'Our' Music

The word Margazhi does ring a bell to most of us and we tend to associate it with Carnatic music. This music festival draws much global attention and brands Chennai as the hub of Carnatic music which is a matter of great pride. Thousands of fans fly across borders to witness the biggest music festival of the country; yet, many locals are caught oblivious. The first step to enlighten the unaware would be to shatter all the misconceptions that surround Carnatic music.

Devotional music and Carnatic music differ from each other. Devotional music involves singing in praise of god. In Carnatic music, while there are songs with references to various Hindu gods, there are a large number of songs without such references. Hence, the association of 'sacred' or 'spiritual' with Carnatic music is not direct. In fact, most Varnams (songs usually sung in the beginning of a concert and seen as 'warm up' songs) have erotic meanings which is surprising because we learn most of these songs as kids.

It is common notion that Carnatic music, or any other classical art form for that matter, is not modern. If modern means aping the west (as many of us seem to intrinsically conceive it), the notion is right. However, the truth remains that this art form has evolved with time (notably even since I started learning it) and is completely 'modern' when seen from an unbiased perspective. Those who disagree would be surprised when they come to know about the likes of Mr. T M Krishna and many other current day musicians. 

The listenership of Carnatic music isn't highly limited as many seem to believe. To get tickets for concerts of top musicians is as hard as getting a ticket for Lingaa on the day of its release. For a typical evening concert featuring top performers, the crowd in most known sabhas is overwhelming, each time. Listeners who fail to get proper seats find their place on the stage surrounding the performers or on the stairs. 

Carnatic music isn't restricted to the grey haired. There are hundreds of performing artists, as young as 6 or 7 years old; so are there a number of young listeners. The art form is far from lost and is in safe hands at least for the next couple of decades. It is true that a number of rasikas (fans, followers) are senior citizens and this gives them a better 'cultural definiton' which our generation lacks. (Much of today's mainstream Carnatic music evolved in the late 1700s and 1800s, and it is amazing how it is meticulously representative of its time and the geniuses that lived then. Music as a representation of time and culture is almost absent now. Apart from digitalization, today's music wouldn't have much to boast about in retrospect.) 

Performances are highly demanding in multiple aspects. While theoretical knowledge does help, it is experience that gives the real wisdom. There are a lot of intricacies involved, most of which would be incomprehensible on paper. However, this knowledge is also highly essential and this is learnt mostly practically.

Fusion music isn't representative of classical music, even in parts. As Mr. T M Krishna, pointed out, it is more often than not 'confusion' that results and there are only a few fusion songs that have stayed true to the forms they intend to fuse. Adding a drums section and guitar chords to a classical song becomes a little too convenient, doesn't it?

We must hold this form of art in high regard. Much of development has to do with taking pride in one's own. We must keep our minds and ears open to Carnatic music. This is truly 'our music' and could go on to bring back our long lost cultural identity.

mo.ti.va.tion

What is motivation? Where do we look for it? Is it the love for something? Is it the passion that drives you? Is it something that is meant to happen naturally? Or do we go in search of motivation? Okay, back to what is motivation? This is what Meriamm-Webster Dictionary had to say.

                                        

There are three considerably different definitions that we get as results. This makes it clear that the word “motivation” cannot be taken for granted like it most often is. Most of us come across the word repeatedly, but from my observation, very few of us actually come across motivation itself. While the word ‘motivation’ makes me tear my hair out, I recall my math teacher at IIT class who spoke about “sustained motivation”. I barely found motivation in his math and he was talking about sustaining it! How could have I?

My Physics teacher at the same coaching centre was very particular about defining terms before using them. He wouldn’t use a word as ‘simple’ as gravity (it isn’t as simple as we think it is, he stressed) without explaining what it meant, using the words he had defined previously. Obviously, he assumed we knew Basic English to define the very first term (displacement origin, I think) and reasonably so. As a result, I enjoyed attending his classes more and I like to think that I loved the subject.

The ideas that my Physics teacher gave me are so strong in my mind that it disturbs me when people describe something that is supposed to make an impact with terms that are taken for granted and commonly misunderstood – motivation being one among the first few. Each time anyone blames me for lack of motivation, I start contemplating on what I’m missing out and assume to have drawn conclusions based on the thoughts, though, in reality, I’m lost and end up with someone making me “feel better”.

However, I will consider that I have made a few reasonable conclusions based on those thoughts. Though one may question the use of the word ‘conclusion’, I have realized that it is hard to provide proof to justify statements triggered by experience. Okay, you may question the next statement which is another conclusion too. The conclusion being – confusion arises out of poor understanding or in other words ‘lack of a clear definition’.

Many of us find it hard to stay motivated through our journey of achieving a specific task or in particular, long time goals. Many of us find ourselves stranded mid-way missing the passion (Merriam-Webster: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something) that got us to take it up (or did it?) in the first place. If it was real motivation that we began with, why did we lose it mid-way? Have we got it all wrong? Motivation is a very personal thing. It isn’t induced as easily as claimed. Motivational talks keep our spirits high for a few days or say, weeks. Real motivation only comes from within. I always think most achievers have felt motivation from within, however, they talk about it like it needs to be addressed externally in their talks.

The real fuss about motivation for an engineering student comes when she/he to choose her/his field of interest for pursuit. ‘How do we find the area of interest?’ is one of the most common questions one would come across among sophomores pursuing engineering. I think there is a reason behind why we, Indian students find it hard to make such decisions with firmness. The reason to me, has to do with the students’ schooling days which are when she/he builds her/his character. The ability to think and make firm decisions must be nurtured from childhood. Remember those questions you had in math class that you ignored because you knew how to write the solution on paper? Remember you hardly questioned what the science teacher taught you and accepted them as facts? Remember you chose the science stream in 11^th grade because you didn't have much else to choose from, neither did you know what really interested you or what you were good at? Remember you chose to study engineering for similar reasons?

What needs to be ‘defined’ or taught is how to think and decide (for ourselves) and not what lies ahead itself. That way, we would have better thinkers and innovators rather than human machines carrying out tasks in mechanical routine. We wouldn't require anyone to show us the safest route to settlement our lives. We would tread it by ourselves as we follow what we love from the beginning. What would have motivation meant then? We wouldn't have needed a definition; we would have just had it intrinsically.

Kaaviya Thalaivan Music Review

A R Rahman is back with Kaaviya Thalaivan. Apparently, the subject impressed him so much that he turned down a Hollywood offer Seventh Son to compose for the Vasanthabalan film.
This album by Rahman stands out for various reasons which are discussed here. ARR goes back to experimental music after the commercial success of the music for Kochadaiiyaan.

The album consists of 7 seven songs penned by Na.Muthukumar, Pa.Vijay and Valee.

The album opens with Vaanga Makka Vaanga. The song might remind some of Kumari from Anniyan, based on the same raga. Rahman has a found a new favourite in Haricharan and he sings the classical verses with ease. Lyrically, the song is an invitation to people to attend the plays organised by the protagonist's drama troupe. The tavil, ghanjeera, and mridangam in the rhythm section blend brilliantly and are switched between verses. The song ends beautifully and feels like an apt beginning to an album that surprises in each song.

Rahman introduces the retro theme of the album in the second song, Aye Mr. Minor. Saasha Tripathi sounds a lot like Swetha Menon in her Tamil debut. The song gets the listener interested right away with its catchy intro. Haricharan delivers deftly once again especially in the verse "Ennai unakku rasiganaaga maathara!". The use of bongos is responsible for the retro feel of the song. The tune isn't unfamiliar but the treatment makes this song a compelling listen. Thumbs up!

How often does a song begin with the sound of a horse neigh? Sanda Kuthirai is sung by Haricharan once again. The song is for a funny drama as suggested by the sounds. This rock 'n' roll MSV-esque song on the lines of "Vishwanathan Velai Vendum" is delivered with full energy by Haricharan and is meant to be enjoyed more when coupled with the visuals. The tune incorporates the lyrics brilliantly towards the end. Each word is assigned a different note and kudos to the singer once again for pulling it off. To come up with a tune such as this, given the constraints offered by the subject, is quite a feat. Thumbs up!

After two experimental songs, the album returns to more familiar territory. The retro theme remains in Yaarumilla, sung by Swetha Mohan. The song was released as a single and impressed listeners right away. Swetha Mohan's voice is modern and sweet at the same time. Srinivas delivers a small portion in this romantic number. The interlude after the second paragraph is reminiscent of the one in Mannipaaya. The higher portions of the song are rendered with deftness and impresses throughout, though the tune is familiar in parts. Typical Rahman at his best. Thumbs up!

Sollividu Sollividu is the peace song you might have read about in the newspapers. The song depicts pain and the protagonist's frustration over war. Mukesh is splendid when he sings the phrase "Yaen ambai yenga vaithai." The until then powerful song changes track halfway. "Ulagame yuddham edharku?"  - an appeal is made to the listener. The second half loosely based on the Charukeshi raga is high on emotion. Mukesh expresses the meaning of the song delightfully. This song might just make you tear eyed. My pick of the album. Thumbs up!

Thirupugazh by yesteryear playback singer Vani Jayaram is the next song. This interesting adaptation that runs just for a little more than two minutes leaves us longing for more. Vani Jayaram's voice is sweet and the arrangement is simple and neat.

If you thought the experimentation in the album was done, you are in for another surprise. Alli Arjuna has a runtime of over ten minutes! The song is presumably the entire background score when the troupe stages the Alli Arjuna play in the movie. The song begins with the nadaswaram - tavil combination and goes Vandanam welcoming the audience to the play. Percussion shifts to mridangam and a flute interlude follows introducing us to the first scene in the play. Haricharan does the honours again and he is not going to get an opportunity like this ever again. Energetic beats follow and the song follows the next part of the play. We are taken through the play in the song scene by scene in similar fashion and the transitions fall in place seamlessly. This song is going to be new experience to every listener! Thumbs up!

This is one of those movies that had to go to Rahman's table for the music. The subject of the movie offers many constraints right from the lyrics to the instruments used. As Rahman mentioned in an interview, it was a challenge for him. He succeeds and very easily so. Haricharan gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is also one of the very few albums that does not feature Rahman, the singer.
Rahman explores and exploits South Indian music to give a perfect representation of its variety and expression. The album will stand out for its very nature. A big thumbs up!

The Missing Pencil

I was trying to replicate a very complicated diagram in my sketch book with the only pencil I could find. The diagram was an intricate arrangement of straight lines. My fingers played the pencil game and dropped the pencil on the floor, like it had to happen just when I was trying to employ all my thinking cells. I erased the mark it had just caused and looked for the pencil. It was nowhere to be seen. I looked again, closer, in frustration. I was holding the pencil a moment ago when it was under my eyes and then, it disappeared.

I looked for it around, first in places where it probably could have fallen - under the cot, on the bed, in the pillow covers, in the gaps of the chair or just still in my hand and later..in the cupboard, in the refrigerator, in the restroom. I realised I had gotten too carried away and I had to look closer in my room. All my efforts ended in vain. 

I came up with a few theories later, about the mystery of the missing pencil.

1. The pencil could have shattered into microscopic pieces that are are not visible to the human eye and these pieces could have been scattered by the wind. 

2. The pencil could have been stolen by a thief who carried out the theft, literally, at the blink of an eye. 

3. It could have bounced off the floor, fallen through the window, into the swimming pool in which case it would have been impossible to find it even with the best search team.

4. It could have disappeared due to the presence of supernatural elements.

Just as my pencil went missing, the TV channels told me that an aircraft had gone missing over the oceans. Is that even possible? - all of us thought. Turns out it is!

In an age where technology surpasses human imagination and surprises with each innovation, goes an aircraft missing with no signals left behind, with no emergency calls, with no trace. The aircraft had (or still has) 239 passengers on board with five Indians, doesn't matter, 239 people. 

True, it is undemanding to make statements about the failure of the rescue operations from the comfort of my living room, but such is what the hype about technology sets in the mind. "Is this all your technology can do?", when pointed at the rescue teams is a very difficult question to answer however. Imagine your parent asking you, "You can't fix the tube light and you call yourself an engineer?". 

Agreed, no more blaming the ones looking for the aircraft. But the question still remains as unsettling as ever "Where is the flight?". I told my mother, "I just dropped the pencil. Where could it be!".

If the internet makes the world seem small, the case of the missing MH370 shows its immensity - something as big as an aircraft could get lost in this world. However, some wild theories from the members of  "The world is definitely small" group include an alien hijack and they hope the Curiosity Rover would find it on Mars one day. Another theory says that the hijacked plane could return piloted by terrorists for a 9/11 kind of attack in India. However, the expertise required for such an attack in India is immense, for there is no building as tall as the WTC and the hijacked plane would most probably fly freely over the tallest building in vain, no matter how much the pilot tries to lower the flight.

Most people are however still left wondering, "Something is fishy.." because there are loopholes in the issue visible even to a common man like me - Two passengers in the aircraft were reportedly carrying fake passports. How could this become news after the flight went missing and not before?

None of what we watch or listen might be true, this might be the biggest conspiracy of all time.

Theories aren't convincing, they only confound more because the fact remains that the flight is missing and the reason for 239 people missing remains unknown. 26 countries have come together to look for the missing flight. My search team included my mother, my sister, the maid and a friend who looked for the pencil upon my persuasion. The pencil is missing and they don't care about it anymore just like we have forgotten about the missing flight. 

#19

Everybody at the resort admired Mr.Daniel. Having worked in many resorts across the country, he currently works at Goa. "I love Goa more than any other place, I've decided to stay here.", he told me. His workplace is at the entrance of the resort, he always sticks around there, either standing by the side or sitting on the stairs. I loved his job for the simplicity of its description, the objective was to put a smile on the customer's face. Mr. Daniel seemed to love his job, he was a natural.

"Welcome to your resort..na na na na. Have a good holiday.." <smiles>, he sung, every time a new holidaymaker arrived. Everyone greeted him with a smile, he smiled back and removed his hat. He knew a handful of popular Hindi songs and jingles for the kids. Sometimes, people gathered around him to listen to him at the entrance. He played on the guitar and a mouth organ fitted to it, whilst singing. He sang in perfect harmony with his instruments, he kept to the simple songs.

Our trip had drawn to a close. As we walked into the reception before checking out of the hotel, I noticed Mr.Daniel at his usual place by the stairs at the entrance, smiling as always. He was playing a mellifluous piece on his mouth organ.
"Hello! I like your music. Can I take a picture with you?", I waked up to him and asked. He approved gladly in response. 

We were having a conversation as my father was settling bills. The man was pleasantly surprised to know I learn music. He had worked in many resorts previously, he had mentioned. He knew many languages, each to an extent that wouldn't make him a lawyer but would help him get his bread or converse with the neighbour. "I know few songs in Tamil. I learnt them when I worked at Kodaikanal. Do you know songs from the movie Saamy?" He asked me and hummed the tune of a song.

I knew the kuthu song from the movie that wouldn't be soothing to the arriving holidaymaker's ears. Some prefer to let the holiday mood grow on them, not pound themselves right away. A few people gathered around as we begun. What followed was a funny rendition of a kuthu song, like it was a romantic song, with the guitars and the organs. The 'lady with the white bag' probably thought it was the toughest song to sing ever, she looked amused when she asked me how I managed to sing in a single breath. I hadn't, but I decided to savour the moment.
Mr.Daniel realised he knew another popular song, Poovukul olindirukkum from the movie Jeans. I didn't know the song very well, we decided to hum the tune and went "na na na..na na na".
The 'lady with the white bag', along with her family was all set to leave the resort, her taxi had just arrived. She waved at goodbye at Mr.Daniel and the kids helped her put her bags in the taxi.

The taxi drivers of the resort were a union, there was no room for bargain and it wasn't easy to argue with them either, there is always the fear when you are away from home. As Mr.Daniel and I continued, a few unpleasant exchanges were heard, we stopped and watched. A fight had cropped up between the 'lady with the white bag' and the taxi driver. He was against including an extra passenger in his car. The smiles that Mr. Daniel had put turned into angry glowers and the situation got out of control at the entrance. More people watched but none dared to intervene, they were a union. The lady's husband took to the driver and held him by his shirt as he uttered even more impolite words. Both of them were at fault by then. The driver was the opposite of what Mr. Daniel was, he put on a hostile demeanor and was a traveller's horror. The lady's husband shouted the cliched "Do you know who you are talking to? Don't you dare raise your voice against me!" The words had disturbed the sleeping dogs in the driver, he showed even more of his ugly side.

The fight grew. Mr Daniel looked at me and said with a smile, "Ah.. do you see? That is a clash of egos right there. The man wants to show his power and the driver isn't going to accept his fault. This is going to last longer, let's continue.. na na na..na na na", he continued even as the fight lasted. The people present at the scene had the privilege of listening to a very unique combination of impolite words and the soothing tune of an A R Rahman song.
The taxi driver unloaded the bags and left a few minutes later. The fight ended and we got onto our taxi as I waved goodbye to Mr.Daniel. Another family had arrived by then.
"Welcome to your resort..na na na na. Have a good holiday..", Mr.Daniel carried on.

The Sunday Dilemma

It was a hot Sunday and the crowd at the juice shop only kept increasing. The men found it hard to serve at the rate of arriving customers. They had run out of glasses, leaving many frustrated under the blazing sun. The relentless honking in the background wasn't pleasing to the ears. The traffic signal and the policemen were on a break. The sight showed the best of how bad the traffic could get in the city.
I had a good look at the state of things before I decided to give in to my thirst and buy a glass of orange juice. Earlier that day, I was contemplating over weighing options in life and here was a chance to apply it in real life. I expected the juice to compensate for the displeasure of waiting for it. I ordered and looked around whilst waiting.
Two women, one, an old lady and the other, the mother of a toddler sat on the pavement right opposite the juice shop. They looked like tramps. The women implored every person that arrived at the juice shop for money. The woman with the toddler asked me.

They rekindled a question I've never found a convincing answer to. "Is it right to accede to a beggar's request?". On one side, giving money would mean encouraging them to continue doing the same and not try to make a living by working. On the other side, it would be inhumane to ignore a beggar who looks in dire need of what the she/he is asking for. All of us have encountered mild cases of hunger and we can guess the pain. What if the beggar's claim of not having had a meal in days is true?
Here was my second opportunity to weigh options and act. I liked weighing options, it helped me get rid of the temporary low moments of indecision but it didn't really resolve the conflict of interests.
As I weighed options, I looked at the baby. The baby had a shaven head with boils all over it. The baby was chewing a sheet of paper lying by the road and the mother didn't seem to bother. It clearly seemed only humanitarian to give them alms.
But, it was the sight of the baby that disturbed me most. Money wasn't the way to help the baby, I decided to get a bottle of juice for the baby. It seemed more apt.

At the juice shop, juice is served in glasses. I felt unsure about returning the glass after giving it to the baby. There was a supermarket three buildings away where I could get bottled juices. I quickly finished my glass of orange juice and concluded that it did not compensate for the displeasure of waiting for it. Weighing options meant choosing to be safe, or more aptly, trying the luck, I realised.

As I finished my juice, the woman got up, along with the baby on her shoulders started walking from the juice shop. I quickly walked past them and into the supermarket. I decided I would give them the bottle of juice even if they had walked past the shop. I picked a bottle of mango juice and stood in queue at the billing counter. I was only the next, but the cash tray wouldn't open and the lady before me stood waiting. I don't think Murphy's law works better in anyone else's life. Everything seems to fall in place from his perspective. Billing the bottle of juice took more time than waiting for the juice at the juice shop. I walked out of the supermarket and the woman with the baby was nowhere in vicinity. I paced through the street, much in vain. The woman and the baby had gone. It was one of those days for me, when everything went wrong. The idea of weighing options wasn't working for me on its very first day.

The old woman didn't leave, yet, though. I walked back to the juice shop and she sat in the same position, constantly asking its customers for charity (?). I offered her the bottle of juice and she took it with not much show of any emotion. I walked away immediately and watched her from the other side of the road. Watching the woman drink the juice would have been a mollifying feeling for me. I kept an eye on the woman as she pulled a gunny bang from beneath the pavement. She put the bottle of juice in the bag and continued pleading for alms.

I realised the bottle of juice made not much difference. The woman stored it in her bag and was probably going to sell it elsewhere.

If she was in such a bad state, wouldn't she drink the juice? Was the toddler a tool to deceive people such as me? Questions arose. 

Is it right to accede to a beggar's request on humanitarian grounds or not do so to let them realize they could work to make a living? I still don't know. I'm going to stick to weighing options then and there for now.

Kochadaiiyaan Music Review

After months of rescheduling, the album of 'photorealistic-performance captured'-Rajini-starrer Kochadaiiyaan is out. The movie has been in the news ever since it was announced for its cast and magnum opus production. Starring Superstar Rajinikanth and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles, the movie has an all-star cast. Each person working on the movie has a mutually exclusive fan base of his/hers, making this movie BIG in every sense.

The second biggest mutually exclusive fan base is that of A R Rahman's. His previous album Mariyaan was well received. However, the music for the movie was thematic. With Kochadaiyaan, Rahman returns to commercial cinema music, after a hiatus, much to the delight of his fans. 

The album consists of nine tracks - seven penned by veteran lyricist Vairmuthu, one by Vaalee and one, instumental.

Most of us are familiar with the opening track of the album. Enge Pogutho Vaanam is the mandatory SPB sung-heavily-orchestrated-introduction song for our Superstar hero. The line "Ellai Unakku Illai Thalaivaa" describes what the song is about. The song gives a magnificent reception to its hero with its heavy orchestration, especially the brass section, with the trumpets and trombones. SPB gives a powerful rendition of a song that carries the pressure of describing its hero's glory.   

The second song of the album is Methuvaagathaan, sung by SPB and Sadhana Sargam, which begins with a riff very similar to the one from Maahi Ve. The non-experimental approach to the album is evident right from the beginning. Say, you wouldn't find a romantic song as slow paced and simple as Innum Konjam Neram in a Rajini starrer. The vocal chords lend grandeur to this song. The Veena interludes sit beautifully in the beginning. Sadhana's voice, is as fresh as ever and a delight to listen to. SPB renders mellifluously. The mridangam rhythm track is beautifully synced into the song. Thumbs up! 

Maatram Ondrudhaan Maaradhadhu. Were you waiting for a goosebumps moment? "Ethirigalai ozhikka mothal vazhi...mannippu", Rajinikanth begins, giving way to the orchestra - there it is, a whistle moment! Haricharan takes over proceedings with energy, his voice screams it. The song is well orchestrated and the chorus lines make it grand. Lyrically, it is a conversation between Rajini and his fan-listener, as she/he listens to Rajini's advice. The song ends with jathi by Umashankar. Hoots will make this song un-hearable in the theatre. Thumbs up!

Manapennin Sathiyam and Manamaganini Sathiyam sung by Latha Rajinikanth (yes, surprise!) and Haricharan respectively, share the same tune. Haricharan's unique nasal voice has made him a favourite. The female rendition is impressive too. Lyirically, the song(s) is/are a promise made by the lead actors to each other. The Ghanjeera beats and Nadhaswaram interludes add beauty to this soothing track. The song, with its familiar classical tune stays true to its roots - the slow pace and simplicity, all through. Likable, right away.
(Update : I've listened to the Hindi version of the same song sung by Karthik. The composer uses Shenai in place of Nadaswaram in this version for the Hindi audience. Such detail. Hats off.)

The next song in the album is Idhayam. Sung by Chinmayee and Srinivas, it takes off energetically post the deftly rendered recitation by Chinmayee, especially the lines nagarndhu nagarndhu..poguthey. Srinivas's voice reminds one of Minsara Poove. The song is high on emotion and points at the pain of the lead pair in the movie. It is not catchy and soothing to the ear right away, but it is a Rahman song. Thumbs up? Time will tell. 

Engal Kochadaiiyaan worships its hero as the title suggests. The song sounds like it signifies Rajini's rise against the antagonist post interval. Rendered by an ensemble named after the title, the song/score when coupled with visuals of a fierce Rajinikanth, could be a treat on screen. It is almost as though Rahman had to use a choir in every song to glorify the larger than life hero. But the glorification is what we want, don't we? Powerful!

Rana's Dream, with its western orchestral arrangement feels like a Hollywood movie score. Based on Enge Pogutho Vaanam, the track is an inspiring and pleasant listen. The track describes the hero's ambition and justifies its title aptly. The track is soothing to the ear and leaves behind its emotion in the mind. We don't get to hear such tracks in Tamil movies. Thumbs up!

Karma Veeran, rendered by A R Rahman and sister A R Reihana is the signature Rahman-sung motivational song. If the rest of the album glorifies its hero, this song, to me, glorifies the Karma Veeran, its composer. He renders with elan and carries the larger-than-life theme till the end. The deja vu factor is undeniable, the tune bears resemblance to Nenje Yezhu. However, "Kaatre kaatre nee thoonguvadhe illai", you're sure to be left humming. 

The album lives upto expectations easily. Five out of eight tracks are impressive and the rest adding to the list on repeated hearings is known fact. The album is sure to please fans and they wouldn't be left feeling a void till the composer releases his next album.

In conversation - The GG vs The Lord's

They call you the wisest ever cricketer to have played in the Gopalapuram Corporation Ground in Chennai. How would you rate your experience of playing in one of the city's most crowded grounds?

Have you seen me bat?

Um..no but I've heard you're arguably the best batsman.

Why do you think I've not taken to the bigger arena? It is not because I can't, it is because I don't want to. Even if I were to play at the Lord's in London, I would rate the experience below the one at GG. Oh yes, that's how we call it. I think that says it all.

Yes, that does say it all Mr.<beep>. So, what is it about the ground that makes you rate it above The Lord's which is the one of the world's most treasured stadiums? 

The GG doesn't offer the materialistic luxury that The Lord's does. It might not be as pleasing to the eye, but what sets it apart is the connection every person who has played in the GG, for a "considerable" amount of time feels. My connection with the ground goes back to my school days, when we were allowed at the ground for our Physical Training periods. There was no training, we had all the freedom and the feeling was unbeatable even under the blazing sun at 12 noon in the month of April.

What do you remember from your first few days at the ground?

Um..I was in my sixth grade and we were a bunch of twenty odd students dressed in white shirts neatly tucked into white shorts wearing white canvas shoes. After a couple of hours, we were a bunch of twenty odd ragamuffins dressed in brown shirts neatly tucked into brown shorts wearing brown canvas shoes. We would run to the centre pitch, the most prestigious pitch but (sadly) the only one in a ground that was twice as big as the Chepauk stadium, then. We didn't always get to play at the centre pitch. There is one peculiar feature of the pitches in the GG, which I will get to in a while. When the centre pitch was occupied by the Annas, there was no choice left for us, we had to take to that part of the ground that had the most even surface. We had earned our right to play at the centre pitch by the time we were in the eighth grade, we were Annas to a couple of batches of students.

You describe your connection with the ground.. but that does not explain why you or anyone else for that matter would rate it above the Lord's.

The Lord's is rated the best, (among?) among the stadiums recognised by the ICC, which means it has never been officially compared with the GG. The GG is more than just a ground.. itit.. it has taught me important values in life.

Sir, with all due respect, what you say does not make sense. What can a ground possibly teach you about life? Why isn't the ground recognised by the ICC?

The answers to these questions are related. To answer the first question, in short, I learnt the art of sharing from GG. These are values that parents try to ingrain in their kids but don't always succeed. GG taught me what my parents couldn't.
Next time you visit GG, choose one match, preferably one among the five that take place simultaneously in the basketball court and observe closely. You will notice you are actually watching two matches and not one. Two ends of the pitch are used for two different matches in GG which is the unique feature as I previously mentioned. In other words, the pitch is shared. The bowlers' run-ups are not affected that way and the space available is more effectively utilised. There are two bowlers at any instant to bowl on the same pitch. While one bowls, the other one covers his run-up. That taught me discipline and the importance of being on time. If you are not in track of the ball rate, you will have to wait for the other bowler to complete his next ball.
While the conventional game consists of two players on the pitch at any instant, at the GG, there are four and the situation is never out of control. Crowd needn't necessarily mean chaos, I learnt. Every minute I spent at the GG made me a better person.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (that lays down the rules of the game) doesn't make room for the pitch-sharing concept and culture followed at the GG cannot be changed due to its ever increasing crowd. I mean, these are effective solutions to the problem of our growing population on some levels.

Impressive Mr.<beep>. Very impressive, indeed. It is amazing how much the ground or the GG, I should say, could teach you.

<Nods his head>

How has the GG changed over the past few years? Say, from the time you've been associated with it.

A lot. The centre pitch doesn't exist anymore. The basketball court is the big main pitch where five of the most important matches take place parallelly, or I should say 10, in an ideal case of 100% pitch-sharing. We are the new Annas and that means we get to shoo away the kids. There are the new running tracks whose lines act as permanently fixed boundaries for cricket players like us. The basketball matches don't happen anymore, their court is our pitch. We are considering renaming the ground, The GCG, The Gopalapuram Cricket Ground.

That was an insightful conversation for me and the readers who are going to get to know about this underrated marvel of the city Mr.<beep>. I wish you the best of luck in convincing the ICC about the greatness of the pitch-sharing concept that not only utilises space more effectively but also addresses broader issues such as the increasing population.
Thank you, Mr.<beep>. 

The pleasure is mine. <Smiles>.

This interview does not exist and the reason for the beep is unknown.