Subash's World

Help me identify this bird

2009-07-11T07:38:00.003+05:30

I got it a couple of months ago and it looks rare. My animal and avian enthusiasts next door, Shaukath Ali and Madhu (more on Shaukath later) couldn't identify it too. It has been given to Blue Cross.

I even tried to set it free on the terrace but it wouldn't fly away.

The last of the fusions on Swaralayam on ISS

2009-07-09T09:24:00.003+05:30

Last Friday saw the last of the fusion performances as the judges have switched to talking about popular music directors a new turn on Swaralayam. The best of Swaralayam could easiy compile into a good album.

One contestant who seems to be singing P. Susheela's songs with total ease is Neethu. Here is her first performance on ISS, Season 4.

I know of late my posts have been about ISS only. Time for other posts. Coming soon.

More nice Swaralayam pieces at ISS

2009-07-03T11:28:00.002+05:30

This one was on the first of July.

and this one yesterday, another fine piece with lovely bass arrangements.

and if I am right there's a nice one coming today too.

The top 20 best places to live in the World does not have a single U.S city

2009-07-01T09:15:00.000+05:30

The only cities from North America are the three cities from Canada, namely Ottawa, Toronto (one of my favorite North American cities) and Vancouver (consistently within the top 5). Even last years list did not have it though I remember L.A listed.

The 20 countdown by Forbes, click this link.

My favourite Michael Jackson video

2009-06-27T11:25:00.006+05:30

I think this is also the favourite of many other MJ fans. Who will not forget Michael Jordan, the young dancers, Michael Jackson trying to score baskets, Michael trying to dodge Michael Jordan and the unforgettable, Michael Jackson teaching Michael Jordan to dance. Unfortunately the embed has been disabled on this one on YouTube but here's the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ZGZexsaFo&feature=fvste2

The King is dead

2009-06-26T09:35:00.003+05:30

My enthusiasm to watch the beautiful Mallu song with Suji to day has been dampened by the demise of Michael Jackson.

Growing up in the 80's Michael Jackson was an icon of the youth and music no matter how much we preferred Rock and Heavy Metal to pop. I have liked many of his songs particularly "Human Nature", "The Girl is mine" and the unforgettable "One day in your life" to name a few. He will be missed for his music and dance by fans all over the world. Hard to believe he was to start a tour next month.

I am sad to find out that Farah Fawcett is dead too after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Two stars gone from our world. May their souls rest in peace.

A song you'lI fall in love on the first watch

2009-06-25T22:45:00.007+05:30

It was love at first sight. The song is "Picha Vacha Naal Mudhal" and is from Prithviraj's latest movie "Puthiya Mugham". The song is picturised quite well but it is the song, sung by Shankar Mahadevan and composed by Deepak Dev that is the magic. It has a touch of another song of his. BUT NEVER MISS THIS SONG, EVER! I have been listening to it ever since I saw it on T.V.

The only drawback is Shankar Mahadevan's Malayalam diction. Someone must have corrected it.

Come to think of it Jaya has the opportunity of talking to PriyaMani when they were shooting some portions of the film in Chalakudy during her recent visit. Didn't know it had this sweet number in it when Jaya called me many Fridays ago in all her excitement about talking to Priyamani then.

Why can't someone sing this on Idea Star Singer. Why sing the same old songs again and again and again every year.

Anoop delivers a nice one on ISS

2009-06-24T10:15:00.003+05:30

Lovely song by Anoop though his gesticulations were a bit too exaggerated. Some portions looked lip-synced too. Nevertheless it was a lovely song and performance.

A new lovely Mallu song I have been tracking for sometime

2009-06-23T18:16:00.005+05:30

I have been waiting for this song and musicindiaonline.com has been eluding me for a long time. Finally it is accessible.

The movie is "Kadha Samvidhanam Kunjacko" and the song "Neela Koovala". Check it out here.

Music is by Thej and if I am right the male singer is Vineeth Sreenivasan. Meena and Sreenivasan are back as a duo after "Udayananu Thaaram".

And if you still haven't heard Najeem Arshad's (winner Idea Star Singer, 2007) movie hit from the movie Chembada, here it is on musicindiaonline.com. What a joy it was when it was played at one of the cinemas (I think Ainikkal) this holiday in Kerala.

Yet another lovely Swaralayam piece at ISS

2009-06-23T10:22:00.005+05:30

Seriously Sharath must considering taking several of these songs and compile an album. This is the third song from Swaralayam that I was very impressed where Sharath tuned popular songs in a novel way. As usual Chithra's portion rocked. Wish they only laster longer.

Another lovely fusion at ISS Season 4

2009-06-19T19:16:00.002+05:30

Sharath should consider making an album if he can compose these lovely songs.

Idea Star Singer's host Ranjini's new phrase

2009-06-19T18:58:00.004+05:30

As if we aren't tired of her "..and of course..", "not bad at all", "fabewlous", "anyways" (fill me in here guys for others) here comes another, "spot on yaar" and "spot on". Not forgetting her mannerisms, gestures, face/lip contortions, dance and Malayalam. If only she knew her frustrated viewers...

Death all around us

2009-06-14T20:53:00.005+05:30

On Sunday begins the slaughter,
So much of death all around us,
Birds taken to their deaths,
They know not knowing where they are being taken to,
And later man bargaining and paying for their dead bodies and body-parts.

Another closer pic, the flare is the reflection from the windscreen of the cab.

Two marriage receptions yesterday

2009-06-14T20:33:00.004+05:30

Actually invited to three but could make it to unavoidable two of them. Luckily the reception venues were at about 3 Km apart from each other.

The first was of Sathya's, ex-Vizualite where I could meet only few of my ex-company friends. Sathya ensured that for the music, songs were restricted to instrumental versions instead of blaring singing. There was even someone asking guests if the volume was ok. That was real sweet.

The second one was of Mr.Vishwanathan's daughter Sowmya who is a resident of our colony. Must mention that the food was awesome at the second reception. It was a nice feeling when the singer started singing "Thumbe Vaa" the malayalam hit of Ilayaraja in the midst of the Tamil numbers.

The nice co-incidence was the similarity of the garlands that the two couples were wearing.

A lovely song from Gangai Amaran and Vijay Yesudas

2009-06-14T20:28:00.003+05:30

Check out "Vaan Nilavuthann" from the movie "Pugaipadam" at MusicMazaa.com. The reason I am posting this info is because Vijay is finally beginning to sound more like his father, the legend, Yesudas. The song has an old-song feel that is also nice.

Preethi rocks on Idea Star Singer

2009-06-11T22:18:00.005+05:30

In fact in none of the performances so far has Preethi faltered one bit. Here's how she performed yesterday leaving the judges spell-bound. Clearly she is one of my favourites for the grand prize. Her take-it-easy, bubbly and cheerful demeanour is a plus.

The video below has her singing a Hindi song and that's perfectly done too. The acoustic version of "Naino Me Badra Chaye" is beautiful.

Quality of ISS goes further down

2009-06-11T18:55:00.005+05:30

As if not sick and tired of the cringe moments that mar the show, here come four more to add to it, the mentors, after splitting the non-eliminated members into four groups.

I was sad to see Anu Jos go. Her quality of singing did come down but considering how many poor singers are there I think they should have given her a second chance.

The quality of performances barring a few like Preethi from Bombay (who will be singing today as well) has come down drastically. With the mentors canvassing for their team members judges are in a quandary as to how to offer low marks as well.

Meanwhile yesterday this fusion number from the singers/judges was worth mentioning and watching.

Pics and details from recent Kerala trip

2009-06-05T10:15:00.026+05:30

A trip that passed by so quickly, thanks to the constant travelling.

Here are highlights of the events in pics.

Shajidamma and Shajidachan's place at Kara. No trip to Kerala is complete without a stopover at this home. Shajidamma is more of a mother to us.

Mother's place, Aratupuzha.

Aratupuzha - The Kadavu where we used to go for a bath with Valliyamma is gone, so are the steps leading to the top. The steps have been replaced with a tar road. The steps leading to the kadavu are also gone.

Asha's wedding. This one is after the "Thalikettu" at Guruvayoor.

And this one after the formalities in the marriage hall.
The Sadhya was good and the entire marriage such a pleasant and unforgettable experience.

I meet my collegmate, Haripriya after almost 18 years. In the pic is her daughter, Udhisha.

And the python her neighbours had caught. Notice the huge frog, the biggest I have ever seen beside it that was offered as a meal. The Python seems well fed for now.

Our cab breaks down at Koratty enroute from Ernakulam to Chalakudy.

The huge 75yrs to 100yrs or maybe even more old SharkaraMaavu (Mango tree) near Jaya's home in Chalakudy. The little kids standing below the tree should give you a scale of its height.

The fruit of these trees.

Cherai backwaters very near the beach.

For more pics related to the trip by click here.

Movies watched while in Kerala - Passenger, 2 Hariharnagar, Kanchipurathe Kalyanam (avoid this one) and the best of them all - Baghyadevada.

Rain, and heat - It was awesome the first two days with almost incessant rain but then towards the end of the trip it hardly rained and the heat was even worse than in Chennai. But I heard it is raining like crazy there now.

One unusual event - This was an accident where an Alto had tipped and had completely overturned. The wailing of the ladies from inside the car was heart renching but a crowd had gathered around the overturned car like bees rushing to save their Queen. Smoke was already coming out of the front of the car where the engine is and blood spillt on the road confirmed someone inside was injured and bleeding. I felt ashamed to have let the driver just drive by. He was already complaining that if he had to wait he would have to take the injured to hospital. But I guess considering the huge crowd that had gathered the inmates would have survived. I could only pray.

Yuvan's Sarvam and Muthirai

2009-06-05T10:00:00.000+05:30

Yuvan scores with songs from Sarvam, now running in theatres in Chennai.

Kattrukullai - Lovely and sung by Yuvan.

Adada Vaa - not bad, looks lifted from some song in the west but innovative with the flute playing a haunting melody with the techno sounds in the background. Was that Illayaraja singing?

Neethane - Good too and only if it wasn't thig long.

The other songs aren't worth it.

Check them at MusicMazaa.com

To-be-released "Muthirai" has nice numbers as well.

"Azhagana Neeyum", "July Madhathil", and the catchy "Night is Young" are the ones to listen to.

Nenjukkulla and Uyirae Uyirae are not bad either.

Listen to them here.

Leaving Kerala today evening

2009-06-01T10:49:00.001+05:30

Should be in Chennai this time tommorow. I am told it is pretty hot there. It was an eventful trip, this time in Kerala.

In Kerala and in touch with ISS season 4

2009-05-29T08:23:00.004+05:30

Oh, yes! I try best to stay in touch though ISS Season 4 is filled with "cringe" moments.

I wanted to post regularly about the best talent on ISS 4 but many singers about whom I wrote big failed in their second performances althoug some did manage both their first two performances well and some who failed in their first did well in the second. One of those was Danny who gave a splendid performance yesterday with Hariharan's song from "Garshom". Neetu about whom I wrote earlier did well in her performance round yesterday too. Both of them scoring 80+ though Danny was the big star yesterday.

Arun Naik, scolded by judges runs the gauntlet on ISS Season 4

2009-05-22T18:38:00.000+05:30

Sometimes I even wonder why I am watching this show. Most of the time I am only listening to it from the adjacent room unless it is something I like to watch, particularly a good performance. But eventually I end up watching more parts of the show.

I wanted to write this post earlier appalled by the way judges were taking Arun Naik for a ride during his second introductory performance but time was a constraint. I am sure Arun's rating would have only gone up and would have only won him more sympathy from the thousands who watched him early this week.

True, it wasn't Arun's day that day but being told things like "...ahangaaram koodi ..." by M G Sreekumaran and Sharath's, (translated into English) "...could have practised when you were getting calls from new fans.." were just too much even for the audience to take. Imagine all this being told in the presence of Arun's mother. The judges wouldn't stop and one after the other it looked they enjoyed whipping the poor guy. Only Chithra's words didn't seem that harsh. I think Shwetha did one good thing by giving him an affectionate hug and consoling the sobbing Arun. It looked so sad. Asianent is sure selling this emotional roller-coaster. So are they encouraging judges to scold competitors.

And as usual, Ranjini was at her usual worst during such incidents. Don't know when she is going to shut her mouth or get out of the show. Why can't there be a voting for her?

Unusual rain in mid May

2009-05-15T22:30:00.003+05:30

It has been raining cats and dogs here for more than half an hour accompanied by thunder and lightning. My Tata sky set hasn't been receiving any signal. So what do I do? Go out in the rain, of course. I miss Chaithu. Cannot describe how it felt to wash away that sunburns in the refreshing soothing rain. Wonder how long it will last but the rains are coming down harder now.

So soothing for the kind of weather we've been having. I was so envious that in the Malayalam channels umbrella advertisements were already showing.

Shane Fitzgerald's prank exposes the state of journalism today

2009-05-15T20:18:00.000+05:30

Last year, April, 2008 to be precise, I wrote a post about how The Hindu had copied or lifted an article from Wikipedia and claimed it was an authentic article of theirs as they had an author's name below the article. They then replicated the same on their online edition too.

Click here to read my post.

After this The Hindu has been doing it repeatedly (I am sure they were doing it before too) but it is only now that I realise that newspapers all over the world have been doing it.

The expose came when Shane Fitzgerald a student in Ireland deliberately made a fake entry in Wikipedia about the late French composer Maurice Jarre. According to Shane the late Maurice is said to have made the following quote:

"One could say my life itself has been one long soundtrack. Music was my life, music brought me to life, and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head that only I can hear."

Though Wikipedia did its best to authenticate it and even remove it, the damage was already done. Newspapers and blogs around the world lifted the hoax quote and published them. The Guardian was one.

Once the hoax was revealed The Guardian even apolologized for the error.

You can read the entire article of the hoax here on Wikipedia or here on yahoo news.

And worst of all. Here is something I am going to predict. The Hindu may innocently copy even this report from Yahoo or Wikipedia into their papers not knowing how many out there know they are copying articles, posts and news items from the internet. Let us see if my prediction will come true.

What a way to show off that you voted!

2009-05-13T19:23:00.007+05:30

That's my picture of the picture that appeared in The Hindu of one of India's popular families "showing the finger" to the press after they cast their votes.

Am I to believe that Amitabh, Abishek and Aishwarya are so naive they don't know what that gesture of their finger means? At least Aishwarya's and Amitabh's finger-showing doesn't look so bad but Abishek is actually and clearly showing the finger. Did he do that on purpose?

Well they could have simply got the indelible ink on their forefinger and it wouldn't have looked so bad.

And why is the press trying to take picture proofs of people casting their votes.

For a leading newspaper such as The Hindu that published this picture I wonder if any thought of editing took place to inclulde that pic. Don't tell me that the people at The Hindu are also so naive they don't know that gesture of the hand or did they?