Torn Rain Clouds

Rain clouds like plump, torn mattresses, spilling their contents and the fabric trailing as if some giant cats played with them.

Photo and Video courtesy and copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017

All rights reserved

THE BRIGHTEST STARS

The stars shine their brightest
When the night's at its darkest
But truly those are the brightest, I say
The stars that shine during the day
For far more than sailors and those astray
They light up the world and show the way

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved

Jahaan-e-Ishq mein Insaaf (Justice In The World Of Love)

Jahaan-e-Ishq mein har dil saaf nahin hota
Wahaan har dil ke saath insaaf nahin hota
Kabhi qatl nazar andaaz hota hai
To kabhi ek nazar ki gustaaki maaf nahin hota

ENGLISH TRANSLATION :
In the world of love, not everyone is pure of heart
There, there is no justice for every heart
Sometimes a killing is ignored
Sometimes the crime of a look is never forgiven.

TAMIL TRANSLATION:
Nesa-ulagil ella manadhum pilaiindri irupadhillai
Angu ella manadhukkum nyaayam kidaipadhillai
Chir-samayam kodum-kolaium kaana-maatar
Chir-samayam meeri paarkum thunicchallukku mannippu kidaipadhillai

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved

Nandavanathil Oraandi (A Pauper in a Joyful Garden)

நந்தவனத்தில் ஓர் ஆண்டீ
அவன் நாலாறு மாதமாய் குயவனை வேண்டி
கொண்டு வந்தான் ஒரு தோண்டி
அதை கூத்தாடி கூத்தாடி போட்டுடைத்தான்டீ

Nandavanathil oraandi
Avan naal aaru maathamai kuyavanai vendi
Kondu vandhaan oru thondi
Adhai koothaadi-koothaadi pottudaithandi


ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

"A pauper in a joyful garden,
For four and six months, he beseeched the potter
And he brought back a pot of clay
He then danced around with it, partying carelessly until he dropped and broke it"

This little ditty sounds like a bit of an amusing childish folk song, but it quite accurately describes and sums up the entire human condition of a lifetime for almost anyone!

It was composed by a 'Siddhar' (an ascetic who has achieved enlightenment) and has a very profound meaning that anyone can understand in simple language. This comes from the region of Southern India. It is very catchy, popular and has been around for many years. It has been played to formal music, the lyrics parodied in movie songs to fit many different situations - many quite riotously funny.

Just consider what the various elements of this quatrain like composition and the deeper meaning starts to reveal itself. It just might bring to our attention the privilege of having a human birth and not to waste it entirely.

'Nandavanam' - A garden of joy which is really Heaven/Spiritual Realm where there is no sorrow, only joy

'Pauper' - One who has or own nothing, 'no thing'  that is material. This represents each one of us as a pure soul with nothing material attached to us, according to the local philosophy.

'For four and six months' - the ten month duration of human gestation

'Kuyavan' - Potter - the one who gives pots material shape from clay - Our Creator

'Vendi' - beseech, pray for

'Thondi' - a pot of clay (our material human body)

'Koothaadi' - dance around for pleasure

'Pottudaithandi' - saying 'he dropped and broke it'


Prince Rama Varma's rendition in proper musical tradition with a foreword and explanation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWW9f3qACs8


An absolute riot parody of this in an old Tamil movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugD79tyLLSg

Credits to Prince Rama Varma and YouTube for the video courtesy. I do not own any of the intellectual property of the composition or its renditions portrayed here.

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved.

No Straight Line Paths

The only feasible paths to goals and destinations in life are almost never a straight line.


 Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved
 

Acceptance and Improvement Not Mutually Exclusive

It is important to accept oneself and friends with their flaws. It does not mean some of the flaws should not or cannot be addressed and fixed!!  Acceptance and improvement are different things and not mutually exclusive.

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved.

Worth The Pain

What a heavenly feeling when one's kid takes care of one when unwell or hurt! My angel daughter's tender minstrations before she left for school for my hurt back - worth all the pain - even the pain of raising kids. A while ago it was my son the champ when my heart felt funny. Today was the turn of my little one. Could not be prouder of my two gifts from the divine!

 

Sometimes You Gotta Piss Some People Off

A piece of wisdom (acquired from painful experiences) :

The process of making the world a better place involves making some people less angry and upset, leaving some people alone and making some people a bit more angry and upset. One just needs to know the right thing to do with someone we encounter.

Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved

Truth and Power

The real awesome power is in the truth itself, not the person bearing it.

The whole of the universe stands behind the littlest truth, hence its immense power.

Truthful people can seem powerful because the power only rubs off on people, though not all can handle it. It is also the reason why some fear those who carry the truth or speak it.


Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved

Green with envy

I am green with envy... I know it is a sin to cast covetous eyes on another man's...But can't help it when he flaunts such a beauty in public.
The wheel spokes are crafted from wood.. Simply irresistible!

Photos and videos courtesy and Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved.

Oh No! Its Friday

For parents that do not work a regular job during the week, the weekend is often busier than the week... They might go ONIF instead of TGIF...  



Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved