tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-382209472011-04-21T18:38:49.202-07:00avalnoreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-7911584596322775692009-03-12T15:50:00.000-07:002009-03-12T15:51:23.004-07:00

I just finished watching "I Capture the Castle". I am floating on a dream... Life is worth living even if it is simply to stumble upon a gem like this.

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-20742072176841624082009-02-17T01:37:00.000-08:002009-02-17T01:56:09.619-08:00

Valentine's week was kindled by Pretty Woman, my favourite Cinderella romance and Devdas, my favourite Romeo-Juliet romance.Elevated to another plane by the song "Fallen" in Pretty Woman. I cant believe how I have fallen for you.

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-43020500338675178342008-04-10T08:40:00.000-07:002008-04-10T08:54:00.900-07:00

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-25301458543254641262007-12-27T12:39:00.000-08:002007-12-27T12:40:39.772-08:00

It now seems worthwhile to live for a cause. In fact, that is the only life that seems worthwhile.But not so long ago, I used to talk deprecatingly about people who needed a cause to live - mostly, a relationship. I have advised many a love-lorn girl friend that it is silly to think that you cannot live without a certain somebody. I used to despise naxalites and ardent religious men alike. For

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-65680680612062354232007-11-25T10:53:00.000-08:002007-11-25T10:55:47.740-08:00

Its quite normal to have conflict of interest in a relationship. Trouble is when you have it with yourself. I am torn between the yearning for purity and simplicity on the one side and the urge to escape the routine on the other no matter the cost... Sigh! isnt there a Madame Bovary within each of us?

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-29347756331914240272007-08-22T04:04:00.000-07:002007-08-22T04:10:02.866-07:00

Choice – a cunning facet of the divine plan to keep us mortals busy. Also known as free will in some circles.I always thought "having a choice" was a positive thing. It’s a wolf in sheep's clothing, I tell you.If you don’t believe me, try picking a mutual fund to invest in.- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-84970131962665671892007-08-21T05:03:00.000-07:002007-08-21T05:07:27.303-07:00

Have I told you about Neelakandan's friend? His name was Mooshik and he was a very "cock-sure" and "full-of-himself" specimen of elephant-kind. He was of the opinion that the fairer species (yes, Parukkutty and her friends were a shade lighter in the grey scale) were just meant to smile and look pretty and generally just keep out of the way while they tuskers decided the important things. He

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-69334910047332098822007-02-20T17:57:00.000-08:002007-02-20T18:00:43.992-08:00

Hmm.. It has been decided that Aval and Avan will be leaving their jobs and starting up by themselves in the forseeable future. The only questions are when and what we will be doing. We hope clarity will suddenly descend upon us....Avan

avalnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-53975024648449034802007-02-16T02:04:00.000-08:002007-02-16T05:22:07.162-08:00

Hum Ne Khud Ko Baant Liya DhaAb JuRne ki Koshish HaiApne TukRe Dhuundh Rahee HuunPichhaRe Ishq Ke Raahom MeynSHaayed Puuri Ban Jaauun MaenKoshish Karne Meyn Kya HaeLeykin Khud Ko Paakar, Tauba!Hone ki Wajah Na Kho Jaaye- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166818490785162392006-12-22T12:07:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:51:48.607-08:00

I picked this up from Sudeep's page. Thanks SudeepThe poem is not of any great aesthetic value, though it brims with passion. This is posted so we remember once in a while that life is not quite 'shining' yet for many around us. One may not agree with Varavara Rao's ideology or methods, but one has to admit that he has a point. To those who do not know who he is: Find out!!.LuckyYou are born

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166556000717924552006-12-19T11:18:00.000-08:002006-12-19T11:20:00.716-08:00

We are pleased to inform that normal service has resumed, after an unforeseen disruption..

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166554108763571002006-12-19T10:48:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:51:14.713-08:00

You, a dream that burns on in slumber and wakeWrought in whose blaze, 'morrow's memories held at stakeThe thirst of this longing may no fulfilment slakeAnd no delight surpass this priceless heartacheReason and rhyme lost in mind's hazy hueIn shrouds of night mists, crazed notions ensuePatterns I seek in sane moments so fewWhat is it that enthralls - this turbulence or you?- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553830276520782006-12-19T10:43:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:50:54.619-08:00

Sunday morning 9 am. After a long drive to MG road, I pick her up and then we drive round and round trying to get to Basavangudi. I am distracted and not focussing on the road. As it is, my radar is wonky, and the fact that I am more interested in the person next to me than in driving is not helping things at all.We circle MG road, residency road and then lalbagh a few times. Aval is in a good

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553778226211452006-12-19T10:42:00.001-08:002007-02-16T04:50:17.813-08:00

The international film festival of Kerala 2006 seems amazingly well organized. And it has not even started. The last date to apply for delegate passes was 20 November. I applied on 30th. Not only have they given me a pass, someone called me from Trivandrum on a Saturday evening to ask me if they should send the pass to me or if I would collect it from them. This man was worried the pass may not

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553694985585022006-12-19T10:41:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:49:36.505-08:00

For the first time in the 2 years I have spent in the US, I almost felt at home. My colleague invited me over for dinner, Saturday evening. Now, I have eaten many a dinner at friends' or colleagues' places in this country, but they were always in groups of at least four or five people. With friends, conversation would veer to sports, movies, whose doing what where etc. and with colleagues, the

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553577014318812006-12-19T10:39:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:49:16.387-08:00

Strange guy, my boss… He is an outcast here. You will understand why.Proof One: All of us sitting round a table and brainstorming change requests. During a break, the discussion turned to my ethnicity.Boss: "Oh! So you come from a very poor part of India."This discussion is not taking place in India, mind you, where anybody, including bosses, can get away with having a foot in the mouth disease.

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553509020497502006-12-19T10:36:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:48:57.379-08:00

The room was dark. She huddled under the blanket and shivered. She tried to bring her knees as close to her chin as possible in a fetal position and hugged her legs tight. Her arms ached from the strain but letting go did not occur to her. Her body seemed alien to her. But she was aware of all the small signals it gave out; every hot breath; every rise and fall of the chest, every twitch, every

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166553313468224612006-12-19T10:30:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:48:41.959-08:00

I was beautiful, I know itNow that I am notI was living, I know itAll zeal now laid to restIt was the mountain climbingThat gave my cheeks a bloomAnd the trials loomingThat lent my steps a tuneI left all else behind mePeople, places, songsI left my nest and said good byeMy smile I did not veilI picked a far-flung mountainWhere men lived and let liveI craved an existence unknownKnown faces, times,

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166552975207899832006-12-19T10:27:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:48:18.049-08:00

This post has been inspired by bvn who commented about those catalysts of leftist thought in Kerala, Dinesh beedi, kattanchaya (black tea) and parippuvada (a tasty sort of vada!! ) in my earlier post, Che Guevara in Kerala.Sometime in the late 50s or early 60s, when the cold war was just heating up and all the world was making up their minds which side of the iron curtain they wanted to be, one

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166552733153311652006-12-19T10:23:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:47:58.957-08:00

Parukkutty, if you remember, doesn't read the news papers. Slowly but steadily she found herself being ex-communicated from adult company. Dinner discussions always revolved around politics or sports. Everyone would try to beat the other in the number of articles they could quote from and in the number of statistics they could spout. Parukkutty felt sick of it all. Parukkutty told herself that

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166551637100013002006-12-19T10:06:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:46:59.955-08:00

Somewhere in deepest Kerala, the day's news is carefully analysed for any signs of impending revolution!! For those who do not read Malayalam, the board says "Comrade. Santo Gopalan memorial library and reading room". The sketch at the back is of course, Che, the Jesus Christ of Communism.PS: I did not take this photograph and have no idea who did. Apologies for any potential copyright violation.

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166550608769093892006-12-19T09:49:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:46:20.168-08:00

I recently made an attempt to watch Avalude Ravukal, the movie that "inspired" the name of this blog. Alas, the attempt has remained just that. I got through half the movie before giving up.The good parts first. Seema, who spurred a million Malayalee libidos, made her debut in this movie. And she has enough oomph, even in this black and white movie. All the failsafe recipes- topless but with the

avalnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166550461145626532006-12-19T09:47:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:59:02.855-08:00

Avan is a bit of a foodie. Not that one would suspect it from Avan's famished looking frame. But that is the way it is. Well, guess Avan should count himself lucky, that he can tuck into plate after plate of the good stuff, and not let it show. He is not sure when he turned into a food lover, because his childhood memories are filled with those of being force fed all kinds of healthy stuff, that

avalnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166549736916912942006-12-19T09:34:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:45:28.356-08:00

She was on the Executive from Trivandrum to Ernakulam. It was raining when the train pulled in at the Kollam station. She rubbed the glass of her window pane in an effort to see the outside better. She stared at the dirt on her palms and felt the return of innocence. The innocence of the love they once shared. "It's been so many years now and I can still feel that strange tug at my heart."The

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166549536031403172006-12-19T09:31:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:44:57.929-08:00

Yesterday Parukkutty fellInto a hole, dark as a wellA hole which we'll call "argument"Later she knew, 't was time misspent.Parukkutty was in a pub drinking beer and wondering if the waiter thought she was pretty. Her friends were animatedly voicing their opinions about, hmm… lets see… stuff. When Parukkutty was in her formative years, Parukkutty's Dad had gone hoarse trying to get her to read the

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548831349541212006-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:44:25.827-08:00

Have been on a Padmarajan trip of late. To those unlucky souls not familiar with Malayalam cinema, Padmarajan directed some of the most interesting movies made in Malayalam. Uniquely, almost all his movies were commercially successful and critically acclaimed as well.Being an award winning novelist and scriptwriter, Padmarajan's success as a movie director was built on the oustanding scripts that

avalnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548773621996772006-12-19T09:18:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:44:06.527-08:00

Neelakandan is a blue elephant who hails from the North of Kerala. He has only one dream in life – to make ends meet. Can he make the tip of his tail touch the tip of his trunk? He kept trying. He had heard about Robert Bruce and the spider when he was a little bugger, you see. But no, he couldn't do it even on the seventh try. It seemed impossible. His Dad recommended Yoga. But Neelakandan only

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548679193195102006-12-19T09:17:00.001-08:002007-02-16T04:59:23.913-08:00

They saw a kittenWith a torn red mittenHe was smittenAnd she was bitten!- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548641939667882006-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:43:11.695-08:00

Have you noticed during news reports, say in BBC, when the main news anchor from say, the London news room, hands over to a guy stationed somewhere in the middle of the news scene, say Lebanon?... blah.. blah.. blah.. and over to you Jonathan. Jonathan had his face askew and a faraway look. General public hanging on... And then after like 3 long seconds, Jonathan springs into action. I find this

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548417487921622006-12-19T09:13:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:42:29.126-08:00

Yesterday I read an article on nytimes.com about how the Casbah, the old residential quarters in Algiers is crumbling. It is a Unesco world heritage site and probably is a piece of history worth preserving, but that is not the subject of this post.The article sent my mind back to where I had encountered the Casbah last; in the riveting movie "The Battle of Algiers". It is a french movie made in

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548281845733092006-12-19T09:10:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:41:54.361-08:00

i miss homeland...not the people (not counting the family) but the familiarity and the feeling of being accepted and special.no, its not that...its just that here, i can spend a whole day in office not saying a single word to anybody...walk all the way home from the bus stop without having to smile at anyone...and so on and so forthtoo much of anonymity here, though that is what i wanted.thoughts

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166548123923765222006-12-19T09:08:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:39:30.023-08:00

Avan paranju - Mayyazhi is Mahi; and the book is depressing. But no, its not depressing. Characters are open-minded and very human. And what I want now is to get on Avan's bike and ride to Mahi and watch the river join the sea behind Moopan sayipp's bangalow.- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166547994327639822006-12-19T09:04:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:38:58.314-08:00

Today, I wanted to call in sick. I was suffering from existential angst.- Aval

avalnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166547789934788612006-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:38:32.312-08:00

Am planning to buy an Enfield Bullet. Will you grace the seat with yours ? :-)- Avan

avalnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38220947.post-1166547474669097832006-12-19T08:57:00.000-08:002007-02-16T04:34:00.071-08:00

Just clearing my throat. Did anyone hear?- Avan

avalnoreply@blogger.com2