World ... Before Google....After Google...
This is the first thing that came to my mind immediately after seeing the email forward about gOFFICE......Google’s latest adventure...and earth shaker for established companies....nightmares to be precise...
Google(Verb): to search for information about a specific person through the Google search engine
Have you googled yet???
It all started in the late 90's when Google came out as a dedicated search engine...though Yahoo had monopolized the business and people seldom knew about any search engine in the periphery of Yahoo and AltaVista.... I still remember the days in my graduate course when Internet was a far-fetched dream for Indians in India like me...My college library was generous enough to provide free internet for students that too after 6 PM and we used to book slots until 9 PM between friends so that we get a prolonged tenure with that system....we started using Google and Yahoo mail then and myself not for a moment knew the significance of what I was doing....using the world leading technology during its nascent years.. We used to search for long hours on technical subjects for paper presentations and used to post technical queries to many sites and university portals mainly through Google and would search for my Yahoo ID on google, and be fascinated to see my email ID fetching atleast 10 results....a sense of accomplishment. As a matter of fact, one of my long lost friends used Google to search my name and found my email ID and sent me a mail..I was pleasantly surprised to witness the use of technology in human relations....:-).....
So Google slowly but firmly entered the search engine market...I have been a faithful follower of Google's innovations....amused and eagerly logging in each day to see what Icon Google had for that day...each significant day in history would have a related cartoon...that impressed me in a long way..because I am a person who always appreciates different ideas in place of monotony. It could make no difference for the user to see these different icons..each day..but it definitely has its share of image building for Google as a company...more than just searching..!!!!
The enthusiasm and passion for their work in Google's employees is epitomized by the founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. They insisted on the company being a technical company and is still the single largest technology company and will continue to be so...At the same time sensing business and doing justice to their existence at every possible extent..was Google harnessing its skills as a search engine founder....and also as a multi-faceted company growing leaps and bounds....
Knowing that India had a huge market for Internet, Google localized it's search for all the major indian languages,....me...thrilled...to get a search result in my native tongue..!!!, then Google expanded by extending its image beyond just information searching, but to information maintenance and information transmission, in addition to acquiring a host of tools..equally productive in their own rights...
Yes you guessed right.. I am talking about GMAIL and Google Desktop Search.....these I would say gave the Invincibles in the respective businesses a run for their money, sudden jolt in the form of an advanced technology competitor. Nobody could take the user for granted when innovation is your competitor. Yahoo and Microsoft have had to bear the brunt in the upcoming of Google as a technology company. GMAIL giving 1 GB of email space, and holding one such account was a matter of pride until late last year....now has set standards for people to expect from email service providers. People were happy with 10MB provided by yahoo..until GMAIL came ....but people want more now...and expect atleast of 1 GB of email space..and 1 Terra Byte of email spaces are becoming common place..because of the invasion of Google into this market.
Google Desktop Search was again a revolutionary Idea, because people were getting sick with MS Windows' F3....which would use all your CPU time and would still return empty handed....on most of the search queries...Agreed the technology for these searches were different, but I would not mind trading off some hard disk space for getting Information on demand..that too with HDDs of 40 + Gbs of space. I use GDS to the best possible extent in my workplace. No more should I have to remember where I kept that mail my customer sent me on a trivial issue which doesn't require immediate attention!!! The clinching factor here is that GDS as opposed to the other worthy contenders like Copernic, MSN DS or Yahoo DS, doesn't use too much of memory for Indexing and the fastest to return the information, that too with a Web Interface...more like accessing the web. I still remember people having been fascinated seeing with my efficiency in “information on demand”.....courtesy GDS... an open secret. When you have GDS, you can offload the information searching part of your work with Google and concentrate on more productive things.. food for thought for managers out there!!!
Google realized in due course that just in-house innovations will not keep it hot, and started acquiring smaller technology/product companies...going the Microsoft way...a few examples being Picasa, Hello Blogger, Google Earth and a host of others..I don't even remember the names...to hell with my memory....anyways...Google Earth surprised one and all with its utility value particularly within US...all this during the time Googlewas preparing its gOFFICE and launched its Google Talk. The applications of Google somehow unfailing have the Killer Punch to knockout the competitor's stuff..hahaha...but the winner is the user...who has very good choice now, with Google having broken the monopoly in almost all personal computing domains, like IM, Mail, Desktop, Web, etc.,
gOFFICE, I would say would be the beginning of a new way to look at technology and IT. A helluva idea of Web based office suite...would definitely reduce piracy of office suites, esp. in India...A revolutionary concept indeed, I am completely justified with the adjective here...revolutionary..!!!!
I read tech-blogs floating information about a web-based OS, also called WebOS, as Google's next poser for cutting-edge information technology, Earnestly waiting to see the architecture of this supposedly tech marvel!!!
Lets keeping googling around till that day when GoogleOS is flashed as a news at www.google.com
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Ghazini / Ghajini - Movie Review
Surya has matured as an actor, versatility is his forte and is setting standards that one can expect safely from him movie after movie....Technical gloss and Surya are the main armoury for this Ghajini...:-)
Being a die-hard Shankar fan, I was pretty sure, that Tamil Cinema or for that matter Indian cinema will take its own sweet time to reach or match the technical brilliance on display in any Shankar film...and u know what, I had to eat my words..for the better of Tamil Cinema, for once I was proud...because here is a movie which is very good advertisement for Tamil Cinema. It was out and out technical extravaganza on display for close to 60 minutes, split over 2 halves in the start and the end of the movie.
Yeah...and according to me that was it.....nothing more extravagant about the movie...Believe me....the excitement that is setup with the introduction of the indisposed surya....had it been matched in entirety or at half of it....the movie would have gone far beyond diwali date, coz the movie will have to pay the casualty for the delayed release...as it has already eaten too much into the diwali deadline...and the producers of the movie..will have to pay for it...dearly...because the movie does not have the killer punch of Ramanaa..or the purpose of Kaaka Kaaka....
The main drab part of the movie...is the flashback of the Hero...that extends beyond the bar, a tad too far...spilling over three separate narrations which is quite irritating for the eye and the mind..because there is nothing special in the flash back....except for Surya's looks..
--which are stunning...he is getting smarter by the day....and is getting there for the tag that his father once held as his forte...young and sweet at heart--
Asin is looking the damsel she needs to be...nayantara..disappoints with her emoting....unwanted skin show is not expected out of this movie...which is devoid of any serious comedy...so the song sequences are just fillers for such a strong storyline...and the movie could as well go without atleast 3 of the five songs...If you ask me....
and yes..coming to the other credits holders...the music..Harris Jeyaraj..I am seriously at dismay with the kind of re-recording he has been dishing out movie..after movie....too loud...and unnecessary for the scenes..I felt exactly the same with Thotti Jaya, as well. So I felt a sense of distaste here. Songs..one felt a sense of belonging only for the melodies...just two in number..:-)
The video-editing is absolutely great...and visually grand...good work...the climax fight sequence is one very good example for this..plus the song sequences., Locations are equally grand to fit Sanjay Ramaswami's attitude....mood..and costume in the songs.
The other characters in the movie..not many in number...though played their part..Riyaz Khan did well in whatever he got...a raw deal in the meaty role I would say...Pradeep Rawat..the usual Villain..the only difference being double the villainy...hahaha....
The biggest credit to the movie..inspite of all these snides...is that the story line, though quite complex has been dealt with aplomb in the screenplay and reality never taking a beating. Surya..I would say has done his role exceedingly well...full marks to him....but one felt he was under utilized if we take Nanda and Kakka Kakka as standards....
Overall, happy with the movie...but...not satisfied..rest assured that this movie will surely treat the audiences until Diwali...thats for sure...
Being a die-hard Shankar fan, I was pretty sure, that Tamil Cinema or for that matter Indian cinema will take its own sweet time to reach or match the technical brilliance on display in any Shankar film...and u know what, I had to eat my words..for the better of Tamil Cinema, for once I was proud...because here is a movie which is very good advertisement for Tamil Cinema. It was out and out technical extravaganza on display for close to 60 minutes, split over 2 halves in the start and the end of the movie.
Yeah...and according to me that was it.....nothing more extravagant about the movie...Believe me....the excitement that is setup with the introduction of the indisposed surya....had it been matched in entirety or at half of it....the movie would have gone far beyond diwali date, coz the movie will have to pay the casualty for the delayed release...as it has already eaten too much into the diwali deadline...and the producers of the movie..will have to pay for it...dearly...because the movie does not have the killer punch of Ramanaa..or the purpose of Kaaka Kaaka....
The main drab part of the movie...is the flashback of the Hero...that extends beyond the bar, a tad too far...spilling over three separate narrations which is quite irritating for the eye and the mind..because there is nothing special in the flash back....except for Surya's looks..
--which are stunning...he is getting smarter by the day....and is getting there for the tag that his father once held as his forte...young and sweet at heart--
Asin is looking the damsel she needs to be...nayantara..disappoints with her emoting....unwanted skin show is not expected out of this movie...which is devoid of any serious comedy...so the song sequences are just fillers for such a strong storyline...and the movie could as well go without atleast 3 of the five songs...If you ask me....
and yes..coming to the other credits holders...the music..Harris Jeyaraj..I am seriously at dismay with the kind of re-recording he has been dishing out movie..after movie....too loud...and unnecessary for the scenes..I felt exactly the same with Thotti Jaya, as well. So I felt a sense of distaste here. Songs..one felt a sense of belonging only for the melodies...just two in number..:-)
The video-editing is absolutely great...and visually grand...good work...the climax fight sequence is one very good example for this..plus the song sequences., Locations are equally grand to fit Sanjay Ramaswami's attitude....mood..and costume in the songs.
The other characters in the movie..not many in number...though played their part..Riyaz Khan did well in whatever he got...a raw deal in the meaty role I would say...Pradeep Rawat..the usual Villain..the only difference being double the villainy...hahaha....
The biggest credit to the movie..inspite of all these snides...is that the story line, though quite complex has been dealt with aplomb in the screenplay and reality never taking a beating. Surya..I would say has done his role exceedingly well...full marks to him....but one felt he was under utilized if we take Nanda and Kakka Kakka as standards....
Overall, happy with the movie...but...not satisfied..rest assured that this movie will surely treat the audiences until Diwali...thats for sure...
Monday, September 19, 2005
Ah ... Aah...[Anbe..Aruyire..] - Movie Review
A unique name...to begin with and a unique subject as well for a base. Appreciable if I could say in a solitary word. But there is a lot more for a successful film and maybe...just maybe for the first time in 4 movies has SJ Suryah faltered in his quest. This could be attributed to the umpteen number of problems that have befallen him after his last venture NEW.
Anyways on to the main course...the movie starts off with Suryah giving a short intro and what to expect in the movie...fast becoming his opening style...infact very relevant to this one...more so because of the new way of story narrating technique that has been given form...he clearly spells out what the audience have to bear in mind.
It all starts off with the petty fights between the happy lovers.:-)...looks cliched..but thats the way it is...each deeply in love for the other..caring for each other...this slowly starts to become possessive in Suryah's case..mainly because of the restaurant business that she partner's with a friend's brother..that they split in a bit of madness from both Nila and Suryah. It is Interval...and u have already had 3 of the 6 songs...
Come back after a break and it is all blue...:-)...yeah..the feelings that one have for each other...have been given form, shape and dress..blue at that..you cant complain because you have been mentally prepared by the director saying.."people who roam around in blue costume in the second half are not literal humans..but their inner-self and the feelings of that person". So the inner-self of the lead pair happily roam around the split couple..and try to woo their dreams of uniting the couple...and succeeding at the end..which in any case should happen..;-)....because the inner-self characters are imaginary..the director has taken liberties at will and crossed bars at places...and made it completely hilarious at places..certainly enjoyable...
One should admit that songs from AR Rahman are certainly a big..big PLUS..for the movie...because the picturization leaves a lot to be desired...I really dont understand why half of the songs have been shot completely with graphics...which in this case is certainly a fall-out...as the graphics used are stale...and begin to irritate the eye..I thought....just because the audio has become popular..people would bear these songs..I believe...Suryah...you haven't scored here...
The handicap of the movie I should say..are Suryah's HANDY skills...they stick out...and are sick...one gets irritated again here...I really did...too much of hand movement distracted the scenes ..I felt....could have controlled a chunk of it...for...the fortune of the movie is at a balance now...
On the outlook from a viewer's perspective...though the movie sparkles with the story handling....suryah's directorial touch and the songs from ARR..a handful of the sequences are loaded with double meaning..unwanted diagloues which definitely makes faces go askew...the movie lacks the freshness NEW had....looks pointless at places..
Ah..Ahh.. is Average..but..still..enjoyable..:-)
Anyways on to the main course...the movie starts off with Suryah giving a short intro and what to expect in the movie...fast becoming his opening style...infact very relevant to this one...more so because of the new way of story narrating technique that has been given form...he clearly spells out what the audience have to bear in mind.
It all starts off with the petty fights between the happy lovers.:-)...looks cliched..but thats the way it is...each deeply in love for the other..caring for each other...this slowly starts to become possessive in Suryah's case..mainly because of the restaurant business that she partner's with a friend's brother..that they split in a bit of madness from both Nila and Suryah. It is Interval...and u have already had 3 of the 6 songs...
Come back after a break and it is all blue...:-)...yeah..the feelings that one have for each other...have been given form, shape and dress..blue at that..you cant complain because you have been mentally prepared by the director saying.."people who roam around in blue costume in the second half are not literal humans..but their inner-self and the feelings of that person". So the inner-self of the lead pair happily roam around the split couple..and try to woo their dreams of uniting the couple...and succeeding at the end..which in any case should happen..;-)....because the inner-self characters are imaginary..the director has taken liberties at will and crossed bars at places...and made it completely hilarious at places..certainly enjoyable...
One should admit that songs from AR Rahman are certainly a big..big PLUS..for the movie...because the picturization leaves a lot to be desired...I really dont understand why half of the songs have been shot completely with graphics...which in this case is certainly a fall-out...as the graphics used are stale...and begin to irritate the eye..I thought....just because the audio has become popular..people would bear these songs..I believe...Suryah...you haven't scored here...
The handicap of the movie I should say..are Suryah's HANDY skills...they stick out...and are sick...one gets irritated again here...I really did...too much of hand movement distracted the scenes ..I felt....could have controlled a chunk of it...for...the fortune of the movie is at a balance now...
On the outlook from a viewer's perspective...though the movie sparkles with the story handling....suryah's directorial touch and the songs from ARR..a handful of the sequences are loaded with double meaning..unwanted diagloues which definitely makes faces go askew...the movie lacks the freshness NEW had....looks pointless at places..
Ah..Ahh.. is Average..but..still..enjoyable..:-)
Salaam Namaste - Movie Review
Let me tell you at the outset..this one is for the lovable rascals of today..so contemporary it is in its theme..that It would take some time for the elderly crowd to come to terms with the concept of Salaam Namaste
Realistic are the characters and cool is the outlook of the director that you never feel like watching a movie...but you are led to believe that this happens for a friend of yours in Australia..or United States..
Living-together is new for India, but will fast catchup here in Mother India as well, going by the pattern and craze for westernization...this will soon become the next hep thing...courtesy Salaam Namaste...as far as most of the public goes...this would be their first exposure to this concept...
But one should admit, the treatment has been decent and dignity personified..not just rosy and passionate. The current crop of hindi movies have been passionate...all about passion..bold but senseless at times... anyways that's not the case here..
Nik..aka Nikil Arora..is a chef-cum-architect, Ambar is a RJ-cum-Doctor in the making, as usual as the script goes, they are always at locker-horns...they have completely different perspectives of life, marriage, kids..but get attracted to each other at a point of time and decide to make a logical and rational decision to stay together and get to understand each other rather than calling themselves lovers...run around trees and do the also-rans stuff...good for them...;-) then comes the usuals and one fine morning, ambar is pregnant, and wants the baby much to the chagrin of nik, who is against this...and there begins a china wall...which grows bigger..all the way...through a script which makes sure that it grows stronger and stronger until the last few scenes...Nothing much to crave about as such in the story after the rift..but there is a lot to crave about in the realism and freshness of the treatment.
The climax comedy, I would say was unwarranted..the comedy pun intended there...was out of place, that could have been avoided..safely and still the movie would have been pleasant as it has been...
Little caemos as well, are not ruled out in this movie...Javed Jaffrey...wow...it was throughly enjoyable..harshad warsi's remarks... and abishek bachhan as the doctor...are all great...
->Saif Ali Khan as nik..is “cool as a cucumber” in NS Sidhu's very own terms..fits exactly..with his looks, fashion statements, accent..perfect..you could say...
->Preity Zinta as Ambar is intellectual and emotional all at once..good sketch of a character and given a pretty shape by preity..good work.
-> The locales in australia..are stupendous and absoultely eye-catchy..fantastic..the choice of houses..would make any indian crave for such houses here..:-)
Over all – a feel-good movie..with its share of emotions, rationales and sluggish parts..though the theme is slightly out of place, the movie will surely catch up riding on its stars..very good rendition from the lead stars...I would say...
Realistic are the characters and cool is the outlook of the director that you never feel like watching a movie...but you are led to believe that this happens for a friend of yours in Australia..or United States..
Living-together is new for India, but will fast catchup here in Mother India as well, going by the pattern and craze for westernization...this will soon become the next hep thing...courtesy Salaam Namaste...as far as most of the public goes...this would be their first exposure to this concept...
But one should admit, the treatment has been decent and dignity personified..not just rosy and passionate. The current crop of hindi movies have been passionate...all about passion..bold but senseless at times... anyways that's not the case here..
Nik..aka Nikil Arora..is a chef-cum-architect, Ambar is a RJ-cum-Doctor in the making, as usual as the script goes, they are always at locker-horns...they have completely different perspectives of life, marriage, kids..but get attracted to each other at a point of time and decide to make a logical and rational decision to stay together and get to understand each other rather than calling themselves lovers...run around trees and do the also-rans stuff...good for them...;-) then comes the usuals and one fine morning, ambar is pregnant, and wants the baby much to the chagrin of nik, who is against this...and there begins a china wall...which grows bigger..all the way...through a script which makes sure that it grows stronger and stronger until the last few scenes...Nothing much to crave about as such in the story after the rift..but there is a lot to crave about in the realism and freshness of the treatment.
The climax comedy, I would say was unwarranted..the comedy pun intended there...was out of place, that could have been avoided..safely and still the movie would have been pleasant as it has been...
Little caemos as well, are not ruled out in this movie...Javed Jaffrey...wow...it was throughly enjoyable..harshad warsi's remarks... and abishek bachhan as the doctor...are all great...
->Saif Ali Khan as nik..is “cool as a cucumber” in NS Sidhu's very own terms..fits exactly..with his looks, fashion statements, accent..perfect..you could say...
->Preity Zinta as Ambar is intellectual and emotional all at once..good sketch of a character and given a pretty shape by preity..good work.
-> The locales in australia..are stupendous and absoultely eye-catchy..fantastic..the choice of houses..would make any indian crave for such houses here..:-)
Over all – a feel-good movie..with its share of emotions, rationales and sluggish parts..though the theme is slightly out of place, the movie will surely catch up riding on its stars..very good rendition from the lead stars...I would say...
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Inspiron, iPod and Me
This is my first article in about three months...have been through a very tight schedule in my work place. This is my first document in my new laptop....and yeah...u guessed right...this is about my laptop. I am now an owner of a DELL Inspiron 6000. This is my first face-off..if you can call it that way..with a laptop of any kind. Truly amazing is technology....technology that is driving the world......Have been fortunate enough to be part of this Tech freaky band wagon...of late.... Bcoz... I am using an Industry standard MP3 player...called iPod. A Industry standard notebook DELL and an Industry standard mobile phone..NOKIA...all making a statement of their own..in terms of technology advancements they provide.
DELL though a veterean in the space of Notebooks....is fascinating enough and shores up to face any newcomer in its domian. iPod has certainly revolutionized the space of portable audio devices...and has its competitors still groping for foot hold after the iPod storm....the variety of solutions that iPod provides is amazing..not one who has checked out my iPod ...has not said.."amazing..true technological marvel"..still waiting for a person to say something else...:-)
What these gadgets give you is complete mobility and unmatched comfort..that is if you are a tech freak..and would be wanting to use them all through the day..live with the technology it provides...then you are game for it and it snugly fits where you want it to....in your daily chores.... certainly I am one such...geek...who is passionate about these technological advancements...and thrilled to use them...so..here I am sharing the same with the readers...
Never have I dreamt of using these till my college days..though have fancied myself to use them..hahaha..yeah fancied fits the place holder for an adjective here.. :-D Having these gadgets...and getting inspired to write something about these might sound out of place for some people...I can sense some askew faces....but my friends..and people who relate to what I say will be able to identify with the passion I am sharing.
I am basically passionate about music..not the hep kind of music....I seldom listen to English music...not even Hindi Music...I feel tamil music has enough to feed tamilians...tons to explore..and identify and enjoy....for example...Illayaraja's Thiruvaasagam ..what helluva quality music that is...haven't heard such in years...you get transported to Illayaraja's mesmerising world..the world he wants us to be in when you listen to him... so a music player for me is a logical progression....
Laptop has been in my dreams for the past one year...and has become a reality now...
So its time for me to enjoy these funky devices...and stop blabing about....
Cheers,
Rajesh
DELL though a veterean in the space of Notebooks....is fascinating enough and shores up to face any newcomer in its domian. iPod has certainly revolutionized the space of portable audio devices...and has its competitors still groping for foot hold after the iPod storm....the variety of solutions that iPod provides is amazing..not one who has checked out my iPod ...has not said.."amazing..true technological marvel"..still waiting for a person to say something else...:-)
What these gadgets give you is complete mobility and unmatched comfort..that is if you are a tech freak..and would be wanting to use them all through the day..live with the technology it provides...then you are game for it and it snugly fits where you want it to....in your daily chores.... certainly I am one such...geek...who is passionate about these technological advancements...and thrilled to use them...so..here I am sharing the same with the readers...
Never have I dreamt of using these till my college days..though have fancied myself to use them..hahaha..yeah fancied fits the place holder for an adjective here.. :-D Having these gadgets...and getting inspired to write something about these might sound out of place for some people...I can sense some askew faces....but my friends..and people who relate to what I say will be able to identify with the passion I am sharing.
I am basically passionate about music..not the hep kind of music....I seldom listen to English music...not even Hindi Music...I feel tamil music has enough to feed tamilians...tons to explore..and identify and enjoy....for example...Illayaraja's Thiruvaasagam ..what helluva quality music that is...haven't heard such in years...you get transported to Illayaraja's mesmerising world..the world he wants us to be in when you listen to him... so a music player for me is a logical progression....
Laptop has been in my dreams for the past one year...and has become a reality now...
So its time for me to enjoy these funky devices...and stop blabing about....
Cheers,
Rajesh
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Iqbal - Movie Review
Parallel cinema - anything that is away from the run of the mill should be parallel cinema...if this is your definition for the term...then you will fit the audience criteria...this one is certainly for you..to gladden your senses...I certainly am an avid parallel cinema fan of Bollywood...the rahul boses, nagesh kukunoors are my likings...and this IQBAL did nothing to weaken my opinion....
One movie which is so refreshing in this masala world....three cheers to kukunoor...for this brave effort..one should not call this brave..because that is what Nagesh kukunoor is known for..his clan of movies...
The characterization is strong, powerful and stays in your senses....even long after the movie..which is definitely the greatest plus for the movie....ever actor fits snugly to their character...the small girl..and naseeruddin shah to be precise apart from shreyas talpade.......he is a real find....he emoted quite brilliantly and well enough for everybody to relate with him. The victory for the character being, nobody would sympathize with Iqbal but would enjoy his character, had Iqbal been slightly remorse..the central theme of the movie would have taken a beating...
Credit definitely to the director for the cheerful narration of the struggle of the young man against all adversities...the first half especially the naseeruddin shah sequences...are seriously hilarious yet meaningful and relevant to the central theme of the movie..
Naseerudin Shah is not at all surprising in this role....he is absolutely great as MOHIT..the former Ranji Cricketer...I enjoyed every minute of his on-screen presence and charisma.....
Everybody...every character is neatly etched out as lines in a ruled notebook, no incongruity...that was one thing very evident right through the movie.....mostly to the credit of the movie....girish karnad, Iqbal’s father, the other boy kamal, every body displayed just the needed emotions for their roles....
Climax...that arrived without too much hype or hoopla...and stayed at that same vein and we were at the end of the movie....which was actually enjoyable.... I would say this is much better and real-to-life narration of a cricket story.....than Lagaan, which was more fantasy oriented...playing cricket with physically disabled in a normal game....was like asking too much from them.....anyways..no snide intended at lagaan, just a perspective in comparison to Iqbal....
Overall, glad at heart..at the end of the movie...would certainly vouch for this movie..among my friends....which is the best way you can popularize a movie...my opinion...:-)
One movie which is so refreshing in this masala world....three cheers to kukunoor...for this brave effort..one should not call this brave..because that is what Nagesh kukunoor is known for..his clan of movies...
The characterization is strong, powerful and stays in your senses....even long after the movie..which is definitely the greatest plus for the movie....ever actor fits snugly to their character...the small girl..and naseeruddin shah to be precise apart from shreyas talpade.......he is a real find....he emoted quite brilliantly and well enough for everybody to relate with him. The victory for the character being, nobody would sympathize with Iqbal but would enjoy his character, had Iqbal been slightly remorse..the central theme of the movie would have taken a beating...
Credit definitely to the director for the cheerful narration of the struggle of the young man against all adversities...the first half especially the naseeruddin shah sequences...are seriously hilarious yet meaningful and relevant to the central theme of the movie..
Naseerudin Shah is not at all surprising in this role....he is absolutely great as MOHIT..the former Ranji Cricketer...I enjoyed every minute of his on-screen presence and charisma.....
Everybody...every character is neatly etched out as lines in a ruled notebook, no incongruity...that was one thing very evident right through the movie.....mostly to the credit of the movie....girish karnad, Iqbal’s father, the other boy kamal, every body displayed just the needed emotions for their roles....
Climax...that arrived without too much hype or hoopla...and stayed at that same vein and we were at the end of the movie....which was actually enjoyable.... I would say this is much better and real-to-life narration of a cricket story.....than Lagaan, which was more fantasy oriented...playing cricket with physically disabled in a normal game....was like asking too much from them.....anyways..no snide intended at lagaan, just a perspective in comparison to Iqbal....
Overall, glad at heart..at the end of the movie...would certainly vouch for this movie..among my friends....which is the best way you can popularize a movie...my opinion...:-)
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu - Movie Review
I really expected stuff of a different kind from this versatile technician Fazil. How many stellar movies we have seen from him in Tamil itself, leave alone his malayalam movies...... I should say I am completely shocked, at dismay after having watched this 2.5 hour school drama. Frankly, this should compete only with school plays....still can’t comprehend or come to terms with how Fazil could come up with such a slip-shoddy tale-telling......
To begin with, you get to see srikanth as a youthful, enthusiastic guy...little did he know that he was over-doing what was expected out of him....he has been good when he is subdued like his role in Manasellam....these kind of roles somehow don’t suit him well, he should be careful and choosy about such roles....his characterization lacks clarity, he being skillful in all jobs under the sun... somehow doesn’t gel with the plot....the characters in his workplace...stick out and never fit the story line as one is used to in Fazil’s movies....nevertheless, there are couple of scenes which evoke a grin or two in the audience...
Characterization is the weak link all through the movie..infact a big hole in the ship....and particularly the faces that render the characters on screen are pathetic..to say the least....particularly when srikanth is so affectionate towards his sisters and family, you expect the characters and their portrayal to be powerful on screen, but they never stir a bit of emotion, save his mother’s character.....This is primarily because of a host of malayalam faces on screen, which seriously sticks apart from the whole tale....
My first after thought on the movie was that fazil must have been in kind of a real hurry to get this movie out of his box..and never cared about a thing except the music....the only saving grace and inspiring thought about the movie.... Music would be the only thing that can take this movie any far....Il(s)ayaRaja is as usual his genius self. The song “Kaartil Varum Geeetham” is a lilting number that would linger in our ears for years...seriously some soul stirring stuff from Raja....I am yet to recover from his Thirvaasagam and here he has dished out another gem from his stable....except for a couple of needless songs...all the others are good...and of Raja’s standard....
Over all Disappointment..to the core....at the exit point from the theatre...visible in the faces of the people who payed for this lack lusture and listless serving from Fazil......where is the fazil we have known....sir..?????
To begin with, you get to see srikanth as a youthful, enthusiastic guy...little did he know that he was over-doing what was expected out of him....he has been good when he is subdued like his role in Manasellam....these kind of roles somehow don’t suit him well, he should be careful and choosy about such roles....his characterization lacks clarity, he being skillful in all jobs under the sun... somehow doesn’t gel with the plot....the characters in his workplace...stick out and never fit the story line as one is used to in Fazil’s movies....nevertheless, there are couple of scenes which evoke a grin or two in the audience...
Characterization is the weak link all through the movie..infact a big hole in the ship....and particularly the faces that render the characters on screen are pathetic..to say the least....particularly when srikanth is so affectionate towards his sisters and family, you expect the characters and their portrayal to be powerful on screen, but they never stir a bit of emotion, save his mother’s character.....This is primarily because of a host of malayalam faces on screen, which seriously sticks apart from the whole tale....
My first after thought on the movie was that fazil must have been in kind of a real hurry to get this movie out of his box..and never cared about a thing except the music....the only saving grace and inspiring thought about the movie.... Music would be the only thing that can take this movie any far....Il(s)ayaRaja is as usual his genius self. The song “Kaartil Varum Geeetham” is a lilting number that would linger in our ears for years...seriously some soul stirring stuff from Raja....I am yet to recover from his Thirvaasagam and here he has dished out another gem from his stable....except for a couple of needless songs...all the others are good...and of Raja’s standard....
Over all Disappointment..to the core....at the exit point from the theatre...visible in the faces of the people who payed for this lack lusture and listless serving from Fazil......where is the fazil we have known....sir..?????
Monday, June 20, 2005
Anniyan - Movie Review
Howdy,
First things first..... Overall a roller coaster ride for the Tamil Movie Goer. Shankar should be definitely credited for this masterpiece.
The movie had built-up so much of hype due to many a reason..some not so comfortable.....
a) Boys had brought in a lot of reputation damage for Shankar.
b) Shankar, splitting up with ARRahman and teaming with Harris Jeyaraj....for the first time in his 10+ years of cinema....
c) A huge gap of 2 years for Shankar..filled with expectations.
d) Teaming with Vikram, who had become a top grosser product by the time the movie was made....expectations were literally sky-high for this supposedly Social entertainer...
e) Adding to all these were the initial promos, showing Vikram in various make-overs....each one, exiciting...
Every Tamil movie buff waited for this one to arrive...and it finally arrived on the scene on 17th June 2005....
The movie starts off with the "I Hate Disorder", Rules Ramanujam....that 3 word sentence really summed up the character's sketch...nothing more would have been needed. I would say, I really enjoyed the first hour more so, because I was able to relate to his idealogy though I would be grossly against the ideology, if I say I am able to follow all of his ideas..;-)....but nevertheless, a forthright stickler to principles...a very good make-over to match his ideology...I would say.. each of his experience could have happened to any of us in our day-to-day life...so realistic were they, that I got completely engrossed into the plot and started to sympathise for Ambi...
Each of his experience, leading him to the www.anniyan.com website was interesting stuff. One definite applause should be for the they were able to visualize the search technology through graphics, it could have easily been a straight serach result display, but hatz off to sujataha and Shankar for visualizing the web search, which is definitely new to the general public. The interesting and skillfull use of Special effects and graphics are the high points of the movie, which really adds to the fizz of the movie....and lights up the viewer's mind with Joy... Appreciable work.
What should one comment of Vikram- the Real Life Saga..now turning into a perfect story line for a new movie...;-)...or an epic should I say....One is left wondering how much of vikram we would have seen if he were given the right break 15 years back..???? anyways...on to the maincourse.... he was simply stunning. Be it looks, dialogue delivery, facial expressions, the homework he has done for each of the roles...his screen persona....wowwww....I am getting excited....
He gets acrosss as a clear stickler to rules..in Ambi's role...much to the chagrin of one and all..including his lady love, Sada...aka..nandhini....
He is absolutely kewl...in REMO...the Ramp walk model...dudes..have u ever seen a more handsome tamil hero, who hits your heart straight with that One song sequence, Kaadhal Yaanai.....I would say that role fitted him just like the fairytale story's charcters.....so kewl was his outlook , that you almost mistoook him for an american dude....;-)
Anniyan...the Society Saviour...this character though having clear traces of SENAPATI, the old man, you would get to the seat edges with each of his encounters....such was the excitement generated.... It is clearly evident why, Vikram did not accept any other movie offer until Anniyan was completed...So much is the intensity involved in each role, that you would do injustice to these roles, if given step-motherly treatment....Think of the number of heroes who would do this.....not even a handful.....:-)
The story and screenplay....looks like shankar decidedly took a clear subject and carved it as a winner all through... One cannot withhold the skillful and deft handling of the storyline, esp.. the screenplay..logical reasoning for each turning point....Shankar has learnt his basics right...I should say... The Garuda Puranam as the guiding factor is a good feature addition for the strong social message that the film tries to convey.... Each endeavor and encounter of Anniyan are meaningful and would have happened to most of us... The MPD...has been given clear and lucid treatment which wasn't the case with many earlier tamil movies....perfectly logical and reasonable, that I felt that even I and you would have these personlities within ourselves....what say????
SONGS....I hope by now this article is getting too predictable....but cant help it....:-)...The songs 5 in number have elevated song sequences to an all time new high, which would be unreachable by any indian cinema for quite some time, simply beacause of the fact that, nobody else puts in so much of effort into songs...which Shankar does painstakingly and I belive he loves that...... Each having a theme, and not being thrust into the movie are definite plusses....
Kumari.....visually stunning,
Ayyangaaru veetu ..... artistically beautifulll.....
Kaadhal Yaanai ...... All about Yana Gupta and Vikram...the song seems to have run through in jiffy...so fast and peppy...
Kannum Kannum Nokia ..... Wow....can Sada look more better ever...???? Terrific locations from Kuala Lampur Airport.....
Randakka Randakka .... A true folklore....feel....They have painted government roads and bridges for this sequence...shows how far people can go for their passion towards their cinema....:-)
Sujatha...I am wondering if he reallly deserves the age he is ...??? He is so young and refreshing in his dialogues that people who dont know Sujatha...the writer...will be pleasantly surprised to meet the original sujatha....I loved so many clinchers and snippets nicely interspersed with the other wise heavily loded subject.... the "mooku oootai mathiri veedu" ....the "nee oru nasai" ... " I hate Disorder"....the sarcastic Vivek's interludes....so many and so little space to write...I have really started to await movies with Sujatha's expertise...
It is not true that Like Poles REPEL.......... Like minded people like Shankar, Sujatha and Vikram will always jel and when in unison can give you something like Anniyan....thats the talent levels KollyWood can boast of...
One can say, only Shankar could have given such a once-in-life-time role for Vikram.... and
only Vikram could have given this refreshingly new and stellar performance for Shankar's brainchild ANNIYAN...
So its an out and out SHANKAR and VIKRAM COMBINE...which has taken a vow to give true and high quality entertainment and have done the STAND-AND-DELIVER to perfection.....
Thaanks to everyone..who have bared with my opinion so far....quite long ...in fact.....
now its time for you to head straight to the theatres..to watch this action flick....if you haven't seen it yet.....
or go on and see the movie a second time, if you have already seen this epic from Shankar like me......which is what I am gonna do this weekend....again...;-)
Bye,
Rajesh
First things first..... Overall a roller coaster ride for the Tamil Movie Goer. Shankar should be definitely credited for this masterpiece.
The movie had built-up so much of hype due to many a reason..some not so comfortable.....
a) Boys had brought in a lot of reputation damage for Shankar.
b) Shankar, splitting up with ARRahman and teaming with Harris Jeyaraj....for the first time in his 10+ years of cinema....
c) A huge gap of 2 years for Shankar..filled with expectations.
d) Teaming with Vikram, who had become a top grosser product by the time the movie was made....expectations were literally sky-high for this supposedly Social entertainer...
e) Adding to all these were the initial promos, showing Vikram in various make-overs....each one, exiciting...
Every Tamil movie buff waited for this one to arrive...and it finally arrived on the scene on 17th June 2005....
The movie starts off with the "I Hate Disorder", Rules Ramanujam....that 3 word sentence really summed up the character's sketch...nothing more would have been needed. I would say, I really enjoyed the first hour more so, because I was able to relate to his idealogy though I would be grossly against the ideology, if I say I am able to follow all of his ideas..;-)....but nevertheless, a forthright stickler to principles...a very good make-over to match his ideology...I would say.. each of his experience could have happened to any of us in our day-to-day life...so realistic were they, that I got completely engrossed into the plot and started to sympathise for Ambi...
Each of his experience, leading him to the www.anniyan.com website was interesting stuff. One definite applause should be for the they were able to visualize the search technology through graphics, it could have easily been a straight serach result display, but hatz off to sujataha and Shankar for visualizing the web search, which is definitely new to the general public. The interesting and skillfull use of Special effects and graphics are the high points of the movie, which really adds to the fizz of the movie....and lights up the viewer's mind with Joy... Appreciable work.
What should one comment of Vikram- the Real Life Saga..now turning into a perfect story line for a new movie...;-)...or an epic should I say....One is left wondering how much of vikram we would have seen if he were given the right break 15 years back..???? anyways...on to the maincourse.... he was simply stunning. Be it looks, dialogue delivery, facial expressions, the homework he has done for each of the roles...his screen persona....wowwww....I am getting excited....
He gets acrosss as a clear stickler to rules..in Ambi's role...much to the chagrin of one and all..including his lady love, Sada...aka..nandhini....
He is absolutely kewl...in REMO...the Ramp walk model...dudes..have u ever seen a more handsome tamil hero, who hits your heart straight with that One song sequence, Kaadhal Yaanai.....I would say that role fitted him just like the fairytale story's charcters.....so kewl was his outlook , that you almost mistoook him for an american dude....;-)
Anniyan...the Society Saviour...this character though having clear traces of SENAPATI, the old man, you would get to the seat edges with each of his encounters....such was the excitement generated.... It is clearly evident why, Vikram did not accept any other movie offer until Anniyan was completed...So much is the intensity involved in each role, that you would do injustice to these roles, if given step-motherly treatment....Think of the number of heroes who would do this.....not even a handful.....:-)
The story and screenplay....looks like shankar decidedly took a clear subject and carved it as a winner all through... One cannot withhold the skillful and deft handling of the storyline, esp.. the screenplay..logical reasoning for each turning point....Shankar has learnt his basics right...I should say... The Garuda Puranam as the guiding factor is a good feature addition for the strong social message that the film tries to convey.... Each endeavor and encounter of Anniyan are meaningful and would have happened to most of us... The MPD...has been given clear and lucid treatment which wasn't the case with many earlier tamil movies....perfectly logical and reasonable, that I felt that even I and you would have these personlities within ourselves....what say????
SONGS....I hope by now this article is getting too predictable....but cant help it....:-)...The songs 5 in number have elevated song sequences to an all time new high, which would be unreachable by any indian cinema for quite some time, simply beacause of the fact that, nobody else puts in so much of effort into songs...which Shankar does painstakingly and I belive he loves that...... Each having a theme, and not being thrust into the movie are definite plusses....
Kumari.....visually stunning,
Ayyangaaru veetu ..... artistically beautifulll.....
Kaadhal Yaanai ...... All about Yana Gupta and Vikram...the song seems to have run through in jiffy...so fast and peppy...
Kannum Kannum Nokia ..... Wow....can Sada look more better ever...???? Terrific locations from Kuala Lampur Airport.....
Randakka Randakka .... A true folklore....feel....They have painted government roads and bridges for this sequence...shows how far people can go for their passion towards their cinema....:-)
Sujatha...I am wondering if he reallly deserves the age he is ...??? He is so young and refreshing in his dialogues that people who dont know Sujatha...the writer...will be pleasantly surprised to meet the original sujatha....I loved so many clinchers and snippets nicely interspersed with the other wise heavily loded subject.... the "mooku oootai mathiri veedu" ....the "nee oru nasai" ... " I hate Disorder"....the sarcastic Vivek's interludes....so many and so little space to write...I have really started to await movies with Sujatha's expertise...
It is not true that Like Poles REPEL.......... Like minded people like Shankar, Sujatha and Vikram will always jel and when in unison can give you something like Anniyan....thats the talent levels KollyWood can boast of...
One can say, only Shankar could have given such a once-in-life-time role for Vikram.... and
only Vikram could have given this refreshingly new and stellar performance for Shankar's brainchild ANNIYAN...
So its an out and out SHANKAR and VIKRAM COMBINE...which has taken a vow to give true and high quality entertainment and have done the STAND-AND-DELIVER to perfection.....
Thaanks to everyone..who have bared with my opinion so far....quite long ...in fact.....
now its time for you to head straight to the theatres..to watch this action flick....if you haven't seen it yet.....
or go on and see the movie a second time, if you have already seen this epic from Shankar like me......which is what I am gonna do this weekend....again...;-)
Bye,
Rajesh
Monday, May 02, 2005
Sneak Preview to my next Article
Howdy,
Do remember to return back to this site for my next article on "How is it to be a software engineer in India?" .....Its all about what a software engineer-the new found buzz word in India- goes through in the face of the community.....
Coming soon....
Rajesh Prakasam
Do remember to return back to this site for my next article on "How is it to be a software engineer in India?" .....Its all about what a software engineer-the new found buzz word in India- goes through in the face of the community.....
Coming soon....
Rajesh Prakasam
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Going through a BombScare
Good Day!!
How is to be through a BOMB SCARE..??? have you ever been through it?? or even thought of it?? I hope most of the people would have just seen it in Movies and TV...:-)... I have actually been through it.
It was the summer of hatred in Bangalore,Karnataka, when regionalism was conspicous in the air. It was 2004 June and I was new to bangalore by about 6 months...with a very scant knowledge of Kannada. Bangalore being the youngest metropolis in India has a high percentage of outside popluation and naturally other language movies like Hindi and Tamil obviously fared well than Kannada movies....which were a far cry from the professional aproach of tamil and hindi cinema.. The kannada film producers saw an oppurtunity and raised hue and cry about the supposedly step-motherly treatment given to kannada movies by the theatre owners and insisted the government that non-kannada movies be banned for a seven week ban from the date of their original release...a so called moratorium...this sparked a huge protest from the theatre owners in Bangalore...leading a few theatres shutting down...there was tension in the air where ever the non kannada movies played and it was visible...
This being the situation, there was this remake of the now famous MunnaiBhai MBBS in tamil with KamalHaasan in the lead role and I was very curious to watch this hilarious flick after seeing the effortless rendering by Sanjay Dutt...So my friend and me went to a theatre which was in the old bangalore area....we got the tickets..I was the first to get the tickets for that show..I was quite happy infact looking forward to that movie..as it was close to three months since I saw a tamil movie in theatre....That was the first day of the movie and first show of that film in the theatre for that day and they were cleaning the theatre and I was hoping they would open the door gates atleast 30 mins before the show...but the wait continued till fifteen minutes after the slated time of the show...but no signs of neither the management opening the show nor informing us of what is happening and I was getting wild as usual when I am not informed of what I should be...:-)....
Another 15 minutes and then comes the slightest hint and I find a couple of Police Officers, Inspectors I guess... coming in their famed Yellow bikes...another beeline of 4 officers come in another 15 minutes and I am kind of taking grasp of the situation trying to relate things in space!!!!....and then comes the final pointer a sniffer dog is planted into the scene and there creeps in panic in the faces of the anxious people..and the buzz word spreads and as we are trained in such sequences..through a spate of movies..;-)...we guess that there should have been a bomb threat call and hence the delay in the show....And as ever we were able to relate this incident to the 7 week moratorium for non kannada movies..more so because this broke the convention and was released before the moratorium ended.....
Me and my friend were in a catch 22 situation of whether we should stay on to see the movie or escape from the scene!!!...were not exactly sure as to what to do.....we wanted to buy time...bought it..and finally..after another 30 mins...the security gates were opened and people were let in after the police cleared the place of any bomb..:-)
But I was not exactly convinced..(being a person who will not get convinced of any matter unless I check it for myself..)..but still the temptation and passion for movies pulled me right into the theatre.
Into the movie deeply engrossed was I, but then there was a lateral thought line about the hoax call....how could one get rid of that??? The split personality ( if I can use that word now!!) in me trotted out...one wanting to see the movie completely..the other to run away as soon as possible...and move away from the threat...
But then a third thought process intruded and reminded me that Danger was there in every minute of life...what if the Bus I go after this meets with an accident??? or any thing unexpected that can happen???..what not ..all these negative thoughts were playing their part one after the other..in no particular order...again and again..though I was completely impressed with the way the movie was made..laughed my way out of the theatre. I could have moved out of the theatre immediately after the hoax call was informed..but then there is no thrill in living such a life and I wouldn't have been richer with this rare experience....but then there was alluring danger which I was ready to part with...but by the end of the movie..I learnt a very good lesson that Danger Lies in Every Walk of Life...in every minute...It is upto how we look at it and how much of importance we give to be bothering about it!! Keep doing what you feel is right..be true to your heart and leave the rest to the ubiquitous.
Rajesh
How is to be through a BOMB SCARE..??? have you ever been through it?? or even thought of it?? I hope most of the people would have just seen it in Movies and TV...:-)... I have actually been through it.
It was the summer of hatred in Bangalore,Karnataka, when regionalism was conspicous in the air. It was 2004 June and I was new to bangalore by about 6 months...with a very scant knowledge of Kannada. Bangalore being the youngest metropolis in India has a high percentage of outside popluation and naturally other language movies like Hindi and Tamil obviously fared well than Kannada movies....which were a far cry from the professional aproach of tamil and hindi cinema.. The kannada film producers saw an oppurtunity and raised hue and cry about the supposedly step-motherly treatment given to kannada movies by the theatre owners and insisted the government that non-kannada movies be banned for a seven week ban from the date of their original release...a so called moratorium...this sparked a huge protest from the theatre owners in Bangalore...leading a few theatres shutting down...there was tension in the air where ever the non kannada movies played and it was visible...
This being the situation, there was this remake of the now famous MunnaiBhai MBBS in tamil with KamalHaasan in the lead role and I was very curious to watch this hilarious flick after seeing the effortless rendering by Sanjay Dutt...So my friend and me went to a theatre which was in the old bangalore area....we got the tickets..I was the first to get the tickets for that show..I was quite happy infact looking forward to that movie..as it was close to three months since I saw a tamil movie in theatre....That was the first day of the movie and first show of that film in the theatre for that day and they were cleaning the theatre and I was hoping they would open the door gates atleast 30 mins before the show...but the wait continued till fifteen minutes after the slated time of the show...but no signs of neither the management opening the show nor informing us of what is happening and I was getting wild as usual when I am not informed of what I should be...:-)....
Another 15 minutes and then comes the slightest hint and I find a couple of Police Officers, Inspectors I guess... coming in their famed Yellow bikes...another beeline of 4 officers come in another 15 minutes and I am kind of taking grasp of the situation trying to relate things in space!!!!....and then comes the final pointer a sniffer dog is planted into the scene and there creeps in panic in the faces of the anxious people..and the buzz word spreads and as we are trained in such sequences..through a spate of movies..;-)...we guess that there should have been a bomb threat call and hence the delay in the show....And as ever we were able to relate this incident to the 7 week moratorium for non kannada movies..more so because this broke the convention and was released before the moratorium ended.....
Me and my friend were in a catch 22 situation of whether we should stay on to see the movie or escape from the scene!!!...were not exactly sure as to what to do.....we wanted to buy time...bought it..and finally..after another 30 mins...the security gates were opened and people were let in after the police cleared the place of any bomb..:-)
But I was not exactly convinced..(being a person who will not get convinced of any matter unless I check it for myself..)..but still the temptation and passion for movies pulled me right into the theatre.
Into the movie deeply engrossed was I, but then there was a lateral thought line about the hoax call....how could one get rid of that??? The split personality ( if I can use that word now!!) in me trotted out...one wanting to see the movie completely..the other to run away as soon as possible...and move away from the threat...
But then a third thought process intruded and reminded me that Danger was there in every minute of life...what if the Bus I go after this meets with an accident??? or any thing unexpected that can happen???..what not ..all these negative thoughts were playing their part one after the other..in no particular order...again and again..though I was completely impressed with the way the movie was made..laughed my way out of the theatre. I could have moved out of the theatre immediately after the hoax call was informed..but then there is no thrill in living such a life and I wouldn't have been richer with this rare experience....but then there was alluring danger which I was ready to part with...but by the end of the movie..I learnt a very good lesson that Danger Lies in Every Walk of Life...in every minute...It is upto how we look at it and how much of importance we give to be bothering about it!! Keep doing what you feel is right..be true to your heart and leave the rest to the ubiquitous.
Rajesh
Monday, January 31, 2005
Serena Williams and Grit
Good Day!!!
People who had a chance to watch the Australian Open Women's Finals (Serena Williams Vs Lindsay Davenport) would certainly agree with my comments and appreciate it. It was one match which people who dont belive in themselves should watch. They would certainly start believing in Self Confidence atleast..!!!!
Such was the comeback Williams staged at the Rod Laver Arena, truly historic in my perspective. The match started in the most uncharacteristic fashion for Serena, on the very first serve from Davenport, a complete miss from the champion. The game continued that way for another 15 minutes or so, with very few rallies and Davenport winning comfortably..she must have thought it to be a cakewalk..which wasn't to be....
Around this time, williams felt uncomfortable with her back and had to be treated in less than 30 minutes of the women's finals. She was even taken into the changeroom for treatment. Soon after serena's return, davenport took the first set 6-2. The second set too started with the now familiar davenport domination. Her serve was impeccable and returns precise and very good looking. The Top seed davenport almost was the winner with a set and a half in her kitty already. But it was Williams who was her opponent, the never say die young lady. Serena struggled until the mid of the second set in a very well played game right in the midway of the set. After which Serena stepped up the pedestal and went into top gear and never allowed the top seed to comeback into the match, winning nine straight games and taking the coveted trophy with her.
It was the result of a great heart and discipline that gave Williams the courage and power to overcome the opponent within her, in more than one way.
We, in our normal life can draw a lot of parallel from the game, this particular game of Tennis. We would be better off not counting ourselves offf too early, try our best till the end, who knows, we might as well achieve what the younger of the Williams achieved, in our own walks of life..!!!!
Think over it...you might strike gold!!!!
Bye,
Rajesh Prakasam
People who had a chance to watch the Australian Open Women's Finals (Serena Williams Vs Lindsay Davenport) would certainly agree with my comments and appreciate it. It was one match which people who dont belive in themselves should watch. They would certainly start believing in Self Confidence atleast..!!!!
Such was the comeback Williams staged at the Rod Laver Arena, truly historic in my perspective. The match started in the most uncharacteristic fashion for Serena, on the very first serve from Davenport, a complete miss from the champion. The game continued that way for another 15 minutes or so, with very few rallies and Davenport winning comfortably..she must have thought it to be a cakewalk..which wasn't to be....
Around this time, williams felt uncomfortable with her back and had to be treated in less than 30 minutes of the women's finals. She was even taken into the changeroom for treatment. Soon after serena's return, davenport took the first set 6-2. The second set too started with the now familiar davenport domination. Her serve was impeccable and returns precise and very good looking. The Top seed davenport almost was the winner with a set and a half in her kitty already. But it was Williams who was her opponent, the never say die young lady. Serena struggled until the mid of the second set in a very well played game right in the midway of the set. After which Serena stepped up the pedestal and went into top gear and never allowed the top seed to comeback into the match, winning nine straight games and taking the coveted trophy with her.
It was the result of a great heart and discipline that gave Williams the courage and power to overcome the opponent within her, in more than one way.
We, in our normal life can draw a lot of parallel from the game, this particular game of Tennis. We would be better off not counting ourselves offf too early, try our best till the end, who knows, we might as well achieve what the younger of the Williams achieved, in our own walks of life..!!!!
Think over it...you might strike gold!!!!
Bye,
Rajesh Prakasam
Monday, January 03, 2005
Indian Cricket 2004
Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year, full of joyous moments and nothing else!! This is a look back on the indian cricket team's performance in the year 2004. For all practical purposes, 2004 was nothing but a dull patch, a feeble shadow of the mighty past of 2003. There may be differing views, saying India won the series in Pakistan....and good show in Bangladesh, but for close watchers, it was nothing but slip shod performance from the Men in Blue.The Pakistan series can be taken as an extension of 2003 as the Indians were in the same vigour and form, whatever you may call it. With the so called "Much Wanted Break" for the guys, they seem to have lost their basics and we were begining to see familiar performances akin to what we were seeing in Pre-Ganguly era( If I can call it that way..) they were never able to live up to their promise.
The Asia Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, Netherlands Videocon Cup, Natwest Challenge all reiterated the same in unequivocal terms..that the DAYS are GONE. This fact was validated later at the end of the year... from the appalling statistic that Indian Batting XI never managed to cross 250 in an ODI until the Bangladesh tour....where they crossed 300..courtesy the defeat to Bangladesh the previous match..:-(......
But there were positives as well for India XI in 2004, like Anil Kumble becoming the Highest Wicket taker in Tests for India, bowled I would at the best in his life time (remember his bowling in Australia); Sehwag dethroning Laxman for the highest test scores...and the most important carry forward I would say is the find of IRFAN PATHAN...what a bowler for India, I got a chance to see him bowl at the Bangalore test against Australia (though it was not great that match!!!)..but I could see what India can expect from this 19 year old...he has another good 10 + years for India if manages to stay fit; Also if you look keenly we also have a worthy third spinner in Murali Karthik; sadly Parthiv had to miss out of the race as he failed to do what he was hired to do primarily....:-(
Let's hope 2005 is a better one like its ODD predecessor for India..and builds up nicely for other events to come up before the all important 2007 world cup(its too far....but still.....)
cheers,
Rajesh Prakasam
The Asia Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, Netherlands Videocon Cup, Natwest Challenge all reiterated the same in unequivocal terms..that the DAYS are GONE. This fact was validated later at the end of the year... from the appalling statistic that Indian Batting XI never managed to cross 250 in an ODI until the Bangladesh tour....where they crossed 300..courtesy the defeat to Bangladesh the previous match..:-(......
But there were positives as well for India XI in 2004, like Anil Kumble becoming the Highest Wicket taker in Tests for India, bowled I would at the best in his life time (remember his bowling in Australia); Sehwag dethroning Laxman for the highest test scores...and the most important carry forward I would say is the find of IRFAN PATHAN...what a bowler for India, I got a chance to see him bowl at the Bangalore test against Australia (though it was not great that match!!!)..but I could see what India can expect from this 19 year old...he has another good 10 + years for India if manages to stay fit; Also if you look keenly we also have a worthy third spinner in Murali Karthik; sadly Parthiv had to miss out of the race as he failed to do what he was hired to do primarily....:-(
Let's hope 2005 is a better one like its ODD predecessor for India..and builds up nicely for other events to come up before the all important 2007 world cup(its too far....but still.....)
cheers,
Rajesh Prakasam
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