Stayed at the Tiger Camp resort , Corbett, around 10 kms from Ramnagar station. The resort has been set up typical of a forest environment. One gets a feeling as if we are deep inside a dense forest. The Kosi river runs on the backside of the resort. Excellent hospitality. The food is of high quality.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kausani - Evening walk -27th Oct 10
A place known for its calm, quiet atmosphere, we went for a walk and thoroughly enjoyed the surroundings. Breathed unpolluted air for a change !
Baijnath temple - Kausani- 27th Oct 10
From Kausani, down hill its around 20 kms to reach this 13th Century architecture. A Shiv Mandir with Goddess Parvathi idol on the backside.
View of Himalayas from Kausani - 26th Oct 10
We then travelled from Nainital to Kausani and it takes around 4 hours. One has to pass through Ranikhet which has a military base too.
Magnificient view of Himalayan range from Kausani !! A place worth visiting purely for the morning and sunset view of Himalayas. Best Inn, the resort where we stayed is cute , clean and hospitable. The balcony view is just exactly we look for . The 8 rooms have been built aesthetically.
Cable car - Nainital - 25th Oct 10
One of the main attractions of Nainital. A splendid view from top . The time it takes is around 3 minutes. As we go upwards, the entire Nainital gets exposed to the window . An exciting moment !
View of Himalayas from peak level of Nainital
This is one picnic spot and tourist attraction in Nainital. A view from the highest altitude of Nainital.
Boating on Nainital lake - 24th Oct 10
Its the absolute calmness of Naintal which is amazing ! We went on a boating on the famous Nainital lake . Looks unpolluted and clean.
Way to Nainital - 24th Oct 10
We went by train from Old Delhi up to Kothgadam station and then by road from there. Its around 34 kms to Nainital. The entire route is very picturesque with beautiful valley .
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Navrathri 2010 celebrations at our Society , Spring Leaf, Kandivli E
Festive atmosphere @ our Spring Leaf Society . Enthusiastic participants , beautifully dressed up , cheefully playing the Dandiya !
This is a video taken @ Whispering Palms, our neighbouring Society. Goddess Durgamata being the main deity, nice decorated and aesthetically constructed entrance !
Rashtriya Swayam Sevak - Sanchalan - 17.10.10- Kandivli East
RSS performed a Padhasanchalan at Lokhandwala township area, Kandivli East on 17th October 10. Around 100 swayamsevaks gathered and did a march. Its the discipline amongst the entire group which continues to amaze me !
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Ganesh Chaturthi - 2010-Mumbai
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The best of Ilayaraja - 1- Paruvame Pudhiya padal padu
The end 70s witnessed a new generation of creative artists surging forward and emerging into a formidable combination. Ilayaraja , Mahendran, Barathiraja, BaluMahendra, AshokKumar, Vairamuthu, Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, T.Rajendar......
All the above have become household names now !
Talent was overflowing like a Brahmaputra . New and innovative techniques were introduced to tamil cinema. No lip sync, outdoor picturisation, new style of orchestration with Synthesizers and Guitars taking over from conventional instruments, less dialogues, subtle acting, poetic way of presenting .......
Look at this song . Just close your eyes and the Composer Isainyani immediately takes you to Cubbon park for an early morning jog. The picturisation on a misty morning are all AshokKumar's creativity. The youthful voice of SPB and S.Janaki ! What an amazing orchestration !!The sensational guitar strumming at the start of the first interlude and the Violin follow like a Waltz and the music suddenly slows down . Now from nowhere a Harmonium steps in & then finally a Piano ends for SPB to resume with Poonthottathil Ho !!!!!!!
Director Mahendran had already created a niche for himself by then , having directed Mullum Malarum, Udhiripookal, Johnny .....made Nenjathai Killadhey in 1982 and the movie was a superhit . I remember watching it Devikala / Devibala where it ran for more than a year !
Suhasini Hasan, daughter of Charu Hassan , made her debut as an actress . She was spotted as an assistant to Ashok Kumar and Mahendran managed to convince a reluctant Suhasini and thats how came Nenjathai Killadhey.
The movie also saw Mike Mohan making a mark. Saratbabu played the role of a caring brother while his wife Shanti Williams ( of Metti Oli fame ) plays the wicked sister in law destroying all the plans of Suhasini. Pratap Pothen plays a simple for admirable role as a patient and loving husband who waits for Suhasini to forget the past and start a new life. All ends well.
The theme must have inspired Mani Ratnam who later took Mouna ragam in 1986.
Dont forget, it was the same Ilayaraja who recreated the magic in Mouna ragam .
Mahendran, though he made only few movies, left an indelible mark on tamil cinema. Surprising to us that he faded away very early. Still unable to fathom why he couldnt last long .
Nenjathai Killadhey a path breaking movie, a must watch for Ilayaraja devotees.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Bhat Murali's daughter wedding reception photos
Attended the reception of our school friend and our cricket team member Bhat Murali's daughter on 22nd evening at Mylapore. We call him as Bhat as his ancestors and the current generation have been Bhattachariars of Mylapore Madhavaperumal temple . Amongst the peer friends of my generation, this is the first marriage of the next generation. Well conducted. Annexing some of the snaps taken during the occassion.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thiruvayaru Ayyarappar temple
Offered prayers at Lord Ayyarappar and Aram valartha Nayaki alias Dharmasamvardhini, Thiruvayyaru on 20th May 2010. After having dharshan at Swamimalai, we proceeded to Thiruvayaru and it is around 20 kms on the Swamimalai- Thanjavur road. We reached the Thiruvayaru town in around 30 minutes . Inbetween we passed through UMAYALPURAM the village famous for the Mridangam Maestro Shri Shivaraman.The entire route is very fertile . Typical Tanjoor agricultural belt and full of greenary.
Swamimalai temple
I also offered prayers at Swamimalai temple on 20th May 2010. Here is the side view of the majestic temple where Lord Swaminathan is the main deity. My family God is Lord Swaminathan. We had a comfortable dharshan .
Thirukadayoor Abirami temple
The rajagopuram of the famous Thirukadayoor temple . I had visited the temple on 19th May 2010. Wonderful dharshan I had on Goddess Abirami and Kalasamharamurthi.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cricket coaching camp at CLRI , Adyar - May10
I happened to watch a Summer cricket coaching camp organised by Mr.Abdul Jabbar , veteran Ranji trophy player at CLRI grounds, Adyar. My brother's son was one of the trainees. Mr.Jabbar played for State Bank of India for long and represented Tamil Nadu as a middle order batsman and was a consistent performer. He had even scored a double century once and was one of the promising players during late 70s and early 80s. A handsome Jabbar used to resemble Rajesh Khanna of the Aradhana years ! Jabbar was a cool cricketer , always playing a matured and composed innings. Interesting to see so many kids turning up at 6 A.M. during holidays and practising vigorously. I covered some net practice and a match . I can say emphatically that there is enough talent in Chennai . One noticeable aspect was , all the batsmen were wearing helmets which reflects the state of affairs ot cricket today.
One query which I get regularly from school boys today is that whether we had faced such a hostile pace bowling during our schooling days. Yes, I told them that we had faced such pace bowlers without helmet and substandard pads.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Viv Richards on the rampage Down Under
Those who watch today's 20-20 cricket must see this awesome play by the ORIGINAL Master Blaster who was running against time and rain and had to readjust his plan almost every over as the equation kept changing . The champion batsman was in destructive mood that evening and was literally toying with the Australian bowling. Look at the way Viv swats the express delivery from Merv Hughes considered to be a frontline pace bowler of the Aussie of the early 80s !
To me, Viv Richards is the ultimate in batsmanship .
Viv Richards - 1979-80 in Australia
Viv was around 27 years ( Debut in Bangalore during 1974-75 series ) at that time and faced the fearsome Aussie bowling comprising Dennis Lillee, Len Pascoe, Rodney Hogg who were all fresh from the Kerry Packer world series. Already a Super star at that time, Richards as usual annihilated the pace bowling to all parts of the ground. Here is one such video in Adelaide.
Most important aspect to note >>>>>> NO HELMET !
The Aussies tried to intimidate him by bowling bouncers regularly ! Look at his body language !!!
Most important aspect to note >>>>>> NO HELMET !
The Aussies tried to intimidate him by bowling bouncers regularly ! Look at his body language !!!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
MTDC RESORT KARLA
A lovely resort ! If one is coming from Mumbai, take the 2nd exit from Lonavla on the Expressway and you will get into the Oldexpressway immediately. Within 5 kms , you will get a Indicator Board and take a right turn and you are in MTDC Karla resort. Its a spacious resort with lush green garden and rooms looking cute . You have the option of parking your vehicle right in front of your cottage also . Otherwise, there is a large parking area as one enters the resort. There is a decent restaurant also with prices quite reasonable. We had a good breakfast there . Children will have a jolly good time as there are 2 play areas . There is also a Water park with a swimming pool and roller coaster slide at a decent height. There is also wave pool.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The best of Ilayaraja - Ilampani thuli vizum neram - Aradhanai
http://
Easily , one of the very best of our good old Raja. Between 1976 and 1985, he unleashed a series of spellbinding orchestration. This movie came during 1981 and disappeared but the song is still fresh like an ilampanithulir ! Instantly, it takes us to snowpeaks . Raja's orchestration was a revelation for us those days ! Sensationsl stuff. Mighty composition ! Such innovative use of Violins, Bass Guitar was never heard of . Oops. That violin flow during the first interlude is a crescendo . Brilliant countermelodies . A complete package. To me, it takes me back by 30 years and I become nostalgic , recollecting our school days.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Splendid Manali - return from Rohtang Pass road
This video covers the road way while coming back from Rohtang Pass approach on 30th December 2009.
An evening to cherish with old friends
It was a memorable evening we had with our good old friends since school / college days . Fond memories of our glorious days were recollected ! Sunil Gavaskar Vs G.R.Vishwanath .....M.S.V vs Ilayaraja ......Borg Vs McEnroe ....Rajini Vs Kamal ...........all unforgettable , glorious 70s ....The best thing was, none of our friends have changed in their mannerism or style ! I am blessed soul to have such wonderful friends . Indeed, they are friends forever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
