Leap, Leap Away on Leap Day

Today is Feb 29th. A very special day for the 2 people, I know, who celebrate their birthday only once every four years.



By 18years of existence on this planet, I've come across a few many leap years, to be precise 5. But I only remember 4. And the way I remember it, is simply with the Olympics. I remember being a tiny little girl watching the Atlanta opening ceremony. Then 2000, and the big hallebellu about Y2K and what not, and not to forget the Sydney opening ceremony close to home. Olympics was next seen in its birthplace of Greek. I remember vividly, when a Greek friend was telling me ' The Olympics shouldn't move, it should just stay in Greece'. But I'd forget the leap years! Then well, this year, we are yet to see the magnificence of the Beijing Olympics.



This year is not only special for Beijing and China, who are preparing to show cast their potential the world, but it is also special, because leap day lands on a Friday. There are a number of reasons for this to be special. Firstly, as my mum claims, the 'English calender', or as it is properly known as the Gregorian Calender, only repeats itself once every four hundred years. That is, the same days will fall on the same dates only four hundred years later. For the stingy, this means, this year's calender can only be re-used in 2408. That means this year is once in a life time opportunity! More ever, if you note, this month began with a Friday. Leap day has also fallen on a Friday. Snazzy, huh? According to maths and statistics, leap day and the first day of Feb are only the same day once every 28years, which isn't that bad if you think of it as only 7leap years ago. But the last time this happened was in 1980. Now it seems like yonks ago and it will only happen again in 2036, by which time Abdul Kalam's India 2020, and Kevin Rudd's 2020 year, would have passed. Now that makes it seem even longer. And even in 2036, it will be a Thursday. Not as special as a Friday. And in 2052, its a Thursday again.

There are immense folklore associated with Friday and leap day being the same. But the more fascinating myths that have existed are those outright associated with all leap days and leap years. Since Leap day, when first introduced, was seen as a very anti-traditional thing to do, fixing and meddling with some inadequacies of the calender, some very anti-traditional beliefs have also evolved on that day. Leap day, also known as Bachelor's day in some parts of the world, was historically reputed for the day when women could propose. Having gotten tired of waiting for coy men to propose, this was the day women could do it, just as the earth had gotten tired of the calender being constantly behind its cycle.

Some Greek myths also exist, and I suspect Indian tradition would heed to this as well. Leap day marriages are considered unlucky in the ancient country. To this day, 1 in 5 Greek couples try and avoid a leap year marriage. And the world probably follows in step in regard to leap day marriage, for the sole practical reason that you can only celebrate your marriage anniversary once in 4 years.

Being a budding lawyer, I can't forget to mention the all important law. If you were born on a leap day, most countries recognise your age as the number of common years that have passed. Among the famous, and for your trivia, these people were born on this day ; Rukmini Devi Arundale, Indian dancer and founder of Kalakshetra , Dee Brown, American writer , Dave Williams, American singer. Want more names, head to wikipedia. By skimming the list, it seems, with my own little predictions, that if you were born on this day, you are very outgoing, spoken and charismatic person. You have immense capability to become famous, born with the leadership skills to get you there. HEHE. I'll quit the rubbish.

I've always wondered why it had to be Feb 29th, already the smallest month. Well, the truth is not very exciting. February used to be the last month of the king's calender, so he added the day there. No other special reason. How boring?

Even with this leap day, our calender isn't perfect. My mum reckons the Tamil calender is the best. But in reality, nothing is perfect, but we can always try our best!

கல்லூரி திரைவிமர்சனம்

கல்லூரி வாழ்க்கையை மையமாக வைத்து எத்தனையோ படங்கள் வருகின்றனர். அவ்வழியில் இதுவும் ஒரு முயற்சி.
அழகான, ஆழமான, புதுமையான கதைக்கும், இயல்பான நடிகர்களுக்கும் ஒரு சதம்.
சொதப்பலான முடிவுக்கு மைனஸ் மார்க்ஸ்.

காதலுக்கும் நட்புக்கும் இடையில் உள்ள போறாட்டங்களை மையமாக கொண்டு எடுக்கப்பட்ட படத்தில், மாணவர்களின் வேருபபட்ட சூழலிலும், படிப்புக்கு முக்கியதுவம் கொடுக்கும் போறாட்டங்களும் ரசிக்கும் வகையில் இயக்குனர் அமைத்துள்ளார். குறிப்பாக, கதாநாயகி, ஷோபனா, தன்னுடைய சூழலையும், கதாநாயகன், முத்துவின் வாழ்க்கையை வேருப்படித்து, கவனத்தை சிதற விடாமல், வெற்றி பெற ஊக்க்கிவிக்கும் காட்சி அருமை.

அத்தனை நடிகர்களும் புது முகங்கள். ஆனால், இது குறை அல்ல. பிரமாண்டம் இல்லாமல், இயல்பான, உண்மையான் சம்பவங்களை பார்க்கும் உனர்வு ஏற்பட்டது. அதுவும், நடிகர்களின் அருமையான நடிப்பு இதற்கு இன்னொரு காரனம். குறிப்பாக, கயல்விழியுடைய கதாபாத்திரம் மனதைக்கொள்ளைக்கொண்டது.

ஆன் பெண் விதயாசம் இல்லாமல் பழகும் நண்பர்களை பார்த்து நமக்கு புறாமையாய் இருக்கும். அந்த நட்பிற்குள் வரும் சின்னஞ்சிறு பிறச்சனைகள், சுகங்கள், துக்கங்கள் மனதை நெகிழ வைத்துள்ளனர். படத்தின் மூலம், காதலும், ஒரு விதத்தில், பசுமையான நட்பிர்க்கு தடை என்றும் சொல்லாமல் சொல்லியிருக்கிறார் இயக்குனர். பல காட்சிகளில், இந்த பசுமையான நட்புக்கு வள்ர்ச்சி, பெற்றோரின் ஆதர்வும் தான், என்று அறிய முடிகிறது. கயல்விழி ஷொபனாவை எச்சரிக்கும் பொழுது, மனது உறுத்துகிறது. ' மற்றவர்கள் தப்பா நினைக்கின்ற மாதிரி, நாம் ஏன் நடந்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்?' என்றாள். நல்ல நட்புக்கு எத்தனை தடைகள். கடந்த தலைமுறையின் குறுகிய பார்வைகள், எந்தளவுக்கு இளய தலைமுறையை பாதிக்கின்றது என்று இது மூலம் தெரிகிறது.

படத்துக்கு பாடல்கள் பக்க பலம்! குறிப்பாக ஜூன் ஜூலை மாதம், பூக்கம் பூ... என்று பாட்டு பார்ப்பதற்கும், கேட்பதற்கும் இனிமை!

நகைச்சுவையும் களக்கல். 'நீ சொல்றா' என்று மாற்றி மாற்றி இரு நடிகர்களும் சொல்வது அறுக்காம்ல், கதைக்கு ஏற்ற பானியில் அமைந்திருந்தது.

படத்தின் முடிவு புரியாத ஒரு புதிர். பொதுவாக எனக்கு சோகமான முடிவுகள் பிடிக்காது. ஆனால், அதையும் தான்டி இந்த முடிவு எனக்கு கோழத்தனமாக தோன்றியது. எவ்வளவு ஆழமான கதைக்கு விடை தறாமல், பார்வையாலர்களை குழப்பத்தில் ஆழ்த்தியது நியாயமா? எரிச்சல் என்னவென்றால், முடிவு கதைக்கு கொஞ்சம் கூட சம்மந்தமில்லை. ஒரு வேலை இயக்குனர், மாயமாக, மாணவர்கள் எவ்வளவு பொருப்பாக இருந்தாலும், சமூதாயம் அவர்களை தண்டித்து விடும் என்று சொல்லவருகிறாரா? ஒன்னும் புரியவில்லை.

இன்னொரு சிறு உறுத்தல். மாணவி உயர்ந்த கல்லூரியில் படிக்க வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தும், நட்புக்கு முதல் இடம் கொடுக்கிறால், தனது எதிர்காலத்தை மறந்து. இது சரியா தவறா என்று விவாதிக்கனும். ஆனால் இதை இன்னொருக் கோனத்தில் எடுத்துக்கொள்ளலாம். இன்றைய தலைமுறை, மதிப்பு கெளரவம் என்றெல்லாம் மறந்து, இன்றைய நாளிற்காக் வாழ்கின்றனர் என்ற மாதிரி எடுத்துக்கலாம்.

கல்லூரி, பெயருக்கு ஏற்ப அருமையான் கல்லூரி கதை. 'கல்லூரி' நட்பா, காதலா என்று முடிவு செய்வது உங்கள் கைகளில்!

Cricketers and Hotness

Various people over various stages hae commented on the hotness of cricketers. I never understood it and dismissed it as childish. Cricketers are watched for their cricket not their hotness. However sometimes you just can't help catching the hotness of some of these quite wealthy cricketers ;). hehe

A lot of people reckon Dhoni is hot. While I reckon, he sure looks better with short hair, he is not hot. His overgrown short hair made him look like a scruffy little dog. This was not helped by my cousin growing his hair, and getting the same style. Moreover seeing Simbhu withthe same look totally ruined everything. Dhoni's just a class captain with a crazy country worshipping him.

I always loved Dravid. Like Sachin fans, I always believed that Dravid would come back and play some massive shots once more. His sixes in the mumbai stadium have been rumoured to pass the roof tops. Yet I only saw his ability to remain on the ground doing nothing, in the recent test matches against Australia. But he will always be Mr. Charming. He is hot stuff, even if he can't play anymore. I suppose its his tall thin figure that roks. The same goes for Anil Kumble, who can look rocking, in some of the post match interview sessions. Sachin is just too short for hotness, and anyway, his record stands for us to worship him, regardless.

More than batsmen, I've always been a fan of good bowlers. Brett Lee for starters just buzzes the hotness scale. His smile is a killer. And his super fast bowls just make him look ever the better.

When I was young, India had someone called srinath, or somefin similar to that on their team. I loved to see him bowling, even though I had no idea of much else going on in the game.

Now with some briliant young bowlers, India is no more the batting side, but an allrounder. This change is well applauded by many, although some are critical of the youngsters. I believe otherwise. Youngsters rock the game and bring it spirit. When I first saw Sreeshant bowling in the 20.20 worldcup, I was beside myself. He was so full of spirit, call it attitude if you want, but he really tries. Although often he tried to much, and got a wide, and gave a four, the next bowl would be wicket. IT was brilliant. He's learnt to control himself better now, but I want his earlier unpredictability to return, because although ishanth sharma is tall, and an awesome bowler, taking yonks of wickets, he isn't really much eye candy.

Ok, maybe I'm weird, thinking Sreeshanth is eyecandy, but he is! He does an awesome run up before bowling, and remains loyal to his bling. Ok! ok! he doesn;t exactly look great when his face is splattered with sunscreen. But man he has attitude! Attitude with effort! Effort with faith! What more do you need in a bowler? O and he wears glasses, a rocking aspect to any cricketer! Ganguly used to wear glasses, and it made him look really smart, even though he really wasn't.

Yesterday, at the SCG, when Sreesanth came to bat with Ishanth, he was hot. Glasses, and bat and ball are really his scene. But im surprised why do batsmen choose to where glasses when they'd easily have enough money for contacts. MAybe contacts aren't that great for seeing the wicket or the bowl. Ah wait, hang on, he doesn't wear glasses to bowl, only to bat or when he's sitting idly in the changing rooms. Maybe he's short sighted.

I'm really obsessed, and I'm more surprised. Curly hair guys were never my thing. Mayb sreesanth would look even hoter with straight hair. Someone tell him to straighten his hair, just once. I saw a recent add on some Indian channel for something or other. ahh wait, yes it was for Gilette I think. I had to look twice to realise that it was Sreeshanth with Laxman. Man. Sreeshanth looks brilliant in a suit.

Proud of moi BOYS!

It was an incredible match, more incredible than the incredible match I was at. It would have been even more incredible if India had won at the Sydney Cricket Ground, yet the match was nothing short of a non stop entertainment package. For the first time in the commonwealth series, I was truly watching the game I loved.

Compared to the meagre total of 160 at the MCG, where like most of the other games in this tri series, was either dominated by good bowling, or rain, this match was truly a showcase of great one day cricket. In fact, I was seeing one day cricket in its highest class for the first time in the series. The outstanding toal of 318 set the scene and pressure for the Indians, who will always be destined to chase, with Dhoni never winning the tosses. But I'm happy because there's more thrill, finger biting, edge of the seat action.

The match had its brilliant mix of upsets and highlights for both teams. Gilly's and Sachin's quick wickets were dissappointing. Sehwag's and Yuvraj's lack of form was contrasted by Ponting and Symonds immense return with some big runs. While the Australian's hit some hefty sixers, India's efforts were never given up. Dhoni's superb catch to send Gilly of to the change roooms marked the start. Whilst some quick catches near the end, brought some light relief. What was expected to be a total of 350+ was quickly contained by the Indian Demi God to a more achievable 318.

The Indian innings started quite depressingly, with Sachin's quick wicket, which was followed by the collapse of the top order. Only Ghambir could find his bat against the ball and stood out to bat the Aussie bowlers. At 3/51 India was in trouble, but Dhoni, the lifesaver, created a steady partnership with Ghambir to turn the game around. Followed by Pathan and Ghambhir's partnership, India was not only showing hope, but a huge chance of winning. The crowd was ecstatic, as Ghambhir hit the triple figures. Only to be dismissed by some swift action from the amazing wicket keeper, Gilly. More than angry, I was only sad to see Ghambir walk off. By being just centremetres from the crease, Gambir's spell had been broken by Gilly. For him, I am sad, because if India had won, Ghambhir would have been the backbone of the victory. Yet Ghabhir's wicket brought about the interesting partnership of Uthappu and Pathan. The hopes rose again, as they stedily ploughed their way through. Even as Harbhajan entered, hopes were renewed with his belting of fours. But the ball count was ever decreasing and pressure saw the fall of india. The final balls were in the hands of two magnificent young bowlers. It was an amusing sight as Ishanth Sharma and Sreesanth batted the second last over.

The entertainment was not just in the batting by both teams, which included a flurry of fours and sixers. But it was in the non stop energy and spirit generated by both teams. India never gave up and up till 8th wicket it had a solid batting side, as well as some class bowlers. It was impressive to see the Indian side in such good condition. With a massive total, their play not only made it such a thriller, but it was the best entertainment provided of all games in the series played so far. If this is what magic teams can produce, I can't wait to see India and Australia battle it out in the finals! (If 299 is a score India can achieve without its top order, what doubt is there, that it can't beat Sri Lanka)

I can't finish without the comedy. Gilly's slide too early, to prevent a four was hilarious, as was Harbhajan's 2 run out wickets on the 2 last balls of the 2nd innings. Harbhajan's swallowing of dirt as he slided into the crease was just as hysterical.

I'd love to see more of such good cricket, as the runs and bowls start ticking. Just don't let the pressure get to you moi boys!

Buzz

My first trip to the stadium to watch India and Australia battle each other out, while not historical, was indeed memorable.
Being the typical Indian (the one I hate other people calling me) I walked into the crowded stadium, after the debut wicket had been taken by India. So much, for wanting to see the coin toss. The crowd, the atmosphere, the brightness, the proximity of the cricketers all took a while getting used to. I was quite intimidated, unsure, and nervous to begin with. I'd done my fair share of homework, and prepared a poster, so iconical of me. Yet, was so scared to actualy hold it up. Even concentrating on the game, took all my strength. I couldn't tell where the ball was, what the score was or nothing. I stood up as everyone stood up around me for another wicket. But I didn't see the catch, and I wasn't sure what was happening.

Just wait though, by the third wicket, I was pumped. A few rounds of mexican waves, and some getting used to the surroundings, made the atmosphere infectitious, and excitement ran through me! I was ecstatic at fourth wicket, having figured out that everyone was as lost as me, in knowing when a wicket was lost. I was waving my poster incredibly, except upside down. But i was laughing, as the man in front of me let me know. It didn't matter, I was part of a crazy crowd, and wouldn't budge for another 5mins, even if the bowler had already bowled to the new batsmen, and peeps behind me were getting dodged.

It really wasn't the cricket that got me hooked, it was nearly secondary to the entire scene. We had a running commentry form a 9yr old behind me, entertainment all around, why did we ever need to look at the game? We had beach balls floating, camera men to attract, posters to wave, and cricketers to point at. Who cared about the game?

But by the time it was second innings, I learnt there was a scoreboard. The one cricketers kept looking at, and we thought it was us. The other big screen was useless, because I was actually at the match, and not watching it on T.V. If i missed it with my eyes, there would be no second look. Because the crowds crazy enough, you get carried with it.

I most enjoyed calling out to Sreeshant, and holding a poster in the middle of an over, with 2 wickets to go. I doubt no one heard me beyond a few seats across, but it was fun, especially when he got a wicket the next ball. I loved my 'incredible india poster!' and was even more thrilled when it scored its place on TV. My other LED lights poster wasn't a great success, considering the stadium outwon me with its tons of flood lights. And too bad 'Yuvraj our Raja' didn't become a hit, as Yuvraj went out for a 3. Ill jsut hold the belief that it was cos of my poster that Yuvraj played well in the next 2 matches. And I'll also equally believe that it was my incredible precense that made India win! not jsut that match, but also against Sri Lanka. They lost to Australia the second time, unfortunately, because I wasn't there.

A friend quoted, 'First match, India wins, and You get on TV!' I guess, I'm just incredible, aint I? ;)

மஞ்சல் நீராட்டு விழா

I went to a மஞ்சல் நீராட்டு விழா yesterday. If you don't know what it is, I'm not going to be bothered to explain it to you, because unlike a lot of other things, I ain't proud of this specific cultural practice. It probably isn't so bad if you think back to it, but on the day, when your centre of attention it’s dodgy as!

The entire function involves many rituals, of few I know of. I tried thinking back, to the few such functions I've been to. Unfortunately, my memory betrayed me. I suspect it begins with elders or மாமி (uncle's wife) pouring மஞ்சல் (turmeric) water over the VIP. Then begins the அழங்காரம் (decoration) process. This was the part I hated most. You feel such a doll, where they decorate you, so others can see your beauty. I suppose maybe this is my, narrow, pessimistic view because I'm such an anti-makeup person. I prefer my natural colours to be seen. And at that age it was all the worse. I would have so much preferred to go out and play a game of soccer. But, no they made me sit.

But yesterday, amid my negative views for this function, I was surprised, there were smiles everywhere. What were they happy about, I don't know. I would have given anything to have my childhood back. But moreover, the more surprising aspect was the other little girls. Who seemed to enjoy it all. They loved the glamour, gloss and attention the VIP got. But I bet, that girl in particular, wasn't as excited. She was smiling, and to the outsider, it was coy, but hiding behind the smile was fear. She indeed looked stunning in the blue sari, although there are many years, yet to come, before she will wear that sari again. Her movements were unsure, and the maturity suited for the saree had not come yet. It is a சுமை at this age, but one day she'll look elegant in that saree, because the colour really suited her.

Anyway, what followed was everyone giving the VIP gifts, and blessing her with the usual குங்குமம், சந்தனம், பண்ணீர், etc. Was she to sit, or stand, I sensed her uneasiness. They asked me to do the blessing. I was stiff scared. It’s always been like this with formalities. Having not grown up in India, all though I have a grasp on the things from the outside, specific practices I had no idea of. I felt ashamed of my ignorance, because everyone else seemed to know. But it was alright, because they accepted my ignorance, and told me it’s the blessing that's important. So I quickly, went and put குங்குமம் on her already red forehead and came.

Having concluded the formalities, the remaining was alright. The VIP changed to a தாவனி, which must’ve been more comfort than a saree, nevertheless, still as uncomfortable, because this, as like the saree, was the first time, she had worn it. She was yet to find out about the pulling and adjusting of the thavani, to ensure, it doesn’t look dodgy.

The only thing remaining was food. No Indian function goes by without food. We sat and ate the chocolates, sweets and anything else we could find until the food was ready. This was the best time, in my opinion. The boys, as usual, boys, kept coming up with challenges and ways of annoying girls. At least I was able to get the girls, to sit down and keep the VIP company, who obviously must have been forbidden to run around. I got them to play Chinese whispers, charades and memory games. And then we got hooked on to lollies, and I taught them how to make cups, dresses, and bouquets out of the wrappers, until, the boys found out, and started stealing the wrappers.

It was a fun day, overall. But poor VIP or maybe she did enjoy it. But still, I can't agree with the function. You don't have to notify everyone of the day that you can wear a sari. It doesn't need to be marked as a milestone, clearly there is time yet, for the VIP to grow and mature. It is never a distinct turning point, and the original reason this function was held in those days doesn't even apply today, as girls marry yonks later, and furthermore, there are other ways to look for a suitable suitor nowadays, anyway.