[PHOTOGRAPHY] Taj Mahal

The lovely second place on Earth that I always dream about wants to visit.. ~Taj Mahal~

New Love... 👯👯👯

In New York now.. Practising for Shiv Tandavam for the opening of International Bharathanatyam conference... This is the second time I'm performing after 2010 conference. Feel so blessed. Shall blog about all my practise session and NYC trip actually. Will do it in two days time. 

Mariyaan

Usually you can't judge a film by it's leading actor but in Dhanush case you can easily say, WOW! After giving a smashing hit in B-Town with Raanjhana, finally we manage to watch him back in our own southie film after more than a year. Dhanush is actually a versatile actor who suits for all kind of character, You can see him as a school boy, then a college boy, lately a good parents boy, lover boy, a sentimental villager, and another character is just like what he did in Aadukalam which earns him too many awards including National award too. And after all a psycho who can kill himself. He always live as the character. And as for Dhanush's Mariyaan is no different. He lives and breathe as the character of an immortal fisherman.

Mariyaan deals with the story of construction fisherman who have a close bond towards the sea, as it is the place where he earns his livelihoods. He calls himself as "Kadal Rasa" which means the "Prince of Ocean". Circumstances surrounding his lady love Parvathy Menon (Panimalar) played a role of a model wife who forces him to go to Sudan.  Her performance makes you stunned. Usually Dhanush movies all known as a One man SHOW. But in Mariyaan, it's different. Parvathy's character turns out to be the strongest one in the end. For the suffering scenes for Dhanush, it's not a new one for him. As he has done many as this before.

Mariyaan means immortal and Director Bharath has shown two immortal things in this movie. One is Mariyaan and another is his love. Marc Koninckx's visuals are poetic and out of this world as he has fully exploited the wide visual canvas that Bharath Bala has offered him.

AR.Rahman has used the tunes of magical in Yenge Pona Raasa and Kadal Raasa Naan, prominently as part of the movie's background score and this will resonate in your heart. His songs for the movie need no further mention but their visual treatments is mostly similar due to the repetitive situations and its surrounding.

Finally Bahrath Bala's Mariyaan is a flaw free but the technical work and performance makes it shine more than we exprected it for. Maybe it's not everyone's cup of tea, but all for sure will love it. Mariyaan is definitely a must watch movie

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India at 67!

This is the very very first year I'm blogging on August 15 and especially on the Independence Day of India. I'm not an Indian citizen, but every Indians from the universe are somehow by root belongs to India. And by that way I consider myself as a Proud Indian who never born in India but loves India so much. Today morning I woke up, ready to rant on about what a proud nation we are. Independent,,, modern,,, and savvy. So why is it then, suddenly I found myself lost in more negative comments from the locals and those who lives abroad. Some call our independence just an "Illusion", while some other question what is the point of our INDEPENDENCE actually? Today is the day where we are supposed to remember the teachings of Gandhi. But what do we really have to remember? That we are independent of a country that ruled over us for years before we finally kicked them out? But over 60 years later, are we really independent? Till date, we hear of stories of the female infanticide, dowry, corruption,  and even caste discrimination. Not really independent from our mentality and thinking.

The word INDEPENDENCE is totally taken for granted. Physical independence was the initial problem. And so through brave hearts like Gandhiji and Nehruji, we drove out the British. That act in itself was a foundation for what we should have followed. However here we are at 66 years later, still reeling in issues that are rather sticky. Ultimately the problem is very simple : Lack of EDUCATION.

There is a huge difference. But it's fair to blame all the above issues on the uneducated?? As an educated Indians, we too have a responsibility towards our country. The first of course is so simple. VOTE. The illiterate don't know the differences between their politicians. They are hungry for anything, and thus they will place their vote in those who provide them with empty promises. Every five years ones a metrovoter chooses not to go out and vote. By that you're actually allowing one more corrupt politician to gain another illiterate vote.

Todays' youth have a responsibility to get involved. it's your country, your future. if you're sick of the system, then get and do something rather than just sitting in your sofa, drinking a cup of chaiy and commenting on the ministers who are filling their pockets. And if you're told you don't know what you're talking about, you're still a kid, et all that jazz, then instead of shrugging and walking away, take a stand. The power of youth shouldn't be underestimated.

Look to say we are not an independent strong nation is totally false. This is one of the reasons we are attacked by terrorists regularly. They fear the pace at which we're progressing. But this is not a reason to back down. In fact, now more than ever, we need to get it together. Now this is the time. Our freedom fighters say, " This is not the India we fought for." It's now time to make it that India.

Jai Hind... I am and will always be a proud Indian.

Rasberry barss..

I love a good dessert bar recipe.. My best friend's mother used to make them all the time during high school days, and now they have become my coffee shop indulgences. Rasberry bars are perfectly salty sweet with a shortbread crust and rich Rasberry jam. The addition of granola and almonds on top gives the perfect amount of texture and crunch... The recipe is pretty simple..

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups flaked coconut, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 jar (12 ounces) raspberry preserves
• 1 cup white baking chips

Direction

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in 1-1/4 cups coconut and the walnuts.
• Press three-fourths of the dough into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Spread with preserves. Sprinkle with chips and remaining coconut. Crumble remaining dough over the top; press lightly.
• Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 3 dozen.

Beja Fry

I've been running around all day... My eyes will cross from the sheer confusion. I expect it. Waiting for it.. My fingers have typed and clicked... My feet have scurried and shuffled... My arms have flailed and swung... My head has twisted and spun... It has rolled off my shoulders and hit the floor... Splattering all over the floor.. Bits of BEJA everywhere.. You can't scoop it back into my head... I have forgotten some pieces.. I have left some behind... Fry some and eat 'em won't you?! Until my thought make you feel sick... Like too much cookie dough... Mushy and soft....

Baby Yaashwiny

My little niece Baby Yaashwiny singing rhymes to her daddy..

[PHOTOGRAPHY] Whitey cub!!

a sweet little rare White Tiger cubby cub.. ♥