Anitha Jayaraman

So depressing to read about the missing AirFrance flight news. To get lost on a land is different from getting lost in a no-man’s world. Getting off the atmosphere’s edge that is above the vast Atlantic ocean! I just cannot imagine the scene that could have happened.

I know there have been many disasters – natural, human-error and on the lead are the violent terrorist activities going around the world. But this disaster is so pathetic involving various factors – no reports to transmit, a wind calamity involving dense turbulence, high in the sky, trapped into the rough, big ocean! On the top, can you imagine the claustrophobia that could have impacted each passenger!

Did they have enough time to think where the disaster is heading to? What did the Captain tell them lastly? Did it fire already before diving into the ocean? Too many questions and I am sure researchers will have more related questions. I read the news originally from BBC but I am seeing a lot of technical info on CNN. Trade winds between North & South hemisphere – will this become another zone to refrain from flying/cruising like the ‘Bermuda Triangle’? Sure to have answers from experts down the line.

With the entry of more talented music directors, I think Tamil Film music is reaching its heights. Like we refer the Illayaraja 80’s, I dont think we can have such categories any more. Because this era we have Harris, Yuvan, Vijay Antony, G.V.Prakash, etc already been so popular alongside our toppers Isaignani and isaipuyal.  In addition, Joshua Sridhar, Sundar C Babu, James Vasanth, Dharan are becoming popular with their recent hits.

This trend change is making us more happy singing more numbers in more styles. With the rise in standard of the Tamil movies, the demand for good music has potentially increased. It is so nice to see Hariharan-Leslie ’singers turn music directors’ giving us wonderful verstaile music in ‘Modhi Vilayadu’. Everyone has started singing its songs, lyrics are all over the web. ‘Angadi theru’ inspite of setting expectations being Vasanthabalan’s next movie to ‘Veyil’, its music my GV Prakash and Vijay Antony is so nice to hear. What a healthy competition these days, different style composers union for a movie.

I really wanted to encourage this trend and wish all success to Tamil movies and music to continue delivering good standard ones.

I have become so crazy that I started tracking this show online to see the results every week. More than watching the shows, I rush to see who are left for the finals every week. Getting a chance to sing in Yuvan’s music is a great gift but more than that – battling this competition and becoming the super singer is the biggest gift. Vijay Tv is simply rocking with this show! The rounds, the judges, the contestants and the songs is really entertaining every week M-T-W.

Everyone has their own favorite singer in the show and I have too. This is what I think of the 13…

1. Ajeesh – This little guy is really my favorite. I think he has been giving a consistent performance so far and his ‘Uyirum Neeyae’ song really touched our hearts. Unni was also touched and pleased to hear his song. His mom was really lucky to hear the son sing this for her.
2. Aruna – She sings well but I do not think she can pass more levels. She has got a husky voice which does not suit all songs. Her telegu song was good but not her ‘Oru Deivam thandha’. She has really shown a great improvement along the rounds.
3. Arvind - Bringing back this guy to the show is really worth it. As judges say he has been clean with his singing. Not sure how far he can travel.
4. Deepshika - Oh man! She has lovely singing. I feel like seeing a little S.Janaki esp when she sings without any pain on her face for any kind of song. Her drawback is the styles that she is capable of singing.  Without expressing the pain, she also becomes short of expressions in singing. Whatever be the case, I will admire her.
5. Ishwarya - Initially I did not like her much but now with the versatility that she shows, I think she has a good scope to be in until the finals. But on seeing her sister talking on the show, I was able to confirm oh this is the proud Iyengar family ! I think her sister came in Neeya Naana debate and was so proud while talking about her caste & family but she was completely defeated by the other side.
6. Prasanna - Again, its worth bringing him back to the show. He is doing an excellent job showing his versatility. But I don’t think he can travel along that far. His Lajavathiyae was the best – hope Jessie Gift watched his show.
7. Raginishree - She was my favorite initially but now I feel she again has her limitations. Her kind of singing might help Yuvan but will she be able to travel more? I doubt! Sometimes I feel she is little over-acting on the stage.
8. Ranjini – What a powerful voice! It is so sad to see her stand on the elimination stage. Her Karpura mulai was really so emotionally touching not only to her sister but also to many others. But will she qualify to be a Yuvan’s singer?
9. Ravi - A great consistent singing from him. I do not feel his voice being special but he has flawless singing. Delivers what the song demands. Definitely to be in the top 5.
10. Renu – She is the female couterpart of Ravi in terms of ranking. Lovely voice and creates the feel in others. Her limitation again could be her style of singing. She will remain as everybody’s favrorite.
11. Rohit – A lucky chap to be on the show. He was brought in while his troop-mate was being interviewed for Super singer.  He has got a charm in his voice which is definitely attractive. If he can prove consistency(since Vathikuchi pathikadhuda), he can be a Yuvan’s singer.
12. Santosh – A confident singer and a favorite to judges and also viewers. Not sure if he has a special voice. To hear him singing some of the songs so far, its really great.
13. Vijay Narayan – Mr. Adams did a great job in the other language round. Not because he sang an english song but as Mahalakshmi said – he lived the song. I was so worried when he sang Chutum Sudar vizhi as the song has very little scope to portray but he escaped from being eliminated. Hope he continues well going forward.

Gautham  & Surya are ready to rock the Diwali 08. Awaiting for its release since long time. Though Surya’s Vel was released last year same time, it still seems to be too long since we had a Surya movie. Hari will always have his touch in his movies and I would call Vel as Hari’s movie.

Lot of expectations are set on this movie. Surya with dual roles, with 3 heroines, a US happening story, 6-abs & what not. Whatever be the case, the only thing that gets to light before the movie is released is the MUSIC. Harris has proved it again for Gautham. Songs are awesome and Adiyae Kolluthae’s music and the dolby voice of Shruti Hassan is going to simply dominate very soon. I think its already doing it! Its a great intro to the famous actor’s daughter. Hoping to hear more songs from her. I hope Rehman already have her in his mind.

I wish this turns out to be a great success to Mr.Menon and also to charming Surya.

Are we ready to celebrate our Tamizh New Year on Jan 14th(or 15th)? I am really waiting for the day to see people reacting to the State’s decision. All I can worry is missing an occasion from the list and I am sure Tamilnadu is going to miss a festival holiday too. I am also wondering how the greeting cards are going to change!!

Are we going to be without celebrating April 14th – (Chittirai -1)? May be my mom will try to do a miniature celebration?!? Not sure whether we can just change our minds and follow the rules or slowly transition out of it. One big change would be the rest of south India will be celebrating their Vishu, Ugadi in April and we will celebrate in January. But the rest of whole world is celebrating in January which a good close -:)

It was decided by our chief minister along with other scholars. No doubt he himself is a great tamizh scholar and nobody can deny his knowledge & passion for the language.Our governor had declared it saying, “On this day, let the people of this state plant trees bearing the ‘Mukkani’ fruits of banana, mango and jackfruit, draw colourful Kolams, decorate their houses with array of lamps showing them in new splendour, wearing new clothes sing and dance in praise of Tamil pride and self respect, spread the message of equality and shower their love and joy,”

Waiting for the big day!!

Yeah its Navarathri time and India is all ready to celebrate it in different ways in different parts of the country. Talking of which, we just completed our other Aug-Sep festivals and now we are into the festival mood again. I think we need to feel happy and proud to be born with our traditions & festivals. Its making our days so colorful, so busy and diverted from our usual chores.

The best part of it is looking forward for it and then accepting & celebrating them. Our families are following the traditions all through their ages, generation-by-generation. Now its our responsibility to take it forward and continue working on it.

A month ago I was chatting with my friend and we were checking when is Vinayaka Chathurthi coming up. Co-incidentally I found this website When-is.com Its useful to find our changing dates for most of our festivals.

Today is Ramzan too – Eid Mubarak to my muslim friends.

Breakfast can help prevent strokes, heart attach and sudden death.For those who always skip breakfast, you should stop that habit now.

Why?

Because the frequency of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke peaks between 6: 00a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8: 00a.m. and 10:00a.m.What mechanism within the body could account for this significant jump in sudden death in the early morning hours?

The answer is-

Platelet, tiny elements in the blood that keep us from bleeding to Death if we get a cut, can clump together inside our arteries due to cholesterol or laque buildup in the artery lining. It is in the morning hours that platelets become the most activated and tend to form these internal blood clots at the greatest frequency.

However, eating even a very light breakfast prevents the morning platelet activation that is associated with heart attacks and strokes. Studies performed at Memorial University in St.Johns,    Newfoundland found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast was critical in modifying the morning platelet activation. Subjects in the study consumed either low-fat or fat-free yogurt, orange juice, fruit, and a source of protein coming from yogurt or fat-free milk. So if you skip breakfast, it’s important that you change this practice immediately in light of this research. Develop a simple plan to eat cereal, such as oatmeal or Bran Flakes, along with six ounces of grape juice or orange juice, and perhaps a piece of fruit. This simple plan will keep your platelets from sticking together, keep blood clots from forming, and perhaps head off a potential Heart Attack or stroke. So never ever skip breakfast