In the Foreword, the author says "There are approximately a hundred billion stars in our local universe, the Milky Way. So for every man who has ever lived, in this Universe, there shines a star. But every one of those stars is a Sun". This comparison was very gripping and increased my curiosity.
The name Moon-Watcher sounded very much different. At the end of the first chapter, it's mentioned that of all the creatures who had yet walked on earth, the man-apes were the first to look steadfastly at the Moon and hence he has been christened as Moon-Watcher. He disposes off his dead father's body by leaving to the hyenas. I had never read about such things. Now, I could visualize how our ancestors would have lived.
After reading the lines,
"Yet the thousands of tons of succulent meat roaming over the savannah and through the bush was not only beyond their reach; it was beyond their imagination. In the midst of plenty they were slowly starving to death.
On the planet Earth the first crude knot had been tied. Moon-Watcher felt the first faint twinges of a new and potent emotion. Discontent had come into his soul, and he had taken one small step towards humanity."
makes us wonder how the author had gone into so much details.
"From time to time his hands clenched unconsciously in the patterns that would determine his new way of life." Without using our hands properly, we wouldn't have reached this level of intelligence. Now, I realize why the aliens instructed Moon-Watcher to pick a stone and hit the bull's eye. With this, hunting started and they weren't hungry again.
I seriously doubt why the ape-men didn't get the hunting instincts by seeing other wild animals.
I thought Moon-Watcher was the Protagonist. Only after reading the Section T.M.A - 1, I understood Moon-Watcher was just an introduction.
When I read articles about the dangers of AI, I couldn't understand the impact it would result in. The way HAL killed Poole and opened the airlock and killed the 3 Hibernators, one will definitely know why many feel AI might become a danger to humanity.
After reading the post 1 & post 2, I understood better.
3 million years back, when the New Rock (metal) made Moon-Watcher to think about something other than basic survival, another Monolith was implanted in Moon. And this large 1:4:9 Monolith is the Protagonist.
I was wondering why the year 2001 is mentioned in the book title. In the Chapter X, Dr. Floyd is welcomed by a large sign which read:
WELCOME TO CLAVIUS BASE
U.S. Astronautical Engineering Corps
1994
In Chapter XV: "If all went well, they would be back on Earth within seven years". So, I guessed, the travel time from Earth to Saturn is 7 years. They started from Earth in 1994 and will reach Saturn in 2001.
This book was written in 1968. On October 15, 1997, the spacecraft Cassini was sent to study the planet Saturn and its system, including its rings and natural satellites. It took 7 years to reach Saturn. Its mission ended on September 15, 2017.
Now, you will be very curious to read the below sequels:
2010: Odyssey Two 2061: Odyssey Three 3001: The Final Odyssey
Many sites give credit to Reuters for the above photo. When I visited the 41st Chennai Book Fair, Nakkheeran Publications had a Stall and found the below photos. So, the actual credits should go to Nakkheeran Publications.
The quote in the Introduction was very much inspiring "It's like a football team. All eleven play, but one scores the goal". After finishing the book, I had mixed feelings and made me to do further research. This analysis raised a lot of questions and I doubted whether the goal was scored by fair means or the STF had given Veerappan to taste his own medicine. If you re-read the book, you will feel Veerappan deserved it, but his partners in crime have escaped.
In the Rise of a Brigand, it's mentioned that Veerappan had invited a rival gang for a meal. After the meal, his men opened fire immediately, thus wiping out the competition. But, Nakkheeran gives a different view in his Part 2 Interview.
In A Blow to Veerappan, if you recall the August 1992 incident, Naika pulled Harikrishna and Shakeel and their white Ambassador had multiple holes. It looks very much similar to Veerappan's death, in a white Tempo Traveller filled with bullet holes.
22 - charred bodies in the Good Friday Massacre will assure us that Veerappan got what he deserved.
Gopal Hosur, the STF SP (May 1993), who had 55 sutures in his neck after the ambush in MM Hills, shares his experience in the below TEDx event.
In The STF's First Casualty - Senthil, at the end of a day-long futile jungle search, Senthil would charge up a tall rock and scream at the top of his voice, "Veerappan! Where are you? I have come for you". During an operation at Sorgam Valley, a bullet tunnelled through his left eye and penetrated his brain. Veerappan too faced the same on his fateful day. "No mission haunts you more than the one from which you return carrying the stiffening body of a buddy, even if you are a commando". Veerappan's death will be the only answer for all those missions.
In the Unfriendly Fire, the line Dei suttuteiyada (You've shot me), will send shock waves.
Veerappan's 10 Commandments for releasing Rajkumar.
A few videos have been removed. Nakkheeran has officially released the below video with more details.
Earlier, I heard about Vachathi incident but didn't knew much about it. After reading the சோளகர் தொட்டி Book Review, I felt this was one of the major incidents but was not mentioned much in the book. I searched through the book for the word Vachathi and didn't find it. Then, I searched for STF and found Vaachatti mentioned on Page 130. The Justice for Vachathi article from FrontLine gives a detailed view of the Vachathi incident.
In The Last Victim, we don't have a confirmed answer for the former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa's death. In the below Nakkheeran's Part - 1 Interview (at 17:13), he explains that Nagappa's wife had come to meet Jayalalitha. But, Jayalalitha insisted to discuss anything other than Nagappa's release.
In the Contact, at Last, Red took out a lottery ticket and tore into half. He handed over one piece to Mr. X and had the other half. "This will serve as Anna's travel ticket. When your man meets ours, they should match the edges. Arrange for a vehicle to bring out four people". This reminds me of the movie Ayan where a similar strategy was used for smuggling.
The revealations from Veerappan's Astro chart is very interesting.
The Map in the last cover doesn't make any sense in the beginning. After reading the book fully, it gives a clear picture and the author deserves special appreciation for bringing out this. Adding a Timeline of activities and events, in the future editions will be easy for reference.
Below this grave lies not only Veerappan, but millions of secrets and truth.
Veerappan's Wife's Interview
The Journalists are questioning her so much and she handled it very well. Will they ever raise one question to Vijay Kumar?
Unanswered Questions
1. This book review motivated me to do more research on Veerappan and he too raised a lot of questions.
2. Page 89 - Veerappan's younger brother, Arjunan was arrested by the STF. The Karnataka Police demanded that he be handed over to them for interrogation. Arjunan and Veerappan's 2 aides were formally transferred into the custody of the Karnataka Police and were taken away in a police van. When the van moved about 40 Km, they heard strange sounds from the back. When the back of the van was opened, he found them to have taken Cyanide capsules and died instantaneously. Even a layman knows it's not possible to get Cyanide in Police custody.
3. Veerappan's sister Mariammal had committed suicide. So, he brutally beheaded Srinivas, the Karnataka forest official, blaming him for the suicide of his sister.
4. The death of former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa is not yet known.
5. Page 130 - "In 1992, it was alleged that STF personnel entered these two villages on the pretext of searching for smuggled sandalwood and Veerappan, and assaulted and raped some of the locals. The involvement of the STF in the Chinnampathi case was never proved. Ultimately, not a sinlge STF person was held guilty".
The article from TamilWeek raises a lot of Troubling questions about the killing of Veerappan. It clearly says that The Commission recommended among other things the immediate compensation of Indian Rs. 10,000 each to 19 women raped by STF personnel.
6. Page 223 - In The Longest Day, it's mentioned that "A stretcher was added and there were 3 portraits of deities. Lord Venkateswara in the middle had a camera fixed on his forehead, to pass on real-time information".
Page 232 - In The Shootout at Padi, "The Sweet Box was meant to block the path of the oncoming Cocoon. It also housed three tech experts, who would recieve signals from the surveillance camera concealed inside the ambulance. It was their job to confirm that the target was inside the vehicle before we intercepted it".
Page 235 - In the T minus 120 seconds, "The tech team has confirmed four people in the back of Cocoon. But the picture from the camera is blurred, can't make out their faces". If the footage from the Camera was released, then it would put an end to all the doubts and controversies.
7. Page 209 - In Planting a Mole, a new character Mr. X gets introduced. "According to Veerappan, Mr. X had links with certain Sri Lanka based Tamil radicals, and could use them to procure guns".
During the book launch (at 21:27), when the author was questioned about Mr. X, he gave a reply which can't be taken lightly.
8. In this very old interview, Walter Devaram has mentioned that it's impossible for Veerappan to have AK-47.
Devarams' Interview
Book Launch by Akshay Kumar
Interview in Behindwoods
Vellaithurai's Interview
When questioned about Veerappan's encounter, Vellaithurai says that everything is told in Vijay Kumar's book and that is the truth (15:02).
Interview in Thanthi TV
Interview in BBC Tamil
Movies & Serial on Veerappan Wanted வீரப்பன்
இலக்கு
வச்சாத்தி
வன யுத்தம்
வன யுத்தம்Press Meet
Vijay Kumar had said in an interview that this movie covers 50% of Veerappan's life.
வில்லாதி வில்லன் வீரப்பன்
Makkal TV - சந்தன காடு Serial (125 Episodes)
Muthulakshmi, the wife of Veerappan had filed a suit against Makkal TV from publishing, broadcasting, telecasting the serial either in the name of Maveeran Veerappan or Sandhana Kadu.
The suit had been laid on the basis that such telecast about her husband will spoil the identity of her husband and also will damage the present life and her children's studies in future.
Later, Makkal TV assured that they will not telecast about the personal life of her and her daughters while telecasting the serial. The serial will depict about Veerappan based on public records and field information.
Makkal TV had aired 125 episodes of the serial. Many Youtubers have uploaded it. Some videos have been removed stating Copyright violation.
There are lots of books on Veerappan. I wish to read them soon.
Note: The below section was added on 15-Mar-18.
In the Book Fair, I bought another book, பொய் வழக்கும் போராட்டமும் published by நக்கீரன்.
I have added the pictures of the last pages below (Save the image and zoom for clarity):
It's mentioned that நக்கீரன் is planning to release வீரப்பனின் வாழ்வும் - மரணமும் giving full details about the life and death of Veerappan.
The stall had displayed the Cover pictures related to Veerappan.
Note: The below section was added on 15-Feb-19.
Recently, Nakkheeran Publications had released this book.
Note: The below section was added on 14-Jan-20.
I bought the below book in the 43rd Chennai Book Fair.
I thought, being a very small book, it will be very much biased for MGR. But, there were many interesting news and some are below:
1. He used cinema as a tool to propagate his ideas, ideals, visions and his ambitions to the people. He played the roles of a taxi-driver, a rickshaw puller, a farmer, a peasant and a fisherman
2. In his films, MGR never made advances on his leading ladies. It was the women who chased him and dreamt about him. The ones who did not chase him were the stereotypical shrews, who were subsequently tamed by the hero.
3. Atheism and anti-Brahminism were the cornerstones of DMK Ideology. A holy priest was often made a negative character in many of MGR's movies. And the villains were often Brahmins!
4. MGR clad in a red and black shirt in Nam Naadu (1969) rallied the poor against the rich. Every frame in the film showcased a photograph of Annadurai (the founder of the DMK) in the background.
5. MGR's involvement in his films was extremely meticulous. Every word he spoke and sang onscreen, he went through with a toothcomb. He changed dialogues if they didn't fit in with his image and he insisted on going through all the lyrics of the songs in his films.
6. He acted with younger heroines to make sure he never 'aged' onscreen and appeared young and virile.
7. MGR was always photographed wearing a fur cap and dark glasses. Anandan of Film News says: "MGR was developing bags around his eyes and he wore glasses to hide the fact that he was getting old! The fur cap, was to camouflage his growing baldness."
8. He almost always choreographed fight sequences on his own. Cho Ramaswamy, veteran actor and editor of the political magazineTughlaq, says: "All the fights in his films were personally shot and edited by him."
9. MGR also took care to maintain his public stand of being an atheist. When a photographer clicked a picture of MGR - when he was bare to the waist and without his trademark fur cap and dark glasses - coming out of a temple, MGR's security staff got hold of the negative and exposed it.
10. As MGR was a major contributor to the party funds, he began questioning the party hierarchy about some unexplained expenditure. This did not go down very well with the higher ups and MGR was expelled from the DMK on 9th October 1972.
11. His eleven-year rule (1977-87) was undoubtedly one of the darkest periods in the contemporary history of the state. Under his dispensation, profiteers of different kinds - liquor barons, real estate magnates, and the ubiquitous ruling party politicians - greatly prospered while a stagnant, if not declining economy forced the poor, who constituted the mainstay of MGR's support, into unbearable misery.
12. And despite the Nutritious Food Scheme being a government-funded one, it was projected as MGR's own personal charity, reinforcing his political image as the Chief Minister who truly cared.
13. Stories of his generosity hit the headlines regularly. But when MGR wiped out any sign of dissent against him with the help of the police, banned films questioning his rule, cancelled licenses, ruined businesses - none of these stories ever made it to the front pages of any newspaper or the covers of magazines when he was the Chief Minister. Such was his incredible hold.
14. MGR actively looked for a successor to take over his party. MGR was extremely fond of actor Bhagyaraj and considered him to be a worthy political successor. But try as he might, MGR couldn't bear to pull Bhagyaraj away from his oncoming mega stardom in movies for an uncertain political career. Next on his wishlist was Ramaraj. But like Bhagyaraj, Ramaraj was also becoming popular and MGR didn't want to disturb his career either.
15. It is said that when MGR was admitted in 1987, P. C. Reddy of Apollo Hospitals insured the entire hospital as a precautionary measure in case full-scale riots broke out in the state and grief stricken fans destroyed his hospital in the event MGR passed away.
அட்டைப் படத்தில் ஒன்பது தலைவர்களது படம் உள்ளது. கடைசி இருவரை கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியவில்லை. சம்பத் மற்றும் சோ என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.
சுயமரியாதை இயக்கம் மற்றும் திராவிட கழகம் ஆங்கிலேயர்களை ஆதரித்தனர். தி.மு.க 1949இல் தோன்றி 1967இல் ஆட்சியைப் பிடித்தது. சம்பத் அவர்களால் 1961இல் தமிழ் தேசிய கட்சி தொடங்கப்பட்டது. நேருவின் மறைவுக்குப் பின்னர் தமிழ் தேசிய கட்சி காங்கிரசுடன் இணைந்தது.
1967இல் காமராஜரின் தேர்தல் தோல்வி பற்றி கூறியுள்ள விளக்கம் வேறு எங்கேயும் கேள்விப்படவில்லை.
"1967 தேர்தலின் போது நாட்டில் தேவையான அரிசி ஸ்டாக் இருந்தது. அரிசி கையிருப்பு இருந்தும் கூட அதை வெளியில் ஒழுங்காக விநியோகிக்கவில்லை. அப்போது திரு. பக்தவத்சலம் அவர்கள் முதலமைச்சராக இருந்தார்கள். தலைவர் காமராஜ் அவர்கள் அசெம்பிளிக்குப் போட்டியிடுகிறார் என்றவுடன், தேர்தலில் காங்கிரஸ் ஜெயித்தால் அவர் தான் முதலமைச்சராக வருவார் என்ற எண்ணங்கொண்ட பக்தவத்சலம், தான் மட்டும் ஜெயிப்பதற்கும், காமராஜ் உள்பட பல பேர் தோற்பதற்குமாக வழிவகுத்தார் என்று சொல்வதில் தவறில்லை.
தான் ஜெயிப்பதாகவும், காமராஜ் உள்பட மற்றவர்கள் தோற்பதாகவும் அவர் கனவு கண்டு கொண்டிருந்தார். "காங்கிரஸ் எப்படியும் ஜெயித்துவிடும். நாம் மறுபடியும் முதல் அமைச்சராக வரலாம்" என்று அவர் ஆசை கொண்டிருந்தார்.
இந்தத் தோல்விக்கு முழுப் பொறுப்பு ஏற்க வேண்டியவர் பக்தவத்சலமே."
ஜெயந்தி நடராஜன் பக்தவத்சலத்தின் பேத்தி. அறிஞர் அண்ணா புற்று நோய் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு இறந்தார்.
"நியாயமாக அண்ணா அவர்கள் கைகாட்டிய வழியில் வருவதானால் நெடுஞ்செழியன் வந்திருக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால் அவரை முந்திக்கொண்டு தன்னுடைய திறமைகளை முழுவதும் பயன்படுத்தி நண்பர் கருணாநிதி அவர்கள் முதலமைச்சர் ஆனார்கள்."
பின்னர் கண்ணதாசன் இந்திரா காங்கிரெசில் இணைந்தார்.
1972இல் எம்.ஜி.ஆரை டிஸ்மிஸ் செய்தது சோ மூலமாக கண்ணதாசன் தெரிந்து கொண்டார்.
அந்த காலத்து அரசியல் பற்றி மேலும் தெரிந்து கொள்ள விக்கிபீடியாவைப் படிக்கவும்.
சேரன் தனது வாழ்க்கை அனுபவங்களை தொடராக ஆனந்த விகடனில் எழுதினார். அந்த தொடரின் புத்தக வடிவமே டூரிங் டாக்கீஸ்.
இந்த புத்தகத்தின் சிறு பகுதியே ஆட்டோகிராஃப் படம். அவரது அம்மாச்சியைப் பற்றி படித்ததும் அவரது படத்தை நேரில் பார்த்து வணங்க வேண்டும் என்று தோன்றுகிறது.
தனது சிறு வயதில் குடும்ப சூழ்நிலை காரணமாக பருத்தி பால் விற்றுள்ளார். நான் திருச்செந்தூர் சென்ற பொழுது, அங்கு கடற்கரையில் நிறைய சிறுவர்கள் பருத்தி பால் விற்பதை பார்த்துள்ளேன். அவர்களில் பல பேர் சேரன் போல் மிகப்பெரிய வெற்றியை அடைவர் என்று இப்பொழுது தோன்றுகிறது.
தனது பள்ளி பருவத்து காதல் பற்றி கூறும்பொழுது, நமது பள்ளி நாட்களை எண்ணி ஒரு சிறு புன்னகை வரும். புத்தகத்தில் உள்ள புகைப்படங்கள் அவரது திரைப்படங்களில் இருந்து எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. அவை யாவும் நன்றாக பொருந்துகிறது.
பாரதி கண்ணம்மா எடுக்கும்முன் தனது டைரெக்டரான கே.எஸ்.ரவிக்குமாரிடம் ஆசீர்வாதம் வாங்க சென்றுள்ளார்.வெரிகுட்...பண்றா. இண்டஸ்ட்ரியே திரும்பிப் பார்க்கிற மாதிரி இருக்கணும்டா என்று வாழ்த்தியவர் ஒரு கடிதம் எழுதித் தந்தார். அவரது வாழ்த்து கடிதம்:
Suresh Krissna narrates his direction experiences with Rajnikanth in the movies Annamalai, Veera and Baasha.
In the snake scene in Annamalai, Rajni's reactions were real and it was not planned or rehearsed. Once you read the narration, you will have a smile. The snake-charmer had confidently told the snake's mouth was stitched and safe for shooting. Later, the director came to know the snake which was to be used was inside the basket. Instead, the snake-charmer had given another snake for which he hadn't taken any precaution. Indeed, a shocking revealation to all. The concept for the Vandhaendaa Paalkaaran song was suggested by Rajni. He told Vairamuthu about a Kannada poem which explains the benefits of a Cow. Vairamuthu took the essence of the poem and added his own lines to boost Rajni as a hero.
Kamal Hasan had conceptualised the song Maamaavukku Kudumma Kudumaa in the movie Punnagai Mannan. The lip sync was perfect while the dance movements were very fast. Prabhu Deva wanted theAnnamalai Annamalai song to be shot in slow motion and the lip sync should be normal. Neela Vaanam, Sundhari Neeyum, Kadhal Sadugudu were also taken differently.
For the Malaikkoil Vaasalil song in Veera, 20000 Chimney lamps were used and was shot in MRF Race Track in Sriperumbudur.
A cut scene from the movie Hum was the inspiration for Baasha and the title was given by Rajni. He came up with the lines Naa oru thadava sonna. The Ra Ra Ramaiah song was also suggested by Rajni, an inspiration from a Kannada poem. We can understand how much Rajni's inputs have enriched his movies. The book has many such interesting details.
All successful movies should come out with a book on its making and interesting tidbits.
முன் அட்டையில் கவியரசு கண்ணதாசன் என்று குறிப்பிட்டு, பின் அட்டையில் தேடல் எஸ்.முருகன் என்பவர் கண்ணதாசனின் பாடல் பிறந்த கதைகளை பலரிடம் கேட்டு தெரிந்தவற்றை தொகுத்து அனுப்பியுள்ளார். அவற்றை காந்தி கண்ணதாசனும் அவரது சகோதரர் அண்ணாத்துரை கண்ணதாசனும் படித்து உண்மையானவற்றை மட்டும் புத்தகத்தில் வெளியிட்டுள்ளனர். முன் அட்டையில் தொகுத்தவர் தேடல் எஸ்.முருகன் என்று குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தால் வாசகர்களின் ஏமாற்றத்தை தவிர்த்திருக்கலாம்.
தி.மு.க விலிருந்து விலகிய கவியரசு கண்ணதாசன், ஈ.வே.ரா. சம்பத் அவர்களுடன் சேர்ந்து தமிழ் தேசியக் கட்சியை தொடங்கினார். தமிழ் தேசியக் கட்சி, பின் காங்கிரஸ் கட்சியோடு இணைந்தது. அதற்காக தமிழகத்தின் காங்கிரஸ் தலைவராக இருந்த காமராஜரை நேரிடையாக குறிப்பிடாமல், பல பாடல்களின் மூலம் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.
எம்.ஜி.ஆர் தி.மு.க விலும், கண்ணதாசன் காங்கிரஸிலும் இருந்ததால் தனது படங்களில் கண்ணதாசனின் பாடல்களை சேர்க்க வேண்டாம் என்று எம். ஜி. ஆர் கூறியுள்ளார். பின் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் படத்திலிருந்து அவர் நடிக்கும் படங்களுக்கு பாடல்கள் எழுதினார்.
இதனால் அவரது பாடல்களில் கண்டிப்பாக அரசியல் பற்றிய தாக்கம் கண்டிப்பாக இருந்திருக்கும்.
அவள் செந்தமிழ் தேன்மொழியாள் என்ற பாடலின் துவக்கத்தில் வரும் சில்லென்று பூத்த.. வரிகள், எங்கிருந்தாலும் வாழ்க, வரவு எட்டணா செலவு பத்தணா, நலந்தானா நலந்தானா போன்ற பாடல்கள் அமைந்ததற்கான காரணம் சுவையாக உள்ளது.
மூன்று முடிச்சு படத்தில் வரும் வசந்த கால நதிகளிலே என்ற பாடல் அந்தாதி வகையைச் சார்ந்தது. அதை பற்றிய குறிப்பு புத்தகத்தில் இருக்கும் என்று எதிர்பார்த்தேன். ஆனால் இடம் பெறவில்லை.
ஜப்பானில் உள்ள டிஸ்னி லேண்டைப் போல் சென்னையிலும் ஒன்றை உருவாக்க வேண்டும் என்பது அருமை அண்ணாச்சி வி.ஜி. பன்னீர்தாஸ் அவர்களின் கனவாக இருந்தது. அதை நிறைவேற்ற வேண்டி ஜப்பான் சென்றுள்ளார், வி.ஜி. சந்தோஷம். அங்கே நடந்த எக்ஸ்போ 85 கண்காட்சியையும் காண சென்றார். இது அவரது ஜப்பானிய பயண நூல்.
தனது ஜப்பானிய நண்பரான நிசிகாவோவுடன் ஜப்பானில் பல இடங்களை சுற்றிப் பார்த்து தனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட பிரம்மிப்பை நன்றாக விவரித்துள்ளார்.
அதே நேரத்தில், எம்.ஜி.ஆர் அவர்கள், கப்பல் வாங்குவதற்காக ஜப்பான் வந்தமையால் அவரை காணும் வாய்ப்பும் அவருக்கு கிடைத்துள்ளது.
அதிசய உலகம் எண்ணூரில் அமைவதாக புத்தகத்தில் கூறியுள்ளார். ஆனால், அது ஈஞ்சம்பாக்கத்தில் உள்ளது. கூகிளில் தேடிய பிறகு தான் அதன் வரலாறு தெரிந்தது. முதலில், அதிசய உலகம் எண்ணூரில் இருந்தது. பிறகு வெப்ப ஆற்றல் நிலையம், அங்கு வந்ததால், அதிசய உலகத்தை தற்பொழுதுள்ள இடத்திற்கு மாற்றிவிட்டனர்.
பன்னீர்தாஸ் அவர்களின் பெயர் காரணத்தை 84ஆம் பக்கத்தில் கீழ்வருமாறு கூறியுள்ளார்.
"திருநெல்வேலியை அடுத்த கள்ளி குளத்தில் அருள் வடிவாகக் காட்சி தரும் அன்னை அதிசய பனி மாதாவிற்கு நடைபெற்ற 8-ம் திருவிழா அன்றுதான் எங்கள் அண்ணாச்சி அவர்கள் பிறந்தார்கள். அதனால் பனிதாசன் என்றே அவர்களுக்குப் பெயர் சூட்டப்பட்டுது. ஆனால் பின்பு ஆசிரியர் ஒருவர் தான் பன்னீர்தாஸ் என்று அழைத்து, அதுவே பின்பு தொடருமாறு அம்மாவும் அப்பெயரையே அழைக்கச் செய்தார்."
ஒவ்வொரு அத்தியாயத்தின் தொடக்கத்திலும் இனிய வசந்தனே, அன்பு வசந்தனே, அன்புள்ள வசந்தனுக்கு, அன்புள்ள வசந்தனே என்று கடிதம் எழுதும் வகையில் ஆரம்பித்துள்ளார். வசந்தன் தனது மகன் என்றும், அவருக்கு இவர் ஜப்பானிலிருந்து தனது அனுபவங்களை கடிதமாக எழுதியுள்ளார் என்று எண்ணினேன். அதற்கான உண்மையான காரணம் கடைசி பத்தியை படித்ததும் தெரிந்து கொண்டேன்.
தூர்தர்ஷனில் பன்னீர்தாஸ் மற்றும் சந்தோஷம் அவர்களின் பேட்டியை பகுதி - 1, பகுதி - 2 Youtubeஇல் காணலாம்.
As I was browsing through the books on Relationships, I came to know about this book. This book is the last book in The New Indian Marriage Series. The author explains the different situations and contexts in which infidelity takes place. An affair involves 3 people and the author doesn't blame or point any of them for the affair. He doesn't judge them and focuses on the emotional aspects of affairs. He has used the words carefully to avoid a negative image in the relationship.
The first part Understanding Infidelity explains the types of Affairs and how it happens. In the second part Surviving Infidelity, one can be assured that any affair can be survived and the relationship can be strengthened again.
The second chapter titled We're just friends, We're not having an affairclearly explains the difference between a friendship and an affair. Some transgressors tend to blame the aggrieved partner for getting into an affair. There are many different ways to deal with unfulfilled expectations and having an affair is not one of them.
As platonic friends get more emotionally involved, they might cross the boundary. The author has justified that having a fantasy is not an affair.
The below are some of the interesting points from the book:
1. Affairs don't just happen. We make them happen. Though we know of the dangerous consequences, we go out of our way and make them happen deliberately.
2. It is possible to love more than one person at a time. But it's not possible to have more than one relationship at a time.
3. Relationships are time-consuming, energy-intensive and if you are committed to a monogamous relationship, the lies and deception that go along with extramarital affairs can sap your soul.
4. Emotional Intimacy is often an indicator of a potential affair, even if there's no sex happening. It's not always that people go out and seek affairs; sometimes affairs just walk through the door unannounced.
5. Who said 'forbidden fruit' is easy to digest?
6. It's axiomatic that the only people believe the affair to be a well-kept secret are those having the affair.
7. You can't keep a self-respecting cat in a bag for very long.
The author finishes the book with the words: When it comes to marriage, three is always a crowd.
Recently, I started reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Somehow I couldn't continue reading. Then, I googled to get the Summary of the book and landed in Youtube with an Animated Book Summary. I found that interesting and searched for other books. That led to this blog post. The animated Summary is short and crisp and will be very useful for recalling and applying in our day-to-day lives. I am planning to update this list as and when I get new books.
Exactly, I don't remember, when I was introduced to Fossils. I guess, it might be in 1993, after watching Jurassic Park in a TV. In Doordarshan, I remember some Science program, where a guy went near a hilly area and picked a Fossil. I was wondering how he got the fossils very easily.
In my school days, I tried to make a fossil by keeping a bushy grass under heavy stones. After a few days, I would remove it and see whether the fossil has been formed or not. But I would find only damp grass.
After so many years, I read an article in dtNext and I posted about Ariyalur, the Fossil Town. Then, through Facebook, I befriended the Paleontologist - Nirmal Rajah, who unearthed the Treasures of Ariyalur. I shared the article and the video with my friends and was very much interested to visit the place. But, never got a chance.
Fortunately, after a year, I got an opportunity to attend one of my friend's Marriage in Srirangam. I got the invitation just a week before the Wedding. As I didn't have enough time, I couldn't discuss with my friends. I quickly booked a bus ticket and planned my travel.
I messaged a lot of questions to Nirmal and he immediately called and clarified me. He told to search near a Murugan Temple. He even sent the Google Map coordinates for the exact location to visit. I shared this location with my wife and brother. I told my wife, if I am not reachable, then I might be in the Trichy Police Station. On hearing this, my wife told it's better that I stay in the Station and she won't come for my rescual :)
The bus was scheduled on 23rd June '17 at 11:35 PM. Around 10:35 PM, I booked an Ola and it started to pour. The Tambaram region was trashed with intense rains. I was waiting near the Hindu Mission Hospital and was shocked to see the crowd standing below the bridge. As it was a long weekend, many families with kids were waiting for the bus. I felt many in the crowd were leaving Chennai and going to native to spend time with their family. But, I was leaving my family and going to Ariyalur for collecting fossils. I thought, whether nature was trying to signal me to avoid this trip and get back. But, I patiently waited and my bus came at 1:15 AM.
After reaching Srirangam, I searched for 3 lodges and no one provided a Single Non A/C Room. Finally, I got a normal room. Soon after finishing the breakfast, I went to the nearby Auto Stand and asked about a 1-day rental fare for going to Ariyalur. He told Autos won't be feasible for such a long ride. It's better to go in a Car. Luckily, another auto driver had a Car. We agreed about the Rental and Diesel pricing and the journey started.
I was a bit shocked on seeing a board saying Ariyalur is 65 Km away. After 2 hours, we reached the destination. When we reached the Murugan temple that Nirmal had mentioned, the driver told to check with the local people and then start searching. An old man was coming in a cycle. He told us to go to the nearby mines and get permission from the Security. We drove to the mines. I was doubtful as the Officer might deny. I told the Assistant Manager that I am from Chennai and just wanted to see the site and collect a few fossils. It's only for study purposes and doesn't involve commercial reasons. Immediately, he gave permission and told us to be safe as there might be snakes and other poisonous insects below the rocks.
This is the first time, I am visiting a Mine. There are lots of Cement Mines in Ariyalur. Some millions of years back, this was a Sea. Just unbelievable.
Within a Kilometre, we saw lots of excavations with huge Sedimentary rocks embedded with white shells. We parked the car and the driver also got interested and started collecting Fossils.
Fossils are formed in a number of different ways, but most are formed when a plant or animal dies in a watery environment and is buried in mud and silt. Soft tissues quickly decompose leaving the hard bones or shells behind. Over time sediment builds over the top and hardens into rock. As the encased bones decay, minerals seep in replacing the organic material cell by cell in a process called "petrification." Alternatively the bones may completely decay leaving a cast of the organism. The void left behind may then fill with minerals making a stone replica of the organism. [Source: Science Views]
It was time for lunch. We thanked the officer and had lunch in a nearby hotel. I felt that the collection was not enough and wanted to search further. We came back to the quarry near the temple and again started searching.
I managed to collect as much as possible. I could identify only a few shells. While collecting, I had a doubt whether they are fossils or stones or very old Sea Shells.
7. The one on the left is a Pectenand others are fragments of sea shells probably Gryphea
We started our return journey and planned to visit National Fossil Wood Park near Sathanur. The driver didn't knew about the place. We thought it will be a prominent one and will be easy to identify. The final 1 Km stretch was really bad. The old tar road has been excavated and left without leveling.
The petrified tree trunk is more than 18 metres in length. I asked the Caretaker whether I can touch the fossil tree. Only after touching the fossil, I felt it had a stone-like texture. It appears like a tree, but it's a Stone with Life (which you can experience only if you touch it). Now, I got the confidence that whatever I picked were actual Fossils.
The petrified tree trunk was discovered in 1940 by the Geologist M. S. Krishnan.
Other fossils and broken pieces from the tree are kept in a nearby room.
Soon after returning to Chennai, I Whatsapped the above Photos to Nirmal and he promptly identified them and gave the actual names. I was very much shocked to hear that these fossils are approximately 66 to 68 million years old. He also added that the fossils can tell more about the environment, the depth of the sea (if it's marine fossils) or fresh water animal fossils can indicate a river ecosystem etc. It seems he had heard from one of his Professors that fossils can be found in rocky areas near Kanyakumari. If you want to know more about his Fossil Collections, do check his Facebook page, How I met the fossils.
My special thanks to Nirmal for guiding and providing enough knowledge about fossils.
