This is between us, you and me.
I am communicating to you
Through this unsophisticated poem.
You know, poetry is my way
To understand me.
Me? Who is the me?
That is the doubt now....
Is this me a thought?
No, I've conflicting thoughts.
But me is peaceful.
Is this me a feeling?
No, I've conflicting feelings.
But me has integrity.
Is this me an ego?
No, my ego is a burden to me.
But me is soothing to me.
Is this me a body?
No, my body is sick.
But me is strong.
Is this me an action?
No, all my actions are empty.
But me is my only meaning.
Then who is this me?
Who knows? And who cares?
All I know is that
The night is cold;
It is late, silent, serene;
And my bed is warm, cosy;
And I am almost sleeping.
Or I no longer can say
If I am awake....
--Sandeep Palakkal.
Chennai, Jan 2010.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Friday, 15 January 2010
Song of a Mystic
When I said I have infinite fingers,
They felt I am crazy,
For, none can have infinite fingers.
When I said I have infinite intelligence,
They assumed I am deluded,
For, none can be infinitely intelligent.
When I said I have infinite talent,
They replied I am arrogant,
For, none can be infinitely talented.
When I said I have infinite joy,
They said nothing,
For, they didn't understand me!
--Sandeep Palakkal,
Jan 2010.
They felt I am crazy,
For, none can have infinite fingers.
When I said I have infinite intelligence,
They assumed I am deluded,
For, none can be infinitely intelligent.
When I said I have infinite talent,
They replied I am arrogant,
For, none can be infinitely talented.
When I said I have infinite joy,
They said nothing,
For, they didn't understand me!
--Sandeep Palakkal,
Jan 2010.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Why don't I hate?
(Ref: http://sandeeppalakkal.blogspot.com/2010/01/reason-to-laugh-constitutional-rights.html; and its comments)
Q) Why don't I hate human beings?
A) Because, my hate is a paramount instinct; it is reserved for the great.
Q) Why don't I hate human beings?
A) Because, my hate is a paramount instinct; it is reserved for the great.
Some "serious" thoughts
Chennai is cool these days. I can't believe that I am in Chennai, especially after the hot summer that we had last year. So, again, after the really hot summer and this really cool winter, I have started loving hot days and cool nights!
Yesterday, I sat in my room, feeling the coldness of the night, with a lot of dreamy thoughts in my mind. I was not disturbed by any worries of life. The night was very silent, and I could even hear clearly the dogs barking somewhere at distance. I was just reminded of my home and school days. Elders used to say that dogs bark and howl in the night when they see "Yamadeva" coming on his vehicle, a big cow (or was it bull?),to take lives of people; and I used to imagine him, riding a big, black cow, holding a sword shining in the moon-light. I felt nostalgic.
Then I lay down on my bed, though sleep was nowhere near. I felt cold, very cold; I craved for warmth. I put a thick bed sheet on my body (in Chennai--oh, I still can't believe!). Then I closed my eyes. Calm... release... silence.... There was no thoughts in my mind; or rather, I was thinking through images. Many a time, I visit a world, far away, hundred-thousands of light years away from earth; humans haven't yet discovered that world, and I hope they will never. It is beautiful... green... silent... calm... full of animals, birds, trees, and everything that is on earth, except human beings. Hence there is no nonsense, or I don't have to check if something is nonsense or not! I walk on that lonely planet alone, with a calm but thinking mind, sometimes stopping to talk to some animals and birds.
Today, the world is that of the working man's. Everyone is working hard. Work is worship. When I was dreaming under the thick bed sheet, enjoying its warmth, I felt no urge for anything. It was relaxing, calm. Then it occurred to me that the modern man doesn't know why he/she is alive. They have just forgotten the simplicity of life. Work, worship, god, religion, marriage, war, gossip, bikes, cars, roads, people, music, movies, books... the world is full of nonsense, and noise. I just went outside the campus recently, just to get out of the boring campus life. I found only people, in buses, trams, roads, everywhere. Vehicles were continuously flowing on the roads. Why? After all, it was a Sunday evening, and why can't people just rest at their homes? I don't know.
Thinking all these, yet feeling serenity in the mind, I fell asleep... when? I don't know...
Now, will you call me a misanthrope?
Yesterday, I sat in my room, feeling the coldness of the night, with a lot of dreamy thoughts in my mind. I was not disturbed by any worries of life. The night was very silent, and I could even hear clearly the dogs barking somewhere at distance. I was just reminded of my home and school days. Elders used to say that dogs bark and howl in the night when they see "Yamadeva" coming on his vehicle, a big cow (or was it bull?),to take lives of people; and I used to imagine him, riding a big, black cow, holding a sword shining in the moon-light. I felt nostalgic.
Then I lay down on my bed, though sleep was nowhere near. I felt cold, very cold; I craved for warmth. I put a thick bed sheet on my body (in Chennai--oh, I still can't believe!). Then I closed my eyes. Calm... release... silence.... There was no thoughts in my mind; or rather, I was thinking through images. Many a time, I visit a world, far away, hundred-thousands of light years away from earth; humans haven't yet discovered that world, and I hope they will never. It is beautiful... green... silent... calm... full of animals, birds, trees, and everything that is on earth, except human beings. Hence there is no nonsense, or I don't have to check if something is nonsense or not! I walk on that lonely planet alone, with a calm but thinking mind, sometimes stopping to talk to some animals and birds.
Today, the world is that of the working man's. Everyone is working hard. Work is worship. When I was dreaming under the thick bed sheet, enjoying its warmth, I felt no urge for anything. It was relaxing, calm. Then it occurred to me that the modern man doesn't know why he/she is alive. They have just forgotten the simplicity of life. Work, worship, god, religion, marriage, war, gossip, bikes, cars, roads, people, music, movies, books... the world is full of nonsense, and noise. I just went outside the campus recently, just to get out of the boring campus life. I found only people, in buses, trams, roads, everywhere. Vehicles were continuously flowing on the roads. Why? After all, it was a Sunday evening, and why can't people just rest at their homes? I don't know.
Thinking all these, yet feeling serenity in the mind, I fell asleep... when? I don't know...
Now, will you call me a misanthrope?
Friday, 1 January 2010
A reason to laugh: Constitutional Rights; Fabrication; Twist; and Forgery.
Rathore refused to speak to the media, saying, “Only if you have the constitutional right to make me speak, I will talk."Does a 14 year old girl, who is a budding tennis player, living in India, have the constitutional rights to grow up, playing tennis, leading a successful career and a happy life, with her parents and brother, or does she have the constitutional rights at least to dream so, without having been raped and harassed, and finally prompted to commit suicide, by a person who knows and talks about the constitutional rights, like you for example, Mr. Rathore sir? Does a 14 year old boy, living in India, have constitutional rights to register a complaint against a police officer who raped his sister, without the fear of being charged with fake cases and humiliated in the public and the police station? I am an ignorant, so do I ask these questions.
The Hindu, Dec 31, 2009.
[Rathore's] wife Abha, who is also his lawyer in the case...alleged that “fabricated, twisted and forged” allegations were being presented by the family of the victim in the case, in which Rathore was sentenced to six months in jail.Ms. Abha, possibly you know that the victim has a brother. When the case against your husband was going on, the brother, who was just 14 years old, was "framed" and a number of "twisted and forged" cases were charged against him by your husband, who was the DGP of Haryana, and his men. That young boy not only faced "fabricated, twisted and forged" allegations, but was undergone horrendous torture. We would like to hear your valuable comments on this, not as a lawyer, nor as Rathore's wife, but as a civilized human being.
The Hindu, Dec 31, 2009.
Mr. Rathore, I don't hate you, because you are just a human being. But I just would like to remind you that you are a grave shame to humanity. And you know it... you know that you are guilty!
Dear reader (if there is any), what do you feel? Aren't these people making a mockery of all of us? Do you feel hurt, or shame, or nothing at all? Or, do you, like me, just feel like laughing?
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
IFFK'09
Of course, Goddard's "Pierrot Goes Wild" was a different experience. Then there was the South African "My Secret Sky" by Madoda Ncayiyana; it was quite refreshing; great direction; great acting by child actors; excellent--Yes!
"Step into the Darkness" was very nice and contemporary. "The Moment of Truth" and "More than a Miracle" were very charming. I watched two Malayalam films: "Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi" and "Sufi Paranja Katha". Both were not up to the standard. I wonder how the first one got the award for the Best Malayalam film in the festival; may be others are even worse. I would like to advice the actors, especially Jayasurya, to watch "My Secret Sky" and learn acting from those child actors; I have nothing to suggest to the director, because the direction was nothing above mediocre. The film was full of unnecessary dramatic sounds in every scene; perhaps, they were trying to compensate poor acting and direction with sound, thereby trying to bring the effects whatsoever they intended!
Dedicated Film Lover: We watched "My Secret Sky" sitting on the floor! (My friend Vimal in picture).
Due to some health reasons, I missed "The Antichrist", which has made some waves among the audience; some even fainted by watching it! Many criticises this movie saying that it is a violent movie with the overones of sexual acts. From what I know about the theme, I believe that people are missing the message; they still live caught among the confusions of morality and mediocrity.
Still I enjoyed the festival, for it is not only about the movies, but also roaming around in Thiruvananthapuram, rubbing shoulders with film-lovers! And, for me, it is very great and nostalgic to spend time in a Malayalam speaking land at least for a few days. If I am in Tamil Nadu, I have to construct the sentences in Tamil before I can speak, otherwise it is English. But it is a very delightful experience to speak without searching for words and caring for the grammar. I know that this is very typical for anyone who is staying away from home for a long time; yet, this is special for me because, now, I am experiencing it.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Tamil Nadu's "activity based learning" gets recognition from China
Yet another reason to smile: "China seeks state expertise on activity based learning method" (ref. The Hindu, Front page, Nov 16, 2009, http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/16/stories/2009111657980100.htm).
Tamil Nadu government and education department can be very proud of this, along with the central government; and thus, all Indians can too. The Hon. Adviser, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.P. Vijayakumar says "... The Chinese delegation was impressed with the way our students of government schools were enthusiastic in classrooms because of the interactive learning and teaching style". Once again, this proves the importance and efficacy of activity based learning.
Kerala has a state designed system of similar kind for government schools. It is called District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) and is supported by the World Bank. People were very scared of this system, and still they feel that this system will only spoil the education of the children who study in government schools. They feel that the rich people will send their children to private schools, where DPEP is not established, and the poor students have to "suffer from DPEP". And they feel that teaching students through "dancing, singing, collecting all the unwanted stuff from the surroundings, etc." will make them morons!
I don't know what is the difference between the activity based learning in Tamil Nadu and DPEP. However, I believe, from my own experience, that learning by doing is more effective than learning from the usual lectures and through writing exams. If I take the sum of all what I have learned, say in engineering, the amount I learned from lectures will be insignificantly small; I learned more myself by direct reading, thinking, experimenting, and discussing with my peers.
I hope things will change and education system will improve. In fact, I know teachers who are steadfast in changing their own teaching methods to make learning process more effective. However, sadly, a vast majority still believes that "we can only teach, it is the student's responsibility to read the books and learn by himself/herself. And if they do not come up to a good level, it is because they don't have aptitude and ability, or because they don't work hard".
I wish to quote what Dr. K. B. M. Namboodiripad, who is the dean of Amrita School of Engineering, Kollam, used to tell us, when I was a lecturer there: "So far teachers have been focusing on the quality of their teaching. Our objective is to shift the focus from teaching to learning". How thrilling, intelligent, wise and moving are these words! Aren't they? Yes, like those of Karl Marx's: "Philosophers have defined the world in many ways. The point is to change it".
--Sandeep Palakkal
Tamil Nadu government and education department can be very proud of this, along with the central government; and thus, all Indians can too. The Hon. Adviser, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.P. Vijayakumar says "... The Chinese delegation was impressed with the way our students of government schools were enthusiastic in classrooms because of the interactive learning and teaching style". Once again, this proves the importance and efficacy of activity based learning.
Kerala has a state designed system of similar kind for government schools. It is called District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) and is supported by the World Bank. People were very scared of this system, and still they feel that this system will only spoil the education of the children who study in government schools. They feel that the rich people will send their children to private schools, where DPEP is not established, and the poor students have to "suffer from DPEP". And they feel that teaching students through "dancing, singing, collecting all the unwanted stuff from the surroundings, etc." will make them morons!
I don't know what is the difference between the activity based learning in Tamil Nadu and DPEP. However, I believe, from my own experience, that learning by doing is more effective than learning from the usual lectures and through writing exams. If I take the sum of all what I have learned, say in engineering, the amount I learned from lectures will be insignificantly small; I learned more myself by direct reading, thinking, experimenting, and discussing with my peers.
I hope things will change and education system will improve. In fact, I know teachers who are steadfast in changing their own teaching methods to make learning process more effective. However, sadly, a vast majority still believes that "we can only teach, it is the student's responsibility to read the books and learn by himself/herself. And if they do not come up to a good level, it is because they don't have aptitude and ability, or because they don't work hard".
I wish to quote what Dr. K. B. M. Namboodiripad, who is the dean of Amrita School of Engineering, Kollam, used to tell us, when I was a lecturer there: "So far teachers have been focusing on the quality of their teaching. Our objective is to shift the focus from teaching to learning". How thrilling, intelligent, wise and moving are these words! Aren't they? Yes, like those of Karl Marx's: "Philosophers have defined the world in many ways. The point is to change it".
--Sandeep Palakkal
Thursday, 12 November 2009
What I see out my window: A photo by Sandeep.
Nov. 12, 2009,
Chennai.
In the last June Sandeep woke up to a usual hot lazy Saturday morning. He opened the back door of his hostel room and witnessed a beautiful scene of love. And he captured it. It is published here: http://whatiseeoutmywindow.blogspot.com/2009/08/sandeeps-temporary-view-in-chennai.html
Chennai.
In the last June Sandeep woke up to a usual hot lazy Saturday morning. He opened the back door of his hostel room and witnessed a beautiful scene of love. And he captured it. It is published here: http://whatiseeoutmywindow.blogspot.com/2009/08/sandeeps-temporary-view-in-chennai.html
Monday, 9 November 2009
Ekakiyute Nottepusthakam: A Malayalam Blog from Sandeep Palakkal
Palakkal Times,
9th November 2009.
by Staff Reporter.
Chennai: After maintaining his English blog http://sandeeppalakkal.blogspot.com for longer time than he expected, Mr. Sandeep Palakkal has launched his second blog, now in Malayalam, here this evening.
Palakkal Times caught him this evening for a brief chat about his new blog. He said it was his long cherished dream to start a Malayalam blog, but he was caught up with the struggles related to his studies, research and work. However, he feels that time will not wait for anyone, and if you want to do something, now is the time for it. He adds that he can't wait for any more, at least in this case. His first blog is a tribute to his mother tongue, and he feels this is the right way he can start his Malayalam blog. He talked about his feeling of alienation from his land, people and, furthermore, his language. He believes that this blog will act as a consolation for him as he can still write in his language what he thinks, feels and enjoys. However, he feels that there is nothing special about this blog as there are "talented Malayalam bloggers" around the world with whom he cannot compete.
His blog address is http://entenottupusthakam.blogspot.com/. He explains that "ente nottupusthakam" in Malayalam means "my note book", which he chose as a coinage to his English blog title "Notebook of a Lonely Wander". When asked whether the readers can expect good articles in his new blog, he replied that he was not worried about it, and his sole intention of writing is "not to be read, but to enjoy the inexorable pleasure of writing".
9th November 2009.
by Staff Reporter.
Chennai: After maintaining his English blog http://sandeeppalakkal.blogspot.com for longer time than he expected, Mr. Sandeep Palakkal has launched his second blog, now in Malayalam, here this evening.
Palakkal Times caught him this evening for a brief chat about his new blog. He said it was his long cherished dream to start a Malayalam blog, but he was caught up with the struggles related to his studies, research and work. However, he feels that time will not wait for anyone, and if you want to do something, now is the time for it. He adds that he can't wait for any more, at least in this case. His first blog is a tribute to his mother tongue, and he feels this is the right way he can start his Malayalam blog. He talked about his feeling of alienation from his land, people and, furthermore, his language. He believes that this blog will act as a consolation for him as he can still write in his language what he thinks, feels and enjoys. However, he feels that there is nothing special about this blog as there are "talented Malayalam bloggers" around the world with whom he cannot compete.
His blog address is http://entenottupusthakam.blogspot.com/. He explains that "ente nottupusthakam" in Malayalam means "my note book", which he chose as a coinage to his English blog title "Notebook of a Lonely Wander". When asked whether the readers can expect good articles in his new blog, he replied that he was not worried about it, and his sole intention of writing is "not to be read, but to enjoy the inexorable pleasure of writing".
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja: A movie
Wonderful! Excellent! Spectacular! Adjectives fail me to describe this work of art: Pazhassiraja, a Malayalam movie about the King Pazhassiraja from Kerala, who fought against the British East India Company in the beginning of 19th century, it is directed by Hariharan for M.T. Vasudevan Nair's script. I am not the one who can write reviews of movies. Let me attempt to describe how I enjoyed this movie.
From beginning to end the movie is tight, breathtaking. Every scene has suspense, and I had to eagerly wait to see things happening. Direction is really good, so disciplined and careful. The movie was more than three hours, but I never felt bored (I was reminded of "Seven Samurai"). The director Hariharan has used every character in the movie very well. Everyone has definite roles except for Dora Baber, I don't know why she got a place in the movie--is it for creating some sentimense? However, the character is funny.
The cinematography is excellent. There are a few visually charming scenes throughout the movie. Especially, there is always the presence of the forest in the movie, which is exploited well. The scene in which a white horse is running through the river, Mammootty taking bath in the river, the camera work in the scene where the "Pazhassi pattalam" (the army of Raja Pazhassi) is shown at the Telecheri fort while the King Pazhassi signs a treaty of peace with the British are very good. And there is the introduction of Sarathkumar--excellent. The fight scenes are also very good.
Regarding acting, I have nothing to say. Every actor has done his / her part very well. Sarathkumar is really fantastic. From his introduction to his death, he was like a fire on the screen. His body structure, agility, proud look, everything is superb. (While watching the movie my mother asked me who that actor was, she felt he was a good actor. I told her, in fact, he really is. This is the debut film for Sarathkumar in Malayalam.) And there comes Padmapriya. Maybe, a female character doing so much stunt is for the first time in Malayalam cinema. She has put immense effort into every scene, especially in action scenes. Has she dubbed for herself? Her Malayalam is not natural but good. If she has dubbed herself, great--keep it up! Characters played by Suresh Menon and Manoj K. Jayan are also good. Suresh Menon is becoming better and better, he has to put more effort to improve his facial expressions. However, compared to his other movies, he acted very well in this one. I have nothing to say about Mammootty, I could never say if he was acting--so natural a performance. Excellent are the performances by other actors like Devan, Suman, Jagathy Sreekumar, Jagadeesh and the actors who gave life to the British characters.
I will never forget the fight scenes. They looked really real. Swordfights by Mammootty and Sarathkumar, and fights using bow and arrow by Manoj K. Jayan and Padmapriya, are taken well. The director and stunt director have taken much care to make the scenes natural, fierce and real. We can really feel the spark when two swords are crossed.
The end was nice though I have the opinion that it resembles like the end of the Hollywood movie "300".
Another thing not to forget to write down is the dialogues. Once again M.T. Vasudevan Nair proved his mettle by using the Malayalam language in the most elagant way. Each dialogue is beautiful, poetic, sparkling and unforgettable.
Someone asked me if it is an art movie or commercial movie. What can I say? I can't distinguish. It is a great work of art, and it is commercial--it attracts people, that's all. Any way, I experienced multiple goosefleshes throughout the movie. And there were long-standing ovations and whistles for every stunning scene, performance and dialogue. I think most of the applause went to Sarathkumar as he had to put more stunts and fights than anyone else in the movie. I confess that I want to see the movie once again.
While searching the internet, I discovered this blog: http://malabardays.blogspot.com/. The blogger Mr. Nick Balmer claims to be the great great great great nephew of Thomas Harvey Baber, the British sub-collector of Thalassery under whose command Pazhassiraja was killed eventually in 1805. Thomas's account of Pazhassi's death is put up by Mr. Balmer in his blog.
From beginning to end the movie is tight, breathtaking. Every scene has suspense, and I had to eagerly wait to see things happening. Direction is really good, so disciplined and careful. The movie was more than three hours, but I never felt bored (I was reminded of "Seven Samurai"). The director Hariharan has used every character in the movie very well. Everyone has definite roles except for Dora Baber, I don't know why she got a place in the movie--is it for creating some sentimense? However, the character is funny.
The cinematography is excellent. There are a few visually charming scenes throughout the movie. Especially, there is always the presence of the forest in the movie, which is exploited well. The scene in which a white horse is running through the river, Mammootty taking bath in the river, the camera work in the scene where the "Pazhassi pattalam" (the army of Raja Pazhassi) is shown at the Telecheri fort while the King Pazhassi signs a treaty of peace with the British are very good. And there is the introduction of Sarathkumar--excellent. The fight scenes are also very good.
Regarding acting, I have nothing to say. Every actor has done his / her part very well. Sarathkumar is really fantastic. From his introduction to his death, he was like a fire on the screen. His body structure, agility, proud look, everything is superb. (While watching the movie my mother asked me who that actor was, she felt he was a good actor. I told her, in fact, he really is. This is the debut film for Sarathkumar in Malayalam.) And there comes Padmapriya. Maybe, a female character doing so much stunt is for the first time in Malayalam cinema. She has put immense effort into every scene, especially in action scenes. Has she dubbed for herself? Her Malayalam is not natural but good. If she has dubbed herself, great--keep it up! Characters played by Suresh Menon and Manoj K. Jayan are also good. Suresh Menon is becoming better and better, he has to put more effort to improve his facial expressions. However, compared to his other movies, he acted very well in this one. I have nothing to say about Mammootty, I could never say if he was acting--so natural a performance. Excellent are the performances by other actors like Devan, Suman, Jagathy Sreekumar, Jagadeesh and the actors who gave life to the British characters.
I will never forget the fight scenes. They looked really real. Swordfights by Mammootty and Sarathkumar, and fights using bow and arrow by Manoj K. Jayan and Padmapriya, are taken well. The director and stunt director have taken much care to make the scenes natural, fierce and real. We can really feel the spark when two swords are crossed.
The end was nice though I have the opinion that it resembles like the end of the Hollywood movie "300".
Another thing not to forget to write down is the dialogues. Once again M.T. Vasudevan Nair proved his mettle by using the Malayalam language in the most elagant way. Each dialogue is beautiful, poetic, sparkling and unforgettable.
Someone asked me if it is an art movie or commercial movie. What can I say? I can't distinguish. It is a great work of art, and it is commercial--it attracts people, that's all. Any way, I experienced multiple goosefleshes throughout the movie. And there were long-standing ovations and whistles for every stunning scene, performance and dialogue. I think most of the applause went to Sarathkumar as he had to put more stunts and fights than anyone else in the movie. I confess that I want to see the movie once again.
While searching the internet, I discovered this blog: http://malabardays.blogspot.com/. The blogger Mr. Nick Balmer claims to be the great great great great nephew of Thomas Harvey Baber, the British sub-collector of Thalassery under whose command Pazhassiraja was killed eventually in 1805. Thomas's account of Pazhassi's death is put up by Mr. Balmer in his blog.
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