2 States (Book Review)

In recent times I saw many people walking around with the book 2 States by Chetan Bhagat. Then some people were telling how he has writtes about Madrasis (read Tamilians). (Anybody from South India for a North Indian is a Madrasi) I never heard about the other state. Finally I decided to get a copy of my own and started reading.
The story is set in about 9 – 10years ago which is almost a generation has passed since then. He has spent lot of time in writing on Madrasis that I find it to be an one sided view. The other state is Punjab. Two of many other states in India where people would not complain no matter what you write or show in movies about them. Chetan Bhagat also seems to be like the directors in film industry where male dominated movies sell.
There is definitely quite a bit of masala which is an important ingredient just like Indian movies. Quite a lot of facts. I do agree on lot of points mentioned in the book atleast with respect to Madrasis. Certain things are true even today though lot many other things have changed a lot in due course of time. I would have been happy if we had mentioned this in the book for both the states.
One thing I like much is his style of writing which is very simple and not difficult words that you need a dictionary along. And he knows the subject to touch upon to get an audience.
One thing which I hate about this book is as such North Indians have a pre-defined opinion about South India (Madrasi) now this would cement it and plaster it. Their opinion would not change nor would their impression. And people in South will think that its only money power in North India, which is also not true except at power house. Even today I know many North Indians who are afraid to come down South.
Many people do not see a book as just a book.
Having read his previous novels, I would expected something better from the author. He could have written about richness of Punjabi culture. There is not much about it. Though Punjabi, the story centers around Delhi.
For Tamilians though he mentions about bharatanatyam, carnatic music, the other texts surrounding this bring down the rich culture.

Samsung PC Studio

Problem: Samsung provides a CD for installing PC Studio with their mobile phones. On a recent purchase of Samsung Star 3g mobile phone I installed the PC Studio. On installation when I opened the program it gave an error message NPSMain error.
Issue: For this error message I searched all over the internet and in all forums they complained of same error message and cribbed about Samsung mobile phone.
None of them gave a solution or wrote whether their problem was resolved. With so much of bashing I was little disappointed initially with Samsung too.
Solution: The solution to the problem is to choose the same language for installation as was used for installing the Operating System in the computer.
This occurred to me after 2-3days when I was thinking of all other alternatives. And this did work and now am able to use the PC studio without any issues.
Update: Am starting to love this mobile. 3 desktops, 2 tab windows and quite responsive to touch. Its definitely worth the buy. Now I need to activate my internet connection.

London Dreams (Hindi movie) – Review

Arjun (Ajay Devagan) has the big dream of London Dreams, to make it big on stage of music. In the process joins Priya (Asin) and his return to India brings with him Mannu (Salman Khan). What happens next do they make it big is the rest of the movie. A real dry script. The movie is no big shake.
Am still left wondering what is the role of Asin in the movie. Except for 2-3 dialouges in Tamil, dancing around. She doesnt even motivate Arjun or Mannu to make it big.
Few dialouges for Salman makes people laugh but its for 2-3minutes of a big movie.
Why does Arjun slap himself with belt is not known. Is it lust or love for Priya is also not clear.
The songs are too loud. Background score doesnt even matter.

Overall a poorly made movie. Maybe a 1 out of 5 will be my rating.
Skip this movie if you have anything else even not important to do.

Road Trip 4 (2009)

While I still have to finish posting on my last Road Trip aka Monsoon Ride, I have mapped out my road trip during Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010. This is initial phase of planning.
Start Date: December 25th, 2009 from Chennai
End Date : January 10th, 2010 to Bangalore
Bangalore to Darjeeling or Gangtok and back. A circuit route. From Bangalore to Chennai and then thru East Coast till Kolkata. The return is through Nagpur.
Total distance could be around 6000kms.
Total duration around 15+days.

For the Google Maps link, click here.

Aadhavan (Tamil) – Movie Review

Aadhavan starring Surya, Nayantara and others would be easily forgotten if not for Vadivelu.
Surya is a paid assassin. In his attempt to assassinate head of CBI team commissioned for finding the death of children, finds his love and other long lost family members. Often repeated storyline.
Stunts though copied from various English movies is not an eyesore. Surya jumping from Howrah Bridge (Kolkatta) and helicopter are mentionable stunts.
Nayantara is for glamour quotient and front benchers. She disappoints slightly in this region though.
Vadivelu is the pick of the star in the movie. He dominates the first half of the movie and entire audience bursts into laughter time and again. After first half one can walk out of theater still laughing.

Kanva Reservoir Ride

Its been quite some time since I did a group riding and with Royal Knights Motorcycle club. Today was the ride to Kanva Reservoir near Ramnagar and a day ride. About 70kms from Bangalore.
We all met up at Koramangala Sony World junction and started our journey by around 6:30am in the morning after a small briefing of group riding. We were 18bikes and 2 pillions.
After Ramnagar you need to take a turn to right from Mysore Road (SH17). They are laying the roads currently. In the past it was worse but a good off-roading place. The group was maintained and we had some fun, photo shoot, video shoot. A mix of all.
We decided to call it off a day after round of introductions. The day was very humid and hot after last nights rains.

Video 1 of the ride that I shot.
Video 2 of the ride.

There was another bullet bikers group in bangalore who had also joined. Just shows there are lot of fragmented groups. Its time all came together. The rides could be done in groups depending on ones interest. But a single banner with diversity is what should be looked forward to. The existing old groups should also accept others into their fold.

I would love to do more solo’s too…..

Monsoon ride – Road trip 3

It was “One hill of a ride” and a rainy one.

“Rain rain go away
come again, another day
Little Jhonny wants to play”

Re-writing the rhyme
“Rain rain come come
come again next day too
Little Jhonny is riding”

Riding speed -
40km/hr to 50km/hr up and down mountains in the rains & mist. At this speed one can smell the greens and feel the surroundings.
20km/hr when there were only rocks and slush (SH17A).
70km/hr at all other roads.
100km/hr from Kodai Road to Bangalore.

Day 1: In Bangalore – vehicle needs service.
Babu Mechanic shed Marthahalli. Wire to feeder coil had got cut.

Day 2: Bangalore to Pollachi.
NH209 till Kollegal via Kannakapura
SH17A from Kollegal to Satyamangalam. No roads only rocks and potholes. Led by cattle also!

NH209 from Satyamangalam to Pollachi.
Early morning rains when leaving Bangalore.
Heavy rains from Satyamangalam till Anoor.

Day3: Top slip.
Aliyar dam.

No rains.

Day 4: Pollachi to Valparai.
40 hairpin bends.

slight drizzle, heavy mist, amazing views.

Visit to Koozhangal river in valparai.

Day 5: Anamudi, Pooncholai (Amazing view), Chinnakallar (Recieves 2nd highest rainfall in India).

slight drizzle, rocky paths.

Day 6: Valparai to Munnar
(via Annamalai Tiger Reserve & Chinnar wildlife sanctuary).
Heavy rains from Chinnar till Munnar about 50kms.

Day 7: Non-stop rains in Munnar from previous day.
Change of plans Munnar to Kodaikanal.
Rains, heavy mist, poor visibility.

Day 8: Silent valley, Berijam lake, Pillar rock, Kodai lake.

Day 9: Kodaikanal to Bangalore. (via dindugul, karur, salem, dharmapuri, krishnagiri, hosur)

For all photos click here.
Detailed posts follows soon.

In the end 1500kms totally.

Personal loss:
1. MP3 player which stopped after repeatedly getting wet in rains.
2. Shoe – which never saw the sunlight. was always wet.
3. Jeans pant – same as my shoe.
4. Gloves – which got torn due to rains and friction from hand.

Strange people and stranger thy ways

Few weeks back on a Saturday morning I was cycling towards Hebbal for practise. There were few other cyclists who overtook me on their imported road bikes. They were so nice and said HI to me. It was nice of them to be courteous.
Following day I was running along same route and in opposite direction. I saw few of them on their cycles and recognised their faces. Now, I said HI to them and they stared at me as if I made some mistake or like I was an alien.
In the end I understood, it was because I was on the cycle earlier day they wished me. So, its the cycle that matters not the effort you put in for being fit. Running involves lot more effort than cycling. Wondering why the object gets respect than the man.

Couple of days back I was riding on my motorbike towards Chennai from Bangalore. At Hosur, there was a couple from Bangalore in their car riding somewhere. They unmindful of who whether there was vehicles behind thru plastic cover from the car onto the road. Such a poor sense. The same people could be sitting inside air conditioned room and discussing on environment and how to throw waste into the garbage bins. Same was the case when I was returning from Chennai today evening. Atleast they had manners to apologize and listened to my abuses.

What is wrong with people??

Unnai Pol Oruvan – Movie Review

A remake of the hindi movie “A Wednesday”. I have not watched the hindi movie so I cannot do any comparison.
Kamalhassan & MohanLal two big actors in South Indian film industry acting in same movie. The question is who will take more screen time and the limelight. In reality both of them have not eaten into the movie and made it dumb one. Who is the hero, who is the bad guy is not what this movie is all about and neither one of them plays a role of good or bad.

All the characters are well brought into the main storyline and there are no loose ends. One will not feel bored during course of the movie. The tight script keeps you engrossed.
In certain places there are some naturalistic touch also given. Like the hacker talking to his girlfriend when brought to find out from where Kamal makes telephone calls. Or the ever news greedy media people. Police constable taking advantage of girl in house due to power. Bullet vest which covers till the neck. Task Force cop riding the Royal Enfield bullet to go with his macho image. Guy who pees in his pants during interrogation.

Kamalhassan plants bombs across Chennai city to secure release of 4 terrorists. What happens in course of conversation between Kamal & MohanLal & the events surrounding it.

Camera work is good. Director does not waste time in unwanted introductions or songs. Background music is really refreshing and good to hear. Dialogues are crisp and short and neat.
A definite watch and worth watching twice. I should watch once more to notice the intricate stuff.

Watched it second time tonight. 2nd time in first 2days of release of movie.
Just wondering during transportation, why Inayathullah & Karamchand were handcuffed together but not Abdullah & Ahmedullah??
Some small details are taken care of, like tomato falling down bag which Kamal places it back. Humorous & crisp dialogues.
“I am a common man”
“Yedu nadakanump adu nadakum” (What has to happen will happen)

Road Trip 3

Started planning for next road trip. Its not a long trip by distance. Should be around 1200kms in all. But its on the mountains and in the wilds with animals.

Day 1: Bangalore – Kanakapura – Satnuru – Malavalli – Sivasamudram – Haradanhalli – Satyamangalam – Coimbatore – Kinnattukadavu – Pollachi

http://www.bing.com/mapindia/?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=11.817606%7e77.275855&style=r&lvl=7&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&rtp=pos.12.9657373577356_77.5847243517637_Bangalore%2c+India__%7epos.10.6559430062771_77.0107577741146_Poll%u0101chi%2c+India__&rtop=0%7e0%7e0&encType=1&mkt=en-in

Day 2: Pollachi – Valparai
http://maps.mapmyindia.com/?cx=-1439404&cy=4168583&cz=8&where=from:Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to:Valparai, Tamil Nadu&q=search

Day 4: Valparai – Kodaikanal
http://maps.mapmyindia.com/?cx=-1413152&cy=4144996&cz=7&where=from:Valparai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to:Kodaikanal Hill Station,Kodaikanal,Tamil Nadu&q=search

Day 6: Kodaikanal – Munnar
http://maps.mapmyindia.com/?cx=-1408218&cy=4130204&cz=8&where=from:Kodaikanal Hill Station, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to:Munnar Hill Station, Kerala&q=search

http://maps.mapmyindia.com/?cx=-1408188&cy=4130057&cz=8&where=from:Kodaikanal Hill Station, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to:Munnar, Kerala&q=search

Day 8: Munnar – Theni – Dindugul – Karur – Salem – Dharmapuri – Krishnagiri – Hosur – Bangalore

http://maps.mapmyindia.com/?cx=-1405587&cy=4280807&cz=5&where=from:Munnar, Kerala to:Bangalore,Karnataka&q=search

Mode of transport – Royal Enfield Bullet
Accomodation – Camping/Hotel/Hostels
Useful links:
Top Slip – http://www.topsliponline.com/
Valparai – http://www.valparai.com/
Kodaikanal – http://www.kodaikanal.com/
Munnar – http://www.keralagreenery.org/munnar.html

The trip is also uploaded in facebook if any want to join.