Did you know?

1. That there are no 'snakes' in Switzerland!

2. The first coffee seed was sown in Chikmagalur town of India

3. Romeo-Juliet story 'did happen' and was not just a 'drama'.

4. Indonesia is made of 17,508 islands!

5. There was nothing called 'India' before, it was formed by British and eventually formalized by Freedom Frighters

6. Japanese get very pleased when they are gifted with a watermelon

7. Almost 16 million men carry Ghenghis Khan's Y-chromosome!

8. Bangalore did not become IT-centric city in 90s, it was into the core IT from earlier 19th century with a lot of research centres

9. The only Sanskrit speaking village is 'Matturu' near Shimoga

10. Napoleon Bonaparte, the french military leader, emporer actually had Italian origin parents

My Most Favourite - Top 10 Hindi Film Songs

1. Wahan Kaun He Tera Musafir, Jayega kahan ...

Movie: Guide

Why?
Excellent lyrics and direction. People like different things in a song, sometimes music, sometimes lyrics, sometimes rendering, etc. I am one of those people who follow lyrics first ... if I can connect to it; it becomes a song that I would want to listen again and again. This song takes me to reality of life, in which we are actually 'alone'. Most of the time we superficially go with the thought that we have family and friends, but deep within we realize how lonely we are in a crowd. Even today when I watch this song, it moves me so much when Dev Anand runs after realizing people had thrown some money at him thinking he was a beggar ... one of the finest portrayals of human emotions. Perhaps, best of Goldie ... best of Navketan banner! What makes this song more humane is the soft rendering by SD Burman, the tune which is so very from East Indian; I don't think anyone could have sung this better than the Music Director himself!

2. Ya Ali

Movie: Gangster

Why?
Many reasons again like lyrics, rendering & intensity of love! It was incidentally my mother's favorite too. We both loved listening to it again and again and I even had blogged on why this song is so special to me.

3. Aap Jaisa Koi

Movie: Qurbani

Why?Qurbani was perfect one of the finest music albums during my growing up days. This song is simply so beautiful ... be it music or rendering by Nazia Hassan. Don't know why I think of Mysore when I hear this song, makes me nostalgic about those days my sisters & mom would buy record plates from Mysore, while we were based in Hunsur. It makes me very happy when ever I hear this song.

4. Jaane Woh Kaise Log the Jinke

Movie: Pyasa

Why?
Guru Dutt! How do I write in words why Guru Dutt is my favorite? His intelligence, his intensity can't be defined in a few sentences. And to top up, my favorite Hemanth Kumar’s deep manly voice adds so much value to this song which is representation of a poetic man's hurt over loosing his love of life. I often listen to this song. The sequence of the song is well shot, Guru Dutt has used his depressed eyes very well to convey message to audience.

5. Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zingagi

Movie: Masoom

Why? Gulzar's lyrics make us think a lot about small, often ignored parts of our lives. This song makes us realize the void we all have. Masoom is a very special movie to me as this is the only movie I watched this with my both parents going in a scooter in Shimoga. I like both the versions of this song, lata's and Anup Ghoshal's.

6. Kajra Muhobbat Wala

Movie: Kismat

Why?Naughty, romantic lyrics topped up with Shamshad Begum's suitable voice. I like everything about this song, composition and the way it is shot ... babita is the boy and biswajit is the girl! It's a lot of fun watching or hearing this.

7. Mere Bhole Balam

Movie: Padosan

Why? Kishore Kumar! I can't stop appreciating how well he renders 'meri pyari bindu'


8. Kanchi Re Kanchi Re

Movie: Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Why? Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, RD Burman, Dev Anand, Mumtaz & Nepal! I find it extremely romantic...

9. Man Kyun Beheka Re Beheka

Movie: Utsav

Why? Best of Lata & Asha ... two women sharing their perception of romance, shot in an ancient house of Karnataka to depict the golden era of India where prostitutes were rich and respected. I liked this song so much that I actually learnt how to render it right and won many prizes till date!

10. O Saathi Re

Movie: Muqaddar Ka Sikander

Why?Amithab Bachchan, Kishore Kumar & Kalyanji Anandji. Everything about this song talks of love, the most beautiful expression of life.

There are many more songs that are my most favourite, but in one shot if I am asked to list top 10 ... then it is this list!

Europe Holiday - Day 2 - Visiting & Viewing Vatican

The first half of the day was allocated to visit the Holy Vatican. I did have some idea on geographies, that the Vatican and Rome were very close, but did not know that the time it takes to reach Vatican is just 20 min from Rome! Vatican and Rome is separated with just a common wall. Not only Vatican is the smallest country (also categorized as sovereign city state) in the world, it is perhaps also the least populated (900+)!

When I compare Vatican to other Holy Shrines in India like Tirupati or Kashi, Vatican is really less crowded and has facility to park only 40 buses. Logistics must be extremely good in Vatican where the crowd is constantly moving. It's amazing to experience that the world's biggest religion's head quarters/holy centre is actually not that difficult to enter and view. One has to just drive a few minutes from Rome, park the vehicle and start walking towards the St. Peter's Cathedral.

As the local guide took over we could learn a bit about Holy Vatican. The name "Vatican" is ancient and predates Christianity, coming from the Latin Mons Vaticanus, meaning Vatican Mount. The politics of Vatican City takes place in an absolute elective monarchy, in which the head of the Roman Catholic Church takes power. The Pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City, which is a rare case of a non-hereditary monarchy.

We then entered St. Peter's Basilica we see that every corner of basilica represents colorful art. Be it sculptures, pillars or paintings ... Vatican is at its best. The Basilica does not really give you a feeling that it's an absolute prayer hall ... it also exhibits art like a museum.

I switched my camera mode to 'night' so that I don't miss out capturing those beautiful paintings that depict the sufferings of people before Christ and many other stages of Christian history. We were restricted from not photographing a small room in which a few bishops were reading the holy bible.

It was interesting to note that 100 Swiss guards are guarding the Pope and the Vatican. Swiss guards, as we all have heard are known for their loyalty in french history.

As we came out of the Basilica, our trip to Vatican almost ended. We could also see the 'second window' through which Pope Offers blessings to mass, I guess on Wednesdays at 12 pm.

There is perhaps lot more to see in Vatican, below the basilica and behind. However there is always a next time, anytime anyone visits Rome ... driving down to Vatican is a very simple affair.

Day 1 & Day 2 - A Roman Holiday

As we landed in Rome after a long journey from Doha (Qatar) ... the first thing that came into my mind was 'land of Julius Ceaser!', this is what I whispered in Srinath's ear and he smiled. He always knew my favorite historic personality was Julius Ceaser ... who battled, conquered, ruled and even romanced. It was definitely in my mind to visit Rome some day, to even see the ruins left by these warriors of history chapters I once read.

To me, it was the same feeling I experienced 10 years ago when I first landed in Europe in 2000 ... it was just the same ... lot of landscape and very few people on road. Rome appeared very interesting even with just a glimpse outside the airport. Why so? Something that I did not understand then ... but as soon as we approached our Hotel on the outskirts of Rome, a feast for my eyes ... 3 fat cats near trash :-)
As soon as I got down I rushed to the spot to capture them in my camera. That was lovely.

More interesting sightings from our compact room (it was compact in true sense!), I watch out from the window curtains to see extremely fat, oversized hens in a farm house behind the hotel. This farm house had even sheeps and goose. I guess my day was made...

This day was all about driving through Rome to visit Colosseum and end with Indian dinner in a Punjabi restaurant. Colosseum appeared so beautiful to my eyes that my entire travel stress had vanished. I was all ready to photograph and be photographed. Colosseum represents ancient Roman architecture, an elliptical open theatre meant to accommodate thousands of audience. The structure is better known as the Colosseum. In antiquity, Romans may have referred to the Colosseum by the unofficial name Amphitheatrum Caesareum; this name could have been strictly poetic. Unlike earlier Greek theatres that were built into hillsides, the Colosseum is an entirely free-standing structure.


It's very much known how much Italians loved art, theatre and architecture but what is interesting to know that even today Italians are the same ... loving life, trying to conquer something and creative in all the aspects, be it in art or in the art of conning someone or art of making delicious food. What I could connect to instantly was their fascination for cats, cats are very special for Italians and harming a cat can cost someone term in jail!! This is simply superb, a land where there are laws for rights of cats, and for once I walked on the streets of Rome and felt like a Roman. It reminded me what my Mom always told me when I was a kid in certain contexts where people are expected to align with situations ... 'when you are in Rome, be a Roman'. I missed my Mom a lot; if she was alive I would have called her to share these moments. In a group tour the tour manager always tells us certain nuances of the country and culture here he told us only 2 things - beware of your valuables and be very careful with Italian cats. The latter need not be told to me, a born cat lover that I am.

The day ended with decent Punjabi cuisine and good sleep. The next day after visiting the Holy Vatican, we again got a chance to many places of Rome. Like the Trevi fountain, the state house, Cathedrals, Basilica di Santa Maria, Piazza Navona
Rome City Hall and a glimpse of Tiber River.

I loved many things about Rome, the history that it boosts ... Tuscany landscapes, fashionable and talented women, the Pizzas and the architectural wonders.

It was my Roman Holiday.

My take on 3 Idiots

Like many who go to watch an Aamir Khan movie (that too author backed!) I too went to watch 3 Idiots. As ever pinned all positive hopes while I watched this movie but I was surprised to see how it did not impress me. Tried hard to like a movie that was being directed by legendary Munnabhai Makers and enacted by Aamir, again someone who flaunts a 'perfectionist tag' but what do I praise? A whole lot of predictable scenes where they praise a character 'Rancho' to raise his popularity over other superior actors like Sharman Joshi? Did the makers of the movie think that naked ragging, uncalled scenes in rest rooms and same old Bomman Irani acting like a Director (not a Dean this time you see!) can set the expectations right for Audience who can think better about an Engineering Collage?

The only highlight of the movie is perhaps the philosophy that says 'do not run behind success, instead do well success will follow you', and I suppose even this philosophy is picked up from Chetan Bhagat's best seller. Aamir Khan playing '20 something' was so much like Indians once proclaiming 'India Shining'. Making few funny faces isn't comedy, comedy should not appear like an attempt of an actor .. instead comedy is an expression of a true actor. Loud comedy scenes, drinking and loosing control, pissing in front of professor's house and always typcasting a studious person as an object to laugh about isn't really a collage about right?

What I expected from this movie is good humour, intellectual representation of a brilliant student, how he can influence thinking of few around him rather than such a 'larger than life hero' delivering a baby at the end of it.

Well, did Kareena sign this movie just to be part of a Aamir Khan clan? She is quite under utilized and is certainly not the only medico who can save life of a paralytic patient. Using poverty and disease to create humour appeared so disgraceful.

By just enjoying a few good scenes that I can extract from this movie, I still find it so hard to say it's a good movie. A few scenes can't make a movie good, a good movie is a good movie ... has to be a combination of sensibilities of a Director, a believable script, portrayal of characters and above all Music.

Sorry, just Zoobi-Doobi can't be an excuse to appreciate the Music of 3 Idiots.

Next time someone launches a movie based on a novel, with self proclaimed intelligent actors in it, even if it is going to be product of a historic block-buster movie ... I shall definitely watch out before I buy tickets!

My First Original Painting

I did this painting just 5 min ago, I can say this is My First Painting that I did based on my own Imagination of Sunset (Dusk). I wanted to represent how Sky represents different shades of color as the Sun sets, I chose to show Sea Tide rather than plain land ... I am proud of it because its very much my own, took only 20 minutes, 3 colors and only 1 brush. There is gloss since oil hasn't dried.

Cleo, Our New Cat

Orangee, remembering our beloved cat ...

Are you now a twinkling star on the Sky?

Or have you reached heaven on the fly?

Or are you still living in our hearts making them heavy?

Orangee, what a wonderful cat you were! Everything you did made us happy, made us amused, made us love you more and more. Be it those playful acts with stuffed toys or artificial vegetables or your watching of television, I always thanked god we have you with us as a part of our life. When Tomco left you and us on June 2nd with the horrifying accident, no one thought even you would reach your brother in the same way, same time ... giving us the same pain of loosing you. You were so loved by us that every moment without you became lifeless. There was not a single discussion between us in the family that did not mention your name, how hard it is now to sip coffee together as a family without you. Who ever hit you ruthlessly by his car would have never known the result would be so disastrous for you and us. You should have had a great long life with us Orangee, 26th October was a black day of our life. 26th date, again unlucky as even Mom passed away on 26th (of August but). I hate this date :-(, we lost you Orange ... the most painful moment of our lives.

To see Srinath weeping and breaking down so many times was a helpless situation. Srinath loved you so much for your naughty nature, for your carefree attitude and many other great qualities you possessed. We could never raise you to adulthood, so sorry dear. To move on in life and to give life to many other cats who are abandoned or caged, we had to adopt Cleo from CUPA and she has helped us to smile again.

It was so hard to bury you in front of our house, and suddenly I remembered your favourite toy, the baingain ... I asked Srinath to keep it with you as you loved it the most ... Orangee, you will live in our hearts forever.

Pots and Cats

This is a rare picture in my view, both mother and son, Kitty and Panda are cooling themselves in two adjacent pots. Today Kitty is not with us, but Panda spends time in backyard of our house.

Damsel of Honey

Madhubala meaning Damsel of Honey, was beauty personified. She was made so beautiful that thousands of actresses who came on silver screen after her could never wipe off Madhubala's beauty in our minds. A hole in her heart was a tragedy and yet she was known as the lady with a golden heart, very enduring and very loving. While she lead a loveless life she has portrayed her painful era of failed romance so perfectly in the movie Moghul-e-Azam, a classic cinema ever made in Hindi Cinemas. Wish this Afghani-Desi beauty lived a happy life, a little longer than what was in her destiny. I am posting this picture in my blog because both me and my Mother loved Madhubala so much that we discussed her very often. My Mom vouched at one point that no one can ever match to Madhubala's beauty and I truely agree with this. I miss my Mom so much today that I am digging into all that she loved, thus Madhubala

Heavy Rain Washes all our Tree Leaves

As we slept last night, we could hear the thunder and heavy rains through out ... morning when we wake up, our surroundings appeared like quite hill station. And it was such a pleasure to see our garden that appeared more greener than yesterday, courtessy rain water wash/bath.

A small poem I am writing narrating my garden's beauty today,

We do our bit of gardening,
But you do all the watering,

All my plants appear cleansed and washed,
They flaunt the beauty that is unmatched!

How do you give them such deep colors?
How do you kiss so tenderly the rose petals?

Oh Rain, keep my garden blessed always!

My Painting - Dusk in Winter - Oil on Canvas

This painting is not yet finished by me, I started this last year and somehow left it unfinished (like many other boards of mine!), was scanning through my pictures (scanned by me, taken by me) and found this and felt like uploading it in my blog. I have decided to finish this painting and put it on wall!

Personally I like cold weather, cold countries. Such gloomy, dusky moments in Winter, I always dreamt of such pathways between snow, dried trees and very less sunlight as I take a walk. I find such picturescapes very romantic.

Fundamentals of Arthashasthra

Having succeeded in guiding Chandragupta in the establishment of an empire, Kautilya retired from active life in order to record what he considered to be the fundamentals of a sound policy for building enduring institutions. The result of his meditations is the "Arthashastra".

"In the happiness of the subjects lies the happiness of the King, in their welfare lies his own welfare; the welfare of the state is not what pleases the king, but his happiness is the welfare of the subjects".

This verse was written by Kautilya, the author of "Arthashastra" or the science of statecraft. He was born at a time when India was divided into innumerable small states, each one more or less sufficient to itself. Kautilya realised that this was the root cause of many of the problems facing this vast country. A small state was incapable of facing the onslaught of a larger enemy. Moreover large scale prosperity is not possible unless the unit attains a certain size. Kautilya attempted to create a large empire which would bring under its control all the different small kingdoms of the vast Indian subcontinent. It implied that all these units had to be centralised, brought under a common administration. Sometimes the small units themselves would like to attach themselves to the big empire as that would provide them with a security. Otherwise, according to Chanakya, if required force had to be used in order to bring all the small units under one control. But once brought under a centralised government, unless a clear, wise and just policy is adopted by the rulers, the small groupings would have a tendency to break away and reassert their small independence.

The Arthashastra contains a series of instructions and advices which the ruler should follow, so that the central authority remains preserved for a long time.

The Arthashastra enjoins that life should be lived according to the Dharma, the law of Truth and Righteousness. Kautilya, however, being also a very practical man realised that a Dharmic life is not possible in a condition of general want and poverty. Accordingly he formulated that the purpose of life is Dharma, but the basis of Dharma is Artha or widespread prosperity and the basis of Artha is sound government. Hence the importance of good administration.

Responsible Citizens! Are they around?

What does it take to be Responsible Citizens? Does one become responsible by going everyday to work, doing great at work and paying taxes every month? Or does it end when one follows traffic rules while driving enroute to office? Perhaps there is lot more than all these ... responsibility means 'owning up'! Be it by having compassion to help a injured puppy on the street or giving way to the ambulance on the street, we become real human beings, not just responsible citizens.

When we drove our Mother to hospital in an Ambulance, I was so upset with people on the road not giving a way though they could have, they had enough space to go to extreme right or left to make a way for the ambulance ... because nothing is more precious than life, whether it is our own people's or anyone else's.

Today too while we were coming to office, it was a sad plight ... seeing an Ambulance struggle to make it's way to hospital ... very very few drivers gave it a way, thankfully our Cab driver was sensitive and sensible enough. Wish everyone makes an attempt to help Ambulance reach hospital well on time!

Loosing My Mother ...

It has been 15 days since I lost my Mother, but even today I feel she is somewhere around and not dead. This thought makes me emotionally secure but I also know, this is just a thought and not reality. Reality is she breathed her last on 26th August in Apollo Hospitals, MICU, Isolation ward ... I still think of those last few days, last few minutes before our Mom passed away.

This entire fear of loosing her started when I got a call on 25th of June, the day Michael Jackson died that 'Mom is in Emergency' from my sister. I rushed to Jayadeva hospital, on my way ofcourse I heard later that it is just a test in Emergency due to breathlessness and she did not have any cardiac arrest. While I sat in auto and I was thinking, suddenly I thought, oh is it like I'll loose my Mom today? On the same day of Michael Jacksons passing away? Wonder why this thought came. Later ofcourse we were all much relieved to see our Mother very much alright, we even had lunch together!

Michael Jackson remained so special in our hearts that his death was the most unpleasant news I ever heard. Today, I sometimes think, did Mom meet Michael Jackson in heaven? And did she tell him that her daughter (that is me) loved his Beat it song the most? Also will she compliment him for his dancing and entertaining abilities? Will my Mom also meet YSR and what will they talk like? Strange, but such thoughts do come ...

This day, 25th of June, I somewhere developed a fear within that anyday I might hear such a news about my Mom too ... and due to this I frequented my visits to her place. I also remember Mummy crying emotionally to see her daughters worried for her ... what a great soul she was! She loved us more than her own life, and she loved me too much. Precisely 3 months after this date, on 25th August she had a cardiac arrest, after which she was revived but declared as brain dead ... and 1 day after this, she stopped breathing.

These 3 months have been a roller coaster ride for Mom, she had many situations of sugar level getting high and feeling breathless. She even fell in my house on the carpet, followed by a unwanted blood clot in her thigh. And everytime I told her, Mom pls go and get yourself admitted for your fluctuating health and pain in your leg, she said 'Let Rayara Aradhane get over, I'll go'. And It's again strange, she visited Rayara Mutt and took prasada, and after this she got Viral Fever. Ofcourse later everything slipped out of our hands, fever lead to low saturation, and then her Kidney complicaiton, respiratory complication and finally cardiac arrest and brain dead. This was the only time she never wanted to go to hospital, wonder sometimes if she knew she was going to die ...

Though I was the one who got her admitted in the hospital on 13th of August, I was the one who heard her speaking last before the Ventillator Support, I was the last one to feed her milk when she craved for 'Saaru-Anna', I was the one who rushed first when she was brain dead after a cardiac arrest ... I was not the one around when she breathed her last! This was something I found very difficult to accept. I reached 7 min after she left us for ever. And I was again in an Auto, thinking if she is alive or dead ... I was listening to her all time favourite 'Chalte Chalte' from Pakeezah.

Post her death, I did not get much time to even cry. I had to be strong on the day her body was brought home ... to give stability to all my nephews and nieces and also keeping my Dad in mind. I saw her face for one last time when they were taking her for to the crematorium. It was a very traumatic situation.

Something within me died when I saw her dead though I told myself, I shall live my life to the fullest, celebrating each day like she did. Everynight she comes in my dreams and converses with us ... this makes me wake up thinking she is still alive, wish she was ... miss her too much!

Where do I "long" to be?

Urban life has many limitations to list. Yes we earn money here, we have opportunity's here, time flies fast and we meet a lot of people but, is this where I long to be? I wonder. As I think where I would feel 'belonged' and 'very happy', what comes in my mind is ...

- It should have been a hill top wooden house of mine, small and warm, where I open my balcony door of my room, walk out to see the great Kanchenjunga! As I watch this magnificent golden hill amidst many snow peak mountains ... I sip a cup of hot coffee!

- Perhaps enjoying a lemonade after soaking myself in essential aroma oils in Bali island, my feet touching pebbles of the water body, my hair flocking a wild flower!

- A roadside tea stall en route to Western Ghats of Karnataka, drizzling rain and I stamp on wet land to pick my cup of tea in a glass tumbler

- A cloudy day, I am at home seeing through the window and observing how my garden flowers respond to wind.

- An Espresso in a street cafe of Amsterdam as sunsets ... an exotic candle lit on my table, I watch people returning home from their work.

Many such imagination's do make me happy. Someday I must experience these

Loosing Tomco ... an experience that has darkened my world

While Tomco and Orangee were our life, every morning we woke up listening to their purring ... every night we slept experiencing their tender bites as they played on our cot, who expected a day will come when this paradise will end? I always want time to stand still when moments are so joyful, like any one would do. Tomco was our baby in every sense, it was special since for months we longed to keep him with us ... Tomco's unique personality attracted us more to it. While Orangee was a normal happy playful kitten, Tomco was lazy, thoughtful, intelligent, arrogant kitten. It had the best look, best eyes, soft voice and a soft body. Never I thought he'll go away from us.

June 2nd started unusually well, I cooked a lot, dressed up quite early to leave to office ... minutes after Srinath left, my driver comes and tells me a shocking truth, he asks me if all kittens are at home ... and that he just spotted a beautiful white kitten dead on the road! My worst fear came true .. it was Tomco. A head injury ... he was no more. I was too hurt to react. After calling out my family, all I thought I must do was arrange a graceful funeral for it. I still chose to go to office, on my way calling Srinath and giving him this very unfortunate news was hell. It's still a mystery how he died. Minutes before he died, I had seen him running to the garden. That day I broke down many times at office, decided to get back home to look after the lonely Orangee.

I wish this never happened. My Tomco was truely a special kitten ... my baby in every sense. I miss him so much that it hurts a lot. Everything is incomplete with Tomco. Orangee misses him more than me I think, he looks for his brother quite often. I pray God that he gives us strength to move on in life. This incident has killed something in me, it has created a void, a darkness that I never wanted. I worry a lot for Srinath ... who was very dear to Tomco, for the first time I saw him so shaken.

Tomco, you'll live in our hearts for ever. Like a star you will shine in the sky ... I want to watch you everyday, remember you everyday. Your naughtiness, your fascinations will be in my memories fresh for ever. I really wish I had you till the end of time ... but then, it did not happen. I am sorry Tomco, I could not save you ... I loved you a lot.

Furr Friends

Finally my dream has come true, I got an opportunity to raise two kittens, who are brothers. One kitten has a history with us, I had picked him up when he was a bit away from mother in another building 2 months back, kept him with me for a day to only leave him back to mother (called Lankini) as he was very emotional. I was waiting for him to grow up, learn more skills from his mother and come back home. This wait was worth. Because I not only got him back, also his brother who was orange color coated. Now, to name them ... we thought of many names but finally ended naming them 'Tomco' and 'Orangy'. In short I call them 'Tom' and 'Orange'. It sounds like 'Tom' and 'Jerry' ha ha!

Both posses distinct looks and qualities ... there are no similarities between them except the fact that they are tom (male) kittens and they are born to parents Lankini (she is very ferocious by nature, thus my neighbours have named her against a Demon) and a Tamarind Tree Tom cat (A gorgeous looking stray cat residing in a resort near by). If Orange looks like his father, Tom looks more like his mother.

Tom has honey colored eyes, looks absolutely beautiful in every angle. He has soft body, soft teeth and also soft paws. I feel he is fragile and needs that extra attention while raising him. He relishes Curd Rice and does not crave too much for meat food products. Per say, he is lazy ... he does not like to burn himself off totally, his energy is well reserved for required activities only. He sits and thinks al ot if what I feel, he is white in color with lot of colorful spots on him and a grey bushy tail.

Orange is a typical kitten who loves to play, has orange coat on white body. He is aggresssive, sharp teeth and nails ofcourse and loves meaty produts to eat. He is very fond of his brother and always wants to play with him. I feel Orange is very creative in his games too. But only thing is sometimes he bites Tom very hard.

My Furr friends are so beautiful that I feel very happy to watch them play and grow. When they are tired they come and just sleep on me purring ... I love that moment. I often thank God for giving me ability to love these cats. Like I have said many times in past, I learn a lot from Cats ... more I see them, more I learn.

Super Sensitive, Super Performances, the movie 'The Reader'

Many movies get released, We watch a few and very few we will like, and perhaps very very few will leave an impact ...

Last night when we watched the movie 'The Reader' this is what I felt. I am not regular at watching English movies. Not sure if it's due to some complex developed during childhood or lack of exposure to the kind of movies made in Hollywood during my growing up days .. but the fact is I watch very few movies made in English. But the one's I have watched have been the BEST. For me to watch a movie, the curiosity has to be built within. Most of the times it's the story line that attracts me, and very few times it's the actor or actress. And I track English movies only when I travel, the only time I have a lot of time to surf channels, the only time I don't have local language channels. Infact all great English movies I have watched while I am alone, while I am on travel.

Promotion or the trailor of this movie 'The Reader' I started watching when I was in Shanghai couple of months back. Instantly I appreciated Kate Winslet in a court trial scene. She appeared so promising. It was my sixth sense that told me she would be the Oscar Winner for best actress and it did turn out to be a fact.

Kate Winslet is so beautiful that people can't see beyond her beauty in the movie Titanic. However, she ended up giving a lot of great performances till date, missed many Oscars. I started liking her 'way', her 'looks' much after the Titanic ... she always appears as a beautiful actress to me who can show vivid emotions on screen.

Thus last night we stretched ourselves to watch this movie.

The Reader dates back to second world war, location is Germany where a young law student gets infactuated with a much elderly woman, a ticket issuing woman in a Tram. Their affair starts off with only physical intimacy, evolves into interesting conversations between the two where Hanna Chmitz (Kate) asks Michael to read all his books before making love. Michael who starts to get emotional with her does everything possible to keep her happy. Hanna lives mysteriously, a loner, a tough woman does not want to reflect her emotions. Once she disappears mysteriously it leaves an impact on young Michael who later moves on studying law. In one of the trials he attends, he finds Hanna guilty of mudering 300 jewish women. She is still the same - tough, straight forward and shows traces of her past when victims say she used to make woman read loudly before being taken to their death. Michael goes through a tough phase watching this. She is convicted for life after she admits her crime. During her days in jail she starts receiving tapes sent by Michael reading all those books he once read for her! This is very well shot. I literally cried in the theatre. She learns to read and write while listening to those tapes. Finally after 20 years he comes to meet her, promising to return to take her out of jail upon her release. But a day before she is released, she commits suicide and leaves a note to Michael ... requesting him to handover an old tea tin and some cash to the only surviving victim among jewish women. Michael completes this task for Hanna and takes his daughter at the end to the grave of Hanna, daughter he has from a divorced wife ... to tell her the story of his affair and relationship with Hanna.

The Reader is a movie to be watched!

Jazbaatein - 2

Yeh Raahein aur Yeh Nigahein

Kis-ka intezaar Karti Aayen Hein?

Kya Woh Tum hi ho jisko Aana Hein?

Kya Woh Me hi hoon jisko Tumhe Paana Hein?