Thiruppavai

Well this blog is called vetti arattai but I am sure I can say some useful things from time to time. It has been my long term wish to learn all the 30 pasurams of Thiruppavai especially in the form sang by MLV amma. As an attempt to help me do that I am going to post each day about the pasuram of the day. Maybe include a short explanation (if I find time that is). And include a clip of it sung by MLV amma. Since each pasuram is set to a different raagam, I think it is also appropriate to use this opportunity to discuss the raaga in my music blog. Let's see how far I can keep this up.

Nice verse

How deep, true and conquers time.

கலையாத கல்வியும் குறையாத வயதுமொரு கபடு வாராத நட்பும்
கன்றாத வளமையும் குன்றாத இளமையும் கழுப்பிணி இலாத உடலும்
சலியாத மனமும் அன்பகலாத மனைவியும் தவறாத சந்தானமும்
தாழாத கீர்த்தியும் மாறாத வார்த்தையும் தடைகள் வாராத கொடையும்
தொலையாத நிதியமும் கோணாத கோலுமொரு துன்பமில்லாத வாழ்வும்
துய்யநின் பாதத்தில் அன்பும் உதவி
பெரிய தொண்டரொடு கூட்டு கண்டாய்
அலையாழி அறிதுயிலுமாயனது தங்கையே
ஆதி கடவூரின் வாழ்வே
அமுதீசர் ஒரு பாகம் அகலாத சுகபாணி
அருள்வாமி அபிராமியே

Wrong region code error on Bose

Here's a easy hack. Works like a charm!!!
This hack WORKS for Bose 321 GSX!

1. Put in Wrong region disk
2. Wait for "Wrong disk message"
3. Press on the remote
- Right button
- Up button
- Shuffle button
- Stop button
- Hold the Mute button pressed until tray ejects and
goes back in

Now Region free

Thanks to 'gordong11'.....it works :)

(Note don't forget to change the video displayed from PAL to NTSC or v.v. to get the best quality picture)

3 idiots - viewer review

After all the waiting, I finally managed to watch 3 idiots this past weekend. While the movie is kind of a feel good movie, it certainly does not live up to all the hype and the crazy ticket prices. I think the overall "message" from the movie was that our Education system and Parenting needs an overhaul. Good message, totally need of the hour with India progressing leaps and bounds and looking forward to another decade that could put it in the world leader league. The question is couldn't this have been better delivered without making a caricature of everyone? For example Raju rastogi's background. I am not sure if it was an attempt to evoke sympathy with that guy or just to have a good laugh at his expense. The former just doesn't happen, the latter was just in bad taste. Or Boman Irani, can we make him any more cliched and stereotypical? And the Chathur Ramalingam, poor guy, for him 3.5M house is a measure of success and why not? It is, for a vast majority of Indians. Maybe the intent was to ridicule the Indian education system and success metrics but given the lack of any viable alternatives in the film, I wonder if the joke is on the filmmaker. And what's with the whole Aamir is great scientist with 400 patents who also happens to have setup a school in a remote location in Ladakh? C'mon we expect a better closure than that. And why the delivery scene at all? Just to show that childbirth has arrived in mainstream cinema front and center? And to show that aamir can deliver a baby with vacuum cleaner and lens cleaner just guided by a powerpoint show, is perhaps mocking all the doctors and gynaes out there. I am surprised they didn't protest especially given that Kareena is being portrayed as a medical student but she only either constantly roams around on her scooty for no apparent purpose or gets into silly situations with her price-conscious fiancee (another caricature). I hardly see her even sporting a book let alone attend classes. Maybe they think the film doesn't even deserve a protest (and they may be right) :)

Don't get me wrong, I am not against the film. I like light hearted comedies. I liked munnabhai MBBS despite all its idiosyncracies. I like 3 idiots but I expect a lot more from Aamir. I equate Aamir to the likes of DCH, RDB, TZP. (I am happy to conveniently forget that he did Ghajini). The subject matter warrants a deeper thought and if any sensible filmmaker in Bollywood can give it the reasonable treatment that it deserves, I would have bet it would be Aamir (and I would have lost). Better Luck next time!