Post # 20 - 19/3/09Starting a Bonsai Garden - Part One
I started my first set of bonsai trees on 17 March 2009. I now have a bunch of flowering trees in shallow pots in my little balcony. They're too young to flower yet, but I'm hoping they will in time.A few months ago, I bought one sapling each of shenbagam, manoranjitham, magizham and pavazhamalli trees. The nursery sold them in small cylindrical plastic bags packed tightly with dark, clayey soil. I just left them as they were in the balcony, for two months, while I hunted and hunted for flat and shallow nicely shaped containers to grow them in.I found only one long, rectangular four-inch pot near Valluvar Kote-tumm. The book I consulted advised me not to start with just one plant - "you will kill it with your attention" it said...! So I waited patiently, keeping eyes and ears open; asking friends,; asking people who seemed knowledgeable. I even made a few visits to the Japanese Consulate! All of no avail! The containers came, in their own sweet time - last week. Near the self-same Valluvar Kote-tum, I got a bunch of pots that closely resembled, though not completely, what I had in mind. With a resolve to improvise and make things work to the best of my ability, I bought these, throwing a prayerful glance at the heavens...On 17 March, I took out the small garden of plants I had collected by this time, and tidied them up and started my bonsai garden - This has made me quite a gardener - Would you believe if I tell you that the plants seemed to guide me in what I did, cutting or pruning... More on this experience in my next post!
Post # 19 - 10/3/09QuenchedThe Sun's getting warmer,
A bit more everyday.
Oh! For a misty slope;
A shower on the green;
A surprise bunch of sunflower sheen
Or at least a long cool drink!
Post # 18 - 7/3/09Synchronicity of Cultures; Fusion of Instruments!
A String Ensemble: Will this be a Duel or a Duet?
Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Anil Srinivasan will perform together and the audience will witness the the tones of the violin and piano weaving a stunning musical fabric. Anil Srinivasan's music is unique in that he borrows from two diverse schools of music to achieve a new language to express Carnatic music in: that of piano strings. He has worked collaboratively with other carnatic musicians who enjoy lending themselves to a new visualisation - in this list are vocalists, flautists, percussionists and so on.Lalgudi GJR Krishnan comes from the acclaimed family of violinists. His music represents traditionalism and adherence to classicism through both content and technique.
This programme "Southern Strings" will be held at Dakshina Chitra, East Coast Road, organised jointly by the Hayagriva Study Circle Group and Dakshina Chitra. The concert will start at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 6:45 p.m. Admission is Free of Charge.
It is something to note that Anil Srinivasan teamed up with Lalgudi GJR Krishnan a few months ago to produce an album for an Italian music distributor. This is particularly significant, for the violin and the piano find their origins in Italy. The journey of these instruments in becoming staples in other classical music contexts is celebrated through their joint concert.
post # 17 - 6/3/09My Tribute to Women's Day
ALONE
My heart beats
With an added pang
Today, in proportion
To your strange calm, placid smile,
willingness and meek submission.
Is this you?
This accepting, submitting figure
sans fighting spirit?
My Ma,
My oldest foe;
my earliest friend,
teacher lover, bodyguard!
I was, at one time,
only a cell,
pinched off from your flesh!
I tremble now,
as it dawns on me,
that trice, in that moment of birthing,
my link to you
had been severed,
many years ago!
Post # 16 - 4/3/09"Bad Words" in a street play! Audience shell-shocked!!
So runs a commentary on "Arjunan Thabasu" by Koothu-p-pattarai [Archer's Penance (sic) The Hindu, Friday Review, 6 March 2009,
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/03/06/stories/2009030651210300.htm]"....Vigour is generally the hallmark of Koothu-p-pattarai productions. But ‘Arjunan Thabasu’ lived up to it only in parts. The acrobatics of Ekalavya’s disciples on the rope were graceful and bold, and there was clever use of lighting here. The fight between Arjuna and Siva was lively.One of the characters spoke indistinctly, and had trouble with his pronunciation, especially with ‘la’ and found it particularly difficult to say ‘Pasupathastra.’The idea of conveying a message through the play was laudable but should it have been done at the cost of dignity? The dialogue, at several places, bordered on being vulgar and the gestures quite lewd. Perhaps koothu-p-pattarai should think about this. "What the writer has dismissed as "acrobatics of Ekalaiva's disciples" is a hallmark of Street Theatre and in this play has been used to bring out the undertones of caste and it would take a very informed writer to layer his/her play thus, making it reach even a unfamiliar audience.In my opinion, if you haven't seen this play, you haven't seen it all!In the prevailing trend of trying to understand Art with as little effort (no doubt journalists have severe time constraints, just as editors, DJ's, and all manner of corporates do, but for the gods' sake, they ARE Art Correspondents) - the process of understanding being one of stuffing the object seeking to be heard or seen into pre-existing moulds and templates created by their ancestors, more than which the persons do not know or even care to exert themselves to know, and blame the ensuing misfit on the object and not on the meagre tools being used, albeit by an intelligent human, to experience the event. (Did I say that correct?)In this criticism the writer has made a valiant attempt to measure street theatre with the yardsticks of institutionalised art forms like Bharata Natyam, or Tanjore Painting. So she has managed only to see "acrobatics," "scent" and "message" and missedout on the layers of caste and sexuality and politics that form the real "Message."Na Muthusamy is no RS Manohar - Unfortunately!!!! Just as Charlie Chaplin is not St Paul, No surprises on that!!!!
Post # 15 - 3/3/09Hasty announcement and Music Poll Notice
A quick note to say that The Hindu announces a concert by TN Seshagopalan at Padmanabhaswamy temple, Adyar - at 6.45 pm TODAY---4 March 2009, Wednesday.MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR VOTE ON WHAT ASPECT OF MUSIC TOUCHES YOU. ALSO LEAVE A NOTE HERE IF YOU LIEK ON WHY YOU THINK SO OR WRITE IT HERE IF THERE'S IS MORE TO IT THAT COVERED BY THE CHOICES.
Post # 14 - 3/3/ 09Chennai this week-II- Japanese Art at LKA
In the week starting 3 March 2009, Lalit Kala Academy and the Japanese Cultural Centre are holding an exhibition of Japanese art, at Lalit Kala Academy.Gardening and Interior Design and Decoration experts can also look forward to seeing the best Bonsai exhibits from South India.
Post # 13 - 1/3/09Chennai This Week-I- INKO Women's film festival
There is an eight-day festival of women's films that's taking Chennai by the storm this month! 136 films will be screened in the week running from 1 March to 8 March 2009. This is the second year that the festival is being held, and very successfully at that; no doubt, this augurs well for the future of the women's film festival in Chennai.This year the festival has been organised jointly with INKO, the organisation that works to promote collaboration and cultural exchange between India and Korea. Look at
www.inkocentre.org for more information on venues, availability of tickets etc.The films being screened consist of Features, Documentaries and Shorts from 33 countries. Films will be screened at The South Indian Film Chamber and Sathyam Cinema. It is sad that because of the screenings being done in parallel viewers have to choose and sometimes miss films they would have liked to see. There are classics like Amme Ariyaan as well as brand new and technically advanced films and documentaries rich in content and style.
Post # 12 - 27/2/ 09Arjunan Thabasu - Part two - Tickets
On popular demand, I again present here information about tickets for the theatre by koothu-p-pattarai from an earlier post!Tickets are available at the Venue. Koothu-p-pattarai, No.1, Vaikasi Street. chinmaya Nagar Stage - 2,Virugambakkam, Chennai-600 092.Tel.: 65373633 or 9941446543Fee: Rs50 for adults and Rs25 for students.
Post #11 - 27/2/ 09Temple with Prehistoric cave paintings and Inscriptions from Sangam Age
In places around Madurai people have identified artifacts from different eras - Cave paintings of prehistoric times; relics with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions dating around 5 century BCE, the Sangam Age; and other artifacts have been observed in what seems like a continous line of preserved architecture. Tirumalai near Madurai is unique in this. But these are under attack, as reported by archeologist Gandhirajan in Frontline, Jan31-- Feb 13 --- See.
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2603/stories/20090213260306400.htmPost #10 - 20/2/09Kalaimamani for Na Muthusami
Report from The Hindu:`Veteran theatre person N. Muthuswamy of Koothu-P-Pattarai said he was happy to receive the honour. “We are currently working on a production, which is based on a therukoothu ritual called ‘Arjunan Thapas.’ Rehearsals are going on for this production which will to be staged soon.”Interestingly, actor Pasupathy, a Koothu-P-Pattarai product, has also received the award. “The most special thing for me about this award is receiving it with my guru Muthuswamy sir,” he said.'See
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/25/stories/2009022560211000.htm for the full story on Kalaimamani awards this year.Koothu-p-pattarai will stage Arjunan Thapas at their own auditorium (No. 1 Vaikasi Street, Chinmaya Nagar), every friday, saturday and sunday evening at 7.00 p.m. until 15 March. Tickets are prices at Rs 50 and Rs 25.
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post # 7 - 14/2/09Hop-on Hop-off- Take a round of Chennai
Tour Name : Hop on Hop off (Chennai to Mamallapuram Tour)FARE DETAILS Tickets(per person) - AdultCoach - A/CFare (Rs.) - Rs 187(Special inaugural tariff for 30 days. )Tour Days :Duration - 1 Day: Tours commence on all days at 9.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 11.00 AM, 12.00 Noon, 1.00 PM from Chennai and returns at 1.30 PM, 2.30 PM,3.30 PM, 4.30 PM, 5.30PM from MamallapuramPlaces Covered :Marundheeswarar Temple(Thiruvanmiyur), VGP Golden Beach, Mayajaal, MGM Dizzee World, Dakshina Chitra, Muttukadu Boat House, Nithyakalyanaperumal Temple(Thiruvidandhai), Crocodile Bank, Sea Lion Show, Tiger Cave, Shore Temple, Arjuna Penance and Five Rathas
Post # 6 - 14/2/09Ganesh-Kumaresh's Music-Melody and Technique.
Today, I attended a concert by Ganesh-Kumaresh, the violin duo. Needless to say, it was brilliant! They started off by playing some very popular pieces, in their usual brisk-paced tuneful style. Suddenly an elderly many marched right up to the dais and instructed them loudly to declare what raag they were playing - It was the fourth Thyagaraja Pancharathnam in Varaali... well! It is strange how, despite their being pretty senior in the game, they still get treated as kids! That's Chennai's strange habit I suppose.They then played some brilliant raags, a bouquet of totally unrelated music but somehow it was beautiful together. One piece they played, Ganesh announced was a combination of Amrithavarshini and Kalyani (like the hindustani tradition of grafting two raags together), so he said, it should probably be called Amritha Kalyani or something like that... This drew a twitter form the audience which was by now totally enslaved by their charm.An unforgettable Bhairavi, in slow pace, a solo by Ganesh - it reminded me (not for religious reasons, but for the sound effect) of Odhuvaars' songs I have heard many years ago, echoing down the age-long corridors of Kapaaleeshwar Temple. The Odhuvaars have all but disappeared now... Anyway, the thing is the beautiful echo they've somehow added and the extremely sensitive touch with small beautiful slow phrases! Genius!Another technique that was indescribably unique was Ganesh's way of just touching the tense violin string while moving his other hand to change the note he was sounding... with this, he could switch from loud to soft in a jiffy, take a cue (pardon the pun) from western music....My all time favourites!!! Long Live Music!!!!
Post #5 13/2/09ArcheologyA stupendous project to document rock art in several hundred sites in jungles, hills, caves and dolmens in 14 States is under way, courtesy the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) of the Union Department of Culture.See---
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=31705098Post # 4 - 12/2/09Temple with Prehistoric cave paintings and Inscriptions from Sangam Age
In places around Madurai people have identified artifacts from different eras - Cave paintings of prehistoric times; relics with Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions dating around 5 century BCE, the Sangam Age; and other artifacts have been observed in what seems like a continous line of preserved architecture. Tirumalai near Madurai is unique in this. But these are under attack, as reported by archeologist Gandhirajan in Frontline, Jan31-- Feb 13 --- See.
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2603/stories/20090213260306400.htmPost #3 - 11/2/09 - Bonsai-2 Have you ever tried finding pots for Bonsai in Chennai? It's an Experience! Did you know that no one makes pots in the cold months? If you want to get a special design of pot and it's out of stock, you may have to wait several months before the next batch gets ready!
Post #2 - 9/2/09 BonsaiAfter years of deliberation I planned to grow some Bonsai at home! In a tiny Balcony on the eastern face of our apartment, we will have Shenbagam and Jasmine, Pomegranate and Manoranjitham, Banyan and Guava!!! My mind went berserk at the thought. Of course, that's the power of the mind, for one tiny step you take, it takes a million leaps into a joyous, sometimes apprehensive, future. Okay, so I'm starting to grow a Bonsai - literally, a "Tree in a Pot." Many friends reacted like I would have in the past - " I don't like the idea of restricting and dwarfing a tree the size of a banyan into what is almost a caricature of nature."Bonsai is not "stunting" a tree or altering it's fundamental characteristics in any way, at least, not anymore than pruning roses to keep the best branches blooming or having pet animals at home, or wearing an Armani suit where a simple Kurta Pyjama would do. Bonsai is not unnatural, for that matter, any more than actually wearing clothes or restricting your speech to only polite words. Think about it... is it natural or a product of civilisation that we wear clothes today?Bonsai is not interfering with nature in a major way. At least none of us who love pet dogs can claim that it is interfering with nature in a greater way than humankind did when they domesticated wolves and wild animals to create dogs for every desireable purpose - to hunt, to watch homes, to cuddle, to preen, to bark, to retrieve... not to mention, horses, cattle, goats, chicken etc.Bonsai is not curtailing a plants freedom, any more than what was done years ago to rice, wheat, pulses and any other domesticated plant.Bosai is not against nature - and I'm not even starting to speak of silicon chips and virtual living in this era of "soft" culture.Bonsai is only controlling the growth of a plant and alowing it to adapt to an environment where you can bring it up as you would a pet animal. It's a pet potted plant if you like! It originated in China when monks used to carry herbs around with them as Bonsai because they may not be available in the places they visited during their travel.
Post # 1 - I'm starting a blogHi! I'm starting a new Blog called Nature Is For Us. I wish to post on this site my understanding of the practice of science and technology around us today and explore whether science permeates all of society and to what extent. My motive is to learn about this and constructive comments are welcome.
