Friday, October 6, 2023

LOOKING LIFE IN THE EYE......


 I have never been on social media platforms till I started Facebook in June this year. I was like a child fascinated by a new toy. I got so engrossed in FB. What I liked about Facebook is the immediate connect I had with everyone. 

A certain thing irked me last week which led me into a self-explanatory monologue on FB about quitting the music field.

To my utter shock, my speech was received as a sob story by my near and dear music lovers. Embarrassed as hell, I removed the post a couple of days ago.

I never react to hatred or contempt, but PITY - NO WAY BOSS. My super-sized self esteem would never allow that.

"Take the bull by its horns" is my motto and my way of life. And that's how it'll remain, no changing that!!

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

THE PILLAR LADY-8


 I stood dejectedly. Every cell in my body protested against the job of PA to Mimi. I was unable to digest the madness and pass it off as something natural. Even worse was being a part of it. I longed for my normal routine of writing articles on current trends and politics, planning debates, having loads of fun with my friends.... I simply couldn't imagine how I got talked into this situation by Ma. The trip to Rishikesh not only lost its appeal, but it also triggered my anger at a friend who coaxed me into giving my acceptance to join the group.

My thoughts were rudely interrupted by loud giggles. Her anklets and her giggles working up a cacophony, Selvarani came running into the room, obviously after meeting Mimi.

Selvarani continued to laugh hysterically and ran to the centre of the room with her stick. I realised that she laughed for no reason only to show her dimples. She raised both hands, her left hand held the stick while her right hand which was raised higher showed a thumbs-up sign.

Maran briefly looked up from his mobile. He muttered under his breath, "Crap..... not again..."

Cutting the call in the middle Maran bent down and prostrated to Selvarani. 

The old manservant flung the tray on the floor, making a crashing noise. He shouted at Selvarani angrily, "I have knee pain, I can't bend."

Selvarani kept giggling but didn't budge, her raised hands and thumbs-up sign intact. Maran whispered to the old man, "Bend as much as you can."

Fuming, the old man bent slightly as though prostrating to Selvarani and turned on his heel to walk out of the room in a huff.

I felt someone tug at my leg. It was Maran. He was pulling my calf and gesturing wildly at me to prostrate to Selvarani.

My anger started to build slowly as I looked at Selvarani. She was looking at me expectantly, her direct gaze compelling me to prostrate to her.

Crossing my hands across my chest I looked at Selvarani through narrowed eyes. I tried to convey through my gaze, "Just who do you think you are?! Like hell I'll prostrate to you! Get lost!!!?"

My gaze mirroring my contempt, I did not try to disguise my anger and disgust.

Selvarani laughed even more hysterically and declared, "Now I know why Meemee Akka hired you as her secretary. You are soooooo cuuuuteeeee......"

I was taken aback. It dawned on me that Selvarani had a nasty mind in contrast to her dimples. She cleverly twisted my attitude as cute, effectively refusing to acknowledge the insult I threw at her.

My cheeks reddened in embarrasment. Irritated, I walked away, refusing to be part of the nonsensical scenario.

"Tomorrow reality show in Crazy TV!! Meemee Akka and I are judges!!! See you, bye!!!!" Selvarani screamed and ran out of the room.

 I glared at Maran angrily after Selvarani left. I did not want to ask any more questions even though I was itching to know what was with her thumbs-up sign.

I was surprised as Maran himself answered my question, as though reading my mind. "Selvarani is believed to raise her hand in a thumbs-up sign whenever she wants to bless mankind. People clamour to prostrate to her, they believe Goddess Herself has descended on Selvarani when she raises her hand and shows the thumbs-up sign."

Boiling mad at Maran's senseless theory about thumbs-up sign, I wanted to be deliberately obtuse. Ignoring Maran I addressed the old manservant, "Err, what are those lovely plants next to the window?"

(to be continued.......)

(DISCLAIMER-THE NEW LABEL "ADITI'S VIEW" IS A COMBINATION OF FICTION/ DRY HUMOUR AND SATIRE. THE ARTICLES ARE PURELY FICTIONAL AND CHARACTERS FEATURED IN THE ARTICLE ARE A WORK OF MY IMAGINATION BEARING NO RESEMBLANCE TO ANY LIVING ENTITY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ANYBODY IS A PURE COINCIDENCE.)





Friday, May 26, 2023

Sri T. M. Thyagarajan Centenary Year

Dr. G. Baby Sreeram is an authentic disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi late Sri. T. M. Thyagarajan. Highly traditional, extremely talented and 'sampradaya' oriented, Dr. G. Baby Sreeram's presentation runs strictly along the lines of Guru Sri. TMT's unique tradition. 
Dr. G. Baby Sreeram, a well-known and reputed vocal vidushi is renowned within and outside the field of Carnatic music.
(TMT Centenary year- birth date of TMT Sir-28th May, 1923)

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Sri. T. M. Thyagarajan Centenary Year

TMT CENTENARY YEAR (28TH MAY 1923-27TH JUNE-2007)
NARAYANA THEERTHA THARANGAM, RAGAM-BRINDAVANI, ADI THALAM.

PALLAVI- RE RE MAANASA GOPAALAM BHAJA DOORE PARIHARA BHOOPAALAM

ANUPALLAVI-AARAADANTARAM AKHILAATHMAKA BODHAANANDA GHANAM BAALAM
CHARANAM-BRINDAAVANA HITHA GOBRUNDHAM DHRUTHA MANDHARAM AKHILA NIGAMA KHANDAM
NANDHA SUNANDHAADHI VANDHYAM ANANYAKA NAARAAYANA THEERTHA YATHI


"I simply love Brindavani ragam. Something about the ragam, takes me instantly to Vrindavan..." My voice trailed off.

TMT Sir lifted his head from the notation book he was scrutinizing. He always carefully chose every krithi, varnam, pallavi or anything for the day's session.

He looked at me for a brief second and went back to looking at the book in his hand.

Clearing my throat and working up some guts I ventured hesitantly, "Can you... could you please compose something for me in Brindavani?!"

My heart beat fast as I waited for his answer.

He once again lifted his head, this time I saw a twinkle in his eyes. He did not reply, he did not nod even as acknowledgement, nothing... there was just this hint of a smile on his face. Bending his head, he went back to searching for the krithi in the book he was holding.

I did not repeat my request. Feeling downcast and embarrassed I finished my class.

On the way back home I consoled myself, "He's a man of few words, he's such a legend, I shouldn't have asked. That probably would have put him in an uneasy position. Probably he thinks I am taking too many liberties....". I decided to apologize to him in my next class for asking him to compose.

I counted every minute for my next class. The day arrived finally. As I sat in front of TMT Sir, my Veena tuned to perfection to Sir's sruthi, I mentally tried to frame my words on how to start the conversation.

 Before I could say anything Sir announced, "Narayana Theertha Tharangam, Brindavani ragam, Adi thalam."

My eyes widened in delight and surprise. I exclaimed, "Brindavani!!"

TMT Sir nodded matter-of-factly. 

I asked hesitantly, "Sir, your composition?"

He looked at me directly, " Yes. You wanted me to compose in Brindavani isn't it? I have composed this for you." He added, "I've even composed a pallavi which I will teach you after this krithi. You can play it in music season."

I was overwhelmed by joy. Sir composed for me, for my sake!!

TMT Sir smiled widely, watching my evident joy.

"Thank you Sir, thank you so much Sir..."

He once again bent his head to look at the notation of the Brindavani krithi which he composed just for me!!

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