:-)

Miss Wormwood: What state do you live in?
Calvin: Denial
Miss Wormwood: I dont suppose I can argue with that..

Calvin's quotes *always* put a smile on my face :)

"When someone is searching", said Siddhartha, "then it might easily happen that the only thing his eyes still see is that what he searches for, that he is unable to find anything, to let anything enter his mind, because he always thinks of nothing but the object of his search, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed by the goal. Searching means: having a goal. But finding means: being free, being open, having no goal... You, O venerable one, are perhaps indeed a searcher, because, striving for your goal, there are many things you dont see, which are directly in front of your eyes..."

Loved these lines from the book Siddhartha (by Hermann Hesse) that I am reading currently...

Orbis Terrarum Challenge - 2009

Bethany is hosting the challenge once again this year! It has started March 1st and goes on till end of Dec 2009. I had a lot of fun participating in this challenge last year and I even won a book :) It got me interested in a lot of genres and gave a kick to my reading habits! If you want to see the list of books I read as part of this in 2008, here it is.

I am already done with my book for the month of March (A Flight of Pigeons by Ruskin Bond) and will be posting all the reviews of the books I read on my book blog.

Here are the details if you wish to take part in this challenge.

http://orbisterrarumchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/rules-and-regulations.html

Main Challenge Rules:

*The Orbis Terrarum Challenge begins March 1 2009(you are welcome to join later) Through the end of 2009.

*For the challenge each reader is to choose 10 books (for the 10 months).

*Each book must from a different country, I have decided to go by the country of origin of the author, or the country he/she lives in is fine as well.

*You don't have to have a list, that means you can change your mind at any time. As long as there are 10 from 10 different countries, written by 10 different authors: Anything goes.

The bottom line: choose 10 different books, written by 10 different authors, from 10 different countries.

Earth Hour - Do you want to make a difference?

Switch off the lights between 8.30 to 9.30pm on March 28th
For more information and to sign up for the event, visit www.earthhour.org

Two years ago, a movement called Earth Hour was started in Sydney. Millions made a statement by switching off their lights. Just for an hour.This year, on March 28 we the citizens of the Earth, will make a pledge to do the best we can. Earth Hour will reach global proportions!
Close to a billion people from 930 cities across the world will join this show of solidarity against climate change. They would turn off the lights of their homes and offices for an hour between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm (in their respective time zones) to tell the world leaders they want something done... Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and absolutely free!

So, what are your thoughts?

Dev D's music...

I never bothered to listen to the songs from Dev D till I watched the movie recently. The only song that was given limelight in the promos/trailers was 'Emotional Atyachaar' which didnt appeal to me much, though it was different and funny.

But when I watched the movie I realized that it has lovely music - not just one, but a lot of good tracks!!! I would have really missed it out if I hadn't seen the movie. I guess thats why the initial marketing/promos is very important to sell the movie, especially its music. With the busy lives that we all lead, not many of us go buy CD's or download songs of all the movies that release. It's either through word of mouth or something catching your attention in the trailers.... I feel Dev D's music didnt get all the credit it deserves only because one song got all the attention and buzz.... what a waste!

Amit Trivedi, who has earlier composed for the movie Aamir, has made some marvellous tunes for Dev D. He has tried just about everything - rock, pop, bhangra, fusion, classical...and more! There are about 18 sound tracks but I have fallen in love with the 2 songs 'Nayan Tarase' and 'Paradesi'...both are folk fusion tracks. While Paradesi has a slight western touch to it, Nayan Tarase starts with a classical touch and progresses a bit towards rock...Amit gives his own vocals to Nayan Tarase; his voice adds to the lovely music. Toshi (one of the favorites in Star Voice of India show) does an awesome job with the song Paradesi...I absolutely loved his voice.

Some of the other good songs to look out for - Yahi meri zindagi, Saali Khushi, Duniya and Dhol Yara Dhol...

TV Meme

After movies, it's now time for a TV meme :) I found this on Amy's blog and I just couldn't resist myself from posting it here! It's pretty interesting if you enjoy watching sitcoms/TV shows..
(These are answered based on the shows on Star/ZeeCafe... haven't considered any of the Indian TV shows)

1. Name a TV show series in which you have seen every episode at least twice:
Friends, Seinfeld (Most of them), Mind your Language, Different Strokes, Full House, Small Wonder, Who's the Boss, Bewitched... Not just twice, I've watched every episode more than 5 times I guess!!

2. Name a show you can’t miss: Scrubs (As of now)

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to watch a show: I dont think any one actor would make me watch a show... The show must be interesting, funny and good overall

4. Name an actor who would make you less likely to watch a show: None so far!

5. Name a show you can, and do, quote from: FRIENDS!!

6. Name a show you like that no one else enjoys: Hmmm...I guess if you dislike any show you will surely find someone or the other who likes it! So I have no answers :)

7. Name a TV show which you’ve been known to sing the theme songs: I would love to sing the one in Scrubs...though the complete song is not aired on TV...it's there on the DVD :)

8. Name a show you would recommend everyone to watch: Scrubs, for sure! and also Who's Line is it Anyway

9. Name a TV series you own: As of now... Seinfeld, Friends, Scrubs, Sex and the City. Will be adding more soon.

10. Name an actor who launched his/her entertainment career in another medium, but has surprised you with his/her acting choices in television: Can't think of anyone...really!

11. What is your favourite episode of your favourite series? - Both parts are tough to pick! If I consider FRIENDS, then it would be the episode where Ross gets a tan :)

12. Name a show you keep meaning to watch, but you just haven’t gotten around to yet: There are more than one actually.... Grey's Anatomy, Monk, 30 Rocks, Shark

13. Ever quit watching a show because it was so bad? If I can count the reality shows, then it's definitely 'The Moment of Truth' !!

14. Name a show that’s made you cry multiple times: None so far..

15. What do you eat when you watch TV? Hmmm... sometimes dinner else nothing!

16. How often do you watch TV? Everyday! :) Sometimes I leave it on while I blog or read a book...so it's usually there in the background without being given much attention. But I never miss my favorite shows!

17. What’s the last TV show you watched? I'm watching a lot of repeats...So I have no idea which one to pick, really!

18. What’s your favourite/preferred genre of TV? Drama with a pinch of comedy (something like scrubs).

19. What was the first TV show you were obsessed with? Full House (when I was in school)

20. What TV show do you wish you never watched? Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives (had seen an episode of each of them)

21. What’s the weirdest show you enjoyed? Cant think of anything...I have either liked a show or disliked it completely...

22. What TV show scared you the most? Tried watching an episode of X-files long back and it scared me off! Maybe that particular episode was bad!!

23. What is the funniest TV show you have ever watched? Mind your Language.. It's hilarious!!

Movie Meme

It's been almost 3 yrs since I started blogging but I haven't tried even one blogging meme so far! That's strange considering the fact that meme's are pretty common in the blogging world. But not all meme's are fun and I'm too lazy to put in thought and answer all the questions! I found this movie meme today while reading blogs and I really got pulled into it..so I had to post it here! :)

This one is a list of "top 100 greatest american movies of all times" from the AFI (American Film Insititue) list on their 10th anniversary (1998). You highlight the ones that you've seen and add three more of your choice at the bottom.. I've just watched 7/100 which is pathetic!! :( Well..the only solace is that I've seen more of the latest movies than these old ones...so am trying to find a list for that :)

Want to check if you are a movie buff? Then feel free to pick this up and link back to this post or leave a comment!

1. CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2. CASABLANCA (1942)
3. THE GODFATHER (1972)
4. GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
5. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
7. THE GRADUATE (1967)
8. ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
10. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
11. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957)
14. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15. STAR WARS (1977)
16. ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
18. PSYCHO (1960)
19. CHINATOWN (1974)
20. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
21. THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)
22. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
23. THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
24. RAGING BULL (1980)
25. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26. DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
28. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
30. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31. ANNIE HALL (1977)
32. THE GODFATHER PART II (1974)
33. HIGH NOON (1952)
34. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
35. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
37. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)
38. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
39. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
41. WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
42. REAR WINDOW (1954)
43. KING KONG (1933)
44. THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)
45. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951)
46. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)
47. TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48. JAWS (1975)
49. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
52. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53. AMADEUS (1984)
54. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
56. M*A*S*H (1970)
57. THE THIRD MAN (1949)
58. FANTASIA (1940)
59. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61. VERTIGO (1958)
62. TOOTSIE (1982)
63. STAGECOACH (1939)
64. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
65. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)
66. NETWORK (1976)
67. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)
68. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
69. SHANE (1953)
70. THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)
71. FORREST GUMP (1994)
72. BEN-HUR (1959)
73. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74. THE GOLD RUSH (1925)
75. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
76. CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78. ROCKY (1976)
79. THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
80. THE WILD BUNCH (1969)
81. MODERN TIMES (1936)
82. GIANT (1956)
83. PLATOON (1986)
84. FARGO (1996)
85. DUCK SOUP (1933)
86. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87. FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88. EASY RIDER (1969)
89. PATTON (1970)
90. THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)
91. MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951)
93. THE APARTMENT (1960)
94. GOODFELLAS (1990)
95. PULP FICTION (1994)
96. THE SEARCHERS (1956)
97. BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98. UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
100. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)

My 3 picks - ( so that makes it 10/100! )
101. Twelve Angry Men (1957)
102. Trainspotting (1997)
103. The usual suspects (1995)

Book Review: Black Friday - The True Story of Bombay Bomb Blasts

Author: Hussain.S. Zaidi
Pages: 290
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5

The whole world had witnessed the most brutal serial bomb blasts that shook Bombay on 12th March 1993. There have been probably many more such unfortunate events in the city and the rest of the country but this one is supposed to be one such incident, which even today, after more than a decade, can shake the readers as much as it shook the entire nation then. [Click here if you wish to read my complete review]

Rehman does it again!

I have always been a big fan of Rehman's music, from the days of Roja. I can never forget the songs 'Chinna Chinna Aasai..' and 'Pudu Vellai Mazhai...' They'll always remain in my favorite list..

I feel he is one such guy in the industry who has something fresh and unique in every piece of music that he composes. Hmmm...some people are just gifted in life! Waiting for his music does seem worthwhile to me...

After working his magic with 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi...' in JTYJN and winning the Golden Globe award for Slumdog Millionaire, Rehman is back again to pour his charm in Rakesh Mehra's Delhi-6. It has about 10 tracks which is a fusion of various genres. He is never scared of experiementing... you can see a dash of rap, hip-hop, alternative rock and jazz in his compositions. That's the best part of his music, u get variety...!

The promos of Delhi 6 opened with the song 'Masakali..Matakali'. Obviously then it was thought to be the best of the 10 songs... I absoutely loved it!! The music is very playful and chirpy with a fluttery sensation and Mohit Chauhan's (front man of the band Silk Route at one point) voice adds a rustic charm to it and makes it even more desirable...It's sometimes impossible for me to proceed into the album to listen to the rest of the numbers, without playing this on Repeat mode...I just love listening to this over n over again...

I also loved the song 'Arziyan...' which has a Sufi touch to it. It's simplicity, melody and lyrics impeccably echo it's heartfelt emotion... Now, it's kinda difficult to choose the best between these two :)

Let's just hope the movie is not a let down and does as good as it's smashing sountracks!

My Review on Ezine

Ezine articles featured my book review on AIDS Sutra on their website yesterday :) Here's the link to the article - http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1908824



They also added me onto their Expert Author's list, so now I can post more articles there, which am planning to do very soon. If you want to view all the articles or subscribe, you can visit this link - http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pratima_Jayaram

Orbis Terrarum Challenge Winners

Last year, when I got into reading books all over again, I took part in the "Orbis Terrarum Reading Challenge" hosted by Bethany on B&B ex libris in 2008. She announced the winners last week and I am thrilled to be one of them!! :) Eagerly waiting to receive the bookie gifts! It was very nice of her to have agreed to send me those gifts all the way here, though she is based out of US…Thanks Bethany!

On seeing the response to last year's challenge, she has now started a dedicated blog for the OT challenge and plans to host it again this year. Am eagerly waiting to take part in it!

If you would like to know more on the books that I read for this challenge, click here and if you have any books that you want to recommend for this year, don't forget to leave a comment :)

Life is too short...

All of us at some point would have felt that life is short, for we humans..... but for puppies, it way toooooo short! You ask me why am I thinking of puppies suddenly? Well, about 5-6 weeks back a dog (bitch, to be precise) that used to roam around on our street (being well fed by my parents :)) laid 8 puppies right in front of my house, near the gate. They were the cutest set of puppies I had seen; I just loved watching them lying around next to the tree, being nursed by their mom so lovingly.

(Took this pic from my balcony just few days after they were born ... )
It was just about 3 weeks since they were born, when a scorpio went over 2 of the cutest white puppies that were sleeping by the roadside and they were just smashed to death instantly :( I really wonder how a driver can just run over pups sleeping near a tree, not even on the middle of the road! It was a sad sight to see. Their mom now chases every four-wheeler that passes on this road and barks like there is no end. What more can it do?!

Anyways, another pup was taken away by someone (hopefully they are keeping it as a pet!) after a few days. At least it would have got a home to live and wont die coming under some damn vehicle. The 5 remaining puppies grew up to be nice and fat, eating 4 meals a day that my mom feeds them. They are very naughty and keep running around on the road even though we have made a cozy place with a few old carpets near the tree so that they can sleep. Though this is a small cross-road, the number of vehicles passing by is pretty high during the day and there is always a danger of someone running over. It's a pity that they never realize this!!

The saddest part is today evening, a bike (not even a car) went over another pup and it died right in front of my parents eyes. I just came in 10 mins later to see it lying dead. The other one is badly hit and just doesnt open its eyes; but it is still breathing, so we kept it inside a cardboard box and covered it with a small carpet to keep it warm. That's the max that I could do...to just keep it warm in this weather. But seeing its condition, am not sure if it will survive till tomorrow morning.....just keeping fingers crossed! We put the remaining 3 inside the compound so that they are safe, but they just sneak out thru the gate every few minutes...now what more can we do?! :(

It just feels terrible to see only 4 puppies (1 badly injured) remaining out of the initial 8. And it is even worse to see them die right in front of your eyes. Feeling so helpless. I really wish I could do something to keep this injured puppy alive :( But I guess this is the fate of all street dogs... just have to accept it and move on...... sigh!

Book Review: The White Tiger

Author: Aravind Adiga
Pages: 321
My Rating: 4.5/5

This book, the winner of the Man Booker Prize 2008 had generated a lot of curiosity among the readers and I was eagerly waiting to get a hand on it too; wanted to figure out if it was just a hype or there was really some substance in it, worthy of the prize. I picked it up in Dec'08 and nearly took a month to finish because of the hectic work schedule, but if I count the actual number of days I read the book, I have probably taken about 4-5 days...
[Click here to read the complete review]

A quote..

...by Marilyn Monroe. Came across while browsing thru the web and really *loved* this one, so thought of sharing it here..

Check your reaction time

Want to check how fast you react to changes?
Feeling tired or sleepy and want something to wake u up?

Check how alert you are by taking this short 1 minute test (it's more like a game than a test)
It's pretty cool!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/

Orbis Terrarum Challenge - Round up

Am finally done with the OT reading challenge hosted by Bethany. This was my first ever reading challenges and I completely enjoyed it!! If not for this challenge, I would have probably never read books from so many different countries :)

Here's the list of my 9 books with the links to the reviews -
1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)
2. Sister of my Heart - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (India)
3. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)
4. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (Russia)
5. The Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak (Turkey/Armenia)
6. In the Country of Men - Hisham Matar (Libya)
7. Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Adichie (Nigeria)
8. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding (England)
9. After Dark - Haruki Murakami (Japan)

[Click here if you are interested to read more ]

Violet Hill...

This song 'Violet Hill' (Alternate Rock genre) is by the band Coldplay from one of their recent albums Viva la Vida or Death and all his friends (released May 2008). It is supposed to be the group's latest & first single..

I heard bits of it on Zee Cafe yesterday and it really caught my attention, so downloaded it immediately and have listened to it like a zillion times by now! I absolutely loved the music and even the lyrics... During its first radio play, this song is supposed to have gotten about 600,000 downloads!!

I have always loved Coldplay's deep and soulful style.... It's nice to see that the band is still making such wonderful music even after the massive success of A Rush of blood to the Head and X&Y.


Was a long and dark December
From the rooftops I remember
There was snow
White snow
Clearly I remember
From the windows they were watching
While we froze
Down below
When the future’s architecture
By a carnival of idiots on show
You’d better lie low
If you love me
Won’t you let me know?

Was a long and dark December
When the banks became cathedrals
And the fog
Became God
Priests clutched onto bibles
Hollowed out to fit their rifles
And the cross was held aloft
Bury me in honor
When I’m dead and hit the ground
A love back home unfolds
If you love me
Won’t you let me know?
I don’t want to be a soldier
Who the captain of some sinking ship
Would stow, far below
So if you love me
Why’d you let me go?
I took my love down to Violet Hill
There we sat in snow
All that time she was silent still
So if you love me
Won’t you let me know?
If you love me,
Won’t you let me know?

Welcome to the new look!

I was experimenting with templates for my book blog and found this current template which I really liked, so thought of updating this blog as well since I was getting bored with the coffee cup design.. I kinda liked the way it has turned out! :) There's more space for the posts and the sidebar also has 2 columns, so that lets me add more widgets and customize the look of my blog...
It also has a set of links on the header bar which gives it a 'tabbed' look that helps me categorize... Also liked the new blog-roll widget which sorts the blogs based on the most recent updates....

Will add a few more things soon.....enjoy the new look! :)

Book Review: Purple Hibiscus

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Pages: 307
My Rating: 2.5/5

After reading a couple of excellent reviews about this book I decided to pick it up as part of my Orbis Terrarum Challenge. This one is a debut novel of a Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie, who is also the author of 'Half of a Yellow Sun' , winner of the Orange Broadbank Prize for Fiction-2007. Amazon reviews give a rating of 4.5/5 for Purple Hibiscus, but for some reason I just didnt enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Maybe I had very high expecations from it![...Click here to read the complete review...]

Show me the money..

A great article by Thomas.L.Friedman on Obama........... a must read! He always amazes me with his writings!


[President Bush, because he was so easily demonized, made being a free-rider on American power easy for everyone — and Americans paid the price. Obama will not make it so easy.
So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I’m glad you all feel that America “is back.” If you want Obama to succeed, though, don’t just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.....]

Book Review: AIDS Sutra

Author: Multiple Authors (Anthology)
Pages: 345
My Rating: 4.0/5
AIDS Sutra presents a side of India which is rarely seen before. This is one book which needs to be read by a wider audience. It will definitely open your eyes to the harsh realities faced by people in the underdeveloped & underpriviliged societies........[ Click here to read the complete review]

Learning to focus...

Been learning yoga for the past 4 months and I have always had thoughts to write about it, but the posts never made it here, for the lack of time. .... ..... .....

When you first start doing yoga, it seems to be oriented more towards the physical side but gradually you do realize that it has an equal impact on the mind; and slowly you notice that the body and mind start to function in unison...

An hour of yoga typically includes a couple of mins of deep breathing, 5-10 mins of meditation followed by a few mins of pranayam and then the asanas (postures) for the rest of the session. Though it seems like you are spending only about 15 mins on your mind and inner self, gathering thoughts and trying to focus during those initial 5-10mins of meditation is the toughest. And this is what yoga eventually does; it prepares you to sit in this state of silence and balance for a long period of time; that's the ultimate objective of practising yoga, apart from the zillion other health benefits...

It's only when you sit in silence, even for a short while do you notice how stressed your mind is! It's hard to keep your mind still. Just as you sit for meditation, turbulent thoughts flood your mind; the harder you try to gain control, the tougher it gets. It's like trying to fetch some water to drink from a muddy pond...the more you struggle to fill, the more muddy it gets. But allow it to settle down for a while and you'll see the mud settling at the bottom, leaving clean water on the surface. So let the thoughts flow in, give them the time to settle rather than chasing them and you'll soon find that desired calmness, however fleeting it may be.

It is said that finding a point of focus helps to maintain this state for a longer period.....focusing on your breathing or a mental image or chanting holy syllables (jap) verbally/mentally are some things that help. All these techniques render the mind pure, directing the energy inwards and thus helping us find that focus, inner peace and balance...

One more last thing to remember, just like the way our state of mind affects our body, the reverse is also true. Keeping your body absolutely still and physically relaxed also helps calm the mind to a great extent...

One good link that I found - http://www.how-to-meditate.org/

Blister Beetle...

Beetles in the family Meloidae are commonly called Blister Beetles. Here's one that I found a few weeks back - the scientific name is Mylabris quadripunctata

As per wiki, they are known as "blister beetles" because they secrete cantharidin, a poisonous chemical causing blistering of the skin and painful swelling...

Itsy bitsy spider....

Found this 'Giant Wood Spider' (genus Nephila, commonly called Golden Orb Weavers or Banana spiders) last weekend in the outskirts of bangalore. It's interesting to note that there is one more small spider on the web -which is a male, behind this huge female...I didn't figure it out until someone actually pointed it out to me. It's almost 1/100th the size of a female one!! After mating, the female spider eats the male....now, isn't that very interesting?!

Shedding ego..

The Speaking Tree column in sunday's TOI carried this article on shedding ego and enjoying your present. I love reading this space in TOI, it always has something good to offer. No great philosophies... just some food for thought, which if advocated can really bring in noticeable changes within self - in personality and perceptions...

Sometimes a few lines like these is all you need to trigger a change ... .... .......


"When you operate from ego, your relationships will be affected. Ego wants to prove its point of view. The point of view is more important than truth or happiness. In that state, you demand and not command respect. If a couple demands respect from each other, then they are beggars of happiness and not givers of happiness. In the egoistic state, an argument feeds the ego. Remember no one wins an argument. You accumulate more of bitterness and at different periods of time you settle scores with the other. When you operate from the 'higher self', there is a healthy discussion. In discussion, truth is more important than who has said it. Happiness and well-being become more important than the survival of one's point of view. "

"Operate from the 'higher self'. Operate from commitment and not complaint. Let your identity not depend on others. Don't settle scores with others. Create a bliss body and not a hurt body. Learn to expand others' comfort zones and not increase discomfort zones. Learn to convert a sexual act into a prayerful act. Create a learning and rejoicing family. Learn to be a good finder and not a fault-finder. Present your point of view and not impose your point of view. Focus on togetherness and not differences. Let a difference be a learning point and not a fighting point. Let us rise above differences than be victims of differences"

Remembering Calvin'n Hobbes

Hundreds of comic strips have been & keep getting published in newspapers everyday...and not all of them have survived the test of time like Calvin and Hobbes. If I have to pick the best comic I have read so far, it is CnH undoubtedly!! To me, saying that CnH is the 'best strip ever' would be an understatement. It's much beyond that - it's just different! Everytime I read it (and re-read it) I feel so fresh and good..

Most of the daily comics you read will probably just induce those moments of gags and then you forget it...but am sure you'll agree (if u are an avid reader of CnH) that when Watterson created the character of 'Calvin' he had something more in mind, than just fun. Through free-spirited, deeply-imaginative Calvin's character and his endlessly-friendly-and-eternally-bonded stuffed tiger Hobbes, you get such deep intellectual insights about life and friendships, in addition to it being so warm and heartfelt. The theories about life seem so complex yet when Calvin describes them, they seem so simple. There have been situations in life where I have actually remembered some of the CnH strips and it has made a lot of sense and made me feel better too :)

Flip open a page and you will find things like...

Calvin wondering "What is worthwile in life if death is inevitable.."

He asks Hobbes in another - "What is the true meaning of happiness?" Is it money, cars and women? or is it just money and cars?" :)
and more!

Calvin & Hobbes, written by Bill Watterson ran from Nov'1985 -Dec' 1995. When Watterson wrote his final strip, he sent a letter to all the editors of newspapers who featured his strip, which said -

“I will be stopping Calvin and Hobbes at the end of the year. This was not a recent or an easy decision, and I leave with some sadness. My interests have shifted however, and I believe I've done what I can do within the constraints of daily deadlines and small panels. I am eager to work at a more thoughtful pace, with fewer artistic compromises. I have not yet decided on future projects, but my relationship with Universal Press Syndicate will continue. That so many newspapers would carry Calvin and Hobbes is an honor I'll long be proud of, and I've greatly appreciated your support and indulgence over the last decade. Drawing this comic strip has been a privilege and a pleasure, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity.”

Read more about the history of Calvin and Hobbes here

This one is truly a masterpiece and Bill Waterson ...a genius!

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Few of my favorites- (the list is long and it's hard to choose...)

The entire Racoon series (9 strips) ... its so touching! The first strip is below...

and the last strip of the series...

Few other ones ....

Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture

Heard of Randy Pausch? By now am sure most of you would have. This guy who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, had just a few months to live and during this time he delivered his last lecture called "Really achieving your childhood dreams", at Carnegie Mellon University. He compiled this into a book, with a little more of how he went about giving this lecture and leading his life to the fullest. The book is also called 'The Last Lecture' and if you haven't read it, I really suggest you grab a copy today, coz it will fill you with so much wisdom and leave you just amazed! Some of the things he says just get embossed in your mind permanently and the moment you keep the book down, you would want to start living each day as if it was your last...

Click here to read my complete review of the book

If you haven't watched the video yet, here is the youtube link - It's about 1hr and few mins... might seem long but its worth every minute of it!

Blog Analytics..

Been a while since I logged into google analytics for my blog. Interesting to note some of the statistics for this blog in the month of September...

Visitors:
381 Visits from 21 countries/territories
260 Absolute Unique Visitors
62.73% New Visits

Traffic Sources:
25% Direct Traffic
41% Referring Sites
34% Search Engines

Now for the most interesting part :) The top 10 keywords from search engines that people have used to visit this blog....

1. Pratima Jayaram
2. pallavi anupallavi
3. how to do long stitch
4. long stitch embroidery
5. oye amritsar
6. pratima jayaram blogspot
7. isb leadership summit
8. lead india ad
9. lead india advertise
10. pallavi anupallavi review

Thank u all for dropping by... and keep visiting! :)

Book Review: In the Country of Men

Author: Hisham Matar
Pages: 245
My Rating (on a scale of 5):

Click here to read my complete review on the book blog

Review: Rock On

Had written this review for PFC but it didn't get published...so posting it on my blog..

I went to watch this movie not knowing what really to expect, because of the mixed reviews I had received. I was completely taken aback with what I saw and the movie surpassed my expectations to a great extent in multiple aspects! I just LOVED every bit of it. Farhan Akhtar was a total surprise package. With this movie, he has proved that he is not only a good established director but also a good actor and a singer as well. So were Prachi Desai (best known as 'Bani' in Kasam Se on Zee TV), Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny. Prachi brings in a lot of freshness to the role and Purab seems to have a natural flair for comedy.He's got a perfect timing for his dialouge deliveries and the right expressions! Arjun Rampal has managed to give his best performance so far, though he doesnt stand out amongst all others. The movie has its own set of flaws (like slow pace), but it got me so engrossed that I could completely ignore all of those. Finally bollywood has got something good in the music genre to proudly showcase to the West.

Lot of reviews compared this movie to Dil Chahta Hai.I felt it's nothing similar to DCH, other than the fact that the movie is youthful and about a group of friends. Rock On has a totally different message to convey. The focus is not just on friendships; It's more about the 'spirit of winning' or 'following your dreams' and taking that path which is not chosen too often.The movie scores because of its 'Emotional Quotient (EQ)'. The characters were so real; I found myself getting engrossed in those characters and their relatively ordinary lives; I could relate to their dreams, goals, ego clashes, friendships, relationships etc and I feel this is what sets Rock On apart even though the story and flow seems cliched and predictable. The type of narration, with the intersperses of flash backs between the present is handled very well by director Abhishek Kapoor. At no point did I feel confused or left out; rather it made the story more interesting and kept me alert!

The movie's theme is music and the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy show their 'Magik' again! The music is fresh and has that college-band touch to it. Javed Akhtar writing lyrics for a set of Rock songs was another surprise package in the movie! But I must say he has done complete justice to it. The lyrics are very simplistic, meaningful yet hummable and Farhan's nonchalant voice seems to suit them so perfectly well. Farhan's choice of using his vocals was very apt;it really helps him get into the character and blend with it, without looking artificial. The songs fit into the movie well, they enhance the experience and for once they are not there just for the heck of it, to bring in commercial success. Last but not the least, Rock On's music definitely brings in a breath of fresh air to hindi music and Indian rock music as well.

My Book- Blog!

Ah! It's finally ready to be launched ;-) My all new book blog - http://reading-adventures.blogspot.com/ dedicated to books and only books so that I can track all my readings in one place and connect with the huge books community that exists in this blogosphere!

I have copied all my existing book review posts from here to there so that they are all available in one place. Henceforth I'll be posting all my book reviews on the new blog. So all you book enthusiasts who had bookmarked this blog, plz update your links and do let me know how you like it :)

happy reading!

Ek Tithli...Anek Thithliya..

A saturday morning well spent!
No idea about the ID's of these butterflies...so I'll leave you guys with just these photos to feel good :)

Common Jezebel

Review: A Wednesday

There are very few movies that leave a lasting impression on our minds and keep us thinking for days after watching it. This was one such movie. It's been a week since I watched it and I noticed myself thinking and discussing about it even today...

When I saw the promos, I knew I wouldn't want to miss this one, mainly becoz there were 2 of the most versatile actors in hindi cinema - Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, and it was not the usual run-of-the-mill bollywood movie. Both their performances in the movie are commendable. Naseeruddin Shah steals the show with his effortless and superlative performance in every scene and Anupam Kher matches him stride by stride, in the role of a police officer.

For those of you who haven't watched, there are no spoilers ahead, so dont worry :)
The plot deals with the current state of terrorism in India and how it has affected the normal day-to-day lives of people, the fear it has created, the attitude of the government and police force, and above all - the whole meaning of democracy. The movie makes a point through its story, and it makes it strongly. It stays focused through out, keeping it short and to the point and thats what makes it effective and most appealing. No nonsense of unnecessary songs, dance and other crap needed for commercial success (One of the reasons why this may not be successful at the box office!). The climax leaves you with a lot of open questions and throws open multiple debates - legal, moral and social...all of which will leave u pondering for a long time!
There have been a lot of movies in the recent times which have dealt with the spread of terrorism in India.. So what's different about this one? It gives a fresh perspective to the issue..something which no other director had probably thought of; as a common (wo)man this perspective had NEVER crossed my mind for sure!!

It's undoubtedly an impressive debut by the director Neeraj Pandey, who gives us a parallel perspective which is much needed in the current cirumstances of growing terrorism...

Macro...

Give and Take...

For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life

And to the flower a bee is a messenger of love

And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving is a need and an ecstasy.

- Kahlil Gibran

A macro shot that I took during the flower show at Lalbagh last month....loved it! :)

Fight Club

I would see raised eyebrows when friends asked me 'have u watched fight club?' and my answer was - No! I had heard some people talk so passionately about this movie that I used to wonder what's this all about?! After watching it, I do agree with all these reviews that I have heard... I felt the movie is too complicated to follow in one shot, but I was glad I had someone along to resolve my confusions! I would love to watch it a couple of more times; am sure I'll appreciate it more and get a better understanding of the plot, every time I see it!

"How much do u know about yourself until u have been in a fight?" is the punch line of fight club. The raw-animalistic-instincts for survival, the rush of emotions and rollercoaster experience that surface in a fight forms the core of this movie...

I wont get to the details of the plot..it can be found doing google search :) What I liked about the movie is that it's a fast paced non stop journey, bringing a rush of adrenalin, with stunning performances by Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. Never once did I notice a slack where I could just take off my attention from what's happening... a thorough entertainer


I really wonder how hollywood comes up with such wonderful, thought provoking movies!!

Phoolon ke rang se....

Some pics that I took at the Lalbagh flower show -2008 which happened sometime last week in blore.. It was a great experience! Lovely collection of flowers, a lot of varieties and pretty well organized...

Dont ask me to identify the flowers, I still haven't done enough research to figure out the names :)


I got this one - Dianthus Barbatus

Book Review: Lolita

Author: Vladimir Nabokov

Phew! I finally finished reading this book... took me almost 2 full months, not becoz I had no time but 'coz it's one of the weirdest books I've read so far. I was determined though, to read the book till the last page just so that I dont end up missing out on something. I've read a lot of good reviews on this book so I'm not going to say it's bad - but it just wasn't my type or maybe I just didnt know how to approach the book! I ought to accept that I had a tough time reading it....

English is not english when it's written by Vladimir Nabokov. This is the first time that I couldn't grasp too much from a book written in english :) It's like learning a new language. It reminded me of my GRE/GMAT preps when I used to go thru the huge word list and wonder who on earth would really use those long-complex words! Now I know who does ;-) But I really appreciate the choice of words that the author uses. If you go dig it up in a dictionary, you'll realize that no other word could describe what he means, in a better way. It's that appropriate!

The book is in a first person narrative. One of the weirdest stories I've ever read. Not acceptable on moral grounds; I just couldn't digest it. It's about Humbert Humbert, an adult-middle-aged guy who is obsessed with nymphets. He goes as a lodger in one of the lonely widow's house where he gets attracted to her 12 yr old daughter - Lolita. He marries the widow so that he gets to stay close to Lolita. After his wife's death, he seduces his 12 year old step-daughter and has an "affair" or to be precise, a sexual relationship with her for nearly 2-3 yrs.

The author does know that such relationships are not acceptable by rational human beings and he brings out this acceptance through Humbert's character. He describes very well, how Humbert's and Lolita's conscience are at work...thru all this, and more importantly what effect this whole thing has on young Lolita's mind and her life. Due to the subject matter, the book was very difficult to read at times - all boundaries of ethical behavior crossed..

The story is definitely compelling and something that can really give you goose bumps, but I wish it was written in a simpler way so that I could understand and appreciate it better! But as of now, I guess I wouldn't really recommend the book ... unless, of course you are someone who is experimental in literature and wants to read a book that is very differently written!

The challenge list -
1. Sister of my heart- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (India)
2. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)
3. A thousand splendid suns - Khalid Hosseini (Afghanistan)
4. The Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak (Turkey/Armenia)
5. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (Russia)
6. To kill a mocking bird - Harper Lee (USA)
7. The Conservationist- Nadine Gordimer (South Africa)
8. One hundred years of solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Columbia)
9. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (Australia)

The moment of truth

One more addition to the band of reality shows these days! I watched this new show which premiered in Asia on star world yesterday. Hosted by Emmy nominated Mark Walberg, the show is all about telling the truth and winning money - upto US$500,000!! Well, who wouldn't want to take a shot at this then? ;-) The hitch here is that the contestants are strapped to a lie detector to validate the answers. Prior to the show, each contestant is asked about 50 qns by a polygraph expert who records the answers but its not revealed to the contestants. During the actual show, 21qns out of these 50 are asked randomly and for each answer that is TRUE the contestant wins money and moves ahead. The questions get more and more embarassing and personal, as you move up the ladder.. Also, there will be a surprise guest who can come and ask the question to the contestant... that could be the person's father, mother, friend, wife..or anyone for that matter and ask just about anything.... good opportunity to get the truth out? :)

Though it seemed like some new concept, how real can this reality show get?! Everyone of us have our own secrets; everyone of us would have lied to people close to us at some point...maybe for the good or bad.. So would someone be willing to expose their deep down dark secrets on national television, infront of their family and loved ones?? Yesterday's show had some questions like -
- Have you ever cheated on your wife?
- Have you flirted with other women after marriage?
- Have you ever lied to get a job? etc...
Even though its a game show, the fact that they claim there is a lie detector does make it sound authentic... The show does get uncomfortable and shocking at times. I wonder would someone be willing to risk their precious relationships in life for about 1.5millions?!! Especially when trust forms such an important aspect of any relationship.....Well, am sure there are people who would, for whatever reasons...coz the show is on :)

Well here's something that Walberg has to say -
“Many times I ask them if the money is worth the pain you are causing. And they would say it’s not the money. I think people come on the show to reveal things they won’t say at home"


Interesting!!


Here's a small clip of one of the contestant's game - watch it...its fun!

Books & Reading...

A friend fwded the link to this video yest and I so really loved it!!!! It's just abt 1min long but never fails to impress u..everytime u watch. I wish I could write something like this!!!

One movie...

Ah! So that post yesterday did really do the trick ;-) I do feel like writing about something finally!

I actually came across this post through my google reader in the morning and I found it pretty interesting! So as per that blog...
If somebody told you that he/she is allowed to watch just one more movie in his/her life. Just one. Which movie would you recommend to that person?

I have been trying to pick one, but it's harder than I thought it would be! First of all, there are so many good movies on my 'to be watched' list that are highly recommended. So my list wouldn't be that vast, nevertheless...from the top of my head, I picked out 3 and I am trying to decide among The Godfather, As good as it gets and Little Miss Sunshine.

It would probably be 'As good as it gets'...the movie really touched me and I have seen it multiple times and wouldnt mind watching it again... amazing direction, story, acting, with a good sense of humor...

What would it be for you? Note that, it can be from any language... no restrictions!

Blogger's block...

Experiencing the "Blogger's block" syndrome...Hope to be out of it soon! I thought at least this post will trigger something and make a start.. :)

Any tips?

The New Champ

Increased heart rate, high blood pressure and a bit of acidity - the effects of yesterday's Nadal v/s Federer match!! I can't remember being so nerve wrecked for a tennis match before...This Wimbledon final, supposed to be the longest men's final in the history of wimbledon, didn't let me sleep a wink till the last serve of the match, irrespective of multiple rain delays. (This didn't seem like an unwanted interruption though, coz I got to watch the replay of another enthralling wimbledon final - Borg v/s McEnroe. I was just a couple of years old when this happened, so I was glad I got to see that match :-) A pair of true champions undoubtedly!! )

This was one match where I didn't know whom to favor, both seemed to be my favorites and I would be disappointed if either of them lost, coz Federer is undoubtedly one of the best players i've seen, and winning a 6th wimbledon title would re-iterate that..and Nadal is the only guy who has really tried hard to give a tough fight to Federer over the last couple of years. But finally I was delighted that Nadal managed to win, coz I think he truly deserved the trophy...right from the first set, you could see his 200% effort in each and every single shot that he played - he was there to just WIN and that's what he achieved finally!! Nadal, on being asked how did he feel on collapsing on the center-court after defeating the five-time-champion, said "It's impossible to describe it no?"... am sure it is, absolutely no words!!

An ever green bollywood song, from the movie Masoom (1983).... with Gulzar at his best and music by R.D Burman... I fall in love with it every time I listen to it...!! Hard to find such music and lyrics these days...
I love both the male and female versions of the song... but the one in Lata Mangeshkar's voice is too good... her voice itself adds that golden touch to the song, so soothing....

tuz se naaraaj naheen jindagee
hairaan hoo main
tere maasoom sawaalon se
pareshaan hoo main

jeene ke liye sochaa hee nahee
dard sanbhaalane honge
muskuraye to, muskuraane ke
karza utaarane honge
muskuraoo kabhee to lagataa hai
jaise hothhon pe, karza rakhaa hain

Update on OT challenge...

Not too happy with myself on the progress of my book readings :( Lost the momentum; this month was again very slow. Haven't finished even 1 book completely. Not sure if the books that am picking are not holding my interest or the other things in life are distracting me... whatever it is, it's not good for my own goal that I have set - to read at least 25 books by end of this year... thats on an avg 2 per month, which is not too hard! How I arrived at this number? Just random! :)
Update on my OT list - modified the list a bit, coz I didnt like a couple of books which I had originally decided upon... My last book was on Turkey/Armenia, depicted in the map below (I love this tool that I found to create colorful maps!) Armenia is that small portion in dark brown next to Turkey (in orange)

1. Sister of my heart- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (India)
2. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)
3. A thousand splendid suns - Khalid Hosseini (Afghanistan)
4. The Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak (Turkey/Armenia)
5. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (Russia) ........ in progress
6. To kill a mocking bird - Harper Lee (USA)
7. The Conservationist- Nadine Gordimer (South Africa)
8. One hundred years of solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Columbia)
9. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (Australia)

(Click on the book names to read the reviews..)

More photos..

Both pics taken with my Canon point and shoot A85! So i guess they are good enuf ;)

Macro of a flower... not sure which one this is

Dove..

On the top...

..... of my current playlist

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi ... (Jane Tu Ya Jane Na)
- An AR Rahman composed number from the movie 'Jane Tu Ya Jane Na' with playback by Rashid Ali makes it a very different song altogether (Rashid's voice quality really suits the tempo and mood of the song) Unlike the recent ARR songs, this one is a fast and peppy number and really gets addictive...It's a typical Rahman number; I call it 'typical' coz you have to listen to the song a few times before you fall in love with it! I feel Rahman has done a *great* job with this song, something very different compared to Swades, Jodha Akbar kinda music... (which too are my favorite ofcourse!) I suggest u listen to the song at least 3-4 times before qualifying it as 'not good' in one shot :)

Koi aane wala hai... (Strings)
- Title song from their new album 'Koi aane wala hai' released last month; the paki band doesnt disappoint their fans yet again with this new release, after Duur and Dhani. Faizal, the lead singer really does have a golden voice and I just love it! The music video has John Abraham featuring as an angel....an attempt to add a stint of glamour! It did work before, he and Sanjay Dutt featured along with the band for one of the songs in Zinda....

The Bastard of Istanbul

Author: Elif Shafak

My reading momentum had come down suddenly over the last few weeks. Am back again now with the review and more books lined up by the bedside :)

After Pakistan and Afghanistan, this book which I picked up is about Turkey/Armenia. This was not on my original list but after coming across several good reviews, I was keen on reading it. Here, Elif Shafak deals with the age old cultural dissonance that exists between the Turks and Armenians, through a complex story of two families. She indicates how even a 50-60years old history can have a strong impact on the present lives of people. In Istanbul (as well as in parts of U.S.A), the Turks and Armenians still co-exist with mutual uneasiness and hatred; with the act of genocide (during the Ottoman empire) still fresh in the memories of the Armenians whereas the Turks feel no such continuity with their ancestors or the past.

Asya, labelled a 'bastard' since her birth, born when her mother was just 19yrs old, in a household full of women in Istanbul, grows up as a rebellious young Turkish woman, with the identity of her father shrouded till the end. Her only uncle who has immirated to America has an Armenian-American step-daugther called Armanoush (Amy), who later comes to Istanbul to stay in Asya's house, in search of her 'Armenian past'. Though the relationship between these 2 girls is strained, they soon become friends, intrigued by each other's culture. And during this quest, a lot of secrets tracing back to 1915 are discovered which really make the story gripping. There's a lot to learn about the Turkish-Armenian struggle history and the genocide especially, through the story of these 2 familes.

I took a longer time than expected to finish this book coz I felt it became very slow in the middle. Also, the author's writing style was quite different. There were different un-related parts of the story which were told together and I couldn't make much sense of it at that point and would lose track and end up being confused. But towards the final few chapters I could see it all come together! I really loved the book for this reason. Every small detail that was mentioned till then, just fell into place and the ending just left me awestruck!!! I didn't want to write the review as soon I completed the book, wanted that feeling to sink in and see if I really did enjoy it. Even now when I think about it, though it bored me a bit in the middle, I still love it for the complexities depicted in a very nice way!

Elif Shafak was prosecuted and acquitted in Turkey for insulting Turkishness by referring to the "millions" of Armenians "massacred" by "Turkish butchers" who "then contentedly denied it all." But finally the case was dismissed and she was back home and not in jail...

Pallavi Anupallavi..

Every time I watch a Mani Ratnam movie, my admiration for him as a director increases. Then how could I miss his directorial debut?! I’ve tried real hard to get hold of this Kannada movie for a very long time (almost 1 or 2 yrs!). Finally managed to find the VCD and watched it yesterday. Released in 1983, the movie stars Anil Kapoor (supposed to be the bollywood actor’s debut too) and Lakshmi (better know by the movie Julie) in the leading roles and music composed by Illaiyaraja. Couldn’t have asked for anything better :)

The movie is about this guy Vijay (Anil Kapoor) and his relationship with 2 women. He falls in love with one and later due to circumstances meets the other lady who is married, with a kid but separated from her husband and develops a great bond of trust and friendship with her. But he is confused and treads the fine line between trust and attraction amidst societal pressures. The ending of the movie is the best. Mani Ratnam has his own style... just like every other movie of his, the ending is very realistic and not just the 'all's-well-and-happy' ending.

Mani Ratnam weaves so many sub-plots in the movie which are very subtle yet so powerful. The movie is shot in Bangalore and Madikeri (Coorg). It's really a treat to see old Bangalore in the 80's (with so much greenery of course!); the photography and cinematography are awesome and add to the texture of the movie. Illaiyaraja's music is a magical melody, it just mesmerizes you and leaves you craving for more- listen to the song ' Naguva Nayana.....' and you'll know what I'm trying to say! Last but not the least I have to mention that Lakshmi has given a powerful performance which is commendable. Though Anil Kapoor was very good, he didnt create an impact 'coz I have seen much better performances from him in bollywood movies later.

All in all, a wonderful movie and truly a Mani Ratnam classic!

Macros..

My first two (pretty good) macro shots.... I'm thrilled! :)

The world is enlightened.. :)

Beer? Maybe, maybe not!

For those of you who thought beer is a very healthy drink , here's something that might put you on second thoughts.

http://www.littleabout.com/2008/05/23/beer-increases-the-risk-of-developing-pancreatic-cancer/

According to this study, beer is known to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Obviously, it does indicate that the risk is higher for heavy drinkers, so I am assuming that a mug of beer once a while should still be safe.... but who knows?!

Unaccustomed Earth

Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

This book, from the author of 'Interpreter of Maladies' and 'The Namesake' is one of the nicest short story collections that I've read so far. It's hard to pick which one is better, 'Interpreter of Maladies' or 'Unaccustomed Earth', both of which are collection of short stories, but I still favour this one a little more.

Lahiri is one of the finest Indian authors that I've come across. She has something new to offer in every book and every story of her's. Her style of writing is very unique (with her attention to detail she creates a lasting image in your mind), thought provoking and gripping; none of her stories have a perfect ending, it leaves you thinking at the end... always, and that's what brings it close to reality coz more often than not, you dont see a 'perfect end' to situations in life.

Unaccustomed Earth, is again a set of 8 short stories intrically woven with their themes...Bengali families who have migrated to US of A. That's the author's focus in all her books, but each story has something different to offer.... Be it a daughter's dilemma whether to give shelter to her father after her mother passed away, discovering some secrets during the time he comes to visit her; or a married woman falling in love with a stranger who comes to stay with them and becomes a family friend, only to be discovered by her daugther much later in life; or a sister trying to help her alcohol addicted brother who is rejected by his family and the society but at the end starts doing it herself, Lahiri has mastered the intricacies of human emotions and put it across in the most simple and subtle way.

The first part is a set of 5 distinct stories and the second part, is a set of 3 intertwined stories forming a trilogy - where two people (Hema and Kaushik) meet at different stages in their lives - during childhood, in their teenage and later in their 30's. The ending is very touching, though somewhat contrived.

The only criticism would be that she tends to get a little melodramatic sometimes in her narrations and becoz of the only central theme she uses - NRI bengali families who are academic over-achievers (everyone is a PhD), economically prosperious and always in mixed marriages, the stories sometimes seem to lack variations.

Nevertheless, I still rate this book 4.5/5 and highly recommend it. It is well worth the time...

Oye! Amritsar...

This restaurant on church street(located above Ruby Tuesday), is something that I'd heard of a lot and been recommended even more.... I read loads of reviews about it before going there for lunch today, and that set the expectations high...and I surely was not disappointed. A very small place, with hardly 10-12 tables and no hi-fi ambience(a mock roof-top dhaba), all this place has to offer is its awesome authentic punjabi food which is it's USP (unique selling point). The very first thing that I can think about, when I think of this restaurant is it's lassi, served in a monstrously huge glass.... very tasty.. and it can almost compensate for a full course lunch, coz I had to almost eat the lassi rather than drink it :)

(Photo courtesy: google search)
The food was extremely good,a treat to your taste buds.....it defnitely leaves u craving for more! They have a wide variety on the menu but I would recommend the lunch buffet coz it reduces the pain of ordering and you get to taste a lot of their good stuff. The service was very good and fast even though the place was very crowded, but if you go without reservations, then you have to bear with the agony of a long wait.

The buffet was 175Rs and with a-la-carte, a meal per person will be about 250Rs (without drinks). The price is slightly towards the higher side but considering that they are offering a cuisine which is not so common (and authentic ofcourse!) in b'lore, it doesnt seem expensive and it's definitely worth it!! Something you shouldn't miss for sure...

You can read a really good review about this place on Bangalore Metblogs (with nice pictures)

Jhumpa Lahiri...

It's strange that I am currently reading 3 books simultaneously, somehow ended up starting all 3 and it's all going parallel now...so will take time to finish and post all the reviews! One of it is Jhumpa Lahiri's latest - Unaccustomed Earth - a collection of short stories. I have finished half the book, and it's so amazing that I love her writings all the more now.. While browsing about the book and the author, I came across this exclusive author's interview, which is quite nice (Link at the end..)

It's interesting to note that she came up with some of the stories in this new collection nearly a decade before.... authored 'The Namesake' in between and now actually completing those old stories!! 'Hema and Kaushik' is a trilogy in this new short stories collection, which she is referring to below...

Lahiri: It began in a staggered way, with Kaushik and Hema. The first of the stories in that series, "Once in a Lifetime," is a story from about ten years ago that I started and never finished. The characters had those names, though.
They were characters that first entered my mind about a decade ago. I thought about them, and I had a very vague sense of them and their world, their situations and their families. The earliest incarnation was the idea of the story of their two sets of parents who are at once very close and very different.
I was trying to write about Kaushik's family moving back to India and then moving back yet again, and staying with Hema's family. That was always the kernel, this strange couple of months in both their lives, in which they're all crammed into one household.
That was the idea, but at the time I never knew why exactly the family had come back; I hadn't yet figured it out. Those are the earliest characters in the book, and eventually, many years later, I returned to that draft (if you could call it that — it was just a few pages) and was able to work on it again and move forward and finish the story.
That's how it began technically, I suppose. Then I wrote The Namesake, in between, and then started up with some of the other stories. "Hell-Heaven" I had first started while I was writing The Namesake. Sometimes a story idea comes to me and I loosely write it or half-write it or quarter-write it. So when I was finished with The Namesake, I turned to these other ideas. I went back to Hema and Kaushik, and went back to "Hell-Heaven." The other stories just followed, one by one. "

And for all those people who think that the final-product of writing is usually those initial-thoughts that come into mind, then here's something to contradict that....

Jill: How much do you revise, generally?
Lahiri: That's really all I do. It's all a process for me of continued revision. I worked on most of the stories in this book for several years. When I finished some, and I published some, along the way, then I considered them done, but I still worked on them for a considerable length of time, and the ones I didn't publish, I continued to work on. Most of these stories were simmering for two to three years, minimum.

Read the full interview here

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Here is the link to the author's offical website. He has a blog in there too, pretty interesting.

After reading 'The Kite Runner', there was no way I would have missed out on this one. A couple of reviews that I had read initially indicated that this book is very similar to the the previous one and has nothing different to offer. That put me off a bit, but am glad I still picked it up, coz it was amazing in its own way!

Without writing much about the plot, I would like to say that Khaled Hosseini really does know how to make your heart ache!! The last 2 days when I read this book during bedtime, I found it hard to sleep...some of the things described in the book really haunted me, day and night. If the very description of Taliban and life in Afghanistan could make me go thru this, I wonder how people in there would have endured it all... I have foregone hours of sleep, just so that I get to read one more chapter, and that never ends... hard to keep the book down.

The author's style of writing is something that I enjoyed - very clear, simple and effective. The way he has described the emotions of the two women in the story, a peek behind the burqa, is really commedable.....In one of the lines he writes about friendship, which I felt was nicely expressed - "Boys, Laila came to see, treated friendship the way they treated the sun: its existence undisputed; its radiance best enjoyed, not beheld directly"

I will definitely remember this as one of 2007's best novels and would look forward to reading more of his books..

Update on Orbis Terrarum Challenge...

'Orbis Terrarum' in latin means 'the whole world' or 'globe of the world'.. I've just finished 2 books as per my list and on to the third one now.. It's interesting to note how you can travel to different parts of the world and learn about various countries and its cultures by reading books...I 'm loving it!!

Got this idea of showing the world map from Ramya's blog... but managed to get a picture of my own though ;-) The map just made me realize how limited my reading has been and how vast the world is! :)

Updated list:

1. Sister of my heart- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (India)

2. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan)

3. A thousand splendid suns - Khalid Hosseini (Afghanistan)

4. Kafka on the shore - Haruki Murakami ( Japan)

5. Reading Lolita in Tehran- Azar Nafisi (Iran)

6. To kill a mocking bird - Harper Lee (USA)

7. The Conservationist- Nadine Gordimer (South Africa)

8. One hundred years of solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Columbia)

9. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (Australia)