Search stages

I always thought that searching for a life partner was a single step procedure, in the sense that once your set of criteria matches, things would naturally fall into place. But from the first as well as second hand experiences that I have had, the search process usually could be divided into at least four parts, especially, if your horoscope is a little screwed up.

The stages could be named finicky, relaxation, rationalization and desperation; names being self explanatory! Umpteen criteria from looks to the family to the place to the education / job to a lot more trivial things are kept as an initial filter, which would, in most cases be unfulfilled. Non matching of even a single criterion is not tolerated. At least six to twelve months go in this screening, by which time; they would be ready to pass on to the next stage

Next is the stage of relaxation when a couple of non essential variables are relaxed, to widen the ‘catchment’ options; still the rigidity in the essential items is not removed. This search goes on for another six months; a lucky few get a result with this manoeuver; rest are to pass through to the next stage which is ‘rationalization’ where a few of the previously uncompromisable factors are relaxed and search is continued. That ‘s when the people concerned , realize the futility of looking for that perfect match; common sense prevails ; but by then quite a few matches that would have fit the present criteria would have gone along . But some people get the chance to go back to previously rejected matches to make amends and solemnize the relation

And the worst thing is for those who are option less even after ‘rationalization’, who never the less go into the stage of desperation, especially for the reason of warding off towards the wrong end of twenties. That’s when, everyone concerned hurtle hurriedly towards any option, that comes their way, compromising a lot of supposedly very significant variables

I am forced to wonder, how it would be, if there was rationalization at initial part of the search, itself, minimizing the heartburns and disappointments associated with the search

Professional critics

I was thinking of the easy jobs that are available , which at the same time could influence a lot of lives. Being a professional film critic, seemed one of the cool jobs , considering that you get to watch the movies , first day , first show and write whatever you "feel" without any restraint; thereby having an ability to influence the lives of lots of families associated with the production of the movie, but mostly in the negative sense.

I have experienced many instances where the films have been written of by the arm chair critics- yes arm chair - in that they have never involved themselves in the aspects of movie making , but the movies have gone on to become big hits . They are really ones , that push the costly blockbusters into the valley , without a thought to what happens to the people involved. I suppose they are as big a threat to the film world as the video piracy. Video piracy at least ensures that , people at least see the movie, thereby at least giving the director / actors professional / emotional satisfaction . And people ,would eventually venture out to see the movie on the big screen , after deciding for themselves , if the content is good. However poor reviews about the movies ensure that no one likes to watch them even on a DVD.

Any thing negative always gets more attention and gets stuck on the readers However , this being a democratic country , any wrong done within the legal confines or associated with freedom of expression, cannot be questioned!! If i were a member of the industry I would like to quell the reviews of movies being written in the first fortnight by the "professional" critics. Let the people see for themselves and let the publicity spread by word of mouth, which would be more just towards the makers. All movies have something good , that might not be appreciated by all ; hence it's proper that people themselves see and decide !!

A tall one gone with least damage!

Inglorious Baste(a)rds

Inspired by the Hollywood title of the recent Brad Pitt movie , i ventured to write my own list of inglorious baste(a)rds , whom I love to hate! People who occupy the places of pride in them are,

The evil souls who carelessly puff way on the roads/ public places with scant regard for the safety of the co pedestrians!

The hurried rushers who don't care to even respect the signal at the stroke of ten in the night , without even an iota of concern for the pedestrians

Those horrible morons who ride their vehicles holding mobiles between their neck and trunk as if they have severe torticollis or in one hand, putting their as well as others’ lives at risk

Those who spit on the window sills of trains and buses, not realizing that such an act could lead them to spend time behind the bars in a strict country

Those idiots who drive on the opposite side of the road in full throttle, not bothering about ignorant people standing on the sides thinking they are safe

Those who drive at full speed on the roads without switching the headlights on / with such bright headlights that, others facing it are blinded like bats

Those so called noble men, in the name of medical doctors, who squeeze out money out of their patients in the form of cuts / commission

There are obviously lot more honourables , to be added to this list , but these are just the ones I got in my mind immediately

Scaredevils

Don't get excited about whether this is another new IPL team on the anvil, probably headed by another Bollywood star( considering the hot , but not so successful romance between the IPL and Bollywood) . This is also not one of the new horrible horror movies that Hollywood keeps churning out with alarmingly regular frequency.This is something that we see every month on the roads on the new moon day in most parts of Tamil nadu; I am not sure of the other places in India. The plump green member of the gourd family , though not preferred on most days , in spite of its high fibre content , suddenly finds itself a hot property on the last days of lunar calendar. The plump thing with resemblance to a round head is given a face by drawing facial features using vermilion, though only to mimic a scary devil face. And these are thrashed on the road in the mornings with a view to ward of the evil eyes that have been laid upon the family or the business. Most shops , small and big are no exceptions to this ! I am not sure if these are potent enough to chase the evils , but I am sure they are quite good enough to skid the forms , next only to devils in the degree of polluted minds - the human beings! The juicy slippery injured and split gourd is as efficient in skidding a two wheeler, as would a banana skin be in tumbling a pedestrian ! And their presence at every ten feet on the road on the specified day, would turn the roads into an effective test course for obstacle challenge course for riders. Ones avoiding all those 'scare devils' and also not hurting any other co road users would definitely qualify for competitive obstacle challenge ! I have been lucky enough to have avoided both so far ! The dark new moon days , complicated by poor/ absent street lighting , transforms these supposedly devil scarers into devils themselves for the uninitiated as well as frequent users of the road . I don't know how a gourd can ward of the evil and even if people feel, they have the right to believe in whatever they wish, they should be sensible enough to understand that they cannot put others' lives and limbs at risk to get a false satisfaction of having protected themselves. Owing to the fact that our people have a very low civic sense , I presume it's time government does something to ban their breaking on the roads !!

Title stars

As if the Tamil movies themselves didn’t have enough humor content within them, it starts right from the first card even as the actors are introduced, just after the title card.

I am not sure if actors in any other “wood”s are bestowed upon with these honorable titles, which when taken literally are nothing but pure unadulterated fun. Me being neither a film historian, nor even an avid film buff, could only recollect a few names, but it was more than enough to laugh at the ironies, as most of them were misnomers

Nadigar thilagam Sivaji Ganesan

This name cannot be disputed as he is someone who has been appreciated by even Marlon Brando; moreover he was one who did almost all possible roles and could provide all expressions, though a little more than required , at times

Puratchi thalaivar MGR

It is a name that is indisputable, as he was a leader, nonetheless, but I am not aware of any revolution that he may have been responsible for. But still its not advisable to argue, considering the legend that, even this day there are people in interior Tamilnadu, who cannot tolerate hearing the fact that he is dead.

Kaathal mannan Gemini Ganesan

This sure was a name that is ergonomically correct as it reflected both his professional as well as personal life – I think nothing more needs to be told

Super star Rajinikanth

This is a name that has stuck on to a man who rose through the ranks. Though there are and were better actors than him, the man deserves praise for sticking to the top for so long and making run of the mill movies run so well. And towards the later part of his career, his public behavior has been quite spot on , except for the ill advised advices during the election times!

Ulaga nayagan Kamal haasan

This is one guy , who deserves the name he’s got – no, earned. I am damn sure ,he is the best actor to have come out this country and would have been so wherever he was born. However complicated his personal life may be, he definitely is an actor on par with any global star known

Purathchi kalaignar Vijaya kanth

I am not sure what sort of revolution he created with his acting skills; is it the back kicks he seems to perform with amazing ease considering his big paunch?

Supreme star Sarath kumar & Ultimate star Ajith kumar

“Supreme” and “ultimate” literally mean greater degree than “super” – you can really be sure that, these epithets don’t make sense!

Ilaya thalapathy Vijay ,Purathchi thalapathi Vishal and Chinna thalapthi Bharath

I don’t know which battalion they are commanding?? Do tell me if anyone of you knows!!

Navarasa naayagan Karthik

Does it mean that he the only one who could show all the expressions? I thought one could be an actor only if he could emote all feelings well!!

Yathartha nayagan Cheran

This is a an apt name , as he is the only one , who has never given into heroisms as an actor ; I guess he’s the only hero who has been hit by everyone and cried the most , even putting serial heroines to shame

Mirattal nayagan Jeevan

Except for the villain role in Kakha Kakha movie , I haven’t seen anything ferocious about his acting ( there too, it was more about using foul language unhinderedly , as in a real slum) except for the fact that he is choosing his roles carefully!

Little superstar Simbu

Though a talented fellow , of late only , he’s been realizing that imitating the big man wont take him very far. And I think that is a name that he has grabbed for himself , rather than being given!

Vaigai puyal Vadivelu

A popular actor, but the title gives an action image; which is totally far from his funny man roles, which make you happy as would a neat breeze!

I am not sure of other heroes’ titles; anyone who knows any other of these funny things can add a post!!

Is Decency a Weakness?

Being brought up with an aptitude for hard work and taught to move with people in a smooth way with fewer unnecessary words, gets us to a good position in life; but it is not without the negative connotations. These qualities though an asset initially in a career ,could really end up being a burden with time.

Once the benchmark is set for your ability , the peak of your performance rather than the median of your range is expected more than often, which is impossible , a lot of times. And the people concerned , tend to think of only extracting the maximum work from the ones who have shouldered it before. And the ones , who set a pace for themselves, probably even restricting themselves consciously , do not face much trouble , as less is expected of them. It also does not help if you have colleagues who are not as willing to help , as much as they would like others to help them. Add to that a management that is only concerned at swelling their own pockets , with no concern whatsoever for the staff, there builds a recipe for an excellent" stress soup" at the workplace.

Being decent and professional enough , not to avoid / procrastinate the work given , most often lets people presume it as a weakness. The inability to say' no' out of self inflicted moral responsibility is again a factor, that gets one into trouble sooner than later. One might have done the extra work , considering the situation , in spite of compromising on personal space , for the first few times. You are not sure to get complimented for that , but the first time you refuse to take that extra responsibility , for purely personal reasons , it gets misconstrued as that the person has become too big for the boots . The one who shirks that added responsibility from the beginning , seems a better off at the same point of time , as that is taken as his nature.

Obliging every request also becomes an expected norm , once you begin to do that frequently and people take you for granted. Its not just the workplace , it happens everywhere- relatives , friends , public departments , people you hire for work , even within the families- decency being taken for weakness .

One is more often likely to see the 'voice'y types get on with lesser stuff, than the docile types. But does that mean all those being decent and gentle should change overnight into obdurate , argumentative types ? Most probably not , as there is a big account being kept in a super computer up above, that He keeps and takes everything into account . So it would be ideal to strike the middle path , saying no when needed "firmly and politely " , that the ones across get the right signal that- decency is not a weakness !