Hot …hotter…hottest!!
Published March 15, 2010 | 
This blog is not about the sizzling ramp shows and glamour girls of Hollywood as the title might imply;).It is about the scorching summers and soaring mercury at Kerala, which is somewhat uncharacteristic to this region. Sun burn and sun stroke has become the order the day with more people reporting sun burn related incidents by the day. At 42 degree, Palakkad has been the hottest of the lot and the city administration has revised working hours for daily wagers who will be toiling out in the open, to reduce the risks of exposure. People are trying to cope up with this phenomenon by keeping themselves well hydrated and keeping off the open spaces between 1-3 PM when the sun rays fall vertically on the ground. Apart from eating fresh fruits and drinking lots of water, people are advised to wear hats and goggles to protect the sensitive parts of the body.
As they say, in every crisis there is cash and traders have come up with novel ideas to beat the heat. Umbrella makers who have been sending lots of white umbrella exclusively to the gulf to beat the desert heat has found a thriving market at their door step. There are many takers for these albino versions of their black cousins, which have been reigning this state for eons of years. Made from specially made imported cloth, these umbrellas can shield you from the harmful rays of the sun and the blistering heat around. The wayside vendors too have set up stalls selling watermelon, lemonade, buttermilk, sugar cane juice and more and are doing brisk business.
With the summer showers still keeping off the scene, the situation continues to be alarming. The power situation is bleak and a power cut is the last thing that Keralites would like to happen at this juncture. Till the monsoon breaks loose at June, which is still two full months away, we are all destined to sweat and fret at the scorching heat outside. The irony is that , every time you switch on your air conditioner, you are only adding up to the global warming, which will further push up the earth temperature. So, try to put a stop somewhere so that there is a way out from this vicious circle. Let there be more trees on the avenues, more cycles on the road and let us try to reduce, recycle and use the natural resources sensibly- that is the only way to ensure a better tomorrow for all living beings!
Malayalam Superstars out to ruin cinema
Published March 12, 2010 | Wow! Malayalam film industry have superstars too, heavy, bulky, talented and of course aging superstars. These superstars refuse to accept the fact that its time out for them so they pave way for younger lots. The industry is always in news for all reason except cinema. This time it is about ego.
Wondering when was the last time the industry delivered a movie worth mentioning. Malayalam film once considered to be of world-class is today gasping. Their very own superstars are out to gag the industry to death just to keep their ego. A strange tryst is going on; the superstars along with their cronies are after a veteran actor Thilakan for his blood. The reason, Mr. Thilakan spurned venom and showed guts to speak about the way industry are taken into ransom by these aging stars.
They say Mr. Thilakan, is an arrogant old man, who is insane, physically weak and frustrated and seeks attention. Those who say this will not deny the fact that Mr. Thilakan is a fine actor and has equally contributed to the success of many movies that had the above superstars.
There is no point talking about what led to this stink in the industry involving the superstars, because it is a silly issue, it is all about ego. Ask them and all will give huge statements, but none have done a close introspection as to why in Kerala they need so many Unions in movie making unlike in other parts of the country.
The superstars are insecure and they tame fans association who act like goons. C’mon what are you trying to prove. We have seen better and bigger stars in India and they are generous, take for example Big B, Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi, Kamal Hasan, Nagarjuna etc., and while they are still active you see so many younger faces too, and don’t forget they are more popular than you and have bigger fan clubs that act like PR and not hooligans.
Why not follow the Live and let live policy, for the sake of the industry, for the sake of Cinema. Just, closing your eyes doesn’t mean no one is watching you, get your act together. Accept the fact that there is a problem; the so called superstars should get the insecurity thing out before they are thrown out, they should generate feel good factor. Accept the fact that there are few takers for your movies now and you need to do better.
The typical malayalee hypocrisy, these stars are no different. They need to accept the fact that like Mr. Thilakan physically they are also growing old and it puts lot of pressure on the technicians to keep them shining. The growing popularity of Bollywood, Hollywood and Tollywood in Kerala says something else. Sit down and think, what could be the reason for the low turnout of audience for your movies and Malayalam Cinema as a whole. Can you chalk out any solution to keep this industry going rather than acting nuts on a helpless artist who is seeking his share of honor? Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. I don’t want to speculate that the days are numbered for these so called superstars, but if they let their ego rule the industry then either one will perish without any sign. Last but not the least, every dog has a day
What's ailing Malayalam Cinema? A film lover's angst!
Published March 12, 2010 | What ails Malayalam cinema these days has perhaps come to light mostly with the Thilakan issue. I speak from a movie lover’s perspective and without too much knowledge of factions, Federations, Associations etc. that seem to have cropped up in the industry.
To name the ones I know – AMMA, FEFKA, MACTA and the numerous Superstar Fans Associations all seem to be big players in the whole issue. If you try to read up about this in the media you realise there is not much of reporting going on about this problem.
A few questions: Why is the media seeming tied down? Why doesn’t someone report who is doing the arm-twisting here? Why are great actors like Thilakan having to walk out of good roles because of AMMA? Why should an Association decide who acts in what movie and why?
Movie artist associations are, I presume, formed to help co-actors in the field… so why are they the deciders in an actor’s call-sheet? Why is an association seemingly punishing members and interfering in the business of filmmaking? Why did Thilakan now get a compensation?
A request to the film fraternity, fans and people like you and me who lament the death of great Malayalam cinema – let’s all examine why great movies are not being made.
Also a special request to our superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal, both already producers as well, to produce all kinds of films and help new talent come in.
Finally to Malayalis everywhere:
What has happened to our sensibilities as film lovers why are we lapping up slap-stick comedies and mannerisms one after the other for years now?
Why don’t we go out to watch smaller films and encourage new talent?
Why are, we, as fans and Fans Associations hampering good cinema?
What can we do? Let’s free art, let’s dismantle power-wielding Associations, Federations and Fans Associations and let’s not patronise movies made to make money alone. Stop laughing at oft-repeated comedy genre movies that seems to be ruling the roost.
I hope I have ruffled a few feathers in case this post gets picked up by the film world and please know that I’m only voicing the angst of a large, a very large number of Malayalis everywhere who took pride in our films.
This post is nothing but a humble protest …but make no mistake, a protest indeed this is.
Conclusion: Let me end by hoping all our Malayalam actors, who by the way are so talented that you can’t actually think of a bad actor in Kerala films, will see that such Associations and Federations are only straight-jacketing art.
And whenever art is not free it is freedom that is being curtailed and this should never happen! Save Malayalam cinema, free art, and foster talent should be our only mantra.
Service….with a smile!!
Published March 10, 2010 | If a cop hurls abuses at you or misbehaves, you have all the reasons to be angry and go complaining about him. At the same time, I believe, if a cop, or for that matter, any public servant behaves in a way as to win your appreciation, you got to share that too with others. Here’s an experience that I had yesterday, in Kochi, a rather interesting, funny kind of experience that made me smile a hearty smile and talk with a cop as if I am talking to a friend.
Yesterday evening, as part of our usual wanderings, I and a friend decided to ‘lay siege’ on the apartment of a friend, a Colonel, who has been one of my college-mates and a close friend too. But since he would take some time to reach back home, we first went to a wayside tea-shop, had some chai and snacks and then set off, to our destination.
The shortest way was by crossing a railway gate, which unfortunately was closed. Since this gate is situated close to the Ernakulam South Railway Station, it sometimes remains closed for as long as 30 to 40 minutes, especially when coach-shunting goes on. We waited, remaining seated on my bike and talking, for about 15 minutes. But then, as it was likely to get delayed, we asked another biker and found that there’s another gate about half a kilometre away, which would in all probability be open. We turned around, and following the guy’s instructions, moved along a narrow road parallel to the railway tracks.
We had gone a little distance when we saw three or four cops, led by a Sub Inspector or Asst Sub Inspector (I am in fact a bit poor in detecting the designation from the uniforms), waiting at a corner, as is usually seen in Kochi, in the evenings. One of them, waved his hand, indicating us to stop. I slowed down and pulled up by his side. The guy, with a pleasant look upon his face, came closer.
I was expecting the usual queries, but the question that came from him was funny indeed, “Ningal achchanum monum allallo, aano? Alla, Kandaal angane thonnum” (You guys are not father n’ son, are you? You guys look like you are father and son”. The reference of course was to my bulky frame (I was wearing a helmet, concealing my age) and the medium-built stature of my friend, who was sitting behind. But the way he made the remark didn’t hurt either of us. On the other hand, it made us smile and reply with an emphatic ‘No’. There were no other queries, and he waved his hand, telling us to go ahead. We understood that the purpose of course was to get us to talk and see if we smelled of booze. The constable anyway did his job in so friendly a manner that we liked it, very much. In fact that prompted me to make inquiries with him, addressing him as ‘Chetta’ (Big Brother) about the route and his reply was only too cordial.
How I wish that each and every cop that we come across on the streets behaved in such a friendly, interesting manner, striking chords of friendship with the public. How I wish each and every public servant in ‘God’s own Country’ made us feel that he was our friend and not an enemy; that he was here to help us and serve us.
Thanks, unknown friend, for giving me reasons to smile, at a time when people bother the least about making others smile.
Kerala Tourism News- Sea Planes, Big B and more!
Published March 9, 2010 | 
Kerala Tourism studying feasibility of sea plane service considering the state’s backwaters, rivers and coasts. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Tourism Minister had this to say…
Considering the distinctive environment condition of state’s backwaters and inland-waterways, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has been asked to conduct the study on the possibility of ‘sea plane services.
However, the government has no plans to conduct the service directly. It would only provide necessary logistic support to private sector which come forward with proposals, he added.
They are taking into consideration the environmental factors and pollution issues that may crop up with such a project, the minister has assured.
In other tourism news, Kerala is following Gujarat and has asked Amitabh Bachchan to be the brand ambassador for tourism in Kerala. Star power to boost tourism is indeed a great idea.
After the Kerala Motif Rajdhani Express and Big B’s mundu appearance, looks like Kerala Tourism is going all out to woo domestic tourists.
Personally as advertisements go the Incredible India ad for Madhya Pradesh was not only creative, it captured the folk side of the region and is aesthetically a delight to watch again and again! Don’t you agree?
For now let’s hope sea planes and Big B can bring in more tourists to our state.
Poor Chackochan!
Published March 8, 2010 | The last Saturday, as I was waiting for my train to arrive at the Ernakulam railway station, to take me home on my week-end visit, i saw a familiar face appearing from a distance. Yes, it was Kunchacko Boban, our own Chackochan, wheeling his suitcase and moving past the crowd that was waiting impatiently for the train to come. Chackochan, who had become a teenage sensation after his debut movie, the blockbuster ‘Aniyathipraavu’ (1997), is of course not much active in films these days. He does some films as and when they come, but he is still popular among the masses.
Personally speaking, I may have reservations about Chackochan as an actor, but I like him and like him for what he is. He has, in my view, one of the cutest faces that ever appeared on screen in Malayalam Cinema. I like the way he dances and I am sure that many of those who don’t throng to see his films too like his looks. Chackochan, who is the grandson of Kunchacko, the man who started the famous Udaya Studios at Alappuzha, still retains that charm of his, which had made him the heartthrob of many a teenager girls in the 1990′s. I had met him twice or thrice and had interviewed him and he had always appeared to me as a gentleman, calm and very much friendly. That’s what people of Alappuzha say about him; for them he is like a friend than a star.
So there was Chackochan, passing on, wheeling behind him his suitcase. Some people moved aside to let him pass. Some seemed not to notice him. Some women were whispering, pointing to him, as he passed by. Some guys were looking towards him after he had passed by. Some others, I felt, were trying to ignore him, with sort of a scorn on their face. This happens many a time with celebrities here in Kerala. People, mostly educated ones, pretend to ignore the presence of a celebrity or a star amongst them, sometimes with a scorn in their faces and looks. I don’t understand why they can’t look them straight in the face and give them a smile. We know them after all. And they want us to acknowledge their presence, with a smile or a wave of the hand. Of course going after them and disturbing them with a handshake or pinches (some people really pinch stars when they get the chance; in fact I had learnt once, on visiting the sets of a movie, that people who had gathered there had scratched on the actress’ hands with a blade) would of course be bad. But what harm is there in giving them a smile, a smile that conveys some amount of warmth and also says, “Hey, I know you and have recognised you”. Well, a few years back, another actor, the veteran and much popular Balachandra Menon, had commented while speaking to a gathering at Thiruvananthapuram, on this rather strange trend shown by Malayalees. He was saying that just before coming into the auditorium he had gone to the loo and there had met people who were deliberately trying not to look at him. He was saying, “We are also human beings like any of you. So, if you know us, why don’t you look at us and pass a knowing smile as you’d to any of your other acquaintances?” A genuine and much relevant question indeed.
Standing on the platform at the Ernakulam railway station, I was anyway impressed with the fact that a star like Chackochan could at least walk past people so coolly, without being mobbed and without being a victim of the kind of euphoria that’s shown by admirers in other states. (But then, here in Kerala, I had heard of people, especially women running, leaving behind their kids, to catch of glimpse of Mohanlal, when he appeared a few years back to take part in a Children’s Film Fest in Thiruvananthapuram and college students mobbing and even pinching actor Mohan-known popularly as ‘Chattakari’ Mohan- in the early 1970′s after the release of the film ‘Chattakari’). Still, it was a thing of relief to see that stars could travel and walk freely here, of course barring some of the very leading ones. But the question that still remains in my heart is, why can’t we acknowledge their presence with a smile or a cordial look?
I saw the same attitude today morning too, when I found Chackochan and of course another known figure too, an ex-minister and a very leading political figure, travelling in the same train, same coach as mine. While I won’t want people to mob stars, I’d like them to greet them, known figures as they are, with smiles and gestures of warmth and friendliness. I bet they too want people to acknowledge their presence and pass them a smile or a knowing glance.
Kochi gets the first tourist police station in India
Published March 8, 2010 | 
In a bid to make Kerala a safe destination for foreign and local tourists, an exclusive tourist police station has been set up in the heritage zone of Mattancherry. The first of its kind in the country, this will make Kerala more tourist friendly and safe.
Mattanchery, home to the Jewish synagogue and various historic edifices holds an important place in the tourist map of Kerala that draws many tourists from far and wide. The special police station will offer all the facilities that any tourist may require. From assisting foreign travelers to clarifying their doubts on passport and visa and registering complaints and grievances on lost passports and expired visa , this police station has a wide gamut of services- all under one roof!
The police would work in tandem with the Department of Tourism to set up a helpdesk at the station, where the tourists can get route maps and brochures about different tourist destinations in the State as well. In addition, there are facilities for tourists to make booking for boating as well as hiring taxis. The State Tourism Department will soon publish the services of tourism police in all leading tourism journals in the world to ensure maximum coverage and publicity of this novel scheme.
The Police museum will have a rich display of police uniforms, combat weapons and armoury, arranged in chronological order right from the colonial period to the present day. With the advent of the tourist police station, the tourists can look forward to have a hassle free and enjoyable sight seeing experience in Mattancherry and FortKochi , considered as tourist hot spots.
Is Kochi really in Kerala?!
Published March 6, 2010 | Rambling thoughts on Malayalam Cinema, Kozhukatta, Puttu-Kadala curry and Arabian food…..
Wandering along the streets of Kochi, seeing the many sights that life has got to offer in this expanding and ‘developing’ city, contemplating on things that happen all around me, I often wonder whether Kochi is really in Kerala or not!!
I have been taken aback by the fact that many of the Malayalam films that get released, of course not those with the superstars (who are reportedly or allegedly busy deciding whether a veteran actor, an all time best in Malayalam Cinema, is to continue acting or not), don’t find theatres to get released here, in Kochi. There are of course lesser number of theatres in Kochi than in some of the small towns in Kerala. That may be one of the reasons, but the other side of it is that Tamil and Hindi films do find theatres for release in this city. Sad indeed! I do love seeing Hindi and Tamil films too. In fact I am sad at the thought that while so many changes are overtaking Hindi Cinema and Tamil Cinema, Malayalam Cinema prefers to remain aloof from all that and mostly seems contented in churning out films that still don’t match up to those standards; and if at all good films come out, there are not many takers. Well, it indeed saddens the heart when I find Malayalam movies getting released in Kochi two or three weeks after it is released elsewhere.
I used to tell friends that I like Kochi as it still has people savouring the taste of ‘Kozhukattas’, ‘Pathiris’ and such traditionally Kerala kind of delicacies. Yes, these things are still available in Kochi, but if you take a closer look, you’d find that these too are disappearing. Instead you can find places that sell sandwiches, pizzas, burgers et al increasing in number. No, why should I be an enemy to these delicacies that so well appease many of my compatriots? Wasn’t it a burger that appeased my hunger the other day at Thevakkal on the outskirts of Kochi, when I couldn’t find anything else to eat? But my question is simple. Why should Kozhukattas and Pathiris bow out and beat a rather undignified retreat? I always find it hard to find in Kochi, while wandering along with friends, good tea-shops (that serve the kind of tea that we Keralites used to savour- strong, brewed to perfection and with a flavour that make you a tea-lover) too are growing less in number. A friend of mine had to control himself from bursting out when he asked for tea at a hotel and pat came the reply, with a bit of rudeness and contempt, “No tea! Only juice here”. I fear one day we may have to say that “Kerala is no country for tea lovers”.
It was only a couple of days back that I happened to see a lady and her son, the kid just about four or five years old, talking in English in the midst of interacting with a man selling tender coconuts by the roadside. I was impressed and at the same time shocked by the keenness that the lady was showing in interacting in English. I do agree that English is a fascinatingly rich language, enriched beyond all levels in many ways and I also agree that mastering that language is no doubt very much necessary to survive in today’s world. But I was wondering all the same as to why these moms don’t take the pains to teach their kids Malayalam, their mother tongue too. I personally know many such people who wanted to make their kids English-speaking kids and ultimately the kids ending up well versed neither in English nor in Malayalam. Ah! With a sigh do I realize that I, who takes pride in the fact that a few months back my daughter, at the age of five, recited in her school a Malayalam poem titled ‘Kunjedaththi’ written by renowned poet ONV Kurup in a rather impressive manner, represent a genre that’s simply thought of as misfits in today’s Kerala.
Just half a kilometre from where I stood listening to the English utterances of the lady and her son were shops selling Arabian food- Kebab, Shawarma, Alfaam, Kubboos (Hope my spellings are correct!) etc. One of my friends, while passing through that area, often comments, “Seems like I am walking through the streets of Dubai”. Well, last week, I happened to hear the a character in the Tamil film, ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya‘ mention about Kerala as a place where you can get ‘Puttu‘ and ‘Kadala curry‘ for breakfast. Yes indeed, you can still get such ethnic dishes, but takers are dwindling in number and very soon you won’t have shops selling these things.
So, is Kochi really in Kerala? Is there a point in re-naming Cochin as Kochi when people tend to go away from what all makes for Kerala and its culture? Hey, maybe the ranting of a cynic! Let me hope so. Let me stop giving vent to my feelings and go and have tea and see if they have brought Kozhukattas with tea today to our Karmakerala office. If no Kozhukatta, then of course cakes, cutlets or something like that. As the adage goes, while in Rome…..!!
Fake godmen defaming spirituality for instant fame and money
Published March 6, 2010 | 
Every other day, newspapers come up with scandals and sleaze of the self proclaimed godmen,who are taking the public for a cool ride! Spirituality has become an instant solution for these fraudsters to make money by way of foreign donations. Kerala was abuzz by the sexual encounters of Santosh Madhavan, only a few months back. He chose to set up a home for the destitute children and an exclusive hostel facility for adolescent girls. He sponsored their studies and met all their expenses to gain confidence of the parents and the family of the girls and once it was done, he started exploiting and abusing the girls who were used for child pornography. He was hand in glove with many top politicians and police officers, who made sure that his deals remain top secret. He had invested the millions of dollars he earned by way of charity and donations in illicit land dealings and benami transactions often with the connivance of the top echelons in administration.
The latest episode of the so called ‘swami Nityananada’ is no different. Hailing from a village in Tamilnadu , he started his business in massage parlours, which often crossed the limits of decency. When the going got tough, he shifted his base to Bangalore and put on the saffron garb to make a few fast bucks. To gain the confidence and goodwill of the local community he indulged in social service and once his popularity soared, money started flowing from all over the world. The Nithayananda Mission became a worldwide movement for meditation and peace with claims of over 1,000 branches across 33 countries and about two million followers the world over!
The latest sting operation of a video channel exposed his vicious side when he was caught on camera in the company of a young Tamil actress. It is high time that we stop promoting these godmen and the ready made spirituality packages. The tax sops and the money involved in charity is mind boggling that it has become one of the easiest businesses to set up in India under the guise of spirituality, yoga , vedas and what not! We should have some stringent laws to curb fake spiritual leaders to safeguard the sanctity of our culture and spirituality. Time to do some soul searching !