War of Mahaabharatham

I am about to reach 1000 pages reading this epic. Here is an interesting count on the number of people who fought this war.

The grouping is called ‘Ashowhinee’. Paandavaas fought with ‘seven’ ashowhinee of forces and Gowravaas with ‘eleven’ of them.

So here is the break of up ‘ashowhinee’ and all the forces.

1 chariot + 1 elephant + 3 horses + 5 foot-solders = 1 patthi
3 x patthi = 1 senaa-mugham
3 x senaa-mugham = 1 kulmam
3 x kummam = 1 kanam
3 x kanam = vagini
3 x vagini = brudhany
3 x brudhany = samoo
3 x samoo = aneegini
10 x aneegini = ashowhenee

So, 1 ashowhinee had

21,870 chariots
21,870 elephants
65,610 horses
1,09,350 foot-solders

So the count of 7 ashowhenee’s that paandavaas had, comes out to

1,53,090 chariots
1,53,090 elephants
4,59,270 horses
7,65,450 foot-solders

and the count of 11 ashowhenee’s that gowravaas had, comes out to

2,40,570 chariots
2,40,570 elephants
7,21,710 horses
12,02,850 foot-solders

That’s one gigantic and colossal war ! Even more interesting is to read about ‘formations’ they came up with, from time to time to wage these battles.

An interesting note in Mahaabharatham

More on Mahaabharatham -

There is no reference in Mahaabaaratham that either there were temples at that time or that anyone (including Paandavaas or Gowravars) visited one.

Reasoning : At that time, all had a set purpose and path with respect to worship and it was that through sincere and often painful penance and when they followed that procedure god came reaching out to them or they visited the heavens or where god lived. Need for a “temple” didn’t exist !

In other words – the search of humans to find and to seek god’ blessings, advice and direction, was sincere and when it followed the prescribed path (by religion and religious advice) it brought god ‘closer’ to humans – than the division that developed over time that human kind had to dedicate places of worship and had to ‘visit’, relate to their significance, revere, do introspection and plan and change their lives.

Mahaabharatham

So I am reading Mahaabharatham, which I have been wanting to do for a long time. This time, this attempt has started by reading the book “Mahaabharatham Pesughiradhu”, by Cho Ramaswamy. I wanted to share this amazing info graphic I made on this great epic. I will write more on this.

Why this kolaveri di?

If that title does not click what it is about, you are one of the very few who does not know that it is a song from India, which went viral in the recent few weeks.

Background as how this song became so famous is very interesting. First of all, as many movies in India feature bunch of songs, this song ‘Why this kolaveri di’ is from the movie ’3′. The movie crew came out to say that the audio of this music composition was leaked and so they decided to release the video-shoot of the composition. You can find it in the YouTube, where a team of four is seen in a music studio singing the song.

On the song, it has a catchy beat and if you don’t understand the lyrics, it is OK, there is not much to talk about.

At any point of time, there are many songs, which has catchy beats and they become very popular. Examples : ‘Kiss That Frog’, ‘I am a Barbie Girl’, ‘Red Nex’, the list is endless. Nothing wrong with that either. However, what I want to focus is on the on-screen/off-screen behavior of the crew of the movie.

Media has created a necessity around promotion in their domain that any movie that is not promoted (in all forms of media) is outcast by the same media that it voids any average movie watchers and in turn the movie suffers. Over years, these promotions ranged from a program commenting on a movie, rating a movie to interviewing the crew. Current trend is to have all the crew of the movie and their uncle to talk endlessly about the movie and everything that is super significant only in their eyes. Actors sitting across each other pretend they are very cool and fun to work with.

Back to kolaveri di, Dhanush and Co. has very clearly and cleverly orchestrated a campaign to take this to a new level. They alone should be attributed to this campaign. Media and the public equally have their part too.

Dhanush and Co.
Dhanush is playing a very clever political game. He is reusing the power of his father-in-law Rajni Kanth to his benefit. Every interview with him will find him bring it up (to talk something about Rajni Kanth) or even otherwise the interviewer will bring it up. Even more, Dhanush uses this power to portray that he is the next Rajni Kanth. He obviously does not say this openly, but the subtle message is very clear.

Slaves – fans, fanatics, media and movie watchers of this country and particularly state will gloat and worship even a dog that crosses the gate of Rajni Kanth. So it is no surprise that Dhanush sees a fortune and his future in doing, what he is doing. He pretends to be a cool chap, who is very modest in his success and is a commoner in his lifestyle. All the while his sheepish behavior only shows the opposite.

But again, those to be blamed is not people like Dhanush, but those people who buy such crap. As long as Dhanush and people like Dhanush are not seen as an actor who is doing his work but instead they are doing something noble, there will be 1000′s of Dhanush who will spring in this society and take advantage of us.

‘Love’ in so many words

Indian movies has a set template. Boy falls in love with the girl, girls’ family cannot accept the boy. Family gets involved in creating trouble for the boy. The boy overcomes the problem as a hero and he marries the girl. In this template, the “variations” in coming up with stories, is what drives the movie industry.

Given that music is an “integral” part of any Indian movie (most often it is only the music which drives movie goers to watch the movie, even when the template is boringly adapted), music composers pretty much can predict the “theme” as well.

Examples would be Songs for
“Happy time at college, with friends”,
“First song after falling in love with the girl”,
“Overcoming first round of obstacles from the girl’ side”,
“Union after separation” or “Permanent Separation”.
Again these variations is where the music composer and particularly the lyricist has “openings” to “explode on their creativity”.

All too often, lyricists adopt a generic “theme” in such songs. Yet, there are few exceptions, which goes on to prove the “powerful creative mind” in this process of music.

‘Ask Laska’ is THE example for such “creative prowess”. Lyricist is Poet Madhan Karky, he holds a PhD in Computer Science and teaches at Anna University. He is the son of the famous Poet Vairamuthu.

Story line looks ordinary : A boy (Computer Engineer) sings about his love towards a girl (Doctor)

But the poet (in question) is looking at this a different dimension. The emphasis is not just “love of a boy toward a girl”. Yes, that is important, but there is much of a scope to elaborate when you bring in their “point of view” framed by their profession and expertise.

With that, the scope broadens for the boy to establish his love with his knowledge or interest in “multiple languages” and his approach as an “engineer”. The girl equally has to “reciprocate”, not only toward his (established) love but also his “state of mind” and view them as a “doctor”

Male
Ask Laska Amour Amour
Ai Ast Ast Liebe..
Ahava Bolingo Cinta Cinta
Ishq Ishq Meile..
Love Ishtam Premam Pyaaro Pyaaro
Oru Kaathal Unthan Melae

Translation
That is the ‘word of love’ from sixteen different languages ! What a way to start ?!

Male
Aththanai Mozhiyilum Vaarthai Ovvondrum Koithaen
Moththamaai Koarthuthaan Kaathal Sendondru Seithaen
Unnidam Neetinaen Kaathalai Kaatinaen
Aeno Thannaalae Un Maelae Kaathal Kondaenae!!
Aetho Unnaalae En Vaazhvil Artham Kandaenae!!
Chorus
Ask Laska

Translation
I plucked the word of Love from all languages
I tied them all together to make a ‘Bouquet of Love’
I extended that to you and
Showed (To Establish) my Love
Don’t know why, but involuntarily I fell in love with you
And because of you, I found the meaning of life

Male
Plutovil Unnai Naan Koodaetruvaen
Vinmeengal Porukki Soodaetruvaen
Mukkonangal Padippaen Un Mookkin Maelae
Vittam Mattam Padippaen Un Nenjin Maelae
Mellidaiyodu Valaikodu Naan Aagiraen.. Oh..

Translation
I shall place you in the Planet Pluto
I shall make it warm and cozy (for you) by collecting Stars
Triangles, I study on your nose
Width and Depth, I study on your heart
Curvy lines, I am exploring on your waistline

Female
Platovin Maganaai Un Vaedamaa?
Aaraichi Nadaththa Naan Koodamaa?
Paazhum Noyil Vizhunthaai Un Kannil Kandaen..
Naalum Unnum Marunthaai En Muththam Thandaen
Un Nenjil NaadiMaani Vaikka
Kaathal Kaathal Endrae Kaetka
Chorus
Ask Laska

Translation
Is (acting like) Son of Plato, your disguise?
To do your research, Am I a Lab?
(You have) Fallen on the depth of illness, I see it in your eyes
(Prescribing you) Daily medicine, is my healing kiss
As I place the stethoscope, (all) I hear is “love”, “love”

Female
Deja Vu Voo Kanavil Thee Moottinaai
Raaja En Manathai Aaen Vaattinaai
Kappam Kaettu Miratti Nee Veppam Kondaai
Raththam Moththam Kothikka
En Pakkam Vanthaai
Vennilavaaga Ithamaaga Kulirootavaa

Translation
I feel like Deja Vu and you lit my dreams
My dear, why do you hurt my feelings ?
You threatened me to pay taxes of warmth by hugs
My blood heats up as come near me
(But) be as the Moon to make me feel the gentle chill

Male
Kannaadi Nilavaai Kankoosinaai
Venvanna Nizhalaai Min Veesinaai
Pullil Pooththa Pani Nee.. Oru Kallam Illai..
Virus Illaa Kani Nee.. Un Ullam Vellai..
Nee Kollai Malli Mullai Polae
Pillai Mellum Šollai Polae
Chorus
Ask Laska

Translation
You are white as the Moon, which is blindingly bright
(You threw it like the) White shadow on the sand
You are the “dew on the grass”, you are pure
You are the virus free Computer, your heart is white (pure)
You are like the garden bloom of Jasmines and an infant’s blabber

Lyrics in Native Tamil Language

Courtesy, Appreciation in our Society

Here are some real conversations, reactions and observations. Location : Cities in India – Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore.

I ask for directions to a Auto-rickshaw driver. He directs me, it was very clear and helpful and I say “Thank You”. He gives a hearty smile. Another day, similar situation another person “salutes with smile”.

 

I talk to an education counsellor on an important issue. I realize that I must have alerted them on it ahead of time. I say “I am sorry, I think I made a mistake to not alert you or talk to you. I just missed. Can this be fixed now ?”. He says “Oh no, why do you say sorry for this Sir, yes this can be fixed”. Few days later, when I follow-up, he not only remembers me (among 100′s and 1000′s of students), but he helps in fixing the issue as well.

 

I am traveling in a Cab, talking to the Cab driver, who should be in his late 50′s. At ever stop, he would run and open the door for me, help me move my bags. When I tell him “Oh do not worry about it, its light and I will take care of myself”. He responds “Sir, I think you are concerned on my looks that I am old, I cannot do this. But I am very much an able person Sir. It is my duty that I should be helping as a Cab driver”. It affects me immediately, so much that when I tell him “Oh no Sir, not at all. I did not mean it in that way, except that I thought I can handle it myself”, he responds “You are my customer, it is my duty to be at your command”.

 

Another cab story. Given a fixed time line and destination, I tell a particular Cab driver to pick me up every day at the same time to drop me off at the same location. When we are traveling, I talk to him and the ‘life of a cabbie’ interests me and I engage in a regular conversation. After few days he says “Sir, you know nobody has talked to me so freely and without any reservations”

There is something deeper in all of these. There are actually two sides to these events.

To begin with few words such as “sorry” are wrongly understood and used. Few others such as “Thank You” or appreciations such a “Good Job”, “That is very helpful for me” have been simply forgotten. As a society we have developed thick skin that has developed extraordinary amount of ego and that has erased few basic courtesies and manners in us.

Sorry
Sorry is one of those words that is often used in wrong situations and not even uttered when it should be. Those who are well-mannered and courteous think of the word as “response toward a crime committed” and often end up rejecting that. That’s even OK.

But what is very disturbing is the society has become so selfish that most do not feel sorry and hence do not utter so, for anything.

Here again are some real examples – one is called for an interview and made to wait for hours. Person to meet bails out without notice. After several hours the candidate is simply told, the plan will be rescheduled. The candidate is simply walked to the door. Nothing is offered.

Another person is told to attend a meeting at a set time. Nobody shows up. When followed up, he is given a lame reason by the meeting organizer and that’s about it.

The problem I find with people to not say “sorry” is, first the misunderstanding about the meaning of that word and second, the very feeling that “why should I say sorry, when I have few reasons and factors, which caused that outcome”. Constantly we are trying to push the reasons around and we care nothing or less about everything.

Thank You
This society as a whole does not recognize or appreciate anything. We need favors, but still we are not thankful to them. We want to be taken seriously, but we take people for granted.

Best place to experience this is in any restaurant. Those caterers are doing their job to get our food. They are often yelled at. They are often whisked away by facial reactions and gestures. They have a job to do. Why can’t one say “thank you” when they serve you. You have gotten a service, the food you asked for.

Second common place is any shop where at the end of the transaction, people simply walk away. Most of the shop owners and helpers don’t even thank customer. Likewise, the same is lacking from shoppers as well.

What is wrong with us ?

Such things while it may appear routine and simple, do matter.

The responses and reactions during our daily interactions with people are more and more stiff. Everybody is upset and angry about something. Everybody is preoccupied about events and happenings in their own world. Simply put, we have become the most selfish, than ever. But we are not alone. We simply cannot appreciate anything. We expect favors, we expect people to be courteous, kind and helpful to us, but we cannot reciprocate.

Our massive ego is making us solid as a rock and erases the very purpose of “human interaction”. We are not machines, which are mundane without any emotions. Imagine a world where you are made to interact only with automated kiosks and vending machines providing different services. If you are sick and tired of human interaction or human species as a whole, would you be OK to be only human being in such an ecosystem ?

World is beautiful
We as humans are wonderful beings. Our unique behaviour is what differentiates us from every other life form. We need to appreciate things that happen to us and equally around us.

One more extreme example to make this point from my end.

It was a very bad, long argument with my family. I lost my cool with a security guard who would let me park my vehicle. I lost my control and yelled at him and out of anger drove out. As I started to drive, in less than 3 minutes it hit me and hit me badly. I had my unfreeze of my brain. I realized I did a terrible thing. I went back to the same guard and said “I made a terrible mistake, I was just wrong to have yelled at you. It was my mistake, I’m sorry”. The same guard kindly said “It is OK sir, no problem”, suggested me a place to park and asked “Sir, did you visit our showroom to do your shopping?”

I felt so light and good after I apologized on my action. I felt that I did the “right” thing. I was wrong and that guard deserved my “apology”.

I strongly feel that there is something in our heart that makes us feel good and light when we do the right thing, when we are friendly, cordial, social, forgiving and flexible.

One has to resurrect and cultivate the basic courtesies and ethics that we expect others and including our children to develop in them. We should thrive to leave a world that is “kind” and “cordial” to our children.

Our children observe and emulate “us” and our society, as they grow up. If I/we exhibit such attitudes, our children won’t even know the words and meaning of “Sorry” or “Thank You” or “Great Job”.

Is that how you want to leave the world ?
Is that the quality you want to see in your sons and daughters ?

I don’t think so.

Let us appreciate and be cordial to people during the best of the time and equally when it’s not best.

I am very much here.

Between my long commute to work, work, my classes it has been very busy. That is the reason for a long break.

Time to break the break.

USA, India – Those comparitive thoughts.

I returned to Chennai, India from a business trip to United States. In many ways, this trip will remain unforgettable. It was during this trip, that I lost my biggest motivator, virtual-guru, virtual-mentor and my idol Steve Jobs. I still have not come out of it, among other things.

Trip was uneventful in many others ways. Work occupied my time for most of the trip. Developments at work were moving at turtle speed and conversations around that were not good either. Pleasant change however was that I went to work and stay in Houston, TX. My first visit to the state of Texas.

As I was sailing through days, as many others – the thought of what one wants in India to compare United States occupied my mind.

Few conversations with the cab drivers in this regard, certainly acted as a catalyst, I should add. Also, talking to few friends and well wishers on different topics, but who explored the ‘Indian connections and roots’ along with me kicked off this thought process.

Questions were

• Why did I spend more than a decade in United States?
• What were the key takeaways?
• How it changed me as a person?
• How it helps to carry myself on a day to day basis?
• How do I see and the deal with the corporate world of United States vis-a-vis India?
• How do I cope up with the Indian society and social setup?
• How has been the move?
• What is next ?

I had spent little over two decades in India, before I spent the next decade in United States. Then I moved back. So, answers to these questions are not short and crisp to say the least. They are complicated and are influenced by a number of factors – Family (immediate and extended),  Career choices, Personal preferences, Goals etc.

From my personal experience, just like many Indians who live and work in United States spend time and energy thinking about this, talking about this, it has been the same for me back here in India as well. Having spent a considerable amount of time, it does weigh in at times, in so many different ways.

Human mind wants one, works towards one and when it gets it, it looks both ways – front and back. I should add, that there are few things in India, and from India, which I would not part with, no matter what. Same holds good for United States as well.

So, the reality is – I want the best of the both worlds and actually at both places!

Fact is, India carries its rich history and ever transforming heritage, to where it is today. Again, United States prowess lies in its magnetic, immigrant driven, innovative setup. These universes has their own characteristics and problems as well.

While I totally subscribe to the view that the world is flat, and at peace with the decisions (big and small) ever made, these comparison driven expectations does not stop.

Steve Jobs

I am at loss of words on Steve Jobs passing.  It is a very sad day of my life.

He was my virtual mentor, motivator, greatest inspiration of my entire life. So many times in my life (professional and personal) when ever I felt down, when ever I want to motivate myself, cheer myself up – I looked up to this man. His life, his work, his unparalleled work, his innovation was the greatest inspiration for me – every single time.

It was not just about the Apple and Steve Jobs innovation, which attracted me like million others. But it is about his ‘passion’ to innovate.

This line from his phenomenal Stanford University Commencement speech, says it all

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

RIP Steve Jobs.

I dearly miss you.

9/11

It is one of those days when you feel you mind just halts to think and even when you think you have come out of a particular thought, you realize soon that you are actually not out of it.

Except the fact that I was living and working in United States in 2001 and happen to see the 2nd World Trade Center tower being attacked live on TV – I do not have a family or friend who perished on that fateful day.

But, not only just on 9/11 but any conversation of what happened on that day, brings lot of emotions out of me.

There is a lot to write, and I just have not done it before. Reasons are many, but the fact is, it is very difficult to write. Will try again, now.

Questions
In all these years before and after 9/11, when ever I come across some TV anchor or an article talking about America’s “preparedness” – I feel angry and upset that the person does not know what they are talking about.

No country in the world can be prepared for such a barbaric act. An act where a band of brain-washed radicals are ready to throw their life and not only that but also use any means possible to pull innocent people to barge in their medieval agenda. Yet, it is not so much about being prepared, but about how America reacted in the days, weeks, months and years to come, that redefined America, to the entire world.

Yes, since then America did lot of mistakes, leaders did not act as leaders.
Yes, America’s actions since then has created more questions and concerns, than even before 9/11.

Yet, a leader’s guidance or mis-guidance (depending on your vantage point) should not and does not define or reflect any or every American, then and since then.

There is only one America
Beyond the inexplicable tragedy, I do not ever think that any other nation in the world could even take such a blow. Yes, America has fought and still fights wars. Yes, many around the world blame on their imperialistic attitude. We may disagree with them on many, but again, there is only one America, which took the blow. While I disagree with almost everything President Bush did since then, on that day – possibly only on that day – I saw him and respected him as a President of a great nation. I still debate in my mind whether it was because of the President that the entire nation united behind their leader or, was it a natural quality of the country-men.

We live at a time, where there is hardly any unity with in a country and to get the entire nation listen to you and to act as their leader, family member and guide through the chaos and uncertainty is what is expected out of a leader. And on that, I believe President Bush did what he was supposed to do. [ Surely for the last time. ]

The real debate
I often wonder, how could  have any nation reacted to such an act. You don’t have any reference point for you to compare with or frame your thoughts through sadness. You have many since then – you see stupid TV networks playing with months and dates and trying to compare anything and everything with 9/11. But there wasn’t any on 9/11.

When extraordinary things happen and when such an event affect 100′s and 1000′s of people – what do you do ? And I think American people answered that for the world. We may disagree on many, but they faced, faced it bold and with sadness.

Leadership
When the crowd unites behind their leader, more than ever the leader shoulders much more responsibility. America stood united behind their leader, counting and trusting President Bush. Let us pause on that. We live in world where we hardly follow what is being told. Even enforcement hardly works. I am writing this from India and such an union, even in an extraordinary situation is impossible to achieve. There are many nations like that and we read about them almost daily in the news papers. Yet, the society of America, their thought process, their discipline, their unity shined among the tragedy. Yet, that trust was broken over the years to come since then. The same country could not know what to believe in, what is moving and what is standing for them to hold. It was not their fault, but that of the leader who violated and abused that trust.

Reaction
This is not about the leader, but of the people. The world we live in, there are riots on riots. When a barbaric act is pushed on you, when innocent lives are lost – you do see it as unnatural and as an ‘act of war’. Your reasoning stops, you reactions starts. America reacted. There are those who point back as what all America and other nations alike have done in different parts of the world. True. War is most often unjust! I do not try to justify what happened before and after – but I disagree even with what happened before and after and more particularly on 9/11. Riot on riot, blood for blood is not just vengeance, it is equally unjust as what lead to rioting and blood-shed.

Face of the nation
People vote out of trust. The trust that their leader will do good for the country, they will act responsible. Time and again, we find such leaders violating that trust. But when they do, those (irresponsible) leaders do not pay the price, it is those who voted them into power who pays. So, it is a double-whammy – not only they see a person change but equally they pay an high price. I debate in my mind as why in the world they reelected President Bush back into power. But think about it, when there was so much of chaos, the guy who is shouting aloud on the mic gets benefit of doubt.

Reference Points
There is no reference point to 9/11, except that 9/11 became a reference point to the entire world. It meant many things to many. It became a default reference point for terrorism. It became a reference point for waging wars, extreme and inexplicable sorrow, leadership during crisis, politics, irresponsible leadership, country dealing with colossal financial crisis because of actions since then etc. The list is long and almost endless.

The Loss
None of those who perished on that fateful day, deserve such a cruelty. The argument of those who inflicted that terror, was not with them but with the leader of the nation, their actions – past and present. If you had disagreement in the way America reacted, a sneak attack and barbaric act is not going to contain it. So, you as a terrorist failed in that agenda too.

The Change
When ever people say that their world changed since 9/11 for ever – I really believe the change that is referenced is not uniform across all those. In other words, there is no unity in that change, given the event, events since then. The change out of that meant and still means different things to different people.

• It changed the world view of America for ever. Events since then changed them again.
• It changed the view of the world itself
• It changed the limits of a nation
• It changed the limits of nation’s anger
• It changed the meaning of leadership
• It changed the definition of responsibility
• It changed the scope and volume of the word ‘mistake’
• It change the belief system
• It changed the meaning and purpose of religion
• It changed the way as how many neglected the value of human life
• It changed the way we care about ourselves, our families, our dear ones
• It changed the view of what we hold as true values and what we do not
• It changed us as who we are and who we want to be
• It changed what we hold, what we hold dear
• It changed what we want to leave behind for our future generations

The Unchanged

What did not and will not change is the worlds thoughts, prayers and sympathy toward a great nation – United States of America, toward each and every one of them who perished, each and every one of them who lost their lives since then, because of its leaders’ decisions, each and everyone family which got affected in so many different ways.