January 2010 Issue
Hello There,
Here we are with a new issue on the new year. Our Jan issue is themed “Sibyl” and we are all set to take you on a journey in to 2010 and beyond. Filled with short stories, poems, book reviews, movie reviews and our usual columns, we are sure you will gobble this up.
Dont forget to tell us what you think. Leave a comment or email us at editor@thebanyantrees.com
MicroFables
By Radhika
micro·fable
Pronunciation: [mī'krō·fey-buhl]
Function: noun
Date and Origin: 2009, Rads on twitter
:A complete narrative in under 140 characters
1. She pictured the scene of the new e-readers and the clashes between. Fires get kindle-d and then they go nook-ie? Love not war. Works?
2. His only concern in life was to ace his exams. then he was allowed a facebook account. The 13 year old never smiled the same again.
Picture Credit :http://www.luclatulippe.com/index.php/site/comments/free_twitter_birds/
What to watch in 2010?
Kanaka Sathasivan
No matter if you are an action buff or a die-hard “Twihard,” 2010 delivers. On the big screen in the New Year, expect movies from visionary directors Martin Scorsese, M. Night Shyamalan and Tim Burton, adaptations of beloved children’s series, and some very long-awaited sequels.
Legion – January 22nd (ACTION)
Watch out for Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, and Paul Bettany as the Archangel Michael in this Biblical good-versus-evil showdown.
Shutter Island – February 9th (THRILLER)
Martin Scorsese directs this suspenseful thriller about two agents (Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo) who investigate the mysterious disappearance of a patient from a mental hospital for the criminally insane.
Alice in Wonderland – March 5th (FANTASY)
This reimagining of a classic tale from eclectic director Tim Burton shows us what happens when a grown-up Alice returns to the Wonderland—featuring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway.
Nightmare on Elm Street – April 30th (HORROR)
This remake of the 1984 Wes Craven classic stars Jackie Earle Haley as the nightmare-inducing Freddie Kruger.
Iron Man 2 – May 7th (SUPERHERO)
Robert Downey Jr. once again plays the titular superhero in this highly-anticipated sequel to the 2008 film which set a new bar for the genre.
Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time – May 28th (ACTION)
Based off of the award-winning video game, this Mike Newell film stars Jake Gyllenhall as the time-bending prince.
Toy Story 3 – June 18th (ANIMATED)
It’s been ten years since Toy Story 2, and this newest addition to a now classic universe promises to be a worthwhile wait—starring original voice actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – June 30th (FANTASY)
The continuation of Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling series, Eclipse is guaranteed to be one of the biggest grossers of the year thanks to teen heartthrobs Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner.
The Last Airbender – July 2nd (FANTASY)
Based off the Emmy-winning Nickelodeon cartoon, this live-action M. Night Shyamalan introduces Noah Ringer as the Avatar, who can control all four elements and must bring peace to a warring world.
Ramona and Beezus – August 13th (CHILDREN’S)
Like 2009��s Where the Wild Things Are, this adaptation of Beveley Clearly’s beloved book about a rowdy child and her older sister may be more for nostalgic adults than children.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – November 19th (FANTASY)
The beginning of the end for a phenomenon that defined a generation, the seventh Harry Potter film starts Harry on his journey to finally defeating Voldemort.
Tron Legacy – Dec 17th (SCI-FI)
One of the staples of 80s’ film, Tron was denied a Oscar nomination for special effects as the Academy felt they cheated by using a computer; oh, how the times have changed. Expect greatness in 3D from this Disney film.
Other anticipated films: MacGruber, April 23rd (based off the Will Forte SNL sketch); Little Fockers, July 20th (third in the Ben Stiller series); Chronicles of Naria: the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Dec 10th (continuation of the C. S. Lewis tale); and Green Hornet, Dec 22nd (adapted from the popular radio show and comic book character). 
Reality TV
Reality shows are no more the cool new kids on the block. They are now like that one uncle who keeps dropping by at our place uninvited. He is the one we simply cannot stand, and do not understand why our parents let him visit us. He is quirky, irritating, irrational, stupid, funny at times, says the wrong things at the wrong time, but he is an inevitable member of the family who will never leave you at peace.
What started out as competitions to help showcase budding talents to the world soon escalated in to a “Who is meaner, stupider and irritating?” contest. I keep wondering how these shows even make it to Television, not to mention getting the nod and another season. How can Rakhi Sawant after her ridiculous tantrums and laughable histrionics get another show? How can MTV Roadies, in which no one utters a sentence without a bunch a swear words, be one of the most popular TV shows in India? How can Big Boss, which is nothing but a bunch of people in one house sitting on their bottoms and bitching about one another, come back for the nth season? Have these questions bothered you? Do you know when these questions hit you? Just when you are watching Rakhi playing with your senses, not telling you who she is going to choose as her muse. It hits you then and you ask this question to your roomie, who is as engrossed as you are in the show and does not appreciate being interrupted.
After some deep soul searching, I think I may have figured out why! Where these reality shows win is in understanding the human psyche. It appeals to the exact hypocrisy that we all detest, hate and abhor, but can’t get rid of. It satisfies that secret craving that we all have. Just like how we all gossip (Did I just say that out aloud?). To see celebrities go about their lives just like normal people do is tantalizing to us. We are even ready to understand the vagaries of their lives that do not resonate with us.We understand that they have to shop in Armani, Vera Wang or expensive boutiques. We empathize with them when they say that their boyfriends are not interested in taking them to an exotic trip in the Bahamas. We understand when one of them gets pregnant and goes on and on yapping about whether she wants to keep the baby or not. We try to understand what it is that Rakhi Sawant wants! Trust me, we try!
If I try to don the oracle hat and predict what is going to happen in the coming months or years, I would say that this is just the beginning of the end of good television. The fact that most of these reality stars dont have any real talent except making fools of themselves on television, makes them an easily available commodity. There could be a never ending supply of such people. Imagine a couple of more Karshadian like people, balloon boy parents, Rakhi Sawants and those absolutely delightful roadie folks. Its going to be “Attack of the reality stars” in years to come.
Reality television might be a lie. It’s not reality, everyone knows that. People who make reality shows know that. We know that they know that we know. Really! No one can act that stupid on television on their own. It would just be a gross violation of each person’s individual sense of discretion. But for a few thousand rupees and some 15 minutes of fame, most things, well anything will be done. But reality television has in it, deeply ingrained an universal truth. Beneath all the suave, seasoned, refined, sophisticated cover that we wear, there lies the crassy, unspophisticated, gossip hungry, back biting chimpanzee that we grew out of.
Yes, that uncle shows no sign of leaving us! He just got a little more comfortable.
By Nivethitha Kumar
Draupadi – Episode 2
How hot the sun is! The pitcher of water next to me is open, and the water is heating up fast and disappearing as I lie here, famished and thirsty. The five figures have long left, and I can see only the horizon shimmer where I saw their receding backs. The rock that I’m lying on is heating up too…Bheem, as usual, could never think for longer than the moment. Though he had moved my bed-rock out of the way of the sun when he left, he had failed to account for the progress of the day. Bheem. My bed-rock.
There were five of them, but Bheem was noticeable, always. He stood out, like Arjun. Like the other one. Sahadeva, my good Sahadeva, my almost-brother, he was unobtrusive. He never stood out. But Bheem and Arjun, they stood out like the sun and the moon. The first time I saw all the five of them together, I had eyes only for Arjun…but I knew, with the instinct of a woman, the two pairs of eyes that watched me, my every movement. One of the two pairs belonged to Bheem. The other…but wait. Let me tell the story in sequence and order.
I ran past the fountain and the hall of the songbirds, around the flower garden into the inner chambers, looking to my left and to my right. When I saw her, relief bubbled over me and I said, “Shakti-ma’ with the same bliss on my face as a thirsty man’s in an oasis. The veiled face that looked back at me with a smile was my wet-nurse’s.
My father had never really wanted a daughter. He is lame in one leg – I have heard people say that the only reason he ever became king was because there was no one else in the family to take over. I hate my father. He is a vicious man – has got a nasty, foul temper. For example, he quarreled with his best friend, a revered sage called Drona, because he was a poor man who asked for my father’s help.
My father can never be kind to people who love him – maybe that is why he hates me. I would love to love him like a father should be loved, and I was another pillar in the palace as far as he was concerned. All he wanted was a son – you see, Drona was a greater warrior than my lame father. When my father insulted
Drona, he avenged the insult by declaring war on my father, and winning it single handed. Now, my father wanted to continue the cycle by getting back at Drona – he wanted a warrior son who could finish off Drona for him.
I have heard Shakti-ma say how joyful he was when he heard my mother was pregnant – he was almost human then. He had, however, miscalculated – he got the warrior son he wanted, but the son also had a twin-sister, me, who by tearing out of the fragile mother, had killed her.
After my mother had died giving birth to me, a fact that my father never let me forget, Shakti-ma had fed me and clothed me and changed the cloth when she had to, and had told me stories and kept me from my father’s wrath and away from my bullying brother and his friends. was the unwanted daughter, and she was the wet-nurse who had stayed on to mother me. It was more than a year since the time Kanha had visited me in the forest. He had gone on to do what he had said he would – he had married Rukmini and brought her to our palace to show off his new bride (I later heard that he did not stand to fight her brother– yet the brother never showed his face in public again. Kanha has style!) However, since then, I had not seen him. We wrote to each other all the time, never long missives with elaborate wordplay or any useful information to convey, but mostly short teasing notes, riddles or limericks.
“You forget the face of the old friend in the face of the new wife?” went one piece of parchment in mock anger, fastened to the feet of a pet pigeon.
“Fine question to ask the one with many wives, but one friend” – the reply.
And today, after a long year, I heard the servants talk – that Kanha was coming!
“Shakti-ma, I heard father say that Kanha is coming today. Is that true?”
My breathless question to Shakti-ma made her smile again. “Why, yes, Draupadi. Come here. I have been meaning to talk to you.”
She reached out for me and smoothed my wild hair over my shoulders. “How would you like to be married?”
I looked at Shakti-ma incomprehensibly.
“Listen to me, and listen to all that I have to say before you react. Your father thinks that it is time that you get married. He has arranged for princes from all over the world – strong, handsome, able, wealthy ones, to come here tomorrow…there would be tests of strength and ability and the winner would win you as the prize! And who on earth would not want my beautiful Draupadi?” Shakti-ma was smiling fondly at me as she stroked my hair.
“My father actually wants me to be married?” I could not believe my ears. Did he care? Really?
“Well, yes, of course. Which father would not want to see his daughter married?”
“Not my father. He scarcely speaks to me. Come, on, why this sudden interest in my welfare?”
“Why, my dear, why can’t it be the simplest truth, that your father wants to finish his duties by you?”
“So why this elaborate test? Why not hand me over to the first man who walks in through the door?” I cried out.
“Which would be me,” said Kanha walking in through the door, smiling. “Draupadi, Draupadi, why so much bitterness?”
I was torn between the delight of meeting Kanha and my suspicions of my father’s motivations.
‘Kanha,” I said, running to him. “You know everything. Why does my father want me married all of a sudden?”
“Plainly put, my dear, so that he can defeat Drona.”
“Drona. Is that all he cares about? And how would getting me married help him defeat Drona?’
Kanha reclined on the elaborately carved chair and put me on the arm-rest beside him.
“How old are you, Draupadi?”
Sixteen.”
“So is your brother. And when you are sixteen, you become a woman, like he is a man. He is now ready to fight, but he is no match to the mighty Drona.Moreover, you forget Drona’s greatest strength – he is the best teacher that there is
The last time he battled with your father, it was not Drona, but his young fledgling of a pupil…”
‘Arjuna?”
Kanha rocked the chair as if he had not heard the tremor in my voice. “Yes, it was Arjuna who brought down the chariot of your lame father. And your father wants Arjuna on his side.”
“How?”
“My innocent, by making him his daughter’s husband, so that he can have Drona’s right arm working for him.”
“But it is going to be a test! What makes him so sure that only Arjuna can win the competition?”
“Why, who else can string that huge bow that resides in your palace, the one that needs twenty servants to even lift, and shoot the eye of a revolving fish by looking at its reflection?”
“Sounds just like my father to cook up such a fiendishly difficult match for the suitors. Then maybe nobody will win and he need not bother getting me married at all. What makes him so sure Arjuna will pass it?”
“Ah, but that’s where your father’s so diabolical. He devised a test so that only Arjuna could pass it and nobody else.”
“Why do I think you had something to do with all this?”
Kanha laughed and eyed me, but refused to give me an answer.
“So shall I get the preparations started?” asked Shakti-ma. She knew that she could not put a foot forward without my explicit approval!
“Of course,” Kanha answered for me. “If Arjuna is coming, that is.”
“So, what makes you sure that Arjuna would be able to do it? No doubt, no one else would be able to get through, but how do you know Arjuna won’t fail as well? Is he some kind of super-human God who can lift a bow that no one else can, and string it and do the rest of that absurd task?”
“You want him to be able to do it. Isn’t that enough?”
I blushed furiously and moved to run away. “No, I do not. Why would I want him to win me? Just a pawn in my father’s scheme.”
“Well, you know best about it. All I know is that if a man can win you by performing the task your father has set, it is Arjuna, and none other.
He is not God, he is just a man.”
“And I suppose you are the God?”
“Why, yes, I am. If he is Nara, the man, I am
Narayana, the God.”
When Kanha speaks in that tone of self assuredness, it is impossible to not believe him, even if he mouths absurdities.
And yet, the God, the self same God who had decided to make a make a match of me and the most human of men, is gone too. They say that men show God-like tendencies – but what of the opposite? What if the God start behaving like humans? My Kanha, my God, now lost to me. I am no atheist, but something worse, for my God is dead to me now. To have a God die is bad enough but to have one’s faith in that God dead too? Isn’t that worse? But I have not lost all faith. My faith lives on, in Sahadeva’s secret, in every moment that I wait looking at the dusty path, awaiting Death, awaiting him. ….
( To be Continued…)
By Manasa
Picture Credit :http://vyakulam.blogspot.com/2009/07/shri-draupadi-jis-realization.html
Yeh Dil Maange More
Kapil Dev, on the occasion of 20 years of Sachin’s reign in cricket, in a column in The Asian Age, said that Sachin is an underachiever. Kapil categorically claimed that the master blaster seldom played to his true potential. In a statement completely devoid of logic, he expressed how ideally, Sachin should go from 30 to 50 in three overs, 50 to 80 in five overs on any pitch, and comfortably get to 100. If only life was so easy, and geniuses were able to teleport!
Or maybe it was just the schoolboy enthusiasm and imagination running wild in Kapil Dev’s head. So how would it really be if we let that schoolboy rule over our heads? How will the geniuses who push their limits every time they are on a field or on a screen, perform in our minds and have their own glory days, much superior-which itself is a staggering thought- than what we see in reality? There is as much fiction as we can spin!
Sachin Tendulkar:
Surely, we can ask for twenty more years of cricket from this great man? Kapil Dev may want him scoring a century in less than eight overs every time he takes the field but some pragmatism is required here. Sachin’s target, for now, seems to be the World Cup, where in the past, his individual brilliance has shone through more than once, and a 1983 encore still eludes him. And that is something we would all love to see in his kitty. In our kitty. And there is that very plausible 100 centuries in ODIs and Tests put together. But then with India playing very few Tests till the World Cup in 2011, it may happen only if he is more than just consistent in ODIs. The recent ODI between India and Australia in Hyderabad was expected to deliver comeuppance to Sachin in a way it would have, to all those naysayers. Every fan gushed that, finally all those cynics can be silenced and be done with. And the fact remains, that it didn’t happen. Now a repeat of that evening, I am sure, is something everyone would wish for.
Roger Federer:
Roger Federer had some of his career best moments in 2009. But then he was reduced to tears on the podium in Australian Open and got killed in the finals at Flushing Meadows. Now that’s the level of tennis we have seen this decade and it takes more than just talent and will to remain No. 1. But who wouldn’t love to have more? Federer, with 15 Grand Slams and a career Slam, has still got more than just a couple of years in tennis. Now where he goes from here, and what he wins is just pure gravy. A Calendar Year Grand Slam would probably bring David Foster Wallace back from the dead to write an epic piece on him once again. And we don’t have a number to count the throng of fans waiting for the current Holy Grail in tennis – to defeat Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros. And if it’s in the finals, it’ll be the best day of the year. But for that to happen, we need to wish for one more thing. Rafael Nadal’s return to his 2007-08 form with the kind of agility, a Jedi knight would envy.
Kamal Haasan:
If there is someone who has made it a practice to push limits in Indian cinema, it’s Kamal Haasan. It boggles our mind to even think of “What’s next?” This is not sports. The boundaries of cinematic achievement are more or less nonexistent so we can only think on the lines of past momentous achievements. Though Kamal has given us movies to be proud of in the past decade, he hasn’t repeated the glory decade of the 90s. A film worthy of being up there with a masterpiece like Thevar Magan is not too much to ask for. Or a Mahandhi and a Kuruthipunal. The Kamal Haasan who can work with contemporary scripts, relevant stories and one with the ability to turn time tested themes over their heads like Michael Madana Kamarajan or Aboorva Sagodharargal with his writing. We would give anything to see Kamal Haasan firing in all cylinders – the writing, the acting, the storytelling and the fan following. But knowing the man for the past 50 years, we all know, he will do it.
Michael Schumacher:
Yes, he has retired, but remember we are talking fiction? But maybe we are not. If the talk among Formula 1 circles is to be believed, Schumi could very well be making a comeback next year. And then we can allow all the punters to predict everything from the obvious to the outrageous. Schumi doing a Minardi race after race? Or Schumi winning race after race at his swashbuckling best, leaving the likes of Hamilton, Button and Alonso wondering what hit them? The difference would be that he won’t be sitting behind the wheel of a Ferrari. And that’s a challenge we’d love to see him take on for the sheer excitement to witness what he does with it. We know what is more desirable in this case and the only question that remains to be asked is –Can he do it? Yes he can!
Aditya Shrikrishna
Existence of Sibyl
~(_8-(!) — did not know the existence of Sibyl
“Don’t Ever Trust Yourself”
— Filarial (3000 AD)
The governor of Alpha Centauri lay dead before us. I couldn’t believe it. All the precautions and nothing had helped. It had to be one of us. There could be no stowaways on this ship. I had calculated the amount of air to be supplied based on the ships size and the number of people to the last atom. This had been a precaution I had always taken without my crew knowing for if I saw a drop of sweat I knew things were not right. I knew! That was key to providing the kind of security the governor had needed.
And the strange thing was I trusted each of my crew more than myself. There was Sibyl (oh beautiful Sibyl… but I digress) Randy, Chad and Periyakarupan. I looked at each of them. The stranger thing was that we had all been sweating from about 36 seconds before the governor dropped dead. And then everyone was breathing normally. I couldn’t make head or tail of it. “Report to your quarters and do not budge or else you will be killed” I said quietly.
I thought for about 30 minutes looking at the monitors trained on each room. Randy paced about the room nervously, Sibyl was crying like a baby, Chad and Periyakarupan on the other hand were sitting quietly and patiently. I walked straight to Randy’s room and opened the door. As soon as he saw me, he whispered quickly,” Have you talked to anybody else? ” He saw the look on my face and said,” I was hoping when you saw me pacing you would come to me. I hoped in hell that you would. You don’t understand. I saw something. I cannot for the love of god figure it out. I saw… “ and his voice broke into a whisper… his eyes wide open… and
Blackout.
The governor of Alpha Centauri lay dead before us. I acted per protocol and grounded the whole crew to their quarters. I was observing them on the monitors. Sibyl (oh beautiful Sibyl… I slapped myself on the face… focus…) Periyakarupan and Randy were sitting down with an eerie calm. Sibyl was crying uncontrollably now. I could feel the air becoming thinner, she needed to calm down or all of us were in danger of cerebral hypoxia for we were still a million miles from Gyna. I would get to her but she would be second. First I headed to Chad’s room. I opened the door and his eyes were wide open waiting for me to walk in. I said calmly,” Chad … why did you do it… Chad? “and his eyes moved towards me and without any warning he jumped on me. The bastard had a hidden weapon. He must have used it on the governor…
“You are not the CAPTAIN.. YOU ARE NoTTTT.”… I felt Blood ooze out of my shoulder… I was having double visions as I staved off Chad with the last reserves of energy that I had left… He suddenly stopped looking horrified and said,” Captain is that really… really you???”.. I screamed , “ You Dumb MF what the.. “ I could feel myself blacking out. The ship’s computer was saying something about slight turbulence. I was losing consciousness. I poked my wound with two fingers harshly and screamed in pain as blood rushed to my head as well and I saw a little more clearly. Chad said,” You don’t understand captain… I… Saw… I….”
Blackout
The Governor of Alpha Centauri’s mangled body lay before us. I was a little disconcerted. I had sent the rest of the crew to their quarters. I wanted to go to Sibyl’s quarters and comfort her. I couldn’t bear her cries. But when I did look at the monitors. I looked at but one monitor. PeriyaKarupan was looking at the monitor almost smiling almost signaling to me. I walked straight to his quarters and opened the door. I let it slide shut behind me and heaved a heavy sigh. “ I saw… “ He smiled and said,” Don’t jump to conclusions. “ and he closed his eyes and said, “ Let us think rationally captain, calm your thoughts and lets then go to Sibyl’s Quarters. “ I said, “I am calm enough – lets go.” We were inside Sibyl’s Quarters and as I approached her… I ..”aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah”
PeriyaKarupan looked down upon the captain’s dead body and then at Sibyl, “Come on Sibyl, we don’t have much time… “ … The ship’s computer was saying something about approaching turbulence. He half dragged her to his quarters and pulled her over another body. A badly disfigured body of…. Periyakarupan. She was almost hysterical. TURBULANCE…
Blackout.
The Governor of Alpha Centauri’s body lay still before me. I looked at the monitors desperately. I had sent everybody to their quarters and yet nobody was there. I saw no one in their quarters. I walked out of the control room as the ships computer talked about turbulence. As I walked out … I saw someone approaching. I ran towards the figure and tried to … my eyes opened wide. It couldn’t be… I backed away… and then he jumped at me. I screamed in pain as something struck and I felt blood spurt out and screamed …. And screamed…..
Turbulance and Forward…..
I stood there shaking. And behind me- the Governor, Chad, Sibyl and and… Periyakarupan. I had used the modulator, the only one on the ship… on…. Me. I wanted to cry, to vomit but we couldn’t afford me to do that for we were still a million miles away. I controlled myself. We all sat there looking at each other as if each were a ghost. Finally Periyakarupan spoke slowly, “ it had to be done to break away from the anomaly. That was the only way that I could think off. Each of us… had to kill …. Ourselves… to break from the paradox…. It was the only way… it was the…” I looked at Sibyl and said, “ Explain.” She looked up through her tear soaked face and said, “When the turbulence hit the ship for the first time… I was pulled through some sort of anomaly and as I traveled, I could hear all of your screams. And then I was back on the ship. 20 minutes before the second turbulence hit. I tried warning us but the first time, all of you freaked out so much you tied me up and put me into what was my quarters, not listening to me. And again it was only I who survived. I tried through different combinations to drive the ship of path but I found I did not have control. Captain you para-programmed the ship to listen to only you. And then I tried to catch someone else’s attention. First Randy, then Chad, in that sequence by showing myself at a certain angle while killing the most important person on the ship- the Governor. Both of them could not understand the paradox. And then Periyakaruppan… she stopped and Periyakaruppan continued, “As We started saving each of us we had to kill the so called “copy” the anomaly created of each of us. That was the only way. Believe me captain… “ and he closed his eyes.
We were lost upon the act of violence we had had to commit… and yet we were alive… all of us… I could not understand…. Somewhere distantly I could hear ship’s computer say “400 thousand miles”
PS- Some people like to use quotes of great men in History to make a point. So I decided to use a Quote I will make in the future at the beginning of the story.
PS PS- the story’s title- did it make you think? 
…. As I researched the theme, I found a quote in wiki which went like the “Homer seems to have been unaware of a Sibyl” Hence I assumed the reference to be the one person I turn to in a time of great despair… The one only philosopher of interest– ~(_8-(!) ( turn these characters by 90 degrees and you will see Homer Simpson!)
Picture Credit :
Turning Leaf
Sometimes, colours have a way of predicting things
A grey sky is supposed to be the harbinger of rain,
While a bright blue one indicates a calm and wonderful day
A green twig is said to mark the beginning of spring…
Now looking at this turning leaf the other day
I wondered if it knew that orange meant it was wilting
Further it made me ponder,
Do we know what the coming year is to bring?
Are our hopes, dreams and wishes crafted by colours too?
Colours that just our eyes are not accustomed to see?
I asked the leaf while I was painting it,
The leaf simply said “every colour is truly worth living”
Scientifically Literate
Whether it is transporters or bar-tending robots, Science fiction has always been dreaming up new gadgets and gizmos. We look at some of those that crossed the boundaries of fiction to reality.
1. Geostationary Satellites
When we watch our favorite shows on TV or get the latest weather forecasts, we should remember Arthur C. Clark. This famed sci-fi writer, in the 1940’s, had the vision to write about satellites making high-speed mass communication possible. And they definitely have.
2. Bringing back the dead?
In Jurassic Park, Michael Cricthon, managed to scare millions by cloning dinosaurs from prehistoric mosquito DNA. He brought the long extinct creatures back to life and we wondered ‘is that possible’ and ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was?’ Well, turns out it is possible. Scientists today have succeeded in cloning mice that died and were frozen, 16 years ago. Its no Tyrannosaurus rex, but we’re getting there.
3. Book reading redefined
Electronic book readers are gaining in popularity today, turning many a book lover to this paperless option. This useful gadget also has its origins in science fiction. Douglas Adams, in his 1979 sci-fi comedy, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy, was the first to describe an electronic, push-button’ type of reader.
4. Bionic legs
In the novel Cyborg, Martin Caidin described a pilot who loses all but one of his limbs in a crash and is then fitted with bionic legs and an arm. Bionics, essentially mechanical replacements for limbs, are now coming to the aid of many amputees. There have been major advancements in this area, making these artificial limbs more powerful and comfortable to the wearer- they can now range from battery powered legs with sensors to Bluetooth powered legs that can communicate with each other.
References:http://www.technovelgy.com/
http://www.satelliteinternet.com/news/15-inventions-inspired-by-science-fiction/
Refreshing Rendezvous
“The Hindu” calls his music ‘Pleasing melodies”. He might be the new kid in the block, but he sure has made an indelible mark on the minds of Tamil and Telugu music lovers. Be it Hariharan delivering a beautiful number in “ Beethovan” or Yesudas delivering one of his strongest numbers till date, P.C .Shivan is here to stay. TheBanyanTrees caught up with this budding music director and talked about Music, Madras, passion and much more.
1. How and why music? Tell us all about it 
I would like to think that music chose me and not the other way around. My parents found that I had the ability to identify swaras(musical notes) when I was merely a 5 yr old kid.. One of my favourites was the legendary SPB’s “Mannil Indha Kadhal Indri” from “Keladi Kanmani” which I would sing as “PaGa MaPa SaNi SaRiRi…”and so on. My parents dreamt one day I could sing film songs like their idol SPB. But more than singing, it was the notes which intrigued me. Soon I took to piano (self-taught) and played all those notes effortlessly. My first stint at composing music came in my 7th grade and soon many followed. I would insist on playing my own compositions with my bands, as opposed to the norm of playing films songs in various culturals. I studied western classical music from Trinity College of London, and honed my skills as a keyboardist/composer. Today, though I have sung a wordless song in my film Bayam Ariyaan (Se Mo Pe Saamayo), I know I’m nowhere close to achieving my parents dream of being a future SPB. But I’m sure they would be more than elated, as I was fortunate enough to get Balu sir himself to sing a song for me (Nee Illai Naan Illai from Bayam Ariyaan).
2. When I looked at your profile, I must say that my jaw dropped for a second. IIT Madras and a Music Director? That is not a combination you see everyday. Tell us about this huge diversion that you decided to take.
(Laughs) I have to admit I get similar reactions quite often. The toughest of reactions came from my dad in my 4th year of engineering, when I told him I wouldn’t be going to the US for higher studies. It was tough convincing him especially when I had just obtained admits for MS/Phd in Aerospace Engg from five reputed universities. While he reluctantly agreed to me working in Chennai, I was more than happy to join Ashok Leyland and continue my love with the city and its music.
Coming back to the question, getting into IIT Madras, was by no way accidental. It was indeed my love for Maths and Science, coupled with rigorous coaching from my professors that paved my way into the IITs. However, from the day I stepped into IITM, my love for music grew and multiplied. It was in the pursuit of learning & composing music that I spent the maximum part of my campus life. After the brief diversion of trying to be an engineer, I was happy to finally re-connect with my childhood dream. In this context, engineering was the diversion I had taken in achieving my true ambition of being a music director.
Now looking back, without the profound influence that IITM and Ashok Leyland had had on my life, I doubt if I could have made it at all. Even today, donning the hat of a music director, I am in spirit, a diehard IITian & Leylandian. I would rather take a longer, harder and a road less travelled than an oft taken road. In that sense this diversion has turned out to be a blessing!
3. You have had some big guns sing for you in just your first two ventures. My favorite was Yesudas singing for you in “Amma Nee Irundhal” in “Bayam Ariyaan”. Tell us how you think of suitable singers for a song and how did you think of Yesudas for this particular song?
Yes! It has been the greatest pleasure and honour to have had Dr. K.J.Yesudas sing for me in my very first film. I revere his voice and have a great regard for his inimitable style with which he renders every song. Amma Nee Irundhal is a very emotional and touchy song sung from the point of view of the hero in the absence of his mom, and figures in the climax of the film. As for this song, I had no second thoughts about the singer. As it needed heavy emotions to be conveyed to the audience right at the climax of the film, I knew from the beginning that it had to be Yesudas sir to carry the song on his shoulders, and he has done just that. I was left speechless at the end of the recording, when he finished singing the last few lines with a crying voice. What a true legend!
In general, when it comes to choosing a singer, I try and experiment with new voices and choose the one that matches my expectation. But sometimes, a particular singer’s voice just rings in your head even while composing the tune, be it Unni Menon for “Pesum Deebamo” from Bayam Ariyaan, or Hariharan for “Beethoven” from Chapter 6.
4. Music does have no boundaries, but audiences do. You have done “Chapter6″ in Telugu as well. Do you think of Tamil and Telugu movies differently, if so what are some of the things you consider before doing music for different movies?
Music transcends boundaries. Well said. With this thought, I try to treat tamil and telugu films at par, the difference being only in the film script. If my songs for Chapter 6 are more commercial, it is because the script demands such a treatment. If I have used more of melody, and classical raagas in Bayam Ariyaan, it is again for the same reason..Therefore, before song composition, it is essential that the director narrates the script, to give an overall understanding of the film. For a particular song, we then study the song situation, the characters and their portrayal in the song, and last but not least, the visual backdrop being planned for the song. These would naturally influence my tune, the type of instrumentation and the style of singing, besides lyrics.
It is popular notion that, telugu audiences prefer songs with fast beats when compared to slow melody songs. But I don’t quite agree! In my telugu film Chapter 6, the song which has won mass acceptance is not a kuthu song with heavy beats, but on the contrary, is a slow wordless song that I’ve sung myself and is called Vizil. The title song from Bayam Ariyaan – Se Mo Pe Saamayo is another example of melody winning over fast paced songs.
5. PSBB as a school is known for promoting creativity when they see it. How did your school help you in achieving your dream?
Indeed. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of this marvellous institution, Be it cultural, arts or science, PSBB stood first in encouraging their students. I still remember my principal telling us, “Participation is the key. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose.” Under such guidance, it is hard to be left unnoticed. It was during my days at school where I learnt the balancing act of how to be involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities and still be a high scorer at school.
6. What would you tell youngsters who have their heart a place but have a different career? How does one make such bold decisions as you did and how do they become successful at that?
I have always had this inner voice that I trust the most. Somewhere along the line, I discovered that this was none other than the voice of my heart. This made it so much easier when there were crossroads, and tough decisions had to be taken. To help my statements, I wish to borrow a few thoughts from people I greatly regard.
On the day of my audio release for Bayam Ariyaan, music director James Vasanthan had said,”There are people who want to love what they are doing at the present. But there are few others who are willing to sacrifice everything in order to attain what they love doing. P.C.Shivan belongs to the latter kind and that speaks of his belief in himself and his music!” That is extremely generous! But the power of passion is such that it reflects in your work and gets you everybody’s support.
During my study at IITM, there were times when I used to be troubled by the thought, “What is the use of being passionate about music, when I am not able to do enough justice to that passion?” My professor Dr. M.Ramakrishna used to tell me, “You are lucky to have something as your passion…Many people don’t even have one.” Today, if I am to re-discover the meaning of his words, “If you are passionate about something, that passion will propel you automatically in the right direction”. In retrospect, I did nothing extra-ordinary; just had this great passion for music! So the mantra is to nurture your passion and keep it growing and be assured that it will propel you in the right direction.
But then if you ask, “What if I don’t have a passion, or don’t know what it is?”, I recall the words of Mr.Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland. From his words and his life, I have inferred that “If you love doing what you do, then you are bound to excel!” So, to all my young friends who are not sure of their passion, I suggest that you start loving your work till you find one. It might happen that your work may, one day become your passion.
7. Are you satisfied with the progress made so far? Which song you consider your best?
Though I am extremely satisfied with my work so far, I believe my best is yet to come. I wish to recall the day when I met my Dean and Director, Mrs YGP to get her blessings much before the releases. A visibly pleased Mrs. YGP also had a word for me “No kuthu songs… ok?” I would re-interpret it as, “Don’t lose your standards..ok?” Now, speaking for the work done so far, this is what little I’d say to her, “Ma’am, within the compulsions of today, I think I have made songs that sound different from what we hear around… and I am still trying…Shri Gurubyo Namah”
8. People you would like to thank.
God, my parents, my grandparents and family, my teachers prof TRS, prof Ramakrishna, Dr. Mrs. YGP, Mrs. Chandra Srinivasan, and mentors Mr. Seshasayee, Dr. Aravind Bharadwaj and Dr. Sathya Prasad, my directors Sooriyakiran and Prathesh and producer Satkunarajah, and all my friends, well-wishers and fans. A special thanks to my 9 yr old brother Shriram for putting up with me during those long recordings. He used to complain,“ I wish you were never a music director. You aren’t playing with me like before!” Thank God for me, his wishes didn’t come true!
