-30T10:44:00.001-07:00

I found an old Photograph - mid -late 1950s of my father , Mr.V.P.Raman , Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi , CM of TN , Mr.E.V.K.Sampath and Mr.N.V.Natarajan ( I think) . This was during the time my father was an active party member - he quit and never got involved in active politics , though he remained connected with Leaders from all parties.

He left the Party and so too did Sivaji Ganesan , E.V.K.Sampath , Kannadasan probably not in that order.

He seemed to have a knack of attracting Politically sensitive cases for all politicians. He was MGR's advocate when he also used to advise Dr.Kalaignar , and some Congressmen , such was the faith they had in his integrity and of course his legal acumen. I remember his filing a case for Sri "Pollachi" N.Mahalingam against the Congress chief for criticising Sri NM throwing a dinner for "Anna" on his victory. This led to the first fissures in the congress and thereafter the split came as Indra congress and old congress nationally.

In fact it was well known that he along with Era Sezhiyan and Sampath drafted the final Constitution of the DMK. The AIADMK Constitution was based entirely on that ( those days - do not know its position now) except part president was replaced by General Seceretary. Knowing this , K.Rajaram , Nedunchezhiyan , Panrutti S.Ramachandran and Thirunavukkarasu came home after MGR's Death and wanted him to advice them against Rm.V and V.N.Janaki. They had decided to prop up J.Jayalalithaa. It was my father who adviced them upto the point of freezing the two Leaves symbol and they fighting under the Dove and Cock symbols. In retrospect Kalaignar must have felt so happy about his "old" friend totally bringing the AIADMK to a standstill. For a few months including JJ's maiden political speech ( post MGR) , the storming of the "thalamai seyalagam " in Lloyds Road - now avvai shanmugam salai , the petitions before the Election commission , parallel General Council meetings , were all under his advice.....when most people who had come to him initially left her , Panrutti, Navalar, Thirunavukkarasar,KKSSR , to name a few , my father too quietly moved away as by then she had her own set of advisors. It was during this period that I was closely involved in all the Political machinations. Spent several months steeped in it , including the electioneering etc.

We even went to New delhi to talk to Dorab Sopariwala and Prannoy Roy. They came down to start their work - but then i think madam had other ideas.......

He also fought the University Syndicate appointments of Durai Murugan and a few others who were "removed" by the MGR Government. Remember he was 'close' to MGR....despite that Kalaignar wanted him to fight the case. I guess he never had to do any balancing act for two especial reasons - Highest possible levels of Professional Integrity and Extreme Professional Competence. What a reputation ? Tough act to follow.

A great Guy in a great tour.

2009-05-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

This blog is about 15 days of great fun and sight seeing my wife Padma, my daughter Vidyullekha and I had.We were part of a thomas group European Tour that left India on 15th April and we came back on the 30th. It was a defenite value for money tour. My wife and I are vegetarians and hence we wanted to travel in a group that promised us indian vegetarian food. may I add that they delivered on their promise we had Indian vegetarian food. I am not going to talk about the careful and meticulous planning , the arrangements etc but the person who stood by us and with us in our travel - The Senior travel manager of Thomas Cook Mr.Atul Chaudhary. Those who know Mumbai cricket will recognise him as a Ranji cricketeer of yore but I can tell you one thing , he is a superbly efficient , terribly affectionate human being. The way he looked after us at each and every place and time, the way he ensured all were there in time , but no one was rushed was simply magnificent. If at all there is a man who knows where every "free" Toilet is situated in Europe I think it must be Atul. He ensured that everyone of us had a place to sit at meal times , we had our free time and always stuck to his plan and schedule. That the schedule was hectic is an understatement - Imagine covering parts of Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria,Netherlands, France and England in all of two weeks. Almost every day started with a wake up call at 6 AM and ended with dinner at around 8.30 PM - travelling the better part of 350 Kms. But if at the end of the day there can be a man who is smiling and enquiring if all is well at 10 PM plus and literally serves you with the Paappad or pickle - then he truly deserves some praise. I do not care if he is well paid or ill paid but to do it with passion and relishing every moment takes some dedication. He managed to put up with 45 people with 45 tastes and timings and egos....without managing to hurt or ruffle anyone. He is a truly people loving person and packed with knowledge and information on the places we saw - If ever there is a group tour I undertake , then it will only be with this group -Thomas Cook.....Please not that I am not a paid advertising man for them.....Just a very very satisfied customer.....You may well ask if everything was so perfect that there are no areas to improve.....Guess there are .The Hotel in Paris - in comparison to the classy accomodation we were given elsewhere was a bit off.....purely relatively speaking . For those of us who are not terribly fit -physically , this was tightly packed - but that is what ensured that all of us got more than our money's worth. I did miss my south Indian cuisine - they did serve ONE south Indian meal - however when 35 of the 45 were from the South , maybe they could have given more southy meals.

There were a few days , may be just one, where we spent more time travelling in the bus then sight seeing....In such cases I was wondering why a night train could not be thought of....Just random thoughts - but I am sure experts have looked at the itenary with a magnifying glass and have arrived at this near perfect combination - what added to this perfection was the perfect Tour manager. More on this in my next Blog.

More Stamps on Cinema - S.D.Burman and Madhubala

2009-05-06T01:58:00.000-07:00

The Indian Government has been busy.....at leasy busier than my scanner has been for I have been remiss.

There have been a few worthy releases that I have not reported here as I wanted to....Indeed that was the original intent of my blog.......my Stamps on Cinema. Everything else but that has happened here. In the unrelenting heat of the Chennai summer , I have today , been , fortunately left free - No shooting. Now for the stamps.....Real Beauties.....The Madhubala stamp is a Diamond Stamp....the image shown is the Miniature souvenir sheet that envelopes the stamp....

The S.D.Burman stamp though lacks any kind of decent design innovativeness....dull and drab ...the image however does indicate his "bengalee - Rabindra sangeeeth" influence. Nothing Dull or drab in his Music though......Thank God they have honoured him.

More to follow.

Sathya Sai Baba and Ayyappan.

2009-03-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

Bhagwan Baba with my father and mother at our home Glen Gyle -Kodaikanal -1986

I wish to narrate a beautiful experience that I had of Bhagwan baba and Lord Aiyappa.

I had the fortune of undertaking the sabarmala pilgrimage from 1976 - eighteen continuous trips. In the year 1987 , Baba was in kodaikanal and I had the extremely good fortune of spending a lot of time with the MBA Boys who had accompanied him that year and therefore a lot of time in the presence of Swami. So many divine moments that at the rate of one blog a day I can go on for months.

That year Swami materialised a Silver ring with the words "SAI" in it. He put it on my ring finger and asked me to stop smoking and drinking ( I used to be a fairly heavy drinker and smoker then). He said that if i am "a good boy" he will give me a better ring later.

I had a dream later , of Swami sitting in a room and I was pressing his legs.He suddenly got up went to one side of the room and slowly proceeded to squat on the floor as he did that his form disappeared and a brilliantly glowing golden Aiyappan appeared and as a shadow I could make out the distinctive hairdo of our Swami. He then stood up , returning to his form , smiled and said "Poruma" (enough) ? It was truly an amazing experience. Thrills me to the core even now.

The next year , 1988 , again in kaodaikanal.....again very very blessed. Swami materialised a Green Stone ring ( you can see the same pattern worn by Sunil Gavaskar amongst others). As he gave it to me he said ....." if you are in trouble look inside the Stone and you will see me and your Aiyappan ".... I am thankful that he did not give me cause to see inside the stone......Several years later both the rings went missing ( or should I say back to the creator). I guess the protective purpose they were to serve was over.

We were extremely fortunate that Swami blessed each and every member of my family and even blessed our home in Kodaikanal - "Glen Gyle" with a visit and even had lunch with us.

A.R.Rehman - Arcot Road to Oscars -ஆர்காட் ரோடு லிருந்து ஆஸ்கர்ஸ் வரை

2009-02-23T05:31:00.000-08:00

WOW.....I am really proud that our own ARR has won 2 OSCARS , and Resul Pookutty one. As part of the film fraternity to which they belong I am delighted and proud. What a magnificent growth it has been. I have seen his work when ( as Dilip ) he composed the Jingle for our Madras Midtown Round Table No 42's Public service film on Drug Abuse - it starred Kenny ( later to become truly famous as Vikram) .This was done by Mr.Trilok Nair and Mrs.Sharada of Trish Productions.Indeed it was they who took this young lad to Mani and then Roja came......what started as a chinna aasai turned out to be an Oscar aasai. Sharada is Mani's cousin and also hails from a Film background. what a journey...

When the rotay club of madras of which I am a member gave rehman the achievement award , I had a small question and answer session with him. What really struck me was the man's humility and simplicity. His smile is certainly true and from the heart.I am trying to get the "showreel" I made on him with interviews and comments from Mani,K.Balachander,SPB,Hariharan,Valee,Vairamuthu and Chitra. Will try to post it on my you tube channel and let you all know.

அப்பப்பா என்ன வளர்ச்சி. இவர் இருக்கும் திரை உலகத்தில் நானும் இருக்கிறேன் என்பதில் பெருமிதம் அடைகிறேன். இவர் இசை அமைத்த ஒரு பொது தொண்டு படத்தின் தயாரிப்பை சுமார் இருபத்தி ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் நான் உறுப்பினராக இருந்த வட்ட மேஜை 42 செய்தது . இதை இயக்கிய திருமதி சாரதா மற்றும் திரு திருலோக் நாயர் தான் ரஹ்மானை மணி ரதினத்துர்க்கு அறிமுகம் செய்தார்கள் பிறகு ரோஜா இன்று ஆஸ்கர். சமீபத்தில் எங்கள் ரோட்டரி ச்னகத்திற்காக அவருடன் ஒரு கேள்வி பதில் நிகழ்ச்சி ஏற்பாடு செய்து தொகுத்து வழங்கினேன். என்ன ஒரு அற்புத மனிதர் இவர் ? என்ன எளிமை என்ன அடக்கம் ? அந்த மேடையில் தமிழ் ஒலிக்க செய்த இவர் வாழ்க.

அந்த கேள்வி பதில் நிகழ்ச்சியின் பொது வீடியோ எடுத்தார்கள் முயற்சித்து பார்கிறேன் .கிடைத்தால் யு டுப் இல் போடுகிறேன் .