Thursday, February 26, 2009

Movies I was watching...Oscar Fever

It's been sometime that I had blogged on movies I was watching/ rather there weren't enough bloggable movie content to motivate me. Yes after the Oscars show I have a couple to final break loose my silence.
Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett this movie is adapted from the 1921's story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about a man Benjamin who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.
Story is a slow-moving long one which unfolds in a death bed in New Orelans hospital in the back drop of Hurricane Katrina, with the Daisy asking her daughter to read the story in a diary which happens to be an unusual one about daughters biological father.
It talks about Benjamin who was deserted and subsequently brought up by black foster parents working as care takers at old age home. The boy was taken to be a monster and deserted by his father owing to his demise of his wife during pregnancy and primarily due to Gerontological conditions. Subsequently the boy survives his condition to grow younger and reversing his condition to die as a baby. The role has been intelligently and amazingly crafted plots and situation to add reality to a rather unrealistic subject. The backdrop of wars, depressions, Cyclone Katrina, Balle has been used as intelligent props throughout the story. An inherent love story brews with Benjamin and his childhood friend fall madly and deeply in love when there ages coincide around 40 years. Emotions of seeing one age while other grew younger was touchy, and finally when Benjamin dies as a baby in old Granny-like ladies hands who in reality should have been wife and husband longed for the pain one had to endure through at those crucial age. But ahem this is outcastly unreal who cares about this, its not even close to real life was what I felt and stop being emotional at the end.
It received 13 nominations and is the only Best Picture finalist this year to have earned more than $100 million in US. It won three Oscars for Art Direction, Makeup, and Visual Effects, and incidentally has tied the record for the most nominated film not to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
As the Oscars speaks BENJAMIN’s script or even the fine acting aren’t its most impressive accomplishment; the technology–both CGI and makeup–used to make Benjamin and Daisy age are remarkable, and makes the film entirely believable, not undermining performances from both Pitt and Blanchett.
Slumdog Millionaire
Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan is a British movie in the backdrop of Mumbai's slums. Its an adaptation of Boeke Prize winning novel of 2005 Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Though its not an exact adaptation it reflects a story of slum boy's tale of Rag's to Riches with a love-at-first sight love story. This movie stories the hardcore realities of Mumbai's slums and social conditions woven around Mumbai riots of 1992 and struggle of life during past this to become not only an Ultimate Survivor but also winner of one's Childhood love.
The entire movie was made in a budget of just over 75 crores which is a very small amount considering its international status, but made good returns during its later run. The movie flunked in India and faced lots of criticism from likes of Arinidham Choudary and Amitabh Bachan. Even my Gal had very serious reservations against the movie, even I agree to it to some extent. The poorly did show India in a bad light, and on the purpose front I felt was wrong. During these economical turmoil it showed that the Western countries are much better off than the state of affairs in the World's largest democracy. The movie offered a lot of solace to countries like USA and UK which huge debt-driven infact the largest indebted economy and people in the world are not Africans or Asians or Indians but the Americans.
I was a bit hurt when the places like the pride of India the Taj Mahal was showcased and which showed how tourist were misguided throuout and looted. It does throw a very bad impression of the professional Guides working there in Taj Mahal and tourist who trot to India in search of the Global Symbol of Love and a gateway to India. They would definitely think twice while offering a dime to those children on the roads. It has both the good and bad sides though.
Touchy were parts on exploitation of children by gangsters, mobs, Sex-industry, the drugs, the underworld; It shows that no place is void of evils of this era, be it culturally strong nation like India or China or highly civilised or a developed nation like an USA. Evils of the mankind hunt and haunt young and old, male and female alike. I feel sad when I see people falling in for such evils be it out of necessity or be it out of opportunism. I always hope that there would be days in future where people could make choices and always make a correct and a better choice.
I somehow believed there were lots of other movies and documentaries which showcased the slums and penance of our country but this failed to showcase how life thrives, survives in this hardest of hardest environments. It also fails to address the spirit of Indian culture or Spirit of Mumbaikar who against all odds learns to survive and live a decent life. Its not always illegal and anti-social modes that people end-up in but hard workers over shadow those opportunists. A message should have been sounded aloud making a attempt to bring people and lifes to the mainstream course of moral and spiritually ideal well being and happiness. Would have definitely liked to have this in this movies core message.
From the Oscars front it had a conversion rate of over 90% with winning 8 awards from 9 categories it got nominated for. It missed out on sound mixing which was bagged by the much deserving movie The Dark Knight. Ideally I wouldn't have wanted this movie to be the best movie for the year 2008, yes Danny deserved credit for digging out Gold and making millions and billions out of the Indian theme. If it wasn't for Danny and British production community we wouldn't have got this amount of recognition and laurels for our immensely but sadly under recognised movie making fraternity of technicians and behind the scenes artisans. One might have failed to recognise that the Taj Mahal shown here in the movie was a set which was erected by our own Indians with lots of detail to enable a close-up shots. The set was erected near Pune. Also Kudos to Oscar winners Resul Pookooty and AR Rehman. I believe though Rehman wasn't at his best compared to Swades, Roja or a Vandemataram in this movie he deserved an oscar for what he was and the talent he posses. I hope he wins a life time achievement award at Oscars and Grammy's for his contributions to the music community.
So the Button man from New Orleans had the one tough one to beat in this years Oscars; hadn't the kid from Mumbai shown up and seized moviegoers' hearts it was surely up there and yes this managed a Golden Globe though. This proves that movies which are unreal have little chance against movies which are surreally close, touchy and inspiring. Like politics, aren't always predictable. Benjamin B. is Hillary to Slumdog's Obama.
Arundhati
So much for the Oscar fever the other movie I wanted to talk about is Kodi RamaKrishna's movie Arundhati. This movie staring Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood with Sayaji Shinde and Manorama in the supporting cast had been raking up a lot of interest back home in the Tollywood. Incidentally I too fell victim to it that I watched it on the first day of the release during my Sankranti Vacation. I was waiting eagerly to watch this movie as it got postponed twice in the week. I watched the Second show with my Gal, and yes it gave enough goosebumps while driving back past the Muslim crematory near RaniGunj to Marriott route of Secunderabad. My Gal couldn't sleep alone and kepy squealing every now and then for next 15 days after watching the much anticipated movie. Well this was the first movie we as a couple watched for the the first time and guess it was a right choice. All through the screen my lady was on my shoulder grasping every inch of my long hand.
The effects were amazing by out standards, but looked very much like CGI and wires frames animation. While the plots were seemingly adopted from Final Destination, The excorcist, Gothika to name a few, there was a bit of resemblance to a few other cult movies of Kodi Ramakrishna's movies. I felt Anoushka could have been a bit better on the dances as I felt she struggled in that. Anyways it was her first character based and role-heavy performance kudos to her too. Shinde and Sonu Sood outlived their roles and gave a spectacular performance. The movie pace I felt was too fast and plots should have been better plotted. The movie wrapped up even before one could realise what hit them. A nice attempt by the crew; though a sad one in terms of getting the women audience to start believing in all the black magic and superstition in this seemingly progressive times.
I still smile when I see my gal shivering when I say to her "Bomallee ninuu Vadalaa!!!"

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Keys, mouse, chips, webs, viruses......CiIlitetrate

Cilliterate....or Computer Illiterate
Yes you are if you failed to connect the above words.
Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and other applications and technologies that are associated with computers.
My exposure to computers started quite early in my age. I had my own PC when I was in my 6th Standard thanks to my dad who envisioned that Technology is the future. I was only 11 years when I first got to work on a computer of my own. It was year 1992 and by those days standards I had a fairly fast and efficient system. The configuration of today's mobiles are better than my first PC. It was a
Intel 80286 (In an era of 64 bits 286 has had 7 predecesors to Todays P4/Athlons)
Running at 20 Mhz Speed (yes Mega Hertz was big in those days 1024 times lesser than that of todays)
1 MB Ram (we talk of 1 GB as miminmum today thats 1024 times lesser than todays capacity)
40 MB HDD
Display - MDA (Moncrome Display Array) - 14 inch B&W L&T Monitor
Sound card - Our only sounds we heard were beeps
123 Key - TVS Keyboard
Mouse - Never needed one
OS - MS DOS 5.00
Spread Sheet- Lotus Spread sheets
Word Processor - Word Star 4
Database - Fox Pro & DBase 4+
Languages - C, BASIC
Anti Virus - MSAV
DiskDrive - 5 1/4 Floppy Drives

This was the system I had and continue to have (of course its packed) as an antique since 1992 with a bundle of 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 inch floppies. The software which is stored in it is specific to that system and none of todays software runs on the system. I wanted to add some bit of interactivity to the system and install Windows 3.11 which used to run as a front end for DOS, but decided against it as it was too resource hungry for my system.The system then costed my dad a little over 30K rupees without monitor and printer (dot matrix).
All my initial days I learned and played on this system. I was envied by adults and kids alike. I was able to speak a language which many where not even aware off. My first computer was operational to the fullest till 1999. After 7 years it was replaced, I moved to adapt a non intel processor.
I got an AMD K6 in later 1999 (Pic - my cousin - with L&T Dotmatrix printer and K6 on Viewsonic). The system had 128MB RAM, with Windows 98 and 20 GB HDD and 400 Mhz (20 times faster than my older 286)with a 15" Viewsonic Monitor. I used this system during my engineering till 2004. This is system which provided me my first multimedia expereince and internet expereince. Those were the early days of internet and it was costly to have an internet connection. I remeber using various dial-up connection and due to my high internet usage at times our telephone bills used to run up quite high. My primary dial-up those days were Dish-net connection and occassional a Tata Nova. I used to borrow accounts to meet my craze those days. During my early days of internet I was hugely into intenet contests. Quite popular and an addict I was for Contests2win, Hungama.com and occasional MTV contests. I at one stage used to get gifts and memorobila on an weekly basis from these sites (mostly Hungama). Loved collecting points for playing contests and redeeming the same for some cheeky gifts. Approximate count of gifts I collected run in excess of 200 items.
Next I got an AMD Athlon 1800. It was a 1.6 Ghz processor with 384 MB RAM. I got it assembled at Parklane, Secunderabad before carrying it all the way to IIM-K. Incidently I ran Windows 95 on this system.This system I used for 2 years while I was in Kozhikode between 2004 and 2006, and later dumped it at K before returning back to Hyderabad in March 2006. Post which I continue to use my bro's AMD Athlon and my bro's Dell Inspiron laptop which he got it from US.
While in Genpact I was using the companies provided Dell Latitude D510 model. I felt this was the most robust and sturdiest of all Desktops and Laptops I ever got to use.
Moving from Hardware to Software I started with BASIC based programming and games like Prince of Persia, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego, Genghis Khan
From Banner Mania, Wolf Pack,Para Trooper, Packman, Test Drive to name a few. As years went by and technology improved I got newer games. I still remeber I used to steal a few bucks from my dad's change and save enough to buy one single game from a small computer shop (PARAS Computers) on the road connecting Mozamjahi Market and Koti. Each floppy game costed 20/- then. Much for privacy of today :).
Initial utilitis like Banner Mania and Paint pro were fun to work and impress the guests who came in. I also remeber we used some Basic based application to generate Astrology charts. It was so much fun those old days, for uniqueness is definetly something to cherish.
Today as I blog this I am amazed at the journey I made from 1992 to 2009. 17 Years is time taken, I have moved from a 80286 to a P4 mobile processor, from floppies to SD Micros, from PC Games to Playstation, from B&W monitors to 32" LCD's from beep speakers to 5.1 DTS Home theatre from a small selffocus cam to a Compact DigiCam . From Bannermania to Photoshop; from DOS to Windows Mobile; from PacMan to NFS; from text to HDDVD authoring, I feel I have come offage in technology. It's not that I thrive on getting the latest Gizmos, but addition happens automatically; If that technological tranformation is not happening am afraid to say that one is Technophobic and Cilliterate.
Yes there might be circles who differ on amount of adaption technology in daily life, lets not debate it today. Technology is part of parcel of modern day's life.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Shivaratri - Importance & Lingashatakam

Shivaratri unlike many other traditional Hindu festivals doesn't reflect celebrations or fun or new clothes or sweets or well-wishes. One hardly see's a one getting up early and bathing to wear new clothes on this day. The festival may be a bit unpopular because of these mentioned aspects. But Shivratri has upteen religious importance and spiritual austerity attached which the larger population are unaware. And for the ignorant they believe its the birthdate of Shiva which is untrue.
Shivratri festival falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight(a night before amavasya) in the month of Phalgun which pleases Lord Shiva the most. This has been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.
It is said that if a devotee performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day he/she attains moksha breaking the birth-rebirth cycle.
On this day after having the having a dip in a holy river, one proceeds to Shivabhishekam or the Ritual Bath of Shiva Lingam.
Lord Shiva is worshiped in a special form of Lingam called ‘Lingodabhavamurti or Jyotirlingam.’
Lord Shiva the ParamAtma or the supreme soul is considered to have no form, and endless energy. Shiva manifests in form of Lingam; in the form of fire which has neither a beginning nor an end. It must be noted here that ‘linga’ only means ‘sign.’ And it is merely an attempt to capture the formless of the almighty. It's believed that the first appearance of Jyotirlingam (Somnath) signifies the importance of this day.
As per Shiva Purana one have to use six items for the same.
  • Bathing of Shivalinga with water, milk and honey and Sandal/ bel leaves added to it, represents purification of the soul.
  • The Ashes paste applied on the linga after the ritual bath represents virtue.
  • Offering of fruits symbolizes longevity and gratification of desires.
  • Burning of incense sticks yields wealth.
  • The lighting of the lamp symbolizes attainment of knowledge.
  • Offering of betel leaves marks satisfaction with worldly pleasures.
Devotees take up Upvas (fast) & Jagran on this day.
UpVaas - Is formed by culmination of two words. Up means closer and Vaas means adobe of God. It means being closer to the Supreme Spiritual form, in a state where one forgoes all the earthly body needs including thirst and hunger. One should strive to get close to the supreme self by concentrating on achieving this closeness and discovering the divinity in ourselves. One by not having even a drop of water one in denying the body of all its urges and attempts to divert our concentration and meditative state focussed on the Paramatman.
Jagran - Is is the awakening of the soul to the resonate onself to the frequency of the Supreme soul. One's endevour should be to connect to the almighty and fill ourself with divinity on this day and all days to continue.
All-Night Shiva WorshipWorship of Lord Shiva continues all through the night on Shivaratri Festival. Devotees stay awake all night and spend the night in Shiva temples in worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of Om Namah Shivay, the mantra that is said free people from all their sins, continue through the night on Shivaratri.
The Lingashatkam is culmination of Eight Slokas. And it's believed that whoever recites these eight slokas, in praise of the Shivalinga with the presence of Lord Shiva, with outmost sense of devotion attains that Supreme abode of Shiva and enjoys everlasting bliss with Him
Text One
Brahma Muraari Suraarchita Lingam Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka LingamTat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.
Text Two
Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingamkaamadaham Karunaakara Lingam Raavana darpa Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is the destroyer of desires, which the Devatas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which destroyed Raavana's pride.
Text Three
Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam Buddhi Vivardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vanditha Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is smeared with variety of perfumes and fragrances, which incremental elevates the wisdom and enkindles the light of discrimination, and before which the Siddhas and Suras(demi-Gods) and Asuras(Demons) prostrate.
Text Four
Kanaka Mahaamani Bhushitha Lingam Phanipathi Veshtitha Shobhitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, the destroyer of Daksha Prajapathi's sacrifice, which is decorated with Gold and precious jewels and which is coiled by a sparkling glow emiting from Serpent Lord, Naga.
Text Five
Kumkuma Chandana Lepitha Lingampankaja Haara Sushobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal paste, which is decorated with garland of lotuses and which wipes out all accumulated sins.
Text Six
Devaganaarchitha Sevitha Lingam Bhaavair Bhakti Bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara koti prabhakara Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is worshipped by all of Gods with devotion and outmost faith and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.
Text Seven
Ashta Dalopari Veshtitha Lingam Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam
Ashta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which stands on the eight petalled Lotus and which is the creator of all and destroyer of eight types of misery & poverty.
Text Eight
Suraguru Suravara Pujitha Lingam Suravana Pushpa Sadaarchitha Lingam
Paraatparam Paramatmaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Soul, worshipped by all Suras and their king (Indra), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.
Text Nine
Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow,
Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe.
Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,Would in the end reach the world of Shiva, And keep him company.
I hope people get to believe in the Supreme Soul (Parmatma) and connect self to Supreme Energy and in this process are enlighted.

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