Forever Yours and Yours forever...

You and I, we go back a long way...
I have tried other relationships, but keep coming back to you...
And why?
Because you never change..
You just keep getting better each time.
Your warmth, your spice, you are one of a kind
The anticipation of being with you..
Sure sends a quiver down my spine..
You invigorate me every time we are together.

When I am blue, you give me a lift..
When I am lonely, your company sends a blanket of security..
when I am in a mood to party, you take center stage and pass the mirth..
What would I do without you...
My precious cup of TEA?
So, I raise a toast..
To Us....

PS: Tetley Tea is the BEST!!

2 must hear songs...

(1) Ilayaraja and Madhu Balakrishnan have given us a taste of their best in the song Pichai patiram from movie Naan Kadavul...The song penned (and sung) by the Maestro himself originally appeared in the album Ramana Malai. The philosophies of Ramana Maharshi and the Vedantic themes of rebirth, karma, and advaita are brimming in this masterpiece. Please listen actively and melt away in the depth of the lyrics. Hope to read your discussions. I have copied the lyrics and translation for your convenience.

Madhu Balakrishnan should win a National Award for the soulful rendition..

Lyrics by Ilaiyaraja…penned originally for Ramana Malai

Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen, Aiyane En Aiyane

Yaam Oru, Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen,Aiyane En Aiyane

Pindam Ennum, Elumbodu Sadhai Narambu

Udhiramum Adangiya Udambu Enum

Ammaiyum Appanum Thanthatha

Illai Aadhiyin Val Vinai Soozhnthatha

Immaiyai Naan Ariyathatha

Siru Bommaiyin Nilayinil Unmaiyai Unarnthida

Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen

Athanai Selvamum Un Idathil

Naan Pichaikku Selvathu Evv Vidathil

Verum Paathiram Ullathu En Idathil

Athan Soothiramo Athu Un Idathil

Oru Muraiya Iru Muraiya

Pala Murai Pala Pirappu Edukka Vaithai

Puthu Vinaya Pazha Vinaya,

Kanam Kanam Dinam Enai Thudikka Vaithai

Porullukku Alainthidum Porullattra Vazhkaiyum Thurathuthe

Un Arul Arul Arul Endru Alaikindra Manam Indru Pithatruthe

Arul Vizhiyal Nokkuvai

Malar Pathathal Thaanguvai

Un Thiru Karam Enai Aravanaithu Unatharul Pera

Pichai Paathiram Yenthi Vanthen

Translation from unknown source..

I came holding the beggar's bowl...

A bowl made of flesh, bones, blood and nerves called the body.

I came holding the beggar's bowl...

Did my mom and dad gift me with this bowl?

Or is it the product of my past misdeeds?

Clueless on the current birth, in I came like a puppet...

Holding the beggar's bowl...

You own all the riches and I know not where to beg...

I just have the bowl and only you know all its secrets.

Not just once, not just twice...

Many a times, in many forms,

You made me take innumerous births

A consequence of my present misdeeds ,Or the past...

You made me suffer every moment I lived...

The meaningless life in search of riches is haunting me...

The mind that begs for your grace is now being senseless...

Look at me with the gracious eyes,

Carry me with those velvet feet

To get your care and then your grace...

(2) Ethilum Ingu Iruppan Another song that appeared few years ago also has the Ilayaraja-Madhu Balakrishnan combo, the lyrics however are penned by Pulamaipithan. The poet really has a way with words and (surprising) coming from an athiest, this song has a very simple yet profound message that He is everywhere and there is nothing but Him.

Movie Name: Bharati (2000)
Singer: Madhu Balakrishnan
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Lyrics: Pulamaipithan

Ethilum ingu iruppAn avan yArO
EnakkuL avan iruppAn arivArO
Thavazhum nadhiyai tharitha mudiyAn
Adiyum mudiyum aRiya mudiyAn
ELiya adiyar Odhum vEdha nAdhamAgi
(Ethilum)

Varippuli athazh tharithavan ezhil kaNdEn
PiRappenum piNi aRuppavan thuNai KoNden
Tamizhkkavi tharum enakkoru varam
Tarath thiruvuLam veNdum
Sagathirukkenai tarath thagum neRi
Vaguthida thuNai veNdum.
Aalam karu neelam ena theriyum oru kaNtan
ANdum thiruth thoNdan enum adiyAk koru thoNdan
Pattruth thaLaikku neruppavan
Ottraik kaNathil azhippavan
Nettrip piRaikkuL neruppai vaLarthu
(Ethilum)

Thodakkamum adhan adakkamum avan vElai
Nadappadhum adhai thaduppadhum avan leelai
UdukkaLil saram thodutthavan thalai mudikkaNiyavum koodum
Perukkalum adhai vagutthalum adhai kazhitthalum avan pAdam
Marum yugam dhorum avan kaNakkin padiyAgum
MaNNum uyar viNNum avan oru kaippidiyAgum
Sattam anaithum vagutthavan
Thittam anaithum thogutthavan
Ottrap padithu muditha uruthan
(Ethilum)

Valentine Special-Share your songs of love..

Yours songs and dedications this Valentine's Day..Songs that tenderly touch a raw nerve ...puts you in the mood for love...lingers on for the whole day...casts a spell on you..and keeps you yearning for more...Our South Indian cine music has thousands of such songs..

Share YOUR favorite songs of love (3-4) this Valentine's Day and tell us why you are bewitched by them...Happy Valentine's Day!

1. Valayosai Movie-Sathya Music-Ilayaraja Singers-SPB, Lata M
   This song captures the thrills and adrenalin rushes of love..superb picturization..honest and eloquent..has a new freshness to it even if you hear it a hundred times...
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-dqX6Fggqk&feature=channel_page
   
   
2. Azhage Azhagu Movie-Raaja Parvai Music-Ilayaraja Singer-KJJ
   Awesome combination of sangeetam and sahityam..not to mention flawless acting by Kamal and Madhavi..true testament to the axiom, "Love is Blind"..because the interpretation are infinite if you are blind...
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDGR9XD6jM
   
   
3. S/Jathi Malli Poocharame Movie-Azhagan Music-Maragathamani Singer: SPB
   King of handsome and Queen of beauty unite in this classic song from the movie aptly titled Azhagan. Isn't life and everything around you so beautiful when you are in love? Who said red is the color of love..after seeing the picturization of this song, I would say the new color of love is WHITE :)
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpmj4GejQ0w
   
   
4. Ayengar Veetu Azhagae Movie-Anniyan Music- Harris Jayaraj- Singers: Hariharan, Harini
   Brilliance of Hariharan and Harini and their impeccable expressions gives this song a big thumbs up. Though the lyrical quality is not stellar, fusion by Harris Jayaraj makes this a winner!
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX7OMsrIOko
   
   
5. Nilave Mugam Kaatu Movie-Yejaman Music-Ilayaraja Singers: SPB, S. Janaki
   If you are lucky to find true love, then your lover is your friend, mother, sibling, child and guide. Ilayaraja teams with SPB and Janaki amma to give us this gem of a song...head over heels in love with this one!
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ROrcvK2S98
   
   
6. Chentarmizhi Poonthenmozhi-Movie-Perummazhakalam Music-M. Jayachandran- Singers: Madhu Balakrishnan, K.S. Chitra
   Madhu Balakrishnan is a singer to watch out for..He has taken this sensual Sahana piece to great heights. (Also loved his rendition of Ethilum Ingu Iruppan from the movie Bharati...you must hear that..but I digress...)
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcgk6ctUpAo
   
   
7. Sundari Neeyum Movie-Michael..Rajan Music-Ilayaraja Singers: Kamal, S. Janaki
   Often termed as "our song" Santu and I never get enough of this one...has all the charms, naughtiness and cute wonder of a typical Palakkad Iyer pair in love...
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zed9Kve-b6I&feature=related

(For my selected list of 38 songs visit:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DB18A4EFC506B8F7)

Small things, big uses!

I have always been intrigued by the unconventional uses of things around the house. Some I picked up from useless reading and chit-chats with friends, others from my own experience..Please add your contributions too!


1) Sesame/Gingely Oil (Nallennai):
First thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth, gargle your mouth thoroughly (at least 5 minutes) with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil.(Do not swallow!) Spit it out and all the microbe infested goo gets out of your mouth! Then brush as usual!

2) Baking Soda/Peroxide toothpaste:
Speaking of brushing your teeth, you can put your toothpaste to other uses!
a) Brush your finger nails with it to give a manicured polished look! b) Spread abundantly on silver lamps/utensils and work it to a good lather with a sponge and water..Silver gets cleaned wonderfully!
c) To give your stainless steel sink a polished look, scrub it with some toothpaste!
d) To clean music/data CDs that skip, use a small amount of toothpaste on a piece of terry cloth and buff the CD.


3) (Unglazed) Ceramic/teracotta plates:
These are the inexpensive (unglazed and unpainted) plates you normally use under garden pots.
a) Heat a clean plate in your convection oven to 450 deg F. Now you can prepare tandoor style rotis and naans over this hot-tandoor home-made oven! (courtesy Manjula's Kitchen)
b) The plates can also be used in the microwave to roast peanuts, cashews, chana dal ect (remember, no oil needed!) It is ergonomic and healthy!(courtesy Chandri Chitti)


4) Newsprint:
a) Damp newsprint cleans glass doors and window panes wonderfully!
b) If your hubby is like mine who buys fruits in wholesale quantities, wrap the unused fruits in the newspaper and store in the refrigerator. They will not over ripe or rot for at least a week.(courtesy Achu Mama)

5) Pesky Sticker removal:
Do you have brand new (stainless steel) utensils or pressure cookers that have those pesky stickers that never peel off? Warm the vessel gently on the stove. The glue will loosen up and you can peel it easily.(courtesy my friend, Subha)


6) Carpet Grippers:
Cut out a 5 inch by 5 inch piece of carpet gripper and use it to open jelly bottles, pickle bottles with ease!




7) Gallon-Bells:
For a low-budget workout, fill up 2 gallon jugs with water, and use as a pair of dumbells.