Astika Samajam-Alwarpet arranged a series of concerts as part of Thyagaraja Aradhana
festiva and it was the day of
Sikkil Gurucharan
Tiruvarur Baktavatsalam
S.Varadararajan-Violin
Vakam Gopalakrishnan-Ghatam
The concert was supposed to be for 2.30 hours but delayed and started at 6.50 because TB arrived late. Sharp it ended at 8.50.
Nerenemmi-Kanada
ReJesina-Purnachandrika-PSI Swaram in Rejesina.
Raga Alapana-Kumudakriya followed by
"Ardhanareeswaram and Neraval in "Ardhanareeshwaram"-MD
Srirama Padama- Amritavahini-T
Main-Shankarabharanam-followed by "Enduku peddala"- Neraval in "Veda sastra" and swaram.-T
Tani
nALai varum enru- Chandrakauns-Madurai GS Mani
Iyal isai-Tiruppugazh-Desh-AruNagirinadhar
Mangalam kosalendraya-surutti followed by "Srirama JayamangaLam"
SGC managed to give full justice in raga alapana of both K.kriya and S.Bharanam. Unknown kriti in PSI added value to this though he was referring the book while singing this...
His Shankarabharanam was too good. Pleasure to listen "enduku", the best of T's compositions.
Special mention about Tani. Vaikam and Tiruvarur-I would say performed most of their concerts together. Sort of "Made for each other". Tani for 7 minutes was superb. A good Guru is identified by a good disciple. Delhi S.Sairam is one among many of TB.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Monday, 25 February 2008
Me, Myself and an angel Called Padma
Some persons, some places and some incidents will always live in one’s memory. Be it the first love or be it a witness to a gory accident or be it getting some awards for excellence or see your first child. Etc.,
Unfortunately, nothing like that kicked me from my bed or perplexed and blissed my memories but some personal relationship from my Mumbai angel that will live ever in my memory.
A sweet girl, friend of yours, with 18 years old, suffering from a disease, and disappearing slowly is the saddest part of your life. Of course, no one could console/heal the wounds of the parents of that little Rose but my relationship was different.
As a normal employee of Zee Telefilms Ltd., I did not expect anything except a disciplined professional atmosphere and boss-staff-friends relationship with normal holidays and a “lovely” train journey from worli to New Mumbai till I met Raji.
Raji was an Accountant along with Hema and Seshadri, Rajagopal, as the Company Secretary and Maliwal as my boss, Raji was a very soft and outspoken, a typical Mumbaiwallah who initially tried to rag me, Slowly, may be my attitude must have made the change, the entire group moved very closely. All our friends liked each other and shared memories. One day Raji was telling about her sister Padma who had got some problem and could not go to school.
I was so moved by that because someone is telling me her problem without knowing the other person fully. I was also willing to meet that girl. By the time, I took Raji into confidence and we went together to her house.
I saw that smile, of Padma, which was conveying that she wanted to share her love for someone. I could not believe that she had some problem and her smile would even defeat “Lord of Death” or subjugate any evil thinking. So tender. I made it a point to meet her more often to give my affection and deepest love.
Slowly, we built a wonderful “Rose Garden” where we were only allowed to share. It was beyond any relationship the World has seen/experienced so far. The touch of her hand has conveyed 1000 words which no Poet could put it in pen.
I could realize after I met her that that love was to come within, unbiased and do not expect anything return except the reciprocal love and sympathy is not love. You can fall in love with anyone but getting the love of Padma was very difficult. She was so clear in her thoughts. She was very tough and adamant like a Child.
Few times I had made and given her coffee/tea and medicines. She sometimes, slept in my lap like a small cuckoo.
I had been observing her, shunted between hospital and house owing to continuous cough and other heart-related issues. I am not going to discuss further about the problems. Surprisingly, she wanted to see me at least once in a day and even in hospital, where I could see her in full pain, smiling at me. I had not given anything to her in my life except being with her sometimes.
She was holding my hands and saw her eyes telling me that she would go very soon. I did not have any words to answer. Within a week, she passed away. I was inconsolable that whole night and prayed God to give her the same love and affection given by me.
It has been more than a decade I saw Padma confined to flames. I could not see her face after her death as I was late for the funeral. For Padma, life is short. But, within the shorter period, she created an indelible mark in my heart and still whispers “Ramki”. This whisper is for me, for me and FOR ME ONLY.
Recently, her brother has been blessed with a baby girl, Sahana. I can say, certainly, that she has been born again to that family, who still could not reconcile the untimely demise of Padma. At least, the new arrival would heal the wounds to a large extent. Ironically, Padma’s sisters have got sons where brother has got the first daughter. Is this not God’s wish ?
If God is asking me for a wish, I would ask only one thing. Never create any person like Padma and if you create, also create a person like Ramki to be with her life throughout.
Unfortunately, nothing like that kicked me from my bed or perplexed and blissed my memories but some personal relationship from my Mumbai angel that will live ever in my memory.
A sweet girl, friend of yours, with 18 years old, suffering from a disease, and disappearing slowly is the saddest part of your life. Of course, no one could console/heal the wounds of the parents of that little Rose but my relationship was different.
As a normal employee of Zee Telefilms Ltd., I did not expect anything except a disciplined professional atmosphere and boss-staff-friends relationship with normal holidays and a “lovely” train journey from worli to New Mumbai till I met Raji.
Raji was an Accountant along with Hema and Seshadri, Rajagopal, as the Company Secretary and Maliwal as my boss, Raji was a very soft and outspoken, a typical Mumbaiwallah who initially tried to rag me, Slowly, may be my attitude must have made the change, the entire group moved very closely. All our friends liked each other and shared memories. One day Raji was telling about her sister Padma who had got some problem and could not go to school.
I was so moved by that because someone is telling me her problem without knowing the other person fully. I was also willing to meet that girl. By the time, I took Raji into confidence and we went together to her house.
I saw that smile, of Padma, which was conveying that she wanted to share her love for someone. I could not believe that she had some problem and her smile would even defeat “Lord of Death” or subjugate any evil thinking. So tender. I made it a point to meet her more often to give my affection and deepest love.
Slowly, we built a wonderful “Rose Garden” where we were only allowed to share. It was beyond any relationship the World has seen/experienced so far. The touch of her hand has conveyed 1000 words which no Poet could put it in pen.
I could realize after I met her that that love was to come within, unbiased and do not expect anything return except the reciprocal love and sympathy is not love. You can fall in love with anyone but getting the love of Padma was very difficult. She was so clear in her thoughts. She was very tough and adamant like a Child.
Few times I had made and given her coffee/tea and medicines. She sometimes, slept in my lap like a small cuckoo.
I had been observing her, shunted between hospital and house owing to continuous cough and other heart-related issues. I am not going to discuss further about the problems. Surprisingly, she wanted to see me at least once in a day and even in hospital, where I could see her in full pain, smiling at me. I had not given anything to her in my life except being with her sometimes.
She was holding my hands and saw her eyes telling me that she would go very soon. I did not have any words to answer. Within a week, she passed away. I was inconsolable that whole night and prayed God to give her the same love and affection given by me.
It has been more than a decade I saw Padma confined to flames. I could not see her face after her death as I was late for the funeral. For Padma, life is short. But, within the shorter period, she created an indelible mark in my heart and still whispers “Ramki”. This whisper is for me, for me and FOR ME ONLY.
Recently, her brother has been blessed with a baby girl, Sahana. I can say, certainly, that she has been born again to that family, who still could not reconcile the untimely demise of Padma. At least, the new arrival would heal the wounds to a large extent. Ironically, Padma’s sisters have got sons where brother has got the first daughter. Is this not God’s wish ?
If God is asking me for a wish, I would ask only one thing. Never create any person like Padma and if you create, also create a person like Ramki to be with her life throughout.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
My Professional Carreer.
At the very outset, my sincere thanks to you for visiting my blog, where I attempt to trace back some of my carrier achievements.
As an average student in my School life and Higher Secondary, I graduated in B.com from Madras University, (1980-83) where I stood college first in my special subject Corporate Accounting (87%) I entered my dream of Chartered Accountancy with M/s Shankar, Giri, Prabhakar in Chennai.
It had not been easy for me, initially, to pick-up city life and its corporate discipline. So, it took almost a year to draft an Audit Report without much intervention from my seniors and appreciated by the Audit Partners. Audit of EID Parry, Shaw Wallace, Gum India, McDowell’s, Cholamandalam and various small audits had really been the platforms for me to build my professional career.
As it took me more than the articleship period to pass my Chartered Accountancy, I migrated to Bangalore and joined Toshniwal Brothers and then, Bifora watches Ltd., situated in Hosur-Bangalore belt. A manufacturing unit was the ideal Company to start where I involved more on developing a good costing system with flow charts and step-by-step comments for the watches manufacturing by holding a frequent meetings with Production supervisors, foremen, assembling unit incharge and I have to thank the Management to keep faith on me, an inexperienced person to implement my findings. This indeed, helped me to think more on Value Engineering in the later part of my professional life.
Titan on the other end of the city spreading its wings Bifora lost its charm and I tried to move to Mumbai, not having Mr.Ambani’s dreams but with a “Chaai Paani” dream.
To start with Krishna Filaments Ltd, (1991) manufacturing of filament yarn as a Chief Accountant , DBS Corporate Services Ltd., (a division of Diners club) where I involved more on receivable of old Diners Card)
Then, came Zee Telefilms Ltd. Even though it did not help me professionally (which was the reason I resigned later), it gave a tremendous exposure on public Issue, meeting the lead bankers, Company Law, SEBI formalities and finally sitting in the Annual General Meeting, witnessing the Chairman answering the volley of Questions from the Shareholders by giving some input to Chairman. This was, indeed, a landmark in life
Tolia Group- Manufacturers of Chemicals and Shriram Transport Corp - a flagship company of Sriram Group, Chennai and General Manager-Accounts.
My experience of 10 years in Mumbai instilled confidence in me and made me to face any challenges.
Dubai life has its own flavour. No taxation/duties and hearings, the thrust will be more on receivables and Audit. After Enkay Express, a freight forwarding company, I joined Al Shirawi Group of Companies.
Needless to say, this Company has really tested my professional competence to face challenges. Managing 4 Companies including US based Joint Venture Company have, indeed, been good experience. With a work force of 2000 and staff of 300, it is a big Corporate Family to reckon with.
Preparation of Annual Budgets, Monthly MIS, Managing 20 odd banks with all funded, non-funded limits, alternate day meetings on the weekly review, action plan and remedies with Executive Director are some of the job profile of this Company. .
In the process of the learning curve, I did fail to perform upto the expectation in some of the Companies resulting in losing the Bank financing, some projects and misrepresentation of figures (unintentionally). But, ultimately, I tried to give my 100% wherever and whatever position I worked. I always had the advantage of moulding excellent staff as juniors and cherish myself of good delegation power of work.
Thank you once again for reading my blog. I end this note by saying that I still have a long way to go to fulfil my professional appetite and be a part of team in moulding a good organisation.
As an average student in my School life and Higher Secondary, I graduated in B.com from Madras University, (1980-83) where I stood college first in my special subject Corporate Accounting (87%) I entered my dream of Chartered Accountancy with M/s Shankar, Giri, Prabhakar in Chennai.
It had not been easy for me, initially, to pick-up city life and its corporate discipline. So, it took almost a year to draft an Audit Report without much intervention from my seniors and appreciated by the Audit Partners. Audit of EID Parry, Shaw Wallace, Gum India, McDowell’s, Cholamandalam and various small audits had really been the platforms for me to build my professional career.
As it took me more than the articleship period to pass my Chartered Accountancy, I migrated to Bangalore and joined Toshniwal Brothers and then, Bifora watches Ltd., situated in Hosur-Bangalore belt. A manufacturing unit was the ideal Company to start where I involved more on developing a good costing system with flow charts and step-by-step comments for the watches manufacturing by holding a frequent meetings with Production supervisors, foremen, assembling unit incharge and I have to thank the Management to keep faith on me, an inexperienced person to implement my findings. This indeed, helped me to think more on Value Engineering in the later part of my professional life.
Titan on the other end of the city spreading its wings Bifora lost its charm and I tried to move to Mumbai, not having Mr.Ambani’s dreams but with a “Chaai Paani” dream.
To start with Krishna Filaments Ltd, (1991) manufacturing of filament yarn as a Chief Accountant , DBS Corporate Services Ltd., (a division of Diners club) where I involved more on receivable of old Diners Card)
Then, came Zee Telefilms Ltd. Even though it did not help me professionally (which was the reason I resigned later), it gave a tremendous exposure on public Issue, meeting the lead bankers, Company Law, SEBI formalities and finally sitting in the Annual General Meeting, witnessing the Chairman answering the volley of Questions from the Shareholders by giving some input to Chairman. This was, indeed, a landmark in life
Tolia Group- Manufacturers of Chemicals and Shriram Transport Corp - a flagship company of Sriram Group, Chennai and General Manager-Accounts.
My experience of 10 years in Mumbai instilled confidence in me and made me to face any challenges.
Dubai life has its own flavour. No taxation/duties and hearings, the thrust will be more on receivables and Audit. After Enkay Express, a freight forwarding company, I joined Al Shirawi Group of Companies.
Needless to say, this Company has really tested my professional competence to face challenges. Managing 4 Companies including US based Joint Venture Company have, indeed, been good experience. With a work force of 2000 and staff of 300, it is a big Corporate Family to reckon with.
Preparation of Annual Budgets, Monthly MIS, Managing 20 odd banks with all funded, non-funded limits, alternate day meetings on the weekly review, action plan and remedies with Executive Director are some of the job profile of this Company. .
In the process of the learning curve, I did fail to perform upto the expectation in some of the Companies resulting in losing the Bank financing, some projects and misrepresentation of figures (unintentionally). But, ultimately, I tried to give my 100% wherever and whatever position I worked. I always had the advantage of moulding excellent staff as juniors and cherish myself of good delegation power of work.
Thank you once again for reading my blog. I end this note by saying that I still have a long way to go to fulfil my professional appetite and be a part of team in moulding a good organisation.
Friday, 3 August 2007
Great Quotes
I would like to share some Quotes which were shared by some Great People of our life..
Mother Teresa told her superiors-"I have three pennies and a dream of God to build an orphanage". Her superiors chided her "You cannot do anything with just three pennies". "I know that", the Mother replied. "But with God and three pennies, I can no anything!". The rest is history.
When asked, "What in your leadership enabled you to create so many millionaires,". Andrew Carnegie replied, "You get what you seek in liefe. If you seek filth, you find filth. I sought gold in my people and they turned out to be my gold mines."
During his tenure as the Finance Minister, our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh drew a salary of just Rs 2.- per day. He said, "In my own way, I have tried to repay whatever I could do to the country. A perfect day is the one when I have made moves that would satisfy my conscience."
After three failed attempts, Sir Edmund Hillary looked at Mount Everest and said with a clenched fist, "You have defeated me again. But I will return and I will defeat you because even as Everest you cannot grow any further, but I, as a human being can."
Socrates said, "Before you talk to me about anybody, take a triple filter test. The first filter-are you certain that it is true ? The second filter- is it something good ? The third filter- will it be useful to me ? If it is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tel it to me at all ? "
Abraham Lincold once saw a pig in the marshes. The president soild his clothes and saved the pig. He later said, "I was pained to see the suffering of the pig. By helping the pig, I had only relieved myslef of my affliction. I was actuall helping myself and not the pig."
The rains failed. Where 100 loads would be harvested, just half a load could be reaped. Robert H. Schuller prayed, "Thank you Lord for giving me back my seeds." He told his son, "Never look at what you have lost. Look at what you are left with. Gratitude gives you the surviving power."
While boarding a train, one of Mahatma Gandhi's sandals slipped and fell on the track. As the train had started moving, without hesitation he took off his other sandal, threw it out and said, "Now some poor man walking along the track will ahve the fortune of finding two."
Victor Frankl said, "We who survived the concentration camps offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
Mother Teresa told her superiors-"I have three pennies and a dream of God to build an orphanage". Her superiors chided her "You cannot do anything with just three pennies". "I know that", the Mother replied. "But with God and three pennies, I can no anything!". The rest is history.
When asked, "What in your leadership enabled you to create so many millionaires,". Andrew Carnegie replied, "You get what you seek in liefe. If you seek filth, you find filth. I sought gold in my people and they turned out to be my gold mines."
During his tenure as the Finance Minister, our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh drew a salary of just Rs 2.- per day. He said, "In my own way, I have tried to repay whatever I could do to the country. A perfect day is the one when I have made moves that would satisfy my conscience."
After three failed attempts, Sir Edmund Hillary looked at Mount Everest and said with a clenched fist, "You have defeated me again. But I will return and I will defeat you because even as Everest you cannot grow any further, but I, as a human being can."
Socrates said, "Before you talk to me about anybody, take a triple filter test. The first filter-are you certain that it is true ? The second filter- is it something good ? The third filter- will it be useful to me ? If it is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tel it to me at all ? "
Abraham Lincold once saw a pig in the marshes. The president soild his clothes and saved the pig. He later said, "I was pained to see the suffering of the pig. By helping the pig, I had only relieved myslef of my affliction. I was actuall helping myself and not the pig."
The rains failed. Where 100 loads would be harvested, just half a load could be reaped. Robert H. Schuller prayed, "Thank you Lord for giving me back my seeds." He told his son, "Never look at what you have lost. Look at what you are left with. Gratitude gives you the surviving power."
While boarding a train, one of Mahatma Gandhi's sandals slipped and fell on the track. As the train had started moving, without hesitation he took off his other sandal, threw it out and said, "Now some poor man walking along the track will ahve the fortune of finding two."
Victor Frankl said, "We who survived the concentration camps offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Semmangudi-My Village
Think of this village, my childhood days flash in front of me. Huh, Golden days as for everone. Iam always proud to be born in this village enjoying the greenery, beautiful temples, village unique functions like Pongal, Aadi 18 (18th day of Aadi the 4th Tamil Month) and village-trimmed Dramas viz., Terukkoottu and Bommalattam etc.,
I studied upto 10th Standard. Village of around 100 Brahmin houses surrounded by West Street and East Street in between tanks. For getting a bus to the nearest town (Tiruvarur), we had to walk for 30 minutes. Facing East is Varadaraja Swamy Temple and facing south is Ananthavalli (Sametha Agastheeswarar). These are two important temple in my life, which sowed the seed of Bhakthi within me
Among the houses in Brahmin Streets, 2 houses merit mention. One is our Pitahamaha and second is the Head Master's.
My maternal Grandfather's house, where I lived, was in front of Pitamaha's house which helped me to appreciate Carnatic Music at a later stage. I was not not interested in Music in my childhood days thouth I had a wealth of Music sitting opposite of our house. Destiny had it all, as an average student in the school and not a great Music lover/listener, my childhood days were sort of go-go. But two important people in my life who merit mentioning here.
I studied upto 10th Standard. Village of around 100 Brahmin houses surrounded by West Street and East Street in between tanks. For getting a bus to the nearest town (Tiruvarur), we had to walk for 30 minutes. Facing East is Varadaraja Swamy Temple and facing south is Ananthavalli (Sametha Agastheeswarar). These are two important temple in my life, which sowed the seed of Bhakthi within me
Among the houses in Brahmin Streets, 2 houses merit mention. One is our Pitahamaha and second is the Head Master's.
My maternal Grandfather's house, where I lived, was in front of Pitamaha's house which helped me to appreciate Carnatic Music at a later stage. I was not not interested in Music in my childhood days thouth I had a wealth of Music sitting opposite of our house. Destiny had it all, as an average student in the school and not a great Music lover/listener, my childhood days were sort of go-go. But two important people in my life who merit mentioning here.
1) Murugan Patti (MP)-
To go to my elementary school, which is in the southern end of our Street, I had to pass her house. I still do not know why she got this name, MP. Normal days, we did not care much about her and rarely went to her house. But, when exams started, we made it a point to go to her house and give our pen. She chants some mantra and rolled it at the feet of Murugan. She also gives a spoon of milk as a prasad to all. I do not remember whether I got very good marks in the subjects but not doing this, probably, I would have failed !!! who knows..
I still remember some slokas, chanted by her. When I taughter these to my kids, I thanked her and could not stop tears rolling down....
2) Head Master-Sri.Vishwanathan.
His house is situated in the centre part of the street. No one could avoid, passing-by his house. We always walk at the other end of the street, when we pass-by his house. Such a respect, we had for our HM. Respect has to be earned, not to be forced is very true, here. Such a simple man with abundance of knowledge. My Mother, Uncle and some of my Mom's sisters got prizes and awards for their exemplary performances from HM but I could not, even one. I missed to touch this great man's hand by not receiving an award. But, he taught me discipline, how to fight and become a man ouf your own.
There are some teachers in school,
1) Hindi Pundit- who taught me Vishnu Sahasranamam which is my daily chanting.
2) Iyengar Sir- who took tuition and a great man with values.
3) PS Sir- who was always ragged by students but a great man
4) Tirumalai Sir- A Terror among the teachers.
5) SSB Sir- Excellant Tamil teacher.
6) La La and Vee.Gee- Excellant Science Teachers.
and some more, I can never forget in my life. I pay tributes to them through this blog for shaping me to this level. Namaskarams to all. Aacharya Devo Bhava...
If God asks me to tell 5 wishes I have, I will not hesitate to put "go back to school and live those beautifuly days" as my first wish..
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