Kumki - Review

Today started very boring for me. After breakfast, I really wondered what to do next. Far as I could think, i couldnt see any task lined-up for the day. It was like a vast emptiness (kadu-veli) before me. Generally, these are the times I think of going out somewhere else, but today, due to mild-cold, I couldn't step out. Despite that I went till bus stop, but came back :) Such a amount of laziness and boring. Finally, I decided to see Kumki today. Thought of going with friends, but with their level of commitment, its getting tough planning a outing with them. Tickets were almost full for 4pm show @ Rakki, and I could get seat only in third row near the screen. 

Now into the film.

Kumki - I eagerly waited for this film to release. Till now, I haven't seen Prabhu Solomon's "Mynaa", but I was damn eager about this film. From the day the first poster was released, I know its going to be a visual treat. When the songs were released, I close-to became a addict for these songs. Not sure how many times I have listened to this album. Even if i delete these songs from my mobile, I hope my phone can play these by itself :) It wont forget these songs even in its dreams..!

Pro's

1. Story line is all simple. Hero has a trained elephant that is fit only for doing soft-work, like acting in cinema, temple walk etc. On the other hand, a village in deep interior of a forest gets affected by a rogue wild elephant. After few causalities the villagers decide to hire a trained elephant (Kumki) to control the wild elephant and run it back to woods. Due to some incidents, the original kumki trained to handle wild elephants cannot be sent, and for few days our trained elephant goes in as kumki-substitute to the village. What happens next is nothing beyond guessing. Its all predictable story line. Stories involving elephants are not rare in kollywood. From MGR to Sivaji to Rajini to Kamal, everyone has done stories involving elephants. What makes this movie special is the treatment and the picturization. Our hero is not a millionaire growing an elephant as his hobby. Instead the elephant earns bread for him. So, the first hero of this film is the Elephant. No buildup's, intro songs, fight with 100 men etc. for hero.. He perfectly underplayed his role. Thats very positive for such a kind of film.

2. Camera/Picturization - WooooW is all I could say. Since the story completely happens inside jungle and small village inside it, you can feel the freshness inside theatre. Its all nature. Even if the film is shot in 1000 frames per second camera, you can grab each frame in the film, and hang it as a wall-poster in your house. Such clear visuals and mesmerizing shots. More than story, I guess the director has spent a lot of time in visuals. Every scene is worth a photo album. Let it be the intro scene of the hero, or the heroine or the elephant - the visual is amazing. A scene where the couple gets to the top of the waterfalls.. you can feel the depth of the waterfall right there in theatre. Its really scary and sent a chill down my spine :).. One of the wonderful waterfall coverage I remember was in Apocolypto film. (I dont mean the scene, just the water-fall and its depth).. But the way the falls was covered in this movie was far more amazing than Apocolypto.  Most of the scenes involving the elephant are majestic and worth a watch. Nothing to mention about scenery in songs. Its extraordinary.

3. Cast - Being the grandson of Sivaji and son of Prabhu, acting comes easy for this guy. A wonderful entry for him to kollywood. But, the elephant being the hero of this film, he has less scope to play. Lakshmi menon - simply wonderful as jinglee (jungle village lady :)). Most of her scenes in the first half of  the film are just visuals. Even before hero, she gets introduced in the film, being chased by the wild elephant. At a point she falls down a steep, and camera just close-ups on her eyes and lip.. Even that scary scene appeals very beautiful. Also if the same Mynaa cast (Vidharth and Amala Paul) have acted in this movie, it would fit good. Apart from that, nothing special. Thambi Ramaiah and one other fellow (comes in as villans son in "Boss enkira Baskaran") wears the comedian mask.

4. Songs - Generally songs are unofficial intermission's for audience to go out and put a dum. But, have you seen any film for which audience flew whistle's soon as the lead for song begins? It just happened today. Also songs of this film is the main reason, I wanted to see it. Songs by D.Imman are beauty for this film. Visuals added perfect value to that. Just for the songs alone, I can watch the film again. No kuthu songs, two piece mumbai import, advice, buildup songs etc. Its all slow romantic and situation songs that goes well with the film. When I first heard the album few months back, i was instantly mesmerized with the songs. I thought Iam the only one addicted, till I heard few korean phones playing these songs loudly in bus. But in theater today, I realized there were many addicts like me :) I couldnt comment on BGM's since visuals were eating up the scene. But the lead for songs were used in most places as BGMs.

Con's

1. Thambi Ramaiah - He dons the comedian role (like Mynah) and carries most of the story. Many scenes evoke laughter, but close-up shots for him all the time and mind-voice comedy sometimes sound boring. Could have been edited more.

2. Logic - Killing a wild elephant is not a real tedious task. They are big and are more prone to get hit than a wild pig, that villagers say about hunting in one scene. But government and  even forest officers fears for that wild elephant komban (which killed 19 officers?) and asks the villagers to relocate somewhere else  If an elephant poses that much harm, cant a single bullet solve the issue? Atleast, a group of 10-20 villagers (who chase down and try to kill a man in one of the scene for a silly mistake he did) can easily bring down an elephant with local weapons (vel kambu, aruva, naatu vedi, electric fencing etc etc). No strong reason provided on why not to kill an elephant that has taken many lives.

3. Graphics - Climax is all about the wild elephant and our coward elephant fighting each other. Its all CG work and the team has done their best, but still miles to go. With the "Avator" level of technology we have now, these scenes are not even worth the "Jurassic Park" technology we witnessed a decade back. Close to natural, but still, it reveals two graphics elephants fighting in the wild. 

4. Scope for hero - As already said, the acting scope for hero and heroine was only during the songs. Nothing to expect much. Comedy scenes could have been trimmed further to give them some more acting scope (or) atleast few more songs would have done :)

Overall - For those who like a visual treat, its worth a watch. Dont miss it. It gives a feel like being in a forest for two and half hours. And with Lakshmi menon type of homely heroine, the feel multiplies. Kumki - Just Majestic.

Rating - 4/5

Four Fingers

Its a long time I had scribbled something. I really wanted to write a post in Tamil and also have started  the ground work, but the post didn't turn out well, even in the draft stage. Getting the correct tamil word and using the right tone is not that easy. May be I can try Tamil post for a cinema review, not for any general post.

Next thing I thought was to write a post on my life itself. A kind of biography. Some interesting incidents that happened till a point in my life. About my  family, study, teachers, love (infact, infactuation) and other general things. But that require some amount of confession and not sure whether anyone will be interested to read that at all. Anyhow, that will be useful for me in my old age. I can myself read that and smile :)

So, what to write? Yeah, today there happened an interesting incident to write. Today I took the T-Nagar route to reach my office instead of my regular Guindy route. Got down at T-Nagar bus stand and crossed the road to reach the opposite terminus. As usual, watched the right, left and started crossing the road. I missed the third point "to the right again".. In a flash, I heard a kreeeech  sound and damn, I was hit by a speeding pulsar. I was infact crossing the road when vehicles at the other end are on the red-signal. But my time, I dont know where the hell that pulsar came from. Good that it had disk brakes, but both of us had a skid. He stood up and asked "Dont you look up when crossing the road?". I was just looking at him and beside him, for he was the only vehicle on the road while other two-wheelers are still waiting for the green signal. He understood therez a fault on his side as well. He was just rushing through the signal before it went green, and I was walking without seeing "to the right again". It was now my turn to fire him, but somehow I didnt think of even speaking to him. Happened has happened and there is no Cntrl+Z in life. So, I just went with my "What Next?" mind-set. Meantime, I sensed a burning irritation in my right hand fingers. Before I crossed the other part of the road, I could see the red-liquid oozing through my right palm and dripping down. My palm has completely turned red-wet and I couldnt guess where is the source of injury. Wrapping around the kerchief in the palm as temporary measure (remembering Man Vs Wild), I purchased a water bottle from the bus stand, cleaned up the hand to see what really happened. Except thumb finger, that luckily escaped, all other 4 fingers got a good bruise and dripping red. One guy who was patiently watching me so far, finally asked "enna sir aachu? blood varuthu?." Good fellow. I asked him to check if there is any blood indication around my neck. Thats really dangerous getting hit on head. Sometime, we cannot feel pain immediately if hit in head (my own experience when i broke my head some 15yrs back). Only when the thakkali chutney comes out, we will realize that we are out :).. That guy checked and said "NO".. Thank god.

I thought i will manage, but my kerchief has fully gone red-wet, and the conditions were demanding to pay a visit to some local hospital immediately. I started searching for clinic near the bus stand, but it was around 9.30am and no clinic was open by that time. I couldnt spot any big hospitals around. One medical shop guy then said Go to right, left and "again right", there will be a clinic.Luckily one lady doctor was available by that time, and I was the Patient Number-2. While waiting for my turn, I took a very good snap of my injured bloody fingers.. (bright sun light and red tone, the picture came real cool. but not to publish anyway). Needless to say I was waiting with anticipation of how the doctor will look like. I could hear Patient-1 (lady patient) speaking and laughing loud with the doctor. Good voice you know. Mambalam area, good voice, I was just waiting for my turn (no bad thoughts, okay). The moment came and with my pulse shooting, I entered in the small clinic. Oops, that was quite a disappointment. Don't ask me anything more. Its just a disappointment. I thought it was worth shedding some extra red-liquid and find other clinic. I dont understand why lady doctors dont look like Iniya in Mounaguru or Sneha in VasoolRaja. Anyhow, shez not really that bad, but definitely not upto my expectation. But no other clinic was open that time. Also, a doctor is a doctor is a doctor. You should really respect doctors.!!.

She then asked some boring questions like "how did this happen", "was the road too rough.." etc. and then some ok-ok questions like "did the wheel run over your finger", "any injury to head" and some interesting questions like "what is your name", "how old are you", "what are u doing?" etc.. Finally she took that hot-n-spicy liquid (tincture?.. may be I didnt answer few questions correctly) and coolly wiped off the blood. dressing'aam.!!.. (sema erichala irundhudhu theriyumaa...! but, naan endha reaction'um kaatalaye..!) She then asked her maid (she was the one who allotted me token-2. she was also one reason to raise my expectation about the doctor. labour'ey ippadi irukkanganna!!!) to purchase a TT from nearby medical shop and injected me a dose. (Me-> Doctor, pant'aaa?;;   Doctor -> No, T-shirt). The she gave tablets and said the me below thing..

GREY - 2 times a day for 3 days, WHITE - three times a day for 2 days, YELLOW - 1/2 for 2 times a day for 2 days. It was really funny to hear this colorful prescription (Remembering, BBROY of Great Britain...!), but that's how the tables looked like, and it was really easy for me to remember as well. Finally the grey one turned out to be Amox, White nothing but Calpol and the Yellow one, just a pain killer.

Now the important part. I asked her whether she is going to put bandage on my fingers. (remember the "yaaradi nee mohini" scene, that fight-blood-nayanthaara-dhanush-bandage-bondage scene?) You know, a bandage will be equally good to create a scene in office (indha cinema kaaranga dhaan ippadeena). I can also buy some additional time for submitting the test plan document. (sir, kaila adi patturukku sir.. homework ezhudha mudiyala, kind of). But she looked at me without any expression (damn!) and said,  "No bandage. Leave the wound open and apply this ointment. Two days.. it will dry" (ennadi, karuvaada sollara maadhiri sollara.. rendu naalla kanjidumnu!!). I had a lot of time to reach office and hence no idea of leaving her. I asked "Then, are you going to apply the ointment to me now?". She again gave a useless look as said "ippo venam. office'kku illa veetu'kku poi neeyey apply pannikko.".. I really felt the pain is getting better than the doctor. She then charged 2 green notes, but she is really a good doctor. I now need to leave, as patient number-3 was waiting to put kadalai ("indha podavai enga doctor edutheenga", "ungalukku indha color eduppa irukku", "ayyo, indha jacket indha podavaikku nalla suit aayirukku" kind of local kadala) . Anyhow, Pat-3 was one other not-pakkable lady.

After reaching office, I swallowed three color tablets sincerely, and then opened the ointment. It was exactly like grease. The Fourth color. (Remembered the joke.. "sari da naye.. poradhu pora.. andha grease dabbava eduthu kudthuttu po.".). An Iodine based ointment it seems. Soon as I applied the ointment on the wound, I spelled that "one word".. attributing it to that doctor.. But again, it was a good ointment. I can type this blog right now even with 80% of my fingers (4 out of 5!) hurt.. The salt in it really dries up the wound like anything.

Now the toughest part is how to inform this injury to my family. If its a small cut/wound, I can play hide and seek, till it heals. But, bruises on 4 right hand fingers is not very easy to hide, and soon I ask for a spoon, I need to face the "why?". Better to confess it myself. Again, if I say the bike-hit story, I need to hear atleast two hours of advice from my family and that will continue for atleast one week. Its really torturing you know. No one wantedly steps in the way of a running metal, except suicide. So I made up a story myself. "Its a small injury while doing work in my office" (sorry extreme!). Though the reason lacks logic, they wont query too much when I use the keyword "work place", "office" kind-of. You see, its a technical accident now. If they ask more, then I will further use "router", "switch", "chassis" kind of systematically-technically-complex and brutal keywords. I know, they definitely will not like to hear these words. My father was in a good mood today. He just said "Take care, and if you want to get healed soon, dip your finger in the kaara-kuzhambu bowl".. Nice advice, but I said "paravalla, I have a similar ointment.. That will do". Later he searched his First Aid Kit and came back with some other color ointment he had, but I had to override that with my lady prescribed one. No more colors invited.

So, thats close to the end of story folks. Now, why the hell am i writing this blog. Few simple reasons.

1. If I keep my fingers straight, wide and still, it feels like swelling, and I feel like ghost waiting to kill someone. Fingers on keyboard is definitely an exercise.
2. Injection is now showing effect. It pains somewhere deep inside the shoulder when moving the arm. (if she had listened to my other option, this arm pain could have been avoided... fine.. women never listen to men!). Scrolling this page back and forth for spelling correction, masala addition etc. gives some "feels-good" movement around the arm..
3. If at all there comes a chance to write a post, grab it.. dont miss it :)
4. Reddy has recently posted a masala blog. I dont go well with commercial competitors :)

Few weeks back, I was really (real really!) thinking "how will it be if my fingers are hurt". Since fingers are the main investment to an IT engineer (of course for everyone, but computers need fingers a lot), I was thinking of this negative case. Today, I got a demo of how it really feels. Thanking him for limiting it with a demo, and I have to say it "Engineers.. take care of your fingers..". Ending with a nice quote that I read long back "No one realizes that we have five fingers in a hand, until we lose one..". Today, I realized "Four Fingers".

Isha - Dhyanalingam Experience

In continuation to my earlier ISHA BSP experience blog

Dhyanalingam - The only lingam right now in the world to help meditators experience deepest levels. As in SJV's words, the last attempt to consecrate such Dhyanalingam failed miserably. Though there were three fully consecrated lingams centuries back (Bihar), their physical forms have now been lost. After three plus years of rigorous consecration process, Dhyanalingam is now in its form at Isha - Coimbatore.

When I heard of this Dhyanalingam first, what I thought was nothing different from what many of us would think. We have Shiva lingams every nook and corner. What’s special in this one, except the size being some 12 feet? Even Tanjore lingam is as big and chubby as this. But after my friend (Sivaraman) referred me a chapter to read from SJV's "Mystics Musings" book, that gives a complete understanding of this lingam, starting from "why" to "how" part, it really changed my mind. Such a mammoth task has gone behind getting this job done for Sadhguru. He was trying three life times to get this lingam erected. Good that his Guru "Palani Swamigal" was from Tamilnadu. This additionally pushed SJV to build up his Ashram and consecrate the Dhyanalingam at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, as a respect for his Guru, though he was born in Karnataka.

Illegal, but you can find a PDF copy of the "Mystics Musings" book here

Pls read from 251 to 302 to get a feel of what Dhyanalingam is all about.

After reading the book, I had a strong desire to visit Dhyanalingam atleast once in my life time. Good or bad, just visit. There is nothing for me to lose. Foreigners have been visiting this Ashram flying down thousands of miles, and me, just sitting few hundred kilometers away cannot make a visit, then that’s my fault. During our last Velliangiri mountain trek, we had a plan-B to cover Dhyanalingam after trekking down. But the 12hour non-stop trekking in heavy rain sucked out all our energies and literally left me dead. We had to call-off the Dhyanalingam plan and run back to Chennai life.

The lingam was not designed to exhibit a fierce-force. Its exhibits a very refined energy. If you put yourself subtle, you will experience it. If you are rigid, you may not feel anything, but still the energy will do its job. A seed is sown into you.  SJV once when replying to a question on what is the difference between Shiva and this Dhyanalingam, said that Shiva can move, but Dhyanalingam cannot. In terms of energy both are same. All seven chakras initialized.

During our three and half days Bhava Spandana program, we were let out on the second day for one hour (out of the Spandhana hall) to visit Linga Bhairavi, Theerthakund and Dhyanalingam. This part of the the BSP schedule, I think they placed this in exact slot. After being dead-tired of practicing certain Kundalini exercises, this visit was really rejuvenating.

Theerthakund - Its an energetic swimming pool. With a 680Kg Mercury lingam consecrated inside the water, you need to step down some 20 feet to reach the water. Theerthakund water temperature is as low as 10 degree Celsius. Just think of how you will feel when you take the first dip. Bottom of the pool is completely fitted with copper plates to enhance/ground? the energies. Once you get inside the pool and leave your body to it you can feel the warmth of the water around you. Though its just 10 degree, you can still feel its warmth. You can also experience one more thing - the density of the water. It will feel like dipping in a diluted wax. Sadhguru once mentioned that the water inside Theerthakund is just normal, but the vibration of the mercury lingam is making it feel dense. You can really feel it dense. Inside the water, you can just float your body with a finger-tip support over the mercury lingam or the side-wall. When you get out of water, you will feel like your body weights a ton and it will take few seconds (till the water drips out of the towel) for you to feel the normal gravity. Being in this water for 5 to 7 minutes, will help you enhance the reception of Dhyanalingam energies. Though you can bypass this dip, its better you make the dip before visiting the ultimatum. Atleast you will be relieved of your body pain.

Linga Bhairavi - Its a highly expressive and exuberant feminine form of a linga. It represents the Divine in its feminine manifestation. As said by SJV, one can even escape from the subtle energies of the Dhyanalingam, but not from this lady. She is fierce and will slap you on your face. Such a type of energy consecration. I wasn’t staying there too long, but there is one thing I could say. She is a sheer beauty. There was a foreigner lady in red clad performing pooja for linga bhairavi. She was singing some song (some humming kind of), showing aarthi to the deity, caring it like her mother. I could clearly sense the bliss on her face. She was not doing the pooja just for the sake of doing it, like how it happens in other Amman temples. She is doing the pooja by her soul.

Dhyanalingam - What to say? He was magnificently sitting in middle of an excellently designed big hall without any pillars supporting this dome roof. Inside the hall, it’s very silent and volunteers ensure its even dead-silent. Even if you drop a small pin inside the hall, it will echo to everyone sitting in the hall. Even kids who scream outside will not spell a word inside. They just adapt themselves to this atmosphere. In this BSP break, I was inside the hall for 15-20 minutes. It was really shaking my spine, but my back pain was much more horrible than it. I forced myself to get out. But that’s not the end.

We (BSP participants - Me, pandian) have roped in a couple of our office folks to join us in this Coimbatore visit. After we come out of BSP hall by Saturday evening (Wednesday-Saturday), we will join the other two and stay in Ashram till Sunday afternoon. That was our simple plan for four of us to spend good time and enjoy the Dhyanalingam experience for one full-day. Atleast to stay in its energy circle for some elongated time.

Soon as the BSP was over, we came out to meet our friends. First disaster we heard was that general visitors cannot stay in Ashram overnight, unless you are a volunteer or have booked a cottage. We tried cottage, but it’s full. So we were forced to return back to Coimbatore. But that didn’t stop our Dhyanalingam plans.

Quickly making Plan-B arrangements for night stay at Coimbatore (Thanks Mr.KSK!) and booking a call taxi, we had a couple of hours gap before the cab reaches Velliangiri. Till time, we again went a dip into Theerthakund, second time After the holy-dip, we were in Dhyanalingam temple again. This time, I could feel better and was inside for 30minutes or something. In fact, it will feel like you are there for few minutes, but time will fast forward like anything.

We had our return journey booked by Sunday afternoon train. What to do in the morning? We already have visited Dhyanalingam, Linga Bhairavi twice and also had a super cool dip in Theerthakund. We thought we will go to Kovai Kutraalam or something similar to free-up ourselves before catching the 3'clock Duronto Express. After all brainstorming we shortlisted this plan - we will go to Ashram again, have a dip in Theerthakund and sit with Dhyanalingam. Anonymously supported and accepted by all, we headed back to Ashram again on Sunday morning. He is not ready to leave us :).

On the way, we made a visit to the Poondi Temple at the foot hills of Velliangiri. I could see those steps leading the way up the mountain staying calm. It really scared me. My nightmare. 4000 steps and 2 hours to climb to cross first 2 mountains. You will literally be dead by then :). After a quick Darshan in the temple and saying a bye to these steep steps, we headed back to Isha Ashram.

Again in Theerthakund, one more deeeep dip, till I felt its enough and back to Dhyanalingam temple. This time, my back pain was better and I sat few extra minutes. When I came out, I realized it was 45mins done. I really don’t want to come out from the lap of this temple. But, the cab was waiting outside to push us back to Chennai life. Most of us felt some difference in the energy space inside the Dhyanalingam temple. During Inner Engineering initiation, if you have felt some vibrations, you can feel something similar here. If you just sit relaxed without too much of questions in mind, you could even experience it more. Since I just then have completed BSP, and my spine was already manipulated!! like anything, I could clearly feel the difference. A chill down my spine.

Okay, Iam stopping here. I thought of visiting Dhyanalingam atleast once, but by Shiva's grace and supportive friends, it happened thrice. Hearty thanks to them. I hope the seed is sown deep into us. It might take days, months, years, decades or even life-times for it to nourish and grow. Let it take its own time to blossom. Till then, let me do my job... :)

PS - My places-to-visit list is getting close to completion. By god's grace, one or other is helping me to clear the list. Only two big items are in my list that I have to cover before I say – “Iam done”. First one is Benares/Kasi. Targeting it for February/2013 during Maha Khumbamela.  Another is the ultimatum – my final destination - The Kailash. Let me wait and watch for what surprises life has it in for me.

ISHA - BSP Experience

Trying to narrate what happened during Isha Bhava Spandana program is a bad attempt. But still, for the sake of encouraging/discouraging :) others who have completed Inner-Engineering (IE), but yet to do BSP, Iam writing this blog. 

Before reading further, pls understand that the experience gained out of BSP varies upto 99.99% for each individual. Why so? Its because of the emotions and ego's that form your core charector. No two persons will feel the same emotion. Another point to understand is that the objective of BSP could be completely different, whereas what I experienced and writing here could be completely different. Best way to know is to attend the program yourself. Now, into the blog.

As most of you know, I did IE around 2009/2010 time-frame and planned to do BSP immediately, but the plan didnt work out. Purely my laziness. I practiced Shambhavi for almost one year, and definitely observed physical/mental benefits, but later I stopped practicing. Its because Iam interested in learning the concept behind any spiritual practice. Iam ready to scream A-U-M to the core of me, but I wanted to know what really happens behind the scene, inside me. Otherwise AUM is just another sound. With such questioning mindset, I naturally developed less interest and stopped practicing Shambhavi finally. I have a great respect towards all Yogi's (SJV, PY, Osho, Rama Krishna, Ramana Maharishi, Sri Sri etc... (I'm skipping Nithi from this list for now :-) ), but I dont want to blindly follow anyone of them. Afterall, spirituality is finding you on your own. Anyone can guide, but no one can help you realize who you are. So "knowing" became priority to me than practicing.

Few weeks back, one of my colleague completed his IE, impressed with the 20 minute kriya and opted for BSP. Though it demanded three days of leave to stay in Isha Ashram - Coimbatore, I decided to go for it. Good or bad, I really dont want to miss this oppurtunity. If I cannot spend just 3 days in my life time for my own, then what am I living for? Once I decided to attend BSP, I resumed the Shambhavi practice after a loooong break; just to keep the body tuned for BSP.

After reading lot of reviews about BSP, we (Me, Pandian) kind of came to a rough conclusion as to what is going to happen. Also the below statement from SJV on BSP tempted me a lot - "Bhava Spandana is like giving you a lift so you can have a peep across the wall. You have lived within the limitations of human senses. Bhava Spandana is a lift beyond your senses where you look at life beyond the limitations of five sense perceptions". Interesting isnt it?

Finally, we landed in Coimbatore Ashram on Wednesday, 25th July, with little expectations. Climate was really good, and Velliangiri hills tempted me to trek. Anyhow trekking is closed now. We were directed to a specially consecrated hall (Spandhana hall), which I think is only to conduct programs like BSP/Shoonya meditation. Soon as we entered the hall, our extended parts like mobile/cameras/ books/laptop/purse are taken away into their custody. Three full days - No access to outside world. Inside the Spandhana hall, its a beautiful world with a perfect view of cloudy Velliangiri hills, greeny landscape, birds chirping and volunteers caring us more than them...

For this session we were around 128 participants and 30+ volunteers. Guided by two teachers and few (guest appearence) bramacharis, the program started. SJV seems to be in Kailash Manasarovar trip now. We missed seeing him. Anyhow, he is not conducting BSP.

Before attending the program this was my mind-set.

1. I have seen few volunteers during Inner Enginnering breaking down and crying soon they are asked to shared their BSP experience. I wanted to find the reason.

2. I really dont have any burden in my mind to open up. Most of you know my life - good or bad, I have shared it all. Only very few things that I havent shared are those that no one has asked for, are my so-called personal secrets. Also these secrets are not worth crying; possibly few of those secrets are something that I should feel shame for :-)

3. I dont have any deep or unfulfilled desires. Life appears to be going smooth for me.

With this mindset, I was eagerly waiting to what "lift" could SJV give for me to get a peep across the wall. Before saying anything, I need to state that the entire three day program is beautifully scheduled and managed. Daily schedule starts at 5am in the morning to 10pm till night. Can you think of getting yourself locked in a hall for three and half days completely living a "different life"? But you wont feel it at all. Thats how the program is managed.

So, whats that "different life" for three days? Answer is - Its not the different life, its the "Real life". What Iam living outside the hall is the "different" one. Beleive it or not, the program made me feel this fact by myself. SJV (recorded video) or the teacher did not make any single boring lecture in these three days, but everything was made to realize on our own. Thats the speciality.

Three days, many unexpected things happened "to me" and "in me". BSP has sharply and nicely cut through most of my ego's - I laughed, cried, danced, screamed, died, turned totally subtle - what else? i did everything that I cannot imagine that I could do. If you dont understand what i wrote in the last line, I cannot elaborate it further. I can say, I was happy, but i cannot explain the "happy" and make you feel the same way I felt.

I still now cannot beleive I danced. And its not just dance, its "Thaandavam" - like Shiv Thaandavam or Rudra Thaandavam. Dance is done with body and Thaandavam with soul. Though Iam not supposed to reveal anything about the program, Iam just saying this alone. The instruction to us was "If you cannot dance with your body, just throw it out and dance.." Thats what most of us did. With our body and soul tuned (rigorous tuning) and our eyes-shut, the soul started its thaandavam for the beat played, and the body followed it faithfully. Internally I could realize that I danced very very beautiful, since Iam not dancing for any one. I was the dancer, choreographer, judge and the audience. One other participant later said to me during a break that I danced very good. I thought he was teasing. During one other dance break, he said the same thing, and I replied him "Dont tease. Did I dance so bad?". He said "You danced really well. I was trying to peep and replicate your steps...:)" I understood how beautiful things will turn out when we put your soul in it. I was thinking how Lord Shiva would have danced in Chidambaram. A pure ecstasy. Experience it guys.

While returning back, I was recollecting when did I dance last. As far as I could remember, I danced only twice in my life. First one when I was around 10-11 years of age. I was teasing my elder sister as to how she danced during the school annual-day celebrations. Second time, it was around 20 yrs age. One day, after a lazy lunch, myself, my mom and my sisters were lying down chatting something. I suddenly woke-up, started singing a Bharathiyar song and danced "Aaduvome, pallu paaduvome.. aanandha sugandhiram adaindhu vittom endru..." My sisters were laughing and trying to pull me down, but I still remember my mother saying "Leave him.. Let him dance..". She really wanted me to be like that. A joyful kid. Iam missing her a lot now :(... After these two instances, this is the third time I'm dancing, that too with my soul and at the age of 30 :)... Not sure whether I will have a chance to dance again at age of 40 or someone will dance for me..! Life is so fragile.!

Second thing happened was I literally broke down during an exercise. Most of the participants broke, few very severe. I never thought I will cry, but I did. So did my colleague:). No shame in accepting the fact. Somewhere deep-inside the dungeons of my heart, I have stored some residual pains that I failed to realize, and BSP had the right tool to cut-open it. BSP is not a practice like meditation or something. In simpler words, its like a tool kit, that can break away your emotions and ego's (Bhaavam) to reveal the real you. Once the tool-kit finishes its job, the "lift to peep across the wall" happens naturally. For the last few years, Iam trying to search an answer for the most fundamental "who am I" question. I need to say very honestly, I "realized" an answer for it. The answer came out of my own soul - from deep inside me and very convincing. Even if SJV himself has taken me a special class for 100hrs and talked about the "who am i" concept, I would not have beleived. But since, this came from within - I had no excuses. Just plain acceptance. 

BSP at times, felt a bit stressful. We are not used to three days of continous Yoga culture. But the desire to "peep across the wall" is like wanting to see your own heart pumping blood. If you cannot accept a CT scan of your heart and wanted to see it with your own eyes, then you need to bear the pain of surgeon ripping apart your chest, taking your heart, showing it to you and putting it back inside safely - all without any analgesic. 

I had few other surprising experiences as well. Most of them are "realized" rather "taught". Its like the sky showing very clear when clouds pass away. When your egos/emotions are cut-open, the real charector of every participant is realized by every other participant attending BSP. Someone said, we came in as 200 and going out as 1. I really did not feel to this extent, but I still beleive many could have experiened this.

But the saddest thing in BSP is this -

1. Its not a kriya/yoga you can do at your home. Whatever things they teach you inside the hall has to be left right there. Nothing to take home and follow like Shambhavi. Experience that you realize out of BSP is the real take-away stuff.

2. Its not a permanent experience. Its only a quick "peep across the wall" - just a matter of seconds for me. You will be let down to normal immediately. If you need to remain in this situation for ever, it needs rigorous practice. It took 18yrs of practice for Ramakrishna Paramahamsa to get into this stage. For me, it probably might take 18 life-times.

I can keep writing more and more, but that will raise your expectations (or) break the surprises when you attend the program. My final recommendation would be this -  Whether you are interested in spirituality or not, just dont miss BSP. They will not show you Shiva or Krishna or Jesus or Allah in this program. But, definitely you will experience a forgotten side of you. The way you lived at the age of 1 or 2.

Am I missing anything - YES. Watch out my next blog for our Dhyanalinga and Theerthakund visit. A life time experience.

Billa 2

What director and producer wanted is very clear.. "Money Money and Money". For this, first thing they trashed is the logic, second thing is story and lastly Ajith. Despite great hype for this movie, thatstamil posted a negative review for this movie. Generally they do such cornering, but atleast this time they got it real.

Watched the movie yesterday in Rakki (Houseful.!!), with good mix of Class-C and B audience. Except those hard-core Ajith fans, I could clearly sense a disappointment with other guys, and me - a lot more disappointed.

Story  - A prequel to Billa; a story tracing the root of David Billa. How he starts his life as a refugee and becomes an international Don. A catchy one liner - but what director has delivered is a clear mess. He might have thought that if Ajith simply does a ramp-walk, thats enough for the movie. His style and charisma could carry the movie. It does it to some extent, but overall - failed.

Ajith has a wonderful screen presence, but he along with the director has forgot that they are making a "prequel"  and not  a "sequel". He looks really old in this movie, with his big tummy and a chubby cheek. He should have really looked younger than what he was in Billa-1. If Ajith is not willing to tune his body, atleast the director/cameraman/costume-designer should have made the work-around. Long-shots with some loose-wear should have done. Tight close-up shots (almost fills his full face on the screen) - not really good to watch. Ajith - an admirer of Rajini, should learn from "the boss" on how to maintain his body; since its their investment. Next movie, either Ajith has to tweak his body (or) choose proper roles like that can suit his age. In Mangaatha, he was really looking good. Honestly, one Ajith fan sitting next to me was asking his friend during the beginning of the movie "Why is Ajith looking like pregnant lady.." They convinced themselves that when Ajith turns don after interval, his tummy will also reduce. (Like "Sivaji the Boss". where Rajini will look a bit chubby in the first half and turns classic post interval).. But till the last moment, Ajith didnt reduce a kilo.

Parvathy - Ayyoo paavam role. I dont know what is the need for her character at all. Less screen presence than the Goa massage girl who appears in two scenes. Parvathy just comes, eats ice-cream in a couple of scenes and dies. She loves Ajith, but goes for a party with that politicians son. Not even a glamour dream song for her with Ajith. Poor girl. Atleast the other girl friend is okay... Showcases herself for the money she signed-in and dies atlast.. (the same massage girl kills her, then that's three scenes for her). Only scene where Parvathy was looking good, was in the fields, where she was kidnapped and left with a plaster in her mouth.

Villain - Both the villains are looking good, but behaving really stupid. Just because he saved 1 crore of powder, he becomes the right-hand to don (Abbasi)? He even takes their weapons business decision, but the villain just bears all his stupidity (intelligence!) and keeps warning him. I really dont  know who is the boss there. Same case with the that Georgian Villain too. He fights excellently in the introduction scene at Georgia, like a martial arts guy, but just falls down in few blows by Ajith inside the chopper. Pongada dey... Iam not sure whether Ajith is a man or Super-man. Again, In the carnival scene, he was attacked by the villain group and falls on the steps with head bleeding like anything. Next moment, he wakes up, fixes-up all those guys (poor kids - they dont even know how to shoot with a gun; they are just pointing their guns at Ajith, waiting for him to snatch and shoot them back), runs out to the street and kills other people - and the carnival people are just walking around the fight scene like dead-again zombies.

Comedy - There are lot of comedy scenes in this movie.

1. Ajith rescuing Parvathy in the field using a hi-funda technique, with all those military man with guns watching Ajith's charisma. They could better shoot themselves (and even me if possible).

2. Taking out the container with all those coastal guards firing only at the container, while Ajith was sitting in the truck with side-window open close to them. The chief coastal guard said in the next scene "Okay, Ajith has taken the container, lets go home and sleep with our.." But due to censor problem, guess, it is removed..

3. Only Ajith, Ranjith (Billa's friend) and other body-guard completely destroying that Georgia guys factory. In the just next scene, (though he was shot) he somehow manages to get inside the same chopper that villain was travelling, with few rose patches on his shirt and cheeks. Blood'aam... Again, looks like this special chopper has special bunkers to hide Ajith inside.

4. Killing that CM - which CM comes to a party with just only one car for his security, and that too he knows Ajith is a gangster.? Just like that 4 guys come in a motor bike and shoot him, and Ajith gets a bail for this petty case.

5. In fact, every scene is worth smiling. Even the place where his gun falls down, when he meets his sister in church - eppadi da pinnala sorugi vecha gun munnadhi vizhum.. saniyaney...

Logicless

1. Iam really not sure if a Srilankan refugee can go out of the camp just like that. And never returns back after that? Not even in their wildest dreams that could happen. Police will trace and screw him out.

2. The inspector just like that shoots a guy inside the refugee camp, but waits for Ajith to come out of campus to kill. Enna logic?

3. What is the police during in all this story? Ajith just kills 4 guys in his first fight; but no investigation happens at all. Then he shoots everyone he sees.

4. After being accused of killing a CM - can a guy go out of India? or even the next city without permission, with all politicians and police against him? He is only granted a bail, not released. Also, since he is depicted to be from Srilanka, how can he be treated like a local gangster, he is a terrorist now. Will the govt bail a terrorist after being accused of killing a CM? Its like Kasab granted bail to freely roam in India, and if he wants he can go Pak as well. If Ajith can go to Russia, why Kasab cant? :)

Not only these, since the complete story is a hole, its kind of finding holes inside a hole. Better leave that logic part before watching the film.

Good thing - RDR and YSR are the real heros of this film, (Ajith and Charka Toleti are the villains). Georgia scenes are real good to watch with a very cool tone. YSR tried to keep this film racy at this best. Nothing more...

Overall - Director clearly knew that there are lot of fools around who will come to watch any sh**, if Ajith just walks in few scenes. Bulls eye - he is the real DON...

Vazhakku En 18/9

I wasn't really intending to watch this movie for few reasons.

1. Trailer itself wasn't very impressive (except the BGM). Played during OK-OK movie.

2. We ourselves face a lot of problem in day-to-day life. Given this, watching others problem on screen, that too spending 100Rs... no way..

3. Films that carry "message" is always allergic for me. I would rather happily watch Americans saving our Earth from Aliens for 100th time.(Watched Avenger recently..)

But, generally things don't work the way we plan. I did watch this movie "Vazhakku En 18/9" few hours back. Why? (enakku yen Jessie'a pudichirukku?)

1.  Himalayan hypes getting floated from all sides for this movie. Indiaglitz/Thatstamil/Galatta.. everyone sings the same song.. A must-watch movie..

2. Lingusamy stating  "he was ashamed to call himself a director" comparing to Balaji Sakthivel.

3. Film in making for close to two years. Is it really worth?

4. Completely shot with Canon EOS 7D still camera. I think they started with EOS 5D two years back, and switched to 7D later when Canon released this new version. How good will the quality be?

5. Rajesh going into tears and Mahesh Babu wrote a macro-blog for this movie - first time in world history, and that too in perfect Tamil.. Now, that really tempted me to watch his movie.

Disclaimer - Since industry is going gaga over this movie, I need to put the disclaimer before dissecting the movie. The below is completely my personal opinion as a guy who spent 100 bucks from my pocket. Any resemblance of this blog to any other blog/article is purely coincidental.

This is Balaji Sakthivel's fourth movie in his series of flops and hits - Samurai (Flop), Kaadhal (Hit), Kallori (Flop) and VE 18/9 (Hit?.. Lets wait and watch)..  Balaji, as I understand, takes his own time to conceive a  concept, crafts it to perfection without any commercial compromise (Bala to learn this), and presents it neatly on screen. In midst of many upma cinemas in recent times, his approach really deserves a pat on his back. When he can earn crores in short time, he waits for 2 years to present a decent movie on board. No compromise. But is his work all worth the wait? Lets look into the Pros/Cons..

Pros

1. Screenplay - Story line for this movie is simply nothing. Just a couple of incidents. But the way its presented is awesome. Making an audience (like me) sit in theater for 3 hours with such a story line is tough. We have seen all sorts of love stories, and this one is nothing different from the rest. But the screenplay, and the way incidents are knit together, Balaji does this with ease.

2. Cast - Sri (Kanaa Kaanum Kaalangal) is amazing. All the young lead character's have done a splendid job. But stealing the show is that little boy (Chinnasamy) who comes as Sri's friend. Think he is from real theru-koothu gang. The scene where he performs koothu to Sri on the road in the night - is excellently composed and awesome. I would apple-apple compare this scene with Vishal's (nava-rasam) performance in Avan-Ivan. One other classic performance is from the Inspector. Just calm, he does the job with ease.

3. Music - It really didn't hinder the visual. Music director just gave what is required for this creed of movie. Also skipping songs in this commercial world is a bold attempt. Hats off to Lingusamy for this.

4. Camera - Digital Still camera? Un-believable and Awesome. Not even Red-One digital, its just Canon  still photography camera that costs around 90,000 INR Quality is thousand times better compared to "Nadunisi Naaigal" film shot in digital camera and OK-OK shot in film camera. In OK-OK, the camera work was really bad and the many scenes were grainy. Balaji Sakthivel in an interview said, shooting in digital camera saved him/actors from getting tensed when film gets wasted. Also he can go for as many re-takes till he gets the desired performance.

5. First half - I need to say that I really enjoyed watching the first half, especially that "thamizharasi comedy" and the love scenes of Sri-Jothy.

6. Story-in-Story - There are many stories in this main story, each in a scene like a cock-tail. a) Villages turning to real-estates b) Child-labor in north side c) Prostitute's-story d) Sri-Jothy love e) Diminishing of koothu kalai f) Spoiled Students g) Correspondent-turned-Pro h) Corrupted Police i) GH doctor demanding money j) Jothy's mother character.. etc. Handling all these within the main-story requires hell a expertise and Balaji has done it. Beauty is, he conveys the message without making us feel it. He just strikes the right chord.

7. No commercial compromise - Thank god. No songs in Switzerland and Sri fighting with 40 stunt artists in a six-pack. Movie close to real life. Director Bala (Pithamagan) need to take such stories. He does damn good story lines, but need to come out of the commercial ring and act free like this guy. We can then compare Tamil cinema to Iran cinemas.

Cons

1. Storyline - A very flat story line. Balaji himself have to admit that there is no big storyline in this picture. Just two incidents roping together to the third - climax. Even the climax is based on a true story, and its revealed in this movie itself.

2. Whats new? - I need to admit that screen-play and making is new. Director is really skilled enough to take a small story and say it for 3 hrs without any drag. Studied in Annamalai university or what :) Anyhow, Is that all? Natural acting is really a plus. For example, the police character in this movie was good, but even Raguman's police character in "Ram" movie will also be very natural. I really couldnt find anything outstanding in this movie. May be techies can let me know.

3. Close-life acting? - (Edhartha nadippu?) - Nice but, its not a trend-setter. How about Mullum-Malarum, Udhiri-pookal, Mudhal Mariyadhai movies.. Recently, how about Tamizh MA? If you really want to see an Edhartha movie - watch Pather Panchali (Sathyajit Ray) - It will be like a candid-cam movie, and you need hell of patience to watch that.

4. Spoiled brats - How many plus-two students are spoiled like the one shown in this movie? Possibly very less. A girl going out with a boy for the first time, that too, after her father fires the guy for calling her to his b'day party - dips in beach, checks-in a room... poangappa... Same girl,  courageous enough to go till police station, hides the truth of the boy trying to "kill" her from her mother..

5. Draggy second-half - With a vellandhi love, right mix of comedy, the first-half was entertaining, but the second half; I felt draggy. Especially, the Aarthy-Dinesh story - could have been edited more crisply. In the first scene itself, the director reveals the intentions of the boy, but then he drags the story too much around this.. really not required..
6. Missing Logic - In the first half, when Jyothi enters the apartment she works, security will make a note of her entry. After the acid incident, will the police not even check the security register for whether Sri has entered inside the apartment by that time? Though police has framed the case and convinced Sri, will no one ask for this? Atleast the Rosy character (pro) or the Idly shop owner? 

I leave it here. Overall, the movie was nice, but not much impressive to exclaim "trend-setter for tamil cinema". Over-buildup going now can possibly kill this movie also. Just go without any expectations, we can watch it once. For me, it reminded me of the movie "Eesan" which kind of has a storyline somewhat similar to this, like how upper-class guys escape from the hands of law. But Eesan was a mess, and this one luckily escaped.

OK-OK movie running house-full. Few who didn't gets tickets for OK-OK, opted for this..
Billa-2 trailer during intermission got a theater-shaking whistle than the climax of this movie...

Holy Dip

Most of you probably know about my recent visit to Kumbakonam (7/Mar) to take a holy dip in the Mahamagam temple tank. This blog is just to capture few nice and funny incidents during this visit. Keep reading...

Its 6th March. As usual, I was just snooping through Dinakaran, and stepped on a post that said - 7/Mar is Maasi Magam and its good to take a holy dip in Kumbakonam Temple tank. That's more than enough for me to get started - since I was planning to attend Kumbamela few years back (2009), but it didnt work out. This Maasi Magam is a similar kind of festival that happens in South India, not too far from Chennai. Also the fascinating  stories behind Kumbakonam, Temple tank and its divinity was much more attracting for me. One other hidden agenda was to visit Chidambaram Temple.

As usual, my monkey (my mind ;-)) started throwing all excuses to skip this trip - physical issues, work pressure, leave availability, travel... blah...blah. With a good level of uncertainty, I packed one spare dress and started to office for the day. My travel itinerary was simple - Take a overnight bus, reach Kumbakonam by morning, take a holy-dip, temple visit, cover Vaidheeswaran temple (optional) and Chidambaram on the way back. After a long thinking, whether to-go or not, I decided to attend this. Reason - If at all, I cannot spend one day in my own life to do what I wanted to, then what liberty means?

Now the biggest problem starts - Where do I keep my bag during holy-dip? I really dont want to check-in a hotel for just few hours. But if the bag gets stolen, I will lose most of me - cash, credit card, mobile, pan card, office ID card etc. etc.. recovering them all back is really hell of a task. So, as a safety measure, I decided to offload most of my stuff in office and carry only necessary items. Silly confusion - whether to leave the mobile charger cable in my desk or carry it with me? Answer - If the mobile itself gets lost, what the hell am I going to do with the cable alone :).. lose it with cable, atleast the other guy might need it for charging :)...

Now the funny part starts. At 7.30pm, I stepped out my cubicle, reached lift and pressed the down arrow. Lift came-in smooth, doors opened, I entered in and "flop" - Current gone. Soon after power switched over to generator, the lift started moving UP rather down. In the office above, there was a big fire-alarm sounding and the security guard was trying to switch it off.. Though, I dont believe in signs - the monkey didn't hear. It again started - "I said it, and you didnt hear. Its upto you now...". I said to it - pora kazhudha enga pona enna... :)

Getting a comfortable drop till CMBT, I could locate a Chennai-Kumbakonam (push-back seat) bus waiting, and to my luck, there were few free seats. Most of them were reserved online. As part of my duty, I triggered a SMS to my family notifying my absence for the night.! 

I was actually expecting the trip to be very jittery - for I had no concrete plans on how to proceed. I dont want to plan it either.  Next day morning, bus reached Kumbakonam around 5.30am. After a strong tea, I just walked in around the bus-stand thinking what to do next? I really dont know what to do next. Go to temple directly or check-in a hotel? what time should should I go to temple tank? no idea... just walking..

One guy suddenly stepped-in asking me for a whether Iam looking a room for refreshment. He guided me to a hotel nearby. He charged 100/- for an hour of stay. After a good refreshment, I checked-out and again back in bus-stand. Just queried one near-by guy on how to reach the temple-tank. Though its just a kilometer away, he was stressing me to take a mini-bus. I think he is fed up with walking. Fortunately, the bus was right there and in next couple of minutes I was near the temple tank.

To my surprise, there are atleast 500 people in and around the tank at that time. Sun hasnt come-up till that time, and the camphor lights of those who are performing last rites for their ancestors was creating a heavenly atmosphere in the area. After seeing so many people taking dip, I too decided to offload some of my sin-bag. Whether it works or not, but no harm in trying right? In this culture, many core scientific facts are hidden behind such stories and beliefs - otherwise people wont remember and pass them to next generations. If we have good amount of time to decipher such stories and find the facts, it will definitely be amazing. If there is no time, atleast follow what they said.

I was reading about a foreigner who has done an extensive research on the temple tank (Saravana Poigai) in Tiruttani. He wrote, it was amazing to imagine how come that much of phosphorous content can be mixed in a temple tank.(Greenish color). He exclaimed, it will need the best alchemist to mix such right proportions of chemicals and a dip in Saravana Poigai will definitely heap health benefits. It can cure lot a of skin problems. How many of us know this? Dont wait for science to prove all things. That's definitely not going to happen.

Now, back to thread!! :).. The problem now is what to do with the bag? I could see few beggars roaming inside the temple tank, and I'm sure my bag could be looted. But then I heard that voice, "sir.. neenga thaniya vandheengala"...Aha..! one other wanderer with the same problem.. We had a deal. I said - You go first, I will take care of your bag. After his dip, he passed me the turn. After my dip, we happily parted. Its good that I didnt stress myself with too much of this bag problem. I know that will be solved at that moment anyhow...Job well done.. So what now?

Next in my plan was to visit "Adhi Kumbeshwarar" temple. Soon after getting out of the temple-tank there was a big temple. But that was not the Kumbeshwarar temple. It was Kaasi Vishwanathar temple. So what, 10mins of good darshan, and started walking towards the Kumbeshwarar temple. On the way, stepped into a couple of other big temples - Nageswarar and Someswarar temple. Finally reached the Kumbeshwarar temple, had a good-darshan of the moolavar and the urchavar. The Urchavar deity was all clad in flowers, and he was ready to take a dip along with his better-half by 10.30am. During that time, it will be immense crowd, and you cannot see a bit of him. (pona varusham azhagar aathula eranganaara - this is what i remembered at that time) But now, since I met him in his den, I happily started-off from Kumbakonam. Not sure when could I step on this holy land again.

After breakfast, started my way to Vaidheeswaran temple. It was almost 10.00am now. After a good darshan - I expected big crowd, but since it was week-mid and most of them were at Kumbakonam, this temple was free. A couple of marriages were happening.. [Nice couple.. ponnu nalla irundhudhu..], and the photographer was doing his duty. My office colleagues, who knew my travel plan, wanted me to check the Naadi Josiyam when in Vaidheeswaran Koil - but I really had no interest in knowing anything of my future. Past is gone, and present in happening. What am I going to do by knowing a hint of my future.. Let it happen in its way.. That will be more interesting.

Reached Chidambaram by 11.30am. By 12.00, they will close the temple and open only at 4.00 again. So, I was in a bit hurry to get a glimpse of Natarajar. Lucky enough, I got a good view of his dance. Once again, a mid-aged man, who appealed very spiritual [pattaiyum, kottaiyum pottunurundharu], called me up and asked - "Are you an Isha Meditator?".. Probably he should have noted the rudraksha mala in my neck. Looks like he is an Isha volunteer and was involved in the mega activity of Isha volunteers cleaning up this temple.

I really dont know what "Isha Meditator" means, for there are lot of levels, and iam not even in the first level. Avoiding to lie... that too standing before the god, I said "I have done my inner engineering course.. thats it". I dont know whether he got my statement, but he asked me to go and visit the "AdhiMoolaNaadhar" shrine which is one other lingam in the same temple, but a bit away from the main Natarajar deity. I really dont want to get there, since my intention was only to see Natarajar and step-back, but since he has said explicitly, I dont want to miss it too. Also it was only 11.45am and still there was15 more mins for the Nadai to close. [They will close the silver doors of the the main deity only and not the whole temple ;)]. I just walked towards the Aadhi moolanaadhar sannidhi, which is on the main pragaram, but a bit isolated, since most of the crowd is standing before Natarajar. Actually, there are lot of such sannidhi's and really I couldnt find where is aadhi mooolanaadhar. Meantime, the man who asked me to go there, himself came-in and guided me to the Sannidhi. He said "Whenever Sadhguru comes here, he will first visit Natarajar and will directly come here...". Inside the Sannidhi he was pointing me the statue of "Pathanjali" and one other statue, that I couldn't hear properly. Possibly, the only one student who survived the teaching of Pathanjali.

Since I already have read the story behind Pathanjali and Chidambaram, I could guess that this should be the place where Pathanjali Maharishi was teaching yoga to his students. That's why SJV has a soft corner over this place. Good that I came to know about that, and by this blog you all will know that. Next time, dont forget to take a look at "Aadhi Moola Naadhar" Sannidhi before you leave.

That man was also pointing me a bit cornered place, straight opposite the lingam and asked me to mediate at that place, if I need to. How do i say him that "I dont know how to meditate" :).. I said "Ok, but let me complete the Natarajar Darshan first, and come back here". He left and I couldnt find him later. After a good Natarajar Darshan, I came back to this Saanidhi. I really dont know to meditate, but I know how to sit "summa" for I have been doing that for years in office :).. So I decided to sit there "summa" for few mins, just as a formality after visiting the temple, and also satisfying the request of that Isha volunteer. Nammalayum oru manishana madhichi sonnarulla...

I just selected a good place, where I could lean against the pillar "comfortably", and just started thinking about the architectural beauty and the historic incidents behind this temple. How will this place look, when Pathanjali Mahamuni was taking his Yoga Class? How great are our ancestors to design and build a temple for space? No moolarvar.. just empty space.. Chidambara Ragasyam...WoW.. Just thinking such things, I just closed by eyes, and within seconds it was a "swirl" taking me deep inside. Actually, I was really tired travelling all night, and I'm not sure whether I started sleeping or meditating. Now, I really dont want to get into that swirl and get embarrassed (if at all I'm sleeping :) ). I just managed myself to escape the swirl which lasted for few seconds - but in real some 5-6 mins have gone and I could see a lot of people standing near that Sannidhi. Good that I was still sitting and didnt fall-off. When I closed my eyes, no one was there, and now more people were here since the Nadai was closed. It was almost 12.40 by that time, and I need to return. 

Lucky enough, I could get a bus without much waiting time and reached home safely. A very good, smooth and satisfying trip indeed, and worth spending a day in my life. If at all, I listened to the monkey within, this trip would have been another excuse. But this went smooth than I really expected it to be. Not sure how long I will have the liberty to wander-at-will, but within time, there are lot more places to cover.