Desire, ask, believe, receive

Thanneer desam by Vairamuthu

2010-04-04T01:38:00.000-07:00

This Ariviyal kaaviyam is about the 'sea odyssey'. Kalaivannan is the hero; Tamilrojaa is the heroine. A lot of scientific facts about the sea, water, and the universe are sown in this modern poetry(pudhukk kavidhai). The work depicts the adventure of fishermen's life at sea.

To download the e-version of this book, CLICK HERE

10 REASONS WHY I HATE SACHIN

2009-11-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

1. He always plays a brilliant innings before my exam and hence doesn’t let me study.

2. Every time that I think of becoming an atheist, he gets into the nineties and I have no choice but to pray.

3. Every time I take a resolution not to bite my nails, he gets into the nineties and I am left with no choice but to chew on my nails.

4. He keeps all the records to himself.

5. He makes a lot more money than me.

6. He costs way too much on ‘super selector’ but since I have to pick him, the rest of my team gets weakened.

7. During a match, invariably when I want to go to the bathroom, he hits a boundary and hence I have no choice but to sit and watch the replay.

8. As soon as I convince myself that God does not exist, he plays a straight drive and proves me wrong.

9. He brings the whole country to a standstill whenever he bats

10. And the last and the biggest reason why I hate Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar...

He is going to retire sometime in the future..

UNNAI POL ORUVAN-MY REVIEW

2009-09-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Have you seen a Tamil movie devoid of songs, heroine, punch dialogues, fights, heroism, comedy, villain, a love scene, a car chase?Here comes Unnai Pol Oruvan!!This movie,remake of Niraj Pandey's A Wednesday has nothing of the above mentioned gimmicks but still it makes the viewers glued to their seats for nearly two hours.

This movie is all about three entities,Kamal Hassan,Mohan Lal and a mobile phone.Hats off to the director for making a thriller out of nothing(Dont take the actors in to the count).The story is as thin as a wafer."Terrorists should be given the taste of their own medicine".But the treatment of the story is commendable.The crew should be given a pat in their back for not tinkering with the story and the screenplay which is pretty much the same as the original.

It is a dream come true for any movie buff to see the two legends of Indian Cinema coming together in a movie and they carry the whole movie on their shoulders with the ease of a veteran.Its disappointing though that we get to see both of them together only for a scene.All the other artists have done well,but they are simply overpowered by Kamal and Lal.This movie is a two men show,or maybe three if you take in to account Ganesh Venkatram.He sizzles as the police officer, Arif Khan.He is some one to watch out for!

Technically this movie is far better than the original.Be it Chakri Toleti's flawless direction or Manoj Soni's cinematography or Rameshwar Bhagat's editing,its just about perfect.But the surprise packet is Shruthi Hassan's music.Her background score is amazing to say the least,for a newcomer.The clarity of sound,her ability to convey the scene's mood through her score underlines the fact that she had worked(or made to work) really hard for this movie.

Not many times will you find a remake better than the original.But this movie is one of those few.I am in no way degrading the original movie A wednesday. Watch it and you will know the difference.

MARKS: 9/10

VERDICT: A MUST WATCH

TOP 10; 7. THAVAMAAI THAVAMIRUNTHU

2009-09-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

Whenever we talk about a relation between a parent and a child, its always the mothers who hog the limelight.The fathers are always pushed in to the backyard.It might be due to the fact that they dont get enough time to spend with their children or they dont express their love as profusely as the moms do.Tamil Cinema has seen a lot of movies like Mannan,Thalapathy,M.Kumaran,Anjali,En bommukutty ammaavuku, to name a few where the relationship between a mom and her child are realistically potrayed.Thavamaai Thavamirunthu is perhaps the first tamil movie which tells us what it means to be a DAD.

The movie opens with Cheran travelling in a car to visit his ailing father(Rajkiran),admitted in a hospital.On his way Cheran's past is conveyed to the viewers in flashback mode. Rajkiran and Saranya are the proud parents of two sons Cheran and "Mirchi" Senthil.Rajkiran owns a printing press,where Ilavarasu is his assistant.His sole aim,as like that of any other dad is to see his sons grow up big in life.Whether the two sons fulfill his wish or not forms the rest of the story.Does it sound similar?Yup..it'll be, for every father has the same wish and that is to see his son better him.This is the strength of the story,with every father being able to connect with the character potrayed by Rajkiran

It was a role of a life-time for Rajkiran as Muthiah and he was simply superb,to say the least.Right from the first scene,when he sings for his children on their way to school in his cycle to the climax when he asks Cheran whether he has taken good care of him,it is vintage Rajkiran.Rarely has Tamil Cinema seen such a natural potrayal of a typical village father and it is pretty sad that he didn't recieve the National award for this movie.Saranya, as Rajkiran's wife was the perfect foil for him.Hers again was a natural potrayal,and if she was not noticed as much as Rajkiran,then credit must go to him as he simply overshadows everybody in the movie.

Though Cheran just about passes as an actor he just stands head and shoulders above all others as a director.One wonders how he could choose such a subject to make a movie when commercial cinema was ruling the roost.It must be noted that it was his his movie AUTOGRAPH which came as a whiff of fresh air amidst several craps, giving Tamil Cinema a new lease of life.It was Cheran who gave confidence to several young directors that after all realistic movies could still work wonders at the box-office.Tamil Cinema needs more movies of this kind from Cheran.

Music by Sabesh-Murali fits the bill and it helps in taking the emotions of the characters to the viewers.Cinematgraphy by M.S.Prabhu and Lenin's editing have only helped in making the movie look better.The movie could stand tall even without these elements for it had an realistic story coupled with a neatly woven screenplay and some fantastic acting by Rajkiran

I would recommend this movie very strongly for all those movie buffs out there.Please watch it if you haven't watched it yet,and even if you have watched it there is no harm in watching it again.It has a powerful message and it is a victory for the director even if one or two decides to take good care of their parents.

8.HEYRAAM

9. PUDHUPETTAI

10.ROJA

SHAHRUKH KHAN"S TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON

2009-09-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS PRAKASHRAJ-A NATIONAL AWARD WINNER FOR THE BEST ACTOR

2009-09-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Who is an actor? A person who can do any kinda roles and do justice to the character that he is potraying. There are very few Indian actors who fits the bill like Naseerudin Shah,Irfan Khan,Girish Karnad,Nasser..etc. (Please note I am not including KamalHassan, Mohan Lal, Mammooty and Big B because I feel they are being given their due).And Prakash Raj is clearly one among them. For an actor of his calibre,he should have got the National award in the Best Actor Category long ago for his stunning potrayal in Anthapuram. But sadly it took so long for the Indian Government to recognise this precocious talent,but its always better late than never.

Now it is two in a row for the Tamil Industry,with Priyamani getting the honours,the previous year.Now the ball is in the creator's court to provide the audiences with some meaningful cinema,for we have wonderful actors capable of enacting any kind of roles and the audiences too are ready to lap up some good movies.The trend is changing,and it is only for the good.

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal-Latest Picture

2009-09-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

This is the picture of the Thirumalai Nayak Palace,Madurai after renovation.This picture was taken on 4/09/09.Hope the palace remains the same.

NINAITHAALE INIKUM-MY REVIEW

2009-09-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Ninaithaale Inikum,a venture of Sun Productions is a remake of the Malayalam Super-hit Classmates.Starring Prithviraj,Sakthi,Karthik,Priyamani,Bhakyaraaj and directed by Gnanavel,this movie comes out after the dud Kandhasamy.Being billed as a college story,one gets in to the theatre expecting a whiff of fresh air.

The movie opens with Prithviraj returning from Mumbai to meet his college friends.Flashing back to 8 years.Prithviraj and Sakthi are close friends in National Arts College.Karthik and Jeeva(of Lollu Sabha fame) forms a separate gang and they always crosses swords with Prithviraj,with Sakthi being a common friend to both the gangs.Karthik holds a grudge against Prithvi that he goes to the extent of challenging Prithvi that he would kill him.Meanwhile Prithvi falls for Priyamani at her first sight(Yup..Love at first sight) but doesnt tell her for two years!! But Priyamani finds it out accidentaly! Then love blossoms between each other and all is well until the College elections as both Prithvi and Priyamani fights for the honours.

Karthik, to ruin Prithvi's love drops an intimate photo of Prithvi and priyamani into the ballot box and subsequently both are expelled from the College and Prithvi heads to Mumbai to continue his studies there.Meanwhile Sakthi,an Asthma patient dies due to suffocation.

8 years later,Sakthi's dad Bhagyaraaj tries to install a music library which is Sakthi's ambition and he invites Sakthi's classmates for the function.There, Prithvi is found unconscious in his room as someone has tried to murder him. Who is the culprit and the reason for the murder attempt forms the rest of the story.

Firstly,about the actors.Both Prithvi and Priyamani look too mature for a College student.But Prithvi manages with his screen presence whereas Priyamani fails miserably.Sakthi is apt as a college student and he does his role with elan.Jeeva is OK.But the real show stoppers are Karthik and Bhaakyaraj.Karthik just rocks in the limited opportunities that he gets and Bhaakyaraj proves that he is a veteran.I wonder why Karthik is not doing much movies, for he has the capacity to go big in Tamil Cinema.

Balasubramaniam's Camera work is just about perfect and the way the songs are captured goes to show his talent.Vijay Antony has once again proved that he is a force to reckon. All the songs are excellent but three songs stand out(Pia Pia,Nanbanai Partha naal and Azhagaai Pookudhe).The Background score too gells with the movie. Next comes the Captain of the movie,Gnanavel-the Director.

Remaking a hit movie is never easy because it will always be compared with the original and when it is your first movie it just doesn't get tougher.But Gnanavel has done that with ease.He certainly has got talent, and we'll have to wait for his next movie to analyse his creativity.He hasn't tinkered much with the essence of the story though there are some major changes in the screenplay.He is a guy to watch out for.

Overall, the movie looks a bit lengthy and there are a lot of illogical scenes.The first half,especially is too lengthy,that at interval,you feel as if you have watched the whole movie.The editor could have been much stricter.Even though the movie passes the bill,one gets the feeling that it could have been a lot better

VERDICT: PASSABLE

MARKS: 7/10

2012--END OF THE WORLD-->PROOF

2009-09-05T02:58:00.000-07:00

Several experts from across the globe are predicting that the earth is
likely to end by the year 2012. The reason could be a human effect or
natural disaster. From Chinese theories to scientific predictions the most
likely date is the year 2012.

Some are saying it'll be humans that would set it off. Others believe that a
natural phenomenon will be the cause. And the religious folks are saying
it'll be God himself who would press the stop button. The following are some
likely arguments as to why the world would end by the year 2012.

Reason one: Mayan calendar

The first to predict 2012 as the end of the world were the Mayans, a
bloodthirsty race that were good at two things -- building highly accurate
astrological equipment out of stone and sacrificing virgins.

Thousands of years ago they managed to calculate the length of the lunar
moon as 329.53020 days, only 34 seconds out. The Mayan calendar predicts
that the earth will end on December 21, 2012. Given that they were pretty
close to the mark with the lunar cycle, it's likely they've got the end of
the world right as well.

Reason two: Sun storms

Solar experts from around the world monitoring the sun have made a startling
discovery. Our sun is in a bit of strife. The energy output of the sun is,
like most things in nature, cyclic and it's supposed to be in the middle of
a period of relative stability. However, recent solar storms have been
bombarding the earth with lot of radiation energy. It's been knocking out
power grids and destroying satellites. This activity is predicted to get
worse and calculations suggest it'll reach its deadly peak sometime in 2012.

Reason three: The atom smasher

Scientists in Europe have been building the world's largest particle
accelerator. Basically, its a 27 km tunnel designed to smash atoms together
to find out what makes the universe tick. However, the mega-gadget has
caused serious concern, with some scientists suggesting that it's properly
even a bad idea to turn it on in the first place. They're predicting all
manner of deadly results, including mini black holes. So when this machine
is fired up for its first serious experiment in 2012, the world could be
crushed into a super-dense blob the size of a basketball.

Reason four: The Bible says it

If having scientists warning us about the end of the world isn't bad enough,
religious folks are getting in on the act as well. Interpretations of the
Christian Bible reveal that the date for Armageddon, the final battle
between good an evil, has been set for 2012. The I Ching, also known as the
Chinese Book of Changes, says the same thing, as do various sections of the
Hindu teachings.

Reason five: Super volcano

Yellowstone National Park in United States is famous for its thermal springs
and old faithful geyser. The reason for this is simple -- it's sitting on
top of the world's biggest volcano and geological experts are beginning to
get nervous sweats. The Yellowstone volcano has a pattern of erupting every
650,000 years or so, and we're many years overdue for an explosion that will
fill the atmosphere with ash, blocking the sun and plunging the earth into a
frozen winter that could last up to 15,000 years.
The pressure under the Yellowstone is building steadily, and geologists have
set 2012 as a likely date for the big bang.

Reason six: The physicists

This one's case of bog -- simple maths mathematics. Physicists at Berkely
University have been crunching the numbers. They've determined that the
earth is well overdue for a major catastrophic event.
more >>
Even worse, they're claiming that their calculations prove that we're all
going to die, very soon. They are also saying that their prediction comes
with a certainty of 99 per cent; and 2012 just happens to be the best guess
as to when it occurs.

Reason seven: Earth's magnetic field

We all know the Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that shields us from
most of the sun's radiation. What you might not know is that the magnetic
poles we call North and South have a nasty habit of swapping places every
750,000 years or so -- and right now we're about 30,000 years overdue.
Scientists have noted that the poles are drifting apart roughly 20-30 kms
each year, much faster than ever before, which points to a pole-shift being
right around the corner. While the pole shift is under way, the magnetic
field is disrupted and will eventually disappear, sometimes for up to 100
years. The result is enough UV outdoors to crisp your skin in seconds,
killing everything it touches.

All the above mentioned "So called Proofs" are excerpts from a site. For any

queries please visit that site. By the way Iam in no way responsible if the

world is ALIVE even after 2012. :-)

TOP 10; 8.HEY RAAM

2009-08-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

This was a movie which came out with sky-high expectations,only to fall flat at the box-office.I was just 13 when the movie released and the first time that I saw this movie,I lost all the respect that I had for Kamal for I cant understand any single part of the movie.Not just me,many faced this problem.Reason:THIS MOVIE, WAS AHEAD OF ITS TIME.5 years later,when I watched this movie again on television,I realised how naive I had been then, for this movie had everything in it to become a classic.

The movie begins with 89 year old Saket Ram(Kamal Haasan) in his death bed.On his way to the hospital,he thinks about his past and the movie moves in to the "Flash back" mode to the 1940's.Saket and his friend Amjad(Shahrukh Khan) are close pals working in Mohenjadaro as archeologists.When Saket comes back home to visit his wife Aparna(Rani Mukherjee) in Calcutta,he find the city in shambles due to clashes between the local hindus and muslims.Amidst the clashes,Aparna is brutally raped and murdered by muslim extremists.Saket,in a fit of rage kills them all and because of this incident,he develops a hatred towards all muslims.What he does thereafter and how does he changes his mind forms the rest of the story.

This is the first official directorial venture of Kamal and he does full justice to his tag.Just watch the video I've given below to know about his capabilities as a director.The story,screenplay and the narration are completely new to Indian Cinema.The most high point of the movie is the way Saket,whose initial aim was to kill Gandhi,later turns in to a Gandhian.Vasundhara Das,Hema Malini,Girish Karnad and Atul Kulkarni appears in meaty roles.

Ilayaraja's musical score is one of the reasons the viewers,get engrossed in the happenings.It is of a very high quality and Iam convinced of the fact that it is one of his best works.Iam not going to say anything about Kamal's acting because I am too little a person to talk about his acting.In short he is amazing in the movie.This movie is a must for all those who wants to peep in to the times of Partition and the effect it had on common man.

P.S:

9. PUDHUPETTAI

10.ROJA

HARSHA BHOGLE'S ANTICS

2009-08-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Harsha Bhogle,he certainly is one of my favourite cricket commentators...A man who has an eye for different situations....A small collecction of his famous comments...Here goes....
1. This was in a match btw india and SA.. umpire Rudi Kuertzen caught on camera sporting a rare smile. Harsha commented.... "last time Rudi Kuerzten smiled there was peace in west asia"
2. This is again from the natwest trophy final..When Yuvraj got out at a very crucial stage..Harsha's one liner.. " Yuvraj singh will realize that this will be his longest walk back to the pavillion "
3. When Sachin once got out to a lollypop offspinner (I guess it was Michael Vaughan) in '02. He wonderfully said, " Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town ."
4. Ind vs Aus 2000 icc knockout champioship played in Kenya. (Yuvi's debut) Sachin was smasing all aussie bowlers, and then he his a superb off drive off Lee. harsha : " this innings by Tendulkar has been a beautiful garden, the last shot being the most beautiful flower in it "
5. Ind vs Nzl. (in Nzl 2002-2003) Sehwag had MANY lucky escapes. when he was dropped once again. Harsha : " its been that kind of a day. today Sehwag can walk blindfolded across a busy highway and not get runover ."
6. Natwest Final: During Nasser Hussain's mistimed hits/top edges on his way to his maiden hundred " Nasser Hussain is trying desperately hard to find innovative ways of getting himself out"
7. In the same match... " if you are not watching this segment of play, don't ever call yourself a cricket lover anymore. you are watching cricket of a very high order here".
8. Here's an old one...at perth Adam Gilchrist took a blinder and he described Gilly's dive thus, " ... some of the sea-gulls flying here are going to get a complex."
9. When Tendulkar got a hundred he said " touch of Class & stamp of Authority "
10. Recently in India's tour of South africa...he blurted out suddenly after Sreesanth's antiques with the bat and hips..." dis is the funniest thing u'll ever watch on a cricket field"...!!
11. When Smith dropped Sachin in the 2nd Test Graeme Smith would be hoping that the world under his feet opens up & he would find a crevice large enough for him to slip through....
12. After India lost the recent test series in SA India lost the series because they surprised themselves by winning the 1st test . A win should never be a surprise .
13. After Anil Kumble scored his maiden Ton...this is what our great man had to say...
" This is the most romantic moment in Indian Cricket....."
14. " The last time Billy gave lbw , Berlin wall was not there , there was peace in Afganistan,..................."
15. In a match between Aus n SL , Harsha said to Ian Chappell , " I am sure you'll never become a lawyer , I understand everything you say "
Ian Chappell had no counter for this.
16. Harsha was hosting the ICC Awards before the T20 World Cup and he called on Jonty Rhodes to present an award. So as Jonty began climbing down the stairs, Harsha exclaimed, ''it's pretty unusual to see Jonty walk down the stairs, I thought he might slide down them !"
17. When the wickets were falling in a heap in the T20 match...
THIS SERIES IS SPONSERED BY KFC AND THE WICKETS ARE FALLING FASTER THAN THEIR (KFC's) DELIVERIES....
18. When Gambhr was dropped twice on consecutive deliveries, - " We should conduct a dream job in Australia & the winner will get to stand in the slip region!!!!!!"
19. When Kumble and Ishant were batting, Hussey dropped a catch of Ishant off the bowling of Johnson and Harsha exclaimed," It's autumn in Adelaide. It's the time when leaves change their colour and they start dropping. Here, as well the catches are dropping..".
20. In a match, Dravid left a ball alone while batting. To this Gavaskar, who was commenting alongside Harsha was very impressed by the way he left the ball. He went on appreciating that for a minute or so. After this Harsha's comment was, " Sunny, you nearly got an orgasm of happiness, didn't u!" & then both burst out into laughter!
21. Dhoni is battin with Anil Kumble.. Dhoni calls for a tight single,n Harsha has this to say," Dhoni scrambles for a single n causes Anil Kumble n all of his 37 yrs to rush to the other end.."
22. After Shaun Tait did not live up to the hype Cricket Australia created around him, Ponting took him off the attack. Harsha, in his own inimitable style: 'Shaun Tait should go up to Ponting and say " Hello Mr ponting, my name is Shaun Tait, and I am supposed to take 45 wickets in this test match "
23. HB was analysing the innings of Laxman...Laxman made a crucial 79 in the second innings. HB said something like- " Aussies must be feeling that whenever we are on the verge of 17th,this man(Laxman) comes in between!"
24. RP SIngh walked in but it was Laxman on strike. So the Aussies wanted him to take a single and get RP on strike... so they spread out the field completely, with only the keeper, one slip and one gully inside the 30 yard circle..
That's when Harsha says .. "now suddenly, Don Bradman is batting out there in the middle... "
25. Seeing the flock of seagulls flying across the pitch Harsha tells Wasim Akram : " As you would say in Punjabi... kee gull hai? sea gull hai!!! "
26. When Michael Clarke was caught at slip off kumble , he was still watin 4 da decision , over this Harsha said, " I think he is waiting for tomorrow's newspaper to declare him out"
27. Yuvraj hit the long six off brett lee went outside the stadium in durban 'are there people working late in the office there....... we want the ball back'
28. In T-20 gayle hit a monstrous six but but fell just short of the golf course outside the stadium Harsha: " wat a poor shot just misses the golf course "
29. " If i cannot be Tendulkar then Tendulkar can also not be me "
30. The players told their favourite shots while coming on to bat.... Collingwood said "a little nudge of the pads" and Pietersen said blocking the ball.... Harsha commented " the next thing they'll say is that their favourite shot is to leave the ball alone"
31. What an introduction to India -Australia semifinal: " This is a battle between unstoppable force against immovable object "!!!!

DEVARMAGAN HERO-SIVAJI Or KAMAL

2009-08-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Recently, I watched the movie,Devar magan.I have watched the movie umpteen times before,but this time it had a big impact on my mind.Perhaps, I have matured with age.What a stupendous movie it is??? But I still feel it didn't receive the kind of accolades that it should have received.For that matter many of Kamal's movie had suffered similar fates,notable examples being "Anbe Sivam" and "Hey Ram". The major fact that the movie had a bigger impact on me this time is the performance of the legendary thespian Sivaji Ganesan who plays the role of Kamal's father.It was a treat watching the actor perform.I staunchly believe that this movie is his best work till date.Many would disagree.Of course he has given us some superb movies like "Vietnam Veedu","Veerapaandiya Kattabomman","Rajapaart Rangathurai",to name a few.But Devar Magan ranks atop for the sheer fact that none of his other performances have been as natural as this one.For a change, Kamal Haasan was completely over shadowed in all the scenes that he appears along with Sivaji.In my opinion apart from Kamal and Bharathiraja(in "Mudhal Mariyathai") no one has utilised Sivaji better in his later years as an actor. When you have Amitabh Bachan doing variety of roles in his later years I sincerely pity for Sivaji Sir that we haven't been able feed his thirst for good roles. While waching the movie two scenes caught my attention.The first one is when Sivaji asks kamal to do something good for his people.His expressions and dialogue delivery are absolutely chanceless.The second one is the scene when Kamal asks the "Kanakku Pillai" to cancel his ticket. One thing is for certain.Tamil Cinema certainly misses this great actor who could have given much more than what he has delivered.

KANDHASAMY-MY REVIEW

2009-08-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

In recent times how often have you come out of a movie theatre with a sense of satisfaction? The past two years have not been good for Tamil Cinema altogether with only as many as 10 movies being profitable ventures.The rest have all been crap, to say the least.Kandhasamy belongs to the latter category.Its shocking that a wonderful actor like Vikram has acted in a movie with such a wafer thin story line and a dreadful screenplay which has consumed more than 40 crores.

When Tamil Cinema is moving towards neo-realism with movies like Nadodigal,Pasanga..etc Susi-Ganesan comes up with a SUPER-HERO story involving Vikram,Shreya Saran,Ashish Vidhyarthi,Vadivelu and others.Kandhasamy IPS(Vikram), does exactly what Rajni had done in Sivaji, but as a CBI officer.He does a RobinHood, takes money from the rich and distributes the money among the poor.The only difference is in the fact that he does them in the disguise of God.Yup..You got it right..God.There is nothing interesting in the screenplay apart from this fact.

Shreya has shown everything that she could. From here-on she could only go nude.She just comes,fights with Vikram,dances and goes.Adding to the viewers misery is her voice.It is so shrill that you get frightened at the first instance.Except the climax, the director has failed in justifying his expenditure.

Now let me take a look at some of the positives,though there are very few.Vikram,as usual looks handsome and does what is expected of him and does them with a penchance.Though the veterans Prabhu and Y.G Mahendra tries to lift the movie with their natural potrayal,the screenplay is so poor that the movie falls flat.The rest of the actors just fall apart.The music is just about okay.The movie could have been crisper but still the editor had done a fair job.The camera-work by N.K. Ekambaram is one of the high points of the movie.

Iam still shocked by the fact that I have watched this movie buying the ticket for 150 rs and the overall expenses have crossed 300 bucks.My sincere advice to all those wanting to watch this movie is "BETTER SPEND THEM ON CHARITY".Atleast you'd make someone happy rather than sitting in a theatre with a grim face wondering what the director is trying to conveyy.Let two weeks pass by and you can download them for free.If you are still interested in watching this movie,may your soul REST IN PEACE

VERDICT: AVOID IT

MARKS: 5/10

TOP 10; 9.PUDHUPETTAI

2009-08-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Pudhupettai(2006) is a Dhanush starrer, directed by his brother Selvaraghavan.It is till date,the best work of both Dhanush and Selva.The story revolves around Kokki Kumar(Dhanush),who escapes from his home after seeing his father kill his mother.After facing several ordeals and using his cunningness,he becomes the goon who literally rules Pudhupettai,a part of the city of Chennai.

The success gives him over-confidence and he makes enemies,big time which forces him to go in to hiding.What happens next forms the rest of the story.

The movie was criticized heavily for its display of violence and gore.Some felt that the movie had too much of graphic detail about the life of the goons of Chennai.The movie was not a big Box Office grosser,but still I can assure that there have not been a Tamil movie which was as realistic as this movie.The tag-line of the movie is "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" and this tag aptly sums up the movie.

The film was technically superior with outstanding camera-work by Arvind Krishna and editing by Kola Bhaskar.But the lime-light was hogged by three persons,Dhanush,Director Selvaraghavan and the Music Director Yuvan Shankar Raja.For Dhanush, it was a role of a life-time and he gave a performance of a life-time.The film out and out Selva's and while watching the movie you could feel the amount of work Selva has put in to the movie.The screen-play,potrayal of the characters,subtle expressions,powerful dialogues and the movie's closeness to reality all stand testimony to Selva's class.

But in my opinion Yuvan has clearly over-shadowed everyone in this movie.Leave aside the songs,everyone following Tamil Cinema know what he is capable of but it was with the background score with which he was absolutely amazing.The interludes were of the first class.

Sadly,but expectedly this movie did not recieve the accolades it should have recieved.But in my book this movie certainly ranks among the Top 10.

P.S: 10.Roja

DOWNLOAD MICHAEL JACKSON'S SMOOTH CRIMINAL

2009-08-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

To download the full video of the Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal,Click Here

DOWNLOAD NADODIGAL VIDEO SONGS

2009-08-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Video is of DVD Quality.Click on the below links to download the songs.

Adungada Machan Adungada

Yakka Yakka

Sambo Siva Sambo(Interval)

Sambo Siva Sambo(Climax)

Ulagil Entha Kadhal(Ananya)

Ulagil Entha Kadhal(Sasikumar)

DOWNLOAD AYAN FULL MOVIE-DVD9

2009-08-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

To download the full DVD quality print of the movie click on the links below

TOP 10; 10.ROJA

2009-08-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

At the 10th place is Roja,directed by Manirathnam.For a change,it had a different story and a gripping screen play.It is one of those Tamil movies which reverberated throughout India,thanks to its universal theme.This movie had everything going its way,Santhosh Sivan's tilting camera,Manirathnam's direction,the lead pair's soulful acting,and above all it was A.R.Rahman's first movie and he absolutely rocked.It was the first of Manirathnam's political trilogy(Bombay and Dil Se followed).

Roja(Madhu Bala) is a young lady born and brought up in Southern India. She marries Rishi(Aravindsamy) and they leave the village to settle in the city, where both fall in love. Rishi, who works for the Indian Government, is instructed to go to the troubled state of Kashmir on a classified mission, Roja goes along. Then Roja's world is shattered when Rishi is abducted and held for ransom by a group of militants who want an independent Kashmir, and the release of a terrorist held with the Indian military forces. Roja persists in her efforts to get her husband back.

It was perhaps the first movie which talked extensively about the Kashmiri militants.As usual Mani was perfect with his screen play and the high point of the movie is the scene where the militants try to burn the Tricolour.Arvindsamy's acting and A.R.Rahman's background score pushed up this particular scene by several notches.This movie also had some brilliant performances from Nasser,Janakaraj and Pankaj Kapur revelled in his role as the militant head,Liaqat.It is one of those very few Indian movies which told the viewpoint of the militants in its true light.In he climax,though the lead pair re-unite, you could feel a sense of sympathy towards the antagonist and this is the movie's USP. I recommend this movie to all thos patriots out there and I assure you ,you will not be disappointed

Disclaimer:

2009-08-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

First of all I'd like to mention here that these movies were rated by me purely in my taste.It doesn't mean that this is a comprehensive list,but still it has a high level of accuracy,in my opinion.Readers are bound to have a difference in opinion and I expect them to express those differences as comments.

Top 10 Tamil Movies

2009-08-18T02:51:00.000-07:00

When I meet people from other states,I ask them "Do you watch Tamil Movies?".Most of them would reply to me saying they don't know which movies to watch because they don't want to waste their time watching crap movies.Once during a train journey from Madurai to Mysore I met a Belgian by name Johannes.He too asked me to suggest some Tamil movies to him and I did so promptly.Many people will have the same doubts in their mind.For their sake Ive decided to write about the Tamil movies which I think ranks among the All Time top 10.Starting from today I'll write about one movie,a day.Do watch out.

Raja Raja Cholan's Memorial(Samadhi)

2009-08-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

This is the video footage which shows the dilapidated condition of the memorial(Samadhi) of Raja Raja Cholan(Arul Mozhi Varman),one of the greatest rulers India has ever seen.I was in tears watching this video.Ever since reading Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan and several other novels based on his life,I was fascinated by him and that inspired me look deep in to Tamil's history.I can't
say I know the history inside out but as far as I know he ranks among the likes of Ashoka,Samudra Gupta and Akbar.In fact it was under his reign that KUDAMUZHUKKU(an exercise by which the village head would be elected by the people of that particular village through election) system was introduced.I'll write about this syatem in detail some other day.In a way it was a predeccesor to the modern day elections.A 1000 year old memorial of a emperor lying in shambles and our Chief Minister spends crores for installing a statue of some unknown poet.This could happen only in Tamil Nadu.GTH guys.

RAHUL DRAVID IS BACK

2009-08-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

So,the Indian team for the Lankan Tri-Series and Champions Trophy has been selected and as usual there has been a huge hue and cry over the selection.This time,the fodder for the media is THE WALL,Mr.DEPENDABLE...who else but Rahul Dravid.To me,his inclusion to the team was imminent ever since Fidel Edwards bowled that fatal bouncer to scalp Gautham Gambhir in the ICC World T20 Super Eight match in England.With Sachin not in the side for the ODI series against the Windies that followed the T20 debacle the "Talented" Indian batsmen struggled once again.So, Rahul is being drafted in to the squad to bolster the batting strength.But I really cant comprehend what his role would be in this team.If it is a stop-gap arrangement to win the Champions trophy,then the selectors have done a grave mistake.Rumours are that Rahul has made a pact with the BCCI to give him a chance so that he could quit the ODI's gracefully,which to me looks childish.Rahul is a legend, no doubt but with his inclusion the selectors have put themselves in a precarious position.For a batsman of his class,he certainly will score runs and guys dont be surprised if he comes out on top of the batting charts in the Champions Trophy.Now what will the selectors do if Rahul performs well?Will they drop him even if he plays well which will certainly be a disgrace to the legend.Iam not asking for them to retain Rohit Sharma,who was simply pathetic,to say the least.But why not guys like Badrinath,Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli who have staked their claim for a spot in the team with tonnes of runs in the domestic circuit?If the selsctors had an eye on the 2011 World cup they should have given a chance to these guys instead of a veteran whose future in the ODI team is rather bleak.But as a fan of Rahul Iam looking forward to see those delicate cuts,wristy flick off the pads which I have been missing.

COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF LATER PANDYA KINGS

2009-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Jatavarman Kulasekara-I :- 1190 AD to 1210 AD:

He was son of Vikraman. His Meikeerthi is a very good source. He fought and

compromised with the Chola king Kulothunga-III. His reign may be

regarded as an important land mark in the history of the second Pandyas.

He ruled Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari

areas. He created the Rajagambira Chaturvedi mangalam, consisting

of 1030 Brahmadeyas. So he was known as “Rajagambeera”. He

appointed Maravarman SundaraPandya as his crown prince.

Maravarman SundaraPandya - I :-1216 AD to 1231 AD:

He was the brother of Jadavarman kulasekara. He had titles like Kaliyugarama,

AdisayaPandyadeva. The King SundaraPandya was an ambitious

competant, and capable ruler. He fought wars against the cholas and

the Kongu kings. Maravarman sundaraPandya captured some portions

of Trichy and modern Pudukottai districts. A good part of the Vishnu

temple at Tiruttangal was built. After him Jadavarman Kulasekara– II

ruled for sometime.

Maravarman Sundara Pandya - II :- 1238 AD to 1253 AD:

He made many grants to temples. He defeated the chola king

Rajendra-III.

Jatavarman Sundara Pandya - I :- 1251AD to 1268AD:

He succeeded Maravarman Sundara Pandya – II. He had title as Tribhuvana

Chakravarthy for conquering Elam, Kongu and the chola kingdom.

During his time the Pandya kingdom became the Pandya empire. The

cholas completely disappeared from the Tamil scene. The hoysalas

retreated to the Mysore highlands. Ceylon was conquered. The

Kongudesam became a province of the Pandya kingdom. The chera

ruler was defeated. Due to these victories Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-

I was known as “Emmandalamum Kondarulliya pandiya”.

Religious Endowments: Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I provided the

roof of Nataraja Shrine in Chidambaram with gold tiles. He built a hall

and the west tower of Chidambaram temple. He rendered the same

golden service to the Ranganatha swami shrine in Srirangam. So he

was titled as “Ponveintha Perumal”. He also endowed liberally to some

Jain pallis. He patronised Saivism, Vaishnavism and Hinduism. He

coronated his son Maravarman Kulasekaran-I as the crown prince.

Maravarman Kulasekaran–I: 1268AD–1308 AD:

During his reign foreign writer Morcopolo visited Tamil country and wrote about

it. The social condition of the Tamil country was known from the writings

of Muslim historian Wassaf. Maravarman captured kollam from Chera

nadu. Due to this he was called as “Kollamkonda Pandya”. He invaded Ceylon and brought huge wealth from Subhagiri fortress and the tooth

relic of the Buddha to Madurai. His Kingdom expanded till cholanadu

and upto Thondaimandalam. He appointed Jatavaraman Sundara Pandya

as Viceroy of the Kongu country and Maravarman Vikrama Pandya as

Viceroy of Chengleput and South Arcot Districts. He built the outer

wall of Nellaiyapper temple in Tirunelveli.

War of success among the Pandya heir apparents made the

muslim rulers to invade Pandya kingdom. Malik Kafur invaded and

carried away as much loote as possible. The whole Pandya country

became part of Muslim empire. The second Pandya rule which lasted

for 120 years marked a significant land mark in the history of Tamil

country. During the period of second Pandya rule the glory of the Pandyas

expanded to North only to north India but also to Srilanka.

Eeram-Audio songs download

2009-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Eeram,an S Pictures production has Nandha and Aadhi of Mirugam fame as lead actors.Music is by Thaman Sai,The fat boy who appeared in Boys.He seems to be the next big thing in Tamil Cinema.

To download the songs click here

Malai Malai-My review

2009-08-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

I really wonder for how long are we going to see a movie in which the hero,an angry young man from a village comes to the city and bashes up the villain,a city ruffian.Malai Malai is one such movie.The story is pretty simple,a tried and tested one.Arun Vijay and Prabhu, are brothers.Prabhu is unmarried and Arun Vijay is always on the lookout for a suitable bride for his brother.Meanwhile Arun Vijay falls for Vedhika,relative of his neighbour Pandu. and she too reciprocates.In one village function Prabhu sees Kasturi and seems to develop a liking for her but doesn't shows his feelings.Vedhika, a RJ returns to her homeplace Chennai and Arun Vijay,since being a typical Tamil Cinema hero also goes to chennai in search of her.There he meets Prakash Raj and circumstances! makes them foes.How Arun Vijay tackles Prakash Raj forms the rest of the story.Sounds pretty similar huh???
A.Venkatesh,the director has given us a cocktail of several hit movies like Dhool,Thiruppachi..etc.The biggest saving grace of the movie is Santhanam and he simply rocks in the limited opportunities that is give to him.Kanju Karuppu,simply irritates in the name of comedy.Now,we come to the hero.Arun Vijay after all his failures has decided that action is his route.He does what is expected of him.Way to go man...Vedhika,the heroine looks ravishing and stunning.But the story simply lets all these talented actors down.I wonder,how does Prakash Raj does the same role repeatedy in different movies?Wont he get bored?Prabhu too does his part well.
Mani Sharma, the composer does a decent job and his background score iseems similar to his earlier movies.The Director has been sure of his target audiences,the B and C centres and the movie should satisfy them.After all the years of toil and disappointment Arun Vijay seems to have got his first breakthrough.

Verdict:Watch it if you have no work

Marks: 6/10

WHY IS RAJA RAJA STANDING OUTSIDE??

2009-08-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

Why do the Hindi politicians who control the Indian Government refuse permission to install Emperor Raja Raja Cholan's statue within the outer walls of the Thanjai Big Temple?
Many thousands of Hindu devotees and tourists from around the world visit the Thanjai Big Temple. If Raja Rajan's statue is installed on the temple grounds for all to see, they may ask the others and tour guides about him and will come to know of his conquests, his majesty and the glorious days of the Second Golden Age of Tamil Nadu. The Hindian controlled Indian Government does not want people to know about this glorious past and the great kings of Tamil Nadu who are second to none. Hindian politicians and elite want people to think that all the glorious past of Indian history is centered on the Hindi heartland of today. They want to hide and put under a blanket all other histories, be it that of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala or Tamil Nadu, for example.
Read the history books used at schools under the jurisdiction of the Indian Government (Central Schools and schools accredited under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)). You will read in detail about the kings and emperors who ruled from what is today the Hindi heartland, for example, Chandra Guptan, Ashokan, Akbar, et al. But you will not read very little about the Tamil kings or the Bengali kings or the Assamese kings, etc. (Count the pages in those books. Tamil kings get less than 5% of what is allotted for kings from the present Hindi belt region. Great kings like Senguttuvan and Karikalan are not even mentioned.) In the Indian history according to Hindians, these lands do not have a glorious history worth mentioning although, in truth, every one of these nations has a rich past. Refusal to grant permission to install the statue of one of the greatest emperors of South Asia on the grounds of the temple he built is just another attempt by the Hindian politicians to hide the glorious past of the Tamil people.
(NOTE: Emperor Raja Raja Cholan is not the only one whose history the Indian Government wants to hide. About two decades ago, the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tried to distort the history of Emperor Rajendra Cholan's conquest of the Ganges Plains (today's Hindi land). I published an article about it in the Tamil magazine ":Thamizh Nilam" a decade ago.)
About a year after the publication of the article, in January 2002, the Indian Government controlled National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) released the new curriculum for Indian History to be taught at Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and other schools affiliated with the Indian Government. It came under criticism from some historians. The noted educator Dr. Arjun Dev said that no political unit of the Deccan and South, except the Rashtrakutas, find a mention in the syllabus of ancient India for Class XI. Even the Satavahanas, Pallavas, Chalukyas and Cholas do not find a place.

DOWNLOAD HIGH QUALITY AEGAN VIDEO SONGS

2008-10-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

Download Tamil Movie Aegan Video songs of very high quality using the links given below and post your comments...

1)HEY SALAA

http://rapidshare.com/files/157431472/Movie_00__ellarukkum_friend-eaagan_.avi

2)HEY BABY

http://rapidshare.com/files/157445408/Movie_00__mallika_i_love_you-eaagan_01.avi

NADODI MANNAN, A M.G.R CLASSIC

2008-09-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is my experiment with 18 lakhs. This was said by MGR in 1958 after stupendous success of the Movie Nadodi Mannan. How humble he is. The movie was a revolutionary in tamil cinema. It had showed the movie world a new way of story telling a new way of film making, a new way of editing, a new way of techniques in double action scenes so on and so forth.

I have taken some of the instances said by MGR in "Yaruku Vetri" way back in 1958, most of writing in video format. MGR's education level is so poor but his writing skills is awesome when I read the Special edition by MGR Pictures. How well he knew and how clear his ideas are for instances the technical side, story side, dialogue side, music side, cinematography side, costume side, editing side and how he knew which actors to do which part etc. MGR is multi faceted that was proved if you watch Nadodi Mannan. We cannot put MGR into a position of mere actor alone.

When he talks about the story part he says that I am not blind sided that Nadodi Mannan does not have any minus points and I am not that stupid, but I can say that it does not have more minus points. See how humbly he uses the words. MGR further goes into how the story was developed in the year 1937-38 he was in the shooting of Maya Machindra, in Calcutta (Kolkatta) one day he went with his friends to watch a Hollywood movie "If I were King" acted by Ronald Colman, one of the scene the Hero says If I become a King ... but MGR did not follow what the dialogues his mind was revolving around the words If I become a King. That is the day when Nadodi Mannan was seeded in his mind, it developed slowly when the time was ripe, MGR went on to produce the movie. Why did he produce then? Because he said it is an experiment so I did not want other producers to loose money if the film fails.

VAIGAI-LIFELINE OF MADURAI

2008-09-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Vaigai is a river in Madurai,Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The actual name is Vaiyai in Tamil and the name has been referred as vaigai. It originates in the Periyar Plateau of the Western Ghats range, and flows northeast through the Kambam Valley, which lies between the Palni Hills to the north and the Varushanad Hills to the south. The Vattaparai Falls are located on this river. As it rounds the eastern corner of the Varushanad Hills, the river turns southeast, running through the region of Pandya Nadu. Madurai, the largest city in the Pandya Nadu region and its ancient capital, lies on the Vaigai. The river empties into the Palk Strait in Ramanathapuram District. fdf The main tributaries of the river Vaigai are, the river Suruliyaru, the river Mullaiyaaru, the river Varaganadi and the river Manajalaru. All these rivers join with the great Vaigai river nearer to the places around the Vaigai Dam which is situated in Theni district.

Vaigai gets major feed from the Periyar Dam in Kumuli in Kerala. As the Kerala government is refusing to increase the storage level, Vaigai river ends up dry very often. The water never reaches Madurai, let alone flowing into places past Madurai.

The Periyar Dam was built in 1895 by John Pennycuick, who implemented a plan proposed over a century earlier by Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai of Ramnad.

"Greater than the mother bearing child/Greater than the child that is born/Every breath is Periyar/Every word is Periyar/In every place, in all the world/As far as Periyar water flows/Your name will stand-Pennycuick-your name/Though written on water, will always stand".

That is how Anthony Muthu Pillai (1863-1929) had paid tributes in Tamil to John Pennycuick, the engineer who had taken up the "audacious and unprecedented feat of...engineering" for transferring some water from the Periyar river in Travancore State to the Vaigai basin in Madras Presidency. This basin was described by Poet and lyricist Vairamuthu, who hails from this area: "It is a different world. Another planet on the surface of the earth. Ignored by the clouds, cursed by nature and dry land, passed by the Gods with their eyes tightly shut...

IM BACK

2008-08-17T01:04:00.000-07:00

Well.....its been some time since my last post coz was busy with other engagements but now im back with my regular posts abt the temple city

DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE

2008-07-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

"The temple city of Madurai is situated at a distance of 307 miles south of Madras on the main railway line. This is decidedly the oldest city of South India, truly representing Dravidian culture. European scholars have compared it to Athens of Greece. It was in the past the seat of the Tamil Academy (the Tamil Sangam) .... It is estimated that there are 33 million carvings in the Madurai temple. The temple stands in the centre of the town and main roads run roughly parallel to the four sides. A writer has described the architecture as follows: "The architecture is almost purely Dravidian - its characteristics being the pyramidal towers of colossal height dominating the surrounding landscape for miles around; the rectangular enclosures one within the other like a China box; the use of the flat roof and the entire absence of the arch or dome; delicate sculpture worked in ponderous material, and finally a partiality for long galleries interspersed with sculptured pillars..." (R .K.Das in Temples of Tamil Nadu)

"Gopuram, in South Indian architecture, is the entrance gateway to the Hindu temple enclosure. Relatively small in the earlier period, the gopuras grew in size from the mid-12th century until the colossal gateways came to dominate the temple complex, quite surpassing the main sanctum for architectural elaboration.." (Gopurams - Encyclopaedia Britannica)

"...Tirumulla Nayak commenced a gopura, which, had he lived to complete it, would probably have been the finest edifice of its class in southern India. It measures 174 ft. from north to south, and 107 ft. in depth. The entrance through it is 21 ft. 9 in. wide; and if it be true that its gateposts are 6o ft. (Tripe says 57 ft.) in height, that would have been the height of the opening. It will thus be seen that it was designed on even a larger scale than that at Sri Rangam, and it certainly far surpasses that celebrated edifice in the beauty of its details. Its doorposts alone, whether 57 ft. or 6o ft. in height, are single blocks of granite, carved with the most exquisite scroll patterns of elaborate foliage, and all the other carvings are equally beautiful. Being unfinished, and consequently never consecrated, it has escaped whitewash, and alone, of all the buildings of Madura, its beauties can still be admired in their original perfection. The great temple at Madura ...possesses...all the characteristics of a first-class Dravidian temple, and, as its date is perfectly well known, it forms a landmark of the utmost value in enabling us to fix the relative date of other temples. The sanctuary is said to have been built by Viswanath, the first king of the Nayak dynasty, A.D. 1520, which may possibly be the case; but the temple itself certainly owes all its magnificence to Tirumulla Nayak, A.D. 1622-1657, or to his elder brother, Muttu Virappa, who preceded him, and who built a mantapa, said to be the oldest thing now existing here. The Kalyana mantapa is said to have been built A.D. 1707, and the Tatta Suddhi in 1770.These, however, are insignificant parts compared with those which certainly owe their origin to Tirumulla Nayak..." (Temple of Madura )

TAMIL NADU UNDER SINHALA OCCUPATION(ITS TRUE MATES)

2008-06-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Tamil Nadu was divided into three principal kingdoms, namely, Chera Nadu, Chola Nadu and Pandya Nadu, and ruled by Chera, Chola and Pandya kings. (This arrangement goes back to from the very beginning of written Tamil history.) During the reign of Rajathi Raja Cholan II over Chola Nadu (1163 - 1179), there was a quarrel within the Pandyan royal family for the throne of Pandiya Nadu. Both Parakkirama Pandyan and Kulasekhara Pandyan claimed the throne. Local chieftains within Pandya Nadu (who ruled small principalities subservient to the Pandya throne) took sides and a civil war ensued in Pandya Nadu.

Parakkirama Pandyan held the capital city of Madurai and Kulasekhara Pandyan laid siege to it. Instead of keeping the fight within Pandya Nadu or even seeking help from a fellow Tamil king, Parakkirama Pandyan sought help from the Sinhala king Parakramabahu who was ruling the nearby island of Lanka. (Lanka is today called Sri Lanka. British called it Ceylon when it was part of the British Empire. Tamils used to call it Eelam or Ilankai. In recent years "Tamil Eelam" is used to refer to the historical Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern regions of the island.) Parakramabahu sent an army under the command of a Sinhala general, Lankapura (Lankapuri in Tamil). Before the army reached Pandya Nadu, Kulasekhara Pandyan capture Madurai and killed Parakkirama Pandyan. His son Veera Pandyan fled the capital and went into hiding. By now the Sinhala army landed in Pandya Nadu with orders from King Parakramabahu to defeat Kulasekhara Pandyan and put Veera Pandyan on the throne. The Sinhala army captured the coastal town of Rameshwaram and destroyed much of the famed Hindu temple for Lord Sivan (Lord Siva).

The Sinhala army marched from the coast into the interior of Pandya Nadu. It looted and burned many Tamil villages on the way. In the ensuing battles between the Sinhala army and Kulasekhara Pandyan's army, the latter met with defeat after defeat. Lankapura brought Veera Pandyan from hiding and installed him as the Pandya king in Madurai.

Kulasekhara Pandyan gathered all forces in Padya Nadu loyal to him and waged war again and won a major victory against Lankapura. Veera Pandyan fled Madurai again. Lankan King Parakramabahu sent reinforcements under the command of another Sinhala General, Jagat Vijaya (Jagat Vijayan). The combined forces of Lankapura and Jagat Vijaya defeated Kulasekhara Pandyan. The latter fled to the south (what is now known as Thirunelveli District) and sought help from the Chola King Rajathi Raja Cholan II. Rajathi Rajan sent an army under General Pallavarayan (Pallavarayar) to Pandya Nadu. He fought several battles with the Sinhalese army. Some of the major battles were at Thirukkanapaer, Thondi, Pasipon Amaravathi, Manamerkudi and Manjakudi. In the end Sinhalese army lost and Kulasekhara Pandyan became king of Pandya Nadu.

Furious at reports of the devastation of Pandya Nadu under the Sinhala army (looting and burning of villages, killing of villagers, desecration of the Rameswaram temple), Rajarthiraja Cholan ordered General Pallavarayan to capture and execute General Lankapuri who commanded the Sinhala army in Pandya Nadu. Pallavarayan pursued Lankapuri, captured him and beheaded him. The severed head was hoisted on a spear at the gates of Madurai, the Pandyan capital. Crows and other birds ate the flesh of the head, and the skull remained on display at the gates for months. Thus ended the occupation of Pandya Nadu (about one-third of Tamil Nadu) by the Sinhalese army. [NOTE: The beheading and the public display of the severed head may look uncivilized and barbaric today but it was not an uncommon practice in those days. Today war criminals are executed in private (example: many German and Japanese officers were executed after the Second Word War in the 1940s).]

POTRAMARAI KULAM OR GOLDEN LOTUS TANK

2008-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

The history of this pond is as old as Madurai itself.When Kumari Kandam sank into the Indian ocean by repeated deluges, the TenMadurai of the Mudhal Sangam age and Kabadapuram of Idai sangam age submerged into the ocean depths. Later down history, the Pandyan Kings were on the look out for a place to build a new capital that will recapture the legendary glory of the sunken Madurai of their forefathers. According to legend , some merchants passing through a forest known as Kadambavanam saw a beautiful lotus pond and a wooden temple on its bank.They were so fascinated by this location that they reported about it to their king Kulasekara Pandian on return. Soon a 'lotus shaped' city was planned with the pond and temple as its center.
The lotus tank evolved into an important city center in the height of the last Pandian era. The area around this pond was the meeting place of the Kadai Sangam - the last of the ancient academy of poets.

The pond is now a source of too many myths or rather jokes…One is about the Tamil sangam… The story goes that the academy judged the worth of any work of literature presented before it by throwing it into this pond. Only those that did not sink were considered worthy of attention. Another joke i heard is that , the pond is the drop of nectare that fell form Shiva's hair and hence the city was named madurapuri (drop of nectare)! Iam pained to see that reputable and learned people of the city saying stuff like this and making a mockery of our great Sangam culture and our basic common sence!

SANGAM AGE: GOLDEN AGE OF TAMIL NADU

2008-06-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Sangam Age in Tamilnadu witnessed prosperity in all spheres of life. The land was divided into Kurinji, Mullai, Marudam, Neitha! and Palai. The life of the people in these divisions differed. The hunters and honey gatherers lived in Kurinji, Mullai and Palai regions. The farmers and the fishermen lived in Marudam and Neithal lands respectively. The people of Sangam Age had a well-organized social life. They lived in both towns and rural areas. Agriculture, pearl fishing and weaving were some of the important occupations of the people. Fine arts like music, dance, drama and painting flourished. Temple architecture also flourished well during the rule of the ancient Tarnil kings.The hospitality of the ancient Tamils is proverbial. It was in high order and the tradition is continuing even today. Thiruvalluvar wrote much about hospitality in his Thirukkural.
Arruppadai speaks at length about the kings and the Feudatories who patronized the poets and the scholars.The Tamil people had observed certain social, religious and moral customs. They possessed the qualities of courage, honour, courtesy and loyalty. The Chera king Neduncheralathan went up to the Himalayas and returned victoriously. He assumed the title of Himayavaramban. A Chola king hoisted the tiger flag on the Himalayas. The ancient Tamils also had the practice of raising hero stones called Virakkals in honor of the heroes who died while fighting for the king. Receiving wounds in the battlefields at the back was considered as a shameful deed.
The women of the Sangam Age enjoyed respectable position. However, male chauvinism prevailed. Some women were educated. We come across women poets like Kaakkai Paadiniyar, Pon Mudiyar and Avvaiyar. Some of them had knowledge in politics. At times they used to advise the kings. Chastity was the most important virtue of Tamil women. They considered Karpu much more important for them than life itself. They were highly devoted towards their husbands. Chaste women were greatly respected in the society.
The Sangam people had brisk internal trade. The wholesalers, retailers and hawkers had indulged themselves in brisk trade. Barter system prevailed in internal trade. The business people sold their goods by openly announcing the profits that they were aiming at. Honest trade led to increased trade and the increased trade led to the increased prosperity. Integrity in trade was accepted as a general principleThe people of the Sangam age traded with Rome, Greece, Africa, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. The Romans liked the pearls of the Pandya kingdom. Gemstones, ivory, sandalwood, peacock, cotton and silks textiles and spices were exported to Greece and Rome. The ancient Tamils were religious minded. They worshipped Mother Goddess. They also worshipped Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and Varuna. Festival were organized periodically. The Sangam monarchs gave importance to justice. Hence their rule was benevolent.

PANDYA KINGDOM DURING SANGAM AGE

2008-06-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

During the period of the second sangam the Pandyas had their capital at Kapatapuram and because of that they were also called as Kapata by the ancient custom of a person being called with the name of the place/Ur from where they come from. Thus the Pandyas were also called as the Kapatas. This Kapatas got transformed into Guptas during later period. When natural disaster struck Kapatapuram and destroyed the city the Pandyas capital has to be shifted along
with the people. They settled in present day Madurai on the banks of Vaigai away from the sea. After moving the capital to Madurai and extending/building the Meenakshi temple, the King started the third sangam there. The Cholas and the Elagais helped the Pandyas during this time. The Cholas already a matrimonial relationship with the Pandiyas as King Vijayalaya Cholan had already married a Pandyan princess. After the deluge Cholan men married lot of destitute Pandyan womens who had suffered because of the natural disaster. Some of them moved to Elagai as some(Northern) portion was ruled by the Cholas that time. This is mentioned in the Mahavamsa - the ceylonese chronicle. The pandya men joined the miltary
in large numbers. The Pandya king had to find a way to settle his uprooted people and provide land for agriculture to compensate for the lost land. He looked up North and that starts the campaign to get more land and starts the movement of Tamils to the North one of the many in history. This king was called Nilamtaru Tiruvir Pandyan or the Mudathirumaran the
lame.

TAMIL SANGAM'S HISTORY

2008-06-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Tamil Sangams form one of the main parts of history for the Tamil people. It is a
tradition that they cherish and have been passing it on from generation to generation. Nobody knows exactly what it means and how it came about. According to some it was a literary academy where the scholars or poets met to discuss and criticize various things including literature in Tamilaham. It is mentioned in a commentary on the Iraiyanar Ahapporul.
It is said to have been composed by the sangam poet Nakkirar. According to tradition it was a literary academy established and supported by the Pandyan Kings. The first sangam or Talai sangam was established at Ten Madurai the capital of the Pandyan kings on the Indian Ocean shores. When a deluge destroyed Ten Madurai the capital was shifted to Kapatapuram and the second sangam called the idai sangam was established there. After sometime when kapatapuram too was destroyed by the sea the capital was shifted to present day Madurai away from the sea on the banks of the Vaigai. Madurai became the latest capital of the Pandyan kings and third sangam or Kadai sangam was established there. There are a number of historical persons and kings associated with these sangams. The Pandiyan king who ruled during the period of establishment of the Third sangam was Mudattirumaran who was lame. His other name was Ariyappadaikadanda Nedunjeliyan. He was contemporary of Karikalan Cholan and Senguttuvan Cheran and Elangai Gajabahu.

RAJENDRA CHOLA'S EXPLOITS

2008-06-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

When Tamil histrorians talk about King Raja Rajendra Chola's exploits in South East Asia, we hear only the name of Kadaram that goes by the modern name of Kedah, a state in Malaysia today. Kedah has a wealth of ancient temple structures in the world famous Bujang Valley. Apart from Kadaram, there was also the Kingdom of Gangga Nagaram that lies in ruins today further down south after destruction by King Raja Rajendra.

There is yet another forgotten thousand year old city of Kota Gelanggi, raided by the same King, far down South, in the state of Johor. Its ruins in thick jungle have been established via aerial photos and a ground level expedition is being planned.

The discovery of this place hit the headlines of today's The Star newspaper, the major English in Malaysia.

This is the single most exciting news on the ancient history of Malaysia apart from the Bujang Valley.

That makes me wonder, what was King Raja Rajendra Cholan up to in Malaya? Kadaram lies at the northern extremity, Gangga Nagaram lies a little south of Kadaram, whereas Kota Gelanggi lies in the southern extremity of Malaya. All these were destroyed by King Raja Rajendra Cholan. That seems to me the total destruction of the then existing Malay Kingdoms. This was no ordinary battle but all out war.

BOOKS ON TAMIL CULTURE

2008-06-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Books in English

History of the Tamils: from the earliest times to 600 A.D.
P.T. Srinivas Iyengar
New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1982, Reprint
A short history of the ancient Tamils and their literature
Ratnaswami, Subramaniam
Annamalainagar: Thaiyalnayaki Velideeyu, 1979
The history of the growth of Tamil during the Indian War of Independence
M.P. Sivagnanam; translated by K. Chellappan
Madras: University of Madras, 1980
Tamil renaissance and Dravidian nationalism 1905-1944
K. Nambi Arooran
Madurai: Koodal Publishers, 1980
A topographical list of inscriptions in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states
T.V. Mahalingam
New Delhi: Indian Council of Historical Research: S. Chand, 1985-
Neolithic and megalithic cultures in Tamil Nadu
B. Narasimhaiah
Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1980
The Manipravala literature of the Srivaisnava Acaryas : 12th to 15th century A.D.
Koil Kandadai Appan Venkatachari
Bombay : Ananthacharya Research Institute, 1978.
European impact on modern Tamil writing and literature
Somalay [i.e. S.M.L. Lakshmanan Lena].
Trivandrum : Dravidian Linguistic Association ; Madras,1976.
Tamil ilakkiya varalaru, Ki. Pi. 1 nutal: Camanamum Tamilum, Pauttamum Tamilum, Vainavamum Tamilum
E.S. Varataraja Aiyar
Annamalainakar]: Annamalaip Palkalaik Kalakam, 1979
The brahmin in the Tamil country
N. Subrahmanian
Madurai: Ennes Publications, 1989
Tamil polity, c. A.D. 600-c. A.D. 1300
Rajalakshmi, R.
Madurai: Ennes Publications, 1983
Symbols of substance, court and state in Nayaka period Tamilnadu
Velcheru Narayana Rao, David Shulman, Sanjay Subrahmanyam
Delhi; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992
History of Tamil Nadu, 1565-1982
K. Rajayyan
Madurai: Raj Publishers, 1982
The role of feudatories in later Chola history
M.S. Govindasamy
Annamalai Nagar: Annamalai University, 1979
Selections from history of Tamilnadu, 1565-1965<^br> K. Rajayyan
Madurai: Madurai Pub. House, 1978
A history of the Maravas, 1700-1802
S. Kadhirvel
Madurai: Madurai Publishing House, 1977
The congress in Tamilnad: nationalist politics in south India, 1919-1937
David Arnold
Columbia, Mo.: South Asia Books, 1977
March to freedom in Madras Presidency, 1916-1947
Saroja Sundararajan
Madras: Lalitha Publications, 1989
The national movement in Tamil Nadu, 1905-14: agitational politics and state coercion
N. Rajendran
Madras; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994
Tamil: Sprache als politisches Symbol: politische Literatur in der Tamilsprache in den Jahren 1945 bis 1967: mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Schriften der Fuhrer der dravidischen Bewegung E.V. Ramacami und C.N. Annaturai
Dagmar Hellmann-Rajanayagam
Wiesbaden: Steiner, 1984
A history of the Tamil siddha cult
R. Venkatraman
Madurai: Ennes Publications, 1990
Folk beliefs of the Tamils
translated and edited by M. Shanmugam Pillai (1920 - ), Erica A.E. Claus
Madurai: Muttu Patippakam, 1981
Caste, nationalism and ethnicity: an interpretation of Tamil cultural history and social order
J. Pandian
Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 1987
Play, Symbolism, and Ritual : A Study of Tamil Brahmin Women's Rites of Passage
Vasumathi K. Duvvury
American University Studies, Series Xi, Anthropology and Sociology,4);
Peter Lang Publishing, June 1991, ISBN: 0820411086
The Powers of Tamil Women
Susan S. Wadley (Editor)
Syracuse Univ, November 1991, ISBN: 0915984423
Foreign and Comparative Studies/South Asian Series, No 6)
Shakti : Power in the Conceptual Structure of Karimper Religion
Susan S. Wadley
Univ of Chicago, June 1975, ISBN: 0916256014
Tamil research through journals: (an annotated bibliography)
A.A. Manavalan
Madras: International Institute of Tamil Studies, 1975
Mission and Tamil society: social and religious change in South India (1840-1900)
Henriette Bugge
Richmond: Curzon, 1994
Chieftains of the Sangam age
K.D. Thirunavukkarasu (Tirunavukkaracu, Ka. Ta., 1931- )
Madras : International Institute of Tamil Studies, 1994.1st ed.

Books in Tamil

Tamil nattuppura iyal ayvu
patippaciriyar Ca. Ve. Cuppiramaniyan (Subramanian, Shanmuga Velayutham, 1929- )
Cennai: Ulakat Tamilaraycci Niruvanam, 1979, 1st ed.
International Institute of Tamil Studies Publication no.13
thamizh naattup pazhankuti makkaL: vaazhvum varalaarum
Cu. Caktivel (S. Sakthivel)
Citamparam: Manivacakar Nulakam, 1980
Tamizhum pirathuraikaLum
patippaciriyar Na. Katikacalam. Ed. Cennai : Ulakat Tamilaraycci Niruvanam, 1994.1st.
International Institute of Tamil Studies Publication, no. 191.

MARIAMMAN TEPPAKULAM

2008-05-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is situated at a distance of about 5 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The area of the tank, and the island pavilion with a garden in the center, is approximately equal to the area of Meenakshi Temple. It is one of the largest temple tanks in South India and gets water supply from the Vaigai River. There is a Vinayakar temple situated right in the middle of the tank, which is dedicated to Lord Vigneshwara, the Elephant-faced God.

According to mythology, earth was dug out from the tank to build the Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. The place was supposed to be blessed and was later converted into a Teppakulam (tank). The tank is connected to Vaigai River via underground channels. It has total of 12 long stairs (steps) made of granite on all four sides. The temple as well as the stairs was built by the King Thirumalai Nayak.

Mariamman Teppakulam is famous for the celebrations of the Float festival, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai. The festival commemorates the birthday of King Thirumalai Nayak. The celebrations take place on a full moon night and the pristine water turns colourful as the temple is lit. The deities of the temple come down to the tank in colorful floats, presenting a mesmerizing sight. Pilgrims across India come to Madurai to participate in the festival.

EARLY PANDYAN SOCIETY

2008-04-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

The Tamil society during the early Pandyan age had several class distinctions among the people, which were different from the Aryan classification of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The highest class, among the Tamils, was the Arivar or the sages. They were the ascetics that renounced materialism and mostly lived outside the cities. Next in rank were the Ulavar or the farmers. Following the Ulavar, were the Aiyar or shepherds, then Vedduvar or hunters, followed by artisans such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths etc., then Padaiadchier or the armed men, the Valayar or fishermen and finally the Pulayar or the scavengers. The higher classes enjoyed more privileges than the lower classes - for example, when the higher classes passed in the streets, the lower classes made way for them. The Pulayan, for ex., bowed in supplication if he met a nobleman. The class distinctions were quite conspicuous in many aspects of life - the dress worn by the people, the way they groomed themselves and the kind of food they subsisted on were all different from one class to another. In spite of such class-based social inequalities, there was no slavery in the society.
There was legal and social inequality between the sexes. Women had no rights on property and, in general, were subordinated by men. However, women mixed freely in the business and amusements of social life. In towns and cities, women of lower classes were employed as hawkers, vendors, shopkeepers or servants in rich households and in the villages, they worked in the fields and gardens along with men and shared their hardships. The ladies of the higher classes were more confined to their homes, but they were not secluded from society. The plight of widows was miserable – they were considered inauspicious and had to live life according to very strict rules. They were prohibited from decorating themselves or participating in any form of amusement. The practice of Sati was also prevalent in ancient Tamil country and was known as tippaydal. When the Pandyan king Pudappandiyan died, his queen killed herself by ascending the funeral pyre of the king. Women were exposed to education, a fact testified by the presence of many women poetesses in the Sangam works – some of them include Avvaiyar, Mudatamakkanniar, Kaakkaippaadiniyaar, Naachchellayaar, Naagaiyaar, Nanmullaiyaar, Ponmudiyaar, Ilaveyiniyaar and Nappasaliyaar.
A variety of clothing was used by people during this age, including those made of cotton and silk. People living in hilly and deserted areas wore dresses made of foliage and flowers. Sheaths of grassy weeds (Korai) were used for making dress by the hill and forest area people. Skins of animals and barks of trees were also used. Men of the poorer classes wore only one piece of cloth around the waist. Women covered their upper body with a kind of dress called, kachchu. Among the higher classes, men wore two pieces: one around the waist and the other, the upper cloth, thrown over the shoulders. Women of sophisticated society wore half sarees, made of the finest cotton and silk fabrics, with embroidery. Both men and women sported long tresses of hair. The diet was plain, rice being the staple cereal, with maize, millet, milk, butter and honey being in common use. Meat eating was common - people ate flesh of rams, deer, hare, fowl, porcupines, pigs and boar, fresh and dried fish. The kind of housing was determined by the type of geography of the land and the economic status of the occupants. The rich built their houses with tiled roofs and walls made of burnt bricks and mud, while the poor built their huts with mud and thatched it with grass, coconut leaves or palmyra palm leaves. Both in the huts and houses, the flooring was smeared with cowdung. The affluent had houses with porticoes, many storeys, open terraces and furnished their houses well. The inner walls of their houses were decorated with flowers and paintings, with cottages to protect them from the wind. Cots were in common use – the rich had luxurious beds decked with swan’s feathers and flowers, while the common people had beds woven with the straw of maize and the poorest people used beds made of grass or hay.

POLITICAL HISTORY OF EARLY PNDAVAS

2008-04-19T02:40:00.000-07:00

Scholars have constructed the political history of the ancient Pandya country based on the classical works such as Purananuru, Pattu paatu and Padirrupattu. Even though these works don’t throw much light on the exact timelines of each king and their reign, they are considered trustworthy accounts that present facts as they occurred.
The first Pandyan king who has been mentioned in the Sangam works recovered so far is Nedunj Cheliyan I, who ruled from the coastal town of Korkai, at the mouth of river Tamraparni. During this time, the Tamil country consisted of several small kingdoms ruled over by independent chieftains, in addition to the three monarchies of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. In a bid to expand his territory, Nedunj Cheliyan I invaded the kingdom of Kudal (later renamed Madurai), which was under the rule of an independent chieftain, Akutai. He defeated Akutai and moved the capital of Pandyan kingdom to Madurai. This king also defeated an invading army from the Deccan and hence was called Aariyap Padaikadantha Pandyan or the king who conquered the Aryan army. He was succeeded by his son Pudappandiyan, who expanded the kingdom by conquering Ollaiyur (near modern day Pudukkottai) – an act that earned him the name Ollaiyur thantha Pudappandian. Both Pudappandiyan and his predecessor, Nedunj Cheliyan I, were poets themselves who contributed to the Purananuru collection.
The successor of Pudappandiyan was Nedunj Cheliyan II also known as "Pasumpun Pandyan." Immediately after ascending the throne, he marched with his troops to the north of Vaigai and defeated the chieftain Evvi II. He then headed west and captured the Aayi territory controlled by another chieftain, Atiyan. Both Evvi II and Atiyan were made commanders of the Pandyan army for his battles against Kongu country that was further west. From here he expanded the Pandyan kingdom almost to the western coast, which earned him the title Vidambalamba Ninra Pandyan (the Pandyan whose kingdom was washed by two seas). Since he was responsible for expanding the Pandyan kingdom by annexing several kingdoms, he was also called Pannadu thantha Pandyan (the Pandyan who annexed many lands). His successor, Mudukudumi Peruvaludhi, was also a great warrior and carried the devastation into enemy territories. He performed yagas with the aid of Brahmin priests, similar to the tradition in northern India at that time.
The next king in the hierarchy was Nedunj Cheliyan III, who is considered the greatest of all the early Pandyan kings. Since the Pandyan kingdom was considerably larger than a few generations ago, he had to defend it against many neighbors invading from various fronts. Not only did he succeed in defending his territory, he also seems to have advanced into the enemy territories – the southern province of Cholas and eastern province of the Cheras. At one point, it is said that a coalition of his neighbors including the Cheras, Cholas and five other kingdoms, met him at a pitched battle in Talaialanganam, in present day Tanjore district. Nedunj Cheliyan emerged victorious in the battle that ensued and ended up annexing several new territories to his kingdom. He thus came to be known as Talaialanganathu Seruvendra Pandyan. The genealogy after this king is not very clear but there are at least four other kings who are thought to have ruled in the immediate succeeding generations. Notable among them were, Musiri Mutriya Cheliyan for the fact that he conquered the town of Musiri on the coast of the Arabian Sea and Ukkirap Peruvaludi for the fact that it was in his court that the famous poet Tiruvalluvar submitted his much-acclaimed work Tirukkural.

VILLAGE DEITY AYYANAR

2008-04-19T02:23:00.000-07:00

Ayyanar or Sathanar worship is a very ancient ancestral clan-based worship system linked to nature and fertility worship. The festivals of Ayyanars,a popular village deity in and around madurai are celebrated in Sacred Groves during spring season by all the related clan. Ayyanar shrines are usually located at the peripheries or boundaries of rural villages and the deity is seen riding a horse with a sword. Weapons such as a trident or a lance are also associated with the shrine. Most officiating priests are non-Brahmins and derive from local lineages that had initiated the cult centers generations ago.
The worship pattern is non-agamic and is associated with sacrificial offerings of pure vegetarian food. However animals such as chicken and goats are offered to few of the selected 21 associate deities (Kaval deivangal) such as Karuppa samy, Sudalai maadan samy and some other Amman deities located within Ayyanar temple for favors. In return the local priest might offer holy flowers or Veeputhi (holy ash) to the worshippers. Folk Tales like koothu and Folk arts like villupattu are enacted to bring out the message of the Ayyanar folk story to one and all.

A GRAVE INJUSTICE

2008-04-19T02:20:00.000-07:00

RAJA RAJA CHOLAN'S BIOGRAPHY

2008-04-19T01:53:00.000-07:00

Who is this Raja Raja Cholan (more precisely, Raja Raja Cholan-I)? Readers who are fans of the popular Tamil novelist Kalki may be familiar with his historical novel "Ponniyin Selvan". That novel is woven around the life of Raja Raja Cholan, also known an Arunmoli. Of course, much of the novel and many of the characters in it are fiction although that fiction is wrapped around historical events. What we present in this section are historical facts taken from such authoritative works as Dr. M. Rajamanickam's "Cholar Varalaru", Nilakanta Sastri's "The Cholas" and T. V. Sadasiva Pandarathar's "History of the Later Cholas".
Raja Rajan reigned between 985 AD and 1014 AD. It can be rightly said that the Second Golden Age of Tamil Nadu started with his reign and continued for another two centuries. (The First Golden Age of Tamil Nadu in known Tamil history was in the days of the Third Tamil Academy (Third Tamil Sangam)). He built one of the most glorious empires of South Asia that peaked during the regin of his son Rajendra Cholan - I and continued for another 200 years or so under his sons, grandsons and great grandsons. He was not only a great warrior king in the tradition of Cheran Senguttuvan, Cholan Karikalan and Pandian Nedunchezhian, he was also an able administrator, a patron of the arts and a devote Saivaite Hindu.
During that period, Sinhala kings from Ilankai (now known as Sri Lanka and Ceylon) had the habit of interfering in Tamil Nadu by allying with one Tamil king against another, usually allying with Cheras or Pandias against the Cholas. (Of course, the blame should rightly be put on those Tamil kings who invited foreign interference and not on the Sinhala kings who made use of the opportunity.) So, after decisively defeating the Cheras and Pandias, Raja Rajan Cholan turned his attention to the Sinhalese King Mahinda-V. He assembled a naval armada and sent it to Sri Lanka. The Chola Navy defeated King Mahinda. After the military victory Raja Rajan built a Hindu temple there in Polonnaruva.
Having defeated the enemy in the south, he moved north. The Chola army under the command of Crown Prince Rajendran marched north, all the way up to what is now Bijapur. The army defeated all who opposed its march north, including the powerful army of Chalukya Emperor Satyasraya who ruled the Deccans.
As noted before, Raja Rajan's legacy is not just wars and conquests. He is remembered today primarily for the construction of the Tanjore Big Temple (Thanjavur Peria Koil). The temple is also called "Rajarajeswaram" after him. This Saivaite Hindu temple is one of the most beautiful and magnificent architectural monuments in South Asia. The magnificent tower and the delicate sculptures are truly a feast for the eyes. Not only Hindus from all over the world, but also tourists from around the world visit this temple.
Though Raja Rajan was a devote Saivaite Hindu, he respected other religions. He built Vishnu temples in Mysore after he conquered the region. He not only permitted Silendra Emperor Srimara Vijayottunga Varman to build the Buddhist shrine Chudamanivihara in Tamil Nadu at Nagapattinam, he also contributed money for its construction.
Many arts - sculpture, painting, drama, dance and music - flourished during his time. He conductedd a survey of his kingdom and is considered a major achievement of that time. He divided the kingdom into a number of administrative units and appointed administrative officers for each unit. Villages were governed by local elders (a type of self-government). According to Dr. M. Rajamanickam, Raja Rajan's administrative structure is comparable to modern administrative structure seen around the world.
Raja Raja Cholan is truly one of the greatest rulers in Tamil history. This is in fact the reason why Hindi politicians who dominate and control the Indian Government refuse permission to install his statue within the outside walls of Thanjai Big Temple that he built.

ALAGAR,S ENTRY INTO RIVER VAIGAI

2008-04-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

It is festival time in Madurai -Goddess Meenakshi Thirukalyanam and Alagar aartil irangum vaibhavam!The devotees in hundreds are awaiting andworshipping Alagar on his way to Madurai to attend the wedding of Meenakshi. Well the story goes that the celestial wedding gets over, before Alagar reaches Madurai. So Alagar changes his plan to cross river Vaigai to attend the function. Instead he just gets in the Vaigai and enthralls the thousands of devotees with his dharshan and returns back to Algar Koil, along the banks of the river. Before reaching, he gives dharshans in various attires in different mandapams. In the Ramaraya Mandapam, Dasavadaram is enacted! People in their new dresses and some devotees dressed up in their special shorts and long zari, decorative caps, carrying leather bags containing water - all eager to see the God - is really a sight to be seen. Alagar rides the golden horse and steps into the river; this is when the devotees pump out water from the leather bags on to the thronging Bhakthas. These devotees are so enthu. ;they travel with Alagar back to Alagar Koil. This Chithirai thiruvizha was started by Thirumalai Nayak to unite the saivaites and vaishnavites. Hundreds of people from villages around Madurai come to celebrate the festival. Exhibition - the chithirai porutkatchi - is a regular feature every year!
It is not chithirai thiruvizha but "peruvizha" enjoyed not only by devotees but also children and people of all ages

MAKING MADURAI AN EDUCATIONAL HUB

2008-04-08T03:13:00.001-07:00

Madurai Kamaraj University, located in Madurai town (in southern Tamil Nadu, India) established in 1966, has 18 Schools comprising 72 Departments. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has a student strength of about 1.30 lakhs. The University has 109 affiliated Colleges (9 Autonomous) including other approved institutions and 7 evening colleges. There are centres which promote research potential of teachers. Madurai Kamaraj University, or simply Madurai University was named after the historical city of Madurai, the ancient capital of the Pandyan rulers and the seat of three famous Tamil academies going back to the beginnings of the Christian and even perhaps an earlier Era, was inaugurated on 6th February 1966 at the heart of the city. Its nucleus was the Extension centre of the University of Madras located at Madurai. Two years later, the foundation stone for a new campus was laid by Dr Zakir Hussain, the then President of India on Madurai - Theni road, 13 kilometers to the west of the city. Since then the campus has grown into a beautiful University township with an extensive area of about 750 acres (3.0 km²), appropriately called in Tamil "Palkalainagar" (means university township). And in 1978, the name of the University was changed to Madurai Kamaraj University to honour one of the most illustrious sons of our country, Late Mr Kamaraj (ex-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu). Official Website: http://www.mkuniversity.org/

TIRUPPARANKUNRAM'S HISTORY

2008-04-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tirupparankundram, a hill five miles southwest of Madurai, is the fourth pilgrimage site of Muruga. A cave temple dedicated to the element of earth and mentioned in various classical Tamil texts as the 'Southern Himalaya' where the gods assemble, Tirupparankunram is also mentioned in legend as 'the place where the sun and moon abide'. Murugan was married to Devasena(or Devayani) upon the hill and for many centuries the Tamil people have considered it the most auspicious place for their own marriages, especially during the time of the Pankuni Uttiram, the festival of marriage held in late March. Besides the fantastic temple to Murugan on the hill, there is also a Muslim shrine dedicated to 'Sekunder' or Alexander, the great who is associated with Murukan by the Muslim pilgrims. "Sikandar was a friend of Murugan at the time when Murugan was King here," they say.
Tirupparankundram is situated three miles southeast of Madurai on the main railway line. It is one of the Aru padai veedugal or six sacred places selected by Lord Subrahmanya for his abode. The importance of this temple is that here was celebrated the marriage of Lord Subrahmanya with the daughter of Indra, Devayani.
Long, long ago, when Lord Subrahmanya was staying at Kanda Verpu, the two daughters of Lord Maha Vishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli, cherished the desire of becoming the consorts of Subrahmanya. With this aim in mind they both went to Saravana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfil their desires.
Pleased with their prayer and worship, Lord Subrahmanya appeared before them and told Amrita Valli, "You will be brought up by Indra as his daughter and I shall marry you in due course." Her younger sister Sundara Valli was also graced with a similar blessing. She was born to sage Sivamuni and brought up by Nambi, the headman of Veddas.
Amrita Valli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru, the abode of Indra, and told him, "I am the daughter of Maha Vishnu and the responsibility of looking after me has been entrusted to you." On hearing this, Indra became very happy and directed Airavatam, his white elephant, to take care of the child.
The elephant with all love brought her up and affection and she attained the age of marriage in course of time. Hence she came to be known as Devayanai, one who was brought up by the heavenly elephant of Indra (yānai in Tamil means elephant).
The six sons of sage Parasara were cursed to become fishes in the Saravana Poigai. On request for redemption, these six boys were ordered to pray to Lord Subrahmanya.
When they got his darshan, they could get redemption. It was also made known to them that Lord Subrahmanya would come to Tirupparankunram after vanquishing the demon Surapadma. Anxiously they waited for the arrival of Subrahmanya.
When the mission of Subrahmanva to vanquish Surapadma was over at Tiruchendur, on his way, he came to this spot followed by all the devas and heavenly beings whom he had released from the untold miseries caused by Surapadma.
On his arrival at Tirupparankunram, the sons of Parasara received Subrahmanya and, at their request, he consented to stay there. He at once ordered Viswakarma to construct a beautiful abode for himself, for the devas and for others.
He also suggested to the heavenly architect to build roads and erect a city around them. Indra, the king of the angels, desired to get his daughter Devayanai married to Subrahmanya, as a mark of his gratitude for relieving him and the devas from the depredations of the demon Surapadma.
He expressed his desire to Brahma and Vishnu who were present there. They were only too glad to hear the proposal. When they communicated the desire of Indra to Lord Subrahmanya he readily agreed to it and said: "Devayanai has been praying at Saravana Poigai in the Himalayas for this happy marriage. Now the time has come for its being solemnised." As Subrahmanya agreed to this marriage, Indra sent a messenger to bring his wife Indrani and daughter Devayanai from Mout Meru.
The marriage took place at Tirupparankunram, after the victory of Subrahmanya over Surapadma. All arrangements for marriage were made and the marriage was performed at the Tirupparankunram Temple. All the devas, Siva and Parvati attended the marriage and blessed Subrahmanya and Devayanai. Since then, the temple has become a very famous abode of Subrahmanya

MADURAI'S TRIBUTE TO GANDHIJI

2008-03-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

Gandhiji, during his visit to Madurai stayed in the residence of Sri Ramji Kalyanji, 175-A, West Masi Street, Madurai who respectfully invited him to his house, on 21.09.1921. During his stay there at night he was mentally agitated and worried to think of the various farmers and poor people on his way dressed in scarce cloths that is only a small towel like dhothi around the waist and were shivering with cold, while he was wearing long turbans khurtha and dhoties.
So overnight he took a decision that he should be a model to everyone and to dress in a simple manner like the peasants and poor people he witnessed in his journey to Madurai and he carried out this from the very next day itself. On 22-09-1921 (the next day) morning all were shocked to see him in his new pattern of dress and Gandhiji explained them about his decision and he followed this throughout his life. Then he attended the meetings in Madurai (The place now called as Gandhi Pottal) at 0700 hrs, explaining the reason for his new mode of dress.It was just because of this reason Gandhi Museum was established in madurai overlooking several other big cities after he was assasinated.
The building that houses of the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai is the historic Tamukkam Palace of Rani Mangammal of Nayak dynasty built about 1670 A.D. Later, this was made under the occupation of the Nawab of Carnatic, the East India Company and a few others. Finally, the palace had remained for many years as the official residence of the District Collector of Madurai. It was in the year 1955 that the palace with about 13 acres of land was gifted by the Tamilnadu state Government, to the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi for the purpose of housing Gandhi Memorial Museum

The Gandhi Memorial Museum is meant to be a living Institutions and not merely a building preserving and showing exhibits, however precious. It seeks to help an ever increasing number of people particularly the youth of the country to understand and to value the life, work and teachings of Gandhiji. Gandhi Memorial Museum also conducts an Educational Programme for the students of the Colleges and High Schools of Madurai City. They undergo a methodical one day study course of 7 hours duration, on the history of "Indian Freedom Movement" and on a brief study of "Gandhiji's life".

ALAGARKOIL,MADURAI

2008-03-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

When people talk about the city of madurai,the one place which overshadows allthe other is the much revered meenakshi temple.But there are many other temples in and around Madurai that are visited by tourists. One such temple is Alagarkoil. The term Alagarkoil actually means Alagar Temple.
Alagarkoil is located at a distance of about 21 km to the east of Madurai at the foot of the Alagar hills. According to history, Malayadvaja Paandian was the first patron of this temple. He was the son of Kulaseekara Paandian, the founder of the city of Madurai. Jaatavarman Sundara Paandian, ruler of Madurai in the period 1251-1270 is credited with gold plating the tower of the sanctum of Alagarkoil. The Naayakaa kings were great patrons of art and architecture. Alagarkoil was also highly patronized by them.
The presiding deity of Alagarkoil is Lord Vishnu. His stone idol is referred to as Kallalgar. There is a very interesting story in Hindu Mythology that is related to him. It is believed that Lord Vishnu visits Madurai in the human form of Alagar to get his sister Meenakshi married to Sundareswarar. He crosses the River Vaigai in a golden horse and this spectacular procession is attended by a large number of people with joyous enthusiasm each year.
According to the Mahabharata, Alagarkoil was visited both by Yudhistira and Arjuna. Statues of Kallalagar in different poses are to be found at Alagarkoil, Madurai . He is seen in seated, standing and reclining postures. Local inhabitants also refer to him as Soundarajan or beautiful king. There is a shrine within the premises of the Alagarkoil dedicated to Karuppa Swamy.
There are a total of 11 Mandapams or halls within the fortified walls of the Alagarkoil in Madurai . There are many ornamented pillars within the halls. They are rich in decorative details. It is rather unfortunate that mural paintings presently exist in only one of the Mandapams. These wall paintings in the Vasanta Mandapam are indeed very impressive. They depict scenes from the Ramayana. The yali or an imaginary lion like beast representing human passions that is to be sighted at the Alagarkoil temple Madurai exhibits intertwining trunks and is much akin to the one that is to be found at the Meenakshi temple.

JEWEL OF MADURAI

2008-03-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

"JI, ayiye. Khana, khana" (Sir, come on. Here is food"), says the youth clad in a red shirt, holding a plate of hot food in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. The face of the old man, which has visible signs of long years of suffering, lights up, child-like, on hearing this warm offer. Lifting his head from a reclining posture, he accepts the food, and raises his hand in a manner of blessing the giver. The scene is Bypass Road in Madurai. The food provider is N. Krishnan, a graduate in Hotel Management and Catering Science, who has taken upon himself the mission of feeding abandoned people - mentally unstable ones and destitutes.
The recent drive against beggars undertaken by the city police following an order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has spared the population of abandoned people. Yet the move has affected Krishnan's mission in a big way.
Donors, who used to contribute anything from Rs.10 to Rs.4,500, have withdrawn this gesture under the impression that Madurai's streets are bereft of the deprived.
Krishnan makes three trips a day in his van, donated by the Life Insurance Corporation of India, to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to about 200 people, including 50 women. Krishnan and three others cook the food.
The beneficiaries of Akshaya Trust, started by Krishnan in 2002, are not beggars. For them food or money means nothing. Some are able-bodied but many are on their last legs. For them, a garbage dump or even a sewage drain would have provided something to fill their stomachs. "I have seen people eat dead rats," he once told me.
Many of these abandoned people have lost their sense of identity. They cannot remember who they are or where they belong. Krishnan has a name for each of them. `China Bhai' (a person believed to have come from Nepal), `Ganapathi Ayya', `Dhamu Ayya', `Moorthy', `Manickam' and `Shailaja' are some of the identities he has provided for them. About 50 per cent of the destitutes are from North India. These people were perhaps brought by their families on a pilgrimage to southern Tamil Nadu and abandoned near temples.
Only one person among them is able to recollect that he is from Indore. Baburaj from Kozhikode in Kerala is a platform dweller on West Veli Street. An accident victim, he had nowhere to go after he was discharged from the Government Rajaji Hospital. The condition of abandoned women is a shame on the city. "I can only provide them food, not protection," says Krishnan.
Besides food, Krishnan carries a pair of scissors and a comb. He provides a hair cut for his "adopted family".
Krishnan confines his noble service to the Madurai Corporation limits although there are disadvantaged people roaming on the city's peripheries. As in life, their death is also not dignified. The bodies of the old and infirm are left on the roadside. Krishnan has performed the last rites of at least 12 persons so far.
The youth wants to create a rehabilitation home. He has purchased a four-acre plot with his own funds and donations provided by Infosys and T.V. Sundaram Iyengar and Sons. The blueprint for the Rs.45-lakh project is ready.

NETAJI ROAD-LIKE ROAMING IN THE STEETS

2008-03-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

Every time I feel its boring, I board the bus to periyar bus stand,madurai. I don't usually go alone. I take my friends or my cousin along with me.It takes about half an hour for me to reach the place from my home in the bus. Then I'd go straight to the palamuthircholai ( fruit juice shop) which is adjacent to the bus stand. An apple juice there costs around 15. Then we would just start walking along the netaji road which would lead us to meenakshi temple.I don't usually go to the temple along with friends. I go there only when im alone. We would just walk around the streets, sighting along the way. It may sound simple, but the thing is that the time would just fly away like anything. There is been a marked change in the road during the past 3 years. Big shops like joy alukkas and a subsidiary of chennai silks have setup their store along tis road. Since this road connects the temple with the western part of th city it is always buzzing with activities. Just take a look at the street and enjoy the experience

WEIRD.............

2008-03-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

To make your next 10 minutes more joyful,
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How was it??????????????

MY CITY!!!

2008-03-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

Madurai........ the name itself gives me very sweet memories. It was here that i was born and brought up. Until i was 17 i don't know the real history of this vibrant city nor its specials as i was brought up like tat. All i know was my home, my school and my tuition master's home. To make matters worse, all were located in the same area, nagamalai on the outskirts of the city. But once i entered the college things changed. The view of meenakshi temple, the first place that i visited on my own was simply awesome. I had gone there already but this time around the feel was completely different. The ambience of the temple gave me a kind of feeling which i have never experienced. I started going there once in a month not to worship but to simply get that feel. Wanna experience tat? Just take a stroll across to the temple

WEST MASI STREET IN MADURAI

2008-03-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

TIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE UNDER LIGHTS

2008-03-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

TIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE,MADURAI

2008-03-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE DURING A EVENING

2008-03-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

MADURAI'S PRIDE, MEENAKSHI TEMPLE

2008-03-13T22:45:00.000-07:00