Phenomenon!

A few days back while on the phone with the in-laws, mom-in-law mentioned this remarkarble and unbelievable phenomenon that was on jaya tv as she was talking. Something that someone had not only witnessed, but also recorded with his cell phone. It is now up on youtube.

So siddhars do exist outside of SunTV soaps, eh?

Sad news about writer Sujatha

All good things must come to an end. Came across this article about writer Sujatha's death. Story on Behindwoods.com.

One of the few writers that I read in Tamil, he was well-appreciated among us for his science-themed fiction. The one who made Gino come to life. I didn't know he was Abdul Kalam's classmate.

Sad!

Eastern contemporary dance

Of late, there seems to be a plethora of dance groups performing fusion dances. They are based on classical styles but seems to draw from other styles too. Recently, I happened to watch a bunch of techies in art. A group of collegiates from Bangalore performed a few numbers that were wonderfully choreographed. The music, they said was drawn from various sources - oxygen, morning raga and so on. It was tailor made for their items. There was one on trimurthi, one on Dasavatharam and one on ramayanam. The choreography to depict kaliya nardhanam was awesome, as was the final fight between rama and ravana. The kids enjoyed it too, which is something. And that is the whole point - passing it on to the younger generation. It may have to be adapted, but it cannot be allowed to die.

Out of hibernation

Been some time. I do feel like a sloth, hence the title. I am still getting used to white weather and not sure if I will ever be acclimatized.

I have been reading a lot since I seem to spend a lot of my evenings shuttling the kids to one activity or the other. Madras on rainy nights by Samina Ali was one of the latest. Yet another Indo-American author with her first one. Interesting. Gave a glimpse of muslim India at a depth previously unknown.

Then there is my favorite gaslight mystery series by Victoria Thompson. I have finally managed to get up to date with her books and am eagerly awaiting the next one. Her series deals with murders investigated by an Irish detective and a high-society-born-married-down-widowed-midwife. There is another underlying mystery about the midwife's husband's death and the next book is apparently about that. Set in very late 19th century New York, the police commissioner in the series is Teddy Roosevelt, the soon-to-be prez. I got curious and googled and found that he served as a NY commish for 2 years. The atmosphere depicted seems a lot like India, a few decades back. Could easily be adapted to tamil movies.

On a segue, the little one has started music lessons (carnatic and piano) this month and it is a trial to both the teacher and the parent. She can't sit still for a minute. Looking at the positive side, I am learning to play the piano.

The big baby has turned out to be near-sighted and is proudly wearing her extra pair of eyes. She is extremely happy that she can read the time off the cable box.