tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47526432934939476002024-03-19T08:36:48.138+05:30Musings & Miscellany"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—
Of cabbages—and kings—
And why the sea is boiling hot—
And whether pigs have wings."Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-22653940754698597872013-01-18T10:36:00.001+05:302013-01-18T10:36:33.363+05:30The Hindu : Arts / History & Culture : Of commerce and Cupid<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/of-commerce-and-cupid/article4315984.ece#comments">The Hindu : Arts / History & Culture : Of commerce and Cupid</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-90512199639466530932011-04-18T21:37:00.002+05:302011-04-18T21:44:19.473+05:30World Heritage DayToday (April 18) is World Heritage Day. <br /><br />The following are the world heritage properties in India.<br /><br />1. Ajanta Caves.<br />2. Ellora Caves.<br />3. Agra Fort.<br />4. Taj Mahal.<br />5. Sun Temple, Konarak.<br />6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.<br />7. Churches & Convents of Goa.<br />8. Khajuraho Group of Monuments.<br />9. Group of Monuments at Hampi.<br />10. Group of Monuments at Fatehpur Sikri.<br />11. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal.<br />12. Elephanta Caves.<br />13. Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram.<br />14. Budddhist Monuments at Sanchi.<br />15. Humayun's Tomb.<br />16. Qutb Minar and its Monuments.<br />17. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka.<br />18. Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park.<br />19. Red Fort Complex.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-35588515503294021192011-04-07T17:01:00.001+05:302011-04-07T17:03:25.608+05:30Quotable QuoteI don't know in what context this was written but I love it.<br /><br />An individual human existence should be like a river: small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past rocks and over waterfalls. Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being. -Bertrand Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-73644975883361857532011-03-30T09:35:00.000+05:302011-03-30T09:37:00.771+05:30Sport is War minus the ShootingMuch hyped India-Pakistan semi-final cricket ODI in Mohali today.<br />All the best to both teams.<br /><br />Nirmal Shekar has written a wonderful essay.<br />Read here <br /><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/nirmal_shekar/article1582808.ece">http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/nirmal_shekar/article1582808.ece</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-21518028143145284252011-03-25T22:00:00.001+05:302011-03-25T22:03:51.429+05:30ChudamaniA heart warming news item on a large hearted writer. <br />Click here <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/24/stories/2011032454130700.htm">http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/24/stories/2011032454130700.htm</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-29920226885844862562011-03-16T21:45:00.004+05:302011-03-16T22:07:10.327+05:30Megamalai and AlamparaiJust the other day, The Hindu reported that Megamalai and Alamparai fort being the cynosure of all eyes at the international tourism fair in Berlin. I have been curious about Megamalai all along and now Alamparai is also added to the list of must see places. I did some research on Megamalai on Google. Wiki has it that Megamali "is a cool and misty mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamilnadu, South India. It is a place of natural beauty dotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates. The place is situated at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level and it is rich in flora and fauna". <br /><br />Alamparai fort, one is surprised to know, is quite near Chennai. After some googling, came across this link. Worth checking out. <a href="http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/14/stories/2004021400010100.htm">http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/14/stories/2004021400010100.htm</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-19217327385042089432011-03-14T20:30:00.002+05:302011-03-14T20:38:47.874+05:30CrosswordsOne learns constantly from crypic crosswords. In today's The Hindu Crossword (10101, dated March 14, 2011), there was a clue " Irish pounds littered about we find." The answer was "unswept". I came to know that punt or Irish Pound was the standard unit of currency in Ireland. The other day, there was a clue "an enemy plane". The answer was "bandit". Bandit is a slang for a hostile aircraft, especially a fighter aircraft.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-82403971183501925942011-02-28T19:47:00.002+05:302011-02-28T19:52:56.511+05:30PullalurBeing a history buff I seldom miss Pradeep Chakravarthy's articles. He has come out with an interesting article on a place called Pullalur. Here is the link <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/article1494252.ece">http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/article1494252.ece</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-9556594266227129722011-02-18T22:07:00.002+05:302011-02-18T22:10:23.393+05:30Interview with SankalakHere is the interview with my favorite The Hindu Crossword setter Sankalak. <br />Click here <a href="http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2011/02/interview-sankalak.html">http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2011/02/interview-sankalak.html</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-85204043892898707412011-02-18T05:35:00.001+05:302011-02-18T05:38:23.800+05:30Five Frog Species RediscoveredSee The Hindu report here <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/17/stories/2011021760302400.htm">http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/17/stories/2011021760302400.htm</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-17553909389706988012011-02-01T21:56:00.003+05:302011-02-01T22:00:37.012+05:30Books to look out forTwo recent books, one by Vilayanur Ramachandran, The Tell-Tale Brain, and another on cancer, The Emperor of All Maladies, by Siddhartha Mukherjee, have caught my attention. I would be looking forward to reading them soon. Nilanjana has reviewed these two books along with another book by Oliver Sacks in today's Business Standard. Here is the link: <a href="http://wap.business-standard.com/storypage.php?id=0&autono=423566">http://wap.business-standard.com/storypage.php?id=0&autono=423566</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-76870387026955032542011-01-28T09:28:00.000+05:302011-01-28T09:28:00.246+05:30Restored MuralsThis is for temple art buffs. <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/27/stories/2011012754130700.htm">http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/27/stories/2011012754130700.htm</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-66191811052031636812011-01-27T21:20:00.003+05:302011-01-27T21:28:18.606+05:30The Good Doctor from PalestineThe Hindu featured an article on Palestinian doctor who lost his three daughtes due to Israeli tank shelling and yet who talks peaace. Here is the link<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1119303.ece">:<br /><br />http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1119303.ece</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-23814589899324826332011-01-14T06:00:00.001+05:302011-01-14T06:00:01.606+05:30Guns and AmericaAn engrossing and perceptive article by Ed Pilkington in The Guardian on gun culture in USA carried by The Hindu. Here is the link.<br /><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article1081344.ece">http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article1081344.ece</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-67494450049652879152011-01-14T05:50:00.000+05:302011-01-14T05:50:00.398+05:30"Ponniyin Selvan" on CelluloidThe Hindu dated January 12, 2011, carried an news item about ace director Mani Ratnam planning to convert Kalki's magnum opus into a movie. Though we have come across earlier attempts, let us hope Mani's idea comes to fruition. More on Ponniyin Selvan here <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponniyin_Selvan">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponniyin_Selvan</a>.<br /><br />Here is the news item.<br /><br />After making several films with contemporary themes but with elements of history or mythology, director Mani Ratnam is now set to embark on an ambitious venture of converting Kalki's epic novel ‘Ponniyin Selvan' into a film.<br /><br />Sources involved in the project said it would be a big-budget film requiring over Rs. 200 crore and Kalanidhi Maran's Sun Pictures is likely to be the producer although the agreement is yet to be finalised.<br /><br />Mr. Mani Ratnam is planning a full-fledged adaptation of the novel, instead of culling out a few episodes from the narrative. Industry sources say the director has roped in noted Tamil writer Jayamohan to pen the dialogues for the film.<br /><br />Ponniyin Selvan, a fictionalised account of Chola King Raja Raja I, was serialised in the Tamil weekly ‘Kalki' by celebrated writer R. Krishnamurthy.<br /><br />Later, the novel was published in five volumes.<br /><br />A highly popular novel known for its colourful characters such as Vanthiyathevan, Alwarkadiyan, Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers and Nandini, the story has captivated generations of readers for the last six decades.<br /><br />Though the title Ponniyin Selvan is a reference to the Chola prince Arulmozhi Varman who was later known as Raja Raja I, the novel depicts a cross-section of medieval Tamil society spread over Thondai Mandalam in the north, Chola Mandalam in the Cauvery delta region and Pandi Mandalam in the south, besides one impressive volume set in Sri Lanka.<br /><br />Making the film has been the dream of many a director, even actor Kamal Haasan, as bringing to life the rich tapestry of characters, episodes and locales from 10th century presents a huge challenge. The events dealt with in the story are set in the years 940-970 AD, just before the heyday of the later Cholas. Its characters included ambitious kings, brave warriors, enigmatic women, wily spies and committed political assassins.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-74593966116417946882011-01-13T05:42:00.003+05:302011-01-13T05:45:37.788+05:30Lord' CompassionThe Hindu on January 12, 2011, in its religion column featured an article I wish to share. It talks about Lord Vishnu's boundless love for his devotees. Let me quote the article in full.<br /><br />The Lord is bound by the love of His devotees. Just as an elephant is controlled by a mahout who uses a small stick to prod the animal, so does our bhakti enslave the Lord.<br /><br />Our bhakti is akin to the mahout's instrument. An example of how He is tied up by our bhakti is seen in the Krishna avatara, in which Yasoda ties Him up to the pounding stone. But in reality, does she indeed tie Him up? Is it possible for us to tie up the Lord, without His willingness? In Yasoda's case, He was tied up because of her love for Him. Our love is the rope that binds Him. He allows Yasoda to tie Him up; He allows us to tie Him up with our love, said Kidambi Narayanan.<br /><br />When Yasoda tries to tie Him up, she finds that the rope she has with her is always two feet short. Krishna therefore shrinks His body, so that she can tie Him up.<br /><br />The Lord who measured the three worlds becomes smaller, because of Yasoda's love. Why is the rope short by two feet? Here, there is a philosophical meaning to be read into the episode. There are two things we need to approach the Lord. One is gnana and the other is anushtana, the observance of prescribed practices.<br /><br />We all have pride. Unless we give up our pride, we cannot have gnana. If we realise that He is everything, He becomes a slave to us. In the Krishna avatara, He humbled Himself to become Arjuna's charioteer. He even bathed the horses! When His childhood friend Sudhama comes visiting, He seats His friend on a throne and asks His consort Rukmini to wash his feet. He remarks that the water, having touched Sudhama's feet, has become pure. He is happiest in the presence of His devotees. He says He gladly takes any name His devotees choose to give Him.<br /><br />At the end of the Kurukshetra war, when Yudhistra approaches Him and asks Him what He has been doing, Krishna replies that He has been worshipping.<br /><br />Surprised, Yudhistra asks Him who He has been worshipping, and Krishna replies that He has been worshipping the best of His bhaktas — Bhishma. Thus the Lord, the Supreme One, worships His devotees!Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-22337304956847072372011-01-12T18:31:00.003+05:302011-01-12T18:39:59.078+05:3034th Chennai Book Fair<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPLBWiO-6JHV-0ATBENm-wd1oMU30vBXGuGrvTDNo6yqrkWx3vZrCreXKCxSeViVPZJIIIttvjBfLO_wSvSYmG8iMTsiQwgL4Ew4bD4tjFW2kPy_msc1GxswRAWCEJhxl_Nd6rdV-sBk/s1600/DSC00317.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPLBWiO-6JHV-0ATBENm-wd1oMU30vBXGuGrvTDNo6yqrkWx3vZrCreXKCxSeViVPZJIIIttvjBfLO_wSvSYmG8iMTsiQwgL4Ew4bD4tjFW2kPy_msc1GxswRAWCEJhxl_Nd6rdV-sBk/s320/DSC00317.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561285955669007426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF71B2wXUu8Yf6CwPA_gvx9ZVbxXK0XXgXxIkppx9IKpDXk6sLIu0BuZogbQ9rpxVY4oCH8RJNnyf1S6S78_a6QqBq2Yb_w5wC2mU9kv6CJbyPkVUNpI1bDQxS6I_OgTGUn-ju1GiiJ3k/s1600/DSC00316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF71B2wXUu8Yf6CwPA_gvx9ZVbxXK0XXgXxIkppx9IKpDXk6sLIu0BuZogbQ9rpxVY4oCH8RJNnyf1S6S78_a6QqBq2Yb_w5wC2mU9kv6CJbyPkVUNpI1bDQxS6I_OgTGUn-ju1GiiJ3k/s320/DSC00316.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561285701174412738" /></a><br />I visited the 34th Chennai Book Fair held at St. George Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, opposite to Pachaiyappa's College on January 8, 9 and 10. <br /><br />Here are some of the books I purchasedKrishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-79704833256932397302010-12-31T14:45:00.001+05:302010-12-31T14:47:34.465+05:302011 New Year WishesWishing all of you all the very best for 2011.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-34550301980603884652010-12-26T19:39:00.002+05:302010-12-26T19:51:14.967+05:302010 - Looking BackThis year, I spent most of my time on net on crossword blogs and blogs and websites on Vaishnavism. Few sites I visited frequently are:<br /><br /><br />http://thehinducrosswordcorner.blogspot.com/<br />http://www.crosswordunclued.com<br />http://www.srivaishnavam.com<br />http://www.prapatti.com/Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-60928581868042174682010-12-15T09:00:00.000+05:302010-12-15T09:00:00.635+05:30The Thanjavur StoryItching to lay my hands on Pradeep Chakravarthy's Thanjavur: A Cultural History. S. Muthiah in his Madras Musings Column in The Hindu writes: "Every time I meet Pradeep Chakravarthy I'm delighted, for in his bubbling over with enthusiasm for the past I see hope for heritage in the State. There are so few young persons interested in the historical that when I meet a young person with the same passion as I have for all that has contributed to our present, a person like 35-year-old Pradeep for instance, it raises my spirits considerably to find that there is are young people who will continue to keep the fires of heritage burning.<br /><br />It doesn't matter that my interests in the past are different from Pradeep's. He's interested in temples, their architecture, their stories, their sculptures and vahanas, the songs and dance they have generated over the years, and the inscriptions in them — many of them disappearing — that record bits and pieces of royal and social history".Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-40196850969074352122010-12-15T08:00:00.000+05:302010-12-15T08:00:01.427+05:30Fossils in PeruFascinating article about fossils in Peru. Read <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article948383.ece">here</a>Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-62571597644679243872010-12-14T07:00:00.001+05:302010-12-14T07:00:00.243+05:30Mobile phones - More BaneThan BoonTwo good eye-opening articles about the other side of mobile phones in The Hindu yesterday (December 13th 2010). Here are the links:<br /><br />http://www.hindu.com/op/2010/12/12/stories/2010121250031400.htm<br /><br />http://www.hindu.com/op/2010/12/12/stories/2010121250051400.htmKrishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-50086934858654658332010-12-13T20:43:00.002+05:302010-12-13T20:47:07.097+05:30Boating Ahoy !This bit of news is cheering to residents of Velacheri.<br /><br /> "Civic agencies will soon start work on a boat house and other tourist facilities <br />at Velachery lake. Inspecting the lake on Thursday, Mayor M Subramanian said the project to convert the area into a tourist attraction would be taken up at a cost of Rs 7 crore.<br /><br />"The corporation will dredge the lake to deepen it and construct a boat house. Works would start soon after tenders are floated. A consultant has been appointed and designs have be drawn up," he said.<br /><br /><br />Read more: Velachery lake to have boating facility soon - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Velachery-lake-to-have-boating-facility-soon/articleshow/7073609.cms#ixzz180NiqWiuKrishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-14682840788566744572010-11-25T16:06:00.000+05:302010-11-25T16:07:01.387+05:30His Presence PurifiesReproducing from today The Hindu's religious column which talks wonderfully about Vaishnavite Acharyas and their total devotion to the Lord.<br /><br />Lord Narayana's descent to this Earth as Krishna made this earth more effulgent than Vaikuntha, for His presence makes a place bright.<br /><br />The Vaishnavite Acharya Koorathazhvar wished that he had been born in Gokul, for that was where Krishna had grown up. The cows that were in Gokul, in Koorathazhvar's time, would be descendants of the cows that existed in Krishna's time; as such they were lucky ones, weren't they? Their ancestors would have been cared for by Krishna. All great men know the value of being in a place graced by the Lord, M.V. Anantapadmanabhachariar said in a discourse.<br /><br />Parasara Bhattar said he would be glad even if he were just a street dog in Srirangam. What is the use of being a dog in Srirangam, we might wonder. After all a dog is not going to be able to enter the temple for darshan of the Lord. But Parasara Bhattar reasoned out that when the processional deity of the Lord was taken out, if Bhattar happened to be a street dog there, he would be shooed off by temple officials. Hearing the commotion, the Lord would turn in the direction of the dog. Thus, the Lord's loving glance would fall on him (Parasara Bhattar). Wasn't that a blessing to aspire for?<br /><br />Great men prefer living in places where the Lord has taken up residence. Once Peria Tirumalai Nambi, the uncle of Ramanujacharya, came down from Tirumala to welcome his nephew.<br /><br />He had brought with him some rice to eat on his downward journey. When he opened the packet, he found ants in the rice. All he had to do was to remove the ants and then eat it. But Peria Tirumalai Nambi didn't want to set the ants on the ground, for they were from Tirumala. What if they happened to be some devotees of the Lord who had taken birth as ants to live in the divine presence? So, he took the ants all the way up the hill and left them on top of the hill.<br /><br />Bees living in the hives on the wall of a Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu are said to be the devotees of the Lord, who have taken birth as bees to worship the Lord here.Krishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4752643293493947600.post-40821202287835329622010-11-18T17:04:00.000+05:302010-11-18T17:05:59.012+05:30CEEBROS ORCHIDRainwater harvesting is always in the news these days. Out apartment is undertaking this in a big way. It was featured in The Hindu couple of days back. <br />Here is the link h<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article886972.ece">ttp://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article886972.ec</a>eKrishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06642369297736205420noreply@blogger.com0