A glimpse
of Thiruvilakku pooja organized by Triplicane Unit of TAMBRAS (captured a small section of the people
assembled) –trying to capture the row of flames !
Look
forward to your views ! ~ photo
digitally altered removing people around as also the flimsy water bottles kept
on the table
The rhythm of life !
Life: is it all about the wealth we earn, or the things we miss along the way? - Ponder this.
If you are middle-aged, or beyond, pause and look back 20 years. What were your plans then? Have you reached the goals you set for yourself? And if you did, what happened next?
Perhaps each financial milestone, once reached, felt like a low-hanging fruit, so you set a higher target and began chasing again. The pursuit continued. The goals grew. The finish line kept moving.
Now, after 20 or 30 years, are you truly happy? What do your future plans look like? Many of us consider ourselves highly intelligent because we live in cities, earn well, own apartments, drive cars, and carry the signs of success.
But
change the scene.
A green field. A tree. A crow in flight. A dusty village road. An elderly couple. No trendy backpacks. Just a cycle and a cow. The husband gently helps his wife secure the load. And yet, they seem to be living happily ever after.
So who is really missing what? - Perhaps the city dweller has everything except contentment. Perhaps the villager has little except enough. And perhaps the greatest poverty is not lack of money, but lack of contentment / enoughness.
Words of wisdom from
Aasami Sirippu Sinthanaiyaan
S. Sampathkumar
Greener
pastures - out of city [near village Dusi Mamandur]
But
do we really have the mind to....
Man is a Social animal but is often seen fighting with all animals including humans – few centuries ago, Humans existed peacefully with animals allowing them space !!
In the present day
environ, Human–animal conflicts arise mainly because humans and animals compete
for the same space and resources, and because human activities alter animal
behaviour and habitats, increasing harmful encounters. Some common causes include : Habitat
loss and land-use change - Conversion of
forests and grasslands; Agricultural expansion and crop raiding; Competition
for water and food during scarcity; Population
change and urbanization – and more …. But most of us would not admit – the human
greed and avarice in eliminating many species !!
In India,
often on roads and common places – you might witness strange, inexplicable,
intricate bonding of animals with humans !!!
Moving away, here is a Sangam literature poem from Natrinai - one of the
oldest Tamil Sangam anthologies, belonging to the
Ettuthokai collection. It contains 400 poems in the akam tradition, mostly on love,
separation, reunion, and the emotions tied to landscapes.
வேங்கைக் கன்றொடு வதிந்தென,
துஞ்சு பதம் பெற்ற துய்த் தலை மந்தி
கல்லென் சுற்றம் கை கவியாக் குறுகி,
வீங்கு சுரை ஞெமுங்க வாங்கி, தீம் பால்,
கல்லா வன் பறழ்க் கைந் நிறை பிழியும்
….. ..
சங்க இலக்கியமான நற்றிணையின் 57-வது பாடல். பொதும்பில் கிழார் என்ற புலவர் இயற்றிய இப்பாடல், குறிஞ்சித் திணைக்குரியது.
In this Kurinji poem, a female monkey
with her young is seen near the hill country. She quiets her noisy troop with
her hands, goes close to a resting deer-cow, and squeezes out its sweet milk
for her hungry young one.
A mountain scene is described where a mother monkey, after calming her troop, steals sweet milk from a deer-like animal and feeds her child. The poem then continues into the love-poetic mood typical of Sangam kurinji verse, where the hill landscape mirrors the emotions of the human speakers
Did you find this
interesting !! ~ "Compassion
often survives where civilization claims it has disappeared."
One Man – one frame – his vision reveals his aspirations !!
A roadside encounter
that stayed with me. Some people don't just carry goods—they carry generations
of skill, hope, and dignity.
When did you last buy this
visiri ! or products from such people !!
I do regularly.
Triplicane the land of
Kannan Empiran and devotees !!
மாடுகள் மேய்த்திடும் மாயக்கண்ணன் மதுர கானம் பொழியும் கண்ணபிரானை, பேயாழ்வார் தம் மூன்றாம் திருவந்தாதியில்
கோவலனாய்
ஆநிரைகள் மேய்த்துக் குழலூதி,-
மாவலனாய்க்
கீண்ட மணிவண்ணன்,
என மணிநீர்நிற கண்ணபிரான் இடையனாய்ப் பிறந்து, ஆநிரைகள் கூட்டங்களை புல்லுந் தண்ணீருமுள்ள விடங்களிலே கொண்டு சென்று மேய்த்தவனாயும், அரக்கர்கர்களை அழித்து - நல்லவர்களை ரட்சித்த குணங்களையும் பாராட்டுகிறார்.
பகவான் ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ணன் - ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதியாக அருள் பாலிக்கும் திருவல்லிக்கேணி
மாட வீதிதனில், 29.6.2022 அன்று கோடை உத்சவ புறப்பாட்டில் - அருளிச்செயல் கோஷ்டியினரும், ஒரு
அழகான பசுவும்.
When was your marriage !! 1970s/ 80s or before !!
did you enjoy 'mappillai azhaippu' in Jhanvasa car ?!?!
1. Q no. 1
is above
2. Do you remember this song !!
3. Watched English movie – Yours, Mine and
Ours !!!
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தள்ளு மாடல் வண்டி இது தள்ளி விடுங்க
எண்ணெய் வெல ஏறிப்போச்சு
மாட்ட பூட்டுங்க
கோபாலா பூபாலா வேலப்பா வாடாப்பா
போற எடம் எங்கப்பா போனப்புறம் சொல்றேன்ப்பா
ஆள எண்ணிப்பாரப்பா ...ஆறு புள்ளதானப்பா
அட சரபோஜி மஹராஜா விளையாட்டுப் பருவத்தில்
இதிலேதான் போனாங்களாம்
Something
that was too common a few decades ago ! most sought after … not in vogue now …
today saw this bedecked, topless car bringing back memories of Chevrolet,
Morris Minor, Plymouth cars that were in business !!! those were the days when the travel was one
of pride !!!
The day
before marriage (remember there was no reception or if there was one, it was on
the day of marriage !) – bride groom and family (both sides) would visit the
Temple, offer prayers and then the groom would be taken on a special ride known
as ‘Jhanvasam’ in a open car. Relatives
would happily push their little kids inside leaving the space cramped … .. ..
and in some development, the bride would be taken in another car, on the
opposite side, somewhere along the procession, the cars would stop – allowing each
to have a glimpse !!!!!!!
This song ‘Poomazhai thoovi vasanthangal vaaztha – oorvalam
nadakinrathu’ – was a hit - MGR would play instrument and sing this in
‘Ninaithathai Mudippavan’ (the man who concludes what he thinks) had MG Ramachandran in dual roles – this released in 1970s
was a remake of blockbuster Hindi Film ‘Sachaa Jhutha’ starring Rajesh Khanna
and Vinod Khanna. Years later, came ‘Mazhalai pattalam’ – a nice movie of Mouli
came, it was directed by Lakshmi ….it was a story of persons with children
marrying and the problems of bringing up so many children… a car played a
significant role in that film…….
All that about ‘Jhanvasam’ ……. Popular ritualistic occurrence in South Indian (or is that restricted to Tamilians only !) - equivalent of a North Indian Baraat. Understand that in good olden days, marriage alliance would often outside village – bridegroom would be taken around in a chariot in procession from the place of his stay to the marriage hall………… by some accounts, it was an introduction of groom to the elders of the village and also by parading, people could voice their opinion on the groom … which many a times lead to trouble too…
Even in later days where the families knew each other; love-marriages; arranged marriages between known people and more – in the city atmosphere too, this blissfully continued. While it is to be a horse-ride in Northern parts of India – it slowly became an open car over here…. Bridegroom wearing a suit or Safari dress, sitting in the open car along with many children became regular sight…. then started the practice of bringing the bride in another car in the opposite direction, allowing her to have a vision of that wonderful jhanvasam…… many a mapillais (grooms) who had their Suits stitched for that occasion, would find no next chance to wear that !
Slowly it faded from spectacular to bizarre and ridiculed ….there were some who owned ‘jhanvasa cars’ old Morris, Plymouth and more – open hooded – in striking colours, hired for the jhanvasam function alone. There would be host of relatives (especially women draped in pattu saris wearing gold jewellery of their choice) accompanying that slow moving jhanvasa car.
You no longer see those Chevy Impala convertibles decked with flowers and cute children sitting literally on the lap of groom … people had time and enjoyed every little chance being happy … now a days, everyone seems to be in a hurry – and makes a flying visit even for the marriage of close relatives. Gone are those days, when the groom or people from his side made big issues at the time of marriage – the host of issues included the car not arriving in time, stopping, people having to push and in some few cases, the car being a closed one and the groom not able to see the whole outside or rather not to be seen by everyone else on Street.
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Sri Vaidvudai Amman Stores, next to Sri Raghavendra Mutt in Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street, Triplicane, Chennai 600 005 is a famous shop known for quality butter and ghee. This shop has been there for more than 70 years and regular customers make a beeline for buying ghee and butter, especially for Pooja and for submitting to God.
Remember that they provided ‘janvasa car’ services – and their Morris minor car acted in the Mazhalai pattalam movie and in a few others as well. Nostalgic for those who have bought ghee from this shop and for others who had the privilege of jhanvasam – the song at the start - தள்ளு மாடல் வண்டி இது is from Mazhalai Pattalam, think that car was owned by the Ghee store of Triplicane.
The movie Mazhalai Pattalam (lit. Army of children) was a directorial debut for actress Lakshmi – starring Vishnuvardhan, Sumithra, dialogues by Visu – music of MS Viswanathan hit the screens in 1980; film simultaneously filmed in Kannada as Makkala Sainya & remade in Telugu as Ramadandu.
The movie was based on ‘Yours, Mine and Ours’ American family comedy drama film directed by Melville Shavelson, starring Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda and Van Johnson that hit the screens in 1968.
Frank Beardsley is a Navy Chief Warrant Officer, recently
detached from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and assigned as project
officer for the Fresnel lens glide-slope indicator, or "meatball",
that would eventually become standard equipment on all carriers. Helen North is
a civilian nurse working in the dispensary at NAS Alameda, the California U.S.
Navy base to which Frank is assigned. Frank
meets Helen, first by chance in the commissary on the base and again when Frank
brings his distraught teenage daughter for treatment at the dispensary, where
Helen informs him that the young lady is simply growing up in a crowded house
which lacks a mother's guidance. They immediately hit it off and go on a date,
all the while shying away from admitting their respective secrets: Frank has ten children and Helen has eight, from previous marriages
ended by their spouses' deaths.
Lights dispel darkness is an adage that inspires people, yet !! - not this way !! on the roads of Metropolis, we often see people acting unmindful of harm that may befall on other road users and themselves as well !
In science, Light is electromagnetic radiation that the human eye can detect, and it can also be described as waves or as particles called photons. Visible light is only one part of the broader electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, radio waves, and more.
Darkness is not a thing on its own in physics; it is the absence or near-absence of visible light. That is why a room feels dark when no light is reaching your eyes, even though other forms of radiation may still be present.
We see objects when light from a source, or light reflected from an object, enters our eyes and is processed by the brain. If there is no visible light, the visual system has nothing to detect, so the scene appears dark.
Light is essential for vision, photosynthesis, and biological rhythms in living things. Darkness also matters biologically, because many organisms use it for rest, timing, and survival. A simple way to put it: light is incoming visible electromagnetic energy, and darkness is what we experience when that light is missing.
Provide knowledge to people to dispel the darkness of ignorance is the spiritual saying ! lighting of lamp (kuthuvilakku) is symbolic in every function, welcoming goodness and warding off evil.
Here the
motor cycle rider is carrying two big sized kuthu vilakku – which is disturbing
! “Light the lamp within and around you;
darkness cannot remain where light is kept burning”.
In humans – there is often
comparison, more so on who is more beautiful !! Which is more beautiful—the cow
or the calf?"
True beauty is defined by
peace of mind and character, not by external comparison. The constant question
of "who is more beautiful" stems from the human ego and social
conditioning, which falsely view beauty as a scarce resource. When you shift your perspective, you change
the rules of the game: A rose does not
compete with a lotus; both make the garden beautiful.
"Comparison steals joy; appreciation reveals beauty."
The Q on Cow or Calf - the question itself misses the point.
The
mother carries strength, experience, and quiet dignity.
The calf carries innocence, wonder, and the promise of tomorrow.
Nature never compares. It simply allows each life to be what it is. Much of our unhappiness begins when we compare ourselves with others. Much of our peace begins when we appreciate our own unique place in the world.
The
cow need not be the calf.
The
calf need not be the cow.
Both
are beautiful. So are we.
போட்டியும் பொறாமையும்
இயல்பானவை என்றாலும், அவை ஆரோக்கியமானதாக இருக்க வேண்டும். மற்றவர்களைக் கண்டு பொறாமைப்
படுவதற்குப் பதிலாக, நம்மை நாமே மேம்படுத்திக் கொள்ளும் ஆரோக்கியமான போட்டியை ஏற்படுத்திக்
கொள்வது சிறந்தது.
Interesting !
Regards – S Sampathkumar
18.6.2026
How old are you ! above 50!! - when do you sleep, how fast are you able to sleep upon hitting the bed !! - around this age, some suffer sleeplessness. Sleeplessness, clinically known as insomnia, is a common sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early without being able to get back to rest.
Ever heard of a Tamil movie Director – Dada Mirasi !!
1)
In her family's Spanish villa, Kimberly
Prescott, a young South African heiress of a diamond company, is grieving after
her father's recent suicide, when she is taken aback by the arrival of a man
claiming to be her brother Ward, believed to have died in a car accident a few
months ago. Kimberly calls the police but the man has a driving licence,
passport and letter from the bank in the name of Ward Prescott. Even two photos
from upstairs look like the man now in her house. The local police chief,
Vargas, leaves, believing Kim to be unstable.
2)
Gopal is a rich
businessman en route to India from Singapore on a cruise ship. He meets Latha,
another traveller who is accompanied by her father Ramadurai. Gopal and Latha
start liking each other. Gopal invites
them to stay at his mansion in Ooty. Latha discovers that Gopal becomes agitated
whenever he sees an onrushing train and demands to know why. He explains that
the reason behind this is his first wife.
Theme 2 is that of Sivaji Ganesan, Saroja Devi starrer - “Puthiya Paravai” that hit the silver screen in 1964. The romantic thriller film was directed by Dada Mirasi. Produced by Sivaji Ganesan, the plot revolved around Gopal, who falls in love with Latha, when his previously presumed-dead wife Chitra arrives. He claims her to be an impostor but no one believes him.
Puthiya Paravai was the maiden
Tamil production of Sivaji Films, later renamed Sivaji Productions, and the
company's third overall production after the Hindi films Amardeep (1958) and
Rakhi (1962). The screenplay was written by Nannu, and the
dialogues by Aaroor Dass. Cinematography was handled by K. S. Prasad and
editing by N. M. Shankar. The soundtrack album and background score were
composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy while the lyrics were written by
Kannadasan.
Theme 1 is that of - 1958 British thriller film Chase a Crooked Shadow, directed by Michael Anderson, a global success, especially in India. It inspired the Bengali film Sesh Anka (1963) whose screenplay was written by Rajkumar Mitra. The screenplay was acquired by Sivaji Ganesan's company Sivaji Films to be remade in Tamil as Puthiya Paravai.
The Director Dada Mirasi, made a cameo appearance as Gopal's father. T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela were the
only singers featured in the soundtrack. The first song recorded was
"Chittu Kuruvi"."Paartha Gnaabagam Illaiyo" was inspired by Dean Martin's version of
"Sway”. The heavily orchestrated "Engey Nimmadhi", at that time,
had the highest number of instruments used for recording.
எங்கே நிம்மதி எங்கே நிம்மதி
!!
அங்கே எனக்கோர் இடம் வேண்டும்; அங்கே எனக்கோர் இடம் வேண்டும்
எங்கே மனிதர் யாரும் இல்லையோ- அங்கே எனக்கோர் இடம் வேண்டும்
என்னைக் கொஞ்சம் தூங்க வைத்தால் வணங்குவேன் தாயே
இன்று மட்டும் அமைதி தந்தால் உறங்குவேன் தாயே ஓ...
உறங்குவேன் தாயே
எங்கே நிம்மதி எங்கே நிம்மதி
அங்கே எனக்கோர் இடம் வேண்டும்; அங்கே எனக்கோர் இடம் வேண்டும்
பாடல் - எங்கே நிம்மதி
திரைப்படம்- புதிய பறவை
நடிகர் சிவாஜி கணேசன்
நடிகை - சரோஜா தேவி
பாடகர் - டி.எம்.சௌந்தரராஜன்
இசையமைப்பாளர் . எம்.எஸ். விஸ்வநாதன் / ராமமூர்த்தி
பாடலாசிரியர்கள் – கண்ணதாசன்
Dada Mirasi hailing from West Bengal was a
famous Director and story writer of 1960s who shone in Tamil and Telugu
tinseldom. The Tamil movies directed by
him are : கடவுளின் குழந்தை
(1960); இரத்தத் திலகம் (1963); புதிய பறவை (1964); அண்ணாவின் ஆசை (1966); ராஜா
வீட்டுப் பிள்ளை (1967); பூவும் பொட்டும்
(1968); சங்கமம் (1970); மூன்று தெய்வங்கள் (1971)
There are times when your eyes, nose and mind – urge you to
enjoy the delicacy even before you touch and put a small piece into mouth,
feeling it !!
Shaped like flower, fried hot and dipped into sweet syrup,
Jangiri is a delicacy close to many hearts. Never compare Jangiri with Jalebi ! ~ here it is Jalebi !! -
the making and shape of Jangiri is much complex and if not done with expertise
would end up 'girijan' !!!! - certainly
no try at all for those who cannot take dosa out in full shape !
.. .. there is one Kakada Ramaprasad known for jalebis and there
are some more … one at the backside of Devi theatre complex !! Well, it is only a visual
treat for people like me having DM.
Kanchipuram is a Temple city, a vibrant city of Silk weavers and
shops –
Sri
Varadharaja Perumal Vaikasi Brahmothsavam
is
not simply an annual event – it is emotion of devotees.
Random picture taken in front of a Silk shop as employees came
out to have darshan of Devathirajar Venugopala thirukkolam purappadu on
2.6.2026
Thirukkurungudi
Azhwan walks majestically
Candid
photo taken this morning at Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi swami temple highlighting the Sunlight effect
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Triplicane in one frame :
Swami Nammalwar sannathi, devotees,
arulicheyal goshti, kolam, right at the centre - aavinam .. ..
Vidaayaarri for Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman is over and today 18.5.2026 is Pushpa Pallakku. There were 7 melodious renditions arranged by Sri Parthasarathi Swami Sabha for vidayaarri. In Carnatic music kutcheri, there often are rasikas more knowledgeable – the Connoisseurs !!
Here is an video slightly away from Vocal singing but associated with music !!
People like me just listen to the rhythm trying to find out the keerthana or match with some music heard before – while the well-informed Rasikas - wave or rotate their hand/fingers, clap, count and make appreciative gestures for sangati, briga, neraval phrase, or rhythmic idea that impressed them.
Here is an elderly person engaged, enjoying and appreciating the music – the yellow device seen here is likely just a digital tally counter, but the hand movement is culturally recognizable in Carnatic concerts. : https://youtube.com/shorts/sMQYhmyJFXY
A circular finger/hand motion often means: “Excellent!”; “That was a beautiful phrase”; “Bale!” / “Sabash!”; Appreciation of laya precision or melodic sophistication. Experienced rasikas sometimes do this subtly instead of clapping during the flow of an alapana, neraval, or swara exchange. In some cases, musicians or devotees also use finger counters for: counting tala cycles, keeping track of repetitions
The small dark rectangular area is likely the digital display, and the blue/black button is probably used to increment the count. It’s strapped around the finger with an adjustable band.
Those who
know Carnatic music – enjoy the rendition while gnana sooniyams !! like me – look around
for other interesting occurrences
Regards
– S Sampathkumar
18.5.2026
மேகங்கள் சூழும் போது இருள் வரலாம் - மனதை தளரவிடாதீர்கள் !
கருமேகங்கள் வளம் தரும் மழையை
கொண்டு வரும் என்பதை போற்றுங்கள் !
Life is not to be spent worrying all the time!
- see greenery - fill with positive thoughts !! - things are good - life moves on !!
Taken somewhere
near Doosi Mamandur a few years ago !!!!
