| Wednesday, May 21, 2008 |
| 'MAMAAAA' MIAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
amma: helloo!!
me: helloo ammaa..
amma: baby girl, both baby and mom are safee
me: :D..:D..:D.. (she could see that bigggggg grinnn on my face through phone ;))
My Pregnant sister is pregnant no more. My niece arrived today(22nd in India) at 8:30 AM IST. Both baby and mom are doing well and will move back to home from hospital tomorrow. I am getting used to the idea of being/called 'MAMA' :D..hahah..
Verdict so far is that her forehead is like her father's, she is tall like her grandpa and chinna mama, eyes are like her mom's and smile ofcourse like MINE :D... Well baby girl, it's time we prove how important nurture is over nature, wattt say? I can't wait to spoil you. I can't wait to teach you how to raise your eye-brows in tell-me-something-i-don't-know fashion. I can't wait to teach you your first song. I can't wait to introduce you to Thyagaraja Krithis, J.K Rowling and Jane Austen. I can't wait to teach you how to dance..I just can't wait to see you and get a puppy :)..
Your MAMA will be on his wayyyyy back to homeee very soon ...Juuuuyyyyyyynnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...
WELCOME TO THIS NEW BEAUTIFULLLL AND WONDERFULLL WORLD MY DEAR PRINCESSSS :-)..
Phani |
posted by Phani @ 8:40 PM   |
|
|
|
| Sunday, April 13, 2008 |
| Suprabhatam - a Leitmotif |
Suprabhatam - Sanskrit hymns recited in the morning to awaken the Lord. When it comes to Lord Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam, you can’t imagine a Suprabhatam without the thoughts of MS Subbalakshmi flashing through your mind!! Suprabhatam recited by MS Subbalakshmi has become a part of common man's 'early morning'.
I wake up every morning to M.S.Subbulakshmi's mellifluous voice chanting God's Own Wake up Call. Whenever I listen 'Suprabhatam', it brings back a lot of 'fresh' memories to my mind..
- as a school boy waking up at 5o'clock taking bath and running to tuitions whilst Suprabhatam being played in the speakers from temple. (Used to go to temple during dhanurmasam's for prasadam ;-))
- with all excitement, waking up in the morning to get ready to travel to my grandma's village, again Suprabhatam playing in background as we reach bus station in 'jatka'
- At 5 woken up by the smell of coffee, being prepared by grandma in kitchen in very old fashioned 'chavidi' house, while she was chanting Suprabhatam along with MS Subbalakshmis' cassette. She used to switch on the lights only in kitchen so that children would still sleep (how sweet she is to us :-)).
- sleeping even more comfortably and happily listening to a re-mix of MSs' Suprabhatam and a voice of an affectionate father scolding his young son to wake up and prepare for exams ;-)..
and a lott moree..
This morning, there is neither tuition nor exam to prepare. But M.S. is singing as usual, but from a CD. I realize that nothing can sound more divine than the vibrations of these Sanskrit words that fall unconsciously into my ears. I bask in the sound of the Tambura.
Kowsalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya
pravarthathe Uthishta narasardoola
karthavyam daivamahnikam (Twice)
Uthishtothishta Govinda uthishta
garudadhwaja Uthishta
kamalakantha thrilokyam mangalam kuru (Twice)
Ah! The simple pleasure of waking up in the morning to face another day...
Phani |
| posted by Phani @ 7:27 AM |
|
|
|
| Saturday, April 12, 2008 |
| Of the idli family |
For a kannadiga, born and brought up in AP, subject "idly" is something which is at his/her disposal. Being in Hindupur/Kadiri(places from southern inda) for 27yrs, I thought I knew everything that I had to about idlis. I've had idlis in all sizes and shapes; from simple idlis to idli-vada combinations, to dahi idli, butter-idli to button-idlil, fried idli, and masala idlis, idlis with and without cashews etc embedded in them. I've had bandi idlis, my Moms idlis, cocktail idlis, and the fast-food idlis.
I've had idlis outside my village, in Anantapur, as well as in Bangalore, other places in karnataka, Tamil Nadu, best-ever in Matunga, Mumbai, other restros in Mumbai,in Hyderabd, in Pune, Newjearsy, Newyork, and God knows where else and made by whom. I've had idlis without anything, with sambhar, with sambhar and chutney separately or sometimes even together and sometimes just with butter. Idlis with karappodi and ghee, idli's with allam chutney and sometimes only with pickle. I've fought with restaurateurs over their coconut chutneys (don't like to admit though ;-)).
Life was good and tasty like a plate of idly with coconut chutney and sambar, until that lazy Saturday morning, when S asked me acoompany her for breakfast. We decided to go to Shanti Sagar (Hyd) for breakfast. While I was juggling over the menu wondering what to order apart from the usual idlis and dosas, waiter appeared at our table. As I was still thinking about my menu, she ordered somthing in a flash, as if she came there only to eat that. That was a dish I had never had before. There was nothing really great about the name itself, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had never before had this combination.A combination of rasam and idli forming a dish called rasam idli. Rasam vadas, yes rasam on its own, yes rasam with riceyes, but 'Rasam Idli'!! that was a new one. Whoa how did I miss that. Somtimes, after been around there for yrs and yrs, you often start believing that you've been there, done that and seen it all, until something happens like this.
And the rasam idlis were absolutely to die for. As I put each portion into my mouth, the rasam-soaked pieces would melt immediately, releasing an explosive mix of a difficult to describe but a predominantly tangy mix of flavors and aromas. The combination was amazing.
I guess its all in the combination. Unlike sambhar, which is much too thick, idlis just soak up the rasam. With that, I guess, they become softer and the rasam becomes part of the idli itself. When you then eat that idli, the combination becomes unbeatable.
I am sure that I will be besieged by emails from people telling me that this is a very usual, ordinary experience for many of them and that they have been having rasam idlis for years and years. Maybe so, but it is not listed as an item in most menus (unless I have been blind) and for some strange reason, in the last 27 years...OK, 22(someone is going to say..'self actualization' at 5..huhh ;-)), to count only the conscious, idli-eating years, I've have never had this combination before.
So from then, it was rasam idlis, for a long time until the next Nirvanic experience, which I actually had with BisiBellaBath with ghee and papad ;-).
Phani |
| posted by Phani @ 4:02 PM |
|
|
|
| Friday, April 11, 2008 |
| My Last Concert |
It had been a long time since i have attended a carnatic music concert. So, when i got that opportunity i didn't want to miss it, thanks to my senior trio (Ravishankar, Siva and Srinivas) who got the tickets. The concert was hosted at Shanmukhananda hall, King's Circle in Matunga, Mumbai. The artiste was carnatic vocalist UnniKirshnan ably supported by Sri Srimushnam Raja Rao in mridangam, Sri S. Varadarajan in violin and Sri N. Guruprasad in kanjira.
Shanmukhananda hall is a grand auditorium with a seating capacity of I think around 800 and when the concert began there were less than 200 people. With such a large South Indian community presence in Mumbai and esp in Matunga area, there was not enough attendance. There was a very brief introduction by the host about the artiste and their ensemble. I would have liked a more detailed introduction highlighting the achievements of the artistes. The crowd was predomaninantly south indians and i could not quite noticing a trio of kannada mamis who were switching between English to local kannada quite easily.
Everyone settled down once the artistes have seated themselves and there is a downtime when everyone tunes their instruments. It is a good 5 min and it would have been a good time to introduce more about the artistes. UnniKrishnan as usual appeared in a crispy blue kurtha and what amazed me was he was wearing a bluetooth headset. It was surprising to me probably because I have stereo-typed all carnatic musicians, to be in their late 40s or early 50s, that they wear only white dhoti and white shirt, that they wear vibhuti on their foreheads, that they don't know aything of computers,laptops,blue-tooths. I realized my ignorance only after I learned that Sri Unnikrishnan is not only technology savy but is a very good crickter who plays for Madras Cricket club also plays professional tennis, did MBA and worked in Executive post in Parrys in Trivendrum. Its inspring to know such a versatile person with so many career options to choose carnatic music as his profession.
He warmed up with Shankarabaranam and then moved on to Sahana ragam in detail. He was technically very strong and did not take any shortcuts. His best came in a composition in Thana Roopi ragam which kept the audience enthralled. The violinist was giving good support, although i felt (from my limited knowledge) he could not keep pace with Unni. UnniKrishnan never eased up with any simple compositions, but kept on with quite challenging raagas. For me, one of the best part in a carnatic concert is the Tanyavarthanam when the percussionists are given a free hand to demonstrate their trade. The high level of skill of Varadarajan (senior artiste) came to the fore and Guruprasad was equal to the task on the khanjira and it was quite memorable for about 15 minutes. Unni finished off with a couple of light numbers and with a thillana at the end. There was a standing ovation from the audience at the end.
The best part about carnatic music i like is its non invasiveness and peace that it brings to oneself. I am still not able to identify the various raagas and it is proving difficult. For the same reason, i like carnatic music than bhajans beacuse in bhajans you dont have to worry about the technicalities and just focus on the spirit. Bhajans have a lot of audience involvement and it is all about creating the right environment and the whole crowd is part of the experience (more like a rock concert). In that sense, carnatic music is more about each person internalizing the music and relating to it.
A faboulous carnatic music concert for two and a half hours.
Note: Not to forget the yummyyy dosa and upma we had at the the refereshment counter in the hall. Mouthwatering ;-)
Phani
|
| posted by Phani @ 8:35 AM |
|
|
|
| Monday, March 17, 2008 |
| Why I feel like blocking my best friend on IMs |
X is my THE best friend. Now since I moved away to another city, we catch up on phone every now and then and more often than never, each actual phone conversation is the result of a long-drawn phone tag between the two of us. In the meantime, the list of things we want to share with each other just keeps building up; often, I actually make real lists so I remember to tell X everything that I had meant to. Yeah, most of the time its inane stuff, the kind of daily conversation I miss having with X.
Ohh..yeah we also have each other on our IM friends lists, and of course, its sometimes easier to find someone online than to find them actually pick up their phone. (Sad!). So now, instead of waiting until we actually talk on phone, all that fun stuff is spilled on IM Chat. Talking over the phone is definitely better, but then you need people who think it worth dedicating their time to listen and talk to you.Chat, is the weapon of the desperately lonely or the immensely distant(or maybe those two are really the same). I dread the day i ever say LOL in a real conversation. i've endedup typing HAHAHAHHAHAHA and *grin* instead.
We're both also the kinds who won't stop once we start, so all attempts to can the gtalk are a waste. Now real-time giggling is replaced by HAHA and HEHE and *grins*. [I miss those real-life winks ;)]. Even they have drained now a days....first you stop talking on phone and start chatting ...then chatting starts becoming boring after a while and telephonic conversations a little awkward, more artificial and mundane...
The chats are distracted, incidental and not those cosy phone talks we usually eagerly await(????) every alternate days or so. I really really really don't like this turn our friendship is taking. So now my best friend's name is in a list of glorious company of idiot folks that I find most annoying and want to block off for entirely different reasons. Hehehehe.
Its good to have real life giggling every once in a while...its so cathartic :)
On a side note - IMO Internet is good in a way but it takes away the charm of real life interaction :-)
Phani |
| posted by Phani @ 12:02 PM |
|
|
|
| Friday, May 25, 2007 |
| I am Unique |
I Enjoy my uniqueness. I do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. I wasn't meant to be like someone else. I do not have to lie to conceal the parts of mine that are not like what I see in anyone else. I was meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in mine right now.
If I did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind. I Treasure my uniqueness. It is a gift given only to oneself. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that I can. No one can speak my words. No one can convey my meanings. No one can comfort with my kind of comfort. No one can bring my kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in my own way. No one can smile my smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of what I can have on another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it form you and nudge you and inspire you!
Phani |
| posted by Phani @ 10:14 PM |
|
|
|
|
| Life is Fair :) |
| About Me |
|
+of+Copy+of+Budugu-Seegana%2BPesoonamba.jpg)
Name: Phani
Home: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
About Me: I had a lot of growing and a lot of denying of self to do. Precocious and bratty. I am not easily won over, but when I am, I am completely won over.
See my complete profile
|
| Previous Post |
|
| Archives |
|
|
| Links |
- google
- link 2
- link 3
- link 4
|
| Powered by |
 |
|
+of+Copy+of+Budugu-Seegana%2BPesoonamba.jpg)