Why can't adults have some fun too? 😉

Earlier days, every road used to be spacious enough for children to play and adults to walk the talk! There used to be many playgrounds where children and adults play in their group-defined territory on weekends! This right-turned-privilege has changed over a period of time due to urbanization and dense housing everywhere. There are a few real playgrounds left in every district and those are not in the immediate neighbourhood as they used to be. Even schools lacking enough play space is another thing.

As a replacement, government has been opening parks in every community. Any place with more than a hundred or two has a park of their own. Visibly, these parks all across the state has similar structure and play equipment. There is a huge walking space designed around the play area for adults and there are seats meant for resting and chatting. Overall, these parks are for good health and recreation. The private hotel spaces that have play area are also meant strictly for children. While adults relax for a while, children spend time playing. So far so good!! 

                                            courtesy: google images

Now to my focal point,

What wrong did adults do to not use the play equipment in such parks is something I wonder about!! Why are they meant only for children? In most places, they are meant for those below five years of age!!!! Even the law calls everyone till the age of 18 as a child!! And many grown-ups are still child at heart, mind and body!

Won't adults love to swing for a while?

Do we not get the tickle to slide?

Can't we enjoy a bit of 'see-saw'?

Don't we see adults who break this rule in parks to pamper and refresh themselves?

Do we not use them under the pretext of holding our child?

Most of these times, adults are literally thrown out citing age reasons! 

The predominant reason for such age restriction is the quality of play equipment. They are made to bear the weight of children below a particular age. And the other ironic reason is adult policymakers categorize play areas & equipment for children and walking area for adults. What's wrong if I see this as an unacceptable exclusion? I and all of us deserve to have fun, irrespective of our age. 

Will it not make a huge difference if those are inclusive - for adults and differently-abled too - in nature? Who will pass this message to decision makers? Amidst other burning challenges that face adults, parks might be of little significance, unfortunately!!!!

Reel and Real in God's own country!

Everyone on earth would fall in love at first sight with the landscape of God’s own country. Besides its scenic beauty, the state has several other feathers to the cap such as the highest literacy rate in the country, existence of communism – though in pieces, assertiveness of its people, never-ending interest to learn multiple languages, so on and so forth.

courtesy: Kerala tourism

Of course, the state has its own other side!!!! Of them, there is quite a lot of contradictions seen and heard of late. One such is the reel and real picture of Kerala.

No matter what the grave COVID situation was/is, the state’s film industry has been making quite a number of movies, most of them being good and did not fail to attract attention from a wide audience. Particularly, “The Great Indian Kitchen” evoked a huge (positive) public response for it deals with dirty patriarchy, and the firm stance of the female lead towards the climax. Another latest flick, “Sara’s”, touches upon a sensitive subject – to or not to give birth to a child is the decision of women. This movie again has a strong woman lead, who amidst the conventional rain of questions, decides what is best of her. Not just these, many a number of Malayalam movies give a strong role to female characters.

Such films being on the reel side, real news on the other side gives an ugly picture of Kerala such as women succumbing to domestic violence, early girl marriages, gory dowry deaths and silence acceptance of every other form of abuse. Immaterial of the educational qualification of women, these cases are quite normal and often featured in media.

                                        courtesy: Indian express

That brings me to the point of contradictions! Are these progressive movies a depiction of exceptional instances to be the harbinger for future? Are the movie-makers sincerely progressive enough to think beyond real? Is the Malayalam film fraternity trying to paint the real nasty, offensive behaviour with reformist ideas to please the outside world? Are such movies made to attract mere attention and have a hit at the box office? Are these the genre meant for winning awards? God knows!

Once Tamil Director Mani Ratnam was questioned by a (female) fan as to how and why his movies’ female lead characters – since his early days of movie making – are strong and bold when the reality was/is no way near. He said that he always wanted to see women around him that way and therefore he did/does portray them so. He also added that it was his wish to see women everywhere evolve stronger and stronger like his characters do.

                                            courtesy: Chai Bisket

If Malayalam movies  do the job of making their women tougher and decisive in making their own lives’ path, it is more than fair!  After all, we all look forward to a better world!

கோட்டைகளுக்கு சுற்றுப்பயணம் செல்ல விருப்பமா? 🚙

பள்ளிப் பருவத்தில் கோட்டைகளைப் பற்றி பாடத்தில் படித்ததோடு சரி. வேலூர் கோட்டை, செஞ்சிக் கோட்டை போன்றவற்றின் பெயர்கள் பரிச்சயமே தவிர வேறேதும் சுவாரஸ்யமாகவோ, உற்சாகமாகவோ தெரிந்திருந்ததாக நினைவில்லை. எந்த வரலாற்று ஆசிரியரும் கோட்டைகளை பார்க்கத் தூண்டும் அளவிற்கு அதன் விவரங்களை எடுத்துரைத்ததில்லை. 

தற்போது தமிழக மாவட்டங்களை சந்தர்ப்பம் கிடைக்கும் போதெல்லாம்  சுற்றிப்பார்க்கலாம் என்று முடிவெடுத்ததிலிருந்து கோட்டைகளை பார்க்க நேர்கிறது. அவ்வாறு பார்த்த சில: வட்டக்கோட்டை, கன்னியாகுமரி; தரங்கம்பாடி, நாகப்பட்டினம்; செஞ்சிக் கோட்டை, திருவண்ணாமலை; ரஞ்சன்குடி, பெரம்பலூர்.

இக்கோட்டைகளுக்கு பொதுவான சில குணங்கள்:

• புகைப்படங்களில் பார்க்க மிகவும் வசீகரமானவை.
• நேரில் சற்று தொலைவிலிருந்து பார்க்க அழகோடு கூடிய ஆடம்பரமான, கம்பீரமான தோற்றங்கள்.
• வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்புமிக்கவை.
• விசாலமானவை. 
• போர் காலங்கள் குறித்த ஆர்வத்தை வெகுவாக தூண்டக்கூடியவை.
• ஆழமான கேள்விகளை எழுப்பக்கூடியவை.
• குடும்பத்துடன்/நண்பர்களுடன் ஒரு நாள் சுற்றுலா செல்ல ஏற்ற இடங்கள்.
• காற்றோட்டமான மரங்களின் நிழலில் இளைப்பாற இயலும்.

மேற்குறிப்பிட்ட காரணங்களுக்காக கோட்டைகளைச் சுற்றிப்பார்க்க முயற்சித்த போது சில பாடங்களைக் கற்றோம். 

• கண்டிப்பாக வெயில் காலங்களில் கோட்டைகளை சுற்றிப்பார்க்க செல்லக் கூடாது. தமிழகத்தை பொருத்தவரை ஜூலைக்கு பிறகு டிசம்பருக்குள் பார்ப்பது சரியானதாகும். எக்காலத்திலும் தொப்பி அணிந்து செல்வது நலம்.
• கண்டிப்பாக சுமக்கக் கூடிய அளவிற்கு தண்ணீர் எடுத்து செல்ல வேண்டும்.
• எந்த கோட்டையின் அருகிலும் நல்ல உணவு கிடைப்பது கடினம்.
• அரை நாளில் கோட்டையை பார்த்துவிட்டு அடுத்த இடத்த்ற்கு செல்லலாம் என்ற பேச்சிக்கே இடமில்லை. (எ.கா.) செஞ்சி ராணி கோட்டை மட்டும் பார்க்கவே ஒரு நாள் ஆகும். புகைப்படங்கள் எடுத்தால் இன்னும் கூடும்.
• ஓரளவிற்கு இக்கோட்டைகளின் வரலாற்றை கதைபோல தெரிந்துகொண்டால் குழந்தைகளிடம் (உடன் வரும் மற்றவர்களுக்கும் கூட) கூற வசதியாக இருக்கும்.
• நிச்சயம் பெரிய குழுக்களாக செல்லுதல் நலம். சோர்வு ஏற்படுதல் சுலபமாதலால் குழுவாக சென்றால் விளையாட்டாக செல்ல இயலும்.
• வயதானவர்களுக்கு ஏற்ற சுற்றுலாத்தலம் இவை அல்ல.

மேற்குறிப்பிட்டவற்றை மனதில் கொள்ளும்போது கோட்டைகளை சுற்றிப்பார்க்க சரியான காலம் பள்ளிப்பருவம் அல்லது கல்லூரிப்பருவம் என்றே தோன்றுகிறது. களைப்பு என்பதே தெரியாத விளையாட்டுப் பருவத்தில் கதைகளோடு கோட்டைகளை சுற்றிப்பார்ப்பது எளிதானது மட்டுமல்ல சுவாரஸ்யமானதும் கூட. சற்று வயது கூடியவுடன்  சோம்பலும் அலுப்பும் சோர்வும் தொற்றிக்கொள்கிறது. பிள்ளைகளுக்கு ஈடு கொடுக்க இயலாமல் போகிறது. மேலும் நண்பர்களுடன் பார்க்கும்போது மனதில் ஆழமாக பதிந்து நல்ல நினைவுகளைக் கொடுக்கவல்லது.

பள்ளிகளிலோ கல்லூரிகளிலோ சுற்றுலா அழைத்து செல்லும் போது கோட்டைகளை பிள்ளைகள் பெரிதும் விரும்புவதில்லை (நாமுமே சிறு வயதில் விரும்பியதில்லை). காரணம், அக்கோட்டைகளை விரும்புகிறவாறு நாம் எதையும் சொல்லிக்கொடுப்பத்தில்லை. அதன் அந்தரங்கங்களை விவாதிப்பதில்லை. அதன்பின் உள்ள அரசியலை தெரியப்படுத்துவதில்லை. இவற்றை செய்யும் பட்சத்தில் பிள்ளைகள் தாமாக முன்வந்து அவ்விடங்களுக்கு அழைத்து செல்லுமாறு ஆசிரியர்களையும், பெர்றோர்களையும் நச்சரிப்பர். வரலாறும் விருப்பப் பாடமாகும்.

Relishing Calvin and Hobbes 💕

        The national daily "The Hindu" has always featured the famous comic strip Calvin and Hobbes💕 But I have begun to associate myself to it in my late 20s or early 30s only. 😛 

        Being the first in my family to go to an English medium school, purchasing and reading an English daily was never ever a thought. Always felt that English newspapers were meant for upper elite class 😎 where my peer groups were second generation English learners 😅. 

        Even after newspapers began to catch its space during the course of higher education, I had always been reluctant to read Calvin and Hobbes 🙈. I wonder WHY!!!! I could arrive at few absurd reasons: 

(1) in newspaper, it is always in black and white, and most importantly in small fonts; 

(2) always assumed that the language level would be hard; 

(3) back then, thought it was meant for those elite KIDS and not to ones of my age!

        I was wrong in almost all fronts!! Comic strip has more to do with pictures and less with fonts 👀. And language is far easier than what I used to read in Editorial page 😂 and above all, Calvin and Hobbes is for both adults and children!!! 👪😍 

      How adventurous it would be for kids to imagine a tiger toy becoming the best friend! Any kid would get its imagination widened to befriend its favorite animal 😻 And every kid and adult would see themselves in Calvin in one place or the other 😂😆😅 Truly fun-filled! and rarely tears-filled too! 😊

       The strip effortlessly deals with the most basic yet the most difficult subject on earth "Philosophy" in the most entertaining and catchy manner! Be it anything and everything under the sky that concerns a child (from school to death) is stunningly depicted and captioned 😇

       Lately, I find a lot of similarities between Calvin and Shin Chan 💞 and I love both of them, of course Hobbes too 💟 And my day doesn't end without them! 😘

P.S.: I really wonder why my English teachers never made a mention of any comic strip which is always an easy and attractive way to approach the language!!!! 😞 

The Great Indian Kitchen - An experience 👪

Disclaimer: Trust me,  I am a no "fake feminist" 🙏 and no major spoiler ahead 😝

Often we are bombarded with messages, films and news pieces as "Must-Watch/read for Women".😅 You, gentlemen, here is a MUST-WATCH PIECE for you, "The Great Indian Kitchen". Don't miss it. Watch it on NeeStream.🎦

The title when first read sounded like a 'reality show' on TV channels that air unique and majestic kitchens across India and related entertaining facts. Surprisingly, it is a realistic picture shot in a kitchen of our own household-like with most of our characters - directly or indirectly! 😃 No character is wrong but Patriarchy is - the core of this film!!! 

At one point in time, the movie-watcher starts gasping for air by merely watching the amount of work a housewife does. Of course, times have changed and there is a sense of sharing in some of our households, but in a democratic county, apparently we go by majority. In that connection, yes, I do not hesitate to say that kitchens own Indian housewives. Working women - that play dual roles - have no escape either👎.  As I personally know men who do not even wash their tea glasses at houses, the director's portrayal is no exaggeration at all🙆. But same men would stick to etiquettes elsewhere! Hypocrisy at best! Shameless! 😄

Though I am not for those isolation practices during menstrual cycles, I initially felt happy for the lead character to have been isolated for it would give her the much needed rest. As movie goes on, that happiness is not long lived🙅. Woman to woman equation is also unpleasant. 😓 

And yeah, women cannot be open to husband as far as sexual desires are concerned. Even usage of word "foreplay" attracts insult. 

The whole movie moves like a documentary though. However visits of guests, what kitchen work composes of, how personal needs of each and everyone vary, why even mothers are for patriarchal practices, elegantly touching upon respecting one's opinion, and making life's choices are all genuinely pictured!👍

On a personal note: 

(1) To make some of you jealous 😉: I watched the film alone and did not recommend it to my husband as it has no relevance to him! 💖💞 Lucky me 😍

(2) My attitude towards being a guest to a house has changed.👭

(3) I personally remind my family male and female members that ours is a not a great Indian kitchen. 🙅

Origami: an underestimated form of learning

In a recent workshop on Origami (paper folding) conducted by Kutty Aagaayam, children were told that origin of the art is not clear - whether Japan or China. Doesn't matter; Immaterial of origin, its relevance is worldwide - for all ages. Anyone would love to try a hand at it, if exposed.

The highest form of paper folding I learnt in my childhood was making a boat, a rocket and a camera. I seriously cannot recall anything more! And the only one I still remember is making of paper boat 😝

Pathetic, ain't I? But thanks to Sadako Sazaki, I learnt to make paper cranes! 

This art form has gained significance in recent times where children are enrolled in art and craft classes. Also spaces such as YouTube are browsed to try folding papers for beautiful home decors and fun-filled play items. COVID-19 outbreak has raised viewers and experimenters as children remained indoors for almost a year. Now, there is one important question that pops up in my mind!! 

Why weren't I introduced/taught Origami in Mathematics classes in my school???!!!! 😕

There are undoubtedly many benefits of learning this art. Some are;

1. It is FUN with shapes and colors

2. Gives an hand-eye-brain coordination

3. Develops problem-solving skills

4. Instills creativity and provokes curiosity

  

Of course we all know this! Besides, it is the most loving way to learn Mathematics. That is why I strongly recommend that Origami should be taught not only in art and craft classes but importantly in Mathematics. Will tell you why!

Learning basic shapes: Children could have hands-on training on shapes by folding and/or cutting papers. A paper can be turned to any shape - not only the basic ones - square, rectangle, triangle and circle. After making and learning, the same shapes could turn to a home decor with children's art on it!!

Fractions: It is easier to understand what half, one-third, one-fourth and so on are, by a mere folding of paper!!! It directly has an impact on learning basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Geometry: Learning this branch of Mathematics is not only important but also difficult for most of us. To understand area, angle and dimension of each shape is what geometry is all about. Till now, these are taught with 2D drawings on blackboard leaving us confused 😟whereas Origami will help us learn with 3D shapes made by ourselves. What more one needs to learn it better and easier!!!!

All these with minimal use of tools such as scissors, compass and the like. A Mathematics teacher mastered in Origami can tell us more benefits in detail! As a parent, I imagine how beautiful it would be, to see children coming out of Mathematics classes with color papers and shapes, in addition to better learning!!😍

Any parent reading this, please insist your child's Mathematics teacher to incorporate Origami in your child's class! It would beat the teacher's monotony and also bring interest in subject for the child. Truly a win-win situation!💖

P.S.: A scene in Putham Puthu Kaalai where grandpa would say ludo is nothing but Mathematical Law of Averages. That easy is Mathematics, if rightly and interestingly taught. Unfortunately, I did not come across one such teacher in school! 😞 

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!!💗💗