SquareShooter

Not till I read Nandita Krishna's book on the paintings of Varadarajar Temple, Kanchipuram did I realize the importanace of the Jain temple at Thiruparuthikundram, a few kilometres away from Kanchipuram, popularly known as Jaina Kanchi. It is mentioned in the book, the restoration of painting at the Jain temple are not up to the mark while comparing with the Varadar temple ones, which are in a state of absolute decay. Only last summer I was thinking of amount people spend on adding unnecessary cement blocks and gold vimanas, but being indifferent to the dull and dark corridor filled with faded paintings around Varadar sannidhi. Therefore, a visit to the Jain temple was a must - to see for oneself how bad the restoration looks, and if one should take any steps to push a few devotees here to take up restoration of paintings.  Going around anywhere during the festival times becomes tough, especially in the heat. But, this is the only time available to e...

Third day morning is Garuda Sevai. by 3.50 am the procession started and there was no let up in the crowds this year too. Getting in and out of the temple was a task and the Kanchipuram kudai lived upto its tradition. But, with camphors being lit all around, it is impossible to click pictures outside where the changing of kudai or the umbrellas happen.

After the Simha Vahanam on the evening of Day 1 and Hamsa Vahanam on 2nd day morning the procession on 2nd day evening is Soorya Prabhai.

Senai Mudhalvar, chief commander of Vishnu's forces in SriVaikuntam takes the procession the evening before the Brahmotsavam or main festival starts. He goes on an inspection to check the roads are fine, and arrangements are good.

It is more than 20-yrs now, memories little vague. Not sure if it was in October or early November I joined Business Line. When the initiation process was all over and I walked into office Viji, late R.Vijayaraghavan my boss asked about who all I know at the Madras Stock Exchange. I gave half a dozen names of brokerages I knew and was about to leave for the exchange, setting foot inside the exchange for the first time. Viji in his typical, casual way told me you can go and meet my friend an ex-citibanker turned broker, they have their office above that Irani cafe next to the exchange. With that info in hand, I set out to Second Line Beach.  All those familiar with Chennai would know how chaotic the area is and MSE was no better. Dusty, dull MSE building's only sign was life and cheer was the trading floor. Entry to trading floor was prohibited for non-members and traders. The floor had not seen a journalist and only connection it had with media was a small cubicle that housed...

Book review that I wrote in 2007, as the subject still holds interest wanted to copy paste it here. Edited version of this appeared in the Hindustan Times Title: A Year Without "Made in China" Author: Sara Bongiorni Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey M C Vaijayanthi From Christmas decorations to Easter eggs and Halloween pumpkins, just about everything in the daily American life is ruled by Chinese products. In fact this Diwali, one heard a comment about how except for traditional Indian sweets it is a Chinese Diwali – our shopping bags would have been filled with crackers, kandeels to cloths from China. With a large small scale industry though fast losing out in the cost and efficiency game still gives Indian the options to live with home made goods. But the world's largest economy, the United States has no such option. It is reeling under a huge trade deficit with China and struggling to tame the roaring dragon. The real story is not under...

We were watching Madurai Law College students protest for total prohibition in Tamil Nadu. As usual few lessons in history I got from my father. He says Rajaji imposed prohibition soon after taking over as the Chief Minister of Madras in 1937 saying it was Congress policy and they believed in it. That was the first Congress Government. Prohibition continued till the first non-Congress government came to power in Tamil Nadu in 1967. Annadurai was not in favour of lifting prohibition though there was an intention to do so by the party at that time. Periyar who as the Congress party president in his early days of activism had cut down 100 coconut trees in his orchard to prevent toddy tapping, obviously in support of prohibition. But, the same Periyar apparently made fun of Anna when he refused to lift prohibition. Periyar is also supposed to have supported at around this period a movement called “kal venduvor sangam” meaning those who were in favour of toddy. Reasons cited fo...