Does Grandeur convey beauty or is Simplicity synonymous with beauty? Ever thought about this. Most often than not grandeur seems gaudy. Whereas simplicity is most often confused with cheap.
In my opinion, simplicity takes the cake. Take anything for example, in automobiles very few are not impressed with the design of Audi, Benz, Bentley etc, even though none of their car designs are over the top. They have simple clean lines. Similarly if you take coding, the most elegant code is that which is simple to read and not the obfuscated code such as that which is mandated by C++, C or Objective C and hence the rise of 3GL like Java, .Net and now more recently, Groovy, Python and Perl.
Most often than not Grandeur always conveys arrogance, high-handedness,... We can add more such demeaning adjectives.
At the same time, in the simplicity we should not act cheap. There is a very fine line and we should be careful not to step over to the other side. Also, simplicity does not always mean spending less.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru - Movie Review
The above movie is not a classic or a masterpiece but it is definitely worth a watch. The movie a comedy (nothing like the Vadivelu comedy but more on the lines of Poi Solla Porom, but much better than that). There is no separate comedy track and the dialogues and situations are pretty fun to watch. Mouli is as usual his great self and he proves he cannot be otherwise. The other aspect of the movie is that the actual story begins within a few minutes of the start of the movie and the movie progresses as good pace and keeps you interested. Ajmal and Rupa have done a good job. Some of the dialogs are really good comebacks.
The background score of the movie is also pretty good by Manisharma. All the songs except for two are situational and are interlaced with scenes of the movie so dont miss them.
Technically the movie has nothing great to offer and the movie is obviously made on a shoe string budget. So no over the top, helicopter cameras, spanning angles but definitely the editing is slick which keeps you engrossed.
I would definitely recommend watching this movie if not a planned watch but even as a timepass.
The background score of the movie is also pretty good by Manisharma. All the songs except for two are situational and are interlaced with scenes of the movie so dont miss them.
Technically the movie has nothing great to offer and the movie is obviously made on a shoe string budget. So no over the top, helicopter cameras, spanning angles but definitely the editing is slick which keeps you engrossed.
I would definitely recommend watching this movie if not a planned watch but even as a timepass.
Time Travel
We have always talked about the need for time travel. We have seen it in movies and we have always heard about the fabric of space-time continuum getting damaged or even destroyed. Is this true or is it figment of imagination from Hollywood. What would be the benefits or repercussions of time travel?
People would say that if time travel was there then we could possibly stop World Wars, Apartheid, or even solve some personal mistakes or correct injustice. We could answer a lot of questions relating to archeology and remove the deciphering, learn the reason for the disappearance of dinosaurs, the reason for the extinction of species in various continents and probably even avoid them. These are the benefits.
But then what could be the repercussions. Would the world be what it is today? There is a saying in India, "whatever happens, happens for the good". Let us take World Wars for instance, it was definitely bad, but was that all that was to it? Did nothing good come out of the wars? Yes, there was, like advances in science and medicine, food processing technologies, communication technologies, travel technologies, spread of ethnic groups across the globe, providing the diversity, the advent of socialism in Europe. This is not taking away the great fall in humane values when thousands and thousands of people where killed. The WW II also gave numerous countries independence from the British Imperialism and provided an opportunity for these nations to find their identity.
Also let us say that we interfered with the lives of a certain individual who changed the world for good and then this individual changes his course and makes another change how would it affect the current state of world. Like if someone interfered with the work of Thomas Edisson and he decides to quit his experiment on electicity, would we have electricity or would someone else have discovered it? That is a chance which we can ill afford to take.
We are trying to converge the present and the past and then what would happen is anybody's guess.
All this while we have been talking about traveling back in time but what about travelling into the future. Is this feasible at all? This causes an assumption that we are reliving the same life as someone who already has and reliving the same mistakes as our minds are tuned to the fact that to travel to time in the future the time it must have already been in the past. Sounds confusing does it not. Or are we looking at extrapolation and then assuming the world to be in a certain state when we get there? But this is an assumption and so it may be or may not be.
Interesting topic. Think about it and comment your thoughts.
People would say that if time travel was there then we could possibly stop World Wars, Apartheid, or even solve some personal mistakes or correct injustice. We could answer a lot of questions relating to archeology and remove the deciphering, learn the reason for the disappearance of dinosaurs, the reason for the extinction of species in various continents and probably even avoid them. These are the benefits.
But then what could be the repercussions. Would the world be what it is today? There is a saying in India, "whatever happens, happens for the good". Let us take World Wars for instance, it was definitely bad, but was that all that was to it? Did nothing good come out of the wars? Yes, there was, like advances in science and medicine, food processing technologies, communication technologies, travel technologies, spread of ethnic groups across the globe, providing the diversity, the advent of socialism in Europe. This is not taking away the great fall in humane values when thousands and thousands of people where killed. The WW II also gave numerous countries independence from the British Imperialism and provided an opportunity for these nations to find their identity.
Also let us say that we interfered with the lives of a certain individual who changed the world for good and then this individual changes his course and makes another change how would it affect the current state of world. Like if someone interfered with the work of Thomas Edisson and he decides to quit his experiment on electicity, would we have electricity or would someone else have discovered it? That is a chance which we can ill afford to take.
We are trying to converge the present and the past and then what would happen is anybody's guess.
All this while we have been talking about traveling back in time but what about travelling into the future. Is this feasible at all? This causes an assumption that we are reliving the same life as someone who already has and reliving the same mistakes as our minds are tuned to the fact that to travel to time in the future the time it must have already been in the past. Sounds confusing does it not. Or are we looking at extrapolation and then assuming the world to be in a certain state when we get there? But this is an assumption and so it may be or may not be.
Interesting topic. Think about it and comment your thoughts.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Exit Drama
I was watching "Scrubs" on TV (a comedy series about a few doctors in a hospital) and there were a few episodes in which a long serving doctor decides to move to another hospital. This doctor wanted for people to feel his would be absence and unfortunately except for a couple of them everyone else cared a damn about him leaving. And this got me thinking.
How will people feel if and when I left my organization? Would they be happy about it, numb to it or would they be saddened by it?
I would happy if they feel bad about my absence but it would be very disturbing if they are happy about it. When we have made a difference in work for the good, been helpful, curbed our ego, humble, hardworking, sincere and maintain our integrity they will feel our absence. However if we are rude, slack off, argumentative etc., they would definitely have the a sense of ecstacy over my departure.
The same can be attributed to people when they die. There is a saying in Thamizh when we die there should atleast 4 people to shed tears. The number 4 is misleading. Basically it means that there should be few people to feel our absence. It shows that we made a difference in their lives for the good and they felt that a good soul has passed on.
I hope that I have made a difference both in work and in life for the good and there are a few souls who will feel bad about my absence and miss me. Even if this does not happen, I sure do hope that I am not one of those who are secretly despise me. Even if there is one soul who have this feeling towards me then I have failed in my life no matter how successful I am in materialistic terms and there would be no meaning to my life. I sure do hope that this does not apply to me.
How will people feel if and when I left my organization? Would they be happy about it, numb to it or would they be saddened by it?
I would happy if they feel bad about my absence but it would be very disturbing if they are happy about it. When we have made a difference in work for the good, been helpful, curbed our ego, humble, hardworking, sincere and maintain our integrity they will feel our absence. However if we are rude, slack off, argumentative etc., they would definitely have the a sense of ecstacy over my departure.
The same can be attributed to people when they die. There is a saying in Thamizh when we die there should atleast 4 people to shed tears. The number 4 is misleading. Basically it means that there should be few people to feel our absence. It shows that we made a difference in their lives for the good and they felt that a good soul has passed on.
I hope that I have made a difference both in work and in life for the good and there are a few souls who will feel bad about my absence and miss me. Even if this does not happen, I sure do hope that I am not one of those who are secretly despise me. Even if there is one soul who have this feeling towards me then I have failed in my life no matter how successful I am in materialistic terms and there would be no meaning to my life. I sure do hope that this does not apply to me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cool as a Cucumber
I am sure each one of you would have come across people or is one such person who remains unruffled and remains cool, calm, composed and level-headed in face of any adversity. Unfortunately, I am not one of those, though I have, am and will be trying to be one such person.
What impresses me the most is their confidence & firm mind along with the usual cool as a cucumber. I have always wondered how are they so calm. Is it that they are so very confident of themselves that they can pull of anything? Or is it that they are so observant that they can read any forthcoming situation, find the pitfalls and plan a course of action well in advance? Or is it that they have reached the Tao of life? Or have they not faced such situations?
They think so much before they talk and know exactly how to talk, how much to talk, what to talk, how to react. How do they even do it? If you want to know of some such personalities, then Anil Kumble (Cricket), Steve Waugh (Cricket), Manirathnam (Movies) etc.
Most inspired to write this after watching the tamil movie Kandaswamy and the protagonist Vikram's character.
If you the secret then do let me know. I am all ears.
What impresses me the most is their confidence & firm mind along with the usual cool as a cucumber. I have always wondered how are they so calm. Is it that they are so very confident of themselves that they can pull of anything? Or is it that they are so observant that they can read any forthcoming situation, find the pitfalls and plan a course of action well in advance? Or is it that they have reached the Tao of life? Or have they not faced such situations?
They think so much before they talk and know exactly how to talk, how much to talk, what to talk, how to react. How do they even do it? If you want to know of some such personalities, then Anil Kumble (Cricket), Steve Waugh (Cricket), Manirathnam (Movies) etc.
Most inspired to write this after watching the tamil movie Kandaswamy and the protagonist Vikram's character.
If you the secret then do let me know. I am all ears.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
All that goes up must come down
Remember the saying "All that goes up must come down". Similarly everything in this world has a beginning and end. For eg., take any great dynasty such as the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Persians. All the Dynasties began, reached its peak, and perished.
Another example in modern days is Europe and now the USA. Even more common example is the birth and death of a living organism. Even planets and stars have a beginning and end, for that matter the Universe/Multiverse (yes, I do believe in Multiverse for which there has been a possible explanation in String Theory) is no exception with the beginning attributed to the big bang.
This concept probably seems very obvious and trivial when pointed to but look closely and what we take as granted to be for ever seems virtually stupid. When ever we say for ever all we mean is that it would be for a long time to foresee but it is never for ever.
The only unknowns that pop-up are when, where and how is the beginning and when, where and how is the end. Therefore the substance of everything comes to how is the journey from beginning to end.
Another example in modern days is Europe and now the USA. Even more common example is the birth and death of a living organism. Even planets and stars have a beginning and end, for that matter the Universe/Multiverse (yes, I do believe in Multiverse for which there has been a possible explanation in String Theory) is no exception with the beginning attributed to the big bang.
This concept probably seems very obvious and trivial when pointed to but look closely and what we take as granted to be for ever seems virtually stupid. When ever we say for ever all we mean is that it would be for a long time to foresee but it is never for ever.
The only unknowns that pop-up are when, where and how is the beginning and when, where and how is the end. Therefore the substance of everything comes to how is the journey from beginning to end.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Achchamundu Achchamundu - Movie Review
Achchamundu Achchamundu is a thamizh movie that deals with a concept that has been rarely dealt with on the silver screen. The story of the movie is basically a one liner but the treatment of the topic is brilliant. The theme of the movie is Paedophilia. But the movie actually portrays much more than that. It also shows the lives of the Thamizh NRI family.
Prasanna, Sneha and John Shea are the main cast along with a sweet little kid.
The movie is the first Indian movie to be shot using the new Red One camera and one can immediately see the difference with the clarity being something that is really new. The HD quality is simply impeccable.
The background score of the movie by Karthik Raja is really of international standards. The background songs sung by the famous Carnatic singer Sowmya is very soothing to the ears and has some real good lyrics.
Coming back to the movie, the travails of the life of a Thamizh NRI family are well captured. For instance, Sneha compelling her daughter to talk in Thamizh, Prasanna's dream to own a nice big house with a big basement, the small fights over social drinking, the confusion over bringing up their child in American ways are some of the details the director has dealt with.
Ofcourse, John Shea, should also be given due acknowledgement for his role where he fits it aptly and he has done it with minimal dialogues and more with expressions.
The director, Arun Vaidyanathan, has done a really decent job in coming up with the movie both in terms of the script as well in direction (rather execution).
If you do miss it in theater try to watch it atleast on video as it is really something that we need to know about.
Prasanna, Sneha and John Shea are the main cast along with a sweet little kid.
The movie is the first Indian movie to be shot using the new Red One camera and one can immediately see the difference with the clarity being something that is really new. The HD quality is simply impeccable.
The background score of the movie by Karthik Raja is really of international standards. The background songs sung by the famous Carnatic singer Sowmya is very soothing to the ears and has some real good lyrics.
Coming back to the movie, the travails of the life of a Thamizh NRI family are well captured. For instance, Sneha compelling her daughter to talk in Thamizh, Prasanna's dream to own a nice big house with a big basement, the small fights over social drinking, the confusion over bringing up their child in American ways are some of the details the director has dealt with.
Ofcourse, John Shea, should also be given due acknowledgement for his role where he fits it aptly and he has done it with minimal dialogues and more with expressions.
The director, Arun Vaidyanathan, has done a really decent job in coming up with the movie both in terms of the script as well in direction (rather execution).
If you do miss it in theater try to watch it atleast on video as it is really something that we need to know about.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Hinduism
Back after a long hiatus. This time I thought I would like to share my thoughts on Hinduism.
Hinduism is defined in Wikipedia as
"Hinduism does not have a "unified system of belief encoded in declaration of faith or a creed", but is rather an umbrella term comprising the plurality of religious phenomena originating and based on the Vedic Traditions."
Why did I choose to talk on this now of all? Well, the reason being that whenever we speak of Hinduism, the first thought that crosses their mind are the castes and untouchability. But Hinduism is more than that and I want to try to dispel this lopsided notion.
I guess you would have already heard that Hinduism is not really a religion but it is a way of life.
It is one religion where in a person can be an Aethist and yet be a Hindu. Criticism and debate is part of the religion from possibly the iron age. The concept of worshiping a God that we have visualized, which practically implies that God does not have a form, is very much Hinduism. Everyone is entitled to practice the religion as it fits their style.
It is one religion that has learned to evolve with times such as the abolishment of Sati and Polygamy (possibly even Polyandry) as early as the 19-20th Century. Ofcourse there are people who will call this a social reform rather than a religious reform but that is the beauty. This is because the laws of Hinduism are there to govern the life in a community, soceity. That is how the caste system came into being, to demarcate the roles for each of the 4 pillars of a soceity which are leadership, knowledge, entrepreneurs and the labour force. To draw parallels to todays soceity is legislative, judiciary and law & order as one, academecians, corporates and the all important labour force.
The laws governing Hinduism are written in something called Smritis and they also state that these laws are to change as time evolves. The laws are something that have infact evolved over time themselves.
The scholars incorporated religious rituals which are infact activities to instill discipline, cleanliness,respect and a lot more.
Ofcourse, I do agree that the religion did degenerate over a few centuries, but it is now back in revival with untouchability abolished by law and almost eliminated in most places in India. There is still a long way to go but it is coming back in all its glory. The reason is that the people of India are longing for a identity and Hinduism gives them one. Infact this is not only for Hindus but also people of other religions who reside in the Indian Subcontinent.
This is just a start and there are a lot more interesting facts about Hinduism which I shall write going forward as I find more about it.
Hinduism is defined in Wikipedia as
"Hinduism does not have a "unified system of belief encoded in declaration of faith or a creed", but is rather an umbrella term comprising the plurality of religious phenomena originating and based on the Vedic Traditions."
Why did I choose to talk on this now of all? Well, the reason being that whenever we speak of Hinduism, the first thought that crosses their mind are the castes and untouchability. But Hinduism is more than that and I want to try to dispel this lopsided notion.
I guess you would have already heard that Hinduism is not really a religion but it is a way of life.
It is one religion where in a person can be an Aethist and yet be a Hindu. Criticism and debate is part of the religion from possibly the iron age. The concept of worshiping a God that we have visualized, which practically implies that God does not have a form, is very much Hinduism. Everyone is entitled to practice the religion as it fits their style.
It is one religion that has learned to evolve with times such as the abolishment of Sati and Polygamy (possibly even Polyandry) as early as the 19-20th Century. Ofcourse there are people who will call this a social reform rather than a religious reform but that is the beauty. This is because the laws of Hinduism are there to govern the life in a community, soceity. That is how the caste system came into being, to demarcate the roles for each of the 4 pillars of a soceity which are leadership, knowledge, entrepreneurs and the labour force. To draw parallels to todays soceity is legislative, judiciary and law & order as one, academecians, corporates and the all important labour force.
The laws governing Hinduism are written in something called Smritis and they also state that these laws are to change as time evolves. The laws are something that have infact evolved over time themselves.
The scholars incorporated religious rituals which are infact activities to instill discipline, cleanliness,respect and a lot more.
Ofcourse, I do agree that the religion did degenerate over a few centuries, but it is now back in revival with untouchability abolished by law and almost eliminated in most places in India. There is still a long way to go but it is coming back in all its glory. The reason is that the people of India are longing for a identity and Hinduism gives them one. Infact this is not only for Hindus but also people of other religions who reside in the Indian Subcontinent.
This is just a start and there are a lot more interesting facts about Hinduism which I shall write going forward as I find more about it.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Ayan - Movie Review
It has been a long time since I have posted and I thought what better way that to write about something that I am completely obsessed with and your guess is right. It is about movies and in particular about tamizh movies.
I know it has been some time that the AVM productions Ayan released and it probably makes not much sense to write a review about a movie that has been running successfully for more than three weeks now. But I just wanted to put my thoughts and observations about it.
The highlight of the movie is the screenplay which keeps you engrossed for the complete duration of the movie. The direction is exceptional too. Every minute action of the actor can be linked to the story (for those who have seen the movie, just recollect the scene where Surya and Jegan are in the hotel room in Congo where Surya puts the diamonds pack in the bag and Jegan who is lying down kind of gets up to see where the diamonds are kept and put it in perspective to the story just around interval). For those who have not seen the movie I hope I have not given away the story.
The choreography of the stunt sequences by Kannal Kannan is very good and Surya does them all without any substitutes. Surya's agility is exceptional and the chase sequence in Congo (based on the French art of Free Running called Yamakasi) is testament to this. This sequence is portrayed well and also equally brilliantly captured on camera by MS Prabhu. This reminds one of the initial chase sequence in Casino Royale. Equally spectacular is the car chase sequence in Malaysia. Stunts are definitely the best I have seen in Tamizh movies.
Technically the movie is brilliant with some awesome photography of Congo/Ethiopia in the movie. The colour combinations work wonders. They have shot in a place that has the sand dunes and then right next to it is the deep blue sea. This is simply exquisite.
As for the story well it is nothing great but the main point being that Anand, the director, has explained everything to the viewers and there is very minimal lack of logic.
The comedy is not a separate track but well with the story line and handled by Jegan with some awesome dialogues that suit the situation and at the same time don't seem over the top. Also, one important difference I found with other movies is that this character has a lot of substance and importance which in itself is a revelation.
The heroine Tammanna is quite alright nothing too great though she looks real nice.
Overall it is really a good movie with all that is required to click with the masses and also tease the multiplex crowd too. My recommendation would be to definitely watch the movie and preferrably in a good theatre.
I know it has been some time that the AVM productions Ayan released and it probably makes not much sense to write a review about a movie that has been running successfully for more than three weeks now. But I just wanted to put my thoughts and observations about it.
The highlight of the movie is the screenplay which keeps you engrossed for the complete duration of the movie. The direction is exceptional too. Every minute action of the actor can be linked to the story (for those who have seen the movie, just recollect the scene where Surya and Jegan are in the hotel room in Congo where Surya puts the diamonds pack in the bag and Jegan who is lying down kind of gets up to see where the diamonds are kept and put it in perspective to the story just around interval). For those who have not seen the movie I hope I have not given away the story.
The choreography of the stunt sequences by Kannal Kannan is very good and Surya does them all without any substitutes. Surya's agility is exceptional and the chase sequence in Congo (based on the French art of Free Running called Yamakasi) is testament to this. This sequence is portrayed well and also equally brilliantly captured on camera by MS Prabhu. This reminds one of the initial chase sequence in Casino Royale. Equally spectacular is the car chase sequence in Malaysia. Stunts are definitely the best I have seen in Tamizh movies.
Technically the movie is brilliant with some awesome photography of Congo/Ethiopia in the movie. The colour combinations work wonders. They have shot in a place that has the sand dunes and then right next to it is the deep blue sea. This is simply exquisite.
As for the story well it is nothing great but the main point being that Anand, the director, has explained everything to the viewers and there is very minimal lack of logic.
The comedy is not a separate track but well with the story line and handled by Jegan with some awesome dialogues that suit the situation and at the same time don't seem over the top. Also, one important difference I found with other movies is that this character has a lot of substance and importance which in itself is a revelation.
The heroine Tammanna is quite alright nothing too great though she looks real nice.
Overall it is really a good movie with all that is required to click with the masses and also tease the multiplex crowd too. My recommendation would be to definitely watch the movie and preferrably in a good theatre.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Fallacious Aryan Invasion Theory
Time and again we are taught the Aryan Invasion theory and relegated the Indian race to depths of cultural depravity. But for the past few years there has been a sign of rebellion against this controversial theory and now BBC (it was the British that promulgated this theory and BBC is British) carries an article refuting the theory.
The link is as follows.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/history/history_4.shtml
I hope now the political parties especially the ones in Tamil Nadu accept the truth and not fight its battles and misinform the people anymore.
The link is as follows.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/history/history_4.shtml
I hope now the political parties especially the ones in Tamil Nadu accept the truth and not fight its battles and misinform the people anymore.
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