ഡിസംബര്‍

ഡിസംബര്‍ എന്ന് കേള്‍ക്കുമ്പോഴേ മനസ്സിനൊരു തണുപ്പാണ്...
കുട്ടിക്കാലം മുതലേ ഒത്തിരി ഇഷ്ട്ടാണ് ഈ മാസം,
ഒപ്പം ഒരു വര്‍ഷം കൂടി കൊഴിഞ്ഞു പോകുന്നതിന്റെ വേദനയുമുണ്ട്.
കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നത് പുതിയൊരു വര്‍ഷത്തിന്റെ നല്ല നാളുകളാണല്ലോ
എന്നോര്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍, മറക്കാം നമുക്കീ വിരഹം.

ഡിസംബര്‍ ഒന്നാം തിയതി തന്നെ നക്ഷത്രം ഇടുക എന്നൊരു
ചടങ്ങ് പണ്ടേ ഉള്ളതാണ്, സത്യായിട്ടും ഇത്തവണയും അത്
മറന്നില്ല.

ക്രിസ്മസ് ആണ് ഈ മാസത്തിന്റെ ഹൈലൈറ്റ് എങ്കിലും
പരീക്ഷകളെ ഭയന്നാണ് എന്നിലെ കുട്ടി ആദ്യ നാളുകളെ
നേരിട്ടിരുന്നത്. പത്തു ദിവസത്തിന്റെ പരോള്‍ കിട്ടുമല്ലോ
എന്ന പ്രതീക്ഷയായിരുന്നു അന്നൊക്കെ ഏക ആശ്വാസം.
ഞങ്ങളുടെ നാട്ടില്‍[തൃശൂര്‍] ഈ സമയത്ത് നല്ല കാറ്റ് ആണ്.
പാലക്കാട് മുതല്‍ കുറുമാലി പുഴ വരെയുണ്ടാകും വരണ്ടുണങ്ങിയ
ഈ കാറ്റ്. ഇതൊക്കെ പരീക്ഷക്ക്‌ പഠിക്കാന്‍ മടി കൂട്ടുന്ന
ഘടകങ്ങളായിരുന്നു. ഒരു വിധത്തില്‍ വെക്കേഷന്‍ ആയാല്‍
പിന്നെ അര്‍മാദിച്ചു നടക്കും. ക്രിക്കറ്റ്‌ കളിയും ക്ലബും എല്ലാമായി.
പിന്നെ അമ്മാവന്റെ വീട്ടിലേക്കു സുഖചികിത്സക്ക് രണ്ടു ദിവസം.
അമ്മായിയുടെ കല്ലെട്ടും കരയിലുള്ള വീട്ടിലേക്കും ഒരു വിസിറ്റ്.

നാട്ടില്‍ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയാല്‍ പിന്നെ വീണ്ടും ബിസി ഡെയ്സ് .
കവലകളിലെല്ലാം പുല്‍കൂട് നിര്‍മ്മാണം, കരോളിനുള്ള പിരിവ്...
കരോള്‍ നടത്തി കിട്ടിയിരുന്ന പൈസ കൊണ്ടായിരുന്നു ബാറ്റ് ബോള്‍
തുടങ്ങിയ സ്പോര്‍ട്സ് ആസസറീസ് വാങ്ങിയിരുന്നത്.
കരോള്‍ രാവുകള്‍ സംഭവ ബഹുലമായിരിക്കും.
വീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നും, രാവേറെ പുറത്തു കറങ്ങി നടക്കാന്‍ കിട്ടിയിരുന്ന
അസുലഭ അവസരം ശരിക്കും മുതലാകും. പിന്നെ കൂട്ടുകാരുടെ
ഓരോ രസികന്‍ നമ്പരുകള്‍. ഒരിക്കല്‍ പപ്പാനിയായവാന്‍ അവന്റെ
പ്രണയിനിയുടെ വീട്ടിലെത്തിയപ്പോ ആരും കാണാതെ
അവളുടെ കരം ഗ്രഹിച്ചതും പിന്നെ അവള്‍ക്ക് മാത്രം സ്പെഷ്യല്‍
ഡയറി മില്‍ക്ക് സമ്മാനം ആയി കൊടുത്തതും
എല്ലാം ഓര്‍ക്കുമ്പോ തന്നെ രസമാണ് . മുഖംമൂടി വച്ച പപ്പാനിയെ
പെട്ടെന്ന് ആരും തിരിച്ചറിയില്ലല്ലോ !

കൂട്ടുകാരുടെ വീട്ടില്‍നിന്നും കഴിച്ച കേക്കിന്റെയും, കള്ളപ്പത്തിന്റെയും
ഇറച്ചിക്കറിയുടെയും രുചി ഇന്നും മായാതെ നില്‍ക്കുന്നു,
ഒരിക്കലും മറക്കാത്ത സൌഹൃദത്തിന്റെ
സുഖമുള്ള സ്വാദുള്ള ഓര്‍മ്മകളായി...

എല്ലാം ഡിസംബര്‍ രാവുകളുടെ നനുത്ത മഞ്ഞിന്റെ തണുപ്പുള്ള ഓര്‍മ്മകള്‍.
ആദ്യമായി കോളേജ് മാഗസിനില്‍ ഞാനെഴുതിയ കഥയുടെ പേരും
"ഡിസംബറിലെ മഴ" എന്നായിരുന്നു.

ഡിസംബര്‍ വന്നെത്തുമ്പോള്‍ ഇതൊക്കെയാണ് മനസ്സിലെ ഓര്‍മ്മയില്‍
തെളിയുന്നത്.

നന്മയുടെ ആകാശത്തു നക്ഷത്ര ദീപം കൊളുത്തി ഏവരും ഒരുങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാവും;
ക്രിസ്മസ് ആഘോഷിക്കാന്‍.
യേശുദേവന്റെ ഓര്‍മ്മയില്‍ നോന്പ് എടുത്തു
പുത്തന്‍ഉണര്‍വില്‍ മനസ്സും ശരീരവും ഒരുക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ടാവും വിശ്വാസികള്‍...
ലോകത്തിലെ ഏവര്‍ക്കും നന്മകള്‍ ഉണ്ടാവട്ടെ
എന്ന പ്രാര്‍ഥനയോടെ,

ക്രിസ്മസ് ആശംസകള്‍

Set Them Free

If you love somebody set them free.

How many times have you heard its interpretation–
If you love someone, set her free. If she comes back, she’s yours.
If she doesn’t, she never was.
I’ve heard it hundred times and each time I’ve heard this,
I felt something’s wrong in there… and finally I know what!

Do you really think that if you love someone and that someone,
for some reason, feels detached or slipping out of the relationship,
you should just set them free and let them be and actually slip out?
No. I don’t think so.
I think one should make an effort, never let them go, hold them,
trust them, love them, and cherish them. You can’t just ‘let it be’
if you see the love fading out, provided you really are in love.

The 'love' I mentioned here is not only about love towards
your girlfriend/boyfriend, but about pure love in any relationship.
Love towards your partner, love towards your kids...

Here I would like to express my version of the meaning for this quote.
"If you love someone, let them free."

It just means give that person his/her own personal space.
Let him/her the freedom we all want and don’t allow the relationship
to reach a stage that it becomes a liability.
The quote is something based on trust.
A relationship can only bloom when there is mutual trust and respect
for each others individuality.

In this context, free does not mean, free to “date other people”
or anything like that. It means free to explore life as the individual
they are before they became a part of a couple.

But in our society, once enter into a relationship, most of us
are in a cage, obeying or adjusting with somebody else's interests.
When a bride begin to start these kinda adjustments, our society will
give her a good certificate. We are not concerned if she is satisfied
in life. And most of the gentlemen are acting like enjoying their life
without actual freedom.

Mutual trust and respect is inevitable for a good relationship.
And the "freedom" comes from that trust.

So "If you love somebody set them free".

Kaleidoscope

Few days back while playing with the TV remote, I
got a chance to watch a program titled 'Kaleidoscope'
in Indiavision channel. The title itself seemed to be catchy,
and the program too; being a weekly 30 minute news magazine
which brings us the various aspects of life in Kerala, which
will surely amuse, inspire, and inform and even provoke into a
thoughtful mood. It file best stories they zoom-on in camera
for the viewer to relish. The way of presentation by the anchor
is also quite different in his casual style.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually I'm here to share about my curiosity behind the
title: 'Kaleidoscope'. I was hearing that name for
the first time, didnt get any idea about Kaleidoscope.
After googling I got some interesting fasts about this stuff
and I would like to share the same with my friends.

A kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing loose
colored beads, pebbles, or other small colored objects.
The viewer looks in one end and light enters the other end,
reflecting off the mirrors.
Typically there are two rectangular lengthwise mirrors.
Setting of the mirrors at 45° creates eight duplicate
images of the objects, six at 60°, and four at 90°.
As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of the colored
objects presents the viewer with varying colors and
patterns. Any arbitrary pattern of objects shows up as
beautiful symmetric pattern because of the reflections
in the mirrors.

Read more about Kaleidoscope:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaleidoscope

Kathak

(Kathak by Mrudula Rao)

It was a great evening with the live Kathak performance
at 'Dharani Kalotsav', Fine Arts Hall, Kochi.
Mrudula Rao was on stage with her magical kathak movements.
She took audience hearts with
rhythmic footwork and spectacular spins.

KATHAK:
Kathak is the North Indian style of classical dance,
characterized by rhythmic footwork danced under the
weight of more than 100 ankle bells, spectacular spins,
and the dramatic representation of themes.
The Style includes use of elegant swirls,
lightning quick pirouettes, sudden poses and rapid
stamping of feet and subtle gestures through which
emotions are expressed.

The name Kathak is derived from the
Sanskrit word katha meaning story, and katthaka in Sanskrit
means s/he who tells a story, or to do with stories.

COSTUME:
More commonly, the costume is a lehenga-choli
combination, with an optional odhni or veil. The lehenga is
loose ankle-length skirt, and the choli is a tight fitting
blouse, usually short-sleeved. Both can be highly
ornately embroidered or decorated. The lehenga is sometimes
adapted to a special dance variety, similar to a
long ghaghra, so that during spins,
the skirt flares out dramatically.



About the performer, Mridula Rao.
Mridula has been intensively training in Kathak
and Bharatanatyam for 12 years.
She is a graded performer for India's National Broadcaster.
She has also given several performances for Indian Government &
Private Television channels and has won solo dance competitions
at the State & National levels.

Now she is on the teaching faculty of Abhinava School of Dance,
Bangalore., imparting Kathak training to young talent.

Save Nature

Nurture Nature For Our Future!

Today is the best day to think about nature conservation,
coz Every day is Earth Day !

Think about, how we could be part of a Nature Club.
Letz think about what all things we could do to
preserve our Precious Nature...

Go Green !
Act like you live here.

Embrace the green revolution.
It is the best solution to arrest pollution.

Heal the world! Make it a better place!
He who plants a tree Plants a hope.

Keep our forests green. Conserve Forest.

Be a part of Nature Club. Make conservation a habit.

Conserve Wild animals.
Conserve Wild Beauty!

Stop cruelty against Animals.

Be a part of nature.
Meditate and Learn from Nature.

Jal hai to kal hai.
Save WATER !!!

Only after the last tree has fallen
Only after the last river has been poisoned
Only after the last fish has been cut
Only then will we realize that money cannot be eaten.

We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking
if mankind is to survive.

For Sale !

I was stunned to see my own matrimony advertisement
in a newspaper last month. Oops, atlast I've also entered into
the "wedding market". Advertisement was seeking for a marriage
alliance from same caste and religion. Also the horoscope and
astrology has to be perfectly matched. Bull Shit !

Its really funny that to select a life partner, we have to beg
in front of the astrologer for his verdict on the two horoscopes.
Its a game of matching two sets of squares each having 12 entries,
known as "Amsakam" and "Grahanila". I really felt pity on me to go
behind these kinda things under the pressure of my family.
Basically I do believe only in humanity rather than caste religion
and sub castes. I'm not saying that astrology is fake, its a science.
But there is no surety[even 1%] for a happy life even if the two
horoscopes match, then why should we give importance for that?.
But people go behind this even then they just need
a good partner to share their life.

Marriage life is about the chemistry of two hearts, not about religion
caste and race. You know, how many of our sisters and friends
are fed up of this beliefs and waiting long time to get a life?

One day our society will realize, love and trust is more important
than all. This doesn't mean that we should go for love marriages
without our parents' concerns. Even our parents could select a
good guy without bothering about caste issues.
I never felt, religion is a barrier for love, but we are trained to
believe so and our society molds the generations like that.
All of us are having best friends and good relationships with
people from other castes n religion, so why we cant we thing
for a caste less society?

A caste less, open-minded world is my dream.
Religion is only a way of life style; not a barrier.
Letz hope for a better tomorrow.
BE SPIRITUAL ; NOT RELIGIOUS.
If you are against my views, speak out here putting comments.
This is an open column, we could discuss here. I'm always ready to
hear from you guys and rethink about my ideas.

അഗ്രഹാരം

Palakkad Agrahaaram:

It is about 10 Kms from Palakkad KSRTC bus stand to reach
a different world; Agrahaaram(Kodunthirippully Graamam)
There are two graamam's called Valiya Graamam and Cheriya
graamam. It was a luck to get a chance to visit this
Agrahaaram, which is the ancestral place of my best friend
and brother, Vinod's mother.

When I reached graamam, it was Navarathri festival going on there.
The agrahaaram streets and houses were decorated beautifully.
There were about 80 houses in that agraharam, all were old
buildings and connected side by side, arranged in two sets each
being facing each other.
And at one end the agraharam is ending with a temple.
I liked that arrangement, in which all houses are dedicated
part of the temple in two lines.
Also a big Kshethrakulam(Pond) at Agraharam premises near Temple.

All agraharam inmates are Brahmins and it was a new world to me.
In front of every house, we could see the traditional
drawing with 'Arippodi' known as "Kolam". These 'kolams' are
drawn by ladies of each family, which is a daily ritual for them.
Their way of dressing is also quiet special !
Infact everything was interesting to me, their language(Tamil),
their costumes and a variety of traditional customs; and above all
their love and hospitality.


As I told it was Navarathri, people were in a festive mood.
All are busy with arranging things for Mahanavami, participating
in Pooram with five elephants and processions. Also there was
Panchavaadyam and PaanchaariMelam by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar.
I couldnt resist the beauty of "Pattathi" Girls in the percussion
of Vaadyams and Melams :)

On that festival day, each family will be preparing "Sadya" and
invite other Agraharam neighbours. We could take food from any
house on that particular day. I took breakfast, lunch and dinner from
different houses. All together it was a refreshing day with my
friends and other Agraharam inmates.

We all know that Palakkad is one of the beautiful place in Kerala.
These agrahaarams, paddy fields, Bhaarathapuzha and
innocent people of villeges adds its beauty.
It was one of the memorable day in my life,
spending a day with my friends(Vinod, Daasan and Sajeev)
and roaming the neighbouring villeges like
PeringottuKurissey, Mankara, Poodur...

പുനര്‍ജനി [ ReBirth ]

This is about an Indian concept of RE-BIRTH.
It is NOT "life after death", but a concept of washing away our sins
through a ritual and having a new life.[It is only a concept and
personally I dont believe in these kinda concepts]

Last week I came to know about a place called
"Aareswaram Punarjani".
Aareswarm is a Sastha Temple situated at the top of a hill,
near Kodakara, Thrissur district. There is a "Punarjani" rock
inside the temple compound, which is considered to be sacred.
The custom of Punarjani is as follows:
Punarjani is a path through which we have to crawl through the rock.
In order to get Paapa Moksha, we have to enter through the opening
in the rock from one end.There is a narrow path through the rock,
a normal man can hardly move through that. But it is possible to
walk sideways, sometimes a gentle bending of body is required.
It'll take only 5-10 mins to reach the other end which is being a
bottle neck, extra care has to be taken while rushing out of
"Punarjani" exit.

It is a belief that, once we enter into "Punarjani", it is not
recommended to go back; we should have to exit throgh the
other end after completing the full path of Punarjani.

The premises of Aareswaram temple is so beautiful.
There is also scope for a short trekking through the the temple side.
Normally people dont used to go to to the top of the hill,
but the panoramic view from the top is awesome.
We could see a lot of other neighbouring places like
"Matathoor" and "Kanakamala".

"വിശ്വാസങ്ങള് എന്തുമായിക്കൊള്ളട്ടെ
മനസ്സുകൊണ്ടെങ്കിലും നമുക്കു പുനര്ജനിക്കാം
കഴിഞ്ഞ കാലത്തിന്റെ പാപക്കറയെ വിസ്മരിക്കാം .
സദ്പ്രവര്ത്തികള് കൊണ്ടു, നല്ല ചിന്തകല്കൊണ്ട്
ഓരോ ദിവസവും നമുക്കു
മനസ്സിലെ നന്മകളുടെ പുനര്ജനിയിലേക്ക്
നൂഴ്ന്നിരങ്ങാം ."

HOW TO REACH:

Those who come from Ernakulam side have to follow the route
Ernakulam -> Ankamaly -> Kodakara(Around 50 Kms)
Take diversion from Kodakara Junction towards
Vellikkulangara/Kodaly route. Only 4 Kms from Kodakara Jn,
to reach the place.

അത്തച്ചമയം 2009

ഓണത്തിനു നാന്ദി കുറിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് നടന്ന
അത്തച്ചമയത്തില്‍നിന്ന്‍...
Venue: Thrippunithura on August 23, 2009.