Magnificent translation (translator unknown) - Original poem Kalidasa

Every dawn marks a new beginning.
Every dawn, a celebration.
Each day, unique in the magic it holds for change and growth.
A bow to nature's lavish colours, a palette of a million rich shades that are used with such elan, no two displays are similar.
A green meadow dotted with a hundred shades of bright yellow-orange,colours so special you'd have to invent names for.
A deep pool in blatant azure, red blooms line the edge,
a designer couldn't have done any better.
With a display in deep browns and oranges, a desert dazzles,
an instant feast for the eyes.
A waterfall dances and skips, a sonata in lush jade,
as it carves a path to the sea.
No man made feature this,
a perfectly formed arch by a white shore.
A symphony in white and gold, mountains clothed in show for the season.
Each day, unique,
Each day, a feast of colours.
And wrapped up in endless possiblity.
Such is the salutation to te Dawn.
Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and ralities of your existence:
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is just a vision,
And today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.

Karthigai deepam and colourful memories

I had my childhood in a small but beautiful village called Sengalipuram near Kumbakonam. It was a joint family with more than dozen members including the mischievous lot of four, me, my younger sister, and two cousins.
Every house in the street would have min of four school or college going children. So, it would be a great fun in the morning to look at us going to school coz it would be seem as though it was a mobile school. Unknowing the corollary of laughter (read as laughter therapy), we used to guffaw even for the most "kadi" joke. And most of the time we would be busy finding out who had got what for lunch. Guess! most of us would bring curd rice and the pickle alone would be different. Rarely some of our friends would bring some variety rice and in no time on the way to school we would finish that!!!!!!!!!!! And during the festival seasons we used to take sweets and savouries and eat them on the way to school. So, going to school means " sevikku unavu illadha bothu vayitrukku eeyappadum" kinda experience for us.
Of all the festivals Karthigai Deepam is close to my heart. Of course i do like diwali and pongal (especially that is very famous in villages). But, somehow Deepam takes the first place in my heart. Coz, it is three day long festival. First day, "Chinna Karthi". Just few earthenware lamps. Second day is "Periya Karthi or Big Karthigai deepam". All the earthenware lamps from the attic would be cleaned. As a custom a dozen or two new lamps would be bought. The brassware big ornamental lamps like " Aanai vilakku, paavai vilakku, sara vilakku, kai vilakku, ambari vilakku, kuthu vilakku, malayala vilakku" etc would be cleaned by tamarind and brick powder and would sport blemishless look. After that all the lamps would get nice dots of sandalwood paste and vermilion powder. A glittering array of lamps would be kept on every house's "thinnai". And guess, what we would do! We, even much after the protest from our grandma and great grandma would hold the oil can run around to refill the lamps! Funny times!!!!!
Epitome of this karthigai deepam is the "chokka paanai". I think this is a local ritual in the villages of then Tanjore Jilla. Every temple in the village would arrange for this "chokka paanai". Hearsay is that this "chokka paanai" ritual is associated with King Mahabali. A middle sized tower kinda structure would be raised using straw and other stuff. After lighting deepam in the respective temples, the pujari would light the chokka paanai. All men in the village would hold a torch with vegetable tallow and would get that ignited by the chokka paanai fire.
The point here is, they have to run fast and light the main vilakku at home. We used to stand at the end of the small street leading to temple and referee who comes first. It would be of a great fun to find my father, uncle, why even grandpa trying to come first. If anyone of our family members comes first means, next day on the way to school ur the heroine!!!!!!!!!! This reminded me of the nice film "pasanga" in tamil. coz, we used to persuade men in our family to run fast and come first.
After this chokka paanai galatta, deepam poojai would be done at home. At the end of the poojai, "naivedhyam". Pori urundai, adai, paruppu payasam are the standard items in our circle. Eating crisp pori urundai almost around 9 PM was a jollity. With so many friends around, eating that too without fussing was indeed a pleasure. Evergreen memories twinkle in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!

Writing in blog and missing interests

I created a blog long back. After a short stint, i made my first post. Then i did not know what to write. Now, i have so much to write. Yet, at times we cannot say why somethings do not occur. I think my interest for net is in complete oblivion. Somehow i steered some interest to write and till this moment i keep typing whatever is coming in my mind. Hopefully i do not end up abandoning this post.
Well in Cheyyar, we live in a peaceful place. Nowadays i could not refrain talking about cheyyar. Much ironic to my initial disappointment now i feel that cheyyar is home away from home. It did not happen all of a sudden. But, once i started looking my life from a position of strength it gradually dawned on me that place is a real heaven. Truly rustic. It is just hundred and odd kilometers from chennai. Yet, unzapped by its nearest metro's influence. True innocent people. You can ask ur neighbour for some green chilly and coriander when ur fridge runs out of them. Strentght of pleasureable neighbourhood is well seen here. Life full of life. No pretentions. They believe less on optic fibres or microwaves. Simplicity is real sophistication. It touches ur heart easily. Slowly i feel that a persistent question "what am i here for" would be answered.
So, it is not about missing interest but about shifting to interesting intersts!!!!!!!!

New College, New Place and New life!

So, after a strenuous orientation course in Chennai, we all got prepared to join our respective colleges that are scattered all over TamilNadu. I was in a state of despondency as I have to live out of suitcases. I have to leave my children behind in Chennai as they are in the middle of an academic year (of course, if i take them out the school in which currently they are studying, it is would be next to impossibility to secure them seat again).
On August 6th I joined Aringar Anna Govt arts college, Cheyyar in the department of Physics. Cheyyar is 100km from Chennai and still farther from Chennai's lifestyle. Have you ever heard of cultural shock? I experienced it there as I found real good mannered students there. It is a good college with better amenities and a best set of staff force. hmm, it was a pleasant cultural shock, as i witnessed well mannered students. College timings is really fantastic. We three, me, mrs.prameela and mrs.kavitha enjoy our life in the rented house in cheyyar. We have plenty of time to discuss literature as the duo is from department of English. Very much away from city's hussle and bussle.
"Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening... "
As Lord Krishna said, the present is really "happening"

class "complex" drove me low in morale

I thought of writing about govt lecturer post and orientation course first so that this would be a logical continuation. But, before i am drained out at the end of the 28 days orientation program, (which may be the byproduct of orientation program, he he he....), I will scribble about today's class.
Yet another day of the orientation course. The resource person did not show up. So, the nodal officer (nilaya kalaingar- studio artist) took over the session. It was a post lunch session. He tried to explain different types of complex that exist in human beings mind. He borrowed the concept from Sigmund Freud, the great.
Now, I should tell about the average age of the class: do not raise ur eyebrows pl. coz, it is an orientation program (!!!!) for the newly recruited lecturers for govt colleges in Tamilnadu. So, the average age should be around 40 years ( pat urself if u guessed less than 58!!!!!!!!!!). The class encompasses thirty six participants aged from 30 to 56 years. Most of them have min of 10 years teaching experience in colleges or in schools. I request that the question "why do we need an orientation course"does not pop up! Shhhhhhhhhhh, it is govt decision, so, we need to attend: otherwise T.......a or E.....a !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have to be in probation for two years, so i leave it to ur guessing on T.......a or E.....a, he he he...........
So, coming back to "Complexes", the nodal officer started explaining different types of complexes starting from sissy, tomboy, peacock, peeping tom etc to the more visible ones like inferiority complex and superiority complex. It was the most interactive session i have seen since the start of the orientation program 17 days ago. Coz, everyone was interested in identifying most probable person for a particular complex. It really led to a chaos in the class and mutual leg pulling.
I got reminded of one small story that my senior professor told when i joined the college 10 years back. There are certain things that are instinct in life. Like, a millipede walking. If u do not disturb her, she will walk quietly, rhythmic march. The moment u ask her, how does she balance hundreds of her legs and ask her to watch her step, alas, she would fall down. Similarly, at the very end of the session, dissection of the complexes led to a complex situation. Leave alone others weighing ur complexes: it is your own mind that is responsible for the different complexes wonders about its own complex "complex equation". So, many a times "IGNORANCE IS BLISS!!!!"

Reopening Blues

It was a wonderful vacation. Lotta reasons to cherish. It started with my husband's visit. My father in law nodded to give way to new house. My sister came from USA after two years. My son got admitted in the school in which my daughter studies. So, kinda busy buying books, stitching uniforms etc. Until May the vacation went on well. Then started the reopening blues. To beat the blue, my mom got new bag, water bottle, new koblerr sandals, dress etc. The day came. After so much of fatigue(???!!!) coz of two months vacation, I went to college yesterday in a brand new saree and sandals. I forgot to mention, i took my new water bottle and tupperware lunch box in new USA handbag (courtesy sis)!!!!!! he he he, the reopening blue is not for my children but for me!!!!!!!!!!

My maiden poem(!!@#$%^&*?)

Inspired by my friend's poem, i was frantically looking to write something in the name of poem. (please do not bring log for posting this in the blog, ada idhu kooda kavidhaiya irukke! he he he...) Initially I thought poem is all about some rhyming words and alliterations streaming out of a pensive mind. Huh, it was not easy as i thought. When i zeroed on some concept to be translated into a poetic form i ran out of words. When i got reminded of wonderful rhyming words, i could not weave them meaningfully. So, i found out, when we seriously attempt to write a poem, the very fabric of poem would be lost. Poem is all about spontaneity!
This is the outcome of my craving for poems. (no prizes for guessing that i dropped the idea of writing poems after) I thank my friend for giving a title for the poem.


A sandy beach never cloys!


We chose a place
Where nature plays!

Sitting in the twilight with starry eyes
Looking at the reflections on the dark water bay

Walking in the sand with mild gasp
With hand in hand in a loving clasp

Looking at a big sheet of water ebb
Listening each other’s glib,

Oh, a diet of candy may cloy,
But, sandy beach is always a joy!

It is all about travelling in Govt owned A/c buses in tamilnadu

It is my experiment to travel by Govt owned buses in Tamilnadu. The egalitarian approach of the govt is awesome. Whether u want to travel by airconditioned bus or bus like six wheeled vehicle, u need to follow the serpentine queue to book ur ticket as u cannot book tickets online for a/c buses.
I think, two years back, when the govt suddenly woken up from coma to roll out air conditioned buses to add a laurel to its fleet, it was applauded moreover it deserved too! As usual, with much fanfare service started. Thanks to a set of tasteful officers, the buses sported a welcome sky blue and white body (other buses are canary yellow, magenta or tincture coloured). I went to book tickets to Trichy. Being July, the Koyambedu bus terminus wore a deserted look. I booked tickets to Trichy by day bus and to Chennai by night bus in no time. Next day, i boarded the bus. It was an unusual experience. I mean, it was a nice experience!when i travelled back, it was night bus. We were all given woolen shawls. ( May be Ks and Js donated their shawls to the transport department).
In a couple of years, everything went topsy-turvy. This is also not an unusual thing, he he he. I had to travel by night bus. It was scheduled to depart at 10.30 PM. The bus which is supposed to have been in the terminus half an hour before the departure never showed up till 11 Pm. No information was available in the Trichy bus terminus. The polite clerks (!!!!!) available over there said, varum ma.... poi nillunga.... diesel podara edathula queue ma..........Ahem, the bus came at 11.15 PM. Bus was well airconditioned when i boarded it. Alas, knob to adjust a/c was broken. After half an hour i felt like i was sitting inside freezer. We were not given shawls. I had to request for the shawl which conductor gave half minded. I wanted to recline. he he he, the foot rest was not there. Literally i had to kick the fellow sitting infront of me to recline. The seats have now turned soggy. After one hour, bus turned into an inferno. Passengers got to bring around the conductor to restore the a/c. It was such an unpleasant experience.
Now we can compare the private omni buses. We have good attendants. Buses look neat. So, it is the attitude of the govt employees. It is not about expanding the fleet. It is all about maintaining the existing fleet!!!!!!

Election, election duty and irony

As India geared up for new Govt. (more like villu vijay film. analogy between indian coalition govt and vijay film : any vijay film is a sum of few reels from his previous films, similarly indian govt is sum of sundry parties and their parities) there is an irony i would like to underline.
A fortnight back, govt office staff those who did not show up for election duty were suspended. Good! Indeed a welcome move to punish those wash hands off their primary duty. But, who will punish the elected representatives, who never step in the parliament? Who has to punish the netas who hardly raise questions if atall they attend the parliament sessions? Who will hit back the khadis and saffrons who always hinder the proceedings of the parliament?
I can put up x number of questions incessently. But, i do not want to sound like J s and K s and M s and R s and S s and remaining sundry national and regional politicians who keep on slinging mud in the name of election campaigning and expect no answer from the pulic and other cranky alphabets for thier rhetorics!!!!!!!!!!

What day is today?

I woke up this morning by the deafening sound of the compressor that we hired to demolish the old house. Since it is available only on Sunday, we had only one option of availing the service today. The vibrations were unbearable, and we opted to sit in the stone bench that is placed at the entrance of the house. Lazing around in the dog days, we me, my father, contractor were discussing about the new house plans. Breakfast and lunch we got from Balaji Bhavan. In between when the workers relaxed for an hour for lunch and nap, I even browsed for a while.
My father went out to get us jack fruit and melons. I was calling my friends and chatting with them albeit the compressor sound. I made tea. I was on my routine except that I was sitting in the verandah. As usual the maid servant came. Surprisingly, she was in a new saree. I asked her what is special today? She blushed and said, her children, all around 18 years of age, gifted her a saree for mothers day. I was stupefied. I had been devouring the newspaper. I went through the brouhaha of each and sundry on their mother. But, it never occured for me to wish my mom on mothers day. I repented it. Melancholy mood engulfed me. I felt a sudden vacuum as my mom is in Trichy caring my children on their vacation. But then, out of blue I got a call from my mom. She said, my little daughter wanted to wish me on mothers day after seeing an advertisement in the television. Silently my mom gave the phone to my daughter and she wished me. My mom never bothered to ask me why I did not wish her. After all, mothers are always mothers. They deserve a mothers day everyday!!!

How I named my blog

May be my first blog is not a disastrous one. I used to scribble something as comment in my friends blogs. So, they asked me to start a blog of mine to pour my thoughts(!?). Though I created this a very long back, I never had time(!?) to write. Actually, I had been pondering over the subject that I would write about. As usual starting trouble. Though my comments on others blog were witty and spontaneous, I had to contrive for my blog. So, those who read this blog, hopefully do not curse me!

By the way, the content got derailed from the title. Coming back to title, being a passionate fan of Burkha Dutt of NDTV, I got to know the word resilience for the first time when Mumbai witnessed the bomb blast. I ran to the online dictionary to know what it actually meant. God, I came to knew the fact that how powerful the language English is! Already, as a student from rural background I used to drop my jaw when people use heavy jargons in English. At times self sympathy would pop up cursing my fate to study in regional language medium. But, the moment I heard of word resilience, I thought I was destined to hear that word to shed of my fear for the omnipotent language. That is how, I started to scribble in English(!?)

But, the fact is that without even knowing the meaning of the word resilience, I had been practising the essence of the word, right from my higher secondary education. I sailed to "English Medium" from regional language medium not knowing that I would get swept away by the tsunamis Physics, Chemistry and the clubbed monsters Botany and Zoology. A person who had never seen any other rank other than first right from class 1 to class 10, it was a heavy shock to get a double digit rank in a class of strength ninety and odd. The subjects where I scored more marks were Maths (which needs little English) and Tamil (needs no English at all, he he he). That dragged me up to 37th rank in the class (not to mention, my other friends from the regional language medium were bundled to the last places in descending order of rank). Gradually, I ascended to 3rd rank at the end of my 12th standard ( that too because of the villain Sanskrit. Sanskrit students can get a centum whereas Tamil students can get a maximum of 90-95%).

With all dreams to go to engineering, the second blow came in the form of leaving me in hostel for doing engineering. My parents wanted to keep me close to them, so, I had to join B.Sc. Physics instead of BE the great! I cried for few days, and as usual yielded to my parents decisions. Nevertheless to mention I saw most of friends parents doing so. So, most of my friends parents put their daughters in the most prestigious Science branch, Physics. The course became a heaven and we all enjoyed. By then, we all knew the nitty gritty of writing Physics in English. Our English medium friends helped us to understand the sentences and we intern helped them with all those mathematical part of physics. At the end of B.Sc, thanks to my friends from angloindian board, I learnt to speak in English (not so fluently of course). I deem it as a pleasure to thank my friends Anita, Annapoorni, Nandita, Anupama, Sindu who patiently taught me how to talk in English. Me getting the first rank and gold medal in my B.Sc is a different story altogether.

From there I got M.Sc. Physics admission both in University and a reputed city college. Stating the distance as a reason, my parents distanced me from University and put me in the city college for my post graduation. Being a practitioner of resilience, I went to college. Seven of my B.Sc. classmates were there. So, it was a heaven again. By then, we started receiving marriage invitations from B.Sc. friends and we enjoyed attending marriages of our friends. By the by, I reserved my first rank and gold medal in mind and got them home too!

I got married soon after my PG. I thought my marriage with Physics got divorced. But, to my surprise, my father in law sent me to M.Phil as a full timer. After that, accidentally a college hired me as a lecturer and still continuing with the college since 1999. In between I finished my doctorate too! I survived against all the odds. There were instances which drove me to a corner. There were times that took me to square one. There were moments that made me to start from scratch. I cried, cursed fate, got depressed, and what not. But, never forgot being resilient!