The trick of asking questions

Jack and Max are walking from religious service. Jack wonders whether it
would be all right to smoke while praying.

Max replies, "Why don't you ask the Priest?" 

So Jack goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest, may I smoke while I
pray?" But the Priest says, "No, my son, you may not. That's utter
disrespect to our religion."

Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.
Max says, "I'm not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try." 

And so Max goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest, may I pray while I
smoke?" To which the Priest eagerly replies, "By all means, my son...by
all means."

Moral of the story: The reply you get depends on the question you ask. 


sent by Anantaraman Tarakkad  Mahadevan
raja said...
that's called presentation.nice one

February 21, 2011 5:40 AM

Concert - M.S. Subbalkshmi 1975

1. http://www.mediafire.com/?6h8j1rujrae0era Vachamagachora - Kaikavasi  
2. http://www.mediafire.com/?wue3cic6d3s7l4q Diwakara - Yadhukulakambodhi 
3. http://www.mediafire.com/?2rbpm2ezm9j0vhd Paraathpara - Vaachaspathi  
4. http://www.mediafire.com/?bpep7m7wgelrxyj Nee dhayaledani - Dhanyaasi 
5. http://www.mediafire.com/?hjjxy0eg5ly9djb Manasuloni - Hindholam  
6. http://www.mediafire.com/?cl9tt4dlq2r19pr Maayamma - Aahiri  
7. http://www.mediafire.com/?k6nto0ojnobbbbp Chakkani Raaja - Karaharapriya 
8. http://www.mediafire.com/?a3z8wx9yo85rx41 Kaamaakshi - Saaveri  
9. http://www.mediafire.com/?j9xx6vajjby7vlz RTP - Mohanam 
10. http://www.mediafire.com/?asekiw36dc9cfff Srinivasa - Hamsanandhi  
11. http://www.mediafire.com/?6wy3nmos247i171 Meera bhajan - Desh  
12. http://www.mediafire.com/?hgxane6ovv6sxmk Mudiondrin - Raagamalika  
13. http://www.mediafire.com/?dsry8j8qq812yd3 Dasanamaadi - Naadhanaamakriya 
14. http://www.mediafire.com/?vk287o5wd7uc5b3 Kandu kandu  
15. http://www.mediafire.com/?i31pw8jtvaljtz7 Mangalam

Wouldn't it be wonderful if each night before falling asleep we could truthfully say to ourselves, "Today I was freeer than I was yesterday"? Free from fears, free to be uniquely ourselves, free to say what we mean and mean what we say, free to genuinely enjoy and celebrate life.  

sahastrabuddhi said...

Hello Sir.. I am an ardent reader of your blog..Your Service to music is impeccable...please upload more of MS Amma ..Might i suggest a correction in the first song.It is Vachamagochara in kaikavasi by tyagaraja swamigal Thanks

February 14, 2011 6:54 AM

hvaidya said...

Thank you my dear friend. I have corrected it.

February 14, 2011 12:40 PM

VETHA KUZHAMBHU AND VENGAYA SAMBAR

This blog posting from "kramans.blogspot.com" was sent by Mr. Anantharaman Tarakkad. I liked it and felt like sharing with you.

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If Valmiki and Vyasa took Indian Epic writing to its pinnacle of glory, if Shakespeare and Milton lent lustre to English Literature, if Lindwall and Miller tormented the batsmen the world over and always haunted in pair, if Gandhiji and Vinobhaji instilled spirituality in politics, Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar, demonstrate the Tamil Brahmin's culinary skill at its sharpest best.
Vetha Kuzhambu and Vengaya sambar, like Sehwag and Sachin, would always dominate the scene and that is the reason perhaps they are not served on plantain leaves in marital lunches. Any other sambar, needs the support of a thair pacchadi, avial, olan, parrupu usili and karakari, to survive the lunch. Remove the support of the various vegetables save one and sambar would surrender at once - a roaring lion, only when there is a retinue around. Not Vengaya Sambar. It can stand its ground in testing time. When Vengaya Sambar is around, like one's own wife, who would glance at Avial or pacchadi, mere coquettes, though they may have inviting looks?

"In small things we just beauty see,
In short measure, life may perfect be",

says Shakespeare in one of his sonnets, underlying the fact that it is the small vengayam that we are talking about. In Travancore, small vengayam is called ulli or Eerulli. The larger one doesn't deserve a treatise to write about.

Vetha Kuzhambu and Vengaya Sambar can conquer the world with the help of a single vegetable to play a subordinate role, as Kapil Dev played that world conquering game, with Syed Kirmani at the other end. When Concerns in Mumbai served Vengaya Sambar with Potato karakari on Thursdays, a serpentine queue with saliva oozing out, would wait for hours. If no vegetable is available, Vetha Kuzhambu can still hold its sway with the help of a roasted appalam. Sorry my Palakkad brothers and sisters.  Our pappadam cannot measure upto the expectations of Vetha Kuzhambu. They are not made for each other. It is always ensnared by the amorous advances of  appalam.

I prepared only vetha kuzhambhu and chutta appalam today, a Thanjavur Mami, would murmur in humility, oblivious of the fact that the aroma from her kitchen has already reached eight houses ahead in her Agraharam. Chutta appalam, like chundaikai  or karela, can also immerse in Vetha kuzhambhu, reiterating the fact that it is part of the household and not a mere catalytic agent.

And yet, we deny them their legitimate place in marriage lunches; instead we relegate them to the light dinner on the marriage day when all the ceremonies are over and only a few are around. Why treat your best batsmen as tailenders? Is it because all other vegetables have ganged up to isolate Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar, so that they too are noticed? Would it be a blasphemy if we serve Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar in saddhies of Sasta preetis, instead of several vegetables and varieties of payasams? After all payasams were dictated by palate and not prescribed by Shastras.

Idli and Mulagapodi are always made for each other. And yet, Chutney and Vengaya Sambar are not looked upon as the 'the other woman'. What more, Vengaya Sambar can also lend legitimacy to Idli and dosai and take them to dizzy heights.

If Vengaya Sambar and Potato Karakari is unparalleled, Koorkai, Chenai and Banana also go well with it. It does not need  varieties of vegetables or pathnis as it strictly follows Lord Sriram.It chooses one and remains loyal. However, Vetha Kuzhambhu is too strong a personality to entertain Idli and Dosai. It prefers to stand alone or mingle with a few lesser mortals. It is a little complex personality and yet has popular appeal.

One needs the arbitrating skills of a Solomon Pappaya to decide whether Vengaya Sambar emerges out better when prepared with Sambar Powder or ground coconut and other ingredients. To put in Brahminical tamil, whether Podi potta sambar scores over arachuvitta sambar, if Vengayam is the main ingredient?  I am for one, is a protagonist of vengaya sambar, prepared with sambar powder. The vengayam here is endowed with a rare ability, as the overcast sky does to a swing bowler. When ground coconut is used, the sharpness of Vengayam is bludgeoned as the effectiveness of a pace bowler is, in a flat wicket. Fortunately, Vetha Kuzhambhu does not face such a threat from coconut. I may be torn into pieces by some of the well known professional cooks or mamas and mamis from Palakkad for this sacrilegious statement. It is availability that dictates the ingredients and develop the taste.

One major area where Vetha Kuzhambhu differs from its brother Vengaya Sambar is in longevity. As some of its ingredients are basically preservatives, Vetta Kuzhambhu is blessed with a longer shelf life. Vengaya sambar suffers from Balarishtams if not alpa-ayusu.

Vengaya Sambar, as the very name suggests, leans on good quality small onions, for survival. Vetha Kuzhambhu does not need such singular support. It needs varieties of ingredients and deft handling which is available aplenty in Thanjavur and Trichi. (yours truly is a poor soul from Travancore).

It is not Sandhya Vandhanam or various other rituals that  bench mark brahminical eminence. Ability to prepare, enjoy and evaluate quality Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar that marks brahminical endowments.

Let young mothers and fathers dissuade their children from Pav Bhaji and Pani poori and instead eulogise them, if they show proclivity towards Vengaya Sambar and Vetha Kuzhambhu.

And finally, let me make a Marxian appeal. Brahminical youth, unite! You have nothing to lose except polluted and contaminated pav bhajis and pani poories and a world with Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar to gain.

Saras said...

When I read the post I could smell the inevitable aroma of Vengaya sambar and vetha kuzhambu floating in the Air. Tanks Mr.Vaidya for sharing it.

February 13, 2011 5:44 PM

Hemalatha said...

Dear Sir, How True ! Very often it is the Tailenders who save the Match. Similarly,serving Vetha Kuzhambu on the last day of marriage is done so that everyone will remember it and the taste will linger for long. When we return after a long and tired journey it is the Vetha Kuzhambu which we all look forward to and relish. It is so light in the tummy that we look forward to it so often. Regards

February 13, 2011 6:14 PM

BHASKARAN19 said...

வத்த குழம்பு படத்தை பார்த்தவுடன் நாக்கில் தண்ணி ஊருகிறது , அதோடு இந்த வடையும் சேர்த்தல் இன்னும் சூப்பராக இருக்கும் http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQiy8OyrwGQ

PriyaV said...
Aaha...yenna arumai! Now I am hungry....

February 14, 2011 10:35 PM

cvsmuthy said...

When I read this lovely, if I may be permitted to say so, Ode on Vengaya sambar and Vetha kuzambu I recollect the definition give by my erstwhile teachers of fifties on Idly. It goes like this 'Idly is a ship sailing on river sambar on the banks of chutney".

February 21, 2011 8:24 PM

Mahadevan said...

The article "Vetta Khuzhambu and Vengaya Sambar was written by me and sent to iyer 123.com on 31st January and they carried it the following day. Many readers of iyer123.com copied and few have displayed it in their post. Only the original article was written by me and recipe, pictures of Vetta Khuzhambhu are not mine. They are the additions of the bloggers. The original article under my signature V.Mahadevan is available in the Messages Section of iyer.123 in Yahoo groups.

March 18, 2011 1:41 PM

 Sruti said...

I have been reading articles in your blog at random.. especially the ones around Carnatic music. Good ones. In this particular post, the lines that have been quoted ("In small things we just beauty see,In short measure, life may perfect be") as from Shakespeare, I think actually are from Ben Jonson in his sonnet "Nature".

Regards
Sruti

November 20, 2011 1:57 PM

Concert - Srivalson J. Menon

1. http://www.mediafire.com/?a094lcr57ij52r7 Varnam - Ninnukori - Mohanam 
2. http://www.mediafire.com/?0geqexc9vo3llac Sidhdhi vinayakam - Shanmugapriya 
3. http://www.mediafire.com/?ytrklbmjfgd7icd Vaasudevaayani - Kalyaani  
4. http://www.mediafire.com/?m8fmj8ncn5ilgvi Gopalaka paahimaam anusham - Bhoop 
5. http://www.mediafire.com/?i4dvx07x0szv3zb Thaaye yasodha - Thodi 
6. http://www.mediafire.com/?4ttmar49jr3qryj Jagadhodhaarana - Kaapi 
7. http://www.mediafire.com/?zfw5bacxtb6q5tf Bhagyadha laxmi baaramma - Madhyamavathi

Contributed by Varadarajan Raju
Building understanding, support and acceptance begins with earning trust.

The Human Clock...amazing

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


The human clock. Clever stuff.

---

Click anywhere in the clock and it becomes digital, another click and it returns to normal.

Click the link below

http://lovedbdb.com/nudemenClock/index2.html

sent by Priya Ashok

Kaana vendaamo - M.M. Dhandapani Desikar - Nandanaar

sent by Bhaskaran Sivaraman

Concert - M.S. Subbalakshmi - 1981

1. http://www.mediafire.com/?3epbg73pqv1bqwa Sriman Naarayana 
2. http://www.mediafire.com/?53y1hn5hzzqcaa9 Kanchadhalaya - Kamalmanohari 
3. http://www.mediafire.com/?cuftj8k576t68v8 Ekadantam - Begadaa  
4. http://www.mediafire.com/?tawhsw0d7dqbfbk Maayamma - Aahiri 
5. http://www.mediafire.com/?5bajrcp2ls79ygo Manabramara  
6. http://www.mediafire.com/?8car493rdqwm8l6 Vellai thaamarai  
7. http://www.mediafire.com/?9ve8devav1b3we1 Bhajan 1  
8. http://www.mediafire.com/?vflp14pupopi8yc Bhajan 2  
9. http://www.mediafire.com/?flv30e9wcmdxtg0 Bhajan 3 
10. http://www.mediafire.com/?s0e14o0n07qee3u Gungurure 
11. http://www.mediafire.com/?l7u90ug6vzahg8a Bhavayaami  
12. http://www.mediafire.com/?qcv4202xws1wt73 Naanaatti - Revathi

Building understanding, support and acceptance begins with earning trust.

Varugalaamo Iyyaa - M.M. Dhandapani Desikar - Nandhanaar

sent by Mr. Bhaskaran Sivaraman

An Appeal

I am associated with a Trust called "Gaanapriya Foundation" through which, we are conducting different type of programmes connected with Carnatic Music. Instead of having regular concerts, we conducted Lecture demonstrations like every month. We conducted programme on Mallari; we conducted programmes on Dhikshiter krithis, Patnam Subramania Iyer krithis, programme on Padam and Jawali etc. We are also conducting the "Rasikapriya award" function every year on behalf of "Sangeethapriya.org"

This year's Rasikapriya award function will be held on 26th February at Thathvaloka auditorium, Eldams Road, Chennai at 8.00 P.M. Mr. Ramachandran, Mr. Govindan and Jaya TV are the recipient of the awards.

We are also honouring Mr. Sridharan Sankaran, Founder, moderator of Sangeethapriya.org with "Rasikas kaingaryamani award" recognising his tireless service in Sangeethapriya.org.

I request and appeal to the readers of the blog to contribute their mite by donations to Gaanapriya Foundation for conduct of this function successfully. You can send the cheques favouring "Gaanapriya Foundation"  T 1, Govardan Apartments, 47, Dr. Ranga Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004. or credit directly to the Savings Bank account No 909010037981094 of Gaanapriya Foundation with Axis Bank Ltd, R.A. PURAM Branch, Chennai under intimation to me to my mail hartiharan.vaidayanathan@gmail.com to account properly. Those who are in foreign countries may pay through "Paypal" for credit of gaanapriya.foundation@gmail.com

Readers are requested to contribute their mite for a good cause towards our music.

I will be ever grateful personally to this gesture.

Laugh ! it is good for health

What do Girls do after a Really Bad Car Accident ??

Turn off the ignition?

NO

Get away from the car in case it explodes?

NO

Call police on her cell phone?

NO

Can you imagine her 1st action???

 Ladies ! please excuse me. you can also laugh !!

Hemalatha said...

Dear Sir, Don't you think that this is a little too much? Regards

February 6, 2011 12:04 AM

hvaidya said...

I know that there will be comments like this. Since I also felt this as too much I made the "excuse " note at the bottom.

February 6, 2011 6:35 PM

Neeju said...

Made me laugh even though I imagined me if I would ever be able to do that! Neeraja

February 7, 2011 6:02 AM

Anonymous said...

exellent

February 7, 2011 7:46 AM