Monday, 4 March 2013

THE REAL JOY!


A gorgeous pink kameez, decorated with glittering spangles,
And a graceful flowery salwar with embroidered fringes,
Were the spectacular gift from my parents so dear,
For Diwali, the King of festivals, ushering joy and cheer!

Our house was dressed up like a Christmas tree,
The twinkling chandeliers, for the eyes, a treat!
The shimmering walls decked up with golden tassles,
Smiled so proudly at the peeping red and white roses!

My heart fluttered with enthusiasm overflowing,
Friends and relatives will join us for merry-making;
A splash of fire works with sweets and savories so delicious,
Make Diwali delightful and memories so precious!

The grand day dawned, and sparklers zoomed high;
Friends stood spellbound heaving a sigh;
Marvelling at my dress that shone so bright!
And rejoicing until dusk with joy and delight!!

Famished and scantily dressed, with eyes so wide,
There stood a boy, fixing his gaze at the fireworks beside!
When I filled his hands with delicacies and sparklers,
His eyes glowed with the light of million diamonds!

Every nerve of mine cherished the love of giving,
When I watched him dance with happiness so genuine!
This is REAL JOY! I muttered in wonder!
Nothing in the world can equal this splendour!

HEALTH: USES OF TAMARIND!


                           USES OF TAMARIND


One of the most widely distributed spices across the world , it is referred to as the Indian Date by many due to it's date like appearance. What makes it special is the acquired taste one needs to have to appreciate its unique tangy feel.

Though tamarind is known to be a slow - growing plant, the tree reaches a massive stature under favourable conditions and lives for ages and the foliage leaves remain evergreen too.

South Indian cooking includes tamarind in most of the prime dishes like,different types of sambar,  various tamarind rasams, chutneys and also summer cool drinks. Various home made recipes include this ingredient.

Medicinal properties of Tamarind:

The pulp of the tamarind fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins, for instance - calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and is also a good source of niacin for that matter. The pulp of this tropical fruit is considered to be very effective for facilitating the digestion process. Tamarind provides remedy for biliousness and bile disorders, cures inflammations, soothes the sore throat with regular gargling, and makes one recover from alcoholic intoxication, to mention a few uses.

Tamarind leaves and flowers can be dried and boiled to treat swollen joints, sprains and boils. Based on its antiseptic properties, there are lotions and extracts made from the pulp of the tamarind, as home remedy to cure conjunctivitis. The fruit extracts are aslo useful in treatments of dysentery, jaundice, erysipelas, haemorrhoids and many such ailments. The pulp is believed to heal the senses and restore the patients suffering from paralysis.

Tamarind pulp can be heated with coconut oil, to come to a boil, filtered and applied to the hair. With constant use, the colour of the hair turns darker and the roots of the hair become stronger.

To make energy balls, extract a cup of thick pulp of tamarind by grinding the tamarind fruit, mix the pulp with equal amount of jaggery, and a pinch of salt. Take a thick plastic sheet, pour one tablespoon of this paste on the sheet, flatten it and make it to dry in the hot sun.Make several vadas out of the pulp. Dry them and store in a tin. The sweet and sour pancakes, when consumed give you a lot of instant energy when you feel exhausted.We can also add a tablespoon of rice flour to thicken the content, before making into vadas.

A refreshing Tamarind Sherbat is made thus:

One small raw mango.
Few pieces of ginger.
Two tablespoon of tamarind pulp.
Two teaspoon of lemon juice.
One teaspoon of ground roasted black pepper powder.
One teaspoon of ground roasted jeera seed powder.
One teaspoon of ground roasted cumin seed powder.
One tablespoon mint leaf paste.
Few curry leaves.
Few coriander leaves.
Few spoons of jaggery.
Salt according to taste.
Four glasses of water.

How to mix:

Shred the raw mango into small pieces. Grind the mango pieces with ginger, curry leaves and coriander leaves.

Boil the tamarind pulp with a cup of water to get rid of the raw smell. Cool the mixture.

Mix the rest of the ingredients and blend all the ingredients and pastes in a blender with the rest of the water for the uniform spread of the taste.

Can add ice cubes for the fly high spirit.

The exclusive soft drink cools your tensed nerves and provides instant relaxation.

This juice is an excellent alternative to the synthetic juices that are sold at shops.

RAINBOW IS ALSO A SHINEBOW!


Brilliance saturated with hues of tinted colors, transforms the prism like rainbow,
Into rays of prismatic, violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red tinges of flushing shinebow!
The inharmonious discordant veins, that turn our faces pale and ashen, in micro-seconds,
Can bring back the pearly laughter, the orange sunshine in our hearts and blood red cheeks, the moment we absorb the gorgeous colors, with no pretense!

Violet is flashy, violet is flamboyant, violet is delicate and violet is florid!
A bunch of violets, ushers in magnificence, and parade in our hearts with magnanimity and ease,
To erase the muddy black and white thoughts, that had plucked away our happiness to make us torrid!
Comrades of laughing violets form a convoy for peace and contentment!
Hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm,they bring windfalls of reconciliation,to color wash the loopholes in our agitated minds, with nuggets of nourishment!
VIOLET IS HARMONY! VIOLET IS SYMPHONY!

Indigo is illuminating, indigo is picturesque, indigo is unsophisticated and indigo is classic!
We need not wear, the overthrown, downcast and depressed looks! Because in elevating our spirits, indigo is fantastic!
The charm of this color, brings back our ebullient moods to gain our lost ground and turn a new leaf!
Unsettled minds go demented and are pushed to the ragged end! The incurable grief!
An interaction with the warmth and exuberance of this hue, can give us the taste of holding all the trumps, once out of expanse!
Tiding over time, to reach our goals, will bring back the laughter in us! The unruffled halcyon indigo days will return in ascendance!
INDIGO IS PROSPEROUS! INDIGO IS VICTORIOUS!

Blue is pure, blue is authentic, blue is intense, blue is charismatic!
Prussian blue, deep blue, sky blue or royal blue, the coolness in them,
Is man-at-arms with the seething cauldrons in our inner self, the result is systematic!
When we are jeopardized with black thoughts, like a whirlpool,the custodians of vivacious blue fluffy clouds,
Land upon as cushions, on our aching heads! Tranquility returns in leaps and bounds!
Like a bolt from the blue, we see the brighter side of life, and raise our spirits without any doubt!
The flourishing waves of the fathomless blue sea, have tucked in them, myriad joys in high and low!
We take home only the mirth, from the laughing waves, giving back our pensive moods to the dark blue ocean,
Which stands unchanged in harmony with the light blue sky, showing a bold front, always with a glow!
BLUE IS PROFUNDITY! BLUE IS MAGNANIMITY!

Green is goodness, green is vitality, green is wholesome, green is recovery!
A million stars twinkling at us,whisper in our ears that greenery is a great discovery!
When we are fine as a feather and pink as a rose, then we are surrounded by tall trees and  flower studded bushes to boast!
Plant a sapling,and take care of its thirst and hunger! We have our heart in the right place! The bounteous plush green shrub, will give us mental comfort utmost!
The novelty of the youth and the mushrooming evergreen innovations of the young, are the unbeaten slices of restoration!
For the tired and depressed nerves of the old and demented; Patch up with green for the healing renovation!
We breathe a sigh of relief under the swaying breeze of the tender branches, that keep extending their several hands, for a soothing solace!
The balmy consolation is a bed of roses, that set our minds at rest; Making ourselves at home, the solace allow us to speak only peace!!
GREEN IS GRATIFICATION! GREEN IS PACIFICATION!

Yellow is diverse, yellow is immaculate, yellow is outstanding, yellow is unsurpassed!
Lemon yellow, daffodils yellow, lion-hearted yellow and the golden yellow! You will be amazed!
They dance and droll, gallop and cakewalk, to bring the amusement and merry making, in place of weariness and pain!
Distress is dark and suppression join hands to push us to a cul-de-sac!Aggression is the outcome of the chain!
The fascination and enticement of the setting sun, enocurage us to take our stand on our high esteem and indomitable spirit!
It is high time that we set our hearts upon steadfaast resolutions, come hell or high water, be it!
A potion of yellow nectar, blended with drops of fine lime is a corrective relief for the absence of extra grids!
YELLOW IS JUBILANT! YELLOW IS TRIUMPHANT!

Orange and Red blend the artistry in our minds to form a neat combination of sprightly ideas ahead!
Colours are the hues of human nature that mellows, springs, darts and rejuvenates all through the life, untired, undeterred!
Let us welcome the RAINBOW, into our lives, and pop up our spirits to enter the tunnels with the joy of a child and emerge to the sunshine, happy and blessed!









My Daughter!


My daughter is my genuine possession,
Whom I cling to my heart with appreciation!
She is a phantom of delight,
When she gleams upon my sight;
A lovely apparition sent to be
My lifelong ornament!!
A valley of fragrance that enlivens my
"Still nothing is lost" temperament;
Her smile melts my worries and fears,
Gone with the wind are the tears.
She has grown up to be a charming lady,
Understanding, caring and prudent;
But I still engross myself in the quaint deeds,
That she had indulged,
When she was too young and independent.
Those are the feelings which I keep cherishing,
And value them more than the KOHINOOR DIAMOND!


ARRIVAL OF THE BABY!


ARRIVAL OF THE BABY
HOME IS TRANSFORMED INTO A MENAGERIE WITH A KALEIDOSCOPIC GARDEN!!

The young mother to be looks more pretty and vivacious than she was a bride on her wedding day. Pregnancy is the period, when a woman prepares mentally, to withdraw herself from the state of being pampered and comforted, to the new phase of pampering, comforting and upbringing her newborn, on her own.

Every nook and corner of the house is arranged, rearranged, decorated, all the almirahs, cupboards and closets filled with baby’s clothes, toys and other innumerable joys. A splash of colours, thrown at all places, makes certain that a rainbow had entered not only in the hearts of the parents, but also in each and every brick of the house.

A surge of new blood rejuvenates the worn out veins of the grand parents, to help their daughters/daughters-in-law, from the moment the baby is out of the mother’s womb. The excitement and fun cross the boundaries, to fill the home with upheavals of laughter!!

Ironically the grand parents chuckle in their minds, through this frenzied scenario. They very well know to have their little bit of sleep now, to prepare themselves for sleepless nights later.

The main and the major factor that the mother has to confront with immediately after childbirth is Breast Feeding. Three psychological factors govern the cycle of motherhood, starting with pregnancy.

Firstly, the mother devotes all attention to the new born. She throws less light on her better half. If both the husband and wife understand that this emotional bondage of the mother towards the infant should be on the upper scale and that the shifting of the attention is only temporary, then the ball is in the mother’s court. When most of the time, she is feeding the baby, the husband can help hr in the household chores, keeping frustrations and depressions at the bay. Still the boat sails on in the absence of elders, or helpers at home.

In the presence of grand parents, physical chores are made easy! Parents of this generation are deft enough to draw a line, for the interference of grand parents and make them understand that they are undoubtedly in want for moral support, in trying circumstances. But politely explain the changing trends in the growth and upbringing of the baby, and the total involvement that the parents should bestow on the infant. Proper communication eradicates all misunderstandings and reduces the gravity of the inflation of one’s ego.

When both the parents share the daily activities concerning the baby, such as changing nappies, bathing etc., the emotional bond between the husband and the wife increases sufficiently, to cross the gruelling situations at ease.

The second psychological phenomenon is the sex of the child.

Male or female, the joy is universal!! Let us regale!!
Little master or little mistress, they vanish all our distress!!
Cosmetics or dresses, an array of colour add splendour, to
Our little princesses!!
Jack-of-all-trades, the smart little princes,
Steal the show with unbeaten grace!!
Gentle as a swan and divine as an angel,
Girls embrace us with fondness and élan!!
The robust boys, naughty and down to earth,
Hug us tight to their bosom counting our ribs!!
We redeem them as very smart guys!!
Both eyes give equal vision to our lives!
Parents and we grandparents rejoice with the kids,
Savouring all the thrills!
Our dear ones cling to our inner selves with ease!!
Beware! Our relationship with the tiny tots should be free of frills!!

Both Lady Charming and Mr. Handsome, look on their parents as a role model, mentor and guide. Bringing up children with ease and poise is no easy task. A spout of mozzarella cheese lifts the taste of pizza to sky high. Likewise, a touch of individuality and a sense of humour, combined with discipline – discipline enclosed not in barbed wires, but bolstered by warmth and affection-these facts add as catalysts for the children to be in stream with the thoughts of their parents.

Proper channelling of ideas and feelings between the parents, before the birth of a newborn, should ensure an amicable and potential relationship, with their wards at all stages of life. If there is any difference of opinion, regarding the sex of the child, then the thought should be ruled out. Educated parents strive hard to get their child, be it a boy or a girl, good education and thereby a happy and contented future.

The third and the most important phenomenon, that a new mother should encounter with is breast-feeding.

Let us view the advantages of breast-feeding that throw a colossal light on the expressions of today’s mother.

Breast milk is ready for the baby when it is out of the womb. No need for any before hand preparations!!

Breast milk is available for the baby at all times of day and night.

Whether the baby is puny or chubby by nature, immature or fully grown, healthy or otherwise, mother’s milk is transformed in such a manner as to fully suit the needs of the baby. Though the truth is miraculous, the doctors prove the fact scientifically worldwide.

Breast-feed enhances the beauty of the mother. Breast-feeding burns the unwanted extra fat and helps the mother to return back to proper shape in no time. There is absolutely no need to go to the gym and work for long hours to shed that extra fat.

Mother’s milk safeguards the health of the baby. Baby is free of any disease. Most important and undisputable is the fact that the baby develops immunisation at a very faster pace. The breast milk is sterile and contains all the ingredients, to prevent any infection, from approaching and attacking the baby.

Mother’s milk is sometimes a Doctor, acts as first aid when necessary, and an all-time Nurse, nurturing the baby with proper proportions of iron, calcium, vitamins and the essential minerals. It is like a huge super market where you get all the commodities at a single haul.

Breast-feed enables the mother to develop healthy food intake before and after pregnancy. The mother becomes conscious that the food she plans for a day contains all the ingredients that augur to the health of the newborn.

  

kozhu kozhu kanre, en per enna?
kanrin thaaye, en per enna?
thaayai meykkum aaya, en per enna?
aayan kai kole, en per enna?
kol irukkum kodi marame, en per enna?
kodi marathil irukkum kokke, en per enna?
kokku vaazhum kulame, en per enna?
kulathil irukkum meene, en per enna?
meen pidikkum valaiya, en per enna?
valaiyan kai chattiye, en per enna?
chatti seyyum kuyava, en per enna?
kuyavan kai manne, en per enna?
mannil vilaiyum pulle, en per enna?
pullai thinnum kudiraiye, en per enna?

this is a story told to kids of 1 year and above while feeding them. once upon a time, a baby fly was born and while it was flying, it forgot its name. (in tamil, the fly is called 'eeeee'.) so, it started asking one by one whoever it comes across while flying, 'what is my name?' first it asks kozhu kozhu kanre, a chubby calf. it replies 'i don't know. ask my mother.' then the fly goes to the mother cow and asks 'what is my name?' the cow replies, 'I don't know. Ask my owner.'. Likewise, for every line the story should be like a question and answer. the child would love to hear this story and finish its food while the story ends simultaneoulsy.

Saturday, 2 March 2013

Marghazhi Vaibhavam Episode 10 Review By Indra


The colleagueship of G. Ramanathan on the Saxophone, Madurai S. balasubramanian and Ambur Padmanabhan, is resourceful, accomplished and very serene to the ears in the early morning! They blend and merge to give a wholesome treat! The skilled, practised hands owe all the pleasure for the viewers!

Jayalakshmi is the most shrewd asset to Vijay TV who knows, to cut one's coat according to one's cloth! Fantastic of her to display subdued and fluent introduction to the episodes, as she used to be very competent in dance shows on the contrary, where she used to be sky-high energetic and flamboyant in her style! The dark green sari with resplendent gold border, and the matching ear drops and a lovely chain of green pearls, added a lot of grace to her fair complexion. The bundle of jasmine flowers is a replica of her traditional attitude, much in favour of this month of Marghazhi! Her introductory lines to each concept is praiseworthy!

Gifted Swamigal Karunagarachariyar, who is very proficient in his ingenios discourses and very efficient in making us laugh for each and every line, chose to connect Sri. Andal with Science, in this title"Muppadhum Thappamal". Foremost, we are able to watch the programmes from home, at any time possible, as we can record the shows and watch leisurely! We can chose the shows of our choice and switch on to them and so on!

Swamigal points out that in the eighteenth pasuram Andal pleads " Nappinnai Nachiyar" to open the door and allow all the "Nonbu noorkum paavais" to have a darshan of the Lord and Goddess Mahalakshmi. The Goddess was playing ball with Krishna and slept off with ball in her hand! Andal sings HER glory, points out that it is already early morning, when cocks crow and the birds chirp, wherein Nappinnai should get down from the bed, and open the door for HER devotees!

Swamigal's reference to Sri. Periyavachchan Pillai(PVP) and His several "Vyakhyanams" based on the teachings and upanyasams of Sri Nampillai, was very descriptive. In His Thiruvaimozhi, Sri. PVP beautifully describes Nappinnai Nachchiyar makes a beautiful tinking sound with Her numerous bangles, while getting up from Her bed, and walk towards the door and opens with Her Lotus Hands! Swamigal humourously signifies, that the Goddess, could have used the switch beside Her bed, to open the door! But to the request of Sri. Andal, She  walks the distance and opens the door for the five lakh devotees! Perumal has the science and technology in Himself! No individual can boast of accomplishing, even a simple task, without His effort  and without the total surrender of our identity to merge with HIM! So many products are derived from milk through various process, which is akin to the truth that Thiruppavai and the Pasurams have a lot of connection with science and technology, because the final saying, "From HIM and unto HIM" is the answer!

In the contaxt "parampariyam" many participants had displayed a visual treat for the eyes and a delicious spread of different prasadams for the Lord Hayagrivar. The dishes made with pure devotion to the Lord, looked mouth watering and tempting!Even strawberry jam was made, indicating the view that Lord Krishna is fond of fruits, and with the idea in mind, that the dish should be made at home and should be liked by the children, the participant had opted to display the delicacy! Thoughtfully a participant made milk sweets as Lord Krishna loves milk and butter! Sweet Pongal, was done and displayed. So any new viewer would understand the traditional dishes made during this month!

Amritha Murali,is a well known artist, who sticks to tradition and had proved to the up coming youngsters, that only practice and practice alone can shape the voice, pattern of singing and imbibe the art from their respectable Gurus! She has a remarkable and immaculate credentials of being the student of the stalwarts, K.R. Kedaranathan and Smt. Meera Kedaranathan, the famed Vidhushis, Rama Ravi for vocal singing and Smt. Rukmini for learning Violin! Presently she is under the tutelage of Sri. P.S. Narayanaswamy!
Amritha Murali had bagged several awards in various Sabhas for both vocal and violin concerts, other than being an erudite in her studies and making her significant mark in the field of academics also!

The Viruththam in Hamsanandhi, proved the fact that she is the emerging positive energy for all the young musicians, and a pot of gold for music lovers, who can be rest assured that Carnatic music is blooming from a sapling to a huge tree with wide horizons  of learning and numerous branches of young talents, who are indeed the connoiseurs of the vast empire that is "Carnatic Music"!


Marghazhi Vaibhavam Episode 9 Review by Indra


Today Jayalakshmi is taking us to Srivilliputhur to hear S. Ramanathan playing"Thoomani madathu" in his saxophone! Jayalakshmi is dressed in a traditional silk sari with Gopuram border! The colour is green combined with a lighter shade, which adds more charm to both the sari and the young lady! Ameer Kalyani is scintillating, as the atmosphere, with people around, singing with the Saxophone! The temple jewels that Jayalakshmi is wearing look traditional and very apt for the Vaibhavam!

From literally translating the meaning of the Pasuram, Sri. U.Ve. Karunagarachariar Swamigal choses a topic of importance from the pasuram, that connects Andal with the Perumal and thereby connecting the viewers with both Perumal and Thayar! " Andalum Thiruvadiyum" signifies the attachment Sri. Andal gives to the FEET of the LORD, more than anything else. She patronizes the Lord in her pasurams, praising HIM as "Paramanadi padi" and "Potramaraiyadiye Potri", meaning we should worship only the Golden FEET of the LORD, as the FEET is passionate, is full of love, consists all the love and affection for HIS devotees and contains the fragrance and softness of the Lotus flower, which will cool our wandering minds and surrender unto HIM!

Swamigal is never at a loss of words, and the speed with which he conveys several thoughts for the single word"Thiruvadi" is simply amazing! The scholar he is, we are fortunate and blessed to imbibe his authentic explanations and follow them with stauch devotion! Andal, as HER name depicts conquering the LORD, conquering us and the whole of the universe, with HER bhakthi and the surpassing love for HIM! In the first pasuram Andal praises the Lord as ""Kar menich Chengan",'Kadir madhiyam pol mughathan" and "Narayanane", describing the beauty and majesty of the LORD! But she emphasizes that we focus our minds and eyes to HIS FEET only, unto where we should surrender and get rid of our sins! Swamigal concludes by wishing us joy and happiness, through the blessings of Andal! " Andal Thiruvadigale Charanam"!

Parampariya Illams(houses) are built of three materials, which are "Aral,sunnambu and kaarai", in Tamil! With very high ceilings and lots of steep steps at the entrance, most of the traditional houses are still strong and looking good! It is a surprise that some houses are two hundred years old, and not built of concrete, but still maintain the majestic look, that the owners of the houses, do not want to make any changes in the construction!


Parampariya games, such as "Pallankuzhi, Dhayakkattai and Pandi" evoke a lot of physical exercise and mental stamina, as the games need a lot of concentration and patience. The children of yester years are hence, strong in physique, smart in thinking and logical in planning! The interaction between each other, while playing the games, mould the minds to be cooperative with each other and learn from one another!

The captivating games and the ship loads of minute details and places of interest, provide us a genuine peep into the past, from where we have emanated! The appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of our Country!

Sangeetha Sivakumar, "The upholder of GNB Bani" is a singer par excellence! The command she has over the swaras and the gamakas is simply astounding! Her voice being soft and mellifluous, with the sweetness of a nectar-filled flower, had been enchanting a huge crowd of viewers for the past twenty years! The experience of singing through her meritorious years had brought her several prestigious accolades and a lot of charismatic attraction among the young and budding artists, to whom she is a super music teacher of aplomb and continued glory! It is no surprise that the senior most, Sri. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, had sat throughout her performance, ten years back, and applauded her for the splendid concert and most important, for the rare special "Padam" in Kambhoji! That is very fortunate of her and a great blessing from the "Great Semmangudi Iyer"!

"Karpooram Narumo" in Kamas took us to another world of bliss and happiness! Sangeetha had delighted us with her seasoned singing. She is still the matchless Rani until now, in the field of Carnatic music!