Getting over being 39 iiiiissssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Starting September 2016,  I would be closed being called as in late 30's....winding up the glorious 39isssshhhhh and stepping into the 40 Club.    

Not many would believe that I am turning 40 just this year. Yes.  My experiences made me look aged than what actually I am.   I don't shy away from those facts of life, that stirred me like a lemon in a drink in hand during a promenade,  squeezed me like a  sugar cane till the last drop of syrup from my pulp and those moments that built my jigsaw puzzles of life and those tears that shyly mingled with the romantic smiles that life threw at me...along with its beauty and evilness.

Honestly, I achieved nothing.  I have a whole big life ahead of me.  What I did so far will reflect in the years that going to come by.   I haven't taken care of my physical health...it  may resound loud and nosily in the coming years.   Mental wellness was often hindered by the stress,  the welcoming willingness of multi tasking and trying to do as if I am a Maa Kali..with multiple hands and heads to manage so many things at a time.   Often forgetting the fact that one thing at a time is worth a dime.      Spiritual enlightenment had its moments of vacuum where I had nothing to think, or waves of wisdom overflowing like a turbulent Tsunami...killing me in silence and storms overtaking each other.  Hope the 40 club wisdom gives me enough strength to handle this ups and downs....don't call me bipolar.  It is just the way I am made.  Naturally unnatural!

 

Loved traveling so much and enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and going to places I have not been before.  I made friends and also foes as well, if not in equal numbers.   I don't regret having trusted people blindly or having hated few equally.   The acceptance of mistakes bring you a peace within.   It is not for anyone else...but to your own self!

I am so blessed with family who stood by me all the years of tragedy, trauma,  bad health, struggles and dire poverty as well...equally they enjoyed my successes, happy moments, achievements and wonderful memories.   I was also equally blessed with people who are not such a great blessing in this life but unfortunately called 'close' relations...I am better off being away from those who disturb my peace.  I don't mind making absolute strangers who turned wonderful friends and abundant well-wishers as part of my life, my family and my future.

Today I have wonderful  mentors who are shaping me up more than I can imagine.   Keeping me level headed, understanding my strengths and weaknesses and above all, keeping up the right focus and right thoughts to stay strong, stay wild with aspirations and not sleeping over my dreams.    If God would bless me with few more years in this life, it would certainly be to continue the giving back which we started in life.    

I have not asked God to give me what I have today and will not regret what ever he takes back.   For I came into this world with nothing..and going to go back empty handed.    What probably I would like to make the best of this journey is few good memories and leave few foot prints where at-least a few would want to walk on.....

'Ethai kondu vandthom, ethai kondu selllaaaaa.....'

Movie Review : Dharma Durai (2016 Film) - Absolute delight of the beauty of rural India. Must watch film :-)

When there is no hype in advertisement, you don't really expect a houseful of audience for a normal movie that too for a noon show on a 10th day of its release.  But this assumption proved wrong for 'Dharma Durai'.   Before I proceed with my analysis, I loved few comments from my husband who hardly expresses his opinions.   As we came out of the theater, he said that he is very happy that we saw a very beautiful movie after long time.   He also said that he want to see the same in big screen once again.   This reaction from audience is what makes a movie successful. 

Dharma Durai is a simple story with a gripping story line and amazing characters who portrayed the emotions with ease.  The beauty of this film is that a dusky hero carries it wholly with the story line with strong acting skills.  Another amazing beauty is that the female roles did fabulous job.  It is quite heartening to see women getting equal attention and screen space these days in Tamil movies instead of being used only as 'just there for songs and dances'...these women portray substance and go deep into their characters.

Radhika Sarathkumar is a classic example of how a veteran actor can transition herself into any character given to her.  She does it with charm, depth and absolute delight to watch her.  She reminded me of Manorama amma in few scenes.   As a mother in the movie, she does a brilliant balance to the character.   Those who have been seeing her since ages and off late on small screen would love to see the best of her acting in Dharma Durai once again.   

Vijay Sethupathi needs no mention.  He is not only the hero of the story but also the way he takes it with ease and perfection.  Simple looks, strong emotions, beautiful dialogue delivery,  very right body language conveys that we have an excellent actor here to stay in the Tamil movie industry.   Keep going Vijay....we audience love to watch you again and again.

Tamanah often criticized being non-expressive, does a delightful acting in this movie.  She shows a great maturity in her role, got a wonderful style and carries herself with poise and beauty.  The scenes where she zooms across the village roads on her bike makes us want to see the picturesque again and again.   She brings life to the screen even in the serious of situations in the movie.

Aishwarya Rajesh once again proves that she is a perfect actress in making.  As Anbuselvi, you will fall in love with her acting and character in the movie.  She does it with such an ease that you can be sure that she has a long way to go in Tamil Cinema.   Probably she will take on other roles than being down to earth village type of roles where she already proved her acting in the highest order.  There is a mesmerizing beauty in her eyes and a charm which glows along with her acting.  

Srusti Dange does a decent job as a college student falling in love, believing in her friend to come home to discuss on marriage with her father and with a smile that is so broad and contending.  Way to go girl.

Every other character, including the brothers, sister and sister in law of Dharma,  Anbu selvi's father,  Profession Dr Kamaraj  (done by Rajesh)  and friend Gopal (Ganja Karupu )  give their best acting.  Rajesh's calm demeanour reminds us of his wonderful movie 'Andha Elzu Natkal'... Madhuvanthi Arun as the police officer also fits in for the role.  The little girl who acted as Dharma's niece also makes you love in fall with her character.

The BGM by Yuvan Shankar Raja is very lovely and the songs are so soothing with the village backdrop and the greenery that makes you fall in love with your country side again and again. M.Sukumar as Cinematographer gives us the best scenes reminding us of KB Sir's movie.  Variamuthu lyrics especially in Andipati song is very good.  Wonderful movie from Director Seenu Ramaswamy and this combination with Vijay Sethupathi worked once again and the product is a beautiful movie to the audience

I haven't gone into the story plot as there is a detailed description in wikipedia already on the same.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_Durai_%282016_film%29

My Rating would be :  4/5

Three Cheers to:

1.  Gripping story line and ease of characters

2.   Beautiful pictuarization

3.   Vijay Sethupathi and lovely social messages on need for medical support in rural villages,  stop dowry and abortions,

What could have been done better

1.  Editing

2.  Lip synchronization of dialogues in few places

3.  Could have not shown too much of alcoholism on the screen

Bottonline:   Please watch this movie in the big screen and enjoy the movie 

#DharmaDurai   #Moviereview   #2016TamilCinema

Round Table Discussion on: “The Recent Amendment of Maternity Act – Benefits and Challenges”

Round Table Discussion on:

“The Recent Amendment of Maternity Act – Benefits and Challenges”

5pm to 7pm, on Tuesday, 30th August 2016, Chennai

Organised by Empowering Women in IT (eWIT)

at  

Seminar Hall,

Computer Society of India

CIT Campus, 4th Cross Road, Taramani, Chennai - 600 113

(Situated in the opposite lane to Indira Nagar MRTS Railway Station,

about 100 meters away from Dr Dharmambal Government Women’s Polytechnic (WPT)

& Opposite to Film Institute & Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology)

Introduction:

The union government is set to increase the maternity leave for women employed in private firms from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks.. Following the Cabinet approving the amendment made to the Maternity Benefit Act, which aims to raise maternity leave for women from 12 to 26 weeks, the Rajya Sabha has passed the amendment on Thursday.

While it is almost welcoming news for working women there is also apprehension that a longer maternity leave may prompt companies to think twice to hire young women employees. Let us hear from the experts on the Benefits & Challenges on the recent changes of Maternity Act. Come, let us discuss, debate and find ways in which we get the best benefits and at the same time protect the interest of the companies thereby ensuring that the Gender parity is not affected in the work place.

Come and listen from experts!

Program

5:00pm – 5:30pm – Tea & Networking

5:30pm – 5:50pm – Welcome & Introduction

5:40pm – 6:40pm – Discussion

6:40pm – 6:50pm – Q&A

6:50pm – 7:00pm – Summation

Registration 
We request you to take advantage of this workshop by attending and/or nominating officials from your organization for this program.  You are requested to kindly confirm your participation and the nomination(s) from your organization through email to admin@ewit.co.in.  Pre Registration is a must.
*It is a Free session for eWIT members and partner organizations. 
*Registration fee of Rs.500/- will be charged for non-members. Non-member women can also become individual member by paying Rs.500/- (annual membership fee) to attend the sesson.
For any queries, please contact Tel: 044 – 42120706.
Registrations would be on a ‘first come first served’ basis hence we request you to send in your registration at the earliest.  
We look forward to your confirmation. 

Moment of Marriage...Shyness Unfurled! #TinyTales

Experimenting with the creation of tiny tales.....the first one talks about 'First meeting of the Bride and the Bridgegroom'-  Pellichoopulu.

Tiny Tale2 - talks about a boyish woman entering into a marriage and unfolding the feminine character of shyness as she experiences the first touch of her man after marriage.

@Written by Umasree Raghunath

@Written by Umasree Raghunath

Review: Stage Creations drama : Neeya Naana by Kathadi Ramamurthy and S L Naanu & team

Chennai beautifully presents in its fold, a variety of talents and entertainment to its people.  As long as you know how you can keep yourself enjoying taking the best of both worlds…the traditional, conservative and cultural flavor or the modern, contemporary and fashionable fiesta.    In this pursuit of happiness, we love watching theatre and encouraging the art and talent.  We strongly believe that the stage is the lap of Goddess Sarawathi, Mother of Knowledge.  

 

We were very happy to watch Stage Creations recent play,  Neeya Naana, story written and scripted by S L Naanu.   We were happy to see the hall filled with rasikas at Tag Dakshinamurthy hall on 7 Aug 2016, Sunday.   The day coincided with the inaugural event of Stage Creations 50^th Anniversary celebrations and unveiling of the logo and the website by none other than another veteran Crazy Mohan sir.  

The play by the group of theatre Jambavan (Veteran Artist) Sri Kathadi Ramamurthy Sir.   Neeya Naana had a touching theme that dominates the social fabric of today …especially touching the ordinary middle class families and the live wires of joint family system with on and off the same today.   The play takes you through ordinary regular day to day circumstances, and tickles you with simple charms of a family that is dominated by insecurities, anxieties and disappointment on expectations.   Humour takes it realm without even trying to work hard and we can see the roars of laughter and claps from the happy audience.  

The ease with which the cast has performed shows the efforts that went into the recital sessions.  It is not easy to do a family comedy genre and its success is highly attributed to the fact that Ramamurty sir plays with his ease and glory even at this age of 80 years.   The play has a strong family story line and the much deeper comedy sense makes it successful.  

The story starts with the marriage of Sivaraman’s second son’s wedding and post which he keeps insisting that his son and daughter-in-law to go and live separately fearing the separation at the later stage in life.  Given the experience with his eldest son Vignesh and daughter in law and the way they were pulled to court for the property creates a havoc in the mind of the elder Sivaraman.   The story goes around how the new daughter-in-law proves not only to be smart, but also very caring and understanding and fills in the vacuum in their lives.  The bet between them for an year and how the things unfold during this period is rest of the story.  

The play is directed and written by S L Naanu.   Produced by Bobby and Jhonny, who are physically no more in this world, but glad they remain ever alive in the stage as they get their placeholder in the cast and crew list of the drama.  Kudos to the team for this sense of gratitude and humility.

Probably one of the best comedy plays this year and undoubtedly will fetch few awards for their cast.   The comedic timing about Kathadi sir shows his experience with ease.  Lavanya Venugopal and Geetha as daughter in law and wife of Sivaraman did an amazing job.  I am only proud that Lavanya happens to be my friend in Inner Wheel as well.   SBI Murali as Dr Mani and Srinivasan as Google Search Giri and Naanu himself as Madhu did a fabulous job.  

Being in the theater arena, the sets by Saidai kumar comes as no surprise.  Simple and elegant and make up of artists are also to the point.   Lights, music and back stage coordination were at its best.   Subbu’s music added a beautiful flavor to the comedy nature of the play and kept it as required without being too jarring or inconsistent.  

The jokes especially when Sivaraman completes his cataract surgery makes you laugh out loud.  The moments where Google search gets into play are really funny.  Overall it was a friendship day treat.    It was worth the 2 hours spent to watch and real stress buster.  Anyone who enjoys theater and especially comedy and wanting a 100% entertainment should go to watch this play on stage.

I would give this show 4/5 rating …Truly entertaining.

An Ode to my true love!

If the end of ecstasy is pain,

why do I need it?

If the end of awesome togetherness 

is going afar, 

why that togetherness?

If there is pain, 

at the end of happiness,

which is immense,

there is no need of such happiness!

When I don't have you when I need,

there is no need of me for you true!

so much of thoughts!

so many issues!

so many priorities!!

so many pressures!!!

so many people!!!!

But.....It's one YOU who matters!

An ode to my true love!