Sunday, January 22, 2023

Chennai Poets’ Circle conducts Annual Seminar and Launch of the Anthology ‘Efflorescence 2022’ at T. Nagar TAG Auditorium- 22 Jan 2023

 After three years Chennai Poets’ Circle had their annual seminar at T Nagar on a Sunday morning  22 Jan 2023.   

Chennai Poet Circle is a 25-year-old organization with members all over India and abroad and its annual seminar is an event for its high-profile speakers and professional conduct of the event and comraderies the members share, a close-knit relationship they cherish. This year it was held on 22.1.2023 in its annual seminar at TAG Auditorium, Ramakrishna Mission School at T.Nagar, Chennai.

 The annual anthology 'Efflorescence 2022' consisting of poems from 103 poets and 9 young poets are included in this collection. It was a mind-blowing experience to listen to the young poets, as young as 7 years old and definitely Poetry is safe in their hands.  

Dr. V. Rajagopalan, retd HOD of English department Madras Christian College was the chief guest avd addressed the gathering with his scintillating speech. Paper presentations by Saranya Francis and Vishnupriya started the poetry session.

 Famous poets Pankajam Kollareth poem’ The Fire of Passion’, Umasree Raghunath’s ‘Shakthi’ are also included in the anthology. Hema Ravi,  the curator / editor of the anthology Efflorescence 22, and all editorial advisors did a great job and were present at the occasion








Friday, January 20, 2023

#KnowYourCity, #KnowYourChennai- Magnificent Churches of Chennai City - Part- 3 - Little Mount National Shrine & St.Thomas Cave, Little Mount,, Chennai

 Little Mount National Shrine (Chinnamalai)

  1. According to legend, St. Thomas, a disciple of Christ, lived out the remainder of his days in a rocky cave, known as Little Mount (Chinnamalai).
  2. Today, Little Mount is home to a Portuguese church dating back to 1551, as well as a small altar to St. Thomas and a palm print believed to be left by Thomas himself as he fled.
  3. This historical place has been made sacred by the presence of St. Thomas, the Apostle. He was the first missionary, a direct witness of Jesus, who handed over the Christian faith in the first century.
  4. Little Mount is a cave in which St. Thomas hid in AD 68 and did penance. There is an opening to the east of the cave through which St. Thomas escaped when his pursuers caught up with him here. 
  5. The palm print and hand print near the tunnel’s entrance are believed to be those of St. Thomas himself. 
  6. We will also see the masonry cross cut at the top of the hill which is believed to be the cross before which St. Thomas prayed.   
  7. Another interesting aspect of this cave is the spring inside the hill which is perennial and is supposed to be the miraculous creation of the St. Thomas himself
  8. The cave at Little Mount is a treasured memory of St. Thomas, as it offered him a silent and serene space to reenergise himself in prayer and meditation to preach to the people and to baptise them.
  9. An impression of the apostle’s own hand, the bleeding cross, the perpetual spring and the right foot impression of St. Thomas evoke revered memories of his presence at Little Mount, who exclaimed in profound faith: “My Lord and My God!”
  10. He was stabbed to death and martyred at St. Thomas Mount. He was buried at Santhome, where the magnificent cathedral now stands.
Faith:  Roman Catholic,  Timings : 6 am - 8 pm Location:  
Little Mount, before Saidapet Court
https://littlemountshrine.org/























Thursday, January 19, 2023

#KnowYourCity, #KnowYourChennai- Magnificent Churches of Chennai City - Part- 2 - Luz Church, Mylapore, Chennai

  1.  Commonly referred to as the ‘Church of Our Lady of Light,’ the Luz Church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1516. 
  2. Though it was renovated under the British rule, the architecture that we see at present has typical Portuguese designs. 
  3. According to folklore, when Portuguese sailors were once caught in the rough sea, they saw a bright white light that guided them to the shore. 
  4. Later, a church was constructed at the same place after a few years.
  5. Besides the main altar, which is the key attraction of the church, the structure has beautiful patterns of Baroque ornamentation and Gothic arches. 
  6. The gilt-carved wooden reredos cover the entire wall behind the altar and look beautiful.
  7. Every year, on the 15th of August, a grand mass and car procession is organized to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Light
  8. Location: Mylapore, Chennai
  9. Timings: 08:00 am – 11:00 am, 01:00 pm – 05:00 pm (All days of the week)
  10. Denomination/Affiliation: Roman Catholic











Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Chennai International Book Fair 2023- A annual ritual of visit to the world of books

Pics says it all.   Missed the Notion Press stall this year in the book fair, or probably, I missed being at the right stall.  Enjoyed Queer Publishing Stall,  been to Emerald Publishers owner by my friend Nalini Olivannan and Went in search of Sixth Sense Publications and happy to find the Chennai Bloggers club book - "After the floods'' which had 21 authors writing the anthology and happy being one amongst them.  It feels good to find your book amidst millions of the books in the Book fair !!!



First time the LGBTQ community found a voice at the International Book Fair,  The Queer Publishing stall was quite a big turn for inclusivity in the society.  It makes me feel proud of our Constitution for providing equal rights to all human beings in India.  I know the struggle these trans sisters had on the first couple of days of the book fair, but glad they won their way and finally are able to make few sales for the books through the stall





Felt happy meeting Perivavallavan's mother at the fair and appreciated her for the longest legal battle she fought and won for her son.   I am no one to comment on a judicial proceeding and aftermath long judicial custodies of those involved in a former Prime Minister's assassination.  



But the resilience of the mother, to single handedly fight, run behind court rooms and hearing after hearing., fighting for appeals, went for Presidential Plea and knocked the doors of every politician in search of justice for her son.  The mother showed utmost belief in justice, waited almost 30 long years, amidst long struggle for justice, managing the household, losses and unsurmountable hurdles her way.   

People were amazed to her will and courage, wisdom to understand complex IPC sections to support their case.  She did not hesitate to travel the length and breadth of the country seeking justice.   She left behind her typical shyness, and wore a sleeve of grit and determination with single motive to set her son free before she dies.  She walked thousands of miles and joined every call with the voices of justice,  and she emerged as victorious as any other woman in the history pages of India.  

Jai Ho, to the mothers of this Nation who take on courage as the only weapon as they fight the battles of life.    Jai Ho, to the mothers, who inspite of their own pain, withstand the turbulences to protect their children and families..  Jai Ho to the mothers, all around the world, who keep the wellbeing of the family first than themselves.   Jai Ho every mother,...to my grandmother who raised me, my mother who taught me,  my sisters who mothered me with wisdom and support,  to my daughter, who mothers me with the generational gap knowledge and mother in me who craves to provide love to all around.   Jai Ho Maa Darthi....Jai Ho Mother Earth!!!!  

Thanks to my better half who ensures we visit the book fair every year!!!

It was also so nice to Giri Traders stall having Pooniyan Selvan in English translated by Ms. Sumeetha Manikandan.  



Enjoy Reading..Paper back is the best!!!  Authors, keep writing...The Mighty Pen is powerful than the sword!!!

A Journey of Corporate Woman to Entrepreneur - 4th Edition of "Chat with Umasree Raghunath" in JAIMAA Times 17 Jan 2023

 #jaimaaTimes #umasreeraghunath

Talking to one super woman every week for sure is keeping me highly motivated.
JAIMAA Times weekly edition carries 4th edition of "Chat with Umasree Raghunath" with Niraimathi, Executive Director of Zyvana Integrated Services...
women around do not stop surprising and felt so good connecting with her discussing Entrepreneur challenges and more so when they move in from the l

ucrative corporate career!... With Bala Chandar

Monday, January 16, 2023

#BookReview : The Powerful, The Powerless by Shiva Dhuli

 


The Book -  “The Powerful, The Powerless”  indicates the larger divide in the society between haves and have-nots.   This fictional novel contains characters which are seen around us in daily lives.   The characters those represent the top layer of politicians and corrupted system  and the downtrodden who are suppressed and kept suppressed always by the society for no fault of theirs.  

The Poor remains Poorer, and The Rich becomes Richer.     The darker side of our thinking is clearly brought out in the novel, which is for serious readers and deep thinkers.  The power struggle politicians who use powerless underprivileged lot for their own benefits is clearly brought out in the novel.  

Not many writers can weave this story brining in the harsh realities of life.   This fiction is not for fun reading but for people who have thinking about the hard lives around us, show empathy and try to be good at least within our levels of control.

Summary of the Story.

The story starts in the hospital beds of two people waiting for their time to get the organs for transplantation and ending up talking about the story of the person who seems to be powerful at beginning but of the most powerless background.  They pray for miracles in life.   The main characters Bharat and the Government man Kanskumars is introduced to us from here.  Bharat starts narrating his story to Pasupathi in the hospital ward, about his story, struggle, losses, and everything that can be sad in one’s life. 

The transition of a destitute boy, abused in childhood, traumatised as a teen, and transforms into a well-educated professor is the picture we get from the story of Bharat.   How a politician can destroy the world of a commoner for his greed and political upliftment, how the love world of this young man shatters with murders, kidnaps, and killings.   Eventually how he gets framed for a  murder someone else does and murder is made to look like a suicide.    The repeated scenarios that show the pathetic circumstances that evolve around the protagonist, and despite of all the odds, spends time with hope and revival  in life.   Shiva Dhuli weaves this tragic situation around us, and we can find many Kanskumars and Bharaths around us!!

Circle of connecting dots

1.      Political incorrectness with all its corruption, greed, and heartlessness

2.     The great divide between the working class, labourers and politically and financially rich is portrayed in dept.

3.     The story strongly supports the title of the book

4.     Journalist tragedies, erasing of judicial evidence and portrayal of the characters wrongdoing is clearly brought out.

5.     How government and opposition, always try to rub on the mud slings on each other and trying to dispose of each other convenient for their political vendetta.  

6.     It is not just the powerless, but also the struggle of the powerful to remain at power.    They represent lack of justice, spreading of hatred and evil around us

7.     To me, personally, the story has a gripping view of the society and some chapters felt dragging and the reader would love to have a speed in the story.  However, for this kind of a serious subject, you can introduce all characters at once and rush into the sequential events.

8.     Shiva Dhuli, clearly brings out the uncertainty and continuous suffering of the downtrodden and how society in general, ensure that the poor remain poorer.    There is no known mystery but an unending misery that is deeply conveyed

9.     This novel showcases the realities in life, which we fail to acknowledge around us

10.  Final say:   good novel to read.  To think.  To redeem few things around us if we can.     Fortunately, to a reader who is sensitive it will hit straight in their head for some deep thinking.   Unfortunately for readers who do not like serious stuff, this book can be lengthy and not to the speed.   But be prepared to unwind with the unfortunate power struggle, powerlessness, and nothing in our power to control anything powerful around us. 

I brought the novel from Amazon India .   Good work Shiva Dhuli.  More power to your pen!!!

Sunday, January 15, 2023

#Food Blogger #Food Review : Bhale Bhale food and hospitality at BANGHRA - Punjabi Restaurant near Mayajaal ECR Road, Chennai

After a sumptuous meal in the afternoon - celebrating PONGAL Festival at home, we as a family wanted to drive down in the famous ECR road, visit a temple and then have dinner outside.  

The crowds at ECR Chinmaya Mission Matsya Narayana temple, was too much and there was no parking possible anywhere near by.   So we decided to drive further down to Sri Jaganatha Puri temple opposite to Mayajaal crossing the Reddikupam fish market (Ofcourse, we did buy the fish coming back home)...and then when it was time for dinner, our young adults were sure that we go to 'Bhangra'... especially after seeing the 4.9/5 rating in the Google ((google uncle never tells lies))   

The restaurant was  overflowing when we visited, and we had a waiting time of around 20 mins and then got a table for 8 of us.   The menu card itself was tempting with so many options and authentic punjabi kanna...we went ahead ordering 3 big Thali's  - 2 non veg and 1 veg, and the Thali can be shared by 2 or 3 people easily.   The brocolli cream tandori starter was mouth-watering and finely cooked.  The corn stuffed starter was equally good, and crispy outside and creamy and softer inside with right blend of spices.   The papad and masala chutneys was equally good.    Then came the Soups, salad, 3 starters, naan, roti, pulov rice and a whole bunch of gravies including Mutton, Chicken, Egg curries and with the kheer and traditional lassi.   The veg side was equally appealing with aloo-mutter, rajma, finely made dal tadka,  dal  makhani and nice tomoto soup.  

It was great meeting the owner Navtej bhai,  who ensured every customer is attended aptly, he took time to come and speak to us if we would need anything else,  suggesting us dishes and ensuring we had a good time.   Finally we felt the experience truly enriching and definetly the restuarant is worth the raving ratings it is receiving.    Honestly we could not finish everything we ordered, for the quantities were also higher than what we expected.  No wasting of food, and the staff was courteous to ensure we get the food packed to take home on the extra orders we made.   

If you are driving down in the ECR, stop by Bhangra and you would surely not be disappointed.   For a rich spread of both veg and non-veg, your taste buds will be surely tickling long after you leave the place too.    If you have a group of food lovers, I am sure this place provides the best dining experience.     Bhale Bhale Bhangra!!!   Punjabi's are known for their hospitality and love in serving food and you will surely experience this at Bhangra.