This is perhaps one of the best avenues for the budding artists. Young performers to apply to perform at the park which happens on the first Sunday of every month. Sundaram Finance sponsors this program and interested folks can apply here.
Though this is an interesting proposition, budding musicians who are already nervous will have to perform without any audio system and will have to constantly battle the omnipresent mosquitoes. Even with these limitations, this a popular avenue and there is competition to get a slot.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Kutcheri in the Park - Nageswararao Park, Chennai
Monday, March 23, 2009
Apollo DKV ECR # 9 - My Last Long Run before Paris Marathon
I did my last long run before Paris Marathon yesterday. Chennai Runners organized its 9th edition of the popular run called Apollo DKV ECR Run #9. From it early beginnings ECR Runs have come a long way in terms of participation and organization. Earlier we used to park our cars on the roadside and run with out any 'water point' support. Now, we start our runs from resorts like MGM with ample volunteer manned water points. Most importantly, we end our runs with a yummy Idli, Vada, Dosa & Pongal. (I ran the last 5k salivating at prospect of what's around the corner..:-)
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
We started our run from MGM Resorts and ECR early around 5:00 ish to beat the heat and traffic. Here the runners intently listening to last minute instructions before being flagged off. See the 'reflective' stickers on the runners ? This small sticker goes a long way in keeping us a safe on the busy ECR.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
I did 30k in preparation for the upcoming Paris marathon. I ran comfortably for about 21 / 22k and after that started doing walk / run combo. While the weather was very pleasant for the first 15k, the other half was a different story. Surya bhagwan came up in all his glory and drenched us with lots and lots of sun light resulting truck loads of sweat.. making last 10k a challenge. Here is yours faithfully at the 15k turnaround point, faithfully using the marked pedestrian crossing.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
This photo must have been around 25k mark.. By this time, I was desperately trying to call on all my reserves to finish the course. I can't remember if I was talking or actually running, but do remember that every part of my body was ready give up.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
All smiles after the run and a great breakfast...
Next ECR Run - July / August..
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
We started our run from MGM Resorts and ECR early around 5:00 ish to beat the heat and traffic. Here the runners intently listening to last minute instructions before being flagged off. See the 'reflective' stickers on the runners ? This small sticker goes a long way in keeping us a safe on the busy ECR.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
I did 30k in preparation for the upcoming Paris marathon. I ran comfortably for about 21 / 22k and after that started doing walk / run combo. While the weather was very pleasant for the first 15k, the other half was a different story. Surya bhagwan came up in all his glory and drenched us with lots and lots of sun light resulting truck loads of sweat.. making last 10k a challenge. Here is yours faithfully at the 15k turnaround point, faithfully using the marked pedestrian crossing.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
This photo must have been around 25k mark.. By this time, I was desperately trying to call on all my reserves to finish the course. I can't remember if I was talking or actually running, but do remember that every part of my body was ready give up.
(photo courtsey: RV Ramani)
All smiles after the run and a great breakfast...
Next ECR Run - July / August..
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Google Voice - Potential to Change the Telco Landscape
Google never ceases to surprise us and with their voice launch they are at it again. It must not come as a surprise with its acquisition of GrandCentral. Nevertheless, it is surprising to see how they have brought many things together and launched a unique service that wasn't available as GrandCentral.
Google voice is obviously a competitor to Skype's domination in this space. However, Google has taken a totally different interface route. While Skype's predominant interface is via computer, Google voice will use any telephone to connect to Google Voice. And, that my friends is cool. With that one product decision, Google Voice has become a competitor to Telco companies across the world.
We could connect to Google Voice from any phone and dial out anyone we want anywhere in the world. Now imagine the possiblities and the distruptive nature this offering. For example, you could call US for free from anywhere in India via Google voice. Imagine the impact on the Telco companies on the International dialing business (particularly to US). Yes, we can do free calls to US now via Skype but that requires a computer.
I was all pumped up to play with Google Voice, but learnt that it is available only to GrandCentral customers for now and will be made available to other in 'weeks'. Can't wait..
Google voice is obviously a competitor to Skype's domination in this space. However, Google has taken a totally different interface route. While Skype's predominant interface is via computer, Google voice will use any telephone to connect to Google Voice. And, that my friends is cool. With that one product decision, Google Voice has become a competitor to Telco companies across the world.
We could connect to Google Voice from any phone and dial out anyone we want anywhere in the world. Now imagine the possiblities and the distruptive nature this offering. For example, you could call US for free from anywhere in India via Google voice. Imagine the impact on the Telco companies on the International dialing business (particularly to US). Yes, we can do free calls to US now via Skype but that requires a computer.
I was all pumped up to play with Google Voice, but learnt that it is available only to GrandCentral customers for now and will be made available to other in 'weeks'. Can't wait..
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Naan Kadavul - Well Below the Mark
நான் கடவுள்
Bala has a penchant for showing the underbelly of the society without adding any color or sprucing it up. Whether it was his depiction of mentally challenged people (in Sethu) or depiction of an orphan growing up cremation ground(in Pithamagan), Bala has always taken the less trodden path and has made a mark for himself.
However, Bala has missed target by miles in Naan Kadavul. In this movie, Bala deals with a Agori (sect that calls themselves God) in Varanasi and moves the story to a town in southern Tamil Nadu. Bala then interweave the unsavory dealings of begger mafia with the Agori and has tried to provide an interesting mix.
Bala must be congratulated for his guts in taking a story line that many wouldn't touch even with a mile long pole. However, Bala could have scripted the story tightly. Arya was asked (by his Guru) to go back to his family to disengage from all 'blood relationship' and return. However, once Arya returns to his family, story takes a different line and his family abruptly disappears from the story. Also, Puja is shown going to a church and being preached.. but what is not shown is how that relates to the story. Similarly the climax fight between Arya and Thandavan wasn't 'story lined' well. In summary, Bala started would well in the first half but struggled to keep the story line in the second half.
In the acting department, Arya as Agori and Puja as a blind begger have done commendably. More than these two, kids were wonderful. Don't know where Bala got those kids.. but they have done exceptionally well. It must have taken a lot to get them to 'act'.
In the music department, Illayaraja has produced some great numbers but two of them did not come in the movie. While the 'Om Sivoham' song seems to be the highlight of the movie, another good song/s 'Matha en kovilil' seems to have been omitted from the final version of the movie. While the songs were good, background score left much to be desired. It sounded jarring and disconnected at places.
In the Art department, the 'sets' in 'malaikovil' could have been better.. the inferior sets show their color and reduce the intensity of the movie.
It is said that Bala took 3 years to get this movie out.. he could have done lot better in the story department.
Net - I give this movie a "B" and that being very generous..
Bala: We expect a better movie next time and he sure will.. but let's hope he doesn't take another 3 years for it.
Bala has a penchant for showing the underbelly of the society without adding any color or sprucing it up. Whether it was his depiction of mentally challenged people (in Sethu) or depiction of an orphan growing up cremation ground(in Pithamagan), Bala has always taken the less trodden path and has made a mark for himself.
However, Bala has missed target by miles in Naan Kadavul. In this movie, Bala deals with a Agori (sect that calls themselves God) in Varanasi and moves the story to a town in southern Tamil Nadu. Bala then interweave the unsavory dealings of begger mafia with the Agori and has tried to provide an interesting mix.
Bala must be congratulated for his guts in taking a story line that many wouldn't touch even with a mile long pole. However, Bala could have scripted the story tightly. Arya was asked (by his Guru) to go back to his family to disengage from all 'blood relationship' and return. However, once Arya returns to his family, story takes a different line and his family abruptly disappears from the story. Also, Puja is shown going to a church and being preached.. but what is not shown is how that relates to the story. Similarly the climax fight between Arya and Thandavan wasn't 'story lined' well. In summary, Bala started would well in the first half but struggled to keep the story line in the second half.
In the acting department, Arya as Agori and Puja as a blind begger have done commendably. More than these two, kids were wonderful. Don't know where Bala got those kids.. but they have done exceptionally well. It must have taken a lot to get them to 'act'.
In the music department, Illayaraja has produced some great numbers but two of them did not come in the movie. While the 'Om Sivoham' song seems to be the highlight of the movie, another good song/s 'Matha en kovilil' seems to have been omitted from the final version of the movie. While the songs were good, background score left much to be desired. It sounded jarring and disconnected at places.
In the Art department, the 'sets' in 'malaikovil' could have been better.. the inferior sets show their color and reduce the intensity of the movie.
It is said that Bala took 3 years to get this movie out.. he could have done lot better in the story department.
Net - I give this movie a "B" and that being very generous..
Bala: We expect a better movie next time and he sure will.. but let's hope he doesn't take another 3 years for it.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Alliance Politics and Alphabet Soup in Tamil Nadu
National elections have been announced and political activity has started in high pitch and it is all about 'seat sharing' agreements and less about principles. This time around the equations are going to be different than the previous election and will see three distinct alliances: BJP led NDA, Congress led UPA and the Third Front which is potpouri regional and communisit parties.
Congress and Communists bitterly fought over the nuclear agreement with US and have parted ways since the last election paving way for interesting electoral alignments. Barring Communists and BJP, most of the other parties would go wherever they can extract the maximum # of seats.
It is going to be particularly interesting in Tamil Nadu where there is endless list of parties vying for seats and trying muscle their way in to some alliance. The various combinations and negotiations are simply mind boggling. For starters:
Chennai is already hot.. all these political games are likely to 'raise' it even higher..
What does your crystal ball say? Here is my unscientific prediction
AIADMK led alliance will win 20 - 25 seats
DMK led allliance will win 10 - 15 seats
BJP & others will win 2 - 8 seats
Congress and Communists bitterly fought over the nuclear agreement with US and have parted ways since the last election paving way for interesting electoral alignments. Barring Communists and BJP, most of the other parties would go wherever they can extract the maximum # of seats.
It is going to be particularly interesting in Tamil Nadu where there is endless list of parties vying for seats and trying muscle their way in to some alliance. The various combinations and negotiations are simply mind boggling. For starters:
- While both Communists and BJP would want to partner with AIADMK, Ms Jayalalitha wants to tie with Congress. This puts both Communists and BJP in dilemna as they would not be in the same camp as Congress. (Late breaking news: Ms. Jayalalithaa doesn't want Congress anymore and will be part of the Third Front with Communists.)
- BJP struggling to find a partner as it might not open account without some alliance.
- DMK trying to play a delicate balance trying to appease both Congress & PMK, particularly on the Sri Lankan issue.
- PMK is sitting on the fence and would go with the highest bidder.
- MDMK is with AIADMK but have a diametrically different view on the Sri Lankan issue but will end up on the same alliance.
- Actor turned politician, Mr. Vijayakanth is playing his cards close to the chest and unsure where he will lean.
- Other actor turned politicians Mr. Sarath Kumar and Mr. Karthik are wondering what to do and where to side as there are 'no takers' for them.
- The strong lady of UP, Ms. Mayavati (BSP) looking to enter Tamil Nadu. Not sure if she will win any seats, but sure to eat in to vote banks of other parties.
- And then of course there are players like Mr. Thol Thirumavalavan & Mr. K Krishnaswamy looking for some peace of the pie.
Chennai is already hot.. all these political games are likely to 'raise' it even higher..
What does your crystal ball say? Here is my unscientific prediction
AIADMK led alliance will win 20 - 25 seats
DMK led allliance will win 10 - 15 seats
BJP & others will win 2 - 8 seats
Monday, March 02, 2009
Twitter Rage
Why all this Twitter Rage?
I have no idea.. but I seem to be bitten by that rage as well.. I like the concept of posting SMS like messages easily but disappointed that I get no feed back. I do want to get back to 'blogging' (and continue Twitting) gradually and slowly.
My crystal ball says that the day of Google introducing Twitter like 'micro blogging' in Blogger is not very far off.. what say you?
I have no idea.. but I seem to be bitten by that rage as well.. I like the concept of posting SMS like messages easily but disappointed that I get no feed back. I do want to get back to 'blogging' (and continue Twitting) gradually and slowly.
My crystal ball says that the day of Google introducing Twitter like 'micro blogging' in Blogger is not very far off.. what say you?
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