Celebrating Grand/Motherhood

Times have changed and times are strange

Here I come, but I ain't the same

Mama, I'm coming home

Times gone by seem to be

You could have been a better friend to me

Mama, I'm coming home.

(Ozzy Osbourne – Greatest Hits)

Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin

Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa

Yun to Main, Dikhlata Nahin

Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa

Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa

Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Meri Maa.

(Taare Zameen Par – Shankar Mahadevan)

Death struck again in our family maybe after a gap of two years. A ridiculous visitation which reminded everybody about the ultimate destination. My grandmother was an ordinary being who lived a cornered life in the corners of my ancestral home. Nothing much is known about her. (At least to me). She never told me stories or fed me with her hands. Going by stereotypical images of popular culture she was a bad grandma. Anyway who cares? Her life was hers and she left us with a handful of memories. This blog is dedicated to her and all the good people who loved her.

Above is given the lyrics from songs taken from the domain of my favourite songs. One is Ozzy singing about his home coming and the second from Aamir flick expressing the painful thoughts in a boy’s heart about himself and his mother. The first song is about a changed man and is filled with remorse and regret. He is talking about an irreversible situation. He is changed and even the times are changed. His mama is no more and only he has got (maybe) is a home filled with memories.

The second song is much more in depth when it comes to the emotional side. He is helpless and he is trying to reach out to his mother who never fully understood him. The song is more like a self-reflective character sketch. He is talking about his little life. The song and its singer's heart is at the right place and Sankar is the only singer who can infuse the magic into the lyrics. Hats off to him and to the other two – Loy and Ehasan.

Before You Kick The Bucket...

The Bucket List – Movie Review
The DVD cover was so beautiful that it captured my attention. I feel that it will be a shared feeling of all those who like good actors from Hollywood. I am referring to my favs Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
I admired Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt. Through his outstanding performance as the retired and widowed Mr Schmidt, he filled me with the feeling of catharsis. The humane part of the movie, when Schmidt sends 20 dollars to help a boy in Tanzania is touchy. At the end of the movie when he returns from his daughter who gets married against his wish, he finds a letter from this boy who thanks him for the little support he provided. I think that this scene is the purple patch of the movie.
Morgan Freeman became my fav actor in the year 2001 when the movie 'Driving Miss Daisy' was used as a visual text in Loyola, Chennai to teach English. It was a humble beginning but it soon developed into a deep admiration for one of the best actors that I have seen. I would like to quote the words of Mr Rick from Casablanca here “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship". Thus started my lovely screen bonding with Morgan Freeman. I like him for his voice which he has used in Million Dollar Baby and Swashank Redemption. I am yet to listen to him in the academy award winning documentary – The March of The Penguins.
So it was true cinematic moment when these two actors came on the silver screen together in this movie which tells us to close our eyes and open our hearts. This is the story of two terminally ill patients who is given 6 months of life on this planet. They decide to have a ball of a time by doing things which they only had dreamt of doing. That’s the title of the movie – The Bucket List i.e. a things to do list that you prepare before you kick the bucket. The movie is a good entertainer and makes us realize the importance of living of our life to the fullest.

Parumala Thirumeni - A Memoir

Parumala thirumeni is the patron saint of Syrian Jacobite Christians. Right from my childhood I am aware of his spiritual presence in my family.In my childhood,the plan to visit the church at Mannar was recieved with joy and anticipation. As a child I never understood the charisma of Parumala Thirumeni.

As I grew up I could see,hear and feel his presence. My close family members shared their moments of faith and belief in him. He always struck me as person who devoted much of his life to understand the teachings of Christ. He followed His footsteps and lead a simple life. He spent most of his time in prayers and he became the youngest Thirumeni in the Orthodox Church. Whenever I visit this hallowed spot I have felt that I am part of the life of a man whose message was simple but difficult to follow.

One week back I was at Mannar to become part of this space of faith. I realy felt peaceful and happy to be part of the evening prayers and I am sure that the memory of the same will keep me going for some time.

Thanks a lot Thirumeni...