A surprise from Gautham Vasudev Menon

"Classy romance" is what we see in most of Gautham's movies. Almost all of his films are made for urban audience given its elite environment, English dialogues and portrayal of love. His latest outing, "Avalum Naanum, Avarum Naanum" (ANAN) was a true surprise to me, though he stuck to his strengths. As a part of the recently OTT released anthology film, Putham Puthu Kaalai, ANAN has captured love between two, in fact three, so beautifully!!! 💙💚💛

The whole short film features a high profiled grandfather (thaathaa) and his new generation granddaughter (Kanna). They both were totally awesome and effortlessly pulled us into their (less than half an hour) journey. The camera not only captures these two lead characters but also thaathaa's lovely house and its interiors. Emotions we find even on walls of the house match perfectly well with that of thaathaa and Kanna. 

The camera shows the two and their interactions, slowly growing bond and the love they finally find for each other, and interestingly music introduces the third character, VOICE!!!! For thaathaa, his pride of life is his daughter's voice, which according to him is strangled and lost!!! The way he expresses his love for his daughter and the latter's voice in the background, accompanying music are all soul stirring!

🎵🎶🎵🎶"Kanna Thoothu Poda" in Govind Vasantha's music, Bombay Jayshree's voice and karky's lyrics is the top notch of the whole film. The visuals too!! It solely communicates his daughter's love for him, her response to his disappointment 😊 and in turn thaathaa's love for his daughter 😊, the nucleus of this film. I fell in love with the song; in fact anyone would! Such a blissful one after a long time!! 🎵🎶🎵🎶

The title "Putham Puthu Kaalai" seems to be very apt for this short film (of course for others as well). Every dawn is beautiful and miraculous; so is the bond between thaathaa and kanna that grows, changing their lives more loving day after day! 

Life doesn't hide that beauty from any of us; may be sometimes we fail to spot it! Every dawn is a new beginning to pick up from wherever we left and however it is!!💗💗

Japan and I ❤

There are friends who travel across the world for various purposes. I feel jealous at times 😉 as I have never stepped out of my country. One has to make efforts to travel around, which I did not so far. So complete fault is mine.😝 Of all dreams to travel to different places, the most dreamt one is "Japan" 😍

Seeing my fascination for the country, my spouse tells me that I did have hidden connection with the place ages ago (something like "Japanil Kalyaraman"😜😲). Sometimes I feel that it must be true! 😄

The first thing I learnt about Japan during school days is the horrendous disaster they faced in the World War - II. I was always taught that the country bounced back with momentous growth in most fronts after the incident. Japan is not only a victim of war but also an active participant (Yes, Karma is a boomerang). Their learning at very heavy cost has transformed their outlook on life, is what I believe. I recently learnt that Japanese are raising peace monuments across the world to compensate their past war actions. There is a saying: "Learn from others' mistakes for life is too short to make it all by yourself." But it is a wonder why and how the adults (rulers) still fail to learn to spread "Peace"!!! Adults are adults! 😧

The next is my favorite TV game show during childhood, "Takeshi's Castle" 😎. OMG, What an awesome show it was! And I always wished that my town/state/country had something like that for kids to freak out.😞 Know what, when one of my friends travelled to Japan, I asked him to visit the place. He could take a picture of the place from the bus he travelled in as it was closed looong back. Still, I wish to get a glimpse 👀 of it some day.

"Totto-Chan" is my most favorite book (it is on a school in Japan that was crushed to pieces in World War II) since the time I read it. How could one dream of such a beautiful school and execute it to perfection!!! There is no place where I failed to make a mention of this book as I consider it to be a treasure and there are takeaways for anyone and everyone on earth!! I can simply speak for hours on this book 😆 I was unlucky to not have got such a memorable school life. Wish the next generation all around the world gets! 💞

Then the irresistible show, "Shin Chan" that we began watching with our daughter. One gets to know how child-friendly the Japanese city is by seeing the way the little boy goes around, in day and night, in sun and rain. Also it gives us so much insight about the Japanese culture that is looked upon by rest of the world. Such a cute show it is, not a single day goes without it! 💗

The most heartwarming life history I recently shared, Sadako Sasaki! Lesson for life for both children and adults all over, particularly to the rulers of nations. The meaning of "peace" it sow deep inside me is too intense to choose otherwise! How irresponsible we adults are, to make children go through all that they NEVER deserve! Neither does a parent on earth deserve to go through the pain of Sadako's family. Sadako and those peace cranes have become an integral part of our lives! 💖 We do make paper cranes often! 💝

And in the last week, the online site, Kanali have dedicatedly published series of articles/interviews/books on Japan. Beginning to read with the thirst to know more before I travel 😜😍

Every now and then I come across (both incidentally and accidentally) interesting facts, beautiful stories and everlasting history about Japan. Do not know if at all there is a connection between Japan and I, but it is on the top of my wish list!! 💓 

Voices are to be heard: NEET, Actor Suriya and the Judiciary

Many celebrities are vocal in matters of social concern in the present generation. Despite its pros and cons, being vocal is to be appreciated for a celebrity's voice is louder and wider. As far as actor Suriya is concerned, he has been into educating rural children for more than a decade now. Not only serving to the needs of rural school children, his foundation "Agaram" has been supporting higher educational needs of needy children, particularly girls. Having been a volunteer in an NGO a decade ago, I have personally witnessed Agaram's interest in rural children and education. Since then, I have heard a lot of first hand information from the beneficiaries themselves. Since his venture, the foundation and the actor have been reacting and responding to the matters concerning education, be it NEP or NEET.

Now his official statement has invited unexpected response from the Judiciary, criminal contempt. REASON: In addition to many of his concerns in the statement, he made a mention that (not verbatim)"when Judiciary conducts its proceedings online fearing lives due to Covid-19, it directs candidates to appear for exam without fear".

 

 

So now how does it amount to (criminal)contempt of court??

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 gives courts the power to restrict fundamental right to personal liberty in terms of expressing one's opinion in forms such as written or spoken words, signs and actions. Disobeying court's order is referred to as civil contempt whereas "scandalizing" or "lowering" the authority of the courts and its orders amounts to criminal contempt. The latter also includes interference in judicial matters or obstructing the same. There are several articles that reiterate contempt of court such as Article 129, Article 142 (2) and Article 215. 

In short, the criminal contempt refers to all those cases that make allegations on Judiciary, have motives to make public lose faith on it or give unwarranted criticisms.

In such circumstances, how is actor Suriya's statement is contempt of court?

I invite all your attention to the fact that even while unlocking of nation and Tamil Nadu gradually began, courts remained closed. Slowly, electronic means of filing and proceedings was happening. Courts are yet to be fully opened or accessible despite the fact the advocates from moderate to poor backgrounds have already switched over to jobs such as vegetable sellers, fruit sellers, daily wage farmers and the like. Though the sheer survival of advocates was/is shaken, courts refused to open stating the fear of Covid-19 spread.

Given this fact, Actor Suriya has just made a "fair statement" or "accurate reporting" of what the courts said and how the courts act in this pandemic period. It very well fits into the domain of "What is not a contempt of court". If at all there is an issue for the Justice to raise this matter, it has to be the ego attached which enjoys the privilege of "independent authority". May be the comparison between the "learned judges"/"chief justices" and the common people did not go well and led to this controversy. 

 

Interestingly, the very next day a group of retired judges and senior advocates jumped in support of Actor Suriya and the need to not probe further for various reasons. One state that it has to be treated and ignored as over-reaction of an artiste and the other say it has to be looked within the context and not beyond. At the same time, there is a group that condemns his statement. 

However it goes, as a layperson I find nothing controversial in the statement, rather it voices the minds of many. Banning NEET or scrapping NEET in view of tragic incidents happening is beyond this post. Yet, there is always an imperative need for a space to discuss, deliberate and express one's dissent. The very constitution guarantees the right to expression, the basic need for democracy and it has to be safeguarded by the Judiciary themselves. What actor Suriya did has nowhere "scandalizes", "intervenes" or "obstructs" the judiciary system. When a layperson like me puts all these facts together, the actor's opinion has to be taken in the right sense of venting frustration and helplessness for the children who not only go through tough preparations (with a failed education system that is unfair to majority) but also fight the pandemic risking lives. It is just that when opinions get voiced by a celebrity, the reach is far and sometimes end up controversial for no valid reason. Personally, I do not see a reason for actor Suriya to do this for publicity.

 

Similar contempt of court recently happened in the case of Prashant Bhushan. He refused to apologize stating that it would be against his conscience and he stood by his stance. Mere expression of one's opinion with a conscious mind cannot and should not be treated as contempt in a democratic system. Even England has done away with this system to a significant extent where India has taken this precedence from.

The country lacks voices and those that are heard are strangled every now and then. The least we all could do is to have a healthy discussion and dialogue wherever and however possible. In those cases, even such celebrity's view point would serve as a starter.

P.S.: Neither am I a fan of the actor in discussion nor do I have any connection with his foundation. And thanks for the inputs received from advocates Yogeshwaran and Mahalakshmi.

Are you hated?

My dear women 👭 out there,

Do people (both men and women) around treat you indifferently? I mean, 

Isolation? Ignoring? Backbiting? Irritating? Eating your minds? Creating troubles? 

Well, you must be one or more of these (and many more):

• working 
• smart looking 
• socializing
• tackling work-life balance well
• intelligent
• have an opinion on various affairs
• creative
• tidy
• (financially) independent
• transparent
• initiator
• empathetic
• calm and composed 
• refraining from dangerous gossips
• consistently climbing ladder, both personally and professionally
• visionary
• principled

Come on, its not your mistake to be a victim in the society, workplace or neighborhood. It is the idle minds that accommodate devils plenty in number causing unrest. 😀😂😅😆

Its ultimately your choice to fall into the trap like most of women out there or walk with head held high for what you are and what you want to be. Above all, to ensure that your daughters (and sons) are raised right for a better society. 💪👍

"Face is the index of mind" is an old saying that stands right across ages. Those women are beautiful that glow inside out!!! 💥

Rest of them, trust me, are not your cup of tea!💗

கதை கேளு, கதை சொல்லு!

கதை கேட்கவும் கூறவும் பிடிக்காதவர்கள் யாரும் இருக்க முடியாது. அதிலும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு கதை என்றால் அலாதி பிரியம். விதவிதமான கதைகளும் அதை சார்ந்த உரையாடல்களும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு இயல்பாகவே வரக்கூடியவை. அதனாலேயே எந்த காலக்கட்டத்திலும் குழந்தைகளுக்கான புத்தகங்களில் கதைளே பெரும் பகுதியை பிடிக்கின்றன. இதிகாசங்களும், வரலாறுகளும் கதை வடிவிலே பிள்ளைகளிடம் கொண்டு சேர்க்கப்பட்டன/சேர்க்கப்படுகின்றன. பள்ளி செல்லும் முன்னரே குழந்தைகள் பல கதைகளுடனே வளர்கின்றனர்.

முந்தைய தலைமுறை வரை கதை என்பது தினமும் சாதாரணமாக நிகழும் நிகழ்வு. வீடுகளில், தெருக்களில், பள்ளிகளில், வகுப்பறைகளில், விளையாட்டுத் திடல்களில், குடும்ப நிகழ்வுகளில் என எல்லா இடங்களிலும்/இடங்களைப் பற்றியும் கதைகள் வாழ்ந்த வண்ணம் இருந்தன. அப்பா, அம்மா, தாத்தா, பாட்டி, பக்கத்து வீட்டு மாமா, அத்தை என அனைவரும் கதை சொல்லிகளே.

ஆனால் சில வருடங்களாக "கதை சொல்லிகள்" (இக்கட்டுரை குழந்தைகளுக்கான கதை சொல்லிகள் பற்றி மட்டுமே) என்ற அடைமொழியுடன் பலரின் பெயர்களை பார்க்க முடிகிறது. இவ்வாறான ஒன்று பெருமளவில் வளர்ந்து வருவதை உணர்வதற்கே எனக்கு நெடுநாள் ஆனது. யார் இந்த கதை சொல்லிகள்? இவர்களின் பங்கு என்ன? யாரெல்லாம் கதை சொல்லிகள் என்ற கூட்டுக்குள் வர இயலும்? இது போன்ற கேள்விகள் எனக்கு எழுந்த வண்ணம் இருந்தன. இது தொடர்பான என் புரிதலை இங்கே விவரிக்கிறேன்.

கலை என்பது ஒருவரின் கற்பனைத் திறன் மற்றும் செயல் திறன் கொண்டு அழகிய எதோ "ஒன்றை" உருவாக்குவதேயாகும் (எ.கா. ஓவியம் வரைதல், இசை அமைத்தல்). கதை சொல்லுதல் என்பது, சந்தேகமேயின்றி, ஒரு கலை. அனைவராலும் கதை சொல்ல இயலும். மனிதனுக்கு இயல்பாகவே கதை சொல்லும் திறன் உண்டு.  கதைகளின்றி மனிதனால் முழுமையான வாழ்க்கை வாழ இயலாது. கதை சொல்லும் கலையின் ஆரம்பப் புள்ளி பிறப்பிலேயே நம் உயிரணுக்களில் வைக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டது. அது அழகான கதைகோலமாக மாறுவதும், அத்திறன் அலங்கோலமாக மாறுவதும் நாம் அந்த கலையை கையாள்வதில் உள்ளது.

ஆனால் மிக நேர்த்தியாகவும், கவனத்தை சிதரவிடாமலும், கதைக்குள் ஊடுருவ/சில நிமிடங்களுக்கேனும் வாழ வைக்கவும், கேட்பவரின் கற்பனையை தூண்டவும் கதை கூற எல்லாராலும் இயலாது. 

அதிலும் குழந்தைகளுக்கு கதை சொல்லுதல் என்பது நாம் நினைத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பதை விட கடினமானது. அவர்களின் கற்பனைக்கு தீனி போடுவது சவாலானது. விபரம் அறியாத வயதில் குழந்தைகள், நாம் கூறும் கதைகளை விரும்புவர். அவர்களே சற்று வளர்ந்த பின், ஏராளமான நிபந்தனைகள் இடுவர். உதாரணத்திற்கு, கதை நீண்டதாக இருக்க வேண்டும், சொல்லப்பட்ட கதைகள் அவர்கள் விருப்பமில்லாமல் திரும்பவும் சொல்லக்கூடாது, அவர்கள் கேட்கும் தலைப்பில் கதை இருக்க வேண்டும், அவர்கள் கூறும் கதாபாத்திரங்கள் கண்டிப்பாக அக்கதையில் இருத்தல் வேண்டும், நாமே ஒரு இயங்குபடமாக கதை கூற வேண்டும், கதை பிடிக்கவில்லையெனில் பாதியில் அக்கதையை நிறுத்தி உடனடியாக வேறொரு புதிய கதையை கூற வேண்டும். இப்படி ஏகப்பட்ட நிபந்தனைகள் (இவையெல்லாம் என் நான்கு வயது மகள் செய்து வருகிறாள்!!). இவற்றையெல்லாம் சமாளிக்க அந்த நொடியில் ஒன்றிரண்டு குழந்தைகளுக்கான புத்தகங்களை மட்டும் படித்து கதைகளை கூறிவிட இயலாது. பல கதைகளை நாம் படித்த வண்ணம் இருக்க வேண்டும். அதை பலவாறு சொல்ல பழக வேண்டும்.

இங்கு தான் நமக்கு "கதை சொல்லிகள்" உதவுகிறார்கள். இப்புள்ளியில்தான் கதை என்பது கலை மட்டும் அல்ல அறிவியலும் தான் என்று நமக்கு உணர்த்துகிறார்கள். குழந்தைகளுக்கு அவர்கள் விரும்புமாறும், அவர்களை தூண்டும் விதமாகவும், கற்பனையை அதிகரிக்கும் விதமாகவும், அவர்களே கதை சொல்லியாகவும், கதை எழுதுபவர்களாக மாறவும், நாம் கையாளும் கதை கொண்டு அவர்களின் குழந்தை பருவத்தை  மெருகேற்றவும் உதவுகிறார்கள். "கதை சொல்லிகள்" அவர்களின் கதை சொல்லும் அனுபவங்கள் கொண்டு ஒரு கதையை எவ்வாரெல்லாம் சொல்ல முடியும், எவ்வாரெல்லாம் சொல்லுவதை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும், மேலும் மேலும் நாம் சொல்லும் விதத்தினை நேர்த்தியாக்குவது எப்படி என்று ஒரு அறிவியலை நமக்கு படைக்கின்றனர். இதுவே இறுதியானதல்ல. இந்த அறிவியல் முயற்சியும் கலையோடு ஒட்டி மேன்மையாகிக் கொண்டே இருக்கும். மேலும் நம்மைச் சுற்றியுள்ள கதைகளை/கதைகள் தொடர்பான புத்தகங்களை நமக்கு காட்டித்தரும் வழிகாட்டியாக இருக்கின்றனர்.

இவற்றிலிருந்து நாம் புரிந்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டியது கதை சொல்வது என்பது "கதை சொல்லிகள்" என்ற அடைமொழி கொண்டவர்களால் மட்டுமே கூற முடியும் என்ற எண்ணம் முற்றிலும் தவறானது. "கதை சொல்லிகளின்" நோக்கம் அது அன்று. அவர்களும் ஒப்புக்கோள்வது நாம் அனைவரும் அற்புதமான கதை சொல்லிகளே என்ற உண்மையாகும். இன்னும் அழகாகவும் நம் குழந்தைகள் விரும்பும்படி சுவாரஸ்யமாக சொல்ல உதவும் வினையூக்கி மட்டுமே "கதை சொல்லிகள்". அதுமட்டுமல்ல, நம் குழந்தையின் விருப்பமான கதை களம், சூழல், விதம், எண்ண ஓட்டம் அனைத்தும் நமக்கு மட்டுமே ஓரளவேணும் புரிந்திருக்கும். அதற்கு மேல் தேவைப்படுவதை நம் பிள்ளைகளே நமக்கு கற்றுத்தருவர். எனவே என் புரிதல் என்பது கதை சொல்லிகளின் தேவை குழந்தைகளுக்கல்ல பெரியவர்களுக்கே!!

கதைகளோடு பயணிப்போம்!👪👫👬👭

Sadako, sending love and peace to you! 💞

Five Facts

• There is a children peace monument in Hiroshima, Japan
• It was initiated by children themselves
• That is the only one of its kind in the world
  
• There is a girl statue in the monument with raised hands and a crane
  
• Paper cranes are sent from across the world till date

                   Source: Google Images, peace-tourism.com

Over to the history behind

Who and What is Sadako Sasaki?

Sadako Sasaki is the second child among four living with her parents in Japan.

She is always active, very loving and energetic yet sensitive.

She is a born runner and her ambition at the age of eleven was to join the high school team and win prizes.

She strongly believes in good omen and lucky charms.

Sadako Sasaki and Hiroshima Attack

She was just two years old when the horrifying attack happened. Six close family members lost their lives in the attack. To her, even the commemoration of peace day (August 6) is a carnival where she could have fun with other children and eat candies. She consciously avoids having a direct contact with any victim of the attack for their 'ugly faces' and even avoids looking at their photographs.

The day she wins race for her team (a selection to the high school team) is the first time she feels a kind of dizziness. This later leads to a collapse on the field while running and proceeding tests confirms Leukemia due to the Hiroshima attack. She gets admitted to the hospital, stays alone in the night, worries, cries and loses hope.

Sadako Sasaki and Paper Cranes

Her close friend, Chizuko, visits her in the hospital and gives her hope in the form of a traditional story of Crane, popular in Japan. As cranes are believed to live for thousand years, one who makes thousand paper cranes would live longer and healthier is a common belief. This gives Sadako the hope and she starts making paper cranes. And also reads, writes letters to her loved ones from the hospital. Everyone (her parents, siblings, friends, nurses) gives her papers to make cranes & write letters during every visit. She even makes one big crane for Kenji, an unborn at the time of attack (a nine year old boy in the next room suffering from Leukemia with no parents and only guardian), to give him hope. But he soon dies and it shatters her more.

Still, she does not give up making more cranes. It goes from tens to hundreds. Those cranes are hung in the room by her elder brother. As the number of cranes increases, she seems to get better. But the graph fluctuates. When she gets better (number of cranes was close to 600 now), her doctor permits to visit her house and stay for a week for O Bon celebration (where Japanese families set their houses ready so as to welcome spirits of their dead loved ones). Sadako is happy being at home after a long time but her health is deteriorating. After a week, she again moves to the hospital, cries all alone, thinks and dreams about death. Now her fear is no more the disease but the death.

How painful it is for parents & family to see their child visibly losing health and slowly going away from them. And for the innocent kid to think of death all the time 😢

During her last days, she is gifted a silk kimono (traditional Japanese wear, quite expensive for the family to afford) made by her mother and kokeshi doll (traditional Japanese doll with no arms and legs) brought by her friends. Her 644th crane is the last one she makes. She couldn't make anymore as her hands lost stability and the doctor says not to worry and try making one next day and TOMORROW NEVER CAME FOR HER.

Sadako Sazaki and the monument

The remaining 356 cranes to bring it to 1000 were made by Sadako's friends to bury along with her. Those lovely friends made a book of letters sent by her from hospital and named it Kokeshi and passed it on to many to know her life. They wished for a monument in her memory and began to raise funds. Thus born the Children Peace Monument in 1958 with the message this is our cry, our prayer, Peace in the world. Children and adults are sending cranes to the place till date.

P.S.: Undoubtedly, children are the worst affected in any war without any understanding of what is happening around. Unless and until every single action of ours keeps children in mind, no change would ever take place on earth. A must read for everyone and do pass this message to every kid. Let them grow learning what PEACE means to the world, as adults are too grown up to understand and they are absolutely hopeless!!!!

And nowhere in the book I read on Sadako, was there a mention of the US and their ruthless action in the world war II, thus giving a start to spreading "Peace". Love to you, Japan 💓

Writing with a truly heavy heart😢 Peace, please🙏

Oh, Shin Chan 😊

Shin Chan has become a part of our family now as our daughter is fond of it. Sometimes the whole family imagines a scene like what would happen if Shin Chan comes to our house and the discussion would naturally turn out to be hilarious and sweet. That is the extent of his influence in our family. (Please note that neither the kid nor the family is addicted; and that is the only kids channel we have subscribed for and that is the only show she fondly watches).

Whenever we are dumbstruck with our daughter's reactions and responses in recent times, we unanimously conclude that it is the influence of Shin Chan 😂Being a girl child, let her grow as a talkative, assertive and enthusiastic, independent person. So we are very much fine with it. 

Why is the show loved by us as a family and why didn't we find a reason to say a strict NO to watching it? Coz this show is far far far far better that many nuisance and non-sense cartoon shows aired on TV. Let me list out the reasons:

• The whole show is about a kid, his parents, his sister and friends, Shero (the puppy) and all that surrounds him - simply a natural setting for any kid/family to relate to. 👪

• There is no fantasy - such as spider man saving lives or flying kids to save earth kind of stuff. Everything is real 👍
  
  
  (Shin Chan movies are exceptions; we do not enjoy it ) 

• The lead character is no "Best Child" as per societal norms. He is good as well as incredibly naughty giving all forms of headache to his parents, teachers and friends. Like any other child.😍

• There is no good vs evil preaching or any kind of preaching for that matter. Thank God! 🙏

• Though mom is a housewife who does all chores all by herself, she is the financial head of the family and has no regrets in leaving children behind with her husband to do her most favorite pastime, "shopping" 😅. Sometimes we even feel that 'SHE' is the lead character of the show.👸

• Shin Chan and his friends never quarrel over who is the best, who is who's competitor, who scores the highest kind of stuff we normally see around. I mean to say that there is no discussion on their marks, scores and ranks; basically no non-sense 😝

• Shin Chan and his father cannot escape from helping Shin Chan's mom on holidays on household activities 😎

• Be it a rainy day or a sunny day, Shin Chan can be independent (sometimes we feel its overboard when he goes out in heavy rains too) and can also be of great help to anyone on earth he comes across, but of course in his own naughty ways 😃😆

• The school set-up is also so informal where the Principal is more or less a friend to these children✌Many a times I feel that the show's director had taken hints from the book "Totto-Chan" 🙌

• One of Shin Chan's friends, Neni (the only girl in the gang) is so dominant and I simply love it 👌

• Absolutely zero temper tantrum 😊

• There is always a portrayal of natural relationship between the lead family and their neighbours, their relatives and friends. No drama.💟

• Event the financial difficulties of his family are well understood by Shin Chan but in a lighter way. Even that would sound and look cute. 😘

• There is no violence except for the trademark hit Shin Chan receives from his mom 😁

There may be (are) flaws in the show but definitely this is, any day, better than watching a boy/girl gaining strength by eating ladoos or reaching out to super powers to get their desires fulfilled.

That's my daughter's drawing of Shin Chan family on the wall :-)

P.S. Why didn't the director choose a girl for the lead role? 🙇 Nonetheless, we love this show 💓💕💗💙💚💛💜

போரும் பரிசுப்பொருளும்

     "கன்னத்தில் முத்தமிட்டாள்" என்ற  திரைப்படத்தின் ஒரு காட்சியின் சாராம்சம் இது. எழுத்தாளர் இந்திரா என்ற கதாபாத்திரம் அவரின் இலங்கை தோழரிடம் இலங்கையின் போர் பகுதி ஒன்றில் உரையாடுகையில் ஏன் உலகில் இது போன்ற போர் நடைபெறுகின்றன என வினவுவார். அதற்கு அந்த தோழர் "ஏதோ ஒரு மூலையில் இவ்வாறான போர் நடைபெறுவதில் யாரோ ஒருவருக்கு லாபம் இருக்கிறது" என்று பதிலுரைப்பார். எப்போது இந்த போர் அனைத்தும் முடிவுக்கு வரும் என்று கேட்பார் எழுத்தாளர். அதற்கு தோழரின் பதில், உலகில் உள்ள அனைத்து போர் உபகரணங்களும் கடலில் வீசப்பட்டால் ஒரு வேளை போர் இல்லாமலே போகலாம் என்பார்.

ஹெச்.ஹெச். முன்ரோ என்ற எழுத்தாளரின் "அமைதியின் பொம்மைகள்" என்ற சிறுகதையில் ஹார்வி என்ற கதாபாத்திரம் தனது அக்காவிடம் குழந்தைகளுக்கு அமைதியை பிரதிபலிக்கும் பொம்மைகள் பற்றி ஒரு அறிக்கை தெரிவித்துள்ள கருத்துக்களை பற்றி குறிப்பிடுகிறார். இவ்வாறான முயற்சி சிறந்தது என்று கூறுபவர் இது  எவ்வளவு சாத்தியம் என்று கேள்வி எழுப்புகிறார். அதற்கு அவரின் அக்கா தன் பிள்ளைகளை பார்க்க வரும் போது அவ்வாறான பொம்மைகளை வாங்கி வந்து பரிசளிக்குமாறு யோசனை  கூறுகிறார். அவ்வாறே அவரும் செய்கிறார். தன் அக்காவின் இரண்டு மகன்களும் எப்போதும் போர் சம்மந்தப்பட்ட விளையாட்டுகளையே பெரிதும் விரும்பி அதீத ஆர்வத்துடன் விளையாடுபவர்கள். தன்  மாமா அவ்வாறான பரிசே கொண்டுவந்திருப்பார் என்று எதிர்பார்த்தவர்களுக்கு பெருத்த ஏமாற்றம். மாமா வரலாற்று சிறப்பு மிக்க செய்திகளை விளையாட்டாக அறியவும் அதனை கொண்டு விளையாடும்படியான பொம்மைகளை அளித்ததுமில்லாமல் அதனை பற்றி அவர் விளக்கியது அப்பிள்ளைகளுக்கு ஏமாற்றத்தையும் வெறுப்பையும் அளிக்கிறது.  ஹார்விக்கும் அக்காவிற்கும் உள்ளூர ஒரு சிறு நம்பிக்கை என்னவெனில், அப்பிள்ளைகள் சிறிது நேரத்தில் அப்புதிய பொம்மைகளை விரும்ப ஆரம்பித்து விடுவர் என்று.  இறுதியில் நடந்தது (அப்புதிய பொம்மைகளை தங்களின் போர் விளையாட்டுக்கு உகந்தவாறு மாற்றி மீண்டும் போர் விளையாட்டையே ஆர்வத்துடன் விளையாடினர்) அவர்களுக்கு அதிர்ச்சியை அளிக்கவில்லை, மாறாக தங்களின் முயற்சி தாமதமானது என்பதை உணர்ந்தனர். உணர்ந்தும் பயனில்லாத நேரம்!

சரி, மேற்குறிப்பிட்ட இரண்டையும் இணைத்துப்பார்ப்போம். உலகில் போர்கள் ஓய்ந்த பாடில்லை, ஓய்வதற்கான அறிகுறி எதுவும் சாட்டிலைட்டிற்கு எட்டியவரை தென்படவில்லை. மாறாக போர் என்பது ஒரு விளையாட்டு ரூபத்தில் ஒவ்வொரு வீட்டிற்குள்ளும் உறவாடிக் கொண்டுள்ளது.

இவ்வாறான விளையாட்டுகளே நம் பிள்ளைகளிடமும் (அதிகமாக ஆண் பிள்ளைகளிடம்) காண முடிகிறது. துப்பாக்கி, வில்-அம்பு, பெரிய கட்டைகள், கத்தி போன்ற விளையாட்டு பொருட்கள் பெருமளவு குழந்தைகளால் விரும்பப்படுகிறது. தன் நண்பனை சுட்டு விளையாடுவது ஒரு இன்பத்தை தருகிறது. இது விளையாட்டு தானே என்று புறந்தள்ளுவது  சரி இல்லை என்று தான் தோணுகிறது. மேற்கு நாடுகளில் பள்ளி மாணவர்களிடையே பெருகி வரும் துப்பாக்கி கலாச்சாரம் இங்கு கத்தி கலாச்சாரமாக உள்ளது. அவ்வளவே வித்தியாசம்.

உளவியல் ரீதியாக பிள்ளைகள் சிறு வயது முதலே இவ்வாறான பொம்மைகளுடன் விளையாடி (பெரும்பாலான நேரங்களின் பெற்றோர்களின் கண்காணிப்பின்றி) அதுவே தன் நண்பர்களுடன் வெறியாக மாறுகிறது. பாகுபலி செட் போன்ற பொருட்களில் இல்லாத போர் உபகரணம் இல்லை என்றே கூறலாம். தீபாவளி பண்டிகை முதல் திருவிழா வரை துப்பாக்கிகள் வித விதமாக கிடைக்கின்றன. மேலும் திரைப்படங்களில் ஹீரோ, வில்லன் இருவரிடமும் துப்பாக்கி வழங்கப்பட்டு இது நல்ல பொருளா, தீய பொருளா என்ற அறுதியிட்டு நம்மால் நம் குழந்தைகளுக்கு விளக்க முடியாத நிலையும் உள்ளது. கத்தி போன்ற பிற பொருட்களும் அவ்வாறே.

ஒரு பக்கம் பள்ளி பாடங்களின் வழியே அஹிம்சை முறையை பிள்ளைகளுக்கு அளிக்க பல்வேறு வழி முறைகளை முயற்சி செய்தும், அது குறித்த ஆலோசனைகளை வழங்கியும் "Prajnya" போன்ற அமைப்புகள் செயல்படுகின்றன. நாமோ வீடுகளில் நேர்மாறாக நடந்துக்கொள்கிறோம். இதை நம்மால் சுலபமாக சரி செய்ய  இயலும். பெற்றோர்கள் தம் பிள்ளைக்கு இவ்வாறான பொருட்களை வாங்கி தராமலும், நாம் பரிசுகள் வழங்கும் போது "அமைதி பொம்மைகள்" போன்ற கருத்துகளை மனதில் கொள்ளலாம். இவை அனைத்தும் சிறு வயதிலேயே செய்யப்பட வேண்டியதும் அவசியமென்றே தோன்றுகிறது. நம்மை சுற்றி  வன்முறை கூடிக்கொண்டே போகும் சூழலில் பிள்ளைகளுக்கு நாம் அளிக்கும் பரிசுப்பொருட்கள் உலகின் அமைதிக்கு நம்மால் இயன்ற ஒரு சிறிய பங்கு என்பது மறுக்க இயலாத உண்மை.

யார் கூற இயலும், இவ்வாறான முயற்சிகள் உலகில் உள்ள அனைத்து வீடுகளிலும் பெற்றோர்களும் செய்யும் பட்சத்தில் இன்றைய குழந்தைகள் நாளைய தலைவர்களாகும் போது எங்கள் நாட்டில் இனி போர் உபகரணங்கள் இருக்காது என்றும், போர் என்றது கொடிய தீஞ்சொல் என்றும் கூறி உலகை அமைதி பூங்காவாக சுலபமாக மாற்றி விடுவார்களாவோ என்னவோ.

"அணு விதைத்த பூமியிலே அறுவடைக்கும் அணுக்கதிர் தான்" என்ற பாடல் வரி நாடுகளுக்கு மட்டுமில்லை வீடுகளுக்கும் தான்.

Hon'ble PM, we expect something else!

Hon'ble PM,

The nation listens to you, always, particularly in times of distress.

So, why don't you address this nation on key issues. 

Please talk to us on (and many more):

• How to fight fear of this unexpected situation?
• How are the microbiologists and virologists involved in fighting against this pandemic, and many more to come in future?
• Any plans of setting up more laboratories across the country for now and future?
• Are we on par with other countries that do rapid testing to minimise casualties?
• Will the vacant positions of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals be filled every now and then, hereafter?
• Will slowly government hospitals overtake private hospitals in performance and quality?
• What are economists doing? Have they found the way through this maze? or at least in the process of finding one?
• Don't the economists tell the government ways and means to keep emergency fund ready all the time? 
• Are we judiciously using the huge funds received from Philanthropists such as Tata and how?
• Will the government adopt transparency in sharing details of inflow and outflow of money during this emergency?
• How is India going to cut costs on unnecessary stuff and save for emergency situations such as this?
• How will the government keep a check on charges levied by private hospitals that treat such pandemics? Do we have helplines to report on high charges for testing and treatment?
• Why did governments of state not provide facilities for migrant labourers in their place of work to find shelter and food, and instead forced to move in times of such emergencies?
• Is the government prepared to support needy families if this lockdown continues for few more weeks?
• Are the stressed medical professionals, and other frontline workers treated to destress in any possible way?
• Will health (and education) occupy a major place in the following year's budget?
• What do we have to learn from affected and unaffected nations across?
• Is the government working on identifying its flaws?
• What is your biggest realization as the head to focus on during such difficult times?
• Will you show us how to walk with the nation after this lock down for a better and safe tomorrow?

We know, it is more important to prevent community spread and save lives of our citizens than discussing the above points. We know, actions speak louder than words. But we also know that focusing these is better than asking us to clap and light.

Think tanks and corona

Let me go straight to the point I would like to share instead of wailing away time on topics of little significance such as clapping (instead thank your family doctor & other staff when you meet them next time) and lighting lamps (instead be empathetic day in and day out).

What next?? The pandemic has hinted us on creation of think tanks for a better tomorrow. The first  and random thought that came to mind is this:

A think tank comprising "Conservationists, Environmentalists, Policy makers & Economists": As this lock down has has hit the 'refresh' button of nature and other living beings on earth, why not think of such a national lock down every year and help nature refresh itself?

Points to ponder in this direction

• When can the nation be locked down every year? Period and duration
•  How can the economic slowdown of this period be addressed?
• What can be the role of government?

To answer

'When' needs to be decided in consultation with the

1. Department to Tourism: to identify off-season when the revenue generation is normally less in a year
2. Environmentalists/conservationists: to identify the period that is conducive/favourable for nature to reset itself on its own; and to identify the minimum and maximum number of days that would make a significant difference
3. Department of Health: to identify the right season in a year that is suitable/better for public to stay indoors
4. Economists: to analyse and identify the less economically-active period (in relative terms only) in a year in the country, if any
5. Election Commission: to ensure that no election related works happen during that time
6. Political off-season where no assembly/parliament sessions take place and budget related works happen

Economic slowdown

As it is natural to have a steep decline in economy graph during a national lock down, the role of economists becomes highly significant. The think tanks of economists need to arrive at decisions/ideas/proposals to tackle it and provide ways and means to get rejuvenated right after the period.

Considering this equation nature⥸economic growth for sustainability or the very existence of earth, compromising with economy is a better option.

Planned lock down and its benefits

• Nature and our fellow living beings would thrive happily
• No chaos/fear among public as they would gradually get used to this format; and therefore they would begin to plan well in advance
• Quality family time
• Children's creativity provoked, adults' too
• Encourage community living
• Possible increase in health consciousness
• No alcohol; therefore no related crimes 
• No breaking news to channels to survive on

 Role of government

1. To ensure paid/half-paid/minimally paid leave for everyone (organized and unorganized sectors)
2. To have child and women helplines (counseling services too) to report abuse of any form
3. To revamp government hospitals, schools, ration shops and offices
4. To attend to shelter-less and migrant labourers (making use of closed cinema halls, schools, community halls, wedding halls, colleges and get a community kitchen in place to support them)
5. To identify the real needy sections that would be in need of emergency fund to run their lives, as many would be prepared in advance as the lock down would be on the decided/announced date.
6. To ensure that alcohol is not bought and stocked at homes that might eventually result in domestic violence  

...to be continued on what is expected of my Prime Minister!

 P.S.: There are just the preliminary thoughts and portions of the post might undergo changes depending on mind-processing (of course no portion would be deleted😛)

Art and Hypocrisy

To me,

 

Maniratnam is romantic;

Bala is raw and dark;

Shankar is stylish;

Mysskin is violent, yet humane;

Samuthirakani is idealistic;

Vasanth is gentle and caring towards women;

Karthik Subburaj is unique;

CS Amudhan is humorous.

The

List

Goes

On…

This is just my perception of the personalities depending on their movies I have watched so far (many of you would have developed similar perceptions).

In this connection, my idea of the legendary director (late) K. Balachander is that he is progressive (ahead of his times) and a hard core feminist. His films were women-centric and empowering, by having created real BOLD, CHARISMATIC and ASSERTIVE women to shoulder his scripts. It is quite natural for anyone like me to, therefore, look up to him as a real fighter for women rights!

Cut to a recent interview of a yesteryear actress Rekha (one of the lead characters in K.Balachander’s superhit Tamil movie, Punnagai Mannan). She has now revealed that her consent was not sought for the popular lip lock scene in the above mentioned movie with actor Kamalhaasan. Importantly, she was a minor then. What a trauma it would have been for the girl!

At the least, it is not sure if her parents/guardians gave their consent on her behalf, and whether the popular and influential male actor involved was aware of this scenario. Whatever be the case, not having sought the consent is (on the belief that her statement is true) unacceptable and it is highly unexpected from the director who is celebrated for the strong women characters of his films.

What do I write; how do I express; which medium do I prefer; where do I stand; why do/don’t I act: All this depends on who I am and what my thoughts are. My creations are what I am!! 

If that isn’t true, then what do we call it? Hypocrisy!! Who are my film makers, my authors, my artists, my musicians, my teachers, my mentors, etc.? Hypocrites?!?! 

Sorry, the moment you are exposed, you cease to exist in my space!