#include – Bits and Bytes of Life

Posted on November 24, 2011 in: Random Thoughts

Finally the long wait is over. please check the video for the song – “Bits and Bytes of Life” from our album – “#include ” here – http://8n8.in/. Please listen to the song and spread a word.. and also let us know the feedback… Its my first time with lyrics.. and here it is..

Its a cozy one for those who see it
And a messy one for others who live it
Trading their time
For a price not worthy
Fitting to the curves of a chair

Scrolling through the source code of life
I realize
How I spend the bits and bytes of life
I had everything others wished to have
And had nothing I just wished to be (2)

Giving the screen a good cold stare
Locked in an open cubicle
With invisible chains that shackle
Filling the blanks between curly braces

Scrolling through the source code of life
I realize
How I spend the bits and bytes of life
I had everything others wished to have
And had nothing I just wished to be (2)

Making my life return void always
I lived my life without a life(2)
No time for friends, family
As if in a never ending loop(2)

Scrolling through the source code of life
I realize
How I spend the bits and bytes of life
I had everything others wished to have
And had nothing I just wished to be (3)

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Steve Jobs – one of the greatest visionaries our generation has seen

Posted on October 6, 2011 in: Lazy enough, Personal

Woke up to a shocking news. The emperor of Gadgets – Steve Jobs went to design gadgets in heaven. RIP Steve Jobs… You are one of the greatest visionaries our generation has seen. Thank you for being the master brain behind Apple Products like – IPod, IMac, MacBook and IPad and for incorporating Pixar Animations – One of the most brilliant Animation studios which was able to roll out the finest movies like – Toy Story(3 Parts), Monsters INC, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Wall-E, The Incredibles, Up and Cars(2 Parts). May your soul rest in peace.

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ക്യാമറയുമായി ഒരു തീര്‍ഥാടനം ഭാഗം – 1

Posted on August 31, 2011 in: Inscriptions, Travelogue

All my non mallu friends please excuse me this time. This time my travelogue on the trip to Mookambika and Murudeshwar is in Malayalam. Hope to translate this to English once I am done. :)

ഇതെഴുതാന്‍ ഇരിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ഒരു ജനാലക്കപ്പുറത്ത്‌ മഴയുടെ ഇരമ്പം എനിക്ക് കേള്‍ക്കാം. തുള്ളിക്കൊരു കുടം കണക്കെ തകര്‍ത്താടുകയാണ് മഴ. ഒരു അവധി ദിവസത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ ആലസ്യങ്ങളെയും വാരി പുണരാന്‍ കൊതിപ്പിക്കുന്ന കാലാവസ്ഥ. എനിക്ക് നല്ല മടി തോന്നുന്നുണ്ട്. യു ട്യൂബില്‍ നിന്നും കക്കാടിന്റെ സഫലമീ യാത്ര വേണുഗോപാലിന്റെ സ്വരത്തില്‍ ഒഴുകി ഇറങ്ങുന്നു. വേണു ഗോപാല്‍ പാടുമ്പോള്‍ പാട്ട് പാടുന്നത് ഇത്ര എളുപ്പമാണോ എന്ന് തോന്നും. പല തവണ കേട്ടതാണെങ്കിലും ഇന്നും സഫലമീ യാത്ര കേള്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ഒരു പുതുമയാണ്. അത്രമേല്‍ ഹൃദ്യമായ വരികള്‍. ജീവിത സായാഹ്നത്തില്‍ ജീവിതത്തെ ഒരു യാത്രയോടുപമിച്ച കവി. യാത്രകള്‍ എനിക്കിഷ്ടമായതിനാല്‍ കൂടി ആവണം എനിക്കീ കവിത ഇത്ര പ്രിയപെട്ടതായത്.

ഇന്ന് എനിക്കെഴുതാനുള്ളതും ഒരു യാത്രയെ കുറിച്ചാണ്. രണ്ടാഴ്ച മുന്‍പ് ഞാനും ഒരു സുഹൃത്തും ചേര്‍ന്ന് കൊല്ലൂര്‍ മൂകാംബികയിലെക്കും അവിടെ നിന്ന് മുരുദേശ്വരത്തെക്കും നടത്തിയ ഒരു യാത്ര. പോയി വന്നിട്ട് ഇത്ര നാളായിട്ടും അതേക്കുറിച്ച് എഴുതാന്‍ സാധിച്ചില്ല. സഹജമായ മടി, പിന്നെ ജോലി തിരക്കും തന്നെ കാരണം. ഇനിയും നീട്ടി വെച്ചാല്‍ ഇത് ഞാന്‍ എഴുതില്ല എന്നറിയാവുന്നതു കൊണ്ട് തന്നെയാണ് ഇന്ന് അതിനായി തന്നെ ഇരിക്കാം എന്ന് വെച്ചത്. പതിവായി യാത്രകളെ കുറിച്ച് എഴുതുന്നത്‌ ഇംഗ്ലീഷില്‍ ആണ്. ഇത്തവണ മലയാളത്തില്‍ ആവട്ടെ എന്നാണു തീരുമാനം. ജാലകപ്പാളികല്‍ക്കിടയിലൂടെ ഇടയ്ക്കിടെ മഴത്തുള്ളികള്‍ എത്തി നോക്കി എന്നെ തലോടുന്നുണ്ട്‌.

ഒരു വൈകുന്നേരം വന്ന ഒരു ഫോണ്‍ കോളില്‍ നിന്നും ആണ് മൂകാംബികയിലെക്കുള്ള യാത്രയുടെ ജനനം. മറു തലക്കല്‍ എന്റെ സുഹൃത്ത്‌ അഭിലാഷ് എന്ന അഭി ആയിരുന്നു. പല തവണ പോകാന്‍ തീരുമാനിച്ചു മാറ്റി വെച്ച യാത്ര ആണ് മൂകംബികയിലെക്കുള്ളത്.(ഞാന്‍ ഇതിനു മുന്‍പ് 2 തവണ മൂകാംബികയിലും കുടജാദ്രിയിലും പോയിട്ടുള്ളതാണ്. അഭി ഒരു പ്രാവിശ്യവും) മൂന്നോ നാലോ പേര്‍ ചേര്‍ന്ന് യാത്ര തീരുമാനിച്ച ശേഷം ആര്‍ക്കെങ്കിലും ഒരാള്‍ക്ക്‌ അസൗകര്യം ഉണ്ടാവും. യാത്ര നീളും. അത് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ ഇത്തവണ ആരെയും കൂടെ കൂട്ടേണ്ട എന്ന് തീരുമാനിച്ചു. ഞാനും അഭിയും മാത്രം. വഴിപാടു പോലെ പോയി തിരിച്ചു വരുന്നതില്‍ താല്പര്യം ഇല്ലാതിരുന്നതിനാല്‍ യാത്ര മൂന്നു ദിവസം വേണം എന്ന് തീരുമാനിച്ചു. അപ്പോള്‍ തന്നെ കലണ്ടര്‍ എടുത്തു അവധി ദിവസങ്ങള്‍ക്കായി പരതി. ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 15 – Independence day – തിങ്കളാഴ്ച ആണ്. റെയില്‍വേ വെബ്‌സൈറ്റില്‍ കയറി ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 11 വ്യാഴാഴ്ച്ചക്ക് മംഗലാപുരത്തേക്കും തിരിച്ചു കുന്ദാപുര നിന്ന് ആലുവയ്ക്കും ടിക്കറ്റ്‌ എടുത്തു. ഞായറാഴ്ച രാത്രി തിരിച്ചെത്തും. വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച ഒരു ദിവസം ലീവ് എടുക്കാന്‍ തീരുമാനിച്ചു. തിങ്കളാഴ്ച വിശ്രമത്തിനായി മാറ്റി വെച്ചു.

ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 12, വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച മംഗലാപുരത്ത് നിന്നും ഉച്ചയോടു കൂടി കൊല്ലൂരെത്താനും അന്ന് മുഴുവന്‍ അവിടെ ചിലവഴിച്ച ശേഷം, പിറ്റേന്ന് (ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 13)വൈകീട്ട് കുടജാദ്രിയിലേക്ക് പോകാനും അവിടെ ഒരു രാത്രി തങ്ങിയ ശേഷം ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 14, ശനിയാഴ്ച ഉച്ചയോടെ കൊല്ലൂര്‍ നിന്നും ഏറ്റവും അടുത്ത റെയില്‍വേ സ്റ്റേഷന്‍ ആയ കുന്ദാപുര നിന്നും തിരിച്ചു പോരാനും ആയിരുന്നു ഞങ്ങളുടെ പദ്ധതി. പോകുന്നതിനു ഒരാഴ്ച മുന്‍പ് ഞാന്‍ മംഗലാപുരത്തുള്ള ഒന്ന് രണ്ടു സുഹൃത്തുക്കളെ വിളിച്ചു യാത്രാ പദ്ധതികളെ കുറിച്ച് പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. രണ്ടു പേരും ഫോട്ടോഗ്രാഫിയില്‍ താല്പര്യം ഉള്ള സുഹൃത്തുക്കള്‍. മനോജേട്ടനും ഡിജി ചേട്ടനും(ഡിജിരാജ് എന്നാണ് ശരി പേര്.). താമസത്തിനുള്ള ഒരുക്കങ്ങള്‍ അവര്‍ക്ക് വിട്ടു കൊടുത്തു ഞങ്ങള്‍ രണ്ടു പേരും ജോലി തിരക്കുകളിലേക്ക് മടങ്ങി.

യാത്രക്ക് രണ്ടു ദിവസം മുന്‍പ് മാത്രം ആണ് കൊല്ലൂര്‍ നല്ല മഴയാണെന്നും ജീപ്പുകള്‍ കുടജാദ്രിയിലേക്ക് പോകുന്നില്ല എന്നും അറിഞ്ഞത്. ജീപ്പുകള്‍ പോകുന്നില്ലെങ്കില്‍ പിന്നെയുള്ള വഴി നടക്കുകയാണ്. നല്ല മഴ ഉള്ളത് കൊണ്ടും(ക്യാമറയും ആയി യാത്ര ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടാവും) അട്ട ശല്യം കൂടുതല്‍ ആയതു കൊണ്ടും അതെ പറ്റി ആലോചിച്ചിട്ട് കാര്യം ഇല്ല. യാത്രക്ക് ഒരാഴ്ച മുന്‍പ് മാത്രം കയ്യില്‍ കിട്ടിയ വൈഡ് ആംഗിള്‍ ലെന്‍സ്‌ ഉപയോഗിച്ചു കുടജാദ്രിയുടെ കുറച്ചു വിശാലമായ ചിത്രങ്ങള്‍ പകര്‍ത്തുന്നതും സ്വപ്നം കണ്ടിരുന്ന എനിക്ക് നല്ല ഒരു അടിയായിരുന്നു അത്. മനോജെട്ടനോട് സംസാരിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ കുടജാദ്രി ഒഴിവാക്കി പകരം ശ്രിംഗേരിയും ആഗുംബെയും പോകുന്നത് നല്ലതായിരിക്കും എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു. കൂടെ ഉടുപ്പി അമ്പലത്തിലും പോകാം. അഭിയോടു വിളിച്ചു ചോദിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ പൂര്‍ണ സമ്മതം. അങ്ങനെ പദ്ധതി ഇങ്ങനെ മാറ്റി.

ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 12 – മംഗലാപുരത്ത് നിന്നും ശ്രിംഗേരി. അവിടെ നിന്നും ആഗുംബെ വഴി ഉടുപ്പിയിലേക്ക്. അന്ന് രാത്രി ഉടുപ്പിയില്‍ താമസം.
ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 13 – അതി രാവിലെ ഉടുപ്പി അമ്പലത്തില്‍ തൊഴുതു നേരെ മൂകംബികയിലേക്ക്. സമയം കിട്ടിയാല്‍ മാല്പേ ബീച് വരെ പോയാല്‍ കൊള്ളാം എന്നുണ്ട്.
ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 14 – ഉച്ച വരെ മൂകാംബികയില്‍. ഉച്ചക്ക് ഓഖ എക്സ്പ്രസ്സില്‍ മടക്കം. രാത്രിയോടെ വീടെത്താം.

ഇതിനു മുന്‍പ് കണ്ടിട്ടില്ലെങ്കില്‍ ശ്രിംഗേരി ആശ്രമം തീര്‍ച്ചയായും നിരാശപ്പെടുത്തില്ല എന്നും, നല്ല മഴ ഉള്ളതിനാല്‍ ആഗുംബെ പോകുന്നത് നല്ലതായിരിക്കും എന്നുമാണ് മനോജേട്ടന്റെ വാദം. ആഗുംബയിലെത് മഴക്കാടുകള്‍ ആണ്. ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യയില്‍ ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ മഴ കിട്ടുന്ന സ്ഥലം. ആഗുംബെക്ക് മറ്റൊരു പ്രത്യേകത കൂടി ഉണ്ട്. ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ രാജ വെമ്പാലകള്‍ ഉള്ള സ്ഥലം കൂടി ആണ് അത്. കൂടാതെ നിരവധി വെള്ളച്ചാട്ടങ്ങളും. പ്രകൃതിയോടും മഴയോടും ഉള്ള എന്റെ പ്രണയം അറിയാവുന്നത് കൊണ്ട് കൂടി ആയിരിക്കണം മനോജേട്ടന്‍ അങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞത്.

പുതുക്കിയ പദ്ധതി പ്രകാരം ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 13 നു മൂകാംബികയില്‍ മുറിയുടെ കാര്യം മനോജേട്ടന്‍ വിളിച്ചു ചോദിച്ചു. മൂന്നു ദിവസം അടുപ്പിച്ചു അവധി ആയതു കൊണ്ട് ശനിയാഴ്ച മുറി ഒഴിവില്ല എന്നാണു അറിഞ്ഞത്. മുറി കിട്ടിയില്ലെങ്കില്‍ മൂകംബികയിലെ കാര്യം പരുങ്ങലിലാകും. ഞങ്ങളുടെ യാത്രയുടെ പ്രധാന ലക്‌ഷ്യം തന്നെ മൂകംബികയാണ്. അത് കൊണ്ട് ഞങ്ങള്‍ വീണ്ടും പദ്ധതി മാറ്റി. ആഗുംബയും ശ്രിംഗേരിയും പോകുന്നത് വേണ്ടെന്നു വെച്ചു. പകരം മുരുദേശ്വരം പോകാം എന്ന് തീരുമാനിച്ചു. ലോകത്തിലെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ പൊക്കം ഉള്ള ശിവന്റെ പ്രതിമ അവിടെയാണ്. ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ഏറ്റവും പൊക്കം ഉള്ളതും. മംഗലാപുരത്ത് നിന്നും 165 കിലോമീറ്റര്‍ മാറി ഗോവ പോകുന്ന വഴിക്കാണ് മുരുദേശ്വരം. അങ്ങനെ പുതുക്കിയ പദ്ധതിയുടെ രൂപം ഇങ്ങനെ ആയി -

ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 12 – മംഗലാപുരത്ത് നിന്നും നേരെ ഉടുപ്പി. ഉടുപ്പിയില്‍ തൊഴുത ശേഷം മൂകംബികയിലേക്ക്. വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച ആയതിനാല്‍ മുറി കിട്ടാന്‍ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടില്ല. അവിടെ മുന്‍കൂട്ടി പറഞ്ഞു വെച്ച മുറിയില്‍ താമസം. അന്ന് മുഴുവനും മൂകാംബികയില്‍.
ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 13 – ഉച്ചക്ക് മുന്‍പേ മൂകാംബികയില്‍ നിന്നും മുരുദേശ്വാര്‍ എന്നാ സ്ഥലത്തേക്ക്. അന്നത്തെ രാത്രി അവിടെ തങ്ങുക.
ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 14 – ഉച്ചയോടു കൂടി ഭട്കല്‍ നിന്ന് തിരിച്ചു ട്രെയിന്‍ കയറുക. ഞങ്ങള്‍ തിരിച്ചു ടിക്കറ്റ്‌ എടുത്തിരിക്കുന്ന കുന്ദാപുര നിന്നും ഒരു മണിക്കൂറോളം പിന്നിലാണ് ഭട്കല്‍. മുരുദേശ്വരത്തു നിന്നും ഏകദേശം 15 കിലോമീറ്റര്‍. രാത്രി വീട്ടില്‍ എത്തുക.
ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ 15 – വിശ്രമം.

അഭി ഒരു ഫോട്ടോഗ്രാഫര്‍ അല്ലെങ്കിലും ഞങ്ങള്‍ സമാന ചിന്താഗതി ഉള്ളവരായതിനാല്‍ തീരുമാനങ്ങള്‍ എടുല്‍ക്കാന്‍ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. രണ്ടു പേര്‍ മാത്രമുള്ളതിനാല്‍ വേറെ ആരോടും ചോദിക്കാനും ഇല്ല. മാത്രവുമല്ല കൃത്യമായ ഒരു പദ്ധതി ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്കില്ല താനും. ഇത് ഒരു രൂപരേഖ മാത്രം. സന്ദര്‍ഭം അനുസരിച്ചും താല്പര്യം അനുസരിച്ചും പോകുന്ന വഴിയില്‍ മാറ്റം വരുത്താവുന്ന പദ്ധതികള്‍. ഉത്സവത്തിന്റെ നോട്ടീസില്‍ പറയുന്നത് പോലെ. “പരിപാടിയില്‍ മാറ്റം വരുത്താന്‍ കമ്മിറ്റിക്ക് അധികാരം ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുന്നതാണ്”. ഇങ്ങനെ കൃത്യമായ പദ്ധതികള്‍ ഇല്ലാത്ത യാത്രകള്‍ ഒരു രസം തന്നെ ആണ്. ജീവിതത്തിലെ മറക്കാന്‍ ആവാത്ത നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ സമ്മാനിക്കുന്നതും അനുഭവങ്ങള്‍ പകര്‍ന്നു തരുന്നതും ഇത്തരം യാത്രകളാണ്. അധികം മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങള്‍ ഇല്ലാതെ.. ഒരു ബാഗില്‍ രണ്ടു ജോഡി വസ്ത്രങ്ങളും, ഒരു ക്യാമറയും മാത്രം എടുത്തു കൊണ്ടുള്ള യാത്രകള്‍. നമ്മള്‍ അറിയാത്ത.. നമ്മെ അറിയാത്ത ആളുകള്‍ക്കിടയില്‍ തിരക്കില്‍ അലിഞ്ഞും തിരക്കില്‍ നിന്നകന്നും.. ഇനി ഒരിക്കലും ജീവിതത്തില്‍ കണ്ടു മുട്ടും എന്നുറപ്പില്ലാത്ത ആളുകളോട് ഇടപഴകി. ചിലപ്പോള്‍ പ്രകൃതിയില്‍ അലിഞ്ഞു, പ്രകൃതിയെ അറിഞ്ഞ്… അതിന്റെ സുഖം അതനുഭവിച്ചു തന്നെ അറിയണം. അധികം മോഹങ്ങള്‍ ഇല്ലാതെ ഞാനും അഭിയും അങ്ങനെ മൂകാംബിക യാത്രയും സ്വപ്നം കണ്ടു ഓഗസ്റ്റ്‌ പത്താം തീയതി സ്വസ്ഥമായി ഉറങ്ങി.

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A come back..

Posted on August 2, 2011 in: Brush Strokes

OMG! Its after 7 months I am posting something here.. I myself find it quite surprising..
Well, Since December, work took the driving seat and I was finding it hard to find time for my creative escapades.. That does not mean that I have been idle in the creative front… In between, I tried some digital drawings, Have gone places.. even to Australia.. and have utilized every chance to have fun with my dear friends.. But I couldn’t find the time to document em.. That’s one reason why there was no posts here for 7 months..

Last day (31st July, 2011) I went to the school where I had my studies to attend the Alumni meeting.. Met lot of old friends there and had a great time. It is when a friend of mine referred about this website that I came to know that, I have occasional visitors.. :) Now I wish to compensate for my absence…

So here is a painting which I did using the software – Artrage and a pen tablet. Its a wonderful software with which we can draw just like we do on a paper. This painting is of the genre – Abstract Realism. If you look closely, you will only see some meaningless strokes with random colors. Look from a distance for a clear and better view..

A Painting..

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Trip notes – Yercaud – IV

Posted on December 12, 2010 in: Inscriptions, Random Thoughts, Travelogue

3.45 PM, 5th December, 2010 – Salem Railway Station

I am sitting in the same bench I sat the previous day. Yes the same one in which I spend nearly 5 hours waiting. And that’s what I am doing right now also. The scheduled departure of my train back home is at 4.05 PM. The guy in the enquiry told me that, my train is expected to arrive by 5.30. I have plenty of time. I think I can finish the screenplay I started reading yesterday. Before that, thought of scribbling about my day so far.

Last night, I had a sound sleep. The weather in Yercaud was pretty cold; I hid myself in a blanket. Though I woke up around 4.00 AM, I didn’t dare to get up since it was cold outside. As the sun showed its face, Sreeji was the first to wake up. He called up the reception and ordered tea for everyone. By the time the tea was served, everyone was awake. Then all of us rushed to finish our morning chores.

All of us got out for a walk by around 8.15 AM and proceeded towards the lake taking pictures on the move. Again portraits and candids were more in number than other pictures. We returned to the resort after spending almost an hour outside. After reaching the resort, the dining room was everyone’s primary target. All of us were hungry and we satisfied our tummies.

Our plan for the day was to vacate the room by around 12 – 12.30 PM, roam around Yercaud for some more time, visiting places like Killiyur falls and Pagoda Point. It was 10.30 AM. Sreeji and Sethu went to play badminton and Samy made use of the swing nearby. After watching them for some time, I went to our room and packed my bags.

As per the plan, we checked out of the resort by 12.30 PM. We dropped our plan of going to the falls when we heard that we can take our car only to a point 1 kilometer away from the falls and we have to cover the rest of the distance by foot. This would steal considerable amount of our time. Everyone already had lot of Waterfall pictures from their previous trips; so we never felt sorry about dropping the falls from our list.

We were not interested in visiting the usual picnic spots crowded with tourists. Sreeji asked if there were any old schools or churches nearby. Samy suggested a church and so we proceeded there. On the way, we came near the famous Montfort School of Yercaud. Its campus spread across acres and the main building made of stone stood there like a king heading for a battle. We were thoroughly disappointed with the signboard by the gate that read – "Visitors not allowed". Still we spent some time near the school clicking each other.

By around 1.15 PM, we moved to the church. We had to ask for directions a couple of times before we reached the compound of the church. We expected an ancient church and to our dismay, it was comparatively new. Sreeji and Sethu took some pictures there as I packed my camera back to the comforts of my camera bag. We started climbing down by around 1.45 PM biding adieu to Yercaud.

Covering the hairpins one by one, Samy was doing a good job behind the wheel. Everyone was feeling tired. We reached Salem by 2.50 and had our lunch from Thalappakkatti Biriyani Hotel. The biriyani was tasty and we felt full after having it.

My comrades dropped me at Salem Junction Railway station and continued their journey back to Bangalore. I walked in to Platform number 1 and went to Appu’s Tea stall. Appu was back in duty. He greeted me with a smile and even without asking for a tea, Appu prepared one for me. While I was having the tea, Palani also joined in. I took a picture of them, bought a bottle of water and a pack of biscuit for the journey and settled in the bench in front of the shop. Yes the same one in which I spend hours waiting. Now it’s 4.20 PM. The screenplay that I read half way through demands my full attention. Let me return to Padmarajan.

07.45 PM, 5th December, 2010 – Berth 38, Train # 07613, Nizamabad – Quilon Special Train

My train to Ernakulam was a special train put forth for the convenience of Sabarimala pilgrims. The train was late and reached Salem Junction around 5.45 PM. In the mean time, I finished the story I was reading and moved on to the next one. I boarded the train after bidding farewell to Appu and Palani.

The train was comparatively empty as it was a special train. The occupants were all pilgrims going to Sabarimala. My coupe was empty except for a young pilgrim. After a very brief introduction, I moved to the upper berth and wrapped myself into the fictional dream world that Padmarajan drew with his words. In fact I was feeling a little tired and wanted to take a nap; but the loud prayer songs of the pilgrims coming from the adjacent coupe denied me the comfort, prompting me to continue reading.

The biscuits I bought from Appu provided the refreshment as I finished the book. It was a wonderful experience reading Padmarajan. I seriously wished he lived longer, instead of going to the eternal world so early in his life. May be God wanted him to write even better scripts and direct movies there in heaven.

Now the loud songs by the pilgrims are over. Sreeji called up to tell me that they reached Bangalore safely. Let me stop scribbling and give some rest to my pen… The train will not reach Alwaye before 12.30 AM. I have plenty of time for a good nap. Thinking about the wonderful moments I had with my friends and discarding the bitter truth of returning back to the world of source code tomorrow. Adios!

Appu and Palani…

Appu and Palani

Me.. (Picture by Sreeji)

Me_by_Sreeji

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Trip notes – Yercaud – III

Posted on December 12, 2010 in: Inscriptions, Random Thoughts, Travelogue

7.35 AM, 4th December, 2010 – Salem Railway Station

It’s almost 1 hour 45 minutes since my eyes were glued to the pages in which Padmarajan’s literary genius shined. Finished reading one story! Had a tea from Appu’s shop. One more guy is there in the shop with Appu now – Palani. The railway station is livelier now. Lot of travelers! Most of them are in a hurry to reach their destinations. Others seem to be hiding their face behind the pages of news papers. A local train which passes through Mettur just left.

The climate seems to be in our favor. Though little cloudy, there are no signs of rain. The weather forecast told us that it will be raining heavily in Salem for the weekend. We even planned to drop the trip at one point of time. But then thought against it and continued with the trip taking it as a get together rather than a photography trip. It’s been a while since I saw Sreeji and Sethu.

Though I am sitting in this railway station for the past 3 hours, I am not feeling bored. I feel this is the fun part of this journey. Being alone in an unknown place! Being alone in a crowd! Feels great! Well it’s 7.50 AM now. Let me return to another story of Padmarajan. Hope Sreeji and gang reach by the time I finish it.

10.40 PM, 4th December, 2010 – Cottage #23, Star Resort, Yercaud

Call it a day! That’s what I am feeling now. It was a great Saturday. Had a very nice time.
In the morning, though I thought of returning to the book after closing my notepad, I was hunger struck and thought of having something. By that time, railway vendors started coming in with food items, which added to the craving. One vendor brought Tiffin packets to Appu’s shop. I bought a pack of idly – vada and had it along with a tea sitting on the bench. Food was hot and yummy.

I returned to my meeting with the genius leaving behind everything else and hid myself behind the pages. Except for the occasional calls from Sreeji to update their location and the tea breaks, I had a peaceful time reading the book. In the meantime, Appu and Palani were replaced by a new face at the counter as they left for the day by around 8.30.

My companions for next 2 days reached Salem railway station by 9.30 AM before I could complete the second story I was reading. I walked out of the station and was greeted by Sreenath. As we were walking towards the car, I got introduced to Samyraj aka Samy. He is a colleague of Sreeji. While we were getting acquainted, Sreeji and Sethu returned from the nearby ATM. I also withdrew some cash, and we got inside our chariot – a Hyundai i10 (Samy’s car) and started moving towards Yercaud.

After a pit stop for fuel, and covering some distance in a level road, we started climbing the hill as we reached the hairpin curves to Yercaud. There seems to be a total of 20 hairpins. It is numbered clearly. You have to travel quite a distance from the very first hairpin to the second. But from there on, the distance between each hairpin is less. We stopped twice in between and took some photos. But as time was running fast, we didn’t halt much and kept moving.

It was almost noon by the time we reached Yercaud. We found the sign board of "Star Resorts" on the way, and called them up to enquire about the availability of the rooms. We have already read reviews about this resort in the initial searches we made in Google. Rooms were available and we got a good deal, as it was not a peek season. We moved to the resort. The rooms were neat and tidy and we checked in to cottage number 23. I had a shower in cold water (Heater was not working as 12.00 – 2.00 PM being power cut) and we all left for lunch in the restaurant. We all were hungry and took very little time to finish the food served to us.

After lunch we moved to a popular picnic spot in Yercaud – Ladies Seat. The weather was cold and chilling. On our way to Ladies seat we passed by Yercaud lake. We stopped to enquire about the timings of the boat house and moved further. It was quite foggy when we reached Ladies Seat. Because of the fog, we couldn’t get any pictures of Mother Nature. Samy and Sreenath became my models and I tried some portrait photography. In between, I also posed in front of the lenses of Sreeji, Sethu and Samy.

Because of the heavy fog, we dropped the plan of going to Gents Seat, which is situated in a higher altitude and decided to move to the Rose Garden near Ladies Seat. Again emphasis was more on portrait photography for everyone and by around 5.15, we decided to return. It was almost 5.30 when we reached the Boat House near the lake. We were not interested in going for boating, and instead, took a walk beside the lake. When it started getting dark, we returned to our nest.

The night was still young and we were bored by the programs on TV. So Sreeji pulled out a deck of playing cards and we played several rounds of donkey. By around 8.00 PM, we stopped our game and went out to another restaurant – Shevaroys in Yercaud town. It was a nice restaurant. Food was good and we filled our stomachs before getting back to our resort. Sreeji had brought his laptop with him and everyone was busy transferring the pictures. I switched on the TV and browsed the channels. Finally I settled in for a movie in Star movies – Bride Wars. By the time the movie got over, everyone else drifted off to their dreams, and here I am, leaning on a pillow, with a notepad in front of me, scribbling about my day. It’s almost 11.30 now. Let me also hit the bed.

to be continued…

Group Photo

20101204_009140 copy

Samy
Samy_2

Sethu

Sethu_1

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Trip notes – Yercaud – II

Posted on December 12, 2010 in: Inscriptions, Random Thoughts, Travelogue

4.45 AM, 4th December, 2010 – Salem Railway Station

It’s almost 15 minutes since I got down at Salem station. In the mean time, I found an empty bench and settled down, had a tea and few biscuits (was feeling hungry). The bench I am sitting is in front of the tea stall, though @ a distance. In these 15 minutes, I’ve had a friendly chat with the shop keeper. His name is Appu. It’s for the first time I’m hearing this name for a Tamilian.

I’ve been calling Sreeji since 3.45 AM to wake them up. It seems like they are getting ready to move. My dad also called once to check if I reached Salem. He was asking me to take a retiring room if I have to stay for long waiting for others and to freshen up. But I feel comfortable here. I love being in an open place than being cornered between 4 walls. That is how we are all the time right?

Yesterday, the train reached Alwaye 20-25 minutes late. It was close to 9.50 I guess. After showing my tickets to the TTR, I moved in to find my berth. To my dismay, it’s a side middle berth. I feel introducing side – middle berth is the weirdest thing Indian Railway has ever done. It is such a torture to the passengers. You need to be a gymnast to get into the berth. And if you have a height close to 6 feet, sleeping there in a folded position is a nightmare…

My seat number is 5 and is near the door. When I got there, a young couple was sitting there. They are too young to be married. But their body language suggests they are lovers. Their berths are 4 and 6. Side upper and side lower berths! That guy made me an offer to take the side upper, which I accepted happily. They just don’t want to spoil the fun they are having in a train journey. Neither do I. So I kept my luggage in place and got on to the upper berth. Sleep blessed me so soon.

Though I’ve kept my alarm set at 3.20 and 3.35 A.M, I woke up by 3.00 automatically. After freshening up, I pulled over my jacket and opened the door of the coach. It was dark outside. But occasional street lights gave me glimpses of the sleeping beauty of Tamil Nadu. While I was standing there, an interesting character came to me. A man of nearly 70-75 years of age! He is returning from the loo, and forgot which coach he is in. His son sleeps in berth number 32 and his berth is 34. That’s all he knows. Helped him settle in and I continued enjoying the beauty outside covered with the blanket of darkness.

While writing this, Yercaud express came into the station. Again a gush of passengers! Everyone seems to be in a hurry, even @ this hour of the day. May be I am feeling so because I have plenty of time to spare. A family is sleeping on the floor in front of my bench (though a little far). A small kid woke up and started crying. His mother found a feeding bottle for him and he seems to be happy. The rush that got out of Yercaud express has disappeared by now.

An old lady (must be 80 + years old) came to me. She’s so lean and is struggling to walk. The cold weather also adds to it I guess. She asked me money for a coffee. I went to Appu’s shop and got a coffee for her and a tea for myself. She was happy to have the coffee I guess. When I returned to my seat, another old lady who was sleeping on the bench behind me woke up. She’s also not well. She’s shivering. Her eyes told me lot of things. With no words exchanged, I gave my tea to her, which she took happily.

Another train (Sabari Express- Hyderabad – Trivandrum) is on the platform. Another set of people jumping down to vanish in the nerves of Salem. I called Sreeji. They are on their way. Its 224 kilometers from Bangalore to Salem. Hope they reach Salem by 10-10.30. Lot of people seems to be going to Sabarimala in Sabari express. The pilgrims have created a crowd near the Tea shop. Appu seems to be busy.

I feel like reading something. I have a Malayalam book with me; selected screen plays by Padmarajan. The book contains 5 of his classics. I’ve already finished 2 of them. I have more to explore. We can know the power of pen while reading Padmarajan. What a writer he is! What an imagination! What a genius!

Oh God! The moment I wrote about the "King of Lotus", it started drizzling. As in his famous movie – Thuvanathumpikal. Whenever Mohanlal meets Sumalatha, it rains in the movie. Well, let me get to know this genius a little more. Before that, I need one more tea.

to be continued

Sreeji

Sreeji_5

Sreenath

Sreenath_2

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Trip notes – Yercaud – I

Posted on December 12, 2010 in: Inscriptions, Random Thoughts, Travelogue

Hi friends.. I had been to Yercaud recently on a trip. This time, I carried a notepad and tried to scribble what ever I felt/experienced. It may not be a full fledged travelogue; You can call it a traveler’s diary or trip notes. I just typed in what I wrote in the notepad and did a basic level of editing… Here I go…

8.55 PM, 3rd December, 2010 – Alwaye Railway Station

After a tough day at work, with lot of issues troubling me, I reached home by around 7.30 PM. I didn’t have much time other than just to freshen up, have my dinner and pack my bags before leaving home with my camera bag, cloths and tripod at 8.15 PM. My ticket is booked in Train number – 2258 – Yeshwantpur Express from Ernakulam Town to Salem Junction.

Direct bus which will take me to Ernakulam Town is available till 9.00 at night. But I was little worried about the traffic I will have to face in between. After reaching the bus stop, I was waiting for the bus to Ernakulam Town. That’s when a surprise came my way – a Volvo bus to Alwaye; I boarded the bus. Since Alwaye is the next stop after Ernakulam, I don’t have to worry about missing the train also. Still to confirm if the train stops @ Alwaye, I called up Sreejith (My friend who plans to join me the next day). He checked the schedule of the train in southern railway website and confirmed that the train stops @ Alwaye. I felt relieved and took my ticket to Alwaye, found a comfortable seat and settled in. To kill time, I switched on Google talk on my phone and had short chats with my friends who were online.

I got down from the bus in front of Alwaye Railway station, and walked inside. Checked for the platform in which my train is bound to arrive. Its platform number 3. The same platform I used to board the train to go to Bangalore, when I worked there. After checking the coach position, I moved to platform number 3. On the way, I bought myself a bottle of water and settled into an empty bench. Still half an hour left for the train to arrive. In 15 minutes, another train disturbed the silence in the railway station. The “Chaya” – “Chaya” calls and the alighting crowd disturbed me a bit. A siren blew, carrying the train with it. Waiting in such an ambience is fun. Scribbling about what’s happening around helps me kill time.

A small family of 4 came and sat on the bench next to me. Another guy is sleeping peacefully in a bench behind me. My mind wandered here and there thinking about the plans for tomorrow. My train is scheduled to reach Salem by 4.00 AM. Sreeji (Sreejith), Sethu, Sreenath (Sethu’s brother) and a colleague of Sreeji will be starting from Bangalore early in the morning. Hope they reach Salem by around 10.00 AM. Till then I will have to wait in Salem. Sreeji’s call interrupted the scribble… He said they will start from Bangalore at 5.00 AM and hope to reach Salem by 10.00 – 10.30. He asked me to call them and wake them up when I reach Salem.

It’s almost 9.30 and the train is not yet announced. People started coming in. Families with giant suitcases and singles with small air bags! All seem to be going to Bangalore. I think I’ll stop scribbling now.

to be continued…

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A Virtual World…

Posted on October 28, 2010 in: Inscriptions, Poems

Its time to take rest

When hands get tired
running through square buttons neatly laid across,
As eyes get weary searching the screen,
People from different corners of the world
Pledge their minds and hearts to machines
To enter a virtual world called Internet..
Where handshakes, hugs and smiles
are all passed through wires
Hiding faces behind ‘profiles’
As an exhaust to get out of reality
and to hug a world where no commitments prevail
Some step down from the screen, extending a hand
While others prefer their veil more precious
What is the life of any relation here..
How long does it last?
Till a button click – “sign out”?
A life time?
Or till the power runs out?

Picture is an old one which i took on a trip to Hampi last year.

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Alone… in search of light…

Posted on October 16, 2010 in: Lazy enough, Pristine Frames


Alone… in search of light…, originally uploaded by febinjoy.

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