Friday, May 30, 2014

Where is Gouindy ?



I came across some funny moments for few weeks while travelling to office in MTC buses. This when I realized how much fun I missed by traveling in office cabs and own vehicle. 

Two things will kill you, waiting for office cabs to pick you and their odd timings. For a 5 PM shift you have to be ready at 3 PM!. As of now I don't have this cab problem, but travelling in own vehicle with already sleepy eyes is risky, have to be attentive always. Commuting by bus was fun, here are some crazy characters which I met, 

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Waiting in Vadapalani Bus Stop. A north Indian guy asked me “எ bus குயுண்டி jayeaga?”?

I gave him a puzzled look and said “குயுண்டி ?”

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In a movie, Vivek and Hanifa will get into an argument about Vadapalani and T Nagar. I never thought I’ll see something like that in real life.

This happened in Koyambedu Bus Stand. Route No 570 - CMBT to Kelambakkam. While the bus was about to leave. The Hanifa character entered and asked the driver “Inda bus Koyambedu poguma ?

Driver said “nnnggg… Edu than Koyambedu !!

Hanifa got tension and raised the voice, “Koyambedu poguma pogada”.

Driver noticed that this Hanifa is in full mabbu and said “Koyambedu pogadu.. kizza erangu

Hanifa said “Appadi theliva sollu”. He then put a salaam to the driver and got down.

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People who are not familiar with area names will pronounce it differently or get confused.

A confused guy might be from Bangalore asking the conductor “One Koramagala”.

Conductor, “Appadi oru area Chennai’la ellaye

Then he realized that he is in Chennai and not Bangalore and said “One Kelambakkam”.

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What is your funny moments in bus travel ?

**Above Image from the blogger

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Kochadaiiyaan : The Killer



This is not a review. I liked the film. DOT. If you are looking for bashing Kochadaiiyaan, then you are in the wrong page. 

Most of you wouldn't have seen this film, because of the armchair film critics reviews. So I’m just revealing few aspects of the film which I liked without spoilers. I wont speak about animation, cause those armchair film critics who doesn't even have an iota (Kadu’galavu) of knowledge in animation had said “it's disappointing”.

This is a tailor-made film for Rajini. Heroism at its best. He jumps like a Spiderman, he dives like an X-Men, he stabs like a 300 warrior, he fights like Ong Bak warrior, he rides the horse like a legendary cowboy, he dances like Shiva, he punches the punch dialogues. Idu than da heroism. What else you need from a hero.

The story seems to be like a MGR-Shivaji starring historical line, but the screenplay is racy. KS Ravi Kumar keeps the tab on the characters, as no character is wasted. There is a subtle Baashha type suspense. Twists in the story kept me guessing “what next”. After all the twists and turns the ending was a surprise. A grand opening should have a grand ending, but it's a open ending!, which was justified by the voice-over.

AR Rahman stamps his authority in back ground score and songs. The background music when Rajini & Deepika fights is a complete off-beat, which synced well with the film. Backed by Resul Pookutty sound design, which is always “one-decibel” up in providing the environmental sounds. Couldn't have asked more from Valle and Vairamuthu in lyrics. Maattram Ondrudhaan Maaraadhadhu is best of the songs. This song is a kind of Ra Ra Ramiya from Baashha.

Cinematography always tried to capture the grandeur of the graphics. The camera was frequently swinging top. left and right. It was like a roller coaster. This prevented me to focus on any particular thing. Also, sometimes the characters were smaller in stature compared to reality. 

Action sequences were conventional, even though they were fighting with swords the action was more leaned towards martial arts. Again in Rajini & Deepika fight the usage of props were optimum.

Choreography should be the probability bravest thing to put into the film. It needs a perfect way to execute the classical steps. I think the filmmakers were too ambitious in this.

Recreating Nagesh was a innovative thought, but ethically I can't buy this since it’s done without the consent of Nagesh. Some current actor should have been given the role. 

The problem with Tamil cinema is more the time it takes in production, it then has less chances to release or bad reception. They can't have 10 years of production as it was done for Avatar. 

Looking forward to the sequel.

**Above pic from the official website www.erosnow.com/movies/kochadaiiyaan/


Sunday, May 25, 2014

நெப்ரெஸ்கா ( அமெரிக்கா, 2013)



நெப்ரெஸ்கா (Nebraska) என்பது அமெரிக்காவில் உள்ள ஒரு மாநிலத்தின் பெயர். இதை எதற்கு படத்தின் தலைப்பாக வைத்தனர்? படம் ஆரம்பிக்கும் போதே சுலபமாக புரிந்துவிடும்.

சில வருடங்கள் முன்பு எங்க தேருவில் ஒருவருக்கு பம்பாயில் இருந்து ஒரு கடிதம் வந்தது. அதில் அவர் கோடி ரூபாய் வென்றிருப்பதாக இருந்தது. தேருவில் ஒரு சலசலப்பு. அவ்வளவாக உலகஞான்ம் (எமாற்றுவது) இல்லாத அவருக்கு ஒன்றும் புரியவில்லை. பிறகு யாரோ அவரிடம் இக்கடிதம் போலியானது என்று விளக்கிவுள்ளனர். இதை புரிந்து கொண்டு அக்கடிததை கீழித்து போட்டார். அப்படி கீழிக்காமல் அதை உண்மை என்று நம்பி பம்பாய்க்கு அவர் பயணித்து இருந்தால் என்வாயிருக்கும். அது தான் நெப்ரெஸ்கா-வின் கதை.

வுட்டி (Woody) என்ற வயதானவர் பில்லிங்கஸ், மொன்டேனா-வில் (Billings, Montana) வசித்து வருகின்றார். அவருக்கு மேல் கூறிப்பிட்டது போல் ஒரு கடிதம் வருகின்றது. லிங்கன், நெப்ரெஸ்கா-விற்கு (Lincoln, Nebraska) வந்து பணத்தை பெற்றுக்கொள்ளாம் என்பதை நம்பி, விட்டில் இருப்பவர்கள் சொல்வதை கேட்காமல் நெப்ரெஸ்காவுக்கு நடந்தே செல்ல முர்படுகின்றார். வுட்டி-யை சமாளிக்க அவரது இளைய மகன் ஜஷ் (Josh) அவரை நெப்ரெஸ்கா-விர்கு காரில் அழைத்து செல்கின்றான். அவர்கள் என்ன ஆனார்கள் என்பதுதான் மீதிக்கதை.

போலியான கடித்தை நம்பி ஒருவன் பயணிக்கிறான். இதில் என்ன பெரிதாக சொல்லப்போகின்றனர் என்று நினைத்து படம் பார்க்க உட்கார்ந்த என்க்கு வந்தது எமாற்றம் அல்ல, மாறாக ஆச்சரியம்தான் வந்தது. 

ஒரு கார் விளம்பரத்தில் வரும் ஜிங்கில் (Jingle)- ரொம்ப தூரம் சென்றால் உறவுகள் நெருக்கமாகும். இதையே தான் இப்படத்திலும் சொல்லியிருக்கின்றனர். தந்தை-மகன் உறவு, வயதான் தம்பதிகள் இடையே நடக்கும் சிறு சிறு விட்டுக்கொடுத்தல், உறவினர்களின் பேராசை போன்ற serious விசயங்களை நகைசுவையாக சொல்லியிருக்கின்றனர்.

ஒருமுறை அல்ல பலமுறை பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்று தோன்றும் படங்களில் இப்படத்தை சேர்க்கலாம்.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Baashha - Revisiting Tamil Films 4



This is everyone’s favorite. Released in 1995, this film took the gangster genre into a different level. This film became Rajinikanth’ pinnacle in his film career till now.

Along with song & romance, Baashha had all the elements of Hollywood Italian gangster films- the hero is invincible. The suspense of Manikam’ past will travel at least half way through the film and it was like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. And, when it did, it was pure authentic masala magic, which was tailor made for Rajini’ star image. Later, many films were made with this Baashha-type template, but couldn't replace or even replicate the original.

Sathya, made by Suresh Krishna was a raw gangster film. It was a story of a angry unemployed youth (Kamal was 34 then!), while Baashha was more of a revenge drama laced with gangster-ism as a backdrop.

This was the first film for Deva to score for a Rajini film. The songs became super dooper hit. As always Nagma as a new arrival heroine ( not her first film ) became a sensation.

Punch line after punch line kept coming in the film. Every line became legendary. Until now I didn't realise the dialogues were written by the veteran Tamil writer Balakumaran!.

Some serious scenes you might find funny now, thats not because its outdated, but because of movies which came after Baashha, which tried to replicate it and ended up dumb.

In Tamil cinema, the director had to have a wild imagination in the hero introduction scene. Usually, hero’ introduction will start from their leg\foot either walking or running. Baashha had that, but it went a bit further in making Rajini to smash a poosanikai using his head!, just like a header in football.

A film to watch anytime.. anyday.

Other Revisiting Tamil Films. - 1. Michael Madana Kama Rajan | 2. May Maadham | 3. Taj Mahal


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

2002 to 2014

March 12th 2002 - New Delhi


Parveez tried to sleep all night, but he couldn't even sleep for a minute. His eyes were sore. The newspaper boy threw the paper. It hit the door and fell down. Parveez went to the door and picked it. He was eager to read the news. His younger son, Asgar who was 15 years old was sipping the tea, he put down the cup and joined his father in browsing the newspaper. They were looking for something.

Parveez said “Violence seems to be spreading in the Gujarat state.”, he raised his voice “what is the government doing there?

Asgar asked “Don't worry abba, our prayers will save Ashar”.

Parveez said “I hope so, but look at these fierce people”, showing the picture of the mob, “why do they kill our people. ?”.

That evening the family was watching the TV debate. The anchor was up on his top voice and all the fingers pointed towards Chief Minister. Parveez with all anger was watching the TV. Suddenly, the telephone rang, it was like a thunder. Asgar’ mother muted the TV. She and Asgar turned their attention towards Parveez. Parveez lifted the phone to answer. After few seconds, the phone receiver slipped from his hand and he fell down.

Parveez had a stroke and when to coma. Years passed and nothing happened.

May 20th 2014 - New Delhi

Asgar got a call from the hospital and he rushed from his office. His father was smiling at him with all his senses back. 

Doctor said to Asgar privately “With all your prayers and hope your father is back. You see, after so many years in coma, he is weak and any sudden reaction will lead him to a stroke which can be fatal. Look, he remembers that your brother was killed by the riot mob. He said he can live in peace by seeing you. But don't make him emotional”.

That evening Asgar and his mother were preparing to take Parveez to home. They were about to move out in few minutes. Parveez asked Asgar “What happen to that Chief Minister ?”.

Who, abba?

Parveez, “That guy who was ruling Gujarat, his name I couldn't remember”.

Asgar replied “_ _ _ _” (Beep)

Yes, what happened ?, is he thrown out of politics, he should be in jail now, right. Who is the prime minister now ?

Abba, don't think of them now, it’s time for you to rest”.

Asgar signaled to his mother and went to meet the doctor.

Doctor, we will move in late night, we need an ambulance with the stretcher. You have to inform father that he can't travel by sitting

But why” asked the doctor.

Asgar opened the window. He said “You see the posters outside”.

I understand, moving out in an ambulance is OK. But later how will you drape all the current happenings from your father.

I’m going to create a new world for my father”, saying this Asgar walked out.

Did Asgar succeed! I’ll leave it to your imagination.

The above fictional story is a crude remake of the German film “Good Bye Lenin!”. The following is the plot from IMDb,

In 1990, to protect his fragile mother from a fatal shock after a long coma, a young man must keep her from learning that her beloved nation of East Germany as she knew it has disappeared.


**Note- It's a  fictional story

Monday, May 19, 2014

DMK a Dead Man’s Kazhagam ?



Let's cut straight to the point, most people predict the future of DMK is going to be dead party, this is not going to happen. One cannot just wipe out or discard it just like a fly on the wall!. In spite of the top leadership constitutes family members, the middle and bottom level groups are formed with some sort of democratic values. They have strong model of internal elections and the Dravidian party history to back them up.

In Tamil Nadu, DMK and AIADMK are the only two parties which got an organised workforce who can work at the ground level. In recently concluded elections, when I visited some of polling booths, I can consistently see both party workers in equal. The other parties does have its supporters, but they were either inconsistent or did not show any interest to indirectly canvas the voters.

Even by looking the numbers, DMK didn't win a single seat, but they are second (23.6%) in vote percentage after AIADMK (44.4%). Also, DMK came 2nd in 35 constituencies out of 39 in Tamil Nadu. So in spite of involved in scams under UPA, dubious decisions in Sri Lankan Tamils issue and in-fighting in the party they can retain their "in-house vote bank".

The other numbers which played an important role is 144 & 200 in favor of the ruling party. Also, there is a small percentage of voters who change their vote from one election to another. They weigh their options, read the current scenario and vote accordingly. These small percentage of voters should have opted for AIADMK. The other point to note is the increase of BJP’ vote percentage in Tamil Nadu, 2009 it was 2.34%, in 2014 its 5.5%.

Let’s see how the family drama unfolds in DMK.

Done with politics posts, will take a break until Modi forms the cabinet ( Namba Periya Arasiyal Scientist’tu elle :-) ! )

**Above image from Facebook


Sunday, May 18, 2014

8 hours of work ?



Last week when I started my shift in the evening I thought of meeting this developer who was handling my client. I walked into the floor and asked for him. Let us keep his name as Michael Jackson. I didn't see him in his desk and I asked the other guy (Let’s name him Obama) in the next bay. Obama said “Michael Jackson will leave sharp by 7:30 PM!”. I couldn't transcribe the way in which Obama replied, it had lots of hidden meaning in it. The hidden message was “Michael Jackson won’t extend his shift and he won’t work for long hours”.

Most of us think that people who stay and work late are good workers\employees. And, people who leave on time, in spite of finishing their work are average\below average. The problem is not with the Michael Jackson kind of people, but with Obama’s. Some Obama’s are proud to say their long working hours.

There is this letter from N. R. Narayana Murthy which surfaces every now and then in the social media. He asks his employees to leave office on time. Every word in the letter is true. Most of us don’t have a hobby of our own. All we do is write some codes, crunch some numbers, talk to the people whom we will never meet in life and strive to meet our targets. On weekends, either jump into the pit of boozes or sleep like a lazy cat.

As usual, May Day passed quietly this month. When companies\corporates can celebrate Christmas, Deepavali, Holi and Ayuda Poojai…why can’t we celebrate May Day!! I'm not a big fan of these days, but it’s a shame that we didn't even exchange greetings or acknowledgement on May Day.

I don’t want to take history lesson here, google it for yourselves of what is a May Day.

8 Hours of work is still a dream.

**Above image by the blogger


Saturday, May 17, 2014

Ctrl + Shift + Insert



Most of us use computers in our work and home. For some, it has become an integral part of the work. Let me put down some unique (and some not so unique) habits I got when using a computer.

Copy+Paste

Most of them use Ctrl+c for copy and Ctrl+v for paste, but for me its always Ctrl+Insert for copy and Shift+Insert for paste. I started using computers since MS-DOS, so when my sir in the Computer center taught he gave this unique combination to copy & paste. I seldom use Ctrl+c and Ctrl+v. My hand always searches for Ctrl-Shift-Insert combo.

For me its easy than Ctrl+C-V. When someone sees me using this Ctrl+Insert, they see it as a unique key-combo and ask for the combination. They start using this combo and then they feel it’s handy than Ctrl+c-v.

Shift+Tab

For some reason, I always use Shift+Tab to navigate across windows. Not sure where and when I picked this up, but couldn't leave it!.

Shift+Delete

Whenever I delete a file, my fingers automatically goes to Shift+Delete. This will remove the files permanently ( of course we can retrieve it from some software later ). So once I delete the files, I never regret about the loss.

Recycle Bin

Because of the above Shift+Delete, I never opened Recycle Bin. It’s always empty.

Email

I start writing the email first, then the subject and then fill the To and CC fields. Because, I have the fear of accidentally sending the half-written email.

Once the Email is sent. I always go the sent folder to check if the email is there and again I read it there !

Page Up & Page Down

These are least used keys. I know not when I had used these keys.

Lock the screen

This habit came from my previous employer. I lock the screen, even while using laptop at home. This is kind of safe, cause people won't peep into my system while I’m off-desk.

Incognito Mode

While using a common computer, I’ll always open the browse in the Incognito mode (Private mode). Two things- no one knows what we browse and other is user name\password won't be saved. 

What’s your unique habit ?

**Above image by this blogger


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Taj Mahal - Revisiting Tamil Films - 3


Direction by Bharathiraja, screenplay by Mani Ratnam, Music by AR Rahman and Cinematography by Madhu Ambat- If this team can't win, then there is no winner!. But in spite of having a legendary team (ARR was not a legend then!) this movie sank so deep in the middle of the ocean. Now-a-days one can't even get a chance to see the songs in the TV channels.

Back in 1999, when the music was released there was so much expected from this film. But all these expectations were melt down as if an ice cube is kept inside a hot furnace. 

Bharathiraja, a master in introducing new faces in Tamil cinema failed in introducing his own son, Manoj. There is nothing to blame Manoj, because the major culprit was the costume designer. Boots covering the ankles, jeans pant inserted into the boot, a rope in the waist, which was on top of the belt and then a shawl on the shoulders. Interesting combo, but a perfect misfit for a person in village. The heroine Riya Sen tries to sport a half-sari, but because of a budgeting constraints they restricted it to ¼ sari. Her dubbing was not even close to any village slang!. All these leads only to a cultural constipation!

The film doesn't mention any time-line, but I sense it should be pre-independence India, not sure. So we can't label whether its a period film or not!

Lighting was too artificial. Too much of light for a typical village. If its pre-independence India, then shouldn't be any artificial light in villages. Madhu Ambat gives an overdose of light. 

I can't say whether the screenplay is choppy or the way in which it was shot was choppy, but I couldn't see any mark of Mani Ratnam in this film.

The face saver is music and editing by Pazani Vel (I took his name from the title!). As usual in Bharathiraja films there are several fast cuts. In this sequence, I guess this is cross-cutting. Check out the below video, start from 8:22. There is a small brief cross-cutting at 9:13, which is well executed,


Bharathiraja shouldn't been too zealous by giving the title “Ilampuyal” to his son in his first movie !


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Other Revisiting Tamil Films. - 1. Michael Madana Kama Rajan | 2. May Maadham







Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Adios Amigos




My Dear Indian,

This is Manmohan Singh. You might be puzzled of who I am, I was your PM for past 10 years. Once for all, I’m bidding adieu to the post which I got it lucky. When I say lucky, I really mean it, because in 2004 once the elections were over, even I wasn't aware that I’ll become the Prime Minister of this country. It was a surprise for me then and it is a surprise now as I complete 10 years.

I wouldn't say the ride was bumpy, because most of the time I wasn't even in the driving seat. I was just a mute spectator as you were. I was just a viewer and a witness to strange things. My Cambridge brain was put in hibernation. But in spite of hibernation, I could do something so that our economy doesn't get into hell bottom. So what did I get back as reward, my name was changed into Mounmohan. I had a great opportunity to change this nation, but if you were in my position you could have felt the heat. I was surrounded by this chamchas and babus which I couldn't get rid off, they were non-stop as waves, on and on and on. You have to be happy enough that I didn't yield for it. I’m still clean!

My economist brain just couldn't grasp the scams. I was thinking for the growth of this country, but people around me, these chamchas and babus were thinking about the growth of the individuals. I never imagined that these people can swindle money in the name of new scams, which I couldn't even imagine. 

In tough times of global recession, I could steer our Indian economy without getting hit. For the people who write me as a week should think what could have happened if I was 100% hibernated! Should you give me some credit, but I don't ask for it. History will judge me. There will be a time when you’ll judge me while comparing to my predecessors. I know not the outcome of your comparison now, but you’ll write about it. Newspapers, get ready your OP-ED columns.

I was a good manager, but I failed as a leader. They say, I’m a perfect example of a right-guy in the wrong place, but show me where is the right place in this country!

I’m very grateful to PV Narasimha Rao, who dragged me into this political whirlwind in 1991. Touch your heart and cross your soul- Does the change in the economic policy then made a sea-change in your lives. But, I should have stopped then, I should have gone with the glory, than accepting the Prime Minister-ship of the country. I had a greed of changing this nation, but I just couldn't put those greediness into action. 

Adios Amigos,
MMS

****This is a fictional letter from this blogger
**Above image from indiatoday.in

Monday, May 12, 2014

Meaning of Life?



While travelling in bus, I always used to immerse myself into my mobile music, cause this is the only opportunity I get to listen to songs. But last week, one day when traveling back from office I couldn't listen to my mobile music as I was sitting right behind the driver. The engine noise of deafening. I opted for “window watching”, with the night showers, the early morning breeze was cool. 

This bus was from Kalpakkam to Koyambedu, its a route bus or widely referred as moffusil bus. Usually they don't have FM radio in these kind of buses, but this had one. Rainbow FM was playing songs. After the news, the RJ started to speak about life and its meaning. He started to narrate a small story.

A family man went to a sanyasi. He said he is feed up with his routine life. Every day he gets up in the morning, brushes, drink coffee, read newspaper, get ready to office, drop kids in school, come home in the evening, watch TV, spend some time with family and then sleep. Again the same cycle the next day. meantime the kids will grow, educate them, give them money, their marriage and then their kids. This is like a mechanical life. The man asks the sanyasi to take him as his disciple and he can be in his ashram. So that he can learn the meaning of life from him. 

The sanyasi thought for a while, because even in this ashram there are routine work to do. So this man could get easily feed up with those work too. The sanyasi then started to say a story to make the man realize the meaning of life.

Now, the RJ stopped and said “before we continue lets listen to this song from Kadaluku Mariyadai”. The song started playing. Around halfway through the song, the bus reached Vadapalani signal and I had to get down.

So without knowing the full story I got down. Now I realize I could have continued the travel till CBMT!, but anyways, can you complete it ?

NOTE: You can ask, when you had the mobile with you, then you could have listened to the rest of the story? Yes, correct, it didn't strike me then!

**Above picture by the blogger




Sunday, May 4, 2014

A Brainless Journey!!



There is something which you can do only once in your life, it can be daring adventure or a simple task. I always had this urge to go on a long ride in a bike, not 50.. or 100 Kms, but very long, say 200.. 300.

Many would have gone for long drives, it could be in gear-bikes, but not in an automatic gear scooters!!. I got this TVS Wego a few years back, I was waiting for a good opportunity to surprise my family members. This week, I had a perfect chance for a long ride, 258 Kms, Chennai to Krishnagiri.

Pre-planning

I browsed through the internet to see if anyone had written about their experiences of riding an Active or Wego type bike for a long ride. The best, I could see was from Bangalore to Mysore, which is around 140 Kms. I thought- I can make it. One 15 mins stop for every 60 mins. Stay in 60-70 Kms./hr. Drink plenty of water in the break and make sure to take a leak, so that I won’t get dehydrated. And, make sure I feed the bike with petrol whenever the fuel tank needle touches red. So this was a four pit-stop strategy, Three- 15 mins stop and one 30 mins stop for breakfast.

Get set-go

May 1st, after completing my night-shift, I went home, I wasn’t still sure to take this ride, but then I thought this is something which I can never do later, this is a first\ last chance. No one will ever permit me to do such an idiotic and stupidest act. So I called wife and said, I’m taking the bus, but instead my bike turned toward the Arcot Road to catch the Chennai – Bangalore Highway.

6:00 AM. With already, 150 Rs of petrol in the tank, I just filled 100 Rs petrol in Vadapalani. Arcot Road which is usually busy road was now less crowded. I made swiftly to Porur and to Poonamalle. Just after Poonamalle, when the city road meets the HighWay it took for a while to adjust the heavy vehicle’ movements. After, few mins, I was able to judge their movements. I was moving in 70Kms/hr., occasionally it could touch 80-85, I had to then pull it down to 70 again!.

The ride was comfortable, I got some pain in my knee after 200 Kms, but once I stopped and stretched a bit, it was OK. I went with the planned breaks. 11:30 AM- I was in my home at Krishnagiri, it was a surprise for my family. Yes, I made it. 

There was a function on May 2nd, so I had all day rest. I started back to complete my adventure on May 3rd afternoon. When, I say adventure, this is IT, the return was terrifying for few moments.

Cloud formation!


May 3rd, could be my "May Day" call!

I started at 1:00 PM from Krishnagiri. Having known the nuances of riding in the highway, I was making it easily, 75-80 Kms/hr . I reached Vellore at 3:10 PM. Had my lunch and started to move forward, my next target was to stop at 4:30 PM, possibly near to Kanichipuram bye-pass. But this is when things turned bad. While I was crossing Melvisharam, I saw a smoke kind formation at a distance, this may be few KMs before me. I thought it might be some fire accident. But, it was dusty wind from the ever dry Pallar river. While I was crossing the Pallar bridge before Ranipet, I can feel\see the dust and sand from the river bed throw up in the air like twisters. The wind became so heavy, right before me a hoarding of a hotel was pulled down by the wind, for a while my heart stopped! The heavy wind was pushing my bike off the track, I couldn’t go beyond 40 Kms/hr., and then it started to rain heavily. I had to stop in a tea shop (They didn’t have tea there) for a good 40 – 50 mins. My plan was to enter the city before 6:00 PM, but my return plan was a dis-array due to rain. I was in Poonamalle at 7:00 PM and it took an hour to reach Vadapalani.

250 Kms is an insane act. But to try once there is no harm I guess.

My next plan is to take a bi-cycle ?

Ezutha ezupuku ellam vanda anda appavi bike- White Rabbit.