Visited Royal Indianaa for the first time today and must say it was a pretty decent experience. A tandoori festival is going on currently titled "Chandigarh se Chennai Tak" where they claim to serve some of the best tandoori cuisine from the heart of the north. And true to the Punjabi culture and style , the buffet spread was gastronomical and lavish. Beleive it or not , this is the first time I'm witness to a place serving a truckload of 10 varieties of veg starters.
Well , here goes the list of starters :
1) Patiala ki Paneer Tikka
2) Multani Tandoori Gobhi
3) Lawrence Road ke Bhuthe
4) Aloo Khurmani ki Tikka
5) Dahi Bhalla
6) Potli Samosa
7) Chatkare Arbi
8) Sabziyon ki Khush Seekh
9) Kunbh Tawa Takatak
10) Moong Dal ke Vada
You might think the above list itself will more than satiate your hunger , but the main course is as giantly as this comprising of plethora of gravies - 2-3 types of Dal , Rajma , Paneer , Aloo , Bhindi , Bhaingan and what not. There are just too many things on the platter that you probably will never be able to really do justice to all the items and invariably you will listen to a cry from your stomach saying please stop , i am unable to digest the overload. :) They also offer unlimited Punjabi Lassi and a welcome drink of your choice - either a Kingfisher Beer or Fresh/canned juice. Also they have a few salad varieties comprising of Papdi chat et al which i couldn't try because of the already over indulgence of my tummy. A live counter with Chole Bhatoore and Pindi Chole too was part of the already elaborate spread. For Indian bread again , you had the option to choose from 3-4 different varieties. Also on the table was Pulao and the customary curd rice. Desserts too didn't want to be left behind offering you Gajar ki Halwa , Gulab Jamun , fresh fruits , ice cream , strawberry mousse , mango mousse , red velvet gateaux , some other couple of pastries etc.
You are totally spoilt for choice at this place and if you looking for sumptuousness , this is probably a go to place for Tandoori Veg. On the flip side , despite the majestically colossal spread , there wasn't any starter which stood apart leaving a lingering taste in your mouth craving for more. Ofcourse , you wouldn't say anything was bad but somehow felt that extra zing was missing.
The ambience is nice and the dim lights are ideal for gorging on this kind of Punjabi khana. The service too was pretty quick and they kept re-filling the starters and glasses at regular intervals.
The buffet is priced at INR 975 all inclusive on the weekends which you would perhaps say is decent for such a monstrous spread plus the fact that it has got a good ambience going and also being located in a star hotel. The hotel staff were however very magnanimous to additionally give us extra 20% discount on the bill.
This was my first dining at Royal Indiana and definitely it deserves a thumbs up for the overall experience.
With some minor tweaks like perhaps reducing the spread marginally and concentrating more on the toothsomeness , it can only tend to get better.
Definitely recommended !!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Chepauk 2001 - A great Missed Opportunity!
This day 13 years ago on 22nd March 2001 happened to be a Thursday and an unforgettable day in my life. It was the 5th and last day of the final test in the series between India and Australia and all roads pointed to an epic final day finish at Chepauk. The series was locked horns at 1 apiece in the series dubbed as "The Final Frontier" and it all came boiling down to that final day's play which would decide the outcome of one of the greatest test series ever played on Indian soil.
India was on top going into Day 5 but there was a certain Steve Waugh still there at the crease seeing through Day 4. The Aussies were 100 odd ahead with 7 down and everyone knew that if Waugh was castled early on Day 5, the game was there to be taken for India.
A bunch of us from Class X A - PS Senior Sec School had cut school the previous day and gone to witness the penultimate day's action and with the way match was placed and history beckoning, all of us again wanted to bunk and watch the final days play too. But then we got calls from fellow classmates on the 4th day evening saying the situation was serious in school and they were collecting fines and another day of absence will result in parents being called and given a severe warning. It was a big decision to take whether to go to Chepauk and watch history being created or go to school like typical chamathu P.S pasanga and avoid the consequences.
We came to school on the 5th day morning but our minds were still not in place and constantly deviating. It was '0' period and the teacher had still not come, we suddenly gathered courage and decided 'Let hell break loose' we will end up going for the match. And then we made our way till the P.S back gate to leave when it suddenly dawned upon us as to what will happen if someone complained that we all came to class and left for the match. There were always some Naradars :O.
I even now vividly remember the discussion we had in Gate 2 (Back Gate) and after speaking for couple of minutes we all disappointingly but unanimously decided to get back to class. In fact even after getting back to class, the teacher had still not come and there were semblances of hope once again to go back but it was too late.
And then History happened...
Waugh was dismissed early on Day 5 and India quickly wrapped up the tail requiring just 155 to win. Then there was a mini stutter as you always expect with India as they started losing quick wickets. Laxman however was again standing between the Aussies ticking along and taking India to safety. As I was about to leave school for the day, I heard in the transistor (no cell phones back then) that Laxman was caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh with India still needing 20 to win. And then just as I reached home, I entered with the news that Sameer Dighe and the series superstar Harbhajan Singh had taken India to victory and I was just in time to witness the presentation ceremony.
Chepauk was buzzing with excitement and there were scenes of euphoria all round. India had staged a remarkable comeback which all started on Day 4 of the Eden Gardens test which culminated and reached the pinnacle on Day 5 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium. India had won perhaps the greatest test series ever played in its cricketing history.
Looking back now, there is still a tinge of disappointment and resentment. In hindsight wondering how amazing it would have been had we got the courage on that eventful day to go ahead with our plan and be part of the Chepauk crowd who got to witness history. It would have made the memories fonder and also contributed to a much better and more daring story.
In the end, a small chickening act put paid hopes of creating our own slice of cricketing history. Just only wish there is a time machine to go back in history and re-write the past :)
India was on top going into Day 5 but there was a certain Steve Waugh still there at the crease seeing through Day 4. The Aussies were 100 odd ahead with 7 down and everyone knew that if Waugh was castled early on Day 5, the game was there to be taken for India.
A bunch of us from Class X A - PS Senior Sec School had cut school the previous day and gone to witness the penultimate day's action and with the way match was placed and history beckoning, all of us again wanted to bunk and watch the final days play too. But then we got calls from fellow classmates on the 4th day evening saying the situation was serious in school and they were collecting fines and another day of absence will result in parents being called and given a severe warning. It was a big decision to take whether to go to Chepauk and watch history being created or go to school like typical chamathu P.S pasanga and avoid the consequences.
We came to school on the 5th day morning but our minds were still not in place and constantly deviating. It was '0' period and the teacher had still not come, we suddenly gathered courage and decided 'Let hell break loose' we will end up going for the match. And then we made our way till the P.S back gate to leave when it suddenly dawned upon us as to what will happen if someone complained that we all came to class and left for the match. There were always some Naradars :O.
I even now vividly remember the discussion we had in Gate 2 (Back Gate) and after speaking for couple of minutes we all disappointingly but unanimously decided to get back to class. In fact even after getting back to class, the teacher had still not come and there were semblances of hope once again to go back but it was too late.
And then History happened...
Waugh was dismissed early on Day 5 and India quickly wrapped up the tail requiring just 155 to win. Then there was a mini stutter as you always expect with India as they started losing quick wickets. Laxman however was again standing between the Aussies ticking along and taking India to safety. As I was about to leave school for the day, I heard in the transistor (no cell phones back then) that Laxman was caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh with India still needing 20 to win. And then just as I reached home, I entered with the news that Sameer Dighe and the series superstar Harbhajan Singh had taken India to victory and I was just in time to witness the presentation ceremony.
Chepauk was buzzing with excitement and there were scenes of euphoria all round. India had staged a remarkable comeback which all started on Day 4 of the Eden Gardens test which culminated and reached the pinnacle on Day 5 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium. India had won perhaps the greatest test series ever played in its cricketing history.
Looking back now, there is still a tinge of disappointment and resentment. In hindsight wondering how amazing it would have been had we got the courage on that eventful day to go ahead with our plan and be part of the Chepauk crowd who got to witness history. It would have made the memories fonder and also contributed to a much better and more daring story.
In the end, a small chickening act put paid hopes of creating our own slice of cricketing history. Just only wish there is a time machine to go back in history and re-write the past :)
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Truly Goosebumpy Raajaish Moments !!
A myriad of emotions are experienced when listening to IlaiyaRaaja songs.
Some of the feelings you get are innermost to your senses and so deep that it is really hard to describe them in words.
I often tend to think Goosebumps has become a very common and often over rated word and generally used at will to describe different feelings.
I myself am guilty on occassions but there are portions/parts in certain songs which makes you inexplicably get a Namalukku Ariyamalaye Vara feel.
Somehow more than the musically histrionic numbers , it is those simple folkish songs mostly in 3 beat cycle which gives that உணர்ச்சி.
Here are some of my truly Goosebumpy Raaja moments :
1) Oorelaam Un Paattu Dhaan - Oorelaam Un Paattu
Am a big fan of Swarnalatha's version of this song. There is so much of soul ingrained all over this number that you just can't help but falling in love with it..Especially that Charanam portion when she renders 'Aalam Vizhudhugal Pole Aadum Ninaivugal Pole' with the violins backing up in arrangement , pppppaaaaahhhhh that’s all you want to say.
2) Thaana Vandha Sandhaname - Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu
Another folkish beauty based on the Karaharapriya scale , this one is a total stunner every way you look at it ..The way the word "Thaana" is illuthified giving such a nice variation and the heavenly violins in the 1st interlude is complete Pularippu..
But the truly defining moment is in the Charanam area when SPB renders 'கொத்துமல்லி கொண்டையிலாட குளிர் பார்வை வண்டுகளாட
புத்தம் புது செண்டுகளாட புது தாகம் தோணுமே' - what an impact he generates by traversing from one octave to another twice back and forth (Ri--->Ri , Ni---->Ni) , totally out of the skin singing by Balu leaving you stumped.
3) Kuyil Paattu - En Rasavin Manasule
Another Swarnalatha favourite folkish number based on the monstrous Shivaranjini.Here the sound of the flute feels like the chirping of the birds. The true moment of reckoning arrives during the portion 'mannavanum pOgum paadhaiyil vaasamulla malligaippoo meththai virippaen'
You just feel this line appears suddenly out of the blue and parallelly with the violins at the background communicating the desired emotion leaves you with a lump in your heart. Totally unexpected and out of the box.
4) Raasave Unnai Nambi - Mudhal Mariyadhai
Example of feel good is defined in this song .. Avalo oru mey marandha feel kudukkum indha paattu. Janaki Amma kudukara feele thani .. Edho pannum especially andha portion 'Unakke vachirukken moochu Ethukku intha kadhi aachu' giving the perfect tranquil ambience.
5) Indha Maan - Karagatakkaran
Personal favourite - a song which transports you to another world. Vayathu ellaam kalakkum when the violins are injected in the first interlude Uchchathukku pora feel when Raaja sings 'anname ahhhh (alaap) anname endhan swarname' adhukku mela additionally oru violins movement apdiye vera ulagam koindu poyidum that very moment.
6) Malligaiye Malligaiye - Periya Veetu Panakkaran
A song very close to my heart - thaana oru palpable excitement varum whenever I listen to it. The starting violins tell you whats in store and the portions that follow just blows you away.
However the defining moment of awesomeness happens during the takeover of the flute in the first interlude , the way it carries the interlude on top of the Tabla rhythm and leads towards the Charanam is simply mesmerising. Napolean sir at his real best , this bit just makes you jump with joy. Used to have this bit as my ringtone - Sarasangi Bliss
Ringtone :
https://soundcloud.com/skrajiv/malligaiye-flute-interlude
Song :
7) Madhurai Maarikozhundhu Vaasam - Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran
A feeling of துள்ளல் comes in whenever you listen to this song making you sway away to the quintessential Ta Ki Ta rhythm.
What a delight it is to listen to the violins unfurl briefly before being subjected to the introduction of Shehnai piece suddenly giving a totally different color and again paving way for the violins to finish off in style.
Then comes the Charanam and when you feel the song to be moving in one direction , a sudden burst of energy is witnessed when Chitra renders 'vettu adhu unakku mattum dhaanaa' going on a full throttle jump forward to the next octave giving such a wonderful rippling effect making you feel relished.
8 ) Maanguyile Poonguyile - Karagatakkaaran
Speaking of folk , one just cannot ignore the gargantuan Maanguyile .. Eppo indha paattu ketaalum oru thani sugam.
The employment of flute , violins , Nadaswaram , Thavil etc make it a grand orchestral spectacle but not for a moment does it compromise on the soul of the song which is truly rustic and native.These are things which mind boggle you about Raaja as to how he paints the perfect caricature in his own inimitable style according to the desired setting not diluting the essence at the slightest.
The most bamboozling part of this song however is the twist in the Charanam when SPB sings 'yaereduththu paaththu yemmaa neereduththu ooththu' - where a new note (Periya Gandharam) is introduced for the first time creating an unexpected sparkling chiaroscura making you completely bedazzled.
This note is not introduced till that part and when it is what a marvellous transmogrification it brings to the table enhancing the song to an alltogether different level.
9) Shenbagame Shenbagame - Enga Ooru Paattukkaran
This song in Sindhu Bhairavi ragam is inundated , soaked and embellished completely with soul in abundance , just the initial Alaap by Asha Bhosle gives such a magical feel and on top of it the portions of flute resonate and the violins tug at your heart strings stirring your emotions.
When Ashaji finishes the Charanam by singing 'ennoda pattu satham serum unna pinnale eppodhum unnathottu paadaporen munnale' , such an ineffable feel is generated making you truly lost for words.
10) Un Paarvaiyil - Amman Kovil Kizhakaale
Ennavo oru power irukku indha paattula , every next time you listen the more you tend to fall in love with it.
Raaja dumbfounds by taking a Hindustani based scale for a village setting and the output he creates is simply bewitching and breathtaking.
Every part of the song just makes you go bonkers but if you have to pick that one hair raising moment it is that flute portion in the second interlude.It just automatically brings a smile to your face and you just don't know what to say but if you have to describe this beauty in a single word maybe you can say its supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Another flute bit i pride on having as a ringtone.
Ringtone :
https://soundcloud.com/skrajiv/un-paarvaiyil-oraayiram-flute
Song :
Its unbeleivable to think how Raaja impacts and transcends our lives by churning out songs which truly touch the soul.
He is not just a composer but a Vaggeyakara and a rare breed.
Whether one is a Pati Thotti Rasigan or a musical connoisseur , Raaja connects everyone through his soul infusing music.
There is that amazing power in his music which just makes you forget yourself and be completely hypnotised to his music.
And thats precisely the most significant reason which makes his music truly special and in a league of its own.
#RaajaConnect #Goosebumpy
Some of the feelings you get are innermost to your senses and so deep that it is really hard to describe them in words.
I often tend to think Goosebumps has become a very common and often over rated word and generally used at will to describe different feelings.
I myself am guilty on occassions but there are portions/parts in certain songs which makes you inexplicably get a Namalukku Ariyamalaye Vara feel.
Somehow more than the musically histrionic numbers , it is those simple folkish songs mostly in 3 beat cycle which gives that உணர்ச்சி.
Here are some of my truly Goosebumpy Raaja moments :
1) Oorelaam Un Paattu Dhaan - Oorelaam Un Paattu
Am a big fan of Swarnalatha's version of this song. There is so much of soul ingrained all over this number that you just can't help but falling in love with it..Especially that Charanam portion when she renders 'Aalam Vizhudhugal Pole Aadum Ninaivugal Pole' with the violins backing up in arrangement , pppppaaaaahhhhh that’s all you want to say.
2) Thaana Vandha Sandhaname - Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu
Another folkish beauty based on the Karaharapriya scale , this one is a total stunner every way you look at it ..The way the word "Thaana" is illuthified giving such a nice variation and the heavenly violins in the 1st interlude is complete Pularippu..
But the truly defining moment is in the Charanam area when SPB renders 'கொத்துமல்லி கொண்டையிலாட குளிர் பார்வை வண்டுகளாட
புத்தம் புது செண்டுகளாட புது தாகம் தோணுமே' - what an impact he generates by traversing from one octave to another twice back and forth (Ri--->Ri , Ni---->Ni) , totally out of the skin singing by Balu leaving you stumped.
3) Kuyil Paattu - En Rasavin Manasule
Another Swarnalatha favourite folkish number based on the monstrous Shivaranjini.Here the sound of the flute feels like the chirping of the birds. The true moment of reckoning arrives during the portion 'mannavanum pOgum paadhaiyil vaasamulla malligaippoo meththai virippaen'
You just feel this line appears suddenly out of the blue and parallelly with the violins at the background communicating the desired emotion leaves you with a lump in your heart. Totally unexpected and out of the box.
4) Raasave Unnai Nambi - Mudhal Mariyadhai
Example of feel good is defined in this song .. Avalo oru mey marandha feel kudukkum indha paattu. Janaki Amma kudukara feele thani .. Edho pannum especially andha portion 'Unakke vachirukken moochu Ethukku intha kadhi aachu' giving the perfect tranquil ambience.
5) Indha Maan - Karagatakkaran
Personal favourite - a song which transports you to another world. Vayathu ellaam kalakkum when the violins are injected in the first interlude Uchchathukku pora feel when Raaja sings 'anname ahhhh (alaap) anname endhan swarname' adhukku mela additionally oru violins movement apdiye vera ulagam koindu poyidum that very moment.
6) Malligaiye Malligaiye - Periya Veetu Panakkaran
A song very close to my heart - thaana oru palpable excitement varum whenever I listen to it. The starting violins tell you whats in store and the portions that follow just blows you away.
However the defining moment of awesomeness happens during the takeover of the flute in the first interlude , the way it carries the interlude on top of the Tabla rhythm and leads towards the Charanam is simply mesmerising. Napolean sir at his real best , this bit just makes you jump with joy. Used to have this bit as my ringtone - Sarasangi Bliss
Ringtone :
https://soundcloud.com/skrajiv/malligaiye-flute-interlude
Song :
7) Madhurai Maarikozhundhu Vaasam - Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran
A feeling of துள்ளல் comes in whenever you listen to this song making you sway away to the quintessential Ta Ki Ta rhythm.
What a delight it is to listen to the violins unfurl briefly before being subjected to the introduction of Shehnai piece suddenly giving a totally different color and again paving way for the violins to finish off in style.
Then comes the Charanam and when you feel the song to be moving in one direction , a sudden burst of energy is witnessed when Chitra renders 'vettu adhu unakku mattum dhaanaa' going on a full throttle jump forward to the next octave giving such a wonderful rippling effect making you feel relished.
8 ) Maanguyile Poonguyile - Karagatakkaaran
Speaking of folk , one just cannot ignore the gargantuan Maanguyile .. Eppo indha paattu ketaalum oru thani sugam.
The employment of flute , violins , Nadaswaram , Thavil etc make it a grand orchestral spectacle but not for a moment does it compromise on the soul of the song which is truly rustic and native.These are things which mind boggle you about Raaja as to how he paints the perfect caricature in his own inimitable style according to the desired setting not diluting the essence at the slightest.
The most bamboozling part of this song however is the twist in the Charanam when SPB sings 'yaereduththu paaththu yemmaa neereduththu ooththu' - where a new note (Periya Gandharam) is introduced for the first time creating an unexpected sparkling chiaroscura making you completely bedazzled.
This note is not introduced till that part and when it is what a marvellous transmogrification it brings to the table enhancing the song to an alltogether different level.
9) Shenbagame Shenbagame - Enga Ooru Paattukkaran
This song in Sindhu Bhairavi ragam is inundated , soaked and embellished completely with soul in abundance , just the initial Alaap by Asha Bhosle gives such a magical feel and on top of it the portions of flute resonate and the violins tug at your heart strings stirring your emotions.
When Ashaji finishes the Charanam by singing 'ennoda pattu satham serum unna pinnale eppodhum unnathottu paadaporen munnale' , such an ineffable feel is generated making you truly lost for words.
10) Un Paarvaiyil - Amman Kovil Kizhakaale
Ennavo oru power irukku indha paattula , every next time you listen the more you tend to fall in love with it.
Raaja dumbfounds by taking a Hindustani based scale for a village setting and the output he creates is simply bewitching and breathtaking.
Every part of the song just makes you go bonkers but if you have to pick that one hair raising moment it is that flute portion in the second interlude.It just automatically brings a smile to your face and you just don't know what to say but if you have to describe this beauty in a single word maybe you can say its supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Another flute bit i pride on having as a ringtone.
Ringtone :
https://soundcloud.com/skrajiv/un-paarvaiyil-oraayiram-flute
Song :
Its unbeleivable to think how Raaja impacts and transcends our lives by churning out songs which truly touch the soul.
He is not just a composer but a Vaggeyakara and a rare breed.
Whether one is a Pati Thotti Rasigan or a musical connoisseur , Raaja connects everyone through his soul infusing music.
There is that amazing power in his music which just makes you forget yourself and be completely hypnotised to his music.
And thats precisely the most significant reason which makes his music truly special and in a league of its own.
#RaajaConnect #Goosebumpy
Saturday, March 15, 2014
"Vaayai Moodi Pesanum" - A refreshingly different album
Not really a fan of most of the stuff dished out in Tamil Film Music but this new album "Vaayai Moodi Pesanum" by the amazingly talented Sean Roldan is such a welcome change.
Have been hooked on ever since i lent my ears to it.
The Beediya Kelappu Jazz theme is so wacky and those sax movements are such a delight to hear and it gels so well with the funky rhythm and is instantly likeable. Kadhal Ara Onnu is a fantastic rock based composition and reminds a bit of his very own Mayakkara Poo Vaasam.Maatra Paravaiyo shows the class of the Chennai Orchestra and so does Mr Fixit theme which also comprises of some stupendous chromatic passages.
Podhum Nee Ini Varundhadhe is an absolute stunner rendered wonderfully by Haricharan , the harmony is amazing and the way the chorus is employed enhances the song to an all together different level.The out of the box interlude and the usage of fillers add a fine freeflowing touch to the composition.
Shut Up Vaaya Moodu Pesadhe is such a fun song having some crazy lyrics giving a real kick and also leaving a smile on your face. The sound of silence is another theme piece showcasing the repertoire and skill of the young composer.
And to top it , Udaigiren Udaigiren is a nice breezy melody accompanied by some lovely guitar strumming.
Vaayai Moodi Pesanum (VMP) is refreshing , different and uber-cool. Its overall a fabulous package interweaving different genres and producing the desired concoction thus giving the listener a great musical experience. Raghavendra Raja (RR) also known as Sean Roldan makes a rollicking debut as a Tamil film Music Director making a statement with his brand of music. Here's hoping for a new revolution in TFM.
Online Link for listening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmdhZNZcQZ4&list=PLnO8uDr9uT6FZZjavkO87Oe3bA2YSFiSl
Have been hooked on ever since i lent my ears to it.
The Beediya Kelappu Jazz theme is so wacky and those sax movements are such a delight to hear and it gels so well with the funky rhythm and is instantly likeable. Kadhal Ara Onnu is a fantastic rock based composition and reminds a bit of his very own Mayakkara Poo Vaasam.Maatra Paravaiyo shows the class of the Chennai Orchestra and so does Mr Fixit theme which also comprises of some stupendous chromatic passages.
Podhum Nee Ini Varundhadhe is an absolute stunner rendered wonderfully by Haricharan , the harmony is amazing and the way the chorus is employed enhances the song to an all together different level.The out of the box interlude and the usage of fillers add a fine freeflowing touch to the composition.
Shut Up Vaaya Moodu Pesadhe is such a fun song having some crazy lyrics giving a real kick and also leaving a smile on your face. The sound of silence is another theme piece showcasing the repertoire and skill of the young composer.
And to top it , Udaigiren Udaigiren is a nice breezy melody accompanied by some lovely guitar strumming.
Vaayai Moodi Pesanum (VMP) is refreshing , different and uber-cool. Its overall a fabulous package interweaving different genres and producing the desired concoction thus giving the listener a great musical experience. Raghavendra Raja (RR) also known as Sean Roldan makes a rollicking debut as a Tamil film Music Director making a statement with his brand of music. Here's hoping for a new revolution in TFM.
Online Link for listening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmdhZNZcQZ4&list=PLnO8uDr9uT6FZZjavkO87Oe3bA2YSFiSl
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Revisiting Nostalgia - A Blast from the Past !!
Rewinding the clock back 10 years to this day 13th March 2004.
Reviving Memoirs of an epic cricketing encounter between India and Pakistan.
The Indian Cricket team had been given the go ahead by the Government to tour Pakistan after almost 15 years. Sachin was going back to the place where he made his debut as a diminutive young precocious 16 year old. No Indian or Pakistani cricketer barring Tendulkar had been part of the earlier 1989 tour. The entire country was waiting with bated breath for the series to get underway.
It was a blockbuster in the making and we were all privy to the fact that we were going to witness an historic epoch-making series between the 2 arch rivals.
On the other side of the fence, we were facing our 12th CBSE Board exams which criss-crossed right in between the epicness of epochness which was unfolding at the other end.I wrote my Mathematics Board exam a couple of days ago and was extremely agitated and gutted at myself that I wasn't able to perform as well as I had hoped for. :( It was the subject I was banking on the most but alas it didn't go exactly as I thought , the reactions in the house were para va illa do try to make up by doing better in the other subjects.Surely doing well in the Board exams were in the back of the mind but definitely not at the expense of missing out Indo Pak cricket knowing especially well that the whole world would be glued to their television sets.Decided on a cheap confluencing deal with myself as to how I will watch the cricket and also study parallelly by taking even breaks between both and not getting distracted by either. Of course there was no doubt about the former. :)
And then the real action unfolded on a Saturday morning with the 1st of 5 One Day Internationals played at Karachi. Inzy won the toss and inserted India in. Viru and Sachin got India off to a great start with especially the former in a bull dozing mood flaying the hapless Paki bowlers to all corners of the ground. Especially remember the burly Rana Naved Ul Hasan getting royally murdered by the assassin from Delhi.It was one of the first instances where we go to witness the Nawab of Najafgarh in such a ruthless pile driving mode and in years to come he made Pakistan eat humble pie many a time through his unflinching onslaughts.By the time Sehwag went after belting a whirlwind 79 , Ind had reached close to 150 and were going at almost 10 runs an over. Thoughts of a monumental score crossed the mind.
However the initial momentum sunk and the pace of scoring deteriorated. Rahul Dravid was playing the rearguard anchor innings slowly but steadily taking India to a score of great proportion.It was agonising to see him get castled by a Shoaib Akhtar slow ball for a perilous 99 , (only a single bail had fallen down :() but he had done his job and took India to a commanding total of 349 from their 50 overs.A very high score in those days and perhaps even now. Also the fact that no team had chased 350 before in the history of the game. (Ironically exactly almost 2 yrs hence on 12th March 2006 , South Africa chased down an improbable score of 434 to gun down the Aussies).
Pakistan then began faultily losing 2 quick wickets but then it was the stiching together of a great partnership between the 2 veterans - Mohd. Yousuf (the erstwhile Yousuf Youhana) and Inzamam Ul Haq.Yousuf fell after a well made half century but Inzy continued on his merry way tormenting the Indian bowlers. He was belligerent yet so effortless in the way he made his century.It looked like curtains for India if they didn't get Inzy out soon. And then it happened - Dravid the keeper snapped up a catch off Karthik to end a remarkable innings.
Now the match was neck to neck and it was totally game on. The match was swinging fortunes from one end to another and it was unbearable to watch. Just when you thought India was on top , out came Abdur Razzaq who smashed a few lusty blows to again put Pakis on the ascendancy. And when Razzaq was dismissed, you still had the dangerous Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik who generally take pride in these kind of situations. However when the match was reaching a crescendo , Mohd Kaif leaped across almost air borne avoiding collision with another fielder to pull off a superlative catch to dismiss Shoaib Malik.It was the catch of the match and coming at such a crucial pressure situation , it did really sap up not only the cricketers spirits but also the fans in believing that India could still pull this off. And then the equation narrowed down to 9 runs off the final over , there were discussions on who was to bowl the final over and out came Ashish Nehra. He kept his cool and delivered a series of accurate yorker length deliveries not giving enough room to clear for the Pakistani batsman. It finally boiled down to 6 runs off the final ball.
The intensity was electrifying and the tension of an unyielding proposition. Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan , Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were at the ground. Javed Miandad the man who hit that infamous six off the last ball off Chetan Sharma all those years ago was voicing out his opinion as coach from the dressing room.I had read and heard about that ill fated acrimonious day in Indian cricket and the last thing I wanted was to see a similar experience getting re-captured all over again.
And then landed that final delivery , it was a low full toss not a great ball by any stretch of imagination but thankfully Moin played the shot too early not getting enough power thus scooping the ball to Zaheer to take a simple catch. There were celebrations all around and also a great sense of relief. India came out of a great escape.
It was a great game of cricket and justified all the initial hype and euphoria surrounding the series.
India went on to win the ODI series 3-2 and also the test series thereafter 2-1.
Its unthinkable and unbelievable to recall that a decade has passed since this game of cricket.
Certain imprints of the game remain truly etched and impregnated in the mind even now. Some days are truly unforgettable and the 13th of March 2004 bears a true testimony to this fact. 10 years is a long time but even now looking back at all the backdrop events surrounding the game, the high octane on and off field events and savouring all those goosebumpy moments makes this date 13th March 2004 and cricket match between India and Pakistan all the more special and nostalgic.
Scorecard : http://www.espncricinfo.com/.../current/match/64880.html
Report : http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/139999.html
Reviving Memoirs of an epic cricketing encounter between India and Pakistan.
The Indian Cricket team had been given the go ahead by the Government to tour Pakistan after almost 15 years. Sachin was going back to the place where he made his debut as a diminutive young precocious 16 year old. No Indian or Pakistani cricketer barring Tendulkar had been part of the earlier 1989 tour. The entire country was waiting with bated breath for the series to get underway.
It was a blockbuster in the making and we were all privy to the fact that we were going to witness an historic epoch-making series between the 2 arch rivals.
On the other side of the fence, we were facing our 12th CBSE Board exams which criss-crossed right in between the epicness of epochness which was unfolding at the other end.I wrote my Mathematics Board exam a couple of days ago and was extremely agitated and gutted at myself that I wasn't able to perform as well as I had hoped for. :( It was the subject I was banking on the most but alas it didn't go exactly as I thought , the reactions in the house were para va illa do try to make up by doing better in the other subjects.Surely doing well in the Board exams were in the back of the mind but definitely not at the expense of missing out Indo Pak cricket knowing especially well that the whole world would be glued to their television sets.Decided on a cheap confluencing deal with myself as to how I will watch the cricket and also study parallelly by taking even breaks between both and not getting distracted by either. Of course there was no doubt about the former. :)
And then the real action unfolded on a Saturday morning with the 1st of 5 One Day Internationals played at Karachi. Inzy won the toss and inserted India in. Viru and Sachin got India off to a great start with especially the former in a bull dozing mood flaying the hapless Paki bowlers to all corners of the ground. Especially remember the burly Rana Naved Ul Hasan getting royally murdered by the assassin from Delhi.It was one of the first instances where we go to witness the Nawab of Najafgarh in such a ruthless pile driving mode and in years to come he made Pakistan eat humble pie many a time through his unflinching onslaughts.By the time Sehwag went after belting a whirlwind 79 , Ind had reached close to 150 and were going at almost 10 runs an over. Thoughts of a monumental score crossed the mind.
However the initial momentum sunk and the pace of scoring deteriorated. Rahul Dravid was playing the rearguard anchor innings slowly but steadily taking India to a score of great proportion.It was agonising to see him get castled by a Shoaib Akhtar slow ball for a perilous 99 , (only a single bail had fallen down :() but he had done his job and took India to a commanding total of 349 from their 50 overs.A very high score in those days and perhaps even now. Also the fact that no team had chased 350 before in the history of the game. (Ironically exactly almost 2 yrs hence on 12th March 2006 , South Africa chased down an improbable score of 434 to gun down the Aussies).
Pakistan then began faultily losing 2 quick wickets but then it was the stiching together of a great partnership between the 2 veterans - Mohd. Yousuf (the erstwhile Yousuf Youhana) and Inzamam Ul Haq.Yousuf fell after a well made half century but Inzy continued on his merry way tormenting the Indian bowlers. He was belligerent yet so effortless in the way he made his century.It looked like curtains for India if they didn't get Inzy out soon. And then it happened - Dravid the keeper snapped up a catch off Karthik to end a remarkable innings.
Now the match was neck to neck and it was totally game on. The match was swinging fortunes from one end to another and it was unbearable to watch. Just when you thought India was on top , out came Abdur Razzaq who smashed a few lusty blows to again put Pakis on the ascendancy. And when Razzaq was dismissed, you still had the dangerous Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik who generally take pride in these kind of situations. However when the match was reaching a crescendo , Mohd Kaif leaped across almost air borne avoiding collision with another fielder to pull off a superlative catch to dismiss Shoaib Malik.It was the catch of the match and coming at such a crucial pressure situation , it did really sap up not only the cricketers spirits but also the fans in believing that India could still pull this off. And then the equation narrowed down to 9 runs off the final over , there were discussions on who was to bowl the final over and out came Ashish Nehra. He kept his cool and delivered a series of accurate yorker length deliveries not giving enough room to clear for the Pakistani batsman. It finally boiled down to 6 runs off the final ball.
The intensity was electrifying and the tension of an unyielding proposition. Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan , Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were at the ground. Javed Miandad the man who hit that infamous six off the last ball off Chetan Sharma all those years ago was voicing out his opinion as coach from the dressing room.I had read and heard about that ill fated acrimonious day in Indian cricket and the last thing I wanted was to see a similar experience getting re-captured all over again.
And then landed that final delivery , it was a low full toss not a great ball by any stretch of imagination but thankfully Moin played the shot too early not getting enough power thus scooping the ball to Zaheer to take a simple catch. There were celebrations all around and also a great sense of relief. India came out of a great escape.
It was a great game of cricket and justified all the initial hype and euphoria surrounding the series.
India went on to win the ODI series 3-2 and also the test series thereafter 2-1.
Its unthinkable and unbelievable to recall that a decade has passed since this game of cricket.
Certain imprints of the game remain truly etched and impregnated in the mind even now. Some days are truly unforgettable and the 13th of March 2004 bears a true testimony to this fact. 10 years is a long time but even now looking back at all the backdrop events surrounding the game, the high octane on and off field events and savouring all those goosebumpy moments makes this date 13th March 2004 and cricket match between India and Pakistan all the more special and nostalgic.
Scorecard : http://www.espncricinfo.com/.../current/match/64880.html
Report : http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/139999.html
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Rain (மழை) Connection !!
I recently happened to listen to this gem of a song rendered by Asha Bhosle and put to tune by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja viz "Mazhai Megam" from "Sakkarai Pandhal" and my mind immediately correlated to the popular "Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu" from Raja Kaiya Vacha.
I just couldn't help but understanding the analogy of the 2 songs
Mazhai Megam somehow looks like a pre-runner to the immensely successful Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.
Some interesting analogies between both these songs :
1) They both are based on the theme of Rain (மழை).
2) Both the songs begin with a lovely Aalaap.
3) Both have an underlying Hindustani undertone.
4) Both are based on the same Raga "Bhageshri".
5) Infact in both the songs , the first 4 swaras are Sa Ri Ga Ma.
But despite the imminent similarities , somehow the song Mazhai Megam happens to be rare and not often listened as compared to its illustrious counterpart Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.
But hey when you think of it, aren't there enough brilliant Raaja songs which haven't got its due because of some or other reason. Perhaps this is just one more to the list. Am thankful however for discovering this serenely delightful beauty of a composition.
Mazhai Megham - Sakkarai Panthaal (The rare beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpKvVrwPGmc
Mazhai Varudhu - Raja Kaiya Vacha (The evergreen beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiMy6ZYYBDQ
I just couldn't help but understanding the analogy of the 2 songs
Mazhai Megam somehow looks like a pre-runner to the immensely successful Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.
Some interesting analogies between both these songs :
1) They both are based on the theme of Rain (மழை).
2) Both the songs begin with a lovely Aalaap.
3) Both have an underlying Hindustani undertone.
4) Both are based on the same Raga "Bhageshri".
5) Infact in both the songs , the first 4 swaras are Sa Ri Ga Ma.
But despite the imminent similarities , somehow the song Mazhai Megam happens to be rare and not often listened as compared to its illustrious counterpart Mazhai Varudhu Mazhai Varudhu.
But hey when you think of it, aren't there enough brilliant Raaja songs which haven't got its due because of some or other reason. Perhaps this is just one more to the list. Am thankful however for discovering this serenely delightful beauty of a composition.
Mazhai Megham - Sakkarai Panthaal (The rare beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpKvVrwPGmc
Mazhai Varudhu - Raja Kaiya Vacha (The evergreen beauty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiMy6ZYYBDQ
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