Madrasapattinam

I am back! and that too with a wonderful movie. I simply loved this movie by Vijay. Though his first venture Kreedom was not  a success and i marvelled at the intense emotions in the movie. Back to this movie, this is one of the finest movie in recent times where masala movies have been dominating the industry.

The opening of the movie very much reminded movie of the Love saga Titanic as the now-old-heroine narrates the story and the presence of a granddaughter. Unlike Titanic, this is a period movie which tells the love between a white lady and a common  who lived at the bank of The Koovam River. The movie feels so real and you connect to the story and the characters despite the settings of the movie which is set 1940s. unlike most period movies, this movie does not dwell on the fights and conflicts to seek independence. Though the conflicts are here and there,an intense love story is woven to the plot and evident throughout the movie. Kudos to the art director who has brought back Madras giving us a glimpse of the 1940s India. Every single frame looks so real and beautiful in the movie especially the trams and central station.

As far as the acting department is concerned, every one has done their part. But the surprise package is certainly Amy Jackson who has done a splendid performance. Her acting is undeniably excellent leaving us yearning to see her more on the screen. She looks stunning, graceful and delivers well despite the language barrier. She is so convincing that you tend to believe such a tender and graceful lady can fall in love with young man with golden heart.Her scenes linger in you even after the movie ends. The lady who plays the old Amy Jackson is very convincing and relates well to the characters. Arya is one fine actor and here he proves again. He fits the bill as a strong young man who fights aggressively and loves unconditionally. The part where he learns English is very cute and your hearts go out to him during the climax.

The music by GV is wonderful and i am still in love with the song Pookal Pookum. The other songs are brilliant too. But the feelings in the song Pookal Pookum song is adapted well onto the scene. And that is my personal favourite as my day begins with the song and ends with that too. Bravo to Vijay who has given one of the finest movies of late.Madrasapattinam -Beautiful

Raavanan : Album of the year??

Finally the long wait is over and the most awaited album is out.Maniratnam-A.R.Rahman-Vairamuthu has always been a rocking combo and therefore a lot hype and expectations were placed on this album. Though the album is not disappointing i do not think it matches their previous standards. In fact this combo's last venture that i enjoyed maximum is Alaipayuthe. Kannathil Muthamittal, Ayutha Eizhutu, and Guru did not interest me much for those were not musical subjects. As such, Raavanan album is more folkish and understandably so as the story is set in a forest. Some A.R.Rahman fans are disappointed with the titles such as, usure poguthe, keda kari, kaatu sirukki but i believe the titles are so because of the setting. We can't expect a man who resides in forest to sing Hosanna upon seeing his dream girl, can we? But still. it's kind of obvious that the Hindi version is given more importance as at some points, the lyrics are ill fitted. May be the hindi scoring was done first and then Tamil lyrics are fitted into the music. The same thing happened with Guru album where only Aaruyire and Venmegam were the only songs which catered to the Tamil audience. But that could be attributed to the fact that it was Dubbed movie whereas it is totally a different case with Raavanan. But Rahman's USP is his music slowly grows on you. So it's still too early to shun certain songs.

USURE POGUTHE
This is the rocking number in this album and my personal favourite. You will instantly fall in love with the song. It's starts slowly but grips you once Karthik starts singing. His soulful rendition is the USP of this song. He deserves an award for his rendition. He captured the soul of the song and it is so alive!The lyrics are awesome. The yearning and agony of a man who falls in love with a forbidden fruit is awesomely captured. Especially the first 4 lines of the song is marvellous.The only negative side is that, this song reminds you of the Jail song in Boys.

KEDA KARI
This song is a celebration song, reminds me of Yaaro yaarodi as it is a wedding song. Though the background score reminds me of one of his songs in Jodha Akbar (Azeem-oh-shan), this song is a foot tapping songs. The lyrics are funny with the girls teasing the guys. Rehana and Tanvi have done a good job in this song. Another enjoyable song.

KODU POTTA
I think Vikram sings this song with his men in the movie. Benny Dayal is at his best though i read the Hindi version is better. Since i have not heard the Hindi version, i'm voting for Benny Dayal. Though, it's  a foot tapping song i do not see anything magical in this song. At points, the music seems to be too loud and choppy  that it's kind of hard to catch the lyrics.A decent song

VEERA
This must be the introductory song for Veera. Be it any type of movie, i do not prefer hero's introductory songs especially Vijay's. But this is different in the sense it is a tribal song i guess. This song glorifies Veera and the lyrics touches about Raman as well as Raavanan and justifies Raavanan. The rustiness of the song gives it an unique flavour and certainly another chart buster.

KAATU SIRUKKI
Another Rahman type of song which is my current favourite. You can fall in love with the song instantly for it is something special. A good song for Anuradha Sriram who has deviated from quality songs to kuthu songs. This song brings out the sweetness in her voice. Shankar Mahadevan is at his best in this song.The seductive music and lyrics are sensuous added by the very experienced singers who bring the song to another level. A sure chart buster and will be there on the lists for long.

KALVARE
Another beautiful song from a beautiful singer Shreya Goshal. She has a honey coated voice and Rahman has utilised it maximum in this song. A pretty lady like Ash dancing for Shreya Goshal's voice must be a wonderful sight. This is a slow melody that at times i feel it's too slow. But Kudos to Shreya whose pronunciation of Tamil is near perfect.

On the whole, this is not the best album and certainly a beautiful album with a lot of folkish songs. Personally, i expected a better album from this combo. Out of the 6 songs, 4 songs are instantly likable and hopefully others will grow on you slowly. Whatever it is, Maestro still rocks.

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Amma, Happy Mother's Day to you. I am sad i could not be with you today but wishes are with you. I will make it up for you. Thanks for being my pillar of strength especially this past few months crying with me and laughing with me. I always compare you with other mums and criticize you as badly as i could. But deep in my heart i know i am what i am today because of you. Had you been the other mothers that i compare you with, probably i would not have achieved anything. I am sorry for all the pain and disappointments that i have caused you. Love you amma.

Latest Updates...

It has been quite very long since i updated my blog. Well, the good news is that i am officially a graduate now. On last 14th, i successfully obtained my degree in Sydney. 2 years ago, we friends made a promise to fly to Sydney for our convo regardless of our posting and financial turbulence and as promised we made it. This trip is one of the closest trip to my heart. Though, the disappointment of not having family members during my convo was there, i cherished every moment of it. The journey was extremely tiring as i had to wait for 6 hrs in KLIA and 3 hrs in Changi due to unavoidable reasons.

However, the 8 hrs journey to Sydney was the shortest i would say thanks to my dear friend. During  our college days, we had killed a whole night talking and updating each other on whatever happened in 1 week holiday that we were apart. So, recently when  we met in d flight we had 5 months story to tell and thus in that 8 hrs journey, we managed to catch only little sleep. In fact, the very moment we settled down in our seats we became oblivious to the world around us. The poor guy who was seated next to us immediately put on his headphone and dozed off, trying to escape our torturous 'discussion'. Consoling each other on the various experience that we had gathered in these 5 months and laughing at each other's silliness relaxed me personally. That very moment it struck me, how much i have missed her. (If you are reading this, I missed you a lot and thanks for being a shoulder to cry on :))

Our stay there was very comfortable despite the itsy bitsy things which occasionally pissed me off. No major changes in Sydney in these 2 years except the transport fare which actually is a major change. The graduation went smoothly and i must agree that i was enveloped by a weird feeling the moment i got on to the stage to shake hand with the chancellor, may be it was a sense of accomplishment ? After graduation, i had good time in Sydney till i reached Malaysia.

Apart from the graduation, one thing i can never forget is my experience of being stranded in Seremban. After returning from Sydney, i had to report to work on the next day. Unlike usual, i wanted to take a bus from Seremban to Rompin. Much to my shock, once i arrived at Terminal 2 Seremban, i was told that i had to go to Terminal 1 and only 1 bus goes to Rompin from there. For a person who had never been to Seremban , that place was very alien for me. Already having to drag my monster luggage bag with some other bags, i was literally fuming when a few Indian guys there tried to irritate me. After walking up and down with the bags, i was told to take another bus to Terminal 1. There was a group of Indian guys again there with me waiting for the bus, occasionally teasing me . When the bus came, i struggled so much to carry those bags inside the bus, and of all the guys there was not a single gentleman offered a help especially the pranksters. That was so disappointing!

Then once i reached, Terminal 1 as i got to the aisle to get down a group of guys climbed into the bus pushing me aside. I was standing at the aisle holding on to the bags while people were so engrossed in getting into the bus, squeezing me to aside. At that time i was at the verge of bursting out still i tried to keep calm as i am not a person who can vent out anger in public. But those people had no civic awareness or whatever, and did not bother to give a space to get down from the bus. That was a sickening sight of Malaysians. So , i was stuck in the middle not being able to get down. Finally i burst out, shouted at the people reaaaaly loudly asking them to stop pushing and let me get down first. Imagine the whole 'night-market noise' died on the spot and there was a pin-drop silence. Then, i stumbled to get the bag when finally a young gentleman got the message and he came up took my bag and carried it down. At least there was a gentleman! I just don't understand our people's mentality. No civic awareness at all. Smoking in food outlets, spitting everywhere, and rudeness  are very sickening. Well, back to the story. I could not get the ticket and had no one in Seremban. Panic stricken, finally i sought shelter with my brother, and had to skip work on Monday. That was too much drama for me to handle. And i learnt my lesson as well.

The Connection between Our Soul and Beach

I went to beach early this morning with my housemate to watch sunrise.I have never watched a sunrise sitting at a beach before but i yearned for it for long and God Grace got the opportunity to do so. What is it about the beach that can bring the child in us out, heart leaping and a smile on our lips? It felt so perfect and i wished the world would stand still for few seconds and let the ever-on run people to pause few minutes and embrace the loveliness of nature and convey a sense of appreciation for this wonder of the nature. I have always felt the waves are trying to communicate with us, and listening to them hushing early morning is an unexplainable sensation. World is beautiful indeed.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya- a genuine opinion

Disclaimer: This is not a professional review and is merely my one-cent worth thoughts of the movie.

I love romantic movies. If I were given a wide genres and language of movies to pick a movie to watch, undoubtedly it would be a romantic movie regardless of the language. That explains my favourite movie list which is 90% dominated by romance stories. This is one of the many reasons why I waited for VTV for so long. I am no big fan of Simbhu. I was not one. His finger actions, loud self- promoting dialogues and acrobatic dance movements never attracted me. And Trisha’s blank and boring doll-like expressions were not my cup of tea either. However, the two elements, which made me hooked to the movie from the day it was announced, were Gautham Vasudev Menon wielding the megaphone and VTV being Oscar Tamilan A.R.Rahman’s first Tamil Album after Oscar. Those two reasons were solid enough to watch the movie, I thought.

But after watching this movie, I feel that the main characters were aptly chosen as any other actors apart from Simbhu and Trisha would not have done justice to the story. Though everyone is going gaga over the movie, surprisingly I find it just nice. The story is nothing novel but the presentation is. There is no villain in the story. All the clichéd elements in Tamil love stories such as feuding parents, different religion, educational background, career and age gap are evident in the story. However, the true villain is the lead characters’ personalities and their fickle mind which is more realistic. It’s not the run of the mill love story. There is a lot of love, abundance of confusions, a little humour and a shocking twist.

An aspiring filmmaker, engineering graduate Karthik falls in love at first sight with Jessie, a Malayalee-Christian not movie watching computer programmer. VTV is all about how Karthik woos Jessie, makes her fall in love head over heels and loses her. I am not interested in explaining the twists and revelations for that is for you to watch on screen. All I can say is that when you come out of the movie, the lead characters will linger in your mind for sometime making you to judge their personality and decisions in life but it seems realistic though.

It is quite surprising to see a subtle, cool Simbhu. Goutham has really moulded him into Karthik and hence Simbhu looks convincing as Karthik. Though sometimes he copies Surya’s mannerisms in Vaaranam Aayiram in the romantic scenes. Especially his reaction upon seeing Jessie is much like Surya’s expressions in the train looking at Sameera. Trisha is a revelation as we are so used to seeing her as the hero’s arm candy. She bagged a good role in her career and utilised it well. Her portrayal of a matured, yet confused girl trapped between her parents and her lover is quite believable. The surprise winner is undoubtedly my favourite singer Chinmayi who has rendered her voice for Trisha. Her voice is full of emotions and sweet but at times, I saw Sameera instead of Trisha since Chinmayi has borrowed her voice for Sameera in both VA and Asal.

As a hardcore fan of Alaipayuthe who remembers each dialogue in the movie, I feel Gautham’s dialogues reminded me of that romantic entertainer. Be it the hero’s name or when the hero asks Jessie to make decision and when she answers “naan enna panne Karthik” everything reminds me of Alaipayuthe. Traces of Gautham’s debut movie Minnale is also evident here and there. Scenes where Jessie asks Karthik to bring her somewhere for 3 hours or the part where she tells that she does not befriend boys and that he is the first are some of the examples.

On the music department, Rahman has done his best. Though my favourite pick in the album is Mannipaya.it’s Hosaana’s picturization that steals the heart. Songs do make the movie a bit slow. Overall, VTV is a good romantic movie with a twist that worth watching.

Not a melodramatic post

I know i have been sounding melodramatic lately. So this time, when i decided to blog i made a mental promise that it has to be light. Well, despite the hustles , i do get one or few moments of delight be it in school or my surroundings. Currently i'm living in Endau, an area which is notorious for state-exiled criminals. Indians are rare species here and in my 2 months stay i have seen only 4 Indians (all teachers). May be that is the reason for the weird look i have been getting lately. Only two types of Indians are here; either professionals (90% has to be teachers) or criminals. My first week here, i received very cold stare from people for no apparent reason (may be i looked like a criminal too ;p). Then, the following week, people has started smiling and nodding heads and initiating conversations. Now wherever i go, i hear "Hi, cikgu" from kids to aunties. At times, it feels like you are a celebrity. Even, as i stop by after school to get stuffs with my name tag, i hear the whispers "Lau se" (teacher). It feels funny sometimes when i get discount.

On a different note, i am having a lot of lighter moments in my class thanks to the mischievous boys. The other day, i was teaching them a poem and noticed a boy was not paying attention. I called his name and asked him "why were the parents looking for their son" (the answer :because they love him). That particular student was so startled that he answered "because i love you, teacher". The whole class burst into laughter and needless to say i could not help myself but teasing him ever since. The same student was once verbally abusing his friend in my class. When i called him to offer explain, he coolly said "Don't trust him teacher. He is a fire rock". For a moment i was stunned at his linguistic repertoire , thinking i have never encountered the fire-rock phrase in my life. When i asked him what he meant, he said " ala cikgu..batu api la". LOL. Sometimes i just love being with my students despite their mischievousness and laziness.

Heartache

Life is getting harder day by day. I am scared to wake up in the morning fearing what might be in store for me. I cannot remember the last time i ever felt happy and laughed my heart out without worrying about the next day. Something must be terribly wrong for i have been rubbing people the wrong way. That was not intended but i have no control over things ready. Depending on people's kindness and sympathy is killing me softly. As my brother said, i might start looking at life as grey at times than seeing it as rather black and white. I might feel funny for writing this post but i need to vent it out. I cannot write in elaboration on what happened today but i should say it pushed me off my limits and i am broken into pieces. My little shoulders cannot bear this weight; my little heart cannot stand this aching anymore. I am vulnerable but past couple of weeks i have become too fragile. I trusted You completely and pawned my life trusting Your words that everything happens for a reason. Now, i am yet to see the reason and i hope i will someday. Sometimes especially today i wonder at the power of words. How they can crush you! How they can slap on your faces without lifting the hand. But i know this is just temporarily. Someday will come for me when i will walk free, my chin up, feeling accomplished but the bad news is that i have to live with these things till THE day arrives.

A Baggage in My Heart

“Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get” (Forrest Gump). How true is that, I wonder. Until a few months ago I was a carefree girl. Nothing much to worry about as everything was taken care for me. Yes, I had been far from home ever since I finished high school. It’s true that I was abroad for 2 years which forced me to take full responsibility of my life. But still, I did not worry much about anything as my sponsors had taken care of everything from my accommodation to my daily allowance. But when I stepped out of home to venture into the working world, I broke into pieces. Never in my life have I worried this much. I could not sleep, could not breath as there was an immense baggage pressing me. For someone who had lived most of my live in the comfort of her parents, siblings and friends, settling down all alone was a terrifying experience. It’s still is.

The moment I came to know that I had been posted to Rompin, Pahang. I was nervous but at the same time excited. I have always had this dream of having a house for myself, cooking on my own, and running a household on my own. I have always felt that it makes me a strong person which i yearn to be. So, glimpses of my ideal life was peeking through, when I got my offer letter. May be this is THE moment, I thought. But the very moment, I stepped my feet in my school, I realised life is no bed of roses. The town is 15 minutes away from the school but it did not disappoint me because I was prepared for it. But being there without an accommodation? That was never in my mind! When the principal told me to sit in the office while she arranged for a place for me to stay, I felt the world collapsed. My parents and I came to the school, trusting the education officer’s words that accommodation had been arranged. I felt hopeless sitting in front of the teacher while she made endless calls to so many teachers to give me a roof to stay. My parents were practically breaking and I had no words to mollify them. Eventually, it was decided for me to squat with a warden for a few days while I sort out my accommodation on my own. Eventually, my mum broke down leaving her daughter without a proper place. Though, I share a very close rapport with my dad, he had always maintained the-less-emotional-stronger-on-the –outside personality. Be it when he left me in hostel for the first time or when he bid me goodbye in the airport, he had always maintained his composure. But on that day, for the first time in so many years, he hugged me and kissed me and could not say a word. Putting up a brave front and pacifying them saying I’ll handle everything single handed was not easy at all.

And believe me, squatting with someone was not easy either. I could not go back home though I finish early as I had to wait for the other teacher to finish her class. Once I was stranded outside of the house for more than 15 minutes at night in the cold monsoon wind and knocked till my knuckles went wary in vain. After God-knows-how-long she opened the door saying she was on phone and could not open the door! I think my whole life, I have never cried like I did on my first week in the school. I had to handle my own baggage of problems and at the same time putting up a fake front as though I was coping well with everything around me when my dear ones call.

The only revelation is that God sent me two Indian teachers who are real gems. I owe them so much in my life. Up to this moment I am still receiving from them and it does not feel good to be at the receiving end without giving anything. These two kind souls brought me around the school and introduced me to the other staffs. They pep talked me to clear the doubts clouding my mind; they cooked for me to enable me stay sincere to the vegetarian diet I was following. Everyday after school, they’ll drive me around looking for houses. Eventually, when I was desperate and had to evacuate the hostel, I remember the teacher driving me around till night to get me a place to stay. Eventually, God’s Grace or should I say her determination, I finally found a room to stay. Though, I was looking for a house and now all I can do is just be happy with the room that I have got. Not enough with that, the two teachers are taking turn to drive to and from school and as much I am overwhelmed, I am pained too. Sometimes life appears to be a puzzle that I could never solve. At this moment, I am uncertain about my life tomorrow. One thing I learned amidst all these hardships, is that a plan might forever stay a plan because man plans and God decides. I surrender and now I am just a leave which flies to the direction the wind blows. So I am flying…