99 Things to do While you live.....

Coming from a conservative region from Southern part of India, Self is glad that his outlook towards life, Universe and everything in general has slowly evolved & changed in the past five years so much so that he could now record a list of 99 things to do, most of which he was not even aware of while he was busy educating himself on the nebulous science of electrical and electronics engineering in Chennai, India.

Again, the conservative upbringing that he was blessed with, entitled him to a path of self realization and renunciation all the while rigidly conforming to the four schools/ Ashrams in Brahmacharya, Grhastha, Vanaprastha & Sanyasa.
[For want of space & time, the reader is encouraged to find more information in any basic Hinduism texts about the afore mentioned.]

Being groomed in such a stereotyped upbringing and culture one doesn’t often fascinate & amuse oneself, leave alone think about the un-imaginable number of things that one would be missing- leading the "study_study-->get_a_job-->get_married-->have_kids->save_for_kids-->get_them_married " life.

In his humble opinion, Life is all about living not existing, traveling and trying out the million things that life has to offer; rather than living in a bucketed culture. With the above preamble, without much ado, he shall present the <99>. The 100th thing by the way is to,

100. Read and Check off of this list!

So here it goes,

1. Give your mother 31 roses on a chosen month and call her to say that you love her everyday.
2. Fall deeply in love helplessly and unconditionally.(In an arranged marriage)
3. Visit Paris full stop (.)
4. Save a human life.
5. Learn to play a new game and compete with the professionals in an event.
6. Witness the beautiful blaze of the Northern Lights, - Aurora Borealis.
7. Tell someone you love them loud and clear. (Be it a wife, GF, Mother or Grandmother:))
8. Teach someone illiterate - to read.
9. Stand on the Greenwich Meridian time line.
10. Test-drive a Ferrari at top speed in Autobahn, and then buy it right away with cash!
11. Listen to Illayaraja music all day.
12. Learn to speak a foreign language on your own and make good use of it.
13. Go Scuba diving at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
14. Spend a new years eve at Times square.
15. Cricket - Mecca of cricket at the lords featuring India & England
16. Go to Mardigras of course with your wife and also once b4 you get married.
17. Drink an Espresso anywhere in Naples, Italy.
18. Watch a launch of a space shuttle.
19. Go on a Caribbean Cruise- Visit 10 tropical Islands in 10 days.
20. Be a part of a guest list for the International film festival.
21. Attend the Noble prize ceremonies, huh, better still - Win a noble prize.
22. Visit the Seven Wonders of the World, on a honeymoon :)
23. Take a walk in a rain.
24. Fly a plane.
25. Stay at the Waldorf Astoria.
26. Get an article of yours published in a leading newspaper.
27. Have your portrait painted.
28. Do bungee jumping in New Zealand Alps Bali, Victoria Falls.
29. Learn a musical instrument, become adept at it, stand before an audience and play it.
30. Work for hourly wage at a local rest of your choice and donate earnings to charity.
31. Tell someone the story of your life without sparing any details.
32. Be an extra/part of a film.
33. Own a room with a wonderful view.
34. Taste the finest coffee in the world- Where? Go to Jamaica.
35. Grow a beard and leave it atleast for one month.
36. Cross the Sahara with a Tuareg Caravan.
37. Propose in a planetarium.
38. Get pick pocketed in one of the notorious places on Earth - Victoria Station, London.
39. Ride camel in the Sahara desert.
40. Experience weightlessness.
41. Sleep under the stars.
42. Visit a Rainforest in Honduras/Guatemala.
43. Take a shower in a waterfall (Multnomah Falls).
44. White water Raft through the Grand Canyon.
45. Learn to juggle with three/four balls.
46. See the midnight sun anywhere in Greenland.
47. Fast for a day.
48. Write your will.
49. Give to a charity - Anonymously!
50. Kayak the Fjords of Narsarsuaq, Narsaq.
51. Study all of the Kamasutra...And put them to efficient use.
52. Ask someone you just met to go out on a date.
53. Visit Portland, Oregon. :-)
54. Swim n*&^ on a secluded mountain lake, It is always more fun if there is a risk of ppl observing :-).
55. Run a marathon.
56. Get a love marriage - arranged :) or vice-versa.
57. Visit a temple everyday.
58. Find a number you like (say 11) and be obsessed with it for no reason. Cite all trivia in favor of your selection when asked to substantiate.
59. Visit, Paradise on the rocks: Palau, South Pacific - Volcanic walls, 100 foot waterfalls & snorkeling in abundance.
60. Watch a NBA championship game in floor-level seats.
61. Paragliding in Ölüdeniz, near Dalaman, Turkey's most beautifully-situated beach.
62. Bobsled - Don’t know? Do a google - Hurtle at great speeds at the Olympic site in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
63. Go to the top of the Space needle, the Sears, the Petronas & the Eiffel towers.
64. Ride in a World War II era fighter.
65. Drive on the other side of the road in England/India (?) & in the US
66. Ride on the steel dragon- roller coaster in Nagashima Spaland Mie, Japan. One of the tallest and fastest roller coasters.
67. Grow your own garden.
68. Attend a concert.
69. Take a hot air balloon ride in the North Pole.
70. Learn to ride a horse, race with a car, and win.
71. Do a parachute jump?
72. Learn to Dance - a Tango in particular.
73. Ride Underground @ the Co Chi Tunnels Vietnam
74. Write the novel of your life.
75. See a lunar eclipse.
76. Watch the Sun set and rise, no not done yet, behind the pyramids in Egypt.
77. Learn to wrap burritos.
78. Watch Wimbledon live in Wimbledon, England.
79. Get to Stromboli, Italy, to catch an eruption, Volcanic that is.
80. Figure out the 7 ingredient secret recipe of Coca cola - a closely guarded secret that only 7 ppl know. Once you know the secret, strive to no longer make it a secret.
81. Learn to hand toss pizza dough.
82. Prove Pythagoras' Theorem, Einstein's theory of relativity - wrong.
83. Attend the finals game of atleast one major sporting event.
84. Attend one of the Formula one events, preferably in Germany.
85. Visit all the 50(51?) states in the US.
86. Read a classic (book) all day.
87. Visit the World's biggest Sundial @ Jaipur, India.
88. Go to a nude beach and be the only fully clothed person.
89. Walk on hot coals.
90. Learn Photography.
91. Sit on a beach and watch the tides come in and go tirelessly.
92. Spend a whole day without checking e-mail :)
93. Cook a 7 Course dinner and eat it alone.
94. Blow up atleast 1000 dollars in a Las Vegas Casino, in bargain learn how to play.
95. Try all the 31 flavors at Baskin Robbins.
96. Do/ be involved in a stand up comedy.
97. Be in Pamplona for the running of the bulls.
98. Spend a day in a tree house.
99. Cross 5 things off this list every year and add 10 new ones :-)

Whats in a Name? .... you pointlessly ponder?

The following is inspired by a forward titled, "Ambi mama wins."

Have you noticed that every Brahmin family has SOME/ALL OF the following people in their junta?

1. Ambi mama
The residential astrology expert, who is unceremoniously called upon to offer free(read cheap ) astrology comments, also gives unsolicited advice on matters ranging from today’s politics, cricket to acharams to be followed!
Note: Since Ambi mama is widely regarded as the most popular name in the clan, author points out that every small town in Tiruchy/Kumbakonam disrict will have the following variations of ambis Peria Ambi, Chinna Ambi, Gundu Ambi, Olli Ambi, Kutti Ambi etc.

2. Thambi periappa/athanga manni etc..
This is what happens when you marry first cousins/ uncles from your mother's side, All kinds of weird addressing happens thusly.

3. Komala athimber.
Notice a female name appended to a male relationship, very unique but popular form of address in Brahmin circles. If you are still wondering, title bestowed by virtue of being husband of Komala athai.

4. Vasu mama
This is your athai's son surviving on a hand to mouth existence in his Southern Railways Job.

5. Vengattu(Venkatesan->Venky->Vengattu)
This chithappa's son, jobless and waiting for his First job as an assistant to an auditor.

6. Vaidhi Athimber ( Vaidhyanathan/Vaidheeshwaran)
Self proclaimed expert in Carnatic music, who never misses even a single( free )ticket to the December music season.

7. Koki(Kokila->koki) appa
Floored again by male female association? Kokila is the eldest daughter of Mr. Venkatachalapathy, imagine plight of his dear wife who needs to call him by that ridiculous long name (why not Venky, You ask?- tsk tsk we don’t work that way)is thus christened as koki appa, by his beloved wife.

Note: Wife’s not called Koki amma, she goes by ambuli mami. (It’s a long story, forget it)

8. Paachu(Parthasarthy->Partha->Paachu->Baachu?) Periappa
The reader is challenged on this one. If the reader is unable to find a Parthasarathy in his family, do email the author, we will order one for you, there is too many surplus of Pachus in other families.
Note: Paternal called Pacha, Maternal Paachu; Yes tell me about it!!

9. Chubbini ( Subramaniam->Subbu->Chubbu->Chubbini) anna
Who spends his time bunking his Government job @ TVS to not only watch cricket but also forever criticize Indian team selection.

10. Ambujam Atthai
Awesome cook, known for her akkarai vadisal and Thachi mammu

11. Cheenu(Srinivasan Raghavan->Srini->Cheenu) thatha
Happily sipping Narasus kaapi & doing sandya vandanam regularly, whilst he is proud that his name has figured on the internet.

12. Badma/Bathuma ( Padmavathy->Padma->Badma->Bathma ) periamma
Mind bewildering permutations are possible on this one. I am not even going to start on it( see future blog on just this one)

13. Kitcha (Krishnamurthy->Krishna->Kicha->Kitcha) periappa
Also referred to as Kichaami = Kitcha + asami(person in Tamil)

14. Mylapore athimber
Poor chap was in Mylapore, in his twenties while making ends meet with a portion shared by 15 families, professes that he no longer lives there, and though he is happily settled in the US (with his Computer Engineer son) still grudgingly goes by that name.
Note: Variations include Mylapore california Athimber, but gets very hairy then!

15. Tiruchhi athai, Chicago chithi, Mylapore Mamanaar, Aduthathu Athimber
Location, you see, is very important to us.
Note abt Chicago Chithi: happily settled in Chicago, and learning to say "Cool, Wassup etc"
Aduthathu athimber- Next door neighbor, who is a Brahmin, suddenly BECOMES related now.

16. Kittu mama
I seriously don’t know abt this one, he exists in every family PERIOD. Possibly an adopted son who has changed name just to gel with the other tam Brahms.

17. Baby Chithi
Name says it all.

18. Bombay Kichanna
Variant/Transformation on number 13, due to his transfer to Bombay, and his age henceforth referred to as thus.

19. Drum Sundaram, Lorry Krishnan
Based on trade affiliations

20. Mottai Thatha, Vazhakai Vaishnavi, Mookuozhugu Mohana, Gundu Paati
You should be able to guess the nomenclature by now, Yes, by virtue of their appearances.

21. Glaxo athan, TVS periappa.
Happy that you are finally getting a hang of it? affirmative, Professional affiliations
Note: No name for TVS periappa - just his company + title

22. Vayadi Rakkamma, Cycle mani, othakann chandramouli, cheettu(miser) chellapa
Classified by their attributes.

23. Kunjamma
Originally alamaelu athai, god knows how her name got transformed to such.

24. Pappu(Pattammal->Pattu->pappu) patti
Why pappu? she makes very nice paruppunjathams: sandhi parichaya: Paruppu + sadam(sadam->chadam)

25. My favourite! Thambi anna
What is that you may ponder? an oxymoron dude!!, yes we have that too! He is your chithi's younger brother, so Thambi, and elder to you so anna thus- Thambi anna, also goes by thambi mama- but very confusing.

26. S. Ve. Shekar was kind enough to add the following series to this lists a series of "komli", "paapli", "thakli", "jillu", "dubuku" etc

27. Rounding it off are Chellapa, Ramji manni, Bhooma mami, Chakkarai(Chakrapani->Chikku->Chakka->Chakkarai) - sugar

Adiyaen,
Parthasarathy Narasimhan

The Hindu Wedding - Explained - Part 1

Many of my friends and family reading this blog are folks who have recently gotten married or would be in the very near future. A humble attempt has thus been made here to explain the rituals associated with a South Indian Wedding, and rationale behind the same. This will be a series of parts, the First part concerning with the main aspects of a Hindu wedding. Explanations of which shall be dealt with in future posts....

Rationale behind the Rituals

The Hindu Wedding Ceremony has a number of rituals and customs most of which are often labelled as superstitious or time wasting. A ritual is an action on which time has set its seal of approval, a convention that is followed when more and more people in the succeeding generation repeat an action.

The Ritual of the Hindu Wedding is each symbolic of beautiful and noble sentiments. Most of the aspects have rationality, meaning and reasoning, most of which unfortunately are ignored and are performed today by many parents and couples without an awareness of the rich meaning behind them.

Aspects of a Hindu Wedding ( wherever possible comparisons drawn to Northy wedding)

1. JANA VASAM
2. GANAPATI PUJA
3. NANDI DEVATA PUJA
4. NAVAGRAHA PUJA
5. VRATHAM & DWITIYA YAGNOPAVITHA
   
6. KASI YATRA
7. VARAPREKSHANEM
   
8. VAAKU NICHYA MUHOORTHAM
9. EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS ( VARMALA/MALAI MATRUTHAL)
   
10. OONCHAL
11. PAALIKAI seeds sowing
12. VARA PUJA
13. KANYA DHAANAM(KANYA DHAN)
    
14. BRIDEGROOM's ASSURANCE (PAANI GRAHAN)
    
15. KANKANA DHARANAM
16. MADHUPARKA DHANAM*
17. DEVATHA PRARTHANA
18. KANYA SAMSKARAM*
19. KOORA PUDAVAI*
    
20. MAANGALYA DHARANAM
21. PAANI GRAHANAM
22. SAPTHA PADHI
23. PRADHANA HOMAM
24. RECITAL OF VEDA MANTHRAM
    
25. TREADING ON GRINDSTONE
26. SHOWING HER THE ARUNDATHI STAR
27. LAAJA HOMAM
28. SHOWERING OF AKSHADAI
29. GRIHA PRAVESHAM
30. NALANGU
31. NIGHT HOMAMS
1. SESHA HOMAMS
2. GANDHARVA POOJA
3. FALA DAANAM
   
32. THAMBOOLA CHARVANAM
33. MANGALA AARTHI and FINALLY!!................
    
34. SHANTHI MUHOORTHAM!!

Stay tuned for explanations in the later posts....
Just to offer a snapshot on the significance, this is the write up for EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS....

EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS
The bride and the groom are lifted to the shoulders of their respective uncles; and in that position the two garland each other thrice for a complete union. A garland worn by a person, should not be used by another, ordain our shastras. Here the exchange of garlands symbolises their unification – as one soul in two bodies. It is inward acceptance by each of the very fragrance of the other.

Wow! IS all I can say!