Good, bad, ugly 2008..

All the leading Newspaper had a pull out of 2007-2008 flashback info on sports,music, dance,events, just about everything. On the contrary, with a PR as profession, end of every year, I clear my telephone book and chk on my new additions,and transfer the numbers to my new year Diary..this has been mine godly routine welcoming and preparing for the next year to come. Honestly, there are no deletion on numbers or contacts,with a smile I proudly pat myself on my shoulder for my PR skills.

This year, thro this blog, I list down very few great meetings I had. My meeting with these people purely based on my initiative to write to them, trace them in a public event, thro close associates and final gate crash...not a bad idea though.

The year started with SUKANYA RAMGOPAL the first Women Ghatam artist. A versatile artist to play 12 Ghatam at a time creating a unique fusion music. Not to mention, she is the great grand-daughter of U.Ve.Swaminathan Iyer, my dad said he is called ."Tamil Thatha. I did a small research too on this Thatha, Very interesting.

Women make their presence everywhere, proved with the second meeting of mine. ZOE SHERINIAN SHERINIAN An associate Music Professor from Univ of Oklahama, living in interiors of Madurai to research on THAPATARAI a brand music of DALITS. This is played only during Procession for the last rites. A English Women clad in Indian attire Pyjama Kurta drinking masala tea, and talking about Indian music. Very astonisining. This music reminded me of my teenage, when I used to imitate street dancers dancing to this particular beat.. great feeling.

My previous association with Animation and Special effects, helped me talk the same language, when I Met Mr.BRIAN JENNINGS, won multiple Oscar Awards for Hollywood special effects and also recently lay hands in making of tamil DASAVATHARAM. Thanks to Arena Animation Academy for giving me an apportunity to learn about special Effects.

The Times Pullout carried a slot on Indian sports wizards, my joy had no ends when I shouted PANKAJ ADVANI!! winner of WORLD Title for snooker. My meeting at Chennai Andhra Club,strictly for 10mnts allotment, drag to 45 mnts. I mentioned to him about my expert playing skills with "goli" or "kanche" a exciting game on streets. I used to play quite well with boys, when I was in teens...

Thanks to Mr.HARICHARAN, sir that's how I address him, I met Mr.CHANDRASEKAR , a national, international TT Player who won the ARJUNA AWARD. He taught me to live my life, and do what I like.. To know more about him log on to http://chandra.bigadda.com.

This year ended well, DRUMS SIVAMANI gave me just one hour prior notice to meet him at Green Part Vadapalani. First time, my car driving skills were tested. A very simple human being. I deliberatly took a picture, Iam a great fan of him.

A very bad and ugly times, when I did not get a parking space for my car in the office, but to walk a km up and down. When I picked up a fight in middle of RK salai signal with a fruit vendor trying to cross on wrong side. Fighting with my ADMIN manager for a petty issue - I never got along with Administration personnel right thro my career. They are too slow and lethargic.. Im sure it is the case everywhere.
Felt too upset, when one of my best friend at mumbai office was given a pink slip - RECESSION.

Hoping 2009, I get the best and also the once I have lost last year...

Usha Uthup of Carnatic Music...

Top U.S. honours for Aruna Sairam
It was a concert-cum-felicitation ceremony organised by Shri Vari Foundation in New York.

"The U.S. national flag was flown atop the Capitol building and handed over to Aruna Sairam and a special Congressional proclamation recognising her musical contribution was issued by the U.S. House of Representatives at a function held in New York.
It was a concert-cum-felicitation ceremony organised on August 16 by Shri Vari Foundation, an organisation to promote spirituality, music and dance, at Francis Lewis Auditorium in Queens, New York.
"Margazhi Mahotsavam, music fete in Chennai. Surpised to see and feel the same spirit, even after major natural, humane and economic calamity our nation is facing. But our culture and tradition is very closely linked to Music, Dance and Art, and we strongly believe that our unity is based not on religion but purely on Music, Dance and Art.

I could proudly mention, that I hail from a music background family, my maternal grandmother, a direct disciple of yester year VEENAI DHANAMMAL. She was also an AIR Veena player. A small portion of her gene has made me a great Bathroom Singer, and also learnt VEENA from popular VEENAI JAYLAKSHMI. Surprisingly I played very well and used my Granny's antique veena to practise at home. But today, the fingering on VEENA strings have trained me to use my laptop with style.. Also thanks to KUTCHERI BUZZ, and my professional teacher MR. VINCENT, my interest to sit through 3 hrs of long concert, and waiting to meet the artist and sell space for the famous "KUTCHERI BUZZ GUIDE" had made me write this blog on music.

7th Sunday, evening, I had to typically dress like a mylapore mami to listen to live Concert of Aruna Sairam for JAYA TV margazhi Mahotsavam, at 6.30 pm. Wanted to find a place in one of the prime rows in the front, like anyother rasika. The catch for most of the rasikas to chose the first three rows is to show their face on the camera.. of Jaya TV. My previous experience in the college to get into a running bus for a seat, really helped me. I got the third row, from the dias.

Wow !! sharp as schduled, curtain raised, and the sight was very godly. ARuna Sairam in a typical south Indian attire, with Kharthik Ghatam,( who has recently got Doctorate in percussion instrument - Ghatam)as one of the accompanist. Her choice of music was on OOTHUKADU, my favourite. Her tone, body language, selection of songs, interaction with the audience, always reminded me of pop singer USHA UTHUP. Also my observation, about her, right on the third song, she would promiently remove off her golden bangles, finger ring to feel at ease. That is her involvement to singing. Her feel at HOME -DIAS, has really made the rasikas very comfortable.
Her famous number - 'kalinganarthanam and "vishama kara Kannan' literally made the mami, and mamas to dance. She also had a remix of all oothukadu numbers.

Very surprisingly, my little knowledge on Oothukadu, was specialised composition on Lord Krishna, but this concert had songs on lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga and Goddess Durga.

The compere and the organisers literally had to drive the crowd and I saw god's creation in one hall. so many different faces, emotions, background jointly clapping hands and dancing to the music. Thanks to the singer for bringing this unity amongst us. More that 1000nos were the audience count.

Chennai not a good plot for Terrorist..

Chennai was flooded with rains during the last week of Nov.08. I explored walking from Nungambakkam to Mylapore after a long day's work. Of course, with my ipod on. Trying to reach "zerofigure". Passing by X drive-in- restaurant, one of my favourite hub, which is now a haunted place, Gangotree, on Cathedral road, I normally hang out with friends, Hot breads which is now renovated, owned by Mr. Mahadevan whom I really respect for his achievements, the old Music Academy, and of course, ARena Multimedia, my earlier office ....yes a long walk. I had to hide this trip of mine to my husband, who would start his series of advices, but with lot of concern for me. Huge tree falling on RK mutt road, and corporation labours trying to clear them off, barely equipped, torn clothes, barefoot, scarce road lights and not to forget open MANHOLES.

Rikshawpullers on move for their livelihood. Cursing our government and the politician, reached home , the entire family sitting in the drawing room, with folded hands watching WAH TAJ!! torn by Human Terrorist...saw a bigger picture of politician's inefficient management of our Country. By and large, today every body speak about this issue. On the contrary, related to this incident, my observation was on how Chennai'ts reacted to this... well!! I drove down to TAJ Chennai, burst out laughing when I saw 2 dark policemen, typical fat bellied ones guarding, Marriot, had a huge lock outside, of course the traffic police trying to stop trespassers, Two wheeler riders. At the end all of them escaped parting with Just Rs.50/-. A 50/- rupee note in Chennai would prove a great deal for the terrorist, would also have festival offers!!!. Of course, if the terrorist chose, Ranganathan street, by the time they enter the lane with armed forces, stinking crowd would sent them to hell. Well if the target was Valluvarkottam, Railway station, the pungent aroma would be a treat for the nostrils putting them to coma.. Not to mention, if the plot to enter Chennai thro KOOVAM river...

These few things really put me to a safe zone, and next day I woke up telling my daughter she is lucky to be reared in place like "Chennai"

Your comments please... Best entry, would enjoy a boat ride at KOOVAM RIVER.