Trains are running, and I'm coming!

Yipee!!!!!!

It's confirmed. I AM coming to Chennai. A railway person just called and said that the train(which is supposed to reach here at 5) has started from Trivandrum.

It's raining, but the trains are all running, and I am coming. (now, isn't that a great line?)

Will reach Chennai by 7 AM tomorrow hopefully(the right time is 7, but gotto see if there's some hassle due to the rains). Well, flooded-Chennai, here I come.

(Went to a film festival in MG University this morning. Watched two movies, the 'Elephant' and the 'Miracle of Bern'. The second one was excellent.)

Floods in Chennai

Is it a dream?

NO, it is not.

It's Live on Sun News. The Vani Mahal road is flooded. A car is fully under water somewhere near Gemini flyover. There's water here, water there, water everywhere. For a city starved of water and pernenially under 'tanni kashtam', this should be something awesome.

Not quite for me here in Kottayam.

Mainly cos I plan to come to Chennai for Deepavali. I plan to leave tomorrow evening and come back the day after Deepavali. But, dunno how its gonna happen as the news says that all trains from Central have been cancelled till tomorrow noon. Only if those trains start and come here can I board the train back to Chennai.

Dunno what I'm gonna do...

Feeling at home

Situation 1:
"Rendu chocolate cake please...."
"Packing...?"
"Illa...sapparthuku..."

And the guy at the counter has a friendly smile. I can already make out that I've accidentally spoken in Tamil and he has understood it cos he's Tamil too.

Situation 2:
I'm speaking to the dude I went with to the Aariyas Bakery in Tamil though he's a Malayali. The waiter(in a cool yellow uniform) comes and gives us paper napkins. And, he smiles at me as he hears the conversation. I can make out that he's Tamil(I confirm it with him as I pay the bill).

Situation 3:
I'm in the BPL Gallery paying my mobile bill. I finish paying and come out. There's this guy speaking into his mobile phone in Tamil.

For a change, I smile.

As Kerala is very close to TN, there's a lot of Tamils living here, especially in Kottayam. You can find them everywhere; in hotels, in construction sites, in shops, almost everywhere. I heard Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay's 'Alu Alu Thalu..' song playing in a small tea shop in an equally small village on our way to Thrissur. And, as I've written before, it was a moment of real pride when I saw almost 300 people waiting in queue to get tickets for Suriya's 'Ghajini'.

Three months ago, it was an eerie feeling when I told myself that I had to spend a year in this strange little town called Kottayam in Malaya-land. But now, that eeriness(is there such a word?) has completely vanished.

I feel at home.

They gotto improve

Here in India, we journalism students complain about traffic hazards and other ridiculous reasons for not being able to get our stories done. In Sri Lanka, they can't train students properly, cos there's no proper journalism course with experienced faculty.

We students here got to know a lot about the journalism teaching methods in Sri Lanka and about the SL press as our Sir(KTO) visited the SL press club. He had given them some targets to achieve last year and this year he went for a review session(when we were in Thrissur).

Seems there was a place where a guy showed him what he called as a "new printing machine". And, our Sir almost started laughing cos he'd seen the same machine in 1964 when he was working.

The SLs will have to first improve their language and grammar skills. Then, develop some journalistic skills that will help them function in that war-ravaged-yet-beautiful country.

All this is for better journalism. For a better world.

Blogging - A handsome half-century

I've hit the half century! Hooray!

Suddenly realised that my blog is 50-post old. This is the 54th post. Awesome.

I started blogging for two reasons:-
1. Our journalism sir(KTO) told us that we should write atleast 50 words everyday to become a good writer. So, I thought, by blogging, I would write atleast fifty words daily and thus become a great(err..lets just say good) writer.

2. As I'm studying in a part of the country where I've never really lived in, and as I come across SO many interesting experiences(and will continue to, in this 10-month course), I felt that I gotto put it down somewhere. After ten years or something, I can look at it and exclaim-"Maan, I did this on this day..." A 'dear diary' kinda thing came into my mind first, but then you could easily lose the diary. But in blogging, there's no dearth of space inthe internet and we here have 24-hour internet(though there are frequent problems) so what the hell?...

The blogging phenomenon is surely, and steadily, catching up. A couple of pals here have already started asking me how to create a blog and stuff.

It's a sign of the computer-mad age we live in. But yes, it's a good sign indeed.

Thrissur on Friday: Art

21st October. Kerala Kalamandalam is the place we head to. It is something similar to Chennai's Kalakshetra. Almost 500 students learn various forms of dance and music. All this under the Gurukula system.

We watched students playing mridangam, midula and many other instruments. Also saw students in a facial expression class, in a mudra class.

Sat in the world's only only Kuthambalam that is built according to an ancient specification and interacted with the secretary of that place.

Left the place at 1, had a great lunch(which cost us only 20 bucks) and saw a small-time Malayam actress called Beena(she didn't look all that hawt). Then, went to a famous Malayalam poet's house and museum. Stood near a river called Bharatapuzha.

Bid bye to Hotel Alukkas and embarked on the 4-hour journey back to home sweet home Kottayam. We sung all the way and argued a lot on the point of suicide. The van's tyre got punctured when we were just 2 kms away from our insti. Spent some time on the road(near which, a house played Tamil songs) and then were back to the insti.

Well, I'm back in Kottayam. Home sweet home.

Thrissur on Thurday: Senti

20th Oct. Morning: Visited the Pope Paul Mercy home in the outskirts if Thrissur. Its a place where almost 500 mentally-challenged students learn basic things like going to toilet and taking bath.

The students performed exercises and sang songs in a special assembly(which was arranged for us). Then, we interacted with the students for some time.

Afterwards, we visited a HIV Aids home. People who have AIDS(mostly for no fault of theirs) stay there. And, there are small, sweet children(who love balloons) too. Its a very uneasy feeling - these children will die anytime soon. Its just a question of time. We hugged the children and fondled them, but alas only God knows how long they'll all live. It was an emotional moment.

Had lunch and then proceeded to the Mercy Home. We were first briefed about a facility called Childline, and then met cute children who are orphans. A guy, N, became SO fond of a particular child that he didn't have the heart to come back with us.

Night: Our classmate S's grandmom's sister's home was chosen as the venue. It was a bit far from our hotel, but that was okay. The location was perfect; lots of trees, a big big backyard, cool breeze and a beautiful moon.

All this for a camfire.

All of us(including teachers IG and TF) landed up at this place at 10 o clock for a campfire. Wood sticks and a bottle of kerosene were brought and the campfire kicked off.

We started with our customary evaluation session. I was an evaluator today and I taked about the strikingirony of it all. In the morning we had visited places where we had all felt sad and now we were sitting around a campfire abd enjoying ourselves. Isn't this Life, I asked. We get sorrow and happiness in our lives and have to learn balancing them properly.

The fun we had after that was awesome. Started the fun with 'Antakshari' between guys and gals. We guys cheated the gals and won the game. Then, our guys performed a small skit that symbolised the unti of religions - it was very good.

Then, played 'Truth or Dare'. I chose Truth and answered an easy question. Most of the girls chose 'Truth' and two of them were asked a similar question - Who is your favourite guy in class? And guess what, both of them pointed to me. Cool na?

It was definitely the best day of the five days. Mainly because it was full of irny - heart-filled and fun-filled.

Thrissur on Wednesday: Brainy

19th October. Got up late but were all in the van at 9. Today's programme was to go to KFRI(the kerala forest research insti) and learn about the people and the routine there. It was a real tiring day; visited a butterfly farm, talked to the scientists there.

It was a day full of plants, seeds, soil etc. It was a day when we had to use our brains.

Thrissur on Tuesday: Cool

(18th October) Morning: Got up at 8, had coffee, had a bath and then went to have breakfast(ghee roast). Everyone were in the van at 10 sharp.

Went straight to the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Spent time there at the computer room, at the library and at a hall that was full of portraits. Then, visited the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and the Lalithakala Akademi.
In the evening when I and a pal C were taking a walk, came across a person and started talking to him. In due couse, I learnt that he was the former editor of a now extinct famous Thrissur paper. There, I had got my story! Went to his home again at 8.30 and interviewed him.

Night: Went for a night walk with four others, two guys and two gals. We were walking through the streets when we came across the huge newspaper office of 'Mat..', MM's rival newspaper. We decided to peep in. Got the courage to speak to the guard(we said we were journalism students but lied about our insti name). Then, met the most important man there - the news editor - who didnt ask us our ID cards but permitted us to have a look at their press. Caught hold of an engineer, who took us all around the press. and explained things which we mostly already knew. Had an uneasy feeling throughout, as if we were in enemy territory.

When we were done, went up to thank the news editor. Questioned him a bit and he foolishly gave us some of their strategies to counter 'MM'!! If this isn't infiltration, nothing is. If this isn't the perfect sting operation, nothing is.

Thrissur on Monday: Great

Started for Thrissur this morning(17th October) and reached there around 2. Dumped our luggage in the hotel and went to the Peechi dam. A great experience it was. When you stand right at the edge and "feel" the water striking the ground with immense force, you're glad that you're alive and enjoying Nature's gifts.The park that surrounds the dam are cool and nice; the view from the Clock Tower is stunning.

I had searched for 'Peechi dam' in Google before we left, and it said that "If you're lucky, you may spot a tusker or two." Thus, four of us set into the thick forest near the dam(after we guys sat in a place and 'echoed'). It was beautiful; birds chirping, small waterfalls here and there and the occasional elephant trumphet. Sadly, we didn't come across an elephant but did see, much to my delight and satifaction, some elephant dung.

Spent the evening at 'M M' Thrissur office where the operating editor(who made excellent eye contact) interacted with us. Then, we had dinner at the canteen there(biriyani and ice-cream). Had an evaluation session at the banquet hall of Alukkas hotel, where we stayed.(I was put up in room no.424 with three other guys.)

Left the hotel for a midnight walk at around 11 with guys. We walked towards the main Vadakunathar temple. The other guys sat in a bench and started chatting. Along with three other guys, I ventured into the temple - at 12.00 exactly. At 12.01 exactly, I was sitting at the Kuthambalam(performing area) of the temple and watching "Gudiyattam". Gudiyattam is an ancient dance form of Kerala and its dying these days, so only few Malayalis have seen it. I - and the other two guys sitting barechested cos its a temple - were fortunate to watch the dance. I later learnt that Gudiyattam was a dance form recognised by the UNESCO as one of the oldest art forms. The guy was performing a part that involved Sugriva-Vali and Ravana. His expressions were top-notch and the beats were awesome.

It was a rare sight(something that my 55-year-old sir, a Malayali, hadn't seen) and I was very fortunate to see it.

Am back

We came back just now from our 5-day field trip to Thrissur. Well, it was five days filled with informative and interesting things. Got plenty of stories, am real glad.

Thrissur, which is called the "cultural capital" of Kerala, is a cool place to be in. You can actually see people on the roads even after 10 o clock, unlike this lousy Kottayam that sleeps at 8. I stayed up late all nights(slept around 1). Lots and lots of interesting experiences. Am dead tired now, after a full-of-singing five-hour journey(and a puncture). Wanna sleep. Will post them tomorrow.

Trissur, here we come

(It's Monday today. Can't blog for the next five days. Will post in detail about the trip after I'm back.)

The bags are packed, and we're all ready to go.

The clothes for the five days have been packed. Toothbrush is in, the soap box is in. Everything set. And, more importantly, the walkman's in too.

But, this is no pleasure trip. The time-table has been packed that we're out there in Trissur as "profesional journalists" to find "stories".

It'll be a long five days going around to find "story ideas", which will later help us file "stories".

The way we play cricket

One pitch-one hand out.
Touch the ball, you get a run.
Hit directly on the wall, and you're out.

All these complicated rules caused lots of confusion and chaos in the cricket games we played today. We played almost 50 games, and the team I was in won the majority. I batted, bowled very well, and took a couple of great catches behind the stumps.

There's something common in the cricket Indians play - we all argue.

One classmate A (a Malayali) screams at the top of his voice when an opponent gets out. He'll also agrue endlessly on whether the ball touched the bat and then the leg or vice-versa. And then, there's U(Bengali) who says 'for-gods-sake' in every sentence he speaks and argues endlessly.

And of cos, there's a smart guy called Srinivas(Tamilian) who argues and argues and argues, specially if it's his wicket.

But at the end of the game, we're all friends again. That's the beauty of sport.

Rare breed in dog show

(My article for our paper this week...)

A dog that won many hearts in the dog show held recently here was Blackie, a Japanese Puli. According to a Kottayam Kennel Club official, Blackie is the only Japanese Puli in Kerala.

The Kottayam dog show was Blackie’s first appearance in competitions. Kevin Jacob, the dog’s owner and trainer said, "He’s never seen so many dogs at the same time. Maybe that’s why he is nervous."

Mr Jacob added, "I imported Blackie from Japan eight months ago for Rs 20,000. Blackie stays at Mulakalel Kennels here with other dogs and so, I don’t need to give him special care. But of course, he is the most pampered of the lot as he is cute, hairy and makes friends with almost everyone in just a few minutes."

How difficult is it to maintain this dog? Mr Jacob said, "It’s easy for me as Blackie is a friendly dog and stays out of mischief. The only problem is food; I have to feed him a particular brand of dog food. I spend almost Rs 2,000 a month for feeding him."

With strands of black hair falling over its face, one cannot see this rare dog’s eyes clearly. But at the dog show held at Nehru stadium on Saturday, almost everybody’s eyes were on Blackie.

Late and 'Lagaan'

Morning: It's something nice. It feels good. Getting up at 11 o clock in the morning.

As we had no classes today, and as I watching 'Swades' late last night, me got up only at 11 o clock this morning. Looked at the mirror to see my handsome face and realised that I had grown so much beard and hair that I looked like a hermit. So, went to the barber near my insti and had a haircut and shave. The barber was Tamil(Thanjavur), so we got talking for sometime.

After a bath, had lunch at the canteen and whiled time. Suddenly, I got this super idea of 'why-not-play-cricket'. Told the other guys. The chairs in the conference room(where we are strictly not allowed to play cricket) were cleared, a 'kattai' that doubled as a bat was brought and I got a ball from my hostel room. And, we were playing cricket. Was playing the game after a long time. Felt good.

Night: Sharth manzoor hai.

When Bhuvan(Aamir Khan) says this to Captain Russel, the real action in 'Lagaan' begins. It goes on to show you an unforgettable game of cricket. As I watched 'Lagaan' on Set Max this night, memories flew by ... of me as a 12th std boy cutting school(but getting attendance) and watching the movie in Sathyam theatre with pals.

I think there were five of us that day; we were in school uniforms(and afraid that someone would spot us). And, one of my classmates V even removed his uniform and waved it on top of his head as the electrifying match in 'Lagaan' went on. That day was awesome.

A 5-day trip to Trissur

All of us are going on a field trip for five days to Trissur(five hours from here).

We leave on Monday morning and will be back Friday evening. It has been packed with visting places(including Peechi dam), and so, our main job is to find "stories".

We will be staying in a hotel, but dont think we'll have time to freak out. Am looking at a time table on "things to do" and "places to visit". It has all been timed and I doubt if we will have time for fun.

(Just finished watching 'Swades' in our classroom... yeah, managed to sneak in a computer and projector n saw it. Borrowed cd from a nearby library)

An ode to love

(Have been reading 'luv' stuff for some time now and was thus inspired to write a piece myself)

We started out as an ocean,
Full of energy, full of enthusiasm
Waves of love flowed in us
Even as we repeatedly lashed shores of bliss.

The ocean was full of hidden treasures
Treasures called happiness and joy
The ultimate joy in love came
When the two of us were together.

A tsunami struck, and the ocean
The ocean, full of purity and innocence,
Split into two small streams
You in one, I in another.

In one stream, you sail lonely
In another, I sail with no joy
We chose to sail in small streams
When we could continue riding in the ocean.

The big ocean looks so tempting now,
But yes, the small stream has its own charm
Whether we end as two streams or one ocean,
only Time will tell.

A custom called 'Vidyarambham'

"I came here at 6.15 AM. Even then, there were almost 300 parents waiting with their children for Vidyarambham. Isn't it something nice," asked KP, a famous Malayalam playwright of the 70s. KP is one of the 10 people who is sitting in the MM office for 'Vidyarambham'.

Today is Vijaydasami; its a day when you start things. Here, children below 3 yrs queue up(with their parents of cos) temples, book stores(yeah, even they have this function) and "our" newspaper office, MM. Children are made to sit on the teachers lap(need not be exactly a teacher, it could be any learned person) and write the first letters in rice. The teacher then writes the alphabet on the child's tongue. The alphabet is also whispered in the child's ear.

Importantly, there's no religion barrier for this wonderful custom. Anybody can bring their child and initiate it to education on this day.

This a nice custom, and nicer that a newspaper office holds such functions in their premises. Serves two important purposes - 1. the image of a newspaper being a reflection of society comes to the fore and 2. Good way to build an emotional connection with the public, who are the readers.

Bowlers and Boys

Morning: I am in CMS(Christian Mission Service) college here watching 22 guys practising for the cricket season. Four guys were bowling to the batsmen; a guy with a blue tee bowled excellent.

The batsmen weren't bad either. But yes, its nothing even close to the talent in Chennai. Similar aged guys in
Chennai colleges can bowl and bat much better.

Yet, in a state where cricket is not very popular, watching these guys slog it out in the field for almost two hours
was worth it. One of them will go on to play cricket in a big way(I root for the blue guy, he bowled excellent
outswing). Specially because CMS college has been University cricket champions for quite sometime now.

Evening: Listening to music. My kinda music. From "Boys" and similar Tamil hits. Listening to them gives me a strange sort of pleasure - the time I'm listening to them, its like I'm in Chennai.

When I hear 'Girlfriend'(Boys) or 'Uriyin Uyre'(KK), its like I'm sitting in platform in Bessie beach.
When I hear 'Ale Ale'(Boys), I'm in a ECR beach.
When I hear 'Kalayum Dhinamum'(New), I'm at home.
When I hear 'Surangani..' and the beats, I'm in school.
When I hear 'Nee Yaro..'(Aayitha Exhuthu), I'm in Satyam theatre.

Memories...

The Urge

Its been a long time. Real long.

After almost four weeks, I played table tennis today with my classmate U. Was very happy after I won the match 21-14.

Sport symbolises the basic instinct in man - the urge to compete and win. Every game we play is an expression of this urge. The completion of this expression lies in the total annihilation of the opponent.

It's so true. There's a certain urge in every one of us when we play games.

And, there's nothing to match the exctasy we get after we have totally annihilated the opponent.

Ghajini -- the flaws

Saw Ghajini again today. The first time it was good, after this second time it still is good, yet has lots of flaws. Here's a small list:-

1. The professor explains to his students ... "He is a patient and in medical terms, it is known as short term memory loss".... Its a medical term? Really?

2. Suriya lives alone, has lots of photos with him. He also has a photo of himself tattooed. How he managed to took the photo only God knows.

3. The cop spots Suriya and starts running behind him. Why he forgot the auto he was sitting in and started to run(and ended up missing Suriya) baffles us. Later, when Suriya chases the cop, Nayanthara is seen chasing Suriya. Why?

4. Asin(she looks really gorgeous) delivers a lengthy dialogue to the villain about how woman suffer and walk out from the place. Why the villain lets her go and then sends men to her place to catch her is inexplicable.

5. Almost 400 factory men chase Nayantha and she outruns all of them and escapes in an auto. Maybe we should rename Nayanthara as P T Usha...

Despit these flaws and some stupid songs(except Suttum Vizhi), you like "Ghajini" just because of the endearing love story - it touches you.

Of woof woof and thak thak

Morning: As I fiddled with the digicam to take the picture of a rotweiler, I felt something near my ear. Thought it was a mosquito or something and turned. And, right next to my face stood a Great Dane, its mouth wide open. Startled, I got up.

The owner told me in Tamil that it was "just kissing me"...

Many such interesting incidents took place in the Dog Show held this morning. This was my first time at a Dog show(something that I had wanted to see for a long time). Was an awesome experience.

Evening: The mridangam struck "thaka thaka thak". The ganjeera followed suit. And, in a grand celebration of percussions they both played wonderfully at the same time - celebrating the unifying essence of music.
All this at a kutcheri in the Brahmana Samaj here. Saw the golu that was kept there, and more importantly, got a packet of sundal.

To Sir, With Love

(We finished class at 2; and went out at 3. We went to a temple for covering a cultural event. Semma blade. After it got over, we went to our Sir KTO's house and had dinner.)

He is caring and affectionate. He makes sure that every one of his students have their full, gives them permission to borrow books(from three big shelves).Yet, he isn't emotional at all. We said "Thanks and good nite" when we left and the reply we got was - "Just get the hell out of here..."

If there's someone who can be both caring and cold, its got to be our Sir (KTO).And, if ever there was someone who could talk on topics ranging from Chinese food habits to whiskey(a glass of which was eternally in his hand and he had a sip of it every now and then), its got to be our Sir.

From questions that I asked, I gathered that he used to prefer working night shifts. And got to know his timing now - he sleeps at 11 and gets up at 4.30. After 4.30 till he comes to the insti, its a long walk, CNN news and the morning newspapers that keep him engaged.

I've never met a person like him - outrageously caring now, hitler-like coldness the next moment.

Phew... Finished!

The ordeal is over. At last.

After working on my page from 6 last evening till 2 this morning, I realised how tough it is to be a sub-editor, atleast here at MASCOM. Its a thankless job; you put in SO much in the page, make it look good, correct the stories for errors yet end up "getting screwed".

Yet, its part of the rigorous training we have.

Its the fate of a sub-editor here -- to do 10 things within a ridiculously small time. I had to deal with minor silly things and major page-affecting issues. I could have never done it without the help of the guys and girls here.

And yes, I feel that the page has come out well(its another matter that EVERYBODY here ends up getting screwed). I did the 3rd page, and the 1st and 2nd too have come out well. Lets see what our sir thinks about the paper(which will be ready tomorrow)

Whatever, the damn work's over. Have fun.

Tough and tiring

As I said yesterday, am a sub-editor. Today, gotto crop/size fotos in the computer and layout my page. Very tough and tiring. Plus, got assignments to do. Gotto hurry.

Myth or reality?

(Am a sub-editor so have LOADS of work. Have to edit 4 stories, crop and size photographs and plan the manual layout. No time for real posts, so am posting something I wrote for an assignment.)

Indo-Pak détente: Myth or reality

"If core issues like Kashmir are addressed properly, Pakistan and India can move towards normalisation of relations" -- Imran Khan, former Pakistani captain.

Almost everybody knows the problem in Kashmir - so much so that the name of the state has been reduced to just an "issue"! But yes, considerable improvement has been made in this respect that has made Indo-Pak relations smooth since mid-2003. Détente - the relaxation of strained relations or tensions - is the key word now.

Pakistan’s predicament

Musharraf’s personal security is a problem; there has been a number of attacks(some reported and some speculated) on him. The high-tech jamming devices on his limousine saved the Pakistani President’s life once, but the threat from terrorist outfits remain. Then, there is United States pressure and the UN security council issue.
Economic issues like tourism and travel exist too, and people to people contact(from Jammu to Pak-occupied Kashmir) make détente a reality.

India’s stand
India has to admit the historical mistakes it made in the Indo-Pak border. Only 1/3rd of the beautiful state of Kashmir has terrorist activities. Indian people should be convinced that every Kashmiri is not a terrorist. And, the Kashmiri pandits should be brought back. Only if all this happens, the détente - which is very much a reality - will succeed.

Going ga-ga over a girl

(Recently, we were all asked to describe a fellow classmate. After that, I chuma wrote a short description of a girl - an imaginary girl.)

She comes across as stunningly beautiful. Her short, shiny hair captivates you. Her broad forehead catches your attention instantly. A thin eyebrow that looks as beautiful as her eyes dominates her face. Her lovely eyelashes are a source of delight. Add to this an aquiline nose, sensuous lips and an attractive chin ... we're talking about a human angel.

A fascinating girl is what her parents had created. If ever there was a girl born with ravishing beauty and creative brilliance, it was she. If ever there was a girl born with a pretty face that had a perfect smile always on it, it was she. If ever there is a girl who could make even Aishwarya Rai look like an ordinary girl, it is she.

"Ghajini" will win

While crossing the road, a child smiles at Surya. And, inspite of all the blood over his face, Surya, who is seated in a car, smiles back. A wonderful end to an absorbing "Ghajini".

It’s always a pleasure watching Surya act. He looks good, acts well, dances well, fights really well - what more does an actor need? He proves his mettle in good measure in "Ghajini". He excels in the role of Sanjay Ramaswamy, the managing director of a mobile phone company. He excels equally in the "other" role - of a person who suffers from temporary memory loss.

For company is Kalpana(Asin), who looks gorgeous(especially in the "Suttum Vizhi" song). She has performs well as Surya’s lover. Her best moment in the movie comes when she saves 25 girls who are being taken secretly to Mumbai by a gang.

Chitra(Nayanthara) gets an item song, and a decent number of scenes. The actor in her does come out when she shouts "Avana Kola pannu"(Kill him) to Surya in the last fight. The two Pratapsingh Ravaths are convincing in their villain roles.

Director A R Murugadoss, who gave us "Ramana" and "Dhina", has given an absorbing movie with "Ghajini". "Ghajini" means victory - this one surely will win.

The pride that Tamilians have

8.45 PM, Saturday, Oct 1: Three hundred people stood in queue, brushing against each other. A cop wielded a big lathi and ensured that nobody broke the line. All this in Anaswara theatre, Kottayam. Where Tamil hero Surya's "Ghazini" has released. At 9.00 sharp, I was the 17th person standing in the queue when the "Housefull" board came up and sadly, I started my walk back.

11.02 AM, Sunday, Oct 2: My eyes slowly fluttered. Though still asleep, I could faintly hear the strains of "Anjali Anjali..."(Duet). Was it a dream, I asked myself? Am I in my hostel room in Kerala or in my room in Chennai?

It was very much God's Own Country. But, we, as Tamils have a pride here that is unmatched. Just think, if 300 people(mostly Malayalis) are willing to stand in queue to watch a Tamil movie on a Saturday night, there should surely be "something" in us.

I was dumbfounded, I was surprised. But hell, I was proud - real proud - to be a Tamilian.

In a miserable part of Kerala which has three lousy roads, why should SO many people jostle and fight and get beaten up - all this - just to watch a Tamil movie? Would anyone of us do it to watch a Malayalam movie in Chennai? I doubt it.

It was all very easy to sit in Chennai and criticise the "commercial" Tamil movies. But sitting alone here in Kerala, you realise the "bonding" that it gives us.

There's nothing better than watching a Tamil movie.

The farmer and his fellows

He calls them "fellows", talks of them attaining "samadhi".

He is TK, adjudged as the "Best Farmer" in Kerala. And "them" are his plants, his beloved plants in his beloved farm at Manimala, Kerala.

The whole class was off to Manimala(an hour from here) this morning to visit this guy's farm. He farms on a mountain with step cultivation, grows vanilla, bananas and pepper. Told us a lot about what he grows and how he grows them.

He's spent almost 18 lakh on this farm and says that no farmer would spend this kind of money in one year. And, he's built a huge water tank.

Told us some secrets about the "arrow root'(poova) ...

After the farm, we went to the Manimala river, was awesome.

I finished the day off(after talking an hour with a senior who had come down from Mumbai) by going to the theatre to watch "Ghazini". Didn't get tickets. Will try again tomorrow.