Saturday, May 29, 2010

Good Religion

Here is a presentation shared by a friend.



Good thoughts are always welcome!
!!!!!!

The Past - My Muses

The past


However much I want to forget it, my past keeps appearing before me. It makes me feel bad many times. Only some times it makes me happy. I have done a lot of good things in life. The bad things that I have done far overweigh the good that was done. Is it the same with all, or, am I feeling bad about it just for nothing? This question makes me feel very unhappy.

As I am typing this, a young lady walks in and asks me about some person. That some person is supposed to be a very senior officer. Here in this place, where I have put myself, there are a lot of such people. There are also some novices who are trying to enter what exactly is called life. They are given a feeling that they are the great people here and they run the show. If, that girl knew my past, or the past of that person about whom she was enquiring, she would not ask me the question in the manner she did. She does not know who I am, and does not even perhaps care, even if she knows. I have done a great lot of things. I can tell everyone about them. It is me who put me, in the position that I am in. There were times when people were taking permissions to see me. Does that mean anything now?

In the course of life I have seen many a place and many people. I am not exactly an old man. One need not be old to be experienced. I have understood life at very corner it took me. I know what it is like to be away from parents and live with other families. I was not exactly ill treated like the protagonist in the first Harry Potter movie. But, the times I have spent away from parents have made me realise their value. Now, I tell my children that all children should live at least for some time, with some one else. My son, when he was introduced to school, lived with his maternal grand father. He may not exactly remember what has happened to him there. I lived with my brother, who all by himself was away from the parents. It should have not made any difference for me. It was after all, my own brother. I really do not want to comment on those times. Life is like novel, if narrated in a good manner. My life is not an exception.


After competing graduation, I asked my father to arrange for a job as a clerk or something like that. My father was retired. My elder brother, who was employed, was running his family and living separately. May be I thought I should support the family in general and father in particular. He was after all retired. When I recollect what he told me on that occasion, my heart misses a beat. Father said, “You people are suffering because I have not taken any good education. Your children should not suffer, because you are not educated well.” He also said that all people can not really excel in education. He had immense trust in my capability of doing things. I have not exactly let him down, but I have not lived up to his expectations either. I knew this at a very later stage when nothing could be done about it.

There is no use now, thinking about all that happened in the life. There is a Japanese idea named SUMO. It is the acronyms for the maxim “Shut up and move on!” Shut the doors that allow you to look into the past, they advise. Or, is it really a good idea to forget the past. One need not keep crying about all the lost chances. But, at the same time, if you forget wherefrom you came, and what exactly is your past, it is a kind of hypocrisy according to me!

There was a rich man, who kept a box in his room and never allowed anyone to look into its contents. Naturally people get curious about the material that there is in the box. At the end of the story it is revealed that the man was keeping a pair of clothes in that box along with the tools that he was using when he was poor. He never wanted to lose touch with the past. I also feel the same way. Your psychology is very much steeped in that past of yours.


A day goes by. You become a day older. You are seen as a senior. I was dumb stuck the day the conductor in the bus called me an uncle. Already I was an uncle to some by relation. When you become an uncle to the whole world, you come to know that you have grown old. If you do not remember your past, this is not a problem. You are always living in the past. Body grows old. Mind still stays there back in the youth and childhood. All those pranks you played in the college appear like happened yesterday. There is a lot of fun in the past. Life becomes more and more morbid with the passing days.


What exactly is the problem with the past? It haunts you with all its content. People who do not remember much about the past are the happiest lot. People who think a lot, particularly about the past are the most vulnerable.


Past comes in a great many shapes. Your past, families past, history of the world, history of mankind and the history of life are all the variations in the theme. Where do you put yourself to look at all these stand points depends on the psyche. Do you see yourself as moving forward from the past along the youngsters of the time? Or do you see yourself stagnated and standing at a point condemning all that is happening around?


The second scenario is perhaps the pet theme of old people. Youngsters of these days, when we were young…. Kind of statements do not work. There is no use crying over the spilt milk. May be, the milk is not spilt at all. That is how the times go. If there is anything that is permanent, it is the change. If you refuse to embrace the new situation, only you are to be blamed. I know I sounded like a typical old man in the beginning paragraphs of the entry. And then, the idea changes. That is the beauty. Why complain about the world. If at all you want see the world the way you like it, it is your point of view that has to change. The world has been changing right from the day it has started existing.


Many people talk about keeping the environment intact. Was the environment ever like what it was the earlier day? It has always been changing. It is not the environment that is at risk. It is your existence in the present situations that has become a problem. Mentally and physically we stagnate. We stay back in the past. Without changing along the times! That is the problem with the past. It never allows you to shake off and move ahead. Learn the trick of keeping up with the times. You will live happily, in spite of remembering the past.
#####

I have written this a couple of years back.
I was working with a CSR organisation at that time.
I am no longer with them now!
I realised that even today, these ideas hold good, at least for me!

######

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Rajanikanta Rao - A Friend

Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao is a great man.
His talents are varied.
I had the good fortune of interacting with him very closely.
We used to discuss and exchange letters on various subjects.

Rajani, as he is lovingly called has grown really old.
I thought, like Kaloji, he would also forget people.
It was Shashtipoorti of Sriman Komanduri Seshadri garu.
Rajani was sitting in the front row.
I went there, saluted him and told who I am.
immediately he started recollecting the things that we discussed during our last encounter.
I asked him how he has not forgotten things.
He laughed and started talking about many things.
I was thrilled.
That was a few months ago.

two days back, Ms Shobha Naidu sent an invitation for their annual function.
They are staging "Kalyana Sreenivasam" on the occassion.
I was pleasantly reminded of those days when the dance drama was produced.
I was to write that Drama.
I withdrew because Great Rajani accepted to do the job!
I feel even that is an honour!
I used to go to the academy every eveing to see the progress of the script.
Rajani would start singing the songs.
I remember his singing songs over phone to me.
It fell on me to tell that the music for the Drama will be by Sri Surya Prakasha Rao garu, another genius.

It took a little time before Rajani accepted the situation.
The Drama, on the whole came out excellent!

Let us listen to two songs composed by Rajani may be in 60s.

The first songs is by Srirangam Srinivasa Rao (Srisri for short)
Is the song addressed to Gandhiji?

It goes O Mahatama O Maharshi

శ్రీశ్రీ - రజని

ఓ మహాత్మా ఓ మహర్షీ

ఏది చీకటి, ఏది వెలుతురు
ఏది జీవితమేది మృత్యువు
ఏది పుణ్యం, ఏది పాపం
ఏది నరకం, ఏది నాకం IIఓII

ఏది సత్యం, ఏదసత్యం
ఏదనిత్యం, ఏది నిత్యం
ఏది ఏకం, ఏదనేకం
ఏది కారణమేది కార్యం IIఓII

ఏది తెలుపు, ఏది నలుపు
ఏది గానం, ఏది మౌనం
ఏది నాది, ఏది నీది
ఏది నీతి, ఏది నేతి IIఓII

ఏదహింస, ఏది హింస
ఏది కష్టం, ఏది సౌఖ్యం
ఏది నష్టం, ఏది లాభం
ఏది మంచి, ఏది చెడుపు IIఓII

నిన్న స్వప్నం, నేటి సత్యం
నేటి ఖేదం, రేపు రాగం
ఒకే శాంతి, ఒకే కాంతి IIఓII


Link for download


The second song is by Basavaraju Appa Rao and is called Vatapatrashayi.
 
బసవరాజు అప్పారావు గారు - రజని

ఒంటిగా ఉయ్యాలలూగితివా
నా ముద్దు కృష్ణా
జంటగా నను పిల్వదగదోయీ

కంటికంతా జలమయమ్మై
మింటి వరకూ ఏకరాశై
జంట దొరకని మహా ప్రళయపు
టింటిలో వటపత్రడోలిక

ఒంటిగా ఉయ్యాలలూగితివా
నా ముద్దు కృష్ణా
జంటగా నను పిల్వదగదోయీ

జగములన్నీ కాలయోనిలొ
మొగములెరుగక నిదురబోవగ
నగుమొగము గల ముద్దు బాలుడ
నగుచు జోలల బాడుకొంటూ

ఒంటిగా ఉయ్యాలలూగితివా
నా ముద్దు కృష్ణా
జంటగా నను పిల్వదగదోయీ


Link for download


Let us enjoy good music!
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

L Subramanyam - Violin

Subramanyam, Shankar and Vaidyanathan, the three able sons of a proud father Sri Lakshminarayana are great violinists. I heard them for the first time in 70s. I was a student at P G centre  (OU),  Warangal doing my M.Sc. course. It was an AIR concert held in the Kaktiya Medical College hall. Someone who knew my interest gave me an invitation. I never realised their greatness at that time. It was a good experience. That is all. I am also surprised that I saw the Giant of an Artist Sri Palghat Mani Iyer there. I was listening to music then also. But never knew much about people.

Later, the brothers attained great heights in the world music. Sri Subramanyam is still around and does programmes in India. I really don't know where the other two brothers are.

Sri Subramsnyams style enthrals scholars and beginners alike. He has what is called as vigour in his music. If Mani iyer is playing along, it comes ot much more vigorous.

Here is one such old recording of Sri L Subramnyam on Violin supported on the Mridangam by legend Sri Mani Iyer.

Link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10f3f26dc390f408ab1eab3e9fa335cac5016f27f5539ed2

List:

01-Srigananata-Malahari.mp3
02-Jalajaksha-Hamsadhvani.mp3
03-Mamavasada-Kanada.mp3
04-Ilalo-Athana.mp3
05-Satyasai-Simhendramadhyamam-Sankirna_ Chapu.mp3
06-Tiruppugazh-Suddhasaveri.mp3

Let us enjoy good music!
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Confucius and Communication

కన్ఫ్యూషియస్

తన ఊళ్లో ఉంటే
మామూలుగా కనిపిస్తాడు. వినయంగా ఉంటాడు. మాటలు రావేమో అనిపించేట్టు ఉంటాడు.
ఇక రాజకుమారుని పూర్వీకుల మందిరాల్లో నయితే
ప్రతి విషయం గురించి క్షుణ్ణంగా మాట్లాడతాడు, కానీ ఆచితూచి మాట్లాడతాడు.
సభలో వేచి ఉన్నప్పుడు,తక్కువ స్థాయి అధికారులతోనయితే,
చప్పగా, సూటిగా మాట్లాడతాడు.

ప్రభువు సమక్షంలోనయితే,
అతని ప్రవర్తనలో గౌరవంతో బాటు ఒక అసౌకర్యబావం కనబడుతుంది.

అతిథుల మర్యాదకని యువరాజు పిలిచినప్పుడు,
అతని ముఖంతీరే మారుతుంది. కాళ్లు సులభంగా ముందుకు కదలవు.
తనతోబాటున్న ఇతర అధికారుల మీద ఆధారుడుతున్నట్టు వాలిపోతుంటాడు.
అవసరం కొద్దీ చేతులు కదిలిస్తుంటాడు. దుస్తులను సర్దుతూ ఉంటాడు.
పక్షిలాగ చేతులు ముందుక చాచి పరుగులు పెడతాడు.
అతిథి వెళ్లి పోయిన తర్వాత ఇక మళ్లీ రాడులే అంటాడు

రాజభవనంలోకి ప్రవేశిస్తుంటే,
వంగి నడుస్తాడు. ఆ ద్వారంలో తను పట్టడేమో అన్నట్టు.
నిలబడవలసి వస్తే మధ్యదారిలో మాత్రం ఉండడు.
గడపలను తొక్కకుండా దాటుతుంటాడు.

అంగణంలో నడుస్తుంటే,
అతని తీరు మారుతుంది. కాళ్లు వంగుతాయి.
శ్వాస అందదేమోనన్నట్టు తగ్గి మాటలాడతాడు.

సభలోకి ప్రవేశించేటప్పుడు,
దుస్తుల అంచులు రెండు చేతులా ఎత్తి పట్టుకుని మెట్లెక్కుతాడు.
ముందుకు వంగి, ఊపిరి తీయడం భయమేమోనన్నట్టు, బిగబట్టుకుని ఉంటాడు.

సభలోంచి బయటకు వస్తుంటే,
ఒక్కొక్క మెట్టుకూ సడలింపు కనబడుతుంది.
సంతృప్తి కనబడుతుంది.

చివరి మెట్టు దిగినాక,
చేతులాడిస్తూ ఇంటివేపు వేగంగా వెడతాడు.
అయినా మనిషి ముఖంలో ఏదో అసౌకర్యం కనబడుతుంది.

రాజదండం తన చేతిలో ఉంటే,
బరువు మోయలేకపోతున్నట్టు వంగిపోతుంటాడు.
నమస్కరించేప్పుడు కూడా దండాన్ని మరీ ఎత్తుకు ఎత్తడు.
మరీ కిందకూ దించడు.
అతని తీరులో అనుమానం కనబడుతుంది.
నడక బరువుగా నేలకు కట్టేసినట్టు సాగుతుంది.

బహుమతులు అందుకునేప్పుడు,
ముఖంలో భావాలుండవు.

తనవారి మధ్యలో మాత్రం,
ఎంతో ఆనందంగా కనబడతాడు.

Confucius, in his village, looked simple and sincere, and as if he were not able to speak.


When he was in the prince's ancestral temple, or in the court, he spoke minutely on every point, but cautiously.

When he was waiting at court, in speaking with the great officers of the lower grade, he spoke freely, but in a straightforward manner; in speaking with those of the higher grade, he did so blandly, but precisely.

When the ruler was present, his manner displayed respectful uneasiness; it was grave, but self-possessed.

When the prince called him to employ him in the reception of a visitor, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to move forward with difficulty.

He inclined himself to the other officers among whom he stood, moving his left or right arm, as their position required, but keeping the skirts of his robe before and behind evenly adjusted.

He hastened forward, with his arms like the wings of a bird.

When the guest had retired, he would report to the prince, "The visitor is not turning round any more."

When he entered the palace gate, he seemed to bend his body, as if it were not sufficient to admit him.

When he was standing, he did not occupy the middle of the gateway; when he passed in or out, he did not tread upon the threshold.

When he was passing the vacant place of the prince, his countenance appeared to change, and his legs to bend under him, and his words came as if he hardly had breath to utter them.

He ascended the reception hall, holding up his robe with both his hands, and his body bent; holding in his breath also, as if he dared not breathe.

When he came out from the audience, as soon as he had descended one step, he began to relax his countenance, and had a satisfied look.

When he had got the bottom of the steps, he advanced rapidly to his place, with his arms like wings, and on occupying it, his manner still showed respectful uneasiness.

When he was carrying the scepter of his ruler, he seemed to bend his body, as if he were not able to bear its weight. He did not hold it higher than the position of the hands in making a bow, or lower than their position in giving anything to another. His countenance seemed to change, and look apprehensive, and he dragged his feet along as if they were held by something to the ground.

In presenting the presents with which he was charged, he wore a placid appearance.

At his private audience, he looked highly pleased.

Do you get the message?
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Pillangrovi - Adivi Bapiraju

Adivi Bapiraju Garu is my favourite writer.
His prose is wonderful.
It is particularly good in his short stories.
His songs are exceptionally good.
He writes songs as part of stories.
I am sure you will like this story.
The title page of the collection is seen as the first page.
But, only one story is there!
It is Pillangrovi or the Flute!!



 

Monday, May 24, 2010

Thanks!!


I have crossed the three hundred posts mark today!
I am happy with the reaction of friends like you!
I am planning to increase the content base of the blog!
Your suggestions are welcome!!

Thanks to you is a formal way of expression!
I want to do much more?
I only do not know what to do.
I will continue blogging as a token of thanks!

Cartoon

You don't say anything about the cartoon apart from that you liked it!!

Paintings of Telugu Artists



Sri Antyakula Paidiraju

I heard a lot about this artist.
I have also been seeing his works often.
He is a very senior artist.
My good friend, Datla Narayanamurthy Raju used to talk about him a lot!
Not much information is available with me to give here about Sri Paidiraju.


Sri Pakala Tirumala Reddy ( P T Reddy)
Like we are more familiar with Cinare rather than Cingireddy Narayana Reddy, the name P T Reddy is more popular tham his full name.
I still remember sitting with him and discussing for long at the inaugural semniar of CCMB.
Pushpa Bhargava, true to his style, arranged a session on arts and culture as a part of the 21 day proceedings.
It is there that I met Vikram Seth, Charles Corrhea, M F Hussain and many more people.

The other day when passing on the YMCA road, I saw the hand made railings of the Gallery of Sri Reddy.
Then I thounght I should make this post.

Sri Kapu Rajaiah
Undoubtedly my favourite artist.
This is not the first time I am adding his picture.
Neither it is the last.

Sri Seela Veerraju
A visit is due to their place.
It is not happening for reasons beyond my control.
Veerraju garu is a friend!

(click on the images to see them bigger)


Let us enjoy good works of art!!
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Nedunuri - Bhakti Ranjani

Sri Nedunuri Krishna Murthy Garu sang some soulful devotional songs for the Bhakti Ranjani.
Let us enjoy some of them here.

01-Dasratha_Rama_Govinda



02-Ehi_Mudam_Dehi_Sri_Krishna




For those who would like to download the songs here is the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10f3f26dc390f408ab1eab3e9fa335ca49c149438202d3a2

The folder has the following songs also, along the above two!

03-O_Raghuveera.mp3
04-Pahipahi_Jaganmohana_Krishna.mp3
05-Ramamantrava_Japiso.mp3
06-Ravayya_Bhadrachala_Rama.mp3
07-Srigopalamekameva.mp3


Let us enjoy soem good music!
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Saadi on Communication

Saadi Shirazi is philosopher worth reading even today!
His Gulistan and Boostan are exceptionally great works.
They may sound simple.
They have a message worth emulating for one and all!

I am trying to understand him!
Here is a small nugget that I picked up for you from him!


Sadi’s Gulistan

ఓ జ్ఞానవంతుడా, నోట నాలుక ఏమిటికున్నది
సుగుణవంతుని సర్వస్వమునకది తాళము కాదా

అతడు మణుల బేహారియా మరియొకటాయని

తలుపు మూసియున్న మాకు తెలియుటెట్లు

నిశ్శబ్దమన్నది నిజముగా మంచిదని

జ్ఞానవంతులందరనుట నిజమెగానీ

సమయమెరిగి నీవు మాట్లాడకుండిన

విషయమెట్లు దెలియు వివరముగను

మాట సందర్భాన మనసున నుంచవలె

తెలివిలేమికి తగిన రెండు సూచనలివి

చెప్పవలసిన చోట నోరు విప్పకుండుట ఒకటి

ఫలము లేనిచోట పలుకుటొకటి



O intelligent man what is the tongue in the mouth?

It is the key to the treasure-door of a virtuous man.

When the door is closed how can one know

Whether he is a seller of jewels or a hawker?

Although intelligent men consider silence civil,

It is better for thee to speak at the proper time.

Two things betoken levity of intellect: to remain mute

When it is proper to speak and to talk when silence is required.


Let us enjoy some great words of wisdom!
######

Photographs I liked


Sri Mahidhra Nalinimohan Rao was a giant of a writer.
Not many will have such a variety in their writings.
He is my role model, no doubt!
I too wrote and continue to write popular scince, poetry, story and many things like Nalinimohan did.
Nalinimohan brought Nasruddin to Telugu.
I supplemented the collection with my own book of stories.
He was a friend.
We communicated with each other regularly.


(Sri Nalinimohan at AIR, Hyd)

Another photo just for the fun of it!


Sunset as seen from my balcony!

Let us enjoy soem good photographs!!
%%%%%

K Siva Reddy - Poetry

Contemporary giant Siva Reddy is a friend.
We met at a literary meeting recently.
Later he sent some of his anthologies.

I find that with the advancing age, there is a shift in his expression.
I found on some blog, perhaps on Pustakam, some one wrote that Siva Reddy's poetry is more of musings these days.
I do and don't agree with that statement!
Yes, the intensity of thoughts will sure gets to go down with the age.
I have a typical example in the following poem!
Is it a poem?
Or musings as was said in the blog?
To me, it is very meaningful.
It is very true!
It is something that everyone will not accept like here!
There are some very simple truths that everyone and his neighbour knows!
But, it takes a Siva Reddy to tell them like this!


My Translation

If we are not there

We think for ourselves
That if we are not there, how these people would live
How the world would be able to continue
They would be alright even if we are not there
The world would go great guns even if we are not there.

You think that you steer the wheel of the world
That all is linked with you
That would only it would dawn when your cockerel coos

No, even if you are not there, the vehicle would keep moving
Children would be born, would grow up
Fall in love, get married
Would be sad glad and unhappy
Laugh like never before
Birds fly, winds blow, flowers bloom
The guy and the gal when sit together
Moon would appear, millions of violins like tiny flowers would say in the winds
Nights also would be heartening
They would cajole each other
They would weep on each other’s shoulders
Would be shocked, wicked, and fall everywhere
Lend a hand to the fallen and lift him up

More than when we are there
The world would be much better
It would be more meaningful and beautiful

Nothing would be lost if we were not there
Than our not being there

I have another poem for you here!
This is typical Siva Reddy!
Inch by Inch

Moves inch by inch
Sometimes just does not
With a broken wing, would struggle
Like Duryodhana with thighs broken
Helpless, would fall to the earth
Like broken to four or five pieces and
Struggling to join them up
Smiles a smile sans lips

Now and then
Laying a hand on cloud’s shoulder tries to walk
To the birds or tender saplings
Makes an appeal to give a little age

Now and then
On the anvil of the wayside blacksmith
Would extend red

Another time
Would roll in the gutter
From the municipal tap
Would drip a drop at a time
With hair let loose
Weeps sitting under the Margosa tree
In the winnowing basket of the fortune teller tribal women
Remains as rice grains and cowry shells

Immediately
Turns self into the same fortune teller, and prophecy in detail
Drawing lines with lifted hands
Moving not moving, happening not happening, smiling not smiling
Telling not telling,
Looking into open hands rub the face with the palms
Like a mad woman
Singing, cursing
Drawing its feet goes away “The Time”

 
Both these pieces are from the latest anthology "Posaganivannee"
What a title?
 Let us enjoy good poetry!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Balamurali - Bhakti Ranjani

Balamurali and Bhaktiranjani are two words that went together for a long time.
I am told the honour of starting Bhakti Ranjani at AIR Vijayawada goes to Sri Murali garu.

I have a handful of songs from AIR Hyderabad's Bhakti Ranjni.

The first two songs are of Sri Kaivara Amara Nareyana Yogi.
These songs were recorded at Hyderabad, I know.
BMK has also released a commercial recordimg of the songs at a later date with totally different set of artists and instrumentalist.

In this recording, Sri Neti Sriarama Sharma, Sri M Chitta Ranjan, Smt Sarada Srinivasan, Smt Pakala savitri etc participated.

Here are the two songs for your listening pleasure.
1) Telisinanduku Gurutu



2) Srikrishnayanu



for those who want these songs in thier personal collection, here is another link:

Here you have these songs and five more by Sri Balamurali from Bhakti Ranjani collection.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10f3f26dc390f408ab1eab3e9fa335ca2b1f708734f42bb0

Let us enjoy good music!!
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Chora Samvadaha - A book of poetic work.

The whole day today was spent with Mudrakarta family!
There was a mention of Sriman Venkatacharya of the clan.
They are from Gadwala of Mahabubnagar district.
A family of scholars indeed!

Here is a small boklet published by Sri Venkatacharya.
It has two pieces of story like narration.
There is philosophy as the hidden theme!

I dont want to write anything more about the book.

 

I propose to bring more such books in my blog.
I need your valuable feedback.

Let us enjoy good writings!!
#######

Plastics and Pollution

We have been talking of environmental degradation from 80s.
The situation has only worsened gradually.
I have been and am an antiplastics person all along.
I refuse a plastic shopping bag and carry my material by alternate ways.
Some times the alternative choice makes me look odd!
I don't mind it!!

This plastic in the name of convinience is making the world unlivable!!

I read this article and thought all my friends should read it too!

From Australia

Baby bottles, storage containers, plastic wrap and refillable drink bottles.



Walk into most Australian kitchens and you will find, at least, a few of these plastic items. But there is growing debate about the safety of chemicals found in these household plastic items, and whether these chemicals can migrate into food.


"The biggest concern is these chemicals act as foreign oestrogen. The heightened concern is with pregnant women and infants," says environmental toxicologist Associate Professor Peter Dingle, of Perth's Murdoch University.


By acting as a foreign oestrogen (a female sex hormone), these chemicals can disrupt the body's natural hormone system and create hormone imbalances, leading to a range of health conditions.


In household plastics there are two types of chemicals that mimic oestrogen:


• Bisphenol A (BPA), found in hard plastic polycarbonate containers and bottles (storage containers, drink bottles, baby bottles), and cans with epoxy resin seals (used for acidic foods like tomatoes).


• Plasticisers such as phthalates that are used to make PVC softer (soft containers, plastic wrap) and in seals for screw-cap jars.


Earlier this year, researchers confirmed findings linking BPA to heart disease. This US population-based study is one of many that has found that BPA, and plasticisers, are toxic to the body in large doses and can increase your risk of breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, reproductive disorders and developmental problems.


While there is little doubt these chemicals are a health risk, we don't know what amount of exposure to these chemicals is likely to cause health problems.


"Toxicology is a new science, it's evolving and we really don't know a lot about it," says Dingle.


But there are community concerns about the cumulative effects of using plastics.


Ban for under 3s


Last month, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ordered retailers to stop selling certain plastic products for children under three. These items (toys, dummies, feeding equipment) contain more than 1 per cent of the plasticiser diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).


The ban was imposed after research, by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, found that chewing or sucking objects containing DEHP for more than 40 minutes a day could increase a young child's risk of reproductive toxicity (that is this exposure could lead to problems with their hormones and reproductive system).


But there are no moves to prohibit other products containing plasticisers or BPA, or to increase labelling requirements on plastic products in Australia.


"On the weight of evidence obtained from an extensive range of studies, BPA is safe for the whole population at the very low levels of current exposure and that is consistent with the views of other authorities," says ACCC deputy chair Peter Kell.


Lydia Buchtmann from Food Standards Australian New Zealand supports Kell's statement and points to research from the European Food Safety Authority. This research found that even if babies drank 80 bottles of milk – from bottles containing BPA – every day for years they would still be under safety limits.


The Canadian government and US Food and Drug Administration have declared that while evidence suggests BPA in current low doses is unlikely to pose health risks, they nonetheless support measures to reduce BPA in the food supply.


Meanwhile, the world's leading scientists and regulatory authorities are still searching for a definitive answer on the safety of household plastics.


What you can do to protect yourself


But we can't replace all plastic baby bottles with glass ones; also plastic wrap does keep food fresh and prevent illness from bacteria; and stainless steel drink bottles don't come cheap enough to replace each week when they are lost in the playground.


So what can you do to reduce the amount of BPA you ingest?


"The overall message is very simple. Never compromise the [safety and freshness of your] food by saying you can't put it into plastic. Nutrition... is so important and plays a role in combating the effects of these chemicals," says Dingle.


"It's not about being paranoid and going to extremes. It's about what you can implement in your life over a short period to have a little impact over a long time."


Some things that can help to limit your exposure to these chemicals include:


• using BPA-free plastic, glass, ceramic and stainless steel feeding or storage equipment (as much as possible)


• not microwaving food in plastic containers


• not putting warm food or drinks into plastic containers


• trying not to store in plastic foods that have more than 4 per cent fat (plasticisers migrate better in fatty foods)


• avoiding fresh meat, fruit or vegetables that have been wrapped in plastic wrap (supermarkets, greengrocers and butchers often use plastic wrap that contains PVC)


• avoiding cheap, imported plastic storage items or any plastic container with a strong chemical or plastic smell.


Changing how you store your food and drinks is the best thing you can do until a definitive answer on the safety of plastics is found, says Queensland toxicologist Emeritus Professor Michael Moore.


Although he says it's unlikely you have condemned yourself or your family to a life of chronic illness if you use plastic.


"When you look at the experimental studies you find that the amount (of chemical) needed for big changes in animals are 100-fold or 1000-fold greater than the measured concentrations in peoples' bodies," he says.


"If people who have been using plastics think, "Have I created a long-term problem?" they can take reassurance from the fact that the amount taken up from the containers is usually pretty small."


This is mind boggling!!
$$$$$$

Friday, May 14, 2010

Annamayya - Radio Drama

I am enjoying this work of converting old cassttes to mp3s
Joy is much more in sharing the material with friends!

This radio Drama "Annamayya" with Sri Balamurali and Ratnam garu in lead roles, is an interesting find, I should say!
A real vintage Drama.
May be 60s!
People should tell me!

Both, Balamurali and Gopalaratnam sound so young!
So are all the others.

Some of the songs that we listen today are sung in different ragas in this drama.
You will sure like it.
As for the story, it is anybodies guess.
There is not much of documentation about the saint composer Annamayya.
There are only a few anecdote kind of things and each one weaves the story according to own imagination.
Good that there is no visualisation in this like in the stage presenatations and the film.
I remember the unusual scenes and make up in the much acclaimed perormance of a famous dance Guru's opera.
It was horrible to see the thing.
People don't give a thought to the details.
The creation of period is a big challenge in visual media.

Good that what we have here is a radio presenataion.
Voices create the scene.
If you don't ask about the authenticity of the scenes, this is a wonderful creation!

Annamayya - A Radio Drama

Link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10f3f26dc390f408ab1eab3e9fa335ca610250279a45c88d

Let us enjoy good music!
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The Three Fishes

Here is an interesting story.
It has a message for the elders and managers also!
You have to look for the message.

Here is the Story!

తెలివి

ఒకప్పుడొక మడుగులో మూడు చేపలుండేవి. అవి ఒకటి పూర్ణజ్ఞాని, రెండు అర్ధజ్ఞాని, మూడు అల్పజ్ఞాని. వాటి బ్రతుకు అన్ని చేపలకు అంతటా జరిగినట్లే జరుగుతుండగా మడుగు దగ్గరకు ఒకనాడొక మనిషి వచ్చాడు. అతని దగ్గర ఒక వల ఉన్నది. పూర్ణజ్ఞాని నీటిలోపలినుంచే అతగాడిని చూచింది. తన అనుభవాన్ని, విన్న కథలనూ, స్వంత తెలివినీ ఒక్కసారి సమకూర్చుకుని, ఏదో చేయవలెనని నిశ్చయించింది. ‘ఈ మడుగులో దాగుండను అనుకూలమయిన చోట్లు తక్కువ. అందుకే చనిపోయినట్లు నటిస్తే సరి!’ అనుకున్నది.

శక్తినంతా కూడగట్టుకుని మడుగులోనుంచి బయటకు ఎగిరింది. వెల్లి జాలరి కాళ్ల ముందు పడింది. అతను చాలా ఆశ్చర్యపోయాడు. కానీ పూర్ణజ్ఞాని శ్వాస బిగబట్టి ఉంది మరి. అది చచ్చిందనుకున్నాడు జాలరి. ఎత్తి నీటిలోకి పడవేశాడు. చేప నెమ్మదిగా గట్టు పక్కనున్న చిన్న రంధ్రంలోకి జారుకున్నది.

ఇక రెండవ చేప అర్ధజ్ఞాని, ఏం జరుగుతున్నదో తెలియక చూస్తూ ఉన్నది. అది నెమ్మదిగా పూర్ణజ్ఞాని వద్దకు ఈది విషయమేమిటని అడిగింది. ‘ఏముందీ? చనిపోయినట్టు నటించాను. అతను నన్ను తిరిగి నీటిలోకి పడవేశాడు!’ అన్నది పూర్ణజ్ఞాని. అర్ధజ్ఞాని కూడా నీటిలోంచి బయటకు ఎగిరింది. జాలరి కాళ్ల ముందు పడింది. చిత్రం ఎక్కడా లేనిది ఈ చేపలిట్లా ఎగురుతున్నాయేమిటి అనుకున్నాడతను. అర్ధజ్ఞాని శ్వాస బిగబట్టడం గురించి మరిచిపోయింది. బతికి ఉన్న చేపే గనుక జాలరి దాన్ని ఎత్తి తన సంచిలో వేసుకున్నాడు.

అతను తిరిగి నీటివేపు చూడసాగాడు. చేపలు ఎగురుతూ ఉండడం అర్థంకాక అతను కొంచెం ఆశ్చర్యంలో ఉన్నాడు గదా! అందుకే సంచిని సరిగా మూయలేదు. ఆ సంగతి అర్థంచేసుకున్న అర్ధజ్ఞాని ఏదో రకంగా సంచిలోంచి బయటపడి దొరలుతూ నీటిలోకి చేరుకున్నది. పూర్ణజ్ఞాని ఉన్నచోటికి చేరి రొప్పుతూ ఉండిపోయింది.

ఇక అసలే తెలివిలేని అల్పజ్ఞానికి ఏమీ అర్థం కాలేదు. రెండు చేపలు తమ అనుభవాలు వివరించి చెప్పినా అర్థం కాలేదు. అవి విషయాన్నంతా వివరించి, చనిపోయినట్టు నటించడం, అంటే ఊపిరి బిగబట్టడం గురించి మరీమరీ చెప్పినయి.


‘ఓ అదా! సంగతి అర్థమయింది!’ అన్నది అల్పజ్ఞాని
అదికూడా ఎగిరి జాలరి ముందు పడింది.

అప్పటికే రెండు చేపలను పోగొట్టుకున్న జాలరి, ఈ మూడవ చేప చచ్చిందా బతికిందా పట్టించుకోకుండా ఎత్తి సంచిలో వేసుకున్నాడు. ఈసారి వలను మరల మరల మడుగులోకి విసిరాడు. మొదటి రెండు చేపలు గట్టు కింద దాగున్నాయి. ఇటు సంచీ మూత గట్టిగా మూసి ఉంది.
జాలరికి చివరికి విసుగు పుట్టింది.


తిరిగి వచ్చి సంచీలోకి చూచాడు.
అల్పజ్ఞాని శ్వాసను బంధించింది.

చచ్చింది కనీసం పిల్లికయినా పనికిరాకపోతుందా అనుకుని సంచీ మూసి అతను ఇంటితోవ పట్టుకున్నాడు.
(మహమ్మదు మనవడు హుసేన్ చెప్పిన 18వ శతాబ్దం నాటి కథ.)


THREE fishes once lived in a pool. They were: a clever fish, a half clever fish and a stupid fish. Life continued for them very much as it is for fishes everywhere until one day came—a man.

He was carrying a net, and the clever fish saw him through the water. Calling upon his experience, the stories he had heard, and his cleverness, he decided to take action.
'There are few places to hide in this pool,' he thought. 'I shall therefore play dead.'

He summoned his strength and jumped out of the pool, landing at the feet of the fisherman, who was rather surprised. But as the clever fish was holding his breath, the fisherman supposed that he was dead: and threw him back. This fish now glided into a small hole under the bank.

Now the second fish, the half-clever one, did not quite understand what had happened. So he swam up to the clever fish and asked him all about it. 'Simple,' said the clever fish, 'I played dead, so he threw me back.'
So the half-clever fish immediately leaped out of the water, at the fisherman's feet. 'Strange,' thought the fisherman, 'they are leaping about all over the place.' And, because the half-clever fish had forgotten to hold his breath the fisherman realized that he was alive and put him into his satchel.

He turned back to peer into the water, and because he had been slightly confused by the fishes jumping on to dry land in front of him, he did not close the flap of his bag. The half-clever fish, when he realized this, was just able to ease himself out and, flipping over and over, got back into the water. He sought out the first fish and lay panting beside him.

Now the third fish, the stupid one, was not able to make anything at all of this, even when he heard the first and second fishes' versions. So they went over every point with him, stressing the importance of not breathing, in order to play dead.
'Thank you so much: now I understand,' said the stupid fish. With these words he hurled himself out of the water, landing just beside the fisherman.

Now the fisherman, having lost two fish already, put this one into his bag without bothering to look at whether it was breathing or not. He cast the net again and again into the pool, but the first
two fish were crouched into the depression under the bank. And the flap on the fisherman's bag this time was fully closed.

Finally the fisherman gave up. He opened the bag, realized that the stupid fish was not breathing, and took him home for the cat.

Got it?
I am sure!!
****

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Rumi on Change

Many people don't think1
Those who think, think that they have arrived!
They think, you know!

There are people who think and go mad!

I don't want to think.
There are people who already thought for us.
If we can learn from them, we can live even thinking!

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, or Rumi for short, thought so much!

Read the following lines and you will agree with me.



Wheat and the bread

గోధుమకేం తెలుసు రొట్టె గురించి

రొట్టె అంటేనే ప్రగతి
అది ఒకప్పుడు గోధుమగా, తర్వాత పిండిగా ఉండింది
గంటసేపు మాత్రం తడిసి పొంగింది
తర్వాత పొయ్యి మంటమీద కాలింది
తడిని వదిలి పై స్థాయిని చేరింది
రొట్టెకిప్పుడు తన భవిత గురించి తెలుసు
ఏ క్షణాన్నయినా తన బతుకు అంతమవుతుందని
రొట్టే గోధుమలకు పోలికెక్కడ
గోధుమ అక్కడే ఉండిపోయింది
రొట్టె అంటేనే ప్రగతి
గోధుమకేం తెలుసు రొట్టె గురించి?

I know there are some friends who will ask for the English Version.
 
Here it is!
 
What does the wheat know of the bread ?

For the bread is far ahead.
It once was wheat and then flour,
The rising dough but for an hour,
Baked by the heat of the fire
Purged its dross, ascended higher;
Now the bread knows its fate
To be consumed not too late.
If the bread, wheat inspire
The wheat will stay in its quagmire.
For the bread is far ahead
What does the wheat know of the bread?

Let us try thinking!!
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Cauvery by Kunnakkudi

There was a post on Sri Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan recently.
Then I remembered about his musical production "Cauvery."
I remember Kunnakkudy won a national award for this feature on AIR.

I thought I can share the recording with friends.

Here is the musical composition for your listening pleasure.



For those who want to download the recording, here is a link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=10f3f26dc390f408ab1eab3e9fa335caf90ac511892dc1b6

Let us enjoy good music!!
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Laxma Goud - Paintings

I have tried to read about this artist on the net.
Interestingly he spells his name with an X in it!
I liked his works since there is rusticity in them.
Sri Vaikuntham and Sri Goud have been in the scene for a long time.
They are well known artists.

Here is a write up about Sri Goud.
I have taken it from the net.

Laxma Goud was born in Nizampur, Andhra Pradesh in 1940. After a diploma in drawing and painting from the Government College of Art and Architecture, Hydrabad in 1963 he studied mural painting and printmaking at M.S. University, Baroda (1963-65).


From the beginning finding fascination in erotic subjects, by the late ' 60s he evolved a distinct style in his etchings which portrayed a pan-natural sexuality seen in terms of impulsive, aggressive passions rather than those of fertility. Basing on childhood memories or rural and tribal vivacity with its open, ribald Eros and its immersion in nature, he interpreted it through a sophisticated urban mode in which surreal, libidinal tones mingle with fantasy and poetry. Moods are conveyed there in a hybridal imagery of explicitly aroused human beasts and birds, phallic and vaginal trees and boulders, set among intricately lush and stirred forliage. Dramatically deposed and gesturing, his characters reveal an expressionist note whose harshness is tampered by the finely curlicued, linear details and dark palpable textures. This obsession has continued with Goud throughout the. subsequent variations in attitude, technique and style. By the late'70s, when he resorted largely to the subtler medium of aquatint his figures softened and became more direct as well as more evocative in their somewhat subdued and psychologised look. The realist ingredient present in the highly and ornately contoured shapes brings in an element of actual appearance of villagers but is steered towards a gentle stylization, which imposes on figures a touch of rustic puppets. All the while Goud has been painting chiefly water colors with single village women and men often with goats, also rural scenes. They are a robust draughtsman's paintings, line based and colored, aesthetic vacillating between a relatively realistic but generalized rendering a supple, expressionist distortion. In 1975 Goud did harshly delicate pencil drawings of junk objects in close-ups, isolate yet bearing an imprint of people who use them. Those were eventually absorbed into the drawings of villagers whose bodies hardened by weather, labour and interaction began to resemble leather- pierced and stitched by metallic jewellery of screws and pins. In the mid 80s, colors entered these images which later for some time veered to playful Pickassoesque and Klee like geometrisations and permeating dislocations of contour to reach a fuller, fleshy plasticity when direct images in landscapes and interior alliterate with hybrid and mythic motifs of human, animal and joint eroticism, the silhouetting stroke being now smoother, simpler and pliant.
(Click on the images to see them bigger)

Goud lives and works in Hyderabad.

Let us enjoy good works of arts!!
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