Naanaga Naanillai Thaaye from Thoongaathe Thambi Thoongathe

It’s Amma’s birthday – today. And, I wish her all the happiness, prosperity and good health in the world. I pray – with all my heart – for her wellbeing. She, is, after all, my heaven sent goddess. 

Amma is a rare gem. She prefers BBC than Sun TV’s mega serials. American Idol than Tamil movies. Sudoku than the local news. Cycling than hopping on the car. Brisk walking than being a couch potato. She loves to read, watch the National Geographic Channel, enjoys science and educational documentaries, knows in and out about American politics and encourages healthy cooking. 

Amma claims to dislike cooking - despite being a Home Science teacher. And, yet cooks up a storm, for us, practically, every other day. Our daily dinner is always with two helping of vegetables (one leafy), a protein based dish as well as a platter of fruits. She also alternates soup or porridge, five days a week. On days when she is a little more hype, we also get great home made desserts. 

I was never close to Amma – until Appa’s untimely passing. Her sacrifices during that testing moments were humongous. Right now – she rules every bit of my life. I would not be where I am today, without her love, support and encouragement. I am glad – she is my mum – mine - and not someone else’s. 

We, Hindus believe in reincarnation. So do, I. And, if I were to be reincarnated, how many lives come may, I want her as my mother. Only her. No one else….. 

A mother is flawless. Mine is, too. I wish her a great Birthday, this 2012….. 

Amma, God Bless ya – always and forever….. 

Valayosai from Sathya

It's a hot Sunday afternoon. I do not want to take a cat nap. Not just due to the humid climate but also to the fact that I have lots of chores to do. Mum dearest has gone to visit her sister and niece in Sabah, East Malaysia. She will be back on Wednesday night. Till then, I am - house manager.. (with a sly smile) .. 

My passion with the salwar kameez seems to be flourishing by the day. Blame it on - age. Traditional clothes rule my life - now. Gone are the days, when I thought the baby tee and the skinny jeans were hip and chic. All I want to get more of, nowadays, is nothing, but the salwar kameez. My vacation to India, this time around, is definitely, going to have lots (and lots) of shopping events. 

Yesterday, I bought four more pieces of them. Salwar kameez. Four ? Ya. In a day ? Ya. 

I am - unashamedly - crazy about them. My sister says it is to some extent, a waste of money. I beg to differ. Purchasing them gives me a sense of happiness. And, having them fit me perfectly, makes me simply, ecstatic. 

Cooked lunch. A moderately spicy sardine dish with steam vegetables and an iced tall glass of grass jelly and pomegranates. (Thinking of something simple for tea...) 

Signing off for now..... May the week ahead be a great one..... 
Take care & God Bless !!!!!


p/s - attached are pics of the lunch I prepared as well as the four new pieces of salwar kameez that I bought yesterday... the black, purple and grey were purchased a month ago.....

Aaththadi Manasuthan from Kazhugu

..... அட இனி என்ன நடக்கும் ?????

மனம் நடந்ததை நடிக்கும் ..... ♥♥♥♥♥ .....

 My 23rd February morning was - flawless. Thanks to his presence - right, beside me, for an entire journey. He is fond of teasing me. He relishes it. The twinkle in his eyes and the significance of his smile - give him away. Every time, he says something fanciful, his eyes undeniably search mine, for a reaction. The moments were magical and magnificent, courtesy of the many read-between-the-lines-conversations. Have been reminiscing it, since the moment we parted.....
I, so, adore him..... 
This song (especially the Tamil lyrics in bold.....) is for the guy who stole my heart BIG time, this early morning..... 
.....Mog♥n..... 
ஆத்தாடி மனசுதான் ரெக்ககட்டி பறக்குது
ஆனாலும் வயசுதான் கிட்ட வர தயங்குது
அக்கம் பக்கம் பாத்து பாத்து
ஆசையாக வீசும் காத்து
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள எதோ பேசுதே
அடடா இந்த மனசுதான் சுத்தி சுத்தி உன்ன தேடுதே
அழகா இந்த கொலுசுதான் தத்தி தத்தி உன் பெயர் சொல்லுதே

ஆத்தாடி மனசுதான் ரெக்ககட்டி பறக்குது
ஆனாலும் வயசுதான் கிட்ட வர தயங்குது

கிட்ட வந்து நீயும் பேசும் போது 
கிட்ட தொட்ட கண்ணு வேர்த்து போகும் 
மூச்சே காய்ச்சலா மாறும் 
விட்டு விட்டு உன்ன பாக்கும் போது 
வெட்டி வெட்டி மின்னல் ஒன்னு மோதும் 
மனசே மார்கழி மாசம்
அருகில் உந்தன் பாசம்
இந்த காதில் வீசுது
விழி தெருவில் பார்க்கும் உனை
உறவை தேடுது
பாவி நெஞ்ச என்ன செஞ்ச
உந்தன் பேர சொல்லி கொஞ்ச
என்ன கொன்னாலும் ஒப்பாது உன் பேர சொல்வேன்டா

ஒன்ன ரெண்டா என்ன நானும் சொல்ல 
ஓராயிரம் ஆச வச்சேன் உள்ள, 
பேச தைரியம் இல்ல
உள்ள ஒரு வார்த்த வந்து துள்ள 
உள்ளம் என்ன முட்டி முட்டி தள்ள 
இருந்தும் வெட்கத்தில் செல்ல
காலம் முழுதும் நாளும்,
உன்ன பார்த்தே வாழனும்
உயிர் போகும் நேரம் உந்தன்
மடியில் சாய்ந்தே ஆகனும்
உன்ன தவிர என்ன வேணும்,
வேற என்ன கேட்க தோணும்
நெஞ்சம் உன்னோட வழாம
மண்ணோடு சாயாதடா

Pattampoochi Kooppidum Podhu from Kavalan

Today - 17th February - is rated - ♥♥♥♥♥ - thanks to that robust but sugary voice that greets me at 10.25am..... with obviously, sweet nothings..... (Oh, Thank You, Almighty.....)
Friday evenings take the edge of weekdays. And the two days, that follow, are plain heavenly - especially when home is sanctuary..... 
Went out with a close gal pal for an early dinner. Just the two of us this time, as the other one was out on a date. We are planning a weekend island getaway. She is organizing. The two of us are chipping in with ideas and all. So far, the plans are going smoothly. Keeping our fingers crossed, as we have been planning this for a few months now.
These particular lines are replaying on my mind..... this moment.....
அலைவரிசையில் நீ சிரிக்க
தொலை தொடர்பினில் நான் இருக்க
உதடும் உதடும் பேசும்பொழுது
உலகை மறந்தேனே
உனதருகினில் நான் இருக்க
உயிர் குளத்தினில் பூ முளைக்க
இரண்டாம் முறையாய் இதயம் துடிக்க
புதியதாய் பிறந்தேனே

Good day, all.....

Malarodu Nilavukku from Dear Son Marudhu

Hello everyone.....
I am - back - after, a short interim.....
Busy. As a bee. Really. Life is trotting - beautifully. 
Another awesome Saturday over here. Except for the intensely humid weather.  
Hot as in H-O-T. Even the effortless breeze seems to have gone on a vacation. Hoping the weather changes in days to come. I miss the rain - so very much.
Had dinner out with family. My brother joined us today, so there was a more than usual amount of talking. You know - family stuff and updates. 
Relationships..... How important they are in our lives. 
Tomorrow is going to be another occupied Sunday. Chances are that I will not be able to post. Advance apologies. Next weekend - definitely.....
I love this song. It has an honest, poignant feel.
Signing off for now with this unfeigned lines.....
".....ஏதேதோ வார்த்தை சொல்லி, 
என் அன்பை வேறு கில்லி,
கண்ணுக்குள் அம்பு தைக்கலாமா....."
Oops - Mr Cupid's big day comes this Tuesday. Correct? He's going to use lots of his arrows - so stand in line, and get your heart struck. Love, is truly, beautiful. 
So - Happy Valentine's Day - each and everyone of you.....
Take care & God Bless.....

Unnai Naan Parkaiyil from Kannukoru Vannakili

I have been down with flu and a mild sore throat, for the past two days. Went to bed real early last night - thanks to the doctor's prescription that made me all sluggish and dopey. I am - however, bouncing back, slowly but steadily. 

Yippie. Again. For the stretch of the weekend. Not just this Saturday and Sunday, but Monday and Tuesday, as well. Four days of mellowing out. I adore the ample Malaysian holidays. 

Thaipusam comes this Tuesday. My hometown has become bustling and busy - for the celebrations, which start on Monday and end on Wednesday. 

Till then, listen to this lovely number from the great KJY.

Cheers from Shalu !!!!!

Idhaya Vaanin Udaya Nilave from Parthiban Kanavu

Happy February !!!!!

So, here I am, on yet another weekday..... An exempted Wednesday night, indeed. 

Tomorrow is not - routine. An offbeat one - rather. 

Accompanying my sister for a medical check up. Sisterhood is about sharing and sacrificing, for one another. And, she, is after all, my closest buddy. My all motherly, sibling..... 

Also, on the cards, is :-

♥ an early Indian breakfast at a posh Indian restaurant, 20 minutes drive from home

♥ a trip to a boutique selling churidhars and sarees

♥ a run to the bank, and

♥ a hop to the shopping mall

Hoping for all the plans to be carried out - in time.....

A few days back, in a program on TV, South Indian songbird, P. Suseela-Ji sang a few lines from this song. Hooked and hyped, I became..... 

A serenading musical arrangement by Vedhpal Varma, with awesome lyrics by Vindhan. This masterpiece was sung by P. Suseela and A.M Raja.....

Tamil is such an intensely romantic and poetic language..... (read : lines in bold and pink)

இதய வானின் உதய நிலவே
எங்கே போகிறாய்
நீ எங்கே போகிறாய்
ஒளியில்லாத உலகம் போல
உள்ளம் இருளுதே
என் உள்ளம் இருளுதே

 
கண்கள் செய்த பாவம்
உன்னை கண்டும் காணாதேங்குதே
கண்டும் காணாதேங்குதே
பாய் விரித்த கப்பல் செல்ல
பாவி நெஞ்சம் துடிக்குதே
பாவி நெஞ்சம் துடிக்குதே

இதய வானின் உதய நிலவே
எங்கே போகிறாய்
நீ எங்கே போகிறாய்

இருளகற்றும் ஒளியென்றென்னை
என்னும் நீ யாரோ
என்னும் நீ யாரோ
கண்டும் காணாதேங்கும் கண்கள்
காதல் கண்களோ .....
காதல் கண்களோ .....

இதய வானின் உதய நிலவே
எங்கே போகிறேன்
நான் எங்கே போகிறேன் 

ஆசை நெஞ்சே நேச கரங்கள்
அணைக்க உன்னை நீளுதே
அணைக்க உன்னை நீளுதே
பறந்து வந்து உன்னை தழுவ
பறந்து வந்து உன்னை தழுவ
பாழும் சிறகு இல்லையே
பாழும் சிறகு இல்லையே

இதய வானின் உதய நிலவே
எங்கே போகிறாய்
நீ எங்கே போகிறாய்

Superrrrrrrrrrrrrr, isn't it ????? 

Good night, folks !!!!!