Smile

Image: Pinterest

thoughts gently asked 
thoughts gently reminded
the smile reappears

Ustad Zakir Hussain

Watch Ustad Zakir Hussain Video on YouTube

Photo Courtesy: Pluz Cinema

Sathish Babu - Disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha

26th March 2016

By Shri Sathish Babu, 
Disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha

Venue: Vyloppilly Sanskriti Bhavan, 

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Lehra Harmonium: Shri Sreejith
Photos by: Abhinand

Visit Shri Sathish's Website

why is it always late while we realize an artist?

 

Ratheesh (Photo:Facebook)

Why is it always late while we realize an Artist?Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. ... 

ക്ലാവ് പിടിച്ച വിളക്കിനെ തേച്ച് മിനുക്കുംപോലെ ,കല തിളങ്ങുന്നതിനോപ്പം ഒരു കലാകാരനിലും പ്രതിഭ കാണേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.
ഒരുപാടുപേർക്ക് പരിചിതനെങ്കിലും പലർക്കും പരിചയമില്ലാത്ത ഒരു വേറിട്ട കലാകാരനെയാണ് ഞാൻ ഇവിടെ പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത്, രതീഷ്‌ എന്നാണ് ഈ കലാകാരന്റെ പേര് . വരയിലും നിശ്ചലഛായാഗ്രഹണത്തിലും ഒരുപോലെ നൈപുണ്യം ഇദ്ദേഹത്തിനുണ്ട് . 

I’ve never thought much about drawings by Ratheesh. Then, a few months or an year ago, I saw Ratheesh’s pencil drawings through my friend Anand, colleague of him, both working in a reputed company in Trivandrum, and was quite impressed with it. And even more recently, I happened upon Ratheesh’s updates over Facebook.

see Ratheesh's Art in this page - ART GALLERY

His recent drawing includes great Musician and songwriter Saul Hudson, professionally known as Slash

വെറുതെ ഒരു പോസ്റ്റ്‌

ഒരു പഴയ ചിത്രം 

എല്ലാവർക്കും നമസ്കാരം ! 

 എഴുതിയിട്ട് ഒരുപാട് നാളായെങ്കിലും ബ്ലോഗ്‌ വായിക്കുന്നവരുടെ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളും ടെലിഫോണ്‍ കോളുകളും കിട്ടുന്നുണ്ട്, സന്തോഷം. ഈ ബ്ലോഗ്പോസ്റ്റ് എന്റെ ഓർമ്മ ശെരിയാണെങ്കിൽ, ഞാൻ മലയാളത്തിൽ എഴുതുന്ന രണ്ടാമത്തെ പോസ്റ്റ്‌ ആവണം. മലയാളം വളരെ വേഗത്തിൽ തന്നെ ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്യുകയാണ് .. ചില വായനക്കാർക്ക് ബുദ്ധിമുട്ട് ഉണ്ടാകും എന്ന് മനസിലാക്കുന്നു. അല്ല പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് ഒന്നും എടുത്തു പറയാൻ ഈ ബ്ലോഗിൽ ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും എന്തെങ്കിലും കുത്തി കുറിക്കാനും ചിലരത് വായിക്കാനും ഇടവരുന്നതുകൊണ്ട് ഇടയ്ക്ക് ഒന്ന് പൊടി തട്ടി വയ്ക്കാം എന്ന് കരുതി. പിന്നെ ഇടയ്ക്ക് പശ്ചാത്തല സംഗീതം മാറ്റുന്ന പതിവ് ഉണ്ട്, ഇന്നും തെറ്റിച്ചിട്ടില്ല, ഫ്ലാഷ് പ്ലയെർ ഉള്ളവർ ശബ്ദം കൂട്ടുകയാണെങ്കിൽ നന്നായി കേൾക്കാം ;

അവധി ദിവസം തിരക്കില്ലെങ്കിലും ഒരു പുസ്തകം വായിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു ! 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

   Christmas Eve is almost here for us…

“Merry Christmas”, Readers! I want to thank all my blog readers over the last 12 months, hope I’ve have entertained,and informed, you all and will continue to do so next year.
 Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I can’t believe that it’s come up so fast.Merry Christmas! Hope you all get a peaceful Christmas holidays.No holidays for me   but there will still be plenty to enjoy over the festive period.I am not signing off  for the Christmas break today, so this will be the last main post of 2011.May the peace and blessings of the season be with you and your loved ones. I’m glad to have you all in my life.
 

… Sometimes losing is really winning!

 Merry Christmas everybody!

the month of celebration

chingam

For Keralites this month is very special. Today is the first day of the malayalam Month 'Chingam', the beginning of the New Year as per its traditions. A great significance to the farmers! This is the new year day as per the Malayalam Era ,my favorite month in the Malayalam calender and so ... My New Year Wishes to all Keralites!

Have a memorable Onam this year!

T.O.D.A.Y.

Today is the Day

My mind is racing at a faster pace than my heart. I don’t even know how to start. Maybe it’s the way we said goodbye, the way I’m now noticing every single lie. The whispers, and giggles all seem to be true, and now seeing the things that you taught me were all new. The question is, how can things so intimate come so quick, I’ve been with you from the very start. I’ve done all you’ve asked, and you’ve done it all. Not for me, and not for yourself but for a different we, an item too toxic for my twisted desires to see. Entertaining someone else’s time, confusing your misfortunes for mine. Why is it so hard to let go, let me leave, let me be happy with someone who wants me. I give you permission to laugh and smile, and think to yourself how you allowed it to last a while. The thing is you don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to go, how many times my bitter soul wouldn’t let me leave. Just know for my sake the memories are the reason for my current remains.

Transit of venus 2012

Taken by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory from geosynchronous orbit. (click photo to enlarge)

Our sister planet Venus as it plunges just past the solar limb and crosses the sun’s face. SDO took images in several different wavelengths, including extreme ultraviolet that shows the sun blazing with fierce magnetic field lines. Venus looks like it’s going to get burned above a hellish landscape as it sails across the sun’s face — it’s more than 67 million miles away so there’s no actual chance of that. This is the first time that a satellite has taken such high-quality images of a transit of Venus

Great photo of the transit taken from Chicago. The flight path of O’Hare International Airport was between camera and the sun, leading to an incredible airplane silhouette alongside Venus crossing the sun.

Courtesy: Adam Mann & NASA/SDO

Still crazy after all these years!

This is just a blog of my random thoughts. This will be a collection of everything from my thoughts, to funny things I find on the net (including tweets and FB status) to whatever else I decide to post.We all have a story and random thoughts that swim through our heads; they are what shape us into who & where we are today.Do you go and find random FB posts and comment on them or are these people we know?

Still Crazy After All These Years..
I still remember the first time I saw Google from an internet cafe I started using the internet around 2000, which was the one that led to all the ones I use today – Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc.

It was like a whole new world.

Winterize...It's too hot in Trivandrum

The days are too hot,the sun is scorching its really unusual, So stay indoors.
Summer season is not only loved for its warmth and sunshine, but it is the time that marks end of an academic year for students.

Hot weather risks!!!

Your body is affected by the temperature of the environment around you, resulting in the following as it rises:

    * Ambient temp: 20 ° C (68F) Comfortable. Heart rate normal.
    * 25 ° C (77F) Light sweating.
    * 30 ° C (86F) Discomfort: Blood cools at skin surface. Concentration affected. Moderate sweating.
    * 38-41 ° C (104F) Heat exhaustion: Heavy sweating. Rapid heart rate. Tiredness. Nausea.
    * 45 ° C (113F) Heat stroke: Sweating stops. Hot, dry skin. Core temperature rises. Fainting. Danger of organ damage and death.

estimate how much fluid to drink each day

Drink lots of liquids: As you will be losing more fluid than normal, it's important to top up your supplies. The best way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink water, and to sip it, rather than gulp it down.
However, drinking excessive amounts of certain fluids can bring problems of its own. You might think a cold beer is exactly what the doctor ordered, but in fact, alcohol dehydrates the body, and consumption should be kept to a minimum. If you can't face drinking lots of water, non-carbonated soft drinks, such as fruit juice, are a reasonable alternative.

the Bathing Festival

Be sensible about exercise: Do not exercise vigorously during the hottest times of the day. Instead, run, jog or exercise closer to sunrise or sunset. Take things slowly and adapt to the pace of life in the sun. If you feel breathless or your heart is pounding, stop what you are doing and try to cool your body down, for example, by taking a cool shower. Rest if you feel faint or dizzy.

Waiting for entering the new season with "renewed focus and energy"

Courtesy: BBC - Health

Happiness is a Journey and not a Destination

I Resigned From my Job

it's okay for someone to be alone

But it’s some sort of personal issues which made me take a decision of leaving my job and take a quiet vacation for my own self apart from my work. And thus I have mailed my resignation to the concern in the middle of this month; my decision, which gave me a nostalgic feeling and made me stick up hard to my decision.

"This is the time to reconnect with myself, a time where I can talk to myself, debating all the questions and answers that are bouncing in my head. This is the time of reflection. This is the time of acceptance and letting go, .... The reaction of other people to the end of my relationship has been one of the strangest factors in my experience… it's difficult to convince most people that it's okay for someone to be alone, and that life doesn't end and activities don't stop"
-Tiny Buddha

I can't quite see the end ahead

 Rather than to live a suppressed life hiding in the shadows of mediocrity and remaining a latent soul obscured from the greatness that lies deep within, I would rather emerge from the darkness and reveal the beauty of my light to world. ... What is it you seek in your life…. love, happiness, health and wealth? .... The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about, the more you have left when anything happens

Happy Onam to all...

King Mahabali [via Facebook]

Malayalees all over the world get set to celebrate Thiruvonam today,The festivities centre around the homecoming of the legendary Asura King Mahabali.

May the God bless you and fill your heart with love and your home with happiness and joy.

Wishing all my Friends,lovely blog readers, 

A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS ONAM!!

May this year brings you lots and lots of happiness in life and fulfill all your dreams. Happy Onam 2011.

-Sandeep Sagar

Onam 2011

"Forever remembering thoughts of happiness & prosperity with all sweet onam days." 
To all keralites wishing you a Happy Onam [via FACEBOOK ] - CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

South is gearing up for Kerala's biggest festival Onam,The aroma of fresh flowers filled the air .

From glooms to cheerfulness, from Hiking budget constraints to prosperity, from the dullness of heavy rains to the freshening radiance of gentle sun rays, … that Onam to Keralites – arguably the chief festival.
Festival Countdown starts Today. It's only 3 nights till Festival. We have special guest from Underworld (Paathalam),marks the homecoming of the legendary king Maveli.Yes, it's time once again for my all-time favorite Onam Festival-In Kerala..One of the most prestigious and biggest celebrations!!

Wish you all Blog Readers,Friends and all a very happy ONAM. May this Onam be the forerunner of good luck and joyfulness and may it bring you joy, that lasts all year.

Chingam

Today is the first day of the malayalam Month 'Chingam'. This is the new year day as per the Malayalam Era,my favorite month in the Malayalam calender and so ... My New Year Wishes to all Keralites!
Have a memorable Onam this year!
 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

   An inventory of the priceless articles locked up in underground cellars of Kerala's Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has revealed .The vast treasure trove revealed in recent days instantly turned the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple into one of the wealthiest religious institutions in India

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

CNN~IBN

Treasure, thought to be worth billions of rupees, has been unearthed from secret underground chambers in "Sree Padmanabha Swamy Kshetram"
Yesterday the seven-member Supreme Court- appointed committee, which opened the chamber is learned to have added valuables worth Rs 20,000 crore into the inventory. 
Its Approx;more than Rs 1 lakh Crore

Treasure -Brief Summary and Analysis

"Treasures included very old gold chains, diamonds and precious stones which cannot be valued in terms of money," says Malayala Manorama,
The treasure contains ‘Kashi necklaces’ worth several crores, believed to be worn by kings of Travancore.Crowns, jewels and precious stones were also listed.The seven-member committee, aided by Fire Force, Rescue Force and PWD officials, entered the underground chamber, armed with oxygen masks.Three sets of crowns and an idol of Padmanabha Swamy have been listed.A large collection of ‘Saratpoli mala’, numbering 1,000,was also found. They are studded with gems called ‘aval’. Nearly a tonne of ‘aval’ was found.One of these chains was reportedly 18-foot long.‘Swarna dhandu’ in huge numbers and ‘pathakam’ have also been listed in this chamber.The chamber was feared to be filled with poisonous fumes due to which it was oxygenated first. The members who entered the chamber were provided with oxygen masks.
The committee has already opened the ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers while the ‘E’ chamber could not be opened on Wednesday, as it required the presence of the ‘nambi’. This chamber and chamber ‘B’ on Today. The whole exercise began on Monday with the committee members opening the ‘C’ chamber which contained gold items, including golden umbrellas, pots,‘varps’ and silver pots. On Tuesday, the ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers were opened.Precious stone-studded thrones and crowns have been found among the innumerable valuables stacked in these chambers. On Wednesday, the committee opened the ‘A’ chamber — which had not been opened for centuries — for a few minutes and decided to seek the help of Fire and Rescue Services personnel and Health Department officials to ward off any untoward incidents.

Brief History-

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

Temple Name: Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Alias Name : Ananthapuri
God : Sri Anantha Padmanabhan aka Thamarai Manaalan
Goddess : Sri Hari Lakshmi Thayaar
Pushkarni : Matsya Theertham, Padma Theertham
Vimanam : Hemakoota Vimanam
Location : Trivandrum

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple was built in the 16th Century by the kings who ruled over the then kingdom of Travancore. Local legends say the Travancore kings sealed immense riches within the thick stone walls and vaults of the temple.Since Independence, the temple has been controlled by a trust run by the descendants of the Travancore royal family. After 1947 the kingdom of Travancore merged with the princely state of Cochin, which eventually became the present-day state of Kerala.The inspections at the temple began after India's Supreme Court appointed a seven-member panel to enter and assess the value of the objects stored in its cellars, including two chambers last thought to have been opened about 130 years ago.

The current Maharajah of Travancore, H.H Uthradan Thirunaal Marthanda Varma has been
the managing trustee of the temple

The current Maharajah of Travancore, Uthradan Thirunaal Marthanda Varma, who is also the managing trustee of the temple, appealed to the Supreme Court against Sundar Rajan's petition.He said that as Maharajah he had every right to control the temple because of a special law enacted after Independence, which vested the management of the temple with the erstwhile ruler of Travancore.But his appeal was rejected - Maharajahs have no special status in India and they are treated like ordinary citizens.The members of the Travancore royal family consider themselves to be servants of the presiding deity at the temple,

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Idol (Anantha Shayanam)

Padmanabhaswamy, which is an aspect of the Hindu God Vishnu in eternal sleep. This is why they historically entrusted their wealth to the temple.But there was a public outcry when the Maharajah attempted to retain control of the temple by citing the special law, with many arguing that the wealth belonged to the people now.The vaults were opened in the presence of the panel, and observers, which include high court judges, temple officials, archaeology authorities, Sundar Rajan and a representative of the current Maharajah.

>>Temple details Visit www.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.com  

>>More about Thiruvananthapuram

Courtesy: The Hindu,BBC,Indian Express, Malayala Manorama,CNN~IBN