Singara Chennai Tamil....

Vanakam Nanbargalay...

Sorry for having a long pause in my blogs. Due to several domestic committments, I was not able to devote time towards computer.

I am sure every one might be gearing up to welcome the New Year 2009... I felt, by having a good laughter will be the apt way to welcome the New year, amidst of the sorrowful happenings in Mumbai during November 2008.

I whole heartedly appreciate and thank Vidhya and Rajesh for contributing and expressing their concern about the Mumbai disaster. Words are not enough to express my sorrow about the whole of the incident.

I take this chance to Salute all the Martyrs in the brave fight during November 2008. May the buried brave Martyrs be a seed for uprooting the ugly terrorism all over the world.

Fine, let us not sink ourselves more in grief by remembering the Mumbai incident now..

Let us laugh and relax, for a while and welcome the New Year 2009 now...

Madras -kkaaaran endru sollada !! Thalai nimirndhu nillada !!

The aesthetic quality of Madras Tamil comes from the fact that a classical (and old) language like Tamil is given that contemporary touch by the constructive intrusions from languages like Hindi, Telugu, Greek, Italian, Persian and most importantly English (naduvula konjam uttaks naina). As a result, the language may sound uncivilized, from the point of view of the Madurai folks, who seemingly say 'Vaanga..ponga..' even before 'veesing' the 'veecharuvaa' and the Coimbatore folks who add this sickening slur to every statement... and in their obsession with pure Tamil curb the unfettered evolution of the language, thereby leading to little or no development of the language itself. For instance, words like 'bejaar','peela', 'saavu graaki' have no sense and no equivalents in the Southern dialects of tamil. Certainly an inexplicable loss to Tamil Language!

Now, really getting into the mechanics of the spoken language, the most important point is the relative position of the lips while speaking. While most tamil dialects involve a cavity of 2 inches between the lips,Madras tamil involves a much lesser gap (0.5 to 1.2 Inches). Mastering the exact position is half the language learnt.

Assuming we're using flash cards,

Card# 1 : All words-more specifically, all verbs need to be consistently shortened adhering to a set of strict rules.

padithidu(read), mudithidu(complete), sabithidu(curse) will be gracefullyshortened as 'Pachchi', 'muchchi', 'sabchi'. Note the conversion of the syllable 'da' to 'cha'. This is essentially true for the entire gamut of emotions to be conveyed in Madras Tamil. 'kondirukkiren' is converted for simplicity to '...nikkeren'. As a corollary, 'padithu kondirukkiren' ' = 'pachchi-nikkeren' 'kulithu kondirukkiren' = 'kulchi-nikkeren', 'Utkaarunduko (Sit)' = 'Kundhikoo', 'Thindru Mudithu Vittayaa'?(Have you finished eating) = 'Thunnutiya', 'Jaladosham' = 'Jalpu'

Readers can understand immediately that this was done to save time, so that in the same period of time a Madras Tamilar can convey 1.5 times that of a Madurai Tamilar and 5,000 times that of a Coimbatore Tamilar (depending on the length of the drawl...like 'yaeeeeeeenunga?') One anomaly to this shortening rule is, some words get suffixed with the syllable 'ka'. So, summa = summaka, dhoora = dhooraka.

Card# 2 : Madras Tamil does not use 'neenga' and 'nee' in different contexts. In fact, only 'nee' is used. This is not a deliberate attempt to degrade someone in public, but to offer a level playing field for everyone. So if the auto-karan asks 'enga ponum, unakku?' do not feel offended.

Card# 3 : 'da' is used by ALL IIT guys and ALL policemen for quite different reasons. The tone of 'ennada, license enga, vootlaya?' and 'what da, where is the Item, da?' are self-explanatory. Incidentally, all words beginning with 'vee' can be unconditionally substituted with 'voo'. So 'Veedu' = 'voodu' and 'Vittuvidu' = 'vuttudu'.

Coming back to 'da', a euphemism for that would be 'ba'. So a 'ennada' would be made to sound much less offensive with 'ennaba'. Other less effective words, principally used among friends include 'naina','vaadhyaare', machi', 'brether'(brother), 'allo'(hello)... the list is endless. When it comes to expressing intimacy and friendship, Madras Tamil is the best in the world.

Card# 4 :'enna'(what?) in Madras is 'yeenaa?'. So, combining quations (2) and (5), (sorry ba, 12th Maths madhiree aaychee) 'yeenaa pachchinikkera?', 'yeenaa kachinikkera?'.

Card # 5 : The syllable 'zha'(as in tamizh) becomes 'ya'. So, 'vaazhai pazham' is 'vaaya payam', 'vaazhkai' is 'vaaykai', 'vazhukki' is 'vaykki'. Off the record, 'zha' is a pain in the butt. More than 95% of Tamil Nadu substitutes it with 'ya' or 'la'.

Card# 6 : When it comes to borrowing words from other languages 'Madrassukku nigar Madrasse'. English words can be used in any context without feeling alien. 'wrongu', 'rightu', Railway tasion, bridju, scooteru, 'yechusme, Madras Tamil - Worth Reading !! 'adjist','abase', 'abscond', 'beetiful', 'superu', 'fruitu', 'pil im', 'figureu', correet, tenshun, its alriteba, and so on. Hindi has its contributions like 'bejaar'. Telugu: 'naina', 'baava', 'eppudu', 'cheppu' etc.

Many such languages have their representations all of which cannot be listed here. Also singular and plurals in English are inversed. So, even one lady becomes 'ladees', one friend becomes 'priends', a vegetable puff becomes 'puphs' etc.

Miscellanious : Superlatives are mostly functions of time and fame. But some superlatives like 'Lord Labakdas' ,'Amrican citizen', 'Columbus', 'pisthu', 'pistha' can be used at any time, anywhere, guaranteed. The etymology of these words are unknown.

Slangs are very important in Madras. Especially while drunk, during 'kozha adi sandai' and in the 'paal booth'. 'saavu graaki', 'somaari', 'kasmalum' , 'keesuduven', 'bejaara puduva' can be used as and when required.

The best ever sentence I heard in chennai is this : 'Vara solla vutaanda oray mayai'.. Means while coming it was raining heavily near the house'... hhhmmmm.. How easily this is said in 'Singara Chennai' Tamizh...!!

DISCLAIMER : Tamil spoken at Ethiraj, Stella Maris & other notable women's colleges is entirely different and is beyond the scope of this article.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009.

- Vartaaa..

Vanakkam from Vidhya

After a long lapse, I am in the blog mood today. Much things have happened these days, especially the horrible thing in India. It is quite embarrassing to face the fellows in the office here in the US when these incidents crop up. We have no answers except to watch our country taken over by politicians on one side and terrorists on the other side. Who is being punished? the public who does no harm to anyone, nor enjoying any comforts in their life....The rich gets richer, the poor gets poorer and terrorists get terrorizing.

The media,...well they really earned well in these incidents. Actually people like us are dummies. We do not make the government. The politicians manipulate us and make their way and make money and make their life better. Who cares about us? The media are concerned about rewarding their staff who brings very attractive stories. Who cares about good things? BTW, I wanted to remind one thing about the pathetic state of the medias when our Bharath Rathna, the divine Singer, M.S. Subbulakshmi passed away, all the news papers showed the photograph of the dead cadaver, blown up in the first page of their papers. Not a single news paper put the divine face of her as seen in her devotional song cassettes. When she died she was very old and aged. There is no need for showing the age when she is there in every house and in every heart. This is what the media do....they want to highlight the dark, the unwanted and the uglyness of every aspect of society.

Well, Bombay has always been 'Bomb'bay. True Rajesh, we are angry and helpless and we will remain that way for ever....I am angry about that too.

The past two blogs are serious because of the serious situation in India. My next blog will be about my greatest anger on the health insurance and health policies in the US. ..... Athuvarai Ungalidamirunthu Vidaiperuvadhu........Vidhya

Ulaga Nadappugal...Cont'd

Dear Friends,

Hope everyone is doing good.....Especially the ones in India. People are still trying to recover from the shock. I was also very shocked of hearing the whole tragedy. I was following the news about this incident and the whole thing was portrayed like a action movie in some news channels which pissed me off. Initially I thought it was a bomb blast and then found the story developing into all sorts of twists and turns. The most annoying thing for me was the coverage of these incidents by the media especially one of the news channel which even played a kind of background score for all kind of situations like the action scene with the choppers and the rescue moments! To What extent do they go to make money out of everything? I was mad at that.

Then came these politicians to steal the show!! Media must be the only ones who would have been very glad because of all those resignations and sacking of politicians because the terror operation was over and they want something new to make news and these politicians gave food for their thoughts.....! I don't think these resignations would make a great deal of comfort to any of those shocked minds of the Public.  

Bombay has become "Bomb"bay! Though am not living there, It made me feel sad and more angry at the situation of helplessness we are in. The last but not the least of these are the effects of these on our cricket tours and tournaments. It made me even more pissed off. Cricket is also hurt and bleeding at the moment.....as much as Taj and Oberoi was during the last weekend. Hope it recovers soon along with the Nation looking for speedy recovery. 

Ulaga Nadappugal thodarum....

Chromepet Kanavugal - I

Vanakkam Vandhanam Sushswaagatham.........

Naan dhaan...Naaaane dhaan...! Ungal R A J E S H !

Appapaa.....indha vara buid up ku evlo neram okaandhu yosikardhu!!!!

Ok Ok...Back to Business! Thanks to fellow bloggers for back to back super paced blog posts...!! Special thanks to Vidhya (akka..) for the compliments..! Also I enjoyed your cool post on Naayar kadai. Popularity for Naayar Bhajji kadai is far exceeding my expectations...! Keep it up. "Naayar kadai ku kasu vaangaama namma kudukara advertisement ku naayar nammakita life long Bhajji ku kaasu vaanga koodadhu..!" [Naayar should never charge a penny for us lifelong for the kind of advertisement we are giving for his shop abroad from Middle East to Americana...!]

This post is just a random collage of sweetest memories from my past in chromepet...

Story, Screenplay, Fiction, Action, Sentiment - RAJESH

After reading Vidhya's "adhiradi" post on Naayar's customers....I thought of taking it over from where she left and elaborate a bit more on chromepet youth's favorite timepass "hot spots"...! I can see the smile on the reader's face now (Ore Punnagai)....! cool kilu kilu topic nu nenaikareenga pola...!

Adhaan illa!

Pala censorgal pottu dhaan ezudharen....!

(To Reader's Notice: The Post below has passed censor test..!)

Naayar bhajji ya saaptu valandhavan...adhunalaaa..enakku therinja sila pala info kala kudukaren..!

I am still wondering on how chromepet youth selected Kumaran Kundram kovil padi (Kumaran Kundram temple foot steps) as one of the "top priority" spot to spend their "Oru maalai ila veyyil neram" and "Pon maalai pozhudhu" having great chats on almost all topics one can talk when they are young. I still remember how crowded the entire padikattu (the steps) would be on a nice evening time filled with islands of friends groups all the way from top to bottom. Its a great "relax" feeling sitting there talking with your friends enjoying the cool "breeze" passing you...admiring the "beauty" all over the place. [Beauty = Left to reader's imagination!]

"Kundrathile Kumaranukku Kondaatam...Padiyinile makkal kootam idamillaamal thindaatam..."

Eppadi...Ennudaya chinna kavidhai...? From the Flashback...!
Thaanga mudiyalaiyaa....?? Seri vudunga...!

Nevermind.

Next spot is this "gandhi statue" on the road side just a couple of blocks away from kumaran kundram on a junction point....I dont know how many would have noticed that one such thing exist...! We had a specific slot to stand there and talk....if we miss our time then it will be occupied by some other team...! The greatest joke about this place is that we came to know that it is a Gandhi statue almost only after 6 months though we used to chat standing right in front of it every evening....! Enna kodumai sir idhu..!

Adhellam oru kaalam...(Sentiment time!!)

I will come up with some other Hot "timepass" spots in following post...!

[Timepass = Reader's discretion]

Watchfully waiting for the reader's comments....!!

Vaarom saamiyo!!

Vidhya is back - special episode on Bhajji kadai...

Nanbargaley....

Mannikkavum. (sorry) .....I have been busy traveling between my work and my family. Rajesh and Kasi are busy shooting blogs on classical music, world news and Nayyar Bhajji kadai....Great work guys....

Well now that we have started on Nayyar Bhajji kadai, I cannot stop myself to express my share of experience which many people do not know. In those days in Chromepet, women are not supposed to go and buy bajji from any of the road side shops. That is because, the customers of the shop are roughly of the adolescent age, young (slightly older) etc men. So since it is an association of men, they will be in a “gala” mood, probably the effect caused by the “unchanged oil” (just like the fermented alcohol in the aged wine).

Makkale, don't you think it is unfair.....Does that mean we young girls and women were not supposed to enjoy the bliss of eating the bajji.....? Definitely not. I have been a secret customer of that shop for years....and you cannot stop wondering its fame if I say.....my father (70 years) is still a customer of the shop....(whoever runs it now). I had secret agents who bought that for me.

This is also partly responsible for my weight today. I think there is some strong connection that runs far fletched across the Bhajji customers.......I am starting to wonder, why I fell in love with a man who has been spending more than half of his salary in buying bhajjis in the Nayar kadai....(across the A G hospital)....why I still maintain a friendship with Kasi, while I lost touch with fellows who deserve the same.....why I am getting to befriend and admire Rajesh...our new blog member....Now I am getting the answers.

This bajji kadai, probably is a birth place of many ideas....be it in science, politics, or techniques to attract women (sight adikkara techniques...). I am now thinking of donating some money to that shop to expand its service.....

Kasi, about Sudha's concert.......I am extremely happy that you all had a good time. There is nothing better than listening to such an uplifting Indian Classical music....that too from Sudha.....also I am unimaginably jealous!!!!!!.

Rajesh, don't despair with the remake of the tamil film. You should feel happy about one point. Now Indians have got the thought of making sensible films.....if not original but at least a re make.

This situation will improve.....slowly people will start making sensible, inspiring films.

It is true that lately tamil movies are enough to make a man/woman commit suicide. Or if you are miserable with your life, you can watch a typical useless action/absolutely stupid love themed tamil movie. Then you will feel much much more miserable than you were and feel better about your life....

See u nanbargale....will come back soon.

Vanakkam

CLASSICAL STORM HITS BAHRAIN..

CLASSICAL STORM HITS THE ISLAND BAHRAIN... Smt. Sudha Raghunathan..

It was on 21st November 2008 - Friday at Bahrain Society of Engineers, Juffair an extraordinary non-stop continuous 4 hours classical treat was enjoyed by all the carnatic music fans of Bahrain.

The first appreciation and the heartfelt thanks goes to the organisers 'Indian Fine Arts Society' and ofcourse to all the generous sponsors. Splendind event provided by IFAS, which was in turn hugely welcomed and enjoyed by all the bahrain living music fans.

Smt.Sudha Raghunathan classical concert accompanied by Sri.Embar Kannan on the Violin and Sri.Neyveli Skanda Subramanian on the Mridangam. Before narrating much about the Classical Storm of Sudha Raghunathan, I would like to brief few details about the great Artist.

Brief of 'Padma Sri Kalaimamani Smt.Sudha Raghunathan'

• Music Legend : Smt. Sudha Raghunathan
• Initial Guru : Sri. B.V. Lakshman
• Life time Guru : Smt. Dr.M.L. Vasanthakumari ( MLV)
• Sudha Raghunathan's Education : M.A. Economics - Ethiraj College

Sudha Raghunathan with her divine voice drenched the audience for continuous 4 hours and as a reciprocative gesture, the audience too anchored their feet firmly and never moved an inch from their respective seats. I personally felt, it is the divine music of Sudha that has tied the audience and glued them in their seats. It is not that easy to get to watch an exemplary concert like this, that too for hours. To say precisely, the audience on that evening are really lucky people to enjoy the classical treat from Sudha.

As a traditional opening, Sudha started with a varnam, then the famous 'Siddhi Vinayakam' in Ragam Shanmuga priya, followed by the Gala song 'Endaro Mahanu', Sri.Thiyagarajar krithi in 'Sri' Ragam. This sparkling opening gave enough hint to the audience to be prepared for a gala treat from Sudha. The expectation of the audience was upheld rightly throughout the concert by sudha.

Not to forget to add a line about the excellent Sound system at the auditorium. I personally feel the sound system is the key motivator for any artist during their concert.

Apart from that, Sudha received an outstanding support from co-artist Sri.Embar Kannan - Violin and Sri.Skanda Subramanian - Mridangam. The divine Sounds from Violin and Mridangam was like a rhythmic sound of thunder during a Storm.. So altogether it was a grand feast (unlimited Dinner with (in) Desert..!!).

Then as center piece for the concert, Sudha presented a song in Ragam 'Bairavi' with detailed alapana. Sri.Embar Kannan rightly utilised every single chance to reveal his profuse talent and dazzlingly supported Sudha's alapana. Though there was a small pause during the concert for presenting the artists with Momento and to honour the Chief guests, but all these were acceptable being a part of any concert.

I guess Sudha was very much inspired with the set of audience and their support, so that made Sudha much more in upbeat mood to provide some more musical delights that evening. She sang all her famous masterpieces like 'Brahma Mukatey', 'Kurai Onrum Illai', 'Kanda Naal Mudhal', 'Vishama Kara Kannan', 'Jagado Darana', Madhava Murali (Bhajan). I am sure none of the audience that evening might have had their dinner, as their stomach and heart is already filled by the divine music of Sudha.

There was a loud of applause and laughter when Sudha sang the following lines in the song 'VishmaKara Kannan'.. I too enjoyed this and even laughed after returning home..

Please manage to read the same lines in Tamil....

Pakkathu Veetu Pennai Azhaipaan..,Muhari ragam paada solli vambuku izhupaan..

Enakkadhu theriyaadenral, nekuruga killi vittu vikki vikki azhumbodhu idhaney Muhari Enbaan................ Vishmakara Kannan...........

The audience were also amazed at the speech skill of Sudha. Great Vocabulary, timing and modulations... ofcourse, Sudha is from Ethiraj college, so needless to mention her mastering of language.

Above all, Sudha was persistent enough to accomodate all her loving audience to click photos with her and to provide enough of autographs too. I was also lucky enough to click a picture with this Music Legend and to have her autograph. Being my favourite number 1 singer, I was so happy to be present that evening for Sudha's Musical Feast, in addition to the Photograph & Autograph.

We, the Music fans sincerely pray to the Almighty to bless this Legend Smt. Sudha Raghunathan with healthy, prosperous, peaceful life and to continue her dedicated service to the carnatic field by achieving to the new heights which I feel will be the right 'Guru Dakshina' to Dr. MLV.

--- Vartaaa..

Enna Kodumai sir Idhu...!

Hi and "Hello" to fellow bloggers and followers of this blog...Hope everyone is doing great.
Its been quite a while since my last post. I don't know whether it is a coincidence or a superstition that whenever I write a post for a blog I end up getting busy with my work routine making it hard enough to find time for a quick followup post.

Since blogger Kasi is currently writing really hot posts on "ulaga nadappu" - (World Happenings), Naanum ennala mudinja sila pala thagavalgalai sollalaam nu decide panninen. I recently saw a movie named "S-A-R-O-J-A". I was really overwhelmed with the plot and the screenplay of the movie and was appreciating the Director's novel storyline. But......Last week one of my friend told me that it is a copy of 1993 English movie named "Judgement night"

Enna Kodumai sir idhu.....

Happenings of the World - I

- -->>

Mr. BARACK HUSSIEN OBAMA FROM "MUD HOUSE" TO "WHITE HOUSE"

Vanakam Nanbargaley....

While considering the famous sayings 'Be A Roman when you are in Rome'.. Let me abide to that.. Since I hear all the people across the Globe talking about one person 'Mr. Obama', and I could not stop myself from writing something about him and the recent events.

Let us very briefly make ourselves aware of few details about Mr. Obama. Here it is....

• Full Name : Mr. Barack Hussien Obama
• Place & Date of Birth : Hawaii & 4th August 1961
• Graduation : B.A. Political Science - Columbia University 1983
• First Employment : M/s. Business International Corporation
• Obama's Manuscript : 'DREAMS OF MY FATHER' released in the year 1995
• 'The Audacity of Hope' - Year 2006
• Achievements : First 'African American' as President (44th) of USA
• Fifth (5th) Youngest President for USA
• Obama's Election
• Campaign Punch Dialogue : "CHANGE HAS TO COME TO AMERICA"

I am sure not every one in India knows about Obama, in particular in the interior villages of Tamil Nadu. If some one from those under developed remote villages were questioned about 'Obama', I am sure the answer will be like this... " Engaluku aarusi, ravai upumaa theriyum.. idhu ennadu Obama??.. Inippaa.. illa kaarama..??. ( "We know about 'Rice' and 'Rava' Upama (famous Tamil Nadu instant breakfast), but what is this Obama???.. Is this dish 'Sweet' or 'Spicy'..?? )

I still remember reading some tamil magazine saying that people in few villages still believe that Ex.Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. M.G.R is still alive.. So this is the condition of General Awareness in the remote village of Tamil Nadu. But I feel by the massive existence of Media (Television, Radio FMs..) now the situation are changing a bit..

I am sure even Mr. Obama would not have dreamt in any time of his life that he will be the President of USA.. Thats how life is.. Happenings of unexpected things.. The best local example for us is our great Super Star 'Rajini Kanth'.. (Who is that whistling there now..!!) Have he ever thought that he is going to rule the entire Tamil cinema industry.. He might have travelled in the foot board of bus, starting his life career as 'bus conductor'.. but now he can have as many as own Bus Transport Company..

I enjoyed the timely joke about our great Obama and the White House.. Here it is....


So by this joke we balance both the North & South India by sharing a joke each..!! and for the rest of the world, here is a joke....

OBAMA RELATIVES MOVING TOWARDS WHITE HOUSE.....

So from this what we discover friends, Never Ever Underestimate a person by his looks, living or talks.. Time is the deciding factor for any person to be on pinnacle in life..

So always think positive, hope and dream for the best and leave the rest to the time and God to decide..

- Vartaaa..

Chromepet My Heaven - Part IV

Vanakam Nanbargalay....

Let me continue from my previous one...

"Just few steps from the hospital gives a superb fragrance of food.. both in the evening and morning..If some one in RN does not know this particular place, then they are not eligible to be in RN.. Whats that? Can any of you recognise. Keep guessing..."

Before I could narrate about the Great "Nayar Bhajji Kadai"... it was brilliantly said by rajesh in his blog.. Yes it is absolutely right.. the Great food fragrance is from this tiny shop.. we the RNs call it as ''Nayar Bhajji Kadai"... It was founded and run by a person who hails from Kerala and popularly called in RN as 'Nayar'.. But now the whole of the show (shop) is run by his sons.. (Like VGP, P.R & SONS.. Now it is Nayyar & SONS..)

I really liked the way that Rajesh explained about our Nayyar bhajji kadai and would like to Repeat it here. I strongly feel, that Nayyar should have kept Rajesh as his either personal advisor or financial Analyst.. For sure, Nayyar would have a chain of business if he has sincerely followed Rajesh's Idea..!!

Rajesh's Words:

Next big thing is "Nayar Bhajji Kadai" I have spent so much of my Pocket money (Chillarai's) buying bhajji in that shop that if Nayar had saved it properly he could have bought both Swagath and Joy Bakery and even could have developed colloboration with Iyengar Bakery. Naayar kadai holiday is a "Dry day" in my Bhajji varalaaru!!

I am sure most of the RNs are 'Adimai' to Nayyar's bhajji.. But as 'Change is Envitable' in any field.. now this Nayyar kadai is left behind in the competition by the introduction of 'RAO KADAI BONDA'..

Apart from the Fragrance & Taste of Nayyar Kadai items, I am very much inspired by the Sons hard work.. Yes, they are the Live example for any youngster in RN.. I personally know that one son is a graduate and he still works in the shop full time.. So to say precisely, No job is a shame or less importance in this world, if it is done sincerely, loyaly, without cheating, harming other people..

The Nayyar Kadai timings are like this, it is from 7 to 8.45 AM and then 3.30 to 7 PM.. Thats it.. But they make a very good business in this short time and not only fill their kitty but also the customer's stomach and Heart..!!

I recenly happened to visit Chennai and was surprised to see the Nayyar Kadai in the same place with slight touch ups, (little of straw ceiling..) otherwise everything was same.. (I hope the Oil is changed..!!) The customer has to stand in front of the shop and the required items (Evening Menu :Keera Vadai, Masal Vadai, Millagai, Onion, Potato - Bhajji,; MORNING MENU : Idli, Poori, Medu & Sambar Vadai..) will be served in a 'Thaiyyal Illai' (Stitched Leaves').. Thats it.. This is how our RN Nayyar Kadai touches the Heart of its customers..!

Apart from this, I am very much inspired (even now) by 2 people of RN... I don't know how many of RNs remember and recognise these 2 people.. Come on .. Now start your guess...

Enna Nanbargalay.. How was the Diwali celebrations?.. Sweets ellam finish aachaa or still nsoying those..!!

- Vartaaaaaaa.

Commercial Break - No.2

Vanakam Nanbargalay..

Wishing you all a Very Happy Diwali...

I hope you all celebrated Diwali in a grand manner. For us (Me & My Family) this was a very grand diwali. The main reason for this grand celebration is, we were in Chennai ..!! with our parents this time.. Wow..!! We went to Chennai just for a week exclusively to celebrate Diwali there..

We went with all our nephews & Niece to T.Nagar just the evening before the Diwali(Dawn..) My God, what a crowd.. I will never agree even if some one uses camphor to promise (Karpuram adichu sathyam seiydalum..) that People in Chennai are not living comfortably..!! I myself witness people using 500 Rupees note to pay for their juice which costs Rupees 7. 'Enna kodumai saravanan idhu'.. Apart from this all are having hi-fi latest mobile.. I guess only mine was an antique piece of all the mobile in Ranganathan Street.

It took nearly 4o minutes for us to cross from one end of the Ranganathan street to another end. Enna kuttamda sami.. Thaanga mudiyala.. All the shops had equal crowd.. none is less.. including the pop corn outlet.. Then instantly I realised (in fact scared..!!) that India is 100 Billion strength.. Initially i was so scared to step and walk on ranganathan street, but then I also got myself drowned among the crowd (andha kottuthin jothiyil naangalum Iykiyam aayitom.)

We went to RMKV shop and picked dresses for our Nephews & Nieces.. then done shopping throught out ranganathan street and pondy bazar. What is not available in these streets.. Unbelievable.. even a hyper market will not have few of things sold in these T.Nagar Streets.. Then we went to the Great 'SARAVANA BHAVAN' and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Wow, started from 'Sambar Vadai'.. and continued.. continued.. Great time.. That too in Air conditioned Hall..!!! I still remember, in my child hood to go to a Air conditioned hotel is a big thing.. Even just passing by a Air conditioned hotel will be broadcasted in a very big manner among our friends circle. .. Adhu ellam oru kaalam..

While returning from T.Nagar to our singara chromepet, we decided to travel by Air conditioned Bus.. 'G18'. Enna AC effect, summa gummunu Speedaaah 20 minutes la chromepet vandutom.. The ticket fare is worth and really enjoyed the travel.. Also the driver was enjoying his driving along with the Tamil Suriyan FM..

This was how we spent the whole of previous evening of diwali day...

To my surprise, I could not hear much of the crackers noice.. Initially I thought, I got some problem with my ears, but then realised the fact.. that the crackers noice was very less comparing my golden childhood days..!!

'Yen Crackers noice eppadi kurainju pochunu theriyalaiyemaaaa..' (Try to say it in Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Style..) and keep guessing the reasons for yourself.. I shall say you the exact fact behind the use of less crackers for this diwali.. You will be surprised, even some of you may be shocked to hear that..!! I bet..

Vartaa...

Welcome Rajesh to this blog space.. I thoroughly enjoyed your debut blog.. Keep up the good work..

- ChromepetKaSi.

Love story..23yrs old!

Hello everyone...

Before going into the much awaited story of 2008...let me introduce myself to the makkals..! I am Rajesh, an chromepet Aadivasi...! Sheikh "Kasi" abdulla "Raman" is a cool acquaintance turned relative to me....(local ah sonnaa akkaa purusen...)
Seri...Enough of buildupss...!

Coming to the story...sorry "Love story"

Chromepet- A small town just on the suburban fringe of Chennai maam pattinam!
It is My First Love - Bharathi raja style la sonna..."Enn iniya chromepettai"
Yes...Still the Love story continues and it is 23 years old now...!
Already my fellow bloggers Kasi and Vidhya have described Chromepet top to bottom! So Let me slide through the left out points...of them and of course the twists and turns of my Love story!

Chromepet has the most amazing thing I liked so much!! Railway station and Bus stand are so close and almost one and the same!!! Enna madhiri somberi makkalukku it cant get better than this!! Every Bus stops!!!! Namba Puliya maram bus stop is great....Am not sure whether the puliya maram stands there but it is still puliya maram bus stop!

Railway station la kedaikaadhe vegetables and fruits illa...On Evenings, it turns out to be a mini market...! I am still pissed off on seeing that Fast Train not stopping in chromepet station!!! Enna kodumai sir adhu!! I hate to go in that Fast train because it wont stop in chromepet. I don't know the situation now.

Next big thing is "Nayar Bhajji Kadai" I have spent so much of my Pocket money (Chillarai's) buying bhajji in that shop that if Nayar had saved it properly he could have bought both Swagath and Joy Bakery and even could have developed colloboration with Iyengar Bakery. Naayar kadai holiday is a "Dry day" in my Bhajji varalaaru!!

Next Big Big thing is the 'n' number of cricket war grounds one can find in "Namma chromepet" Now it has been stripped of almost all playgrounds but those days...They kept me living!! Aeri Karai, Pattabiram, Kurinji Nagar, CLC, Statebank colony ippadinu sollikite pogalaam...If I had enough money I would have directed a movie on my own titled "Chromepet 600044"

Like this our Love developed gradually from Railway station to Bhajji shop to Cricket.......Day by Day I started admiring her beauty more and more. I grew along with her...I walked around her, I danced with her! I played with her!! I lived every moment with her!!!

Ippadi enga love develop aayittu irukka....."As our Love was blossoming" (Like Povomaaaa Ooorvolammm.....)

Came the First twist!!

(Thodarum....)
(Continued...)

Kasi serial 8.30 ku na ennoda serial 9.00 Ku
Prime time serial!!! Don't Miss it!!

Special Mention: Thanks to Kasi for adding me as a contributor and giving me a chance to share my Love story with you all!

varta....

I love chromepet too- A road to my place!!!

Kasi had written about his birth place, Bharathi Street. For other blog followers and bloggers, I would like to you all to know that Kasi and I are play pals. We grew up and played together. We went to school together. I lived a little bit away from Bharathi Street where Kasi lived. But I am a daily visitor to Kasi's place since that was my grandfather's place too.

I will here describe shortly the path that leads to the great place where I was born and raised. Yes it is the Naidu Shop road.....But one has to overcome many trials and tribulations to reach Naidu shop road from Bharathi street.

The moment you cross Bharathi street and continue to follow the main road, you will be greeted by an unbearable smell (sariyaana Gabbu). Before your mind starts thinking about it, on to your right, you will see a small dust bin (kuppai thotti) made of concrete, has a size just about to
accommodate 2 school kids. It is very fascinating why people always love to put the waste exactly outside and around the dustbin. The bin is practically empty at all times. One potential problem could be: one needs to walk about 20 meters on the decaying waste matter
to reach the bin!

I would say the municipality could have set up a natural gas plant right there in the waste bin area and could have captured the methane gas that is arising out of the decay. Unfortunately I was not educated enough to suggest this. I am not sure if this still is the case. I heard
Chromepet is now becoming a Corporation....but it doesn't bother the waste bin...does it?!

For those people who cross RN main road everyday, I would say, their sense of smell would have completely gone....because they are immune to all these different kinds of sectors starting from the "kavuchi Kadai" to the "Gabbu".

You can have an enjoyable view of the waste bin from the AAVin ice cream / milk shop in the opposite side of the road. I have been a loyal customer of that shop...which explains my weight today! Beside that shop, is another snacks shop which is famous for the "kara sevai".
These shops are not the same anymore. Some do not even exist and the whole place now looks different.

What is more interesting is that, we can see many cart(mobile) shops close to the waste decay...like "elanndapazham, verkadalai (peanuts)" shops and a photo shop on the ground with blow ups of all tamil cinema actors....and the shop will have many big big hand kerchiefs which is very suitable for a "rowdi" makeup.....I still don't know why they sell it there. The source of electricity for these ground and cart shops is what is called as "betromas light". I donno the exact spelling of this light. But it will attract all the flies and insects directly from the waste decay and infecting ( or immunizing!) all the customers.

I am not sure, I remember a biriyani/pakoda cart shop also close by with very active business. I am sure the shop's monthly turnover is certainly greater than my first salary. When we cross the biriyani/pakoda shop, we will be hit by a smell which is a blend of pleasant pakoda and unpleasant old rancid oil. No matter whatever it is, when people cross this place in the evening, no doubts, their hunger hits the roof.

We pass this sector, then we are through with major fragrance sectors. I donno whether it is intentional or coincidental, RN has counter effects in different places. From the railway track, we would have smelled different things. But after crossing the kuppai thotti, we have a chance to completely eliminate the effects of all these things. Yes, there is a shop that grinds different pulses, dhalls, chillis etc (maavu mill). When we cross the maavu mill, almost everybody sneezes. This happens to be a very good exercise to bring out all the obnoxious smells out of our nose!

We are still walking straight. Then comes the "not so lit" area....many politicians came and went. But that part was never lit properly (although it is now). After a couple of good bakery shops and pharmacies, comes the Naidu Shop Road. Now we need to take a left. As soon as we enter and go a little further we see that the road becomes narrow and there are two river like formations widening into the road......Yes they are the Kaavai of Chromepet, the biggest open drainage rivers (kaavai) on the either side of the road. This is the second largest drainage river next to Koovam (chennai river...now supposedly a drainage river) that runs dare in living neighborhood.
This kaavai is the important reason that I am immune to malaria today. This has seen and supported trillions of mosquito generations and their mutations.

Every resident of that road had fallen into that river at least once in their life time including me. The part of the river in front of my house happens to have the largest width. So our house has been the sanitation and rescue ground for many fallen (in kaavai) people!

Rest in the next...

Chromepet My Heaven - Part III

Vanakam Nanbargalay..

Sorry for the delayed posts, got held up with the Navratri celebration. With great difficulty returning to normalcy with respect to 'TIME' as well as 'DIGESTION!!'.

Coming back to the history of a 'GREAT PERSON's birth story...
It was a humid early morning.. in tamil they say it 'Brahma Muhurtham' silence prevading all the places, ready for the dawn, clocks ticking slowly. When the time was 4.10 AM there came a cry of a baby, entering into this earth.. and this is the birth of the so called 'GREAT PERSON' of the Bharathi Street of RN.. Let the person identification be still secret. Its easy for many people to guess it, but I wish to maintain the 'Mega Serial' style of describing..!!

As per the statistics I came across, great people and great events happens only between the date 20 till 30 of any month. It was not an exception in the case of this 'Bharathi Street' new born too.. it was between the above said date only.. Wow, what a surprise.. hhmm. Great..

That was a peak summer month. As we all know, chennai's Climate is termed as 'Hot','Hotter','Hottest'... So the month was a 'Hottest'one.. and also as a normal trend severe drought and water scarcity across chennai particularly in Chromepet, RN.. But this birth of the new born, brought heavy thunder showers in RN (not sure of other areas..)and kept a full stop to all the sufferings of RN people from the water scarcity and drought.. Wow, what a surprise.. This may even be a coincidence.. let it be... But still that hospital in Bharathi Street remains with the same structure apart from few external (outer) paintings and internal enhancements.. Structural part of the hospital remains the same till this day..!!! Wow, what a surprise again..

This is the history of the 'Great Person' of Bharathi Street for time being..

Just few steps from the hospital gives a superb fragrance of food.. both in the evening and morning..If some one in RN does not know this particular place, then they are not eligible to be in RN.. Whats that? Can any of you recognise. Keep guessing...


Enna Nanbargalay.. Saraswathy pujai and vijayadasami ellam nallabadiya mudinjuda? Ellarum books ellam pujaiyil vaicheengala?.. RN la edavadu new shop open aacha?
catch you all soon. Enjoy and have a nice week end...

Commercial Break...

Vanakam Nanbargalay...

Welcome Srividhya. Thats a great way to commence your blogtravel.. Excellent. Continue your good work..

I am greatly relieved after vidhya started her blogs... so the important details about RN will be covered well from now..

Nanbargalay, before continuing more about RN, I thought of having some commercial break like having blogs on general topics too (other than RN) to have more fun and relaxation while reading these blogs..!!

yesterday being my half day working, I reached home around 2 PM, by that time my wife was ready with a very good lunch, so myself and my colleague had a nice lunch and thought of seeing the Tamil movie 'Raman Thediya Seethai' which was released in the nearby theater. The show timing was at 2.30 PM, so we hardly had time to rush to the theater after lunch and some how we managed to enter into the movie hall too..

Being 'Cheran' (director + (self made)Hero/Actor) movie I was really expecting some good story.. Cheran is not the director of this movie, it is K.P.Jagannath. Enna kodumai sir edhu... indha cheran oru vilangaada vilakannai moonjiyey vechukittu padam muzhuka kazhutha arukaraanya..('Hero Cheran face was like a Castor Oil drunken fellow in whole of the movie') A dumbo movie.. I was not able to sit and watch the whole movie.. Thank God, the AC in the movie hall was very good and it was really only relaxing factor for the whole of 2 and half hours of movie.. Don't even recommend to any of your enemies too to watch this movie..!!

Anyway, views differs, yet I am sure, this is not going to be a hit movie like 'Autograph'..

Wats happening in Tamil Nadu Politics.. Before 'Amma'(Jayalalitha) was CM,now 'Ayya'(Karunanidhi) is the CM and now our Captain (dont think Dhoni or Kumble) Vijayakanth is calling himself 'Anna'.. so thats how now the whole of the election campaign has started.. Enough of giving chance to 'Amma' & 'Ayya' now give to 'Anna' (Vijayakanth!!) it seems.. this is the election speech of Vijayakanth and his wife Premalatha... hahahaha. Apart from all this now our great comedian 'Vaigai puyal.. vadivelu' will also jump in the election.. So I was imagining the further elections speech from Vadivelu. It will be like this.. "Enough of 'Amma''and 'Ayya' rule in Tamil Nadu.. Now elect some 'Goiyya' (Vadivelu) as Tamil Nadu CM.. ". Tamil natuku Vidivu kaalam (Good Days) Varum... aaanaa varadu'.. Pongada venaigala..

I think all cine people are ready to play with Tamil Nadu people.. 'Nammala vechu Comedy kemady pannalayey'??..

ok friends, will catch you all soon in the coming blogs.. Mean while expecting some great blogs from Vidhya..

I love Chromepet too......

When I read Kasi's "I love Chromepet", I was thrilled. As a Chromepet vaasi (dweller) I also have some interesting stories. The description of the RN main road by Kasi is so accurate. I imagine that Kasi will talk about the great man born and lived in Bharathi Street.

Talking about the popularity of Chromepet several years back.....Chromepet is not like Mylapore or Adayar.....When somebody says they are from Mylapore or Adayar, it will strike immediately "Oh Mylaporaa....". Chromepet did not share the same popularity in those days. People will have to search their brain database....and then come to a conclusion "There should be some place like that somewhere in the globe....probably under developed!".

Or sometimes "Oh is that the place that smells (stinks!) leather when we pass by?!" ....Now folks, this is the route of the name "Chromepet" (peyar kaaranam)....after the Chrome leather factory....

It is not like that anymore. Now Chromepet has Medical College.....Probably it is the only town that has engineering and medically colleges so close, within a kilometer.

It is astonishing how the leather factory exerted its aroma!!! onto the GST road....The leather factory had two branches...one on the east and the west side... which is responsible for the concentrated focus of the smell.

The traffic of RN main road not only consisted of cars, buses, autos, rickshaws, cycles and TVS 50s, but also herds of buffaloes, which are the main dairy supply units for the whole town. It is very very fascinating how the narrow RN main road could accommodate such a diverse traffic without a single traffic constable. There may be fights among auto people and two wheelers, but never with buffaloes..... they are in fact peacemakers and speed breakers.

I should talk about the railway tracks.....For somebody who wants to learn patience, they should try to cross the railway track in a car during the morning rush hours....It is a very good spiritual saadhana.

It is something close to Einstein's paradox...when u travel in a car and wait at the railway track, you can see numerous trains cross and eventually the railway gate never opens. But when you get frustrated of waiting and decide to travel in train, you will find that the train never comes and will see the gate is open all the time allowing the traffic to cross.....Which is true....Still this paradox is unsolved.....

I will illustrate more in my next message....

Chromepet My Heaven - Part II

Vanakam Nanbargalay..

Now I shall try to brief the infrastructure (if any..!!) about Radha Nagar. While travelling on the GST Road from Mount Road towards Tambaram, immediately after the Famous 'Vettri Theater' on the right side, there is a Railway level Crossing, and from the other end (east side) of the Railway Gate starts the Great Radha Nagar.

As soon as you cross the East side of the railway Gate, the Fragrance (!) of Karuvaadu... will welcome you.. Presently the number of shops have reduced drastically. In the past, say before 10 years there were several 'Kavuchi Kadai'.. (Fish shops) on both sides of the begining of Radha Nagar Main Road.

As adjacent to these Fragrancy..Shops.. a very old building, with same old Iron Gate is the Electricity Board Office. Very next to this EB office is a very small temple for Lord Ganesha.. We RN (Radha Nagarians..) call this as Gate Pillaiyar, since situated next to the Railway Gate. I really don't know the origin or the Main Story of this temple.. (Rishi & Nadhi Moolam theriyaadhu..), but this Ganpu is considered to be a powerful god who fulfills the prayers of his dieties.. As popularly known, any Ganesha temple in any part of the world will be famous for his 'Sora Thengai' ('Cracking the Coconut'..!!) this 'Gate Pillaiyar' is also not an exception to that.. So many times during my school / college days I myself has broken several coconuts as a part of prayer (Bribe..!! - Lanjam) to the favourite 'Gate Pillaiyar'. But it is true, this small ganpu has fulfilled so many prayers..

On the left side of the Railway Gate starts with a lane which takes to the famous Ladies (Aunties!!) college 'Vaishnava College for Women'.. Popularly called as 'Vayasanava' (Aged ladies) college.. OK, let me elaborate more about this 'Vayasanava' college with a separate blog..!!

Being a curse for this RN main road, it is a two-way road.. I can describe, that the breadth of a balcony in any politician's house might be 100 times bigger than our RN main road.. So always there will be traffic jams, small fights, exchange of 'Ketta Varathais' (bad words!!) during every morning and evening hours.. On both sides of the begining of RN road has Auto rickshaw stand..with some name boards like 'Super Star Rajini Auto Rickshaw Manram' or 'Ultimate Star Ajith Auto Rickshaw Manram' etc.,

I really really don't remember when was the last time the Ashpalt (in tamil 'Taaru') was laid on this RN main road. May be my 'kollu' or 'ellu' (Great Great Great Grand Father's) might have the exact statistics of this Road Laid dates..!!

It is being a major curse for Radha Nagar, that so far it does not have a good hotel. So many hotels opened with a gala opening ceremony with loud speakers, but closed down very soon with out any noise.. No one knows the reason behind this. I really doubt whether there will be any standard hotels on the Radha Nagar main road for the coming decades.. Can any of the RN residents give me a valid reason for not having a good hotel?

The very first street that disects that RN Main Road is on the right side begins with 'Bashyam Street' where the famous Indian Bank is located. When we walk further, without getting into this 'Bashyam Street', comes a street on both left and right side.. (Un)fortunately both these streets have the same name 'Rajaji Street'.. Before making a turn either on the left or right side of the street, you can notice 'Canara Bank' on your left side with so many shops above and on the sides of the Canara Bank.

When we walk further, without getting into these 'Rajaji Street on the either side, there comes a street on your Left Side known as 'Kattaboman Street' and on the Right Side, called as 'Bharathi Street'.. Here I got so much to describe about.. You all will have to listen (read) about the born & existence of GREAT MAN.. Keep guessing who is that Great Personality.. Will catch (bore) you all more in next part..

Enna, nanbargalay.. summa 'Mega Serial' kanakaa oru full stop vechuten paartheengala..!!??? Varta..!!

Chromepet My Heaven - Part I

It is quite natural for any person to love his birth place or the place where resided for more years. So obviously CHROMEPET being my birth place, it is my earthly heaven. I have seen and even now notice the reaction from the face of people who asks about my native place. As soon as I say it is 'CHROMEPET' their eyebrows shrink for a moment and the whole of the face resembles the Hero - Jim Carrry of the movie 'The Mask'.. As if I had uttered some bad words they react. Initially I was so surprised at times sad to notice such a reaction.. and at some instance I directly asked the reactor ( the 'person'.. don't assume for your own like 'nuclear reactor'..) the reason for such a response. Then they gave a detailed 'Kadha Kalachaybam' (Discourse).. that it is not inside the city of chennai and it is in suburbs..

hhhmmm.. So I guessed only human beings live in city and rest left out species all in suburbs.. What a justification.. To react to such remark.. I would rather say the famous dailouge 'Enna kodumai sarvanan idhu???..' irukattum, irukattum..(its ok..)

May be say 15 to 20 years back chromepet would have been a real suburb place. But now its not a suburb, It is 'SUPERB'.. Place. One should visit and notice the remarkable and unbelievable developments taking place in chromepet. My God, the whole of chromepet really resembles like a busiest part of a city.

For the past so many years and the years to come, the Madras Institute of Technology, in short M.I.T. is the only limelight and important location for chromepet. But now the scenario has changed, there are so many additional places like the recent M.I.T. Flyover, Naiha (Naidu Hall - Textile Showroom), Nallas (Fast food Chain..), and so many mini and maxi hotels, colleges, hospitals in chromepet have become the limelight and contributed to their own extent in the development of chromepet.

The main popular areas in chromepet are Radha Nagar, Hasthinapuram, Nemilichery, on the east side and New Colony, Nagappa Nagar, boarday..(Government Board High School) on the west side of the chromepet.

I am proud to say that I am a 'Radha Nagarian'.. in the coming blogs I wish to narrate more about 'Radha Nagar - The Past and Present'.. of my own experiences..

Nanbargalay.. (Friends) no other go, You have to read and enjoy (Bored..!!) of my blogs.. Vida Matten ungalai..!! hahahaha..

Debu to Blogs...

Dear Friends,

This being my very first blog, I really confused what to write.. So let me keep this a precise one and (bore) catch you all with more contents in the coming blogs..!!

I have come across so many blogs, but never got inspired or triggered of an idea of creating a one for myself.. But some how today (Doom's day in the history of Blogs..!!) i also submerged myself in the blog world and thought of (torturing) sharing my pals with my stories..

I now remember the famous tamil words.. "Pootruvaar pootratum.. Thutruvaar thutratum.." ellam emmaiyey serum..!!

Inspite of my hectic work load in office, I some how manage my time at home to relax myself with this blogs..

ok guys.. Get ready for my blogs..!!