The intention of this blog is only to share the collections. Inadvertently if any file is under copyright, please intimate me so that it can be removed forthwith.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Like it or not, read it.

This was an interesting mail I received from a friend of mine from Kualalampur. Whether we agree or not, like it not, I thought it is worth to read by all of us, and some of you will really love it. Please read it, it is interesting.

A HUGE AMEN TO THIS MESSAGE
Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning - Ben Stein

  
I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! ! 
  

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary.


My confession: 


I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.  I don't feel threatened.  I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. 


It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it
.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. 

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. 


Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. 


In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. 


Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)...  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' 


In light of recent events... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about.  And we said okay.


Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves..


Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet? 


Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. 


Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. 


Pass it on if you think it has merit. 


If not, then just discard it... No one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.  

My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully, 


Ben Stein


Concert - T. N. Rajarathnam Pillai - Naadhaswaram


  1. http://www.mediafire.com/?jnycyyo3nme Thavil  
  2. http://www.mediafire.com/?ygonmwjlzxa Panthuvaraali 
  3. http://www.mediafire.com/?dv44neioydv Raghuvaraa nannu - Panthuvaraali 
  4. http://www.mediafire.com/?i0jltiqmbij Kaamavardhanai 
  5. http://www.mediafire.com/?nhjtlm3owz2 Raghuvara - Kaamavardhani 
  6. http://www.mediafire.com/?1izb4jimtdn Bhairavi  
  7. http://www.mediafire.com/?hzln53tmdzu Upachaaramu - Bhairavi 
  8. http://www.mediafire.com/?jqzzgmmjyym Souraashtram 
  9. http://www.mediafire.com/?e2tke21hqzn Ninnu joochi - Sourashtram  
  10. http://www.mediafire.com/?eznynimmdmn Hindholam 
  11. http://www.mediafire.com/?fj12gyzztzc Saamajavara - Hindholam 
  12. http://www.mediafire.com/?meejf0kjxyn Kalyaani  
  13. http://www.mediafire.com/?ydz1eyyfnlm Sivaguruparane - Kalyaani 
  14. http://www.mediafire.com/?zunvo3qwj4y Thodi 
  15. http://www.mediafire.com/?y4c5yyyniyk Aaragimpave - Thodi  
  16. http://www.mediafire.com/?mfqzjn3zena RTP - Shanmugapriya 
  17. http://www.mediafire.com/?yudhjcneoz1 RTP - Thaanam 
  18. http://www.mediafire.com/?qunnzljykt1 RTP - Pallavi - Shanmugapriya 
  19. http://www.mediafire.com/?egzjuttmmyz RTP - Raagamalika(Kaambodhi, Kaanadaa, Varaali, Aanandhabairavi, Amrithavarshini, Sahaanaa) 
  20. http://www.mediafire.com/?zfcm3ymmrny Sindhubairavi  
  21. http://www.mediafire.com/?3zdnzcnhg3n Mangalam

Friday, November 27, 2009

Brindavani and Brindhavana saranga

Please read this interesting LINK before going for the songs

  1. http://www.mediafire.com/?twca5mgyiyt Chaliye - Bombay Jayashree
  2. http://www.mediafire.com/?agni3jn3umk Kaliyuga vardhan - Bombay Jayashree 
  3. http://www.mediafire.com/?ttnyutkwzt0 Neene paramapaavani - P. Unnikrishnan
  4. http://www.mediafire.com/?tjndmhkmzwm Om shakthi - Nithyashree  
  5. http://www.mediafire.com/?nmm141lyjny Raama govindhaa - O.S. Arun 
  6. http://www.mediafire.com/?gzjz3nym2m0 Thillaana - Raajkumar Bharathi 
  7. http://www.mediafire.com/?zta4j4m3zlm Thillaanaa - Bombay Jayashree
  8. http://www.mediafire.com/?g0w5gmvmyqo Thillaana - Dr. Balamuralikrishna 
  9. http://www.mediafire.com/?5hz1kjteygn Thillaana - Dr. Balamuralikrishna 
  10. http://www.mediafire.com/?2zm3yirammj Vella vinayagam - Madurai Somu 
  11. http://www.mediafire.com/?wz4wox53myx Vel muruga - O.S. Arun
Brindhaavana Saarangaa

    1. http://www.mediafire.com/?xgueo1o1xmy Aalokaye - Raajkumar Bharathi 
    2. http://www.mediafire.com/?mecoamdtkzw Barusae - Maharajapuram Santhanam 
    3. http://www.mediafire.com/?0dzzjtdjoxa Kaakkai chiraginile - Aruna Sairam 
    4. http://www.mediafire.com/?cyqqyut2joy Kaakkai chiraginile - Sudha Raghunathan 
    5. http://www.mediafire.com/?mleamg5to1w Kaliyuga varadhan - T.V. Sankaranarayanan 
    6. http://www.mediafire.com/?gymxc5yj3nx Kanigal kondu - Bombay Jayashree 
    7. http://www.mediafire.com/?dn5khdmjdm0 Raama manthrava - T.V. Sankaranarayanan 
    8. http://www.mediafire.com/?5zb4edy4qmm Rangapura vihaara - Ranjani Gayathri 
    9. http://www.mediafire.com/?2zybizc4hmz Rangapura vihara - Aruna Sairam 
    10. http://www.mediafire.com/?jxyyizjm2zc Rangapura vihara - Nithyashree 
    11. http://www.mediafire.com/?umzymm5jlyq RTP - O.S. Arun 
    12. http://www.mediafire.com/?omzttmm5j5n RTP - Sanjay Subramayan 
    13. http://www.mediafire.com/?yyyx4nj1oun Soundararaajam - Nithyshree 
    14. http://www.mediafire.com/?aw22jya0m4j Soundararaajam - Aruna Sairam 
    15. http://www.mediafire.com/?qhamtlnyl0j Swaminaathena - Maharajapuram Swaminathan
    16. http://www.mediafire.com/?ymd22m3mndd Saptha girisham - Madurai Somu
    17. http://www.mediafire.com/?hnjmqikmdmm Sri rangapura - M.S. Subbalakshmi
    18. http://www.mediafire.com/?tzwjmijhzqz Thillaanaa - Maharajapuram Santhanam 
    19. http://www.mediafire.com/?kzoduajyjzm Venkatesa naadham - Nithyashree 
    20. http://www.mediafire.com/?yzmktaik2nk Yaayum yaayum - Sikkil gurucharan 
    21. http://www.mediafire.com/?i2l0duxqowh Yezhil thirumeni - Aruna Sairam

    Tuesday, November 24, 2009

    Socialising in office


    It is a fact employees spend major part of their waking hours with their collegues and coworkers,so it is but natural for them to build strong friendships with some of their co-workers.

    As an employee you form close bonds at the workplace because you share common values with your coworkers, have a strong sense of affinity, similar experiences and even share the same work goals and aspirations. Always remember that you are an employee first and then a friend.

    Some companiesfrown at the thought of  deep friendships among co-workers.

    Your tendency to focus more on your friends at work could cost you a promotion and the management  might think you come to work to socialise rather than really do your job.

    The company will not take you seriously, especially if you let your friendships get in the way of  executing your responsibilities, for instance your collegue commits a serious mistake and you fail to report it because of your friendship.

    So it is necessary to know, where to draw the line between friendship and a professional relationship.

    As Janie Fritz, Associate Professor of communication and Rhetorical Studies at Duquesne University says," Work is work, we are hired to do a job and as long as that takes priority, friendships can emerge naturally, be very constructive and enjoyable".

    Your friendships at work are scrutinised by the management, so it is better to be selective about the friends you make here.

    Your boss might not like you spending time onnon work related  activities with such persons or if one your pals has productivity issues, then your own output may be under scanner. Besides, forming close friends at the workplace,  puts you at the risk of being taken advantage of by them. They may ask you to fill in for them, help with tasks, do some part of their work or make reports. And it is difficlt to refuse, because they are friends.

    Trust is important, all the more in workplace friendships,  because you tend to share both professional and personal secrets with such friends and unless they are worthy of the trust, there is the risk that they may divulge these secrets and this can at times hurt your career. So you must know where to draw the line,  when it comes to divulging  secrets, or spreading gossips and rumours. It may get you and your friends into trouble.

    In these days of Twitter, and Facebook, use your discretion in deciding, which colleagues will be on your friends list. And modify your privacy settings so that your bosses and colleagues do not get to know too much of your personal life or post details about you which can get you into trouble.

    Office frienships also influence professional equations especially if you or one of your friends gets promoted. this change in the status quo can cause friction in workplace relations and can affect performance reviews and other aspects of teamwork. If you have been promoted andlet your friend get away with less or shoddy work, others could also accuse you of favouritism. Similarly, if your friend has been made the team head, and you are close  to him, coworkers will tend to think you are playing up to the boss.

    Another risk in such friendships if if your friends fall out with you, there is the risk that they may turn vindictive and reveal the secrets you shared or could start bad-mouthing you to the boss. Another issue is if your friends are in trouble and could lose their jobs, they expect you to stand up for them even if they have done wrong, this can create a moral dilemma for you and even put your own job at risk.

    The best thing is to maintain the right distance in such relationships. This means consciously spending less time talking on personal matters and sharing more work-related issues.

    This ensures less alienation in the relationship and few chances of trouble at work. The best way is to maintain proper space in workplace frienships. You and your friend/s should learn to keep personal and professional lives separate to form a long asting relationship.


    Courtesy: Hema gopalakrishnan from The Hindu dated Nov.4,2009

    Wednesday, November 18, 2009

    Concert - Aruna Sairam - 9th Dec. 07


                              H.N. Bhaskar, J. Vaidyanathan, S. Karthick

    1. http://www.mediafire.com/?ebme2omkjfg Viruththam fwd by Thirupparangundra velaa - Hindholam 
    2. http://www.mediafire.com/?hjywzmqmzww Sri guruguha - Sudhdha saaveri 
    3. http://www.mediafire.com/?dwynymghmn2 Murugaa murugaa - Saaveri 
    4. http://www.mediafire.com/?lylzjywjdyj Aalaapanai - Valachi 
    5. http://www.mediafire.com/?ndtwnm0meig Violin  
    6. http://www.mediafire.com/?z2t2ndygeke Kaarthikeya - Valachi 
    7. http://www.mediafire.com/?ttmfddm4wmd Nekkurugi - Aabhogi 
    8. http://www.mediafire.com/?ajzx1zhy4t4 RTP - Aalaapanai - Thodi 
    9. http://www.mediafire.com/?zmgtzny5ywd RTP - Violin  
    10. http://www.mediafire.com/?oydnujjbztn RTP - Thaanam 
    11. http://www.mediafire.com/?yzwmiwmziy2 RTP - Pallavi  
    12. http://www.mediafire.com/?2xonjzmqjoe Thani 
    13. http://www.mediafire.com/?jynziyztzun Enadhuyire murugaa - Kalyaani 
    14. http://www.mediafire.com/?m0lnwnmyfjf Kaandhamaam - Sindhubairavi 
    15. http://www.mediafire.com/?2j0qyymmy1q Viruththam fwd by Enna kavi -Neelamani
    16. http://www.mediafire.com/?qqyqojndayy Question and Answers 
    17. http://www.mediafire.com/?yrg4gc4ongy Thiruppugazh  
    18. http://www.mediafire.com/?gjh3ngg5ong Mangalam

    Funny buildings

    When we break our head with East facing, south facing "Vaasthu" etc. see these buildings. These pictures were contributed by reader Ms. S. Sowmya from Bangalore
    Crooked house (Soport, Poland)Forest spiral, Hundertwasser building,(Darmstadt, Germany) The torre Galatea figures,(Spain)Ferdinand cheval palace a.k.a ideal palace, (France) The basket buildings,(Ohio, USA)Kansas city Library,(Missouri, USA)Wonder works,(Orlando, Florida, USA)Habitat 67,(Montreal, Canada) Cubic House,(Rotterdam, Netherlands)hang nga guest house a.k.a crazy house (Vietnam)The UFO house( Sanjhih, Taiwan)Nakagin capsule tower( Tokyo, Japan)Erwin wurm house attack( Vienna, Austria)Wooden gagster house( Archangeisk, Russia)Repleys building,(ontario, Canada)

    Tuesday, November 17, 2009

    Power boosters for the office


    Office life. If you let it, it can suck the energy right out of you. Or, you can take advantage of your workspace to put pep in your step and become more productive than ever.

    Your office—where you spend 30% to 50% of your waking hours—can work for you or against you, depending on how you use it.

    "The workplace is the forgotten arena of the self-improvement battle," explains SparkPeople Coach, Joe Downie. "But it’s the place where people need help the most! Stress is a huge factor in how well you perform at work. It clouds your thinking and wears you down," continues Coach Joe. "Without that energy, you lose creativity, concentration and motivation." In return, he says, all you gain is irritability and tension.

    Of course, the most effective way to fight low energy is with a heavy dose of thorough stretching, proper breathing, and good posture. "There are plenty of power boosters all around you. You don’t have to drop everything and run to the gym." In fact, there are dozens of ways you can reduce stress and increase energy—within 50 feet of the office. (No special equipment required.)

    For starters, he suggests five minutes of mental or physical activity for every hour you spend at the computer. People who sit at desks and computers for hours on end are most prone to dwindling production from low energy.

    Get Physical

    • Go to the office staircase and step up and down the bottom step (like step aerobics).
    • Massage your own head and shoulders. Find trigger points of tension in the shoulders, jaw, and base of the skull. Hold pressure for 6-10 seconds.
    • Take two steps back from your desk and lean forward until you’re in an angled pushup position against the edge of your desk. (This will also work against a wall.) Do a couple quick sets of incline push-ups.
    • Lift 1-3 packs of printer paper in each hand. Curl them like weights or lift them over your head.
    • Close your door and shadow box for a few minutes. Try to imagine a stressor while you’re punching.
    • Start a pick up game of trashcan basketball! Create trick shots, or play against a coworker. A little friendly competition can go a long way.
    • Jumping jacks are a simple, quick way to pump you up. Try to increase your intensity (speed) and duration (minutes) to keep it challenging.
    • Go for a short walk around the office or outside around the block.
    • Stand up and stretch your muscles. Don’t forget your neck and wrists.
    • Lastly, Joe’s favorite office exercise—using a stress ball. Squeezing a stress ball relieves stress while strengthening the forearms and wrists for typing.
    Go Mental
    • Do word puzzles. Crosswords, word finds—even a jigsaw puzzle.
    • Fill out a Mad Lib with your co-workers. A little laughter can improve your mood and decrease stress instantly.
    • Rearrange your office.
    • Switch hands with whatever you’re doing.
    • Draw something. Let your mind create.
    • Stand perfectly still for two minutes. Just Regroup.
    • Do some deep breathing exercises or quiet meditation.
    • Make an inkblot with a folded piece of paper and liquid ink. Have fun with what you see in the blot.
    Staying energized and stress-free at work isn’t difficult. The key is finding reasons to stay out of your chair:
    • In the morning, take as long as possible before sitting down.
    • Forget the boardroom. Hold walking meetings.
    • Hand-deliver mail, memos and faxes.
    • Chat face-to-face instead of by email or phone.
    • Use a bathroom on the other side of the building or on another floor.
    • Have a lot of phone time? Buy a cordless phone and move around while talking.
    • Replace your chair with a stability ball. This helps you maintain good posture, and by balancing, you’re working your core muscles all day.
    Taking care of yourself at the office is just one way fitness can help you in other parts of your life. All it takes is a few minutes at a time.

    coutesy: Spark people

    Monday, November 16, 2009

    My diary - 16th November 2009

    I furnish below the mail received from Indiblogger about my promotion to 74. I need your good wishes and support to reach 80 to 90

    from
    IndiBlogger.in
    reply-to
    indi@indiblogger.in

    to
    hariharan.vaidayanathan@gmail.com

    date
    Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 3:26 AM
    subject
    Your new IndiRank is 74



    Dear V. Hariharan,

    We're happy to announce that IndiRank has been updated. The new rank for your blog think loud is now 74.

    What does IndiRank mean?

    It's like runs in a game of cricket - the higher the score, the better your ranking. Blogs are evaluated on a scale of 1-100, and the top ranks are in the range of 80-90.

    Keep blogging!
    The IndiBlogger Team

    Sunday, November 15, 2009

    Do You feel jealous or get inspired?

    This was received from Sushil Kaushik

    “Dream isn’t what we see in sleep but is that which doesn’t let u sleep”

    This is just an example……………………………………………………………………………..





    Nine elevators dot the lobby floor: Two are designated for parking areas,
    three for guest quarters, two for the Ambani family residences and two for service.
    The lobby opens to numerous lounges, reception areas and powder rooms.
    Dual stairways lead from the lobby floor down to the ballroom,
    which is designed in an open layout with a two-story roof.



    Ballroom

    The most striking features of the Antilla ballroom are the crystal chandeliers

    that will take up approximately 80% of the ceiling.
    The silver stairways lead to a central landing,
    behind which two retractable doors can open to display works of art.
    There is also a stage for entertainment or speeches,
    with a projection screen behind it.
    A kitchen, about the same size as the ballroom itself,
    can service hundreds of guests.
    Bathroom

    One of Antilla's key design themes is the mix of lavish features

    seen in worldwide homes and elements that are distinctly Indian.
    The Gingko-leaf sink designs are a good example. Native to India,
    the leaves in the sinks are shaped in such a way that their
    stems guide water into the bowl created by the basket of the leaf.





    Traditional Lounge

    Ambani's home features countless lounges,

    offering Reliance Industries guests a quiet escape.
    Chandeliers and mirrors are a common feature of these rooms,
    as are finely woven Indian area rugs.
    Modern Lounge

    Each space and floor uses materials not seen anywhere else.

    The idea is that spaces will blend into one another,
    giving the impression of consistency and flow,
    while at the same time displaying different influences and traditions.
    This furniture, floors, lines and dark woods of this lounge have
    a more minimalistic approach than the home's other lounges.



    Entertainment Level

    It's very common in large homes to have a theater or screening room,

    but usually they're just large projection screens with a few nice seats.
    The Ambani's theater is more like those seen in
    George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch or Frank Pritt's Portabello
    Estate--a full-fledged theater, indistinguishable from a cinema.
    A wine room, snack bar and entertaining space,
    including couches and tables, fill out the room.

    This is a detail from a floor plan rendering.






    The indoor/outdoor health level features a lap pool and Jacuzzi

    that take in views of the city skyline, as well as lounge chairs shaded by trees.
    Yoga and dance studios, changing rooms for men and women,
    gyms and a solarium with a juice bar fill out the interior space.
    There are plans to include an ice room in the center space,
    where the Ambanis could sit on a hot Mumbai day to cool off in a man-made snow flurry.

    This is a detail from a floor plan rendering.


    Garage

    The first six floors of the residence will be dedicated to parking for the Ambani family,

    guests and employees. Hanging vertical gardens dot the exterior.
    While they make for good decoration, their key function has to do with energy efficiency:
    The hydroponic plants, grown in liquid nutrient solutions instead of soil,
    lower the energy footprint of the home by absorbing heat and sunlight and

    providing shade that helps keep it cool.
    Roof

    The top floor features a covered, outdoor entertaining space with panoramic

    views of the Mumbai skyline as well as the Arabian Sea.
    On those days when it's too hot, or cold, an interior space with
    floor-to-ceiling windows provides the same luxury.
    The World's First Billion-Dollar Home

    Matt Woolsey, 04.30.08, 6:00 PM ET


    While visiting New York in 2005, Nita Ambani was in the spa at the Mandarin

    Oriental New York, overlooking Central Park. The contemporary Asian interiors struck her just so,
    and prompted her to inquire about the designer..

    Nita Ambani was no ordinary tourist. She is married to Mukesh Ambani,

    head of Mumbai, India-based petrochemical giant Reliance Industries,
    and the fifth richest man in the world. (Lakshmi Mittal, ranked fourth,
    is an Indian citizen, but a resident of the U.K.)


    Forbes estimated Ambani's net worth at $43 billion in March.

    Reliance Industries was founded by Mukesh's father, Dhirubhai Ambani,
    in 1966, and is India's most valuable firm by market capitalization.
    The couple, who have three children, currently live in a 22-story Mumbai tower
    that the family has spent years remodeling to meet its needs.

    Like many families with the means to do so, the Ambanis wanted to build a custom home.

    They consulted with architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates,
    the designers behind the Mandarin Oriental, based in Dallas and Los Angeles, respectively.
    Plans were then drawn up for what will be the world's largest and most expensive home:
    a 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai with a cost nearing $2 billion, says
    Thomas Johnson, director of marketing at Hirsch Bedner Associates.
    The architects and designers are creating as they go, altering floor plans,
    design elements and concepts as the building is constructed.

    The only remotely comparable high-rise property currently on the market is the $70 million

    triplex penthouse at the Pierre Hotel in New York, designed to resemble
    a French chateau, and climbing 525 feet in the air. When the Ambani residence is finished in January,
    completing a four-year process, it will be 550 feet high with 400,000 square feet
    of interior space.

    The home will cost more than a hotel or high-rise of similar size

    because of its custom measurements and fittings:
    A hotel or condominium has a common layout,
    replicated on every floor, and uses the same materials throughout the building
    (such as door handles, floors, lamps and window treatments).

    The Ambani home, called Antilla, differs in that no two floors are alike in either plans or materials used.

    At the request of Nita Ambani, say the designers, if a metal, wood or crystal is part of the
    ninth-floor design, it shouldn't be used on the eleventh floor, for example.
    The idea is to blend styles and architectural elements so spaces give the feel of consistency,
    but without repetition.

    Antilla's shape is based on Vaastu, an Indian tradition much like Feng Shui

    that is said to move energy beneficially through the building by
    strategically placing materials, rooms and objects.


    Pricey Pad
    Atop six stories of parking lots, Antilla's living quarters begin at a lobby with nine elevators,

    as well as several storage rooms and lounges. Down dual stairways with silver-covered railings is a
    large ballroom with 80% of its ceiling covered in crystal chandeliers.
    It features a retractable showcase for pieces of art, a mount of LCD monitors
    and embedded speakers, as well as stages for entertainment.
    The hall opens to an indoor/outdoor bar, green rooms, powder rooms and allows access to a
    nearby "entourage room" for security guards and assistants to relax.


    Ambani plans to occasionally use the residence for corporate entertainment,

    and the family wants the look and feel of the home's interior to be distinctly
    Indian; 85% of the materials and
    labor will come from outside the U.S., most of it from India.

    Where possible, the designers say, whether it's for the silver railings, crystal chandeliers,

    woven area rugs or steel support beams, the Ambanis are using Indian companies, contractors,
    craftsmen and materials firms. Elements of Indian culture juxtapose newer designs. For example,
    the sinks in a lounge extending off the entertainment level, which features a movie theater
    and wine room, are shaped like ginkgo leaves (native to India) with the stem extending to the faucet
    to guide the water into the basin.

    On the health level, local plants decorate the outdoor patio near the swimming pool and yoga studio.

    The floor also features an ice room where residents and guests can escape the Mumbai heat to a small,
    cooled chamber dusted by man-made snow flurries.

    For more temperate days, the family will enjoy a four-story open garden.

    In profile, the rebar-enforced beams
    form a "W" shape that supports the upper two-thirds of the
    building while creating an open-air atrium of gardens,
    flowers and lawns. Gardens, whether hanging hydroponic plants, or fixed trees,
    are a critical part of the building's exterior adornment but also serve a purpose:
    The plants act as an energy-saving device by absorbing sunlight, thus deflecting it f
    rom the living spaces and making it easier to keep the interior cool in summer
    and warm in winter. An internal core space on the garden level contains entertaining
    rooms and balconies that clear the tree line and offer views of
    downtown Mumbai. The top floors of entertaining space, where
    Ambani plans to host business guests (or just relax) offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.




    Sunday, November 8, 2009

    ‘I only want to enjoy my childhood, ma’



    (Dear co-parents, some of us might hear a small, fading voice making yet another attempt to reach us)

    Inumella Sesikala

    Amma, I don’t want to go to school.

    I am just a child, Ma. I want someone to tell me stories and teach me. I want to watch tadpoles and butterflies and know what they eat, where they sleep. I want to climb a hill and catch a cloud to see what it is made of.

    I want to wait with my hands in the stream and feel the fish swimming.

    I want to run with the puppies, sing with the birds, and play with paper-boats in the rain.

    I want to lie down on the soft green grass and hear the wind whisper.

    Only then I want to learn more about them from the printed word.

    Only after my imagination is fired, my thirst to know more has begun, a seed of ‘Why?’ is planted in my brain.

    Amma, I feel trapped in the prison-like classroom. I feel my spirit slowly weakening with the monotonous teaching. Often, when I ask a basic question our teachers say, “No time for all that. Let us finish the syllabus.”

    I get tired of studying just for marks without pausing to truly understand.

    I want to go to the museum with my classmates and hear my teacher explain the stories of the artefacts.

    I want plenty of nature trips where real Biology classes would be held.

    I want to see colourful videos of volcanic eruptions and deep-sea dwellings.

    I want our whole school to visit together the historic and cultural places in my city.

    I want to learn astronomy after looking through a telescope once.

    I don’t want to just read them in my textbooks; I want to see, hear, touch, smell and taste whatever I can. I want to experience.

    Why can’t the school make at least one such trip every year?

    And, I cannot stoop down anymore to carry my school sack. My back is ready to break. Why should I carry all the books everyday? Why can’t we have only two subjects per day? Or, why don’t we have lockers like in the Western schools? And, why should I squeeze in that over-crowded auto?

    But, Amma, growing up no longer seems to be fun. I see only more of homework, winter projects, summer classes, weekly tests, monthly tests, quarterly, half-yearly and annual exams, external competitive exams, more tests, more competitions, more pressure, more stress…

    When can I sing, paint, dance, swim, or cycle?

    When I can just play cricket or even hide-and-seek?

    What happened to that minimum sleep that you always say a child needs?

    Why should I always study, study?

    Amma, I am scared of increasing atrocities by untrustworthy teachers, ragging-raving seniors, acid-loving nuts, perverted adults…

    Ma, right now, I don’t want to be a doctor, engineer or anything else.

    I just want to feel safe and secure, play and learn without any stress before I become an adult like you.

    I only want to enjoy my childhood, Ma.

    Coutesy : The Hindu 8th Nov 09

    Saturday, November 7, 2009

    Concert - M.L. Vasanthakumari at York University, Sep 76


    Kanyakumari and K.R. Krishnamurthy


    1. http://www.mediafire.com/?vcxyxnzzwwe Viribhoni - Bhairavi
    2. http://www.mediafire.com/?tzzmn2znzwk Ekadhantham - Bilahari
    3. http://www.mediafire.com/?vetnyn5jdzz Paraloka - Poorvikalyaani
    4. http://www.mediafire.com/?zjzazyqzwme Aalaapanai - Pushpalathika
    5. http://www.mediafire.com/?izmay01m4nr Ikanaina - Pushpalathika
    6. http://www.mediafire.com/?jzrdf3tnnwz Vaa murugaa vaa - Begadaa
    7. http://www.mediafire.com/?dqyittymoeq Chandrasekaram - Margahindholam
    8. http://www.mediafire.com/?mm3zkdmmj2n RTP - Naattaikurinji
    9. http://www.mediafire.com/?zomm2zynm2q RTP - Thaanam
    10. http://www.mediafire.com/?anxezzjjkj1 RTP - Pallavi - Naattaikurinji
    11. http://www.mediafire.com/?zymfdm4t4yt Thani
    12. http://www.mediafire.com/?mynmn1gz0zz RTP - Pallavi (contd.) - Swararaagamalika
    13. http://www.mediafire.com/?kzyjfminyjn Dhevaki than - Raagamalikai
    14. http://www.mediafire.com/?yeymkjtntzk Banthadena - Hindusthanikaapi
    15. http://www.mediafire.com/?d4tjntmqizn Apaduru - Kamaas
    16. http://www.mediafire.com/?4zmmixjimhl Thiruppugazh

    Music season 2009

    • Shashank performed an excellent concert yesterday. He asked the audience " I am going to play varnam. Do you want Kambodhi or Sankarbaranam?" Audience responded unanimously for Kambodhi and he obliged.

    • Similarly after doing Aalaapna in Kalyaani, He wanted audience to say whether they want Eathavunaara or RTP and the response was for RTP and he performed.

    • The percussion artists are placed in a dilemma now a days when these concerts are to be completed in two hours. Parupalli phalgun and Dr. S. Karthik had to play aavardhanam together and finish it within five minutes.

    • T. M. Krishna and Sangeetha sivakumar really performed a fantastic Jugalbandhi singing together most of the songs.

    • Their RTP with 14 raaga aalaapnas and Sri viswanatham as Pallavi and 14 kalpana swarams apart from swaras in the krithi, was fantastic.

    • Hats off to Akkarai Subhalakshmi ( in violin) maintainig the Sruthi for both of them without any adjustments.

    • She was not given any breath, since she had to accompany both T.M.Krishna and Sangeetha's Kalpana swarams alternatively, as each one was performing different raagaas.

    • The final touch was taken from stanzas from Shaakunthalam as Viruththam followed by "Premaiyil" from the movie "Sakunthalai" (sung by G.N.B and M.S. S)with perfect carnatic mood.

    Friday, November 6, 2009

    Music season 2009


    • Carnatic music season has started in Chennai even before the rains.
    • Bharat sangeet utsav 2009 initiated the season from 1st November with not less than three programmes a day.

    • Sudha Raghunathan paid tribute to her Guru M (melody) L (layam) V (vidhwat) by singing the songs popularised by the Legend.

    • Thani by Umayalpuram Sivaraman was excellent in Sikkil Gurucharan' concert. I thought he almost forgot that Dr.S. Karthik is waiting with Ghatam. He was so inspired.

    • Ranjani & Gayathri wore the same coloured sarees and blouses to start with this season. They used to have lot of permutations and combination in their dress in previous years viz Ranjani's blouse colour will be of Gayathri's saree and vice versa etc.

    • Most surprising aspect was that nobody moved in the hall ( Naradha Gana Sabha with a capacity of more than 1000 seats)which had no empty seat, during the Visakha Hari's programme of "Gajendraq moksham" which started at 7.00P.M. and ended at 9.15.P.M. In all the other programmes, the hall appeared to be Ranganathan street.