Musings

Nothing should go a waste

2010-04-02T03:30:00.002-07:00

It is indeed intriguing how nature almost rejuvenates everything - nothing ever goes waste in nature. A dead body is a food for the decomposers (however much it may be gory to imagine). The human urine and faeces are in fact incredible manures. There are lot of articles out on google on humanure, but what has prompted me to post is this -

Read this Urine replacing fertilizers

Recently, my sister was on a visit to a remote village in Uttaranchal to promote a World Bank project. The project was about "educating" the villagers about the modern toilet. On how to use the flush, how to clean and how not to defecate anywhere and "use" the toilet. She in fact noted that, although she went on this "education project", there was absolutely no pollution in that village. One hardly steps on any urine or faeces. The people obviously used the forest areas. It was lush, green, serene and very refreshing. The lassi was so thick and refreshing - nothing like she has ever had anywhere in Delhi. When all I could tell her was that she ruined whatever was good, there was an interesting question she asked.

As far as India is concerned, men (most often) hardly have any shame urinating and making a nuisance in public. It is the women who are more restrained. The women who approached my sister were the ones pushing for the modern amenities as they were driven by "lajja" - shame. They found it difficult especially during their periods to be with the old system of urinating in the open in some designated places, or when they were out in the fields with men around. 4-5 women had to round up the one woman who had a nature's call.

Now that brings me to the other topic of complete rest during the menstrual period. I remember my mom and aunts being advised to stay "out" - essentially, they were not allowed in the kitchen and were not to touch anything. Basically, they were given a lot of rest. Unfortunately, we have done away with that healthy and wise practice for reasons of "shame" and "lajja" and inconvenience with nuclear families. Inconvenience is another reason how the sanitary napkins are in vogue even with maids who earn just Rs.500-1000 a month. I shudder to think how much of a pollution all that plastic would create. Can there not be a disposable, but an organic solution to this...which is more convenient too?

It is in fact a criminal waste to flush out so much water if all we need is to utilize the nature's manure. But, how do we solve the issue with respect to women? My sister said, the women would come to meet her alone and would cry telling her to influence their "men" - they could not hold on in the fields with so many men around - they needed some provision. There should be a way out if we want to do away with the flush....especially for women.

Cancer: The yin and yang

2010-04-01T13:29:00.002-07:00

A remarkable article. Out of Control Yang - The root cause of cancer

I heard about two more women who are having cancer of the breast and ovary. And, as the days go by, I think more women will succumb to it. Blame it all on our shift from the wholesome families to nuclear ones where everybody works and success is purely measured in "masculine" terms.

The article is so very right. In our households, in our societies and the world over needs some respite from the madness of too much action. More feminine (and not just feminist)! :)

Women's Health

2010-03-11T03:45:00.003-07:00

Read on -

Women's Health

During my post-partum care, my mother always used to try to serve food for me alone. The food given to the mother of the new-born was not supposed to be seen by any other member of the family. Does that mean that even in strict vegetarian societies, nursing mother was given the required not so vegetarian food? May be our grannies' grannies could answer! Did any other Tambram receive any "special food" during post-partum care?

Ok so what other choices do the lacto-vegan women have - butter, full-fat milk, cream, flax-seeds. Anything else?

That diet apart, here is what struck me most on the lifestyle -

In primitive societies, women's roles and women's diets were dictated by the tribal culture and did not require the individual woman to exercise her decision-making powers. By contrast, modern society gives us unlimited freedom. Every trip to the grocery store, every visit to the refrigerator presents the opportunity for wise or foolish choices about our diet.

So, too, with how we spend our time. The modern woman has been told that she can do everything-work full time, raise a family, provide meals, keep a household that runs smoothly and peacefully and remain appealing and young. Nature tells us something different. By conferring on women the gift of menopause, nature informs us that mothers of small children need help. They cannot do it all, not in primitive societies, much less in the modern age. The pressures for young women to be both wage-earner and mother can place enormous stress on our bodies at just the stage when our strength is needed for the production and care of healthy children. That stress often leads to disease.

Feminists need not cringe. This is not a summons for women to give over newly won political freedoms or withdraw from the workplace but rather a plea for common sense. The future of both ourselves and our children is best served when full-time careers are delayed until after the childbearing years. And when young mothers are obliged to work full-time, older female relatives-aunts, grandmothers, childless siblings-should be ready to pitch in and help with child-rearing duties. In every family unit, at least one person needs to have the time to prepare nutritious meals, whether mother, father, relative or housekeeper.

Hmmm....interesting!!!

Lord Muruga and Guru

2010-02-08T01:36:00.002-07:00

The meaning and symbolism of Lord Muruga (or Skanda, Shanmukha, Kumaraguru, Vadivela etc...) has been intriguing me for quite a long time now. Just like Ganapathi or Ganesha stands for the Mula Chakra and Elephant becomes the symbol for the root chakra, I am led to believe that Skanda is the symbol for Ajna chakra. Again, a very vain and poor explanation - just that I am intuitively tugging at this...

It seems Arunagirinathar received his mantra diksha from Murugan in the form of a Guru. Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar uses the mudra "Guru Guha" in his kritis. Murugan as Swaminathan - he gives upadesam to his father.

Say Om Guru Guha continuously - and you will hear Muruga!

The term Shan-mukha - is it then for the 6 centers from Mula till Ajna?
Is it symbolic of 6 branches of Vedic learning - Shan-matham as Kanchi Periyava says.
Is the Vel really nothing but the Guru's direction and mantram?

Then what is the explanation for Valli and Deivanai? If they merge with Murugan who is at Ajna - will they be symbolic of the two major nadis - Ida and Pingala?

What is the meaning of Guha in Guruguha - is it guhya - that is secret. The secret Guru within?

And, why is Murugan the son of Shiva and Shakti....is it because he represents the Ajna - the one just next to Sahasra which is the abode of the Universal Father and Mother? And, if Shiva burnt Manmatha to ashes by opening his third eye and the result was Skanda....it more so points to Skanda as a symbol for the third eye!
Subrahmanya is the knower of Brahman - again "intuitive knowing" happens at the third eye.

Could it just be that the entire ensemble of symbolism in Murugan worship is nothing but trying to open the third eye of the devotee? Of course, better worship Ganapathi before embarking on the journey, as nothing happens if one is just stuck at the root.

Believe it or not

2009-09-08T23:59:00.002-07:00

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/spotquack.html

I think we are amidst bombardment of healing types - both traditional, modern and whatever modern claims as alternative. So, I take each - and observe how my body behaves - reacts in shorter as well as longer term. I don't fear lead poisoning or any excess in my blood, pressure - for well, it is better to experiment rather than buy into anything! And, what best do you have rather than your own self. So, I have tried on myself allopathy, homeopathy, acupressure, reiki and ayurvedic.

Well, none - take it none of it is a panacea - or the magical potion. Nothing happens overnight. Nothing works unless you are able to get to the way you can observe your body. Observe and accept those that you have inherited, observe those that are changing and well, observe observe every day. Every step, every breath.

I think the skeptics are up against Dr. Chopra. http://www.skepdic.com/ayurvedic.html
They are not fond of mind control bringing body control. Well, full marks to you for questioning everything without research. But, do you care to go through all the articles in medical journals - or even question the research there, the sample size, the assumptions, and well, do you have all the information - uncertainty principle eh?!!!

"Many claim that their products or programs offer "optimal nutritional support."
But they conveniently neglect to tell you that a balanced diet provides the nutrients most people need and that government guidelines makes balancing your diet simple

Who forms the government guidelines - which people and on which corporations' board do they sit. They may be honest and could genuinely believe in their products. If masses should believe them, then why can't masses believe the quacks!

This is like - you want everyone to be broad-minded, but won't be broad-minded enough to accept that people can be narrow-minded!!!

I haven't read a single Chopra book - saw the cost and left it at the counter - may be a few pages that a friend loaned. But, then, I can say that your attitude to a situation can bring about physiological changes - don't believe me - try it. If that is what Chopra says, well, I have seen it happening. We can choke our arteries of the neck through anger - or bring up acidity through jealousy. Try it, experiment - allow jealousy to take over - see what it does to your system! So, well, the digene helps, and so do lime juice and buttermilk too but you see what the root is?!!! May be Reiki can heal you (I don't practice it)! But, your attitude change can minimize the damage - (may be thats what they mean by prolonging life)!

Our vigilance on what we put in our minds can help. If you still inherited sickle cell anaemia, I understand your feelings. But, you can help other unnecessary unwanted things.

Quota (Il)logic

2007-04-27T23:21:00.000-07:00

Over the last one month, all that I am hearing is the quota row. I have read innumerable articles on rediff.com - particularly by Rajeev Srinivasan, one rare editorial, various columns and Letters to the editor in The Hindu, seen a hopeless interview by Karan Thapar on Arun Shourie's book, and desperately tried to control the urge to post my views, but I could not. Especially, after reading the most hilarious comment that came in from pro-reservationists who don't want the creamy layer removed -

"If you want the creamy layer removed, let the creamy among upper castes also not compete for the other 50% in general category...."

Ha Ha - How brain twists logic and calls it logic??????!!!!!! What stopped the creamy layer from competing in the general category and excelling in it? Does 27% for OBCs mean 73% exclusively for so-called forward castes? Does not 73% mean General Category - meaning anybody and everybody including ABC/BBC/CBC/CNBC everybody can compete!

Would 100% be sufficient for those who feel left out? I would particularly like to ask the well-to-do, salaried, city-bred, but "historically-deprived" and "socially not forward" people. It is fairly easy to predict the result of such an action. Let us say 100% is given in Indian Institute of ***some blah blah**** learning, still there will be sub-communities claiming "more backwardness" and fighting for reserving . Backwardness the facade over incompetence!

And, I don't expect half the population to understand this, as probably that is not the way universe is designed! :-)

Education of our times!

2006-05-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Read

Education today and tomorrow

I was going through various food blogs that I found this very interesting site through raniraja. Thanks raniraja.

During my schooling, I used to enjoy all cultural activities that I participated in. I enjoyed my music and crafts classes as much as I enjoyed Mathematics or talking of abstract things in Physics. But, now what do I remember of "Differential Calculus" and how am I using it in my day-to-day life???

As I delve deeper into this, what do I see the next generation moving towards - a state where everybody wants to be "known" or make quick money. So, a B.E or an M.B.A is the in-thing in India - in fact a B.E and an MBA. Why does an engineer not want to do engineering and manage business??? Fresh college graduates turn into fresh MBAs. If everybody wants to manage whom will they manage???

The other disaster is the standardization and globalization of education - it feels so sad to know that I too am a factory product! I have to make extra efforts to go back to my roots from which I was withdrawn - for instance, I need to make extra efforts to understand classical Tamil poetry although I can gather the emotions from them pretty much! I need to look at a Sanskrit English dictionary for enhancing my Sanskrit when resources were so abundantly available that I could have conversed in Sanskrit!!!

Gives me more reasons to cry! Why did my ancestors take up Government jobs? Why did they leave their villages and their original professions? Now, I long for the greenery of my native place, the temple, its kuLam and our ancestral house! Of what use is a string of degrees, if it is not helping a person make crucial life decisions!

If education should do anything, it should open one's mind - it should make one creative - assimilate and absorb and help him act, not store, spit in an exam and discard!

The ideas present in this paper are universal - we need not take it as something relevant only for India. This is something that is needed all over the world. We need to learn life skills - not buy a certificate!

Musical musings - II

2006-03-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Which is greater - the lyrics or the tune??? pAttukku mettA mettukku pAttA? (Are lyrics for the tune or is the tune for the poetry)

Naturally, many people, barring a few exceptions, get attracted to the tune. The lyrics and their meaning come later. That is why music transcends languages. The tune appeals to the emotions, to which lyrics just seem to give a definite structure. The tune directly touches the heart - lyrics are a matter of the intellect, to which generally, the appeal goes a little later.

With that generic observation at the back of our minds, should we then say that we can modify the lyrics the way it suits us? Would it matter if we said mArayum instead of marayum? It does. Although the sense of tune easily appeals, what gives meaning to a song is the lyrics. Why are they important? There goes a story of Kumbhakarana who wanted to get a boon from Lord Brahma after severe tapas. He wanted nirdEvatvam (that is a state without any dEvas or deities), instead, by the play of Goddess Saraswati, he uttered nidrAvatvam (a state of only sleep). As a result, he slept for 6 months.

The simple side-effect of understanding the lyrics is that it will make us remember the song, otherwise, we might be left only with the tune and say ta-na-na-na, when we have forgotten a particular piece in the anupallavi or charanam.

There is a reason why each akshara in the tune is placed at a particular beat. It makes sense for the tALA - the kAla pramAna. It makes sense to sing it at that beat and not changing it. However traditional it may seem, the pAthAntharam should not be compromised.

So, yes, music is a wave of emotion. However, music is complete only if it appeals at all levels - emotional, intellectual, spiritual. One might say that - sangeetha gnAnamu bhaktivinA? Of what use is the knowledge of music without bhakti? That bhakti should give one the gnAna of understanding the import of the lyrics in the way the composer has envisioned it and experience the spiritual that he/she has brought about in it. Jnana mosaga rAdA? Lord will you not grant me wisdom and understanding?

Hear me out!

2006-02-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Hear me out!

D(Th)is-service age, is one that has never-before encountered capabilities. It places the customer at the top of everything. Well, he is at the top with no vision as to what is happening underneath. Whether you are a convenience seeker or not, you have to go through the "sweet voice" at the other end that makes you press only 12 digits before you can get to "talk" to another unknown voice; this time it is Meera. Last time it was Shweta and Meera has no clue about what Shweta told me. Any query anywhere else is directed to the "voice". Listen to the voice - excuse me, hello! can somebody listen to me? I happen to be a customer! If you are a platinum customer, may be, it is another issue. If you are one of the numerous smaller fish, do you affect the topline in any significant way?

This is the age of service from anywhere - everything is entered in a centralized database. Rani will tell you that your outstanding is so much; so will Noel, because even though Rani has entered in the database to check the cover you "dropped" as was advised by Rahul, nobody has really checked. Jacob says that he can get his seniors to look while Kripa has to be explained the whole story for another half an hour; all this over a line that is not toll free and I, as a customer, am paying for dis-service that is supposedly personalized as advertised in the service provider's webpage and ads on TV. You decide to make a racket of withdrawing everything. Meanwhile, Srikant calls you to tell that the same service provider is pleased to offer you more and more of dis-service!!! LOL!

Earlier, there was much hue and cry over politics shadowing real customer service. Well, what would you call me suffering at the hands of a competitive private enterprise that is in an environment of equal competition. Meaning, it is the same everywhere; you either have 12 digits or 15 before you get to talk to the "voice". Oligopolitics eh???

I almost decided not to buy any products here afterwards, but then, sigh! nirvana is not so easy to attain. However, shh! don't tell anybody - I have kept all my money as gold coins hidden in a big vessel dug in a corner of my house and secured it by means of a cryptic code, which is in a page in a dusty book somewhere in the corner of my library, so that Enid Blyton's heroic children can hunt the same!!! :-)

P.S: The names are all fictional, obviously. I still feel there are lots of positives to the current age customer service. It just has not yet come of age!!! Much of what I have written may sound pretty similar to how my professor Mr. Pratapgiri talks. No wonder that it was his inspiration and my frustration that made me pen these - so, by no means a completely original article. I must admit that, being his student, I thought it a right to copy his style of speaking! ;-)

More on copyright

2006-01-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1359149.cms

While it is true that the Prof could have given due credit, the circumstances forcing him to do it is necessity to maintain minimum level of published articles, to maintain the position of prof and move ahead in one's career. This is sad. If the intent was wrong and his articles really did not seek the permission and clarification of the original author, well, I guess, he has to resign.

However, this brings a very interesting thought. The point is that the whole academia and technological industry is getting way too paranoid about intellectual property and protection. In this situation, we will have to patent every single algorithm we write for our company. Why, because everybody is doing. Why, because you want to have enough patents in case somebody files a suit. Your company needs those patents/copyrights, because, it is in a world full of such patents and copyrights.

Tansen was a great singer and Raag Mian-ki-malhaar is attributed to him. Some other remote guy in some village in India who doesn't have a clue of who Tansen was, rediscovers it just because of his keen musical sense. So, did he violate copyright??? Should Tansen really claim the right for the Raag?

To a large extent, this is western way of thinking. Oriental cultures, never ever bothered about it. Oriental cultures had, may be, trade secrets which passed down through generations - from grandfathers - fathers - sons. We say Edison invented the light bulb - but remember that he got to patent it first - it was a close contest. To say this doesn't mean that Edison was not a genius. To keep thinking of copyrights & violations will only close our thinking, when as we grow, we need to open out more.

Knowledge is there to be shared - not kept closed. Knowledge is there for everyone to acquire and use - no one can claim it is theirs and theirs alone! Theory of Relativity is not Einsteins'. Einstein is a genius who let his acumen and imagination travel that far! The greatness of the great people lies in their humility.

Imagine what the world would be without any such patents and copyrights
1. Much cheaper and affordable - for there would not be any legal fees
2. Much more open
3. There will be genuine trust
4. Society will strive for knowledge and will not be caught in survival instincts (eat food, make money and reproduce, get a so-called social image!)

So, what do we do now??? Be hypocrites! Agree intellectually that knowledge is meant to be free, but still get our algorithms patented. Yes - because, we need money. We will get money only if our company gets it and company is in an environment of such sick lawyers talking legal gibberish who only aim at extracting more money out of our company. I don't say all lawyers are bad, but, it is fundamentally money that is driving everybody into this.

If all that we seek is fleeting, that is what it will be - momentary! There is a saying in Tamil - Man aasai, pon aasai, pen aasai - desire for land, gold and woman - these are sure shot ways of destruction! It is upto us to be moderate with our desires and eliminate those that are hurdles to peace of mind! It is upto us to draw the line between inaction and non-action! It is upto us to seek peace of mind!

Code need not be a bore!

2005-11-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

Have come across some funny error messages, funny documents. Would like all those who happen to read this to share whatever funny stuff they've found!

tar cvf road.tar
tar: Cowardly refusing to create an empty archive

---Ha Ha....I am sure that is what the Bangalore city corporation keeps doing!!! :-)

kill politicians
bash: kill: politicians: no such pid

---Ha Ha..

killall politicians
politicians: no process killed

---Read as no persons killed!

And the best one that I've seen so far is in Oracle alert logs -

*** SESSION ID:(1000.1) 2006-03-18 18:02:51.720
Background process SMON found dead

----Ha Ha Ha ..... the body was found in the lake. Luckily, there was a pid from which identification could be made! Police found that OOM killer was on prowl! :-)

10 plus plus

2005-11-10T03:42:00.000-07:00

10 Plus Plus
------------

That says it. The wonderful properties of the number 11.

All you have to do is add when multiplying by 11. Well, it is like this

456 X 11 = 5016
But, how do you get at 5016

Not by saying 11-6-are-66, write 6 carry 6, 11-5s-are-55.......
That is a little round about.

First write 6,
then add 5 and 6, write 1 (keep 1 as carry over)
Add 4 & 5 & carry over of 1 which is 10 so write 0
Add 1 to 4 and write 5

Verification using normal method -
456
X 11
-----
456
456
-----
5016
-----

Method: For multiplication by 11, simply add 2 adjacent digits at a time, starting
from your right most corner, write the residue and use the carry over for
the subsequent addition. Remember to first put a zero in front of the number.

How does it work: Well, look at the image of the normal method verification
We always end up adding the previous two digits when we write down. Hence,
we can just do the same mentally!!!

Now for any large number -

76543 X 11

Write
3
7 (3+4)
9 (4+5)
1 (1 carry over as 5+6 is 11)
4 (1 carry over as 7 + 6 + 1 is 14)
8 (0 + 7 + 1 is 8)
= 841973

Fine, so how about 9 X 11

Write
9 (The first digit)
9 (0+9, remember?!!)

So, 09 X 11 = 99

Ok, let us try something bigger

34587901 X 11

And the answer is -

380466911

Simple although we all know the 11 tables by heart!

P.S: Honest, this is my discovery - although I kinda feel that Aryabhatta, Ramanujan and all great mathematicians are having a hearty laugh up there!!! :-)

Scientific fool?

2005-10-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

Just came across this at - http://vedicschool.com/ivi/about/aycertif.php

"I'm not trying to prove anything, by the way.
I'm a scientist and I know what constitutes proof.
But the reason I call myself by my childhood name is to
remind myself that a scientist must also be absolutely like a child.

If he sees a thing, he must say that he sees it,
Whether it was what he thought he was going to see or not.
See first, think later, then test. But always see first.
Otherwise you will only see what you were expecting.
Most scientists forget that. ...

the other reason I call myself Wonko the Sane
is so that people will think I am a fool.
That allows me to say what I see when I see it.

You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people thinking that you're a fool."

- Douglas Adams Hitchhikers trilogy:

Kshetradam - IV

2005-10-17T01:38:00.000-07:00

Phew....it has been so long...I guess, there isn't much to tell either -
Part IV says that we reached Thiruvanaikkaval at around 8:00 PM, had the darshan of Akhilandeshwari and Jambunathar. This was my second visit to the divine couple at Thiruvanaikkaval. Can you imagine that we took half an hour within Trichy to reach Thiruvanaikkaval? On our way we saw akhanda kaveri. Seeing both arasalaru and akhanda kaveri on the same day was a beautiful experience. We also saw lot of people walking towards Samayapuram. It was aadi maasam and hence a lot of women had prayed to walk to samayapuram for the devi's darshan. Back at Thiruvanaikkaval, Akhilandeshwari was a beauty, as always. The temple was closing doors and we just about managed to get the glimpse of ambal. It was so dark and so late that I could not see any of the carvings! :-( Just saw huge prakaaram and lots and lots of pillars. Jambunathar's sanctum sanctorum is a very small place - something like a pigeon hole. There is a window having nine holes which people are requested not to obstruct - I suppose this is for Nandi!!! Also, there is a famous tale of the Lord becoming his consort and vice-versa on a particular day. Even to this day, the Lord is dressed up as ambA on a particular day. The story is mythical and one can search about it. We left Trichy by rockfort to Chennai to reach at about 4:00 or so in the morning. Wonderful trip for a day altogether. I can still feel the heat, the arasalaru breeze, the lovely paddy fields - every moment of it!

Kshetradam - III

2005-08-26T01:56:00.000-07:00

Continuing from the previous post. Phew...I guess seeing the temples was faster - writing a blog takes so much time!!!

Where was I??? Kumbakonam. Ok, at Kumbakonam we went to a relatives' place. Who said it is not good to have relatives. I thoroughly enjoyed the Idlis and Thakkali(Tomato) Chutney at their house. It was so much more better than going to a hotel. What more, my Manni (Uncle's wife) had also packed some Chappatis for us for our journey. I also met their neighbours who were very much eager to meet us. What a contrast - I don't know my neighbours here in the city! We only stayed for half an hour at their place. Why, pray tell me, do we have the recent trends like - relatives are bad (we just follow a mass feeling like that). Friends alone are best. I'm not downplaying friendship - but why this unnecessary animosity without any thought. Why, in Indian society (and its numerous soap operas), DILs, MILs & SILs should only plot against each other??? Why, again, in the city, do people NOT want anybody visiting them. Feeding an athithi is a nithyakarma - something to be performed everyday, says not me - Paramacharyar of Kanchi. Better still if the person is unknown to you. 'Athithi Devo bhava' (Guest is God!).

Hmmm....
Anyways - we left Kumbakonam and took a bus to Tanjore. This time the roads were good. Just that the bus was playing some sizzling Tamil Numbers such as Shivarathiri (of Michael Madana Kama Rajan fame) at 4:00 in the evening!!! I was amused to watch the completely Manjal bathed woman (a lady who had smeared turmeric and hence her face hands etc were yellow - indicates someone very religious) tap her feet to the song!!! :-) This was thankfully followed by some other melodies of Ilayaraja which were not as sizzling! I happened to be very privileged for I got a seat just next to the driver. The only thing in front of me was the front glass. Occasionally, I was given an option to break through it and land at the bus in front of me. But, I couldn't muster enough strength although the bus ahead was pretty close! I really must admit that the driver was very very helpful in telling us many stories and keeping us entertained. Was amazed at their endurance. They have 24 hr shift and 24 hr rest. In a day they do minimum of 5 trips between Kumbakonam & Tanjore.

From Tanjore bus stop, we immediately boarded a bus to Trichy. This time the bus played numbers which are technically called 'Dappankuththu'. In dappankuththu, it is the rhythm that matters. Mostly it is an 8-beat cycle - mostly choukam (where each beat is counted 4 times). I was amazed at some tishra nadai (where each beat is counted thrice) - like
123-123-123-123
jhinku-chakka-jijikku-chakka
takita-takita-takita-takita
tadhina-takadhina-tadhina-takadhina

The lyrics were of no consequence - something like
machan unna pakka yile
manasu kulla verka yile...

Contrast that with choukam
1234-1234-1234-1234
jinchaka-jijichaka-jinchaka-jijichaka
tarikita-takadhimi-tarikita-takadhimi

ottagaththa-kattikko-gettiyaaga-ottikko...

Well, it is the lyrics that I dislike most....it is so vulgar, and unfortunately I end up concentrating on lyrics. So, instead, this time, I ended up usefully learning about rhythm and the various ways in which 8-beats were being interpreted. I was amazed at some of the eduppus in dappankuthtu - very very interesting. Eduppus are the places in an 8 beat cycle, where the playing would start on a beat other than the 1st beat of the 8 beat cycle. It might be 2, 3 etc. Something like

;taka,takita
;taka,tarikitataka

This is of course very simple....anybody would know, but, some of the eduppus and the way they finished at the 8th beat were fantastic. Finally, with all the bang we reached Trichy at about 7:00 PM.

Phew....I'm tired already....more later.

Kshetradam -II

2005-08-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

We left Chidambaram at around 7:00 and boarded a bus to Vaideeshwaran koil

Vaideeshwaran Koil
-------------------

Another Shiva temple. This temple is very famous for its healing powers. The Lord is Vaidyanatha Swami (The Master of Medicine) and his consort is Thaiyal Nayaki (Thaiyal means stitch in Tamil - I guess it means Goddess who heals). Looked like both of them have taken up the responsibility of curing people of all ills. There is a very famous kulam (tank) where in people take a bit of jaggery and let it dissolve. So, the tank should actually have sweet water! :-) I never sipped it though. The temple prakaram is not as big as Chidambaram and the works are not that exquisite, but it is a big temple nevertheless. There is a beautiful dark elephant welcoming you. It being the Aadi Maasam (month of worship of Goddess Parvati), I saw many madisaaru maami's keeping maavilakku maavu (a lamp made out of rice flour, jaggery and ghee)....I would've loved to eat that. But, it was meant to be a lamp and for the deity! :-( After a lot of being pushed (something like mumbai trains), we got our archana done. We ate a sumptuous puliyodharai (tamarind rice) and thayir saadham (curd rice) at 9:00 AM in the morning in the temple itself.

We took a rickshaw to few kukgraamams (remote villages) called Koothanur and Eravanjeri. The roads are narrow and there are a dozen lorries and buses on them. They roads are bad as well, and the rickshaw fellow blamed a few political parties for the same - typical in Tamilnadu

Koothanur Saraswathi Temple
---------------------------
It seems there is just one temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi in India and that is at Koothanur. The Goddess is seated on a white Lotus. The temple is really small, however there was quite a bit of a crowd. I was thoroughly sleepy by this time. Surprising that there is just one temple for Brahma and Saraswathi. The other two of the trinity, Shiva and Vishnu, enjoy a large following, however, the creator Brahma somehow does not have many worshippers!!!

Eravanjeri Angaala Parameshwari Temple
----------------------------------------
Nearly drained, we reached Angaala Parameshwari Temple - a very very tiny temple, but the deity has a faithful large following. The gurukkal was waiting for us and proceeded to do the Abhishekham. Since there weren't any helpers around it took a whole of 2 hrs at that temple. However, we enjoyed a nice darshan - unlike the pushing at Vaideeshwaran Temple. Hungry as I was, I thoroughly enjoyed the sakkara pongal (sweet pongal) prasadam that was given in the end.

The place is really a kukgraamam - lacks basic amenities! There is electricity, however. I was amazed to see the vast difference between the city culture and that of the villages.

From Eravanjeri, we came to a bigger town Kumbakonam. Thankfully, the roads improved. On the way were Paddy fields all depending on the water from the river Cauveri. It seems the dams had been opened a few days ago and hence we saw the canals (arasalaaru) full of water. The locals were delighted at this. That was a short-term harvest season too - I think it is called kuruvai nel. However, my mother told me that Chennai gets most of its rice needs met by Nellore and other towns from Andhra since it is close to Andhra border.

From Kumbakonam, we had to travel another 60 odd kilometers to reach Trichy....in my next blog.

Kshetradam - I

2005-08-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went touring many temples down south in Tamil Nadu. I must say that one day and many temples is really a bad strategy, if you are like me - wishing to explore each temple for its architectural beauty, for the legends that it stands for, just hanging around and experiencing each and every moment in that place. Nevertheless, I had my dose of hanging around and shouting at people hanging around (now that's like a true hypocrite). And, although I woke up at around 3:20 on two continuous nights, I am really not tired! What a surprise.

Journey started on 12th - I left from Bangalore to Chennai by Brindavan Exp - what a boring journey. Usually there would be lots of kids with whom you can pass your time, but this journey was exceptionally boring - I ended up smsing pappan shers!!!

13th night - We left by Mayiladuthurai fast passenger that night. I thought the train looked dwarfed. It really was - we were, I think going by meter guage. We had plans of getting down at a station called Vaideeshwaran Koil. Suddenly, it all got changed and we were to get off at Chidambaram itself. That was 3:20 AM in the morning!!! :-)

Chidambaram
------------

Thiruchchitrambalam!!! Thiruchchitrambalam!!! I am reminded of a Tamil movie in which Sivaji Ganesan and a young boy kept greeting each other that way. Chidambaram (Thillai sthalam) is extremely famous for the Nataraja temple.

Since we had landed at 3:20 AM, we decided to go to the temple at 5:00 AM. Much to our dismay we found that the temple doors were open only at 6:00 AM. So, for about an hour, many like us waited outside. One of the young girls who was waiting decided to draw kolams (artistic designs on the ground) in front of the temple gate. At this, my mother and aunt went and advised her on how the kolam in front of a temple needs to be BIG. They proceeded to display their artistic talents and God - it was indeed massive, very impressive. Seeing two women put kolam, the rest of the womenfolk hurried to show their talents (or was it more like, it is a privilege to draw kolam in front of the temple). Nevertheless, I clearly could see how men and women reacted totally differently to something as simple as waiting!!!

The temple doors finally stood open and after the mad rush, we walked in. I need to fish the dictionary to find the superlatives to describe this temple built during the Chola period. The pillared corridors (I guess there are more than 1000 pillars). The kanakasabhai (Golden hall) or the chitsabhai (chit-consciousness sabhai-hall), the natanasabhai, were beyond human imagination. It is indeed an architectural marvel. There are Bharatanatyam mudras and poses carved on the temple gopurams (towers). The main deity is Shiva in a dance pose installed in a sanctum sanctorum facing southwards whose roof is full of Gold. This cosmic dance of Shiva is Ananda Natanam (Dance of Bliss). There is yet another Urdhva Tandava - that when Shiva and Parvati competed with each other. This idol is in Natana Sabhai. The interesting part of temples in South is that in each temple, Lord Shiva and his consort would have different names. In Chidambaram, the Ambal (Lord's consort) is called Shivakaami (or Shivakaamasundari). We witnessed a ritual where the utsavar is taken from Palli arai to the main chit or kanaka sabhai. I heard many people say that one is blessed to see this - I don't know why!!! Chidambaranar (the deity, Lord Shiva) has been the ishta devata of many of the 63 nayanmars, most particularly Nandanar. I remembered all the Dandapani Desikar songs that I had heard in my childhood. I sang couple of these in front of chitsabhai, right in front of thillai natarajar. Since the pillars were obstructing my view of the deity, one of the mamas there asked me to go further behind, get a full view of the Lord and sing. I sang 'Ananda Natana Prakasham' in Kedaram while my mother knew 'Chidambaram' in Kalyani. She also sang 'Ananda Natam aaduvar thillai' in Purvi Kalyani. Not just us, many other old mamis were singing in Tamil, I guess Thiruvasagam. I have been to other temples of Shiva where there is a hoary silence. But, Chidambaram was full of activity! The other unique thing about chidambaram is the kudumi (knotted hair) that all the dwijas serving in the temple were wearing. Usually the kudumi is at the back of the head, but this one was at the front like the namboodiris. The only thing that made me sad was that the Shastrigals or gurukkals were asking all outstation people to sign up for a Prasadam for a year for a fee of Rs. 1000. A glorious temple like Chidambaram in dire need of funds???!!! Or, is it some govt driven profit making promotion program! Why oh why??? The Lord alone knows.

The temple also has Lord Govindaraja Perumal. Reminded me of a saying my mother would say - 'Hariyum Shivanum onnu, ariyadavan vaayil mannu' (Hari and Shiva are One, and the one who doesn't realize this speaks not the truth). I forget the name of Thayar. I sang Muthuswamy Dikshitar's Govindarajena in Mecha Bowli raga at the Perumal's sannidhi. The satisfaction of singing a Kshetra composition at the kshetra is really beyond words.

After all my songs, we left chidambaram for the next temple. More in my next blog.

Cold - and interesting findings

2005-08-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

Blore has become extremely chilly and as a result, I'm back again with cold which is worse than the last time. Nasal blocks that prevented passage of life breath and I was left wondering whether I should start breathing more through the skin like a frog! :-) Exasperated, I caught hold of the accupressure book and as mentioned there, gave mild pressure to points in kidney, stomach, lungs, heart, sinuses, internal nose, an overall foot massage - and I could sleep within the next 15-20 minutes (with a generous dose of sensur oil all over my face, a nice warm sweater, 3 bedsheets and a woolen scarf). The infection is still there, but, I'll continue my accupressure therapy today. I should be able to get over this without even the standard amruthanjan, chinese medicine or samahan.

Interestingly, I noticed that unless the breath is even, steady & slow, the sleep is very very disturbing. By removing some nasal blocks, accupressure made the breath even. So, even if there is still a lot of mucus left in lungs, sinuses, if the breath is even, steady & slow, we can get into deep sleep faster! I also read somewhere that it is not really the number of hours that you sleep that matters, it is how much of deep sleep you get that matters. Actually 15 minutes of deep sleep can rejuvenate us completely. We spend a lot of time travelling from current conscious state to the state of deep sleep and back. And, if we don't get that 15 minutes and end up spending all the time travelling (dreaming), we are irritated when we get up! What I read was just confirmed by what I experienced! :-)

karka kasadara....

2005-08-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

read qt 55 in http://jikku.blogspot.com

padiththadu ulagalavu, katradhu kai man alavu, adhai payan paduththiyadhu oru chittigai alavu...

Sigh....and the translation is -

We read lots
Retained as much as in a palm
Used as little as a pinch of salt!!!

Mumbai - It happens only in India

2005-07-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/28rain1.htm

And, I live in the world's largest democracy. A democracy that is of the people (a few corrupt powerful ones), by the people (their chelas) and for the people (themselves and their chelas!!!)

This is the sad state of the entire country, not just Mumbai. I can imagine the pain, for I have lived in agony in a rainless Chennai wishing for the rains to stop when they happened to shower. Such is the state of our sewage system! I am even more skeptical about Bangalore. It just hasn't got its first big hit yet.

Do we have any accountability at all??? We keep throwing some known devil out of power only to get another unknown one.

I am sure things can improve in this country, if only we could work on the mentality of people. We may be great in enduring pain and reaching out in tough times; we can show greatness in fighting it, preventing it!

Some movement by which -
1. People by themselves are educated and forced to
a) Not defecate in public places
b) Not litter just about anywhere - at least not throw plastic around
c) Keep public toilets clean
d) Not throw everything into the sewage (be responsible in disposing garbage)
2. Follow the traffic rules, for the good of entire world
3. Do their job properly & feel a sense of responsibility for what they are doing

It is not impossible, but, if we keep just calling up our residences and feel satisfied and happy that all our 'people' are safe, 'we the people' will not improve collectively. Almost 55 years have gone and we are still lacking in basic infrastructure??? Abominable to say the least. I'm looking for some NGO through which I could do my bit! If any of you who read this come across one such thing, let me know.

My favourite poems

2005-07-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Where the mind is without fear
------------------------------

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.

- Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Gitanjali, 1912.

kite door bat ball....

2005-07-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

as on jul15 -

let me continue before I forget

kite door bat ball
sky road car tree
engine light star PBC
monitor building signboard traffic-light
seven chennai seat-belt
smile divider nameplate
bus honda waterbottle
mouse watch mirror
indicator tennis-ball handbag
kannada silk-board maharashtra
awesome treetop moustache
red cylinder wife
sunflower aquaguard chair
toyota hosur can
song play panasonic
juice tissue-paper
temple tyre
panipuri roadroller
prestige handlebar

57 words!!! Wow! I can't imagine that I could actually remember all of them - we just had a game of word train just after our team outing today. I've had the max fun in this outing.

Musical Musings - I

2005-07-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

Inspired by tilotamma's post on Bangalore Nagaratnamma (http://tilotamma.blogspot.com/2005/07/bangalore-nagaratnamma-part-i.html), I have dug up an article that I wrote ages ago.

Musical Musings - I
----------------------

Listen to traditional Carnatic Music, and for anyone new - all artists will seem similar. Everybody sings some Raga Alapana, some Keerthana and some swaras. The same keerthana "Nagumo" has been sung so much that I guess, Tyagaraja Swami himself might just say "Chalu Chalu ra saami! Enough is enough". Everybody sings the same "Ta na na" or "G R S N D". So, why is it that people still go to concerts to listen to different artists?

Carnatic music has the concept of lakshana. Let's take the meaning - lakshana has to do with features, characteristics. When singing a raga, lakshana refers to the structure of the raga. For instance, a prayoga such as "M1 G3 P D2 S" is referred to by traditionalists as the Kambhoji stamp. That is the Kambhoji raga lakshana. In order to bring out the essence of the raga, its lakshana has to be established and followed. For instance, although Bhairavi and Kharaharapriya share some similar swaras, the prayoga "S,,(g2)R2 S N2 D2" is Bhairavi and not Kharaharapriya. Whereas, the prayoga "D2 N2 G2 R2 S" is the property of Kharaharapriya. The prayoga "M1 D2 P M1, G3 R2 S R2" is Aarabhi and not Devagandhari. With almost the same swaras, Devagandhari meanders while Aarabhi flows briskly.

However, texts on Carnatic music say that lakshana alone will not render music, what is more important is lakshya. Lakshya means goal (just like in Hindi - yeh mera lakshya hai, Tamil - Latchiyam). What is lakshya - it is a Bhava that the artist is trying to bring out, a story he/she is trying to weave. Lakshya is what the artist wants to convey through the lakshanas! While lakshana forms the foundation, it is lakshya that becomes the beautiful sculpture or the temple that the artist builds.

It is this lakshya, I think, that unconsciously makes us listen to the same raga from different artists. Often, we stop with saying that he/she has a wonderful voice, or this prayoga was good. But, the entire musical experience is brought out by lakshya, not just vocal feats or swara mastery.

It might help us to think while singing (or playing an instrument) that we are weaving a beautiful shawl, telling a story or putting together various flowers to adorn the Lord's garland. We can get really creative with this. Once we know that there is a goal, a Raga alapana will not be merely an exercise of singing on R, G, P, D, N or going up and down the scales as fast as possible!

Terms:

Swaras: The seven fundamental notes Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni
Bhava: Emotion
Raga: Technically, a set of swaras. Practically, swaras and their prayoga. Aesthetically, a medium for evoking a bhava.
Prayoga: A method of utilising something (like Prayog karna in Hindi). In a raga, it refers to some particular way of singing that brings out the essence of the raga.
Alapana: Elaboration of a Raga - using syllables Aa, Ta, Na, Ri.
Keerthana: Composition

Ragas described here:

Aa - Arohana (ascension) Av - Avarohana (Descension)

Aarabhi: Aa - S R2 M1 P D2 S
Av - S N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S
Bhairavi: Aa - S G2 R2 G2 M1 P D2 N1 S OR S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N1 S
Av - S N1 D1 P M1 G2 R2 S
Devagandhari: Aa - S R2 M1 P D2 N3 S
Av - S N3 D2(+) P M1 G3 R2 S
D2 in avarohanam is sung as N1D and not plainly as D
Kambhoji: Aa - S R2 G3 M1 P D2 S
Av - S N1 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S
Kharaharapriya: Aa - S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N2 S
Av - S N2 D2 P M1 G2 R2 S

References:
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer's article in The Hindu on Lakshya and Lakshanas (I forget the edition)

DESIDERATA

2005-07-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly to the counself of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born out of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle to yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you the universe is unfolding itself the way it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you perceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Herman

***Thanks to Prof S. Raghunath, who gave this at the end of our Alliances course***

Vienna waits for you

2005-06-29T03:32:00.000-07:00

Right now am listening to a number that Shankar once played this in the class. I dedicate it to all IT folks, mgmt grads - all those who are 'making it out there'!!!

Vienna - by Billy Joel
----------------------

Slow down, you crazy child
you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart, tell me
Why are you still so afraid?

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do and
Only so many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told..
That you can get what you want or you get old
You're gonna kick off before you even
Get halfway through
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight,...
Too bad but it's the life you lead
you're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
You can't always see when you're right. you're right

You've got your passion, you've got your pride
but don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you crazy child
and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
it's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize,..Vienna waits for you?
And you know that when the truth is told
that you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get half through
Why don't you realize,. Vienna waits for you
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Just google to hear it somewhere - it is really a beautiful one! And, to think that this was sung over 20 years ago!!!

Empty Nest

2005-06-29T01:09:00.000-07:00

Read

http://jikku.blogspot.com/2005/06/quick-tale-38.html

That one does touch a chord somewhere. Overwhelming really - their sacrifice, their love...

Eyes welled up
Throat choked
Voice quivered
Thought a moment about meeting them
Boss called up
I 'recovered'!

Mirror mirror on the wall

2005-06-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

Am I the fairest/tallest/thinnest/'chic'est of 'em all???

It is not about being you - it is someone like Aishwarya (well, she's rather old now) or Sania Mirza! Wonder who Sania wants to be like???!!!

Beautiful...be u t(ear) ful trying to be beautiful!!! :-)

24 X 7

2005-06-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

I really feel pity for those news channels - they just have to play it. One story where there are 24 people giving 34 perspectives for 27 minutes. Another less important one only for 17 mins. In the middle you will have 2 breaks and 3 times when the newsreader would have read out the headlines that you have already heard 5 times in the last 2 hours (on different channels while surfing). While you have heard the newsreader's qn, the correspondent has not - it wouldn't hurt you to wait till the correspondent actually understands the question (which might irate the newsreader as well many a time) and answers that (thank god) and leaves it at that (the newsreader had to cut for the time given to her was only 7 mins for this piece). It is live anyways and what did you expect - a performance???!!! Well, I don't mean to hurt them, but, how else can you manage to be 24 X 7???

However, I must admit that there are compulsive news watchers as well. You can't believe - I actually know someone who knows the timings and watches *only the headlines* in every single channel possible - include the innumerable tamil channels - sun, jaya, vijay, sun news etc....apart from headlines today, ndtv or even aaj tak

24 X 7 may not be my cuppa tea - it surely is somebody's daily bread! ;-)

Addicted to good health

2005-06-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Yeah....sounds strange. Now, I can't be happy if I don't do my daily jog!!! :-( I never imagined that I would be such a compulsive jogger. But, it is just 30 mins (which includes walking for alternative rounds). Its late and I gotta cook my dinner (an extension of my addiction to good health).

The chip dips in tomato sauce look ugh...ugly!!!
The pack of thattai from balakrishna on ranganathan st is just lying in the fridge untouched
My team has ordered pakodas while I am drinking musambi juice (with less sugar)
The apple on my table is tempting, but, I am saving it for tomorrow's breakfast, thinking - may be I'll fast tonight!!!

Eeeks....what's wrong with me????

Runaway 'pride'

2005-06-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

I had almost lost touch with my morning jog for 3 weeks in a row. However, it was a question of pride to run at my usual form. I guess I overran and am feeling undernourished now - famished and devoid of any energy that running was supposed to bring! Its sick and I just want to get more food and sleep! Add to that my over-enthu at cooking Palak, Rasam & Bhindi! I hadn't eaten anything till 9:30 - just plenty of water in an effort to detoxify my system....when my stomach was crying in agony....ouch, it is gonna be a tough day today!

Read - http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/237.shtml
You are never supposed to do just what I did after a break....

Whoa...I moved from prevention to cure!

Wanna be free

2005-06-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

I wanna be free.....

Of the guilt of having slept an extra half an hour
And not doing my usual jog
Of eating a plate full of fried pakoda
And not my usual fruit juice
Of the anxiety of having lost an extra kg
When I meant to lose only two
Of slogging it too hard in front of my monitor
And not enjoying the cool breeze outside
Of leaving an hour earlier than I am used to
When I have already spent 11 hours at work
Of having spent my time singing
When I haven't practiced for long
Of not having spent my time singing
When music actually accompanies me everywhere
Of the struggle of having to deal with hearts
Where I have to follow only my heart
Of the thought of not using my head
When I have already used my head too much
Of having to decide right and wrong every moment
And the necessity to always be right
Of the long, winding, neverending waves of thought
When I can't imagine a world without thought!

Pat(i)ent technology

2005-04-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

I was browsing for the first implementation of rmap way back in 2001 and came across this -

http://kerneltrap.org/node/388

Just read Linus' comments in reply to Daniel Phillips

"
> It goes on in this vein. I suggest all vm hackers have a close look at
> this. Yes, it's stupid, but we can't just ignore it.

Actually, we can, and I will.

I do not look up any patents on _principle_, because (a) it's a horrible
waste of time and (b) I don't want to know.

The fact is, technical people are better off not looking at patents. If
you don't know what they cover and where they are, you won't be knowingly
infringing on them. If somebody sues you, you change the algorithm or you
just hire a hit-man to whack the stupid git.

Linus"

It goes without saying - pat(i)enting is _sick_ really! It makes everybody sick - except the attorneys! It may give a temporary satisfaction for a person on his/her creative abilities. It may act as a temporary motivator. It may really help a company in an environment where everybody is paranoid about security (thereby they lose freedom - that calls for a different post)!!! What makes people want to limit knowledge and why is everybody so bothered abt commercializing a technology?!!! Anyways, why bother abt it - as Linus says - technical people are better off without them! I must say, quality of a genius never shows in following rules, does it?? Does it show in extra-ordinary algorithms alone??? I guess it is a combination of all - finally its abt his attitude, I guess!

Its raining....

2005-04-12T03:04:00.000-07:00

in Bangalore - thunder and rain - and, most of it from my nose!!! I am amused at how much of rainwater has gone and collected in my head. It isn't too bad, but it ain't any good either.

One thing I am dead against is crocin and its cousins - was glad when the doctor next to my house actually was busy and could not see me. So, I went ahead and tried some homemade remedies. I bought some dry ginger and hunted for a stone on which I could rub it and get the extract - finally I did get the paste out of it and applied it on my forehead to contain the watertank. Next step was to tackle the throat, for this, I used Samahan - an ayurvedic preparation. This, I mixed in hot water and had a glass after having rice with hot-hot sambar and rasam. I plugged my ears with cotton dipped in a mild balm. The nose had no option but to leak - so I let them be that way and just put some chinese medicine.

so, today, there is some calm after yesterday's storm...just that my left ear constantly reminds me of its presence by sending out a pricking pain once a while, left nostril is permanently blocked, head feels like a water tank that is just three fourths full and right now i'm croaking like a female frog!!! - call me ginger spice!!! ;-)

Osteopathy

2005-04-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Check out

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=osteopathy

Was reading other interesting articles - a google search will give you!!!
One of the articles was mentioning correcting a disorder by adjusting the spine & the bones. It is so distinctly different from the kind of theory that says "what causes the disorder in bones and spine is the thought". Really amusing since, the root cause is actually a thought and not the physical outcome!!! However, this theory is slightly different, it would provide corrective postures or bone/muscle shift to relieve pain in other parts of the body. Well, I would not say that this is far from truth since the body is one integrated system and that is how acupressure, reflexology etc work. Nevertheless, I wonder whether this will be applicable to all disorders/diseases!!!

Rambling....

2005-03-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I have seen two extremes of people - the ones who are only bothered abt making money, and the other only bothered abt the work. The former run the businesses and the latter do social work for them!

So, which is the right way ??? So long as extremes exist there will always be this imbalance, and this phenomenal world follows (or seemingly so) the theory of entropy. That brings me to the question - are there other worlds??? Today, in fact, I was reading on different planes of existence, beings etc. Well, scary at times, but, a fact if you believe - nothing if you don't believe. And, so what if they are - if the world is phenomenal, everything is, including this blog and me who is writing. So what is there to bother abt!

I guess I kind of shouted a little too much at my roommate for doing her social work! ;-) Uff...rather sad when you think somebody can use a fresher to just extract work!!! I mean it is utterly inhuman treatment according to me! But, nevertheless, the more I am opposed to this, the more she is going to resist - obstinate as she is. But, it beats me - the whole scenario seems exactly like a replica of a page from an Ayn Rand novel - an idealist (she) and a pragmatist (me). Life's realities made me learn that Aunt Ayn Rand was talking of THE road to excellence. For all the excellence that she keeps bragging abt, I have seen greatness, but coupled with complete humility. I guess this is the most beautiful aspect of Indian culture that humility comes naturally to people....they don't brag, nor do they show the pride or arrogance. Most importantly, they do not shun normal people and act as though they were VVIPs.

Good & Evil

2005-02-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.snopes.com/religion/einstein.asp

Good vs. Evil
-------------

Assumptions....that "good" & "loving" characterizes something called "God" and "evil" & "hatred" characterizes something called "Devil".

What was good sometime back is not good now - it is so situation dependent. Ditto for what was bad. So, is there a point in saying God changed His/Her Goodness or Devil became an Angel!!! I mean, how does it help in maintaining our sanity?

Neutrality to good & bad is what I guess some people achieved. Equanimity and balance towards all types of situations, continuing to do their work, irrespective of the outcome, was what was achieved by the very same people.

Whenever I think of balance I am reminded of a close friend, who, after getting through CAT and getting an interview call (for regular PGP), remained calm (we were excited, not she) and started reading for her University Exams. To me, that calls for a tremendous sense of balance. It is relatively easy to ignore a bad outcome, it is rather difficult to contain excitement. Human mind tends to avoid pain and attach itself to pleasure - well, mostly!

If we look around, we can see people, seemingly ordinary, but giving us deep insights into an attitude that we can build for ourselves.

I guess, by classifying God, Devil as Good & Bad we are going into a seemingly neverending loop. Wouldn't neutrality and equanimity help us more than mere good and bad???

I recall Vijay saying the same thing a long time back - I guess, I can understand his point now.
Well....fact of the matter is - day to day life is full of good, bad, rights & wrongs. And, these are impermanent. What is permanent? Do not give me the cliched term called 'change' for an answer. Something should make 'change' to happen. What is that?

Bangalore times!

2005-02-03T02:47:00.000-07:00

Just because I did not feel like eating a seemingly boring food in the office, I went out to waste close to one hour. And, missed an important deadline at my bank. To add to my misery, a prompt headache set in thanks to the 'bang-bang', smoke and what not.

Increasingly, in our own India suddenly it is a feeling of alienation. Upwardly mobile Bangalore! I have mixed reactions abt Bangalore because I have seen its many faces - the sweet and sublime to the bold, 'upwardly mobile', 'happening'! I have witnessed an honesty not seen in other cities to do-anything-for-money here. It is really a wonderful kaleidoscope! I vaguely recall 'Bangalore is a farce!', told by one of my friends, a staunch pro-Mumbai person. On he went, 'It is dead slow, lethargic and what a contrast is it to see the determined faces in the Mumbai or Chennai suburban trains. The simple yet intelligent, determined faces.'

Bangalore has its share of simple faces - it is just that it is a minority whereas in Mumbai or Chennai those kinds of faces are a majority. Bangalore's weather is a plus point. It is not as crowded as Chennai, certainly not like Mumbai, though the traffic is menacing to say the least. It is cleaner, greener. But, the burst in consumerism is robbing it of its natural serene, calm beauty - something akin to putting cosmetics on the face of an innocent beautiful girl. So, is Bangalore is coming of age - and going to become more and more dirty, cramped like Mumbai or hot like Chennai?? Only time can tell.

More 'food' for thought

2005-01-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

As I write, around 200 people have been laid off in my company here in India. Well, imagine being laid off! Hmm..wouldn't be so bad if you don't have any family to support or loans to pay. You can live off from a minimal single room easily till you find another job. But, the question of having to work goes back to the fundamental need of food. Clothing & shelter probably a little later in the priority list. Imagine, if these 3 primary needs are won over - minimal food, minimal clothing & minimal shelter - wouldn't one be free! Well, this is not really my theory. Ancient wisdom says - minimize your needs, the happier would you be. However, no man would want to be a 'loser'. So, even if he is laid off, he would fight and get a 'better' job so that he can afford all he wants rather than minimize his needs. That seems to be the way life is.

Let's look at this basic need for food. If you were a vegetarian like me, you could probably live on roots & shoots. Or even curd rice the whole of your life. But, if your perception of what food is, is a little more - let's say a chicken piece, a burger, with some mayonnaise, some sauce, a pepsi - just a minimal burger. The more exotic ones I am not even remotely aware of. So, satisfaction is what is driving one to get exactly those set of things for oneself. So, the problem (or the key!) actually lies in the mind which perceives some things as right, some as wrong, some as sufficient and some as not! So, if it is only mind which perceives, what will happen when there is no mind??? Hmm.....would we still exist?

Individuals & choices

2005-01-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

What a coincidence! In the last blog I talked abt 'individuals'. Can you believe this fortnight's edition of one of the popular Indian magazines carries a cover story on such fashionable unattached individuals who opt to remain single and unattached since they value freedom & individuality!!!

Well, it is rather difficult to be unattached, I accept that. But non-attachment is a centuries old philosophy. I doubt if they mean the non-attachment that Upanishads have talked about. The best example of non-attachment is a lotus leaf that lives in the pond but remains unsticky and afloat.

So, they say - 'The Choice is Mine now'! Hmmm...the choice has always been with the individual, so it really baffles me when people say that they have no choice!

Ab kahani mein twist! Is there any choice at all if there is a need, so how far can one go with the aspect of choice??? Taking the last blog further - do we have a choice when we feel hungry!!! We have to eat. Can we make a choice of not eating and still surviving??? I would love to get some keys to that. Food is a lovely thing, but, not while one is engrossed in work. To have some rest is wonderful, but it is more wonderful to remain forever energized and ready to take on anything! Hmm...sounds interesting!!!

Hunger and Work

2005-01-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, just like any other normal human being, my work gets a 'break' because of pangs of hunger! Ah...why do we have to feel hungry? And, why do we have to have sleep and rest.

Food drives so many things in this world. In the animals, it is what they live for pretty much every day save for a few like Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Man was intelligent, so he formed a society of interdependence and thereby co-existence.

Society has become such a negative word nowadays! It either refers to the rich, (in)famous & influential or to rumour-mongers, backbiters and the like. So, we are living amidst the 'modern' thinking of 'individuality', 'independence' and 'freedom'. Each person wants to be an individual. What can be more free than not having to search for one's food the whole day! So, is it 'a thankless society' or 'thankless individuals'? Makes me wonder.

If everybody becomes an engineer, nay a software engineer (as it is in India), who would produce the crop, who would run the state transport or collect the garbage?

What lacks in India (and possibly other parts of world as well) is respect for work. The holy text Bhagwadgita hails work and establishes the path of work as one equivalent to that of Knowledge or Love(Bhakti) - "Work is Worship". How can a job be menial if 'Work is worship'? So, it is not only the software engineer or the software company CEO who makes the economy flourish - shouldn't we be thankful to those who produce the crop that we eat thrice daily without fail!

While all including me are happy about the sunrise sector called IT in India, I am certainly eternally grateful to every human being who has contributed to my peaceful living today!

Porter's competitive advantage theory for India

2005-01-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Manoj for this wonderful article -

http://in.rediff.com/money/2004/dec/29inter.htm

Guess it says it all - India is celebrating a partial success way too soon. Couple of NASDAQ listings and a boom in IT & ITES is not a sustainable strategy for competitiveness of a country. Kudos to IT certainly, but IT alone does not make a country. Newer arenas are opening up. There is a great role that government can play here and that depends on the mindset. Let me not discuss on the mind set on corruption - a topic that has no end, really.

What repeatedly hits me is productivity that Porter is talking about. In a recent talk at Wharton, Vivek Paul, Vice Chairman of Wipro too mentioned productivity as one of the four primary issues that need to be fixed for India.

Refer http://economics.about.com/od/economicsglossary/g/productivity.htm on what productivity is. In terms of labour, to me, it is the monetary value generated/person hour.

What does it mean to when GDP grows and productivity drops - meaning labour productivity drops? I'm not an economist, no way. But, this sort of indicates that there is considerable automation/ exchange rate differences. I'm more inclined to attribute some exchange rate differences to this. So, if productivity is low, an investor is taking some more "risk" (sort of), and that is why, probably, Vivek Paul argues that expected ROCE (Return on Capital Employed) is higher when productivity is low. This is really getting too interesting. Expect more posts on productivity.

Tsunami Warning Systems

2005-01-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=53012

I can certainly expect that and much more from Our Honourable President. I also can expect that to be actually in place within a short duration of time. It would not be a promise undelivered. Nothing can be more inspiring than having a leader who has been at the helm of scientific advancement to lead a confused religion-torn nation. That brings me to a recent article that I read about the relief work in Colachel, Tamilnadu. One can see the unity that such a calamity brings to a country of mindless riots in the name of religion. Several hundreds of displaced survivors of the Tsunami have been camped in Churches - and are actually being helped by local Hindus and Muslims alike. I hope to live to see the day when the man next door is seen as a human and not anything else.

My first Post

2004-12-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ok. So, finally, I decided to web-log afterall thanks to Bala who, probably, got bored of my mails, not to mention few others whom I have bored to *near* death with all my musings! Thanks to you all. What would I be if it were not for all your patience! :-)

Ok, I'll dedicate this blog to teachers or 'Gurus' (in the original sense of the word)!

All that we are is because we have learnt - be it ourselves or our teachers (parents or others). Our natural tendency to learn has been nurtured and developed by our teachers. They have laid the foundation to our learning. Each of us definitely remembers at least that one teacher who has encouraged us, chided many a time but has always been our well-wisher. I have wondered as to what would have been their motivation. Is it because one becomes a "pet-student" sometimes? Well, however, there are some of those teachers who are adored by every student. Something so unique about them. The only way to return their kindness is probably the gratitude that one feels. So, kudos and heartfelt thanks to all the teachers (the unsung heroes), for theirs is an invaluable service to mankind.