I read the debate on the "posts" versus "comments" issue on this blog and I kind of understand the logic behind it. On most blogs, there is only one author and the commenters are usually readers. On this blog, most of the reactions to the topics under discussion are by family members who also contribute to this blog as writers.
While it usually easier to keep all discussion under a particular topic restricted to comments on that topic (which makes it easier to follow the entire discussion in one view), I do understand the social nature of this blog which makes it different.
Regardless, I will follow the norm on this blog by posting reactions to topics in new posts.
Also I'll take this opportunity to convey my birthday greetings and best wishes to all PSC family members, young and old, who have celebrated their birthdays recently or whose birthdays are coming up shortly.
Friday, September 28, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
1. Dear Kumar Sekar,
Wish you a very happy birthday. We will continue to pray for the good health, happiness and prosperity of you and everyone in your family.
( I dont know whether you see this Blog!!)
2. Our namaskarams to Ramakrishnan on his birthday. May God give him good health in the years to come.
Ramu Sarada.
Wish you a very happy birthday. We will continue to pray for the good health, happiness and prosperity of you and everyone in your family.
( I dont know whether you see this Blog!!)
2. Our namaskarams to Ramakrishnan on his birthday. May God give him good health in the years to come.
Ramu Sarada.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Chennai vs. Mumbai/Other cities
Replying to Vidya akka's comments about Chennai and Mumbai, this is a very relative thing. If we have spent most of our time in Mumbai, then Mumbai is definitely a better place than Chennai and vice versa. In my case, any day, Hyderabad and Trichy are the places closest to my heart. Then comes Singapore. Even though I have been in Chennai ever since 2006, I should say I have only got used to the city. I will still not say I like the city. Nothing against the city personally.
Wishes
A very happy birthday to Chandru athimbare, Raju Perippa, Ramakrishna Perippa, Sekar anna, Kumar anna and Varsha.
Akila, Mohan and Vaishnavi
Akila, Mohan and Vaishnavi
Happy birthday!
Ramakrishnan, Kumar and Sekar celebrate their birthday on 28 September. Best wishes to them from the Family. Many happy returns!
MY REPLIES / COMMENTS
1. Vidya Ramesh. Thank you very much for your wishes for my 60th birthday.
Yes. We had a simple jolly time on 15th itself as Koushik was here . We went out for dinner, all of us, I, Sarada, Mohan, Akila, M.Vaishnavi, and Koushik. ( Dont ask me whether we went to a middle class restaurant.........). Actually, my tamil star is on 13 Oct and we will be participating in Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunja Homam and Bhagavathy Sevai, at Matha Sri Amruthanandamayee Ashram here.
2. The photo gallery is superb, Jayaramanna. And thanks to KN for sending them. PSR and Mythily are really good. The picture of Kunjappa doing japam at K.Nagar front room............I think it must have been end of seventees, when we were alone with him there!!! My mind again and again goes back recalling those days!! Sarada recalls how Kunjappa used to do his daily japams, poojas, etc., without disturbing anyone, in his room itself!! He used to keep all pooja materials in his room itself, so that he need not have to come inside a few times because he thought that even that might disturb someone!!!!
3. M.Vaishnavi refuses to believe that it is Akila with Kunjappa in that picture. She says it is she!!
4. I wonder wether Hotel Saravana Bhavan should be called a middle-class restaurant!! The food is quite tasty but costly too. I would very much like to tolerate the food quality of Uduppi Sukhanivas type hotels as it will be cheaper . But only the atmosphere and hygeine in those hotels stop me!
I feel the same rule applies to transport also. Are autorickshaws a middle-class transport!!!
I just can not imagine getting into a bus these days for many well known reasons. At the same time autos are quite costly. So, we are forced to avoid going out, if possible.
I think the lower class people have many advantages these days, in many respecs.
Ramu
Yes. We had a simple jolly time on 15th itself as Koushik was here . We went out for dinner, all of us, I, Sarada, Mohan, Akila, M.Vaishnavi, and Koushik. ( Dont ask me whether we went to a middle class restaurant.........). Actually, my tamil star is on 13 Oct and we will be participating in Ganapathy Homam, Mrithyunja Homam and Bhagavathy Sevai, at Matha Sri Amruthanandamayee Ashram here.
2. The photo gallery is superb, Jayaramanna. And thanks to KN for sending them. PSR and Mythily are really good. The picture of Kunjappa doing japam at K.Nagar front room............I think it must have been end of seventees, when we were alone with him there!!! My mind again and again goes back recalling those days!! Sarada recalls how Kunjappa used to do his daily japams, poojas, etc., without disturbing anyone, in his room itself!! He used to keep all pooja materials in his room itself, so that he need not have to come inside a few times because he thought that even that might disturb someone!!!!
3. M.Vaishnavi refuses to believe that it is Akila with Kunjappa in that picture. She says it is she!!
4. I wonder wether Hotel Saravana Bhavan should be called a middle-class restaurant!! The food is quite tasty but costly too. I would very much like to tolerate the food quality of Uduppi Sukhanivas type hotels as it will be cheaper . But only the atmosphere and hygeine in those hotels stop me!
I feel the same rule applies to transport also. Are autorickshaws a middle-class transport!!!
I just can not imagine getting into a bus these days for many well known reasons. At the same time autos are quite costly. So, we are forced to avoid going out, if possible.
I think the lower class people have many advantages these days, in many respecs.
Ramu
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Comments vs. posts
Hari, I just saw your comment on my post on middle class (restaurants). If you go back to an earlier post, you will see my suggestion that we should 'post' whatever we want to say and not 'comment'. This is becuase comments are not seen unless clicked on and may get overlooked, especially if they are on old posts.
Gayathri, thanks for the detailed, interesting post. Looking forward to your account on the Mansaraovar visit.
Gayathri, thanks for the detailed, interesting post. Looking forward to your account on the Mansaraovar visit.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Welcome back, gayathri
Welcome back to this world Gayathri.I am sure you would have been transported into the other world during your kailash trip and you ar eprobably still in and out of that.Is it not a coincidence that I ahd a visitor here for luch on the 16th of sept, who flew back to work here fromKathmandu afterhis Manasarovar visit for 25 days.I was listening to all his experiences and it was wondeful.
Reading your mail and your replies to everyone's comment i amd reminded of the saying 'seivana thirundha sei'.You have gone thru all the comments patiently indeed.
But Gayathri why are you so much against madras?You dont seem to like the hotels either here .I cannot agree with you.When I visited Bomaby last year, I wa sin the least impressed with the dirty buildings , overcrowded and congested roads and the dirty stinking pathway which took us into Siddhivinayak temple and Mahalakshmi temple. Definitely the taste of our Madras hotel idli sambar is better than the udipi sambar which is good but sweet.Visit Murugan idli shop in GN chetty road and you will feel the typical chennai taste a hotel which serves only southindian idli and dosa ,,no poori is served here .
vidya
Reading your mail and your replies to everyone's comment i amd reminded of the saying 'seivana thirundha sei'.You have gone thru all the comments patiently indeed.
But Gayathri why are you so much against madras?You dont seem to like the hotels either here .I cannot agree with you.When I visited Bomaby last year, I wa sin the least impressed with the dirty buildings , overcrowded and congested roads and the dirty stinking pathway which took us into Siddhivinayak temple and Mahalakshmi temple. Definitely the taste of our Madras hotel idli sambar is better than the udipi sambar which is good but sweet.Visit Murugan idli shop in GN chetty road and you will feel the typical chennai taste a hotel which serves only southindian idli and dosa ,,no poori is served here .
vidya
Great photos
The photos of our thatha and patti are great. This is the first time I am seeing them so young and janga patti looks so beautiful.The one of thatha iin his famous chair , probably just after or before his pooja is so clear in memory.Thatha cupboard and all that is so moving and if any of his 6 daughters see this , I am sure they will bein tears.
vidya
vidya
Happy Birthday
Dear Mama and mami
Sorry i am way behind.I lost touch as I got very busy with somany other things and saw the blog after a long time.
My warm wishes to you and mami on your birthday. You have always been our young mama and it is very difficult to believe you are 60 today. As I feel still feel you are one among us young and youthful I take the liberty of wishing you many Happy Returns although I should be saying our Namskarams on this occasion.
Hope you had a fabulous time with mami on your birthday and your granddaughter.
Sorry i am way behind.I lost touch as I got very busy with somany other things and saw the blog after a long time.
My warm wishes to you and mami on your birthday. You have always been our young mama and it is very difficult to believe you are 60 today. As I feel still feel you are one among us young and youthful I take the liberty of wishing you many Happy Returns although I should be saying our Namskarams on this occasion.
Hope you had a fabulous time with mami on your birthday and your granddaughter.
catching up
Am at last catching up with all my mails.
Thank you everyone for your wishes for our Anniversary.
On my return from the trip, for a couple of days I forgot to log onto PSC Family blog site. When we use the Family Yahoo mail group, the mails are delivered right into our inbox, so no one can miss the posts. I feel there are quite a number who forget or simply do not have time to separately visit the blogsite.
The new template caught my eye immediately, of course. I thought, have I logged onto some net magazine?!!!! It is very nice.
Ramu Chittappa, it is now your turn as thatha to inculcate the evening bhajan session to your Grand daughter!!
In a discourse, Sundar Kumar explained that reciting ‘Ghanam’ forwards and backwards is a very difficult task and needs years of practice. One who has mastered it is given the title ‘Ghana Paatthi’, meaning ‘one who can recite Ghanam – but in Tamil T, Th, TTh are all variable, so we end up saying ganabaadi.
Vidya, you are right about the Indian North/South divide. Their flair for show makes us appear simple and unsophisticated. Where English is concerned, sadly the standard even here has gone down very badly.
Papa athai’s resemblance to Jangamma is remarkable, especially in that photo. Wishes to athai & athimber on their Golden Anniversary. And to Lalitha athai & athimber too.
Happy Birthday to Srikanth, Mony athimber, Anu.
Chandru mama, it is your 80th isn’t it? We e-send our Wishes & Pranams to you.
Sashtiabdapoorthy wishes to Ramu C.
As I have sent all these wishes belatedly, I will use this post to send some in advance:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Raju Peripa, Varsha, Appa & Kumar-Sekar.
Welcome to PSC family blog, Harish. Enjoyed all your well written inputs.
Having reached middle-age, we feel comfortable with familiar food. TSS & I are not adventourous & we prefer ‘middle-class’ vegetarian restaurants, on the rare occasions that we do choose to eat out. Here in Madras we have been put off by the noise and also poor taste of even idli & dosa. I feel Bombay has more choice of ‘Udipi’ hotels in every locality, and a tolerable standard of cleanliness, efficiency & taste in food is maintained.
Interesting to read about other things that happened connected with my wedding! Especially Ramu C’s ‘knees’- hahahahhaa!
The photos – Akila, I could make out; I thought the other little girl with thatha also was Akila, until I clicked on the photo & saw the enlarged picture. Thanks, KN athimber, for the explanation. Appa’s & Jayaram C’s hairstyles are out of this world – could be a trendsetter for today?!!
I got caught up with my Prayas Medical Centre work as I had been away for a long time. I have just begun my account of the Kailash Yatra. Hope to complete & upload it soon.
Thank you everyone for your wishes for our Anniversary.
On my return from the trip, for a couple of days I forgot to log onto PSC Family blog site. When we use the Family Yahoo mail group, the mails are delivered right into our inbox, so no one can miss the posts. I feel there are quite a number who forget or simply do not have time to separately visit the blogsite.
The new template caught my eye immediately, of course. I thought, have I logged onto some net magazine?!!!! It is very nice.
Ramu Chittappa, it is now your turn as thatha to inculcate the evening bhajan session to your Grand daughter!!
In a discourse, Sundar Kumar explained that reciting ‘Ghanam’ forwards and backwards is a very difficult task and needs years of practice. One who has mastered it is given the title ‘Ghana Paatthi’, meaning ‘one who can recite Ghanam – but in Tamil T, Th, TTh are all variable, so we end up saying ganabaadi.
Vidya, you are right about the Indian North/South divide. Their flair for show makes us appear simple and unsophisticated. Where English is concerned, sadly the standard even here has gone down very badly.
Papa athai’s resemblance to Jangamma is remarkable, especially in that photo. Wishes to athai & athimber on their Golden Anniversary. And to Lalitha athai & athimber too.
Happy Birthday to Srikanth, Mony athimber, Anu.
Chandru mama, it is your 80th isn’t it? We e-send our Wishes & Pranams to you.
Sashtiabdapoorthy wishes to Ramu C.
As I have sent all these wishes belatedly, I will use this post to send some in advance:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Raju Peripa, Varsha, Appa & Kumar-Sekar.
Welcome to PSC family blog, Harish. Enjoyed all your well written inputs.
Having reached middle-age, we feel comfortable with familiar food. TSS & I are not adventourous & we prefer ‘middle-class’ vegetarian restaurants, on the rare occasions that we do choose to eat out. Here in Madras we have been put off by the noise and also poor taste of even idli & dosa. I feel Bombay has more choice of ‘Udipi’ hotels in every locality, and a tolerable standard of cleanliness, efficiency & taste in food is maintained.
Interesting to read about other things that happened connected with my wedding! Especially Ramu C’s ‘knees’- hahahahhaa!
The photos – Akila, I could make out; I thought the other little girl with thatha also was Akila, until I clicked on the photo & saw the enlarged picture. Thanks, KN athimber, for the explanation. Appa’s & Jayaram C’s hairstyles are out of this world – could be a trendsetter for today?!!
I got caught up with my Prayas Medical Centre work as I had been away for a long time. I have just begun my account of the Kailash Yatra. Hope to complete & upload it soon.
Middle class restaurants
Hari's post on the subject had me thinking if our understanding of what is middle class is changing. We like to think of ourselves as middle class people. But would we now like to eat at old Sukha Nivas in Luz, which looks seedy and uninviting. Perhaps the middle class now has so many strata with different spending patterns and preferences. The all round increase in the cost of living is another factor which is changing what we called middle class eateries into less affordable ones.
Middle Class Restaurants
I have just read Hari's writings saying the middle class restaurants are vanishing. The restaurants are there but they ae charging like high class. A few dsya back Chandru and I went to the Coimbatore city for a blood test on empty stomach and then had breakfast at Annapoorna which should be called a middle class restaurant. We had each two idlis, one vadai and coffe and the bill came to Rs.61. I remember the day I joined Shaw Wallace on 1st July 1955. I took to lunch a colleague there, we had dosai, bonda and coffee and after that we fought over the bill and I managed to get it and pay it. It was bill for Rs.Nil, nine annas and fifty paise.
At that that time the hotel, Modern Cafe in Thambu Chetty street was giving lunch at Rs.1 and four annas (25 paise), with an extra cup of curd for Rs.0.25.
Even now some hotels exist which give decent food at a reasonable price. For instance, when we go to Peruvemba via Palghat, we take breakfast or lunch at Ganesh Bhavan in Palghat. Their lunch even now is only Rs.15/- and there is no limit on the quantity. the atmosphere is homely like the hotels of the 1940s and the food tastes good and does not upsent the stomach.
-Ramakrishnan.
At that that time the hotel, Modern Cafe in Thambu Chetty street was giving lunch at Rs.1 and four annas (25 paise), with an extra cup of curd for Rs.0.25.
Even now some hotels exist which give decent food at a reasonable price. For instance, when we go to Peruvemba via Palghat, we take breakfast or lunch at Ganesh Bhavan in Palghat. Their lunch even now is only Rs.15/- and there is no limit on the quantity. the atmosphere is homely like the hotels of the 1940s and the food tastes good and does not upsent the stomach.
-Ramakrishnan.
HIGH SALARIES
About the earlier postings from Akila, if I remember right, it was Cocacola and Pepsi who started the 'high salaries' war many years ago and at that time we were aghast to read about the salaries they were giving their top executives. After that, the direct campus recruitments were done in the IIMs and IITs and the MBA graduates wre taken by companies like Hindusthan Lever at high salaries. The IT boom came later.
-Ramakrishnan.
-Ramakrishnan.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Very happy birthday, Chandru athimbare. Wishing and praying for your good health and happiness,
Ramu Sarada
Ramu Sarada
Monday, September 24, 2007
Happy birthday, Chandru!
Best wishes from PSC Family to Chandru on his birthday, 25 September. Many happy returns!
Friday, September 21, 2007
The photo gallery
The old photos posted on the blog need some clarification. The children with PSC-Manni are: top left, Jayaraman, Ramakrishnan and Raju; in the middle at right, Mythili; and bottom, Akila.
K.Narayanan
K.Narayanan
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Some interesting photographs
Here are some interesting old photographs from KN's album which, at his instance, Krishna Kumar had sent me recently.
GENERAL
1. Jayaramanna, The new template is quite good, much better than the previous one.
2. The picture of appa = amma taken during Gayathri`s wedding, has been posted in the right time, when Gayathri was celebrating her wedding day at Kailash. Nice picture.
In my leave application for Gayathri`s wedding to my boss in Union Carbide, I had written the purpose as " marriage of my knees! ". Suddenly my boss announced for all 45 staff of production department and told in the gathering, " I wish to announce a very important occasion, all of us have to witness. PCR`s right knee and left knee are getting married!!!".
Ramu
2. The picture of appa = amma taken during Gayathri`s wedding, has been posted in the right time, when Gayathri was celebrating her wedding day at Kailash. Nice picture.
In my leave application for Gayathri`s wedding to my boss in Union Carbide, I had written the purpose as " marriage of my knees! ". Suddenly my boss announced for all 45 staff of production department and told in the gathering, " I wish to announce a very important occasion, all of us have to witness. PCR`s right knee and left knee are getting married!!!".
Ramu
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
New template
The new template looks attractive. The types and colour scheme are pleasing to the eye. The redesigning could have been used to change the PSC-Manni picture to its proper size, which is vertical. Fitting this picture into the square space that was there originally distorts the image.
The picture was taken on August 31, 1977, at Gayathri's wedding. It is one of the last pictures of Janga Manni. She had only five more months left.
I had sent some other very old pictures of PSC-Manni. I wish these also appear on the blog. They are interesting.
K.Narayanan
The picture was taken on August 31, 1977, at Gayathri's wedding. It is one of the last pictures of Janga Manni. She had only five more months left.
I had sent some other very old pictures of PSC-Manni. I wish these also appear on the blog. They are interesting.
K.Narayanan
Happy Birthday Anu!!
Hi pig, tried calling this morning...gave up and sent an sms - did you get it?
So what did you do today?
Happy birthday Anu...
love from all of us here at Chennai,
-Jayashankar
So what did you do today?
Happy birthday Anu...
love from all of us here at Chennai,
-Jayashankar
Middle class restaurants
Welcome to the family blog Harish. I did click on the link to your blog, but could not read anything in detail.
Now, about middle class family restautants, your point is partly valid. I think we have all started thinking upwards. But I think I beg to differ in that, it is not always that we can afford high-end restaurants. We tend to think of a 3/5-start restaurant only when the occasion is once-in-a-life-time kind of a thing. Otherwise, the first thing that strikes our mind is Saravana Bhavan.
Also about increasing salaries in "IT"!!! Beg your pardon again. I think it is increasing salaries all over, in all industries. Maybe IT was the first industry to strat giving this kind of salary. But I think these days a salary of 5 lakhs per annum is considered "normal", irrespective of the industry.
Now, about middle class family restautants, your point is partly valid. I think we have all started thinking upwards. But I think I beg to differ in that, it is not always that we can afford high-end restaurants. We tend to think of a 3/5-start restaurant only when the occasion is once-in-a-life-time kind of a thing. Otherwise, the first thing that strikes our mind is Saravana Bhavan.
Also about increasing salaries in "IT"!!! Beg your pardon again. I think it is increasing salaries all over, in all industries. Maybe IT was the first industry to strat giving this kind of salary. But I think these days a salary of 5 lakhs per annum is considered "normal", irrespective of the industry.
Misc...
Hi,
Welcome back Gayathri akka. I am very eager to hear more about your trip.
Perippa, the new template looks good. Adds a touch of colour to our blog :)
Akila
Welcome back Gayathri akka. I am very eager to hear more about your trip.
Perippa, the new template looks good. Adds a touch of colour to our blog :)
Akila
Happy birthday, Anu!
Greetings and best wishes to Anu from the PSC Family on her birthday, 19 September. Many happy returns.
Greetuings to Ramu on his 60th Birthday
Mythili and I send you our Congratulations and Best Wishes on your 60th Birthday.
Mythili and Chandru
Mythili and Chandru
ON MY 60TH BIRTHDAY Sep.18, 2007.........
Thankyou Jayaramanna, for the blessings and the nice pictures.
And , thank you Jayashankar, Priya, Prasanth and Shruti, for your good wishes.
1. Pranams to Kunjappa and Janga manni for my today`s position. Sincere thanks to God for having created me as one of their children, in the midst of excellent brothers - sisters in law and sisters - brothers in law.
2. How can I forget my excellent younger days, in K.Nagar, which none of the later generatios would have enjoyed! And, it will be only a dream for the present day kids!
3. All important activities in my life went off reasonably well till now, in spite of my
in-efficiencies and I attribute that to the blessings of Appa, Amma, and each & everyone in PSC family.
4. Sarada used to remember Appa and Amma right from a daily routine, to a major family occasion and used to express her thanks to them for their blessings.
SO, our namaskarams to Appa, Amma and all elders in the family, on this occasion. We continue to seek all your blessings and good wishes of all youngsters.
RAMU SARADA
And , thank you Jayashankar, Priya, Prasanth and Shruti, for your good wishes.
1. Pranams to Kunjappa and Janga manni for my today`s position. Sincere thanks to God for having created me as one of their children, in the midst of excellent brothers - sisters in law and sisters - brothers in law.
2. How can I forget my excellent younger days, in K.Nagar, which none of the later generatios would have enjoyed! And, it will be only a dream for the present day kids!
3. All important activities in my life went off reasonably well till now, in spite of my
in-efficiencies and I attribute that to the blessings of Appa, Amma, and each & everyone in PSC family.
4. Sarada used to remember Appa and Amma right from a daily routine, to a major family occasion and used to express her thanks to them for their blessings.
SO, our namaskarams to Appa, Amma and all elders in the family, on this occasion. We continue to seek all your blessings and good wishes of all youngsters.
RAMU SARADA
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Kailash
Hi all!
We returned safely from Kailash_ Manasarovar, and Muktinath Yatra on sunday 16th. It was a wonderful experience & it was the grace of God, elders' blessings & the wishes of all near & dear that saw us through. Will upload the photos with captions soon & will also do a write up abt the trip.
Our Wishes to all those who celebrated their b'days & anniversaries this past month.
Thanks for the wishes for our 30th Wedding Anniversary - that was the the day we left Kathmandu towards Kailash - so it is an unforgettable anniversary!
Will get back soon.
Gayathri
We returned safely from Kailash_ Manasarovar, and Muktinath Yatra on sunday 16th. It was a wonderful experience & it was the grace of God, elders' blessings & the wishes of all near & dear that saw us through. Will upload the photos with captions soon & will also do a write up abt the trip.
Our Wishes to all those who celebrated their b'days & anniversaries this past month.
Thanks for the wishes for our 30th Wedding Anniversary - that was the the day we left Kathmandu towards Kailash - so it is an unforgettable anniversary!
Will get back soon.
Gayathri
Happy Birthday Ramu Chithappa!
Dear Ramu Chithappa,
Here's wishing you a very very happy birthday!
with love,
Shruti, Prashanth
Priya, Jayashankar
Here's wishing you a very very happy birthday!
with love,
Shruti, Prashanth
Priya, Jayashankar
Happy birthday, Ramu!
Ramu celebrates his 60th birthday today. All of us in the family extend to him and to Sarada our good wishes on this landmark occasion. May the Almighty bless them with good health, happiness and prosperity.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Middle class family restaurants - a dying breed?
I wrote an article on my blog about middle class family restaurants.
In past decades, we would probably apply the generic label "Udupi restaurant" to these kinds of eateries.
I wonder whether they're a dying breed because the increasing salary levels of the middle class has led to people patronizing the more glamourous restaurants, fast-food joints and even ethnic and speciality cuisine restaurants in favour of them.
The younger generation prefer the modern fast-food eateries and pizzerias while the relatively affluent crowd prefer the more modern and glitzier restaurants which charge fancy prices. The lower income groups naturally prefer the inexpensive roadside eateries.
I think it's a sign of the increasing income levels of the IT era and the fact that people now use credit cards and don't mind running up larger bills in order to dine in opulent ambience and comfort.
What are your thoughts?
In past decades, we would probably apply the generic label "Udupi restaurant" to these kinds of eateries.
I wonder whether they're a dying breed because the increasing salary levels of the middle class has led to people patronizing the more glamourous restaurants, fast-food joints and even ethnic and speciality cuisine restaurants in favour of them.
The younger generation prefer the modern fast-food eateries and pizzerias while the relatively affluent crowd prefer the more modern and glitzier restaurants which charge fancy prices. The lower income groups naturally prefer the inexpensive roadside eateries.
I think it's a sign of the increasing income levels of the IT era and the fact that people now use credit cards and don't mind running up larger bills in order to dine in opulent ambience and comfort.
What are your thoughts?
The new template
I have one comment, from Harish, suggesting that the text should be in black. I think it is a valid point and the change has been made. Thanks, Hari.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The new template
I would appreciate comments on the new template of our blog and the colour scheme. The change was not intended. I was fiddling with some settings and suddenly found that I had changed the template. Not remembering the name of the one used earlier, I was unable to go back to it!
So please tell me if the new one needs to be changed or improved in some way.
So please tell me if the new one needs to be changed or improved in some way.
TV Serials
We will all agree with Akila and Ramakrishnan's views on TV serials, especially the 'mega' variey. And the way women are treated in these is quite a bit removed from reality (or am I wrong) and infuriating. The woman is there to be scolded and asked to bring coffee or tea or just go in and 'do her work'. The pity is that lady actors do not seem to stand up and fight against this kind of treatment.
Another thing is the artificial, stilted diction that is used by almost all playback speakers. Very few of them and very few of the actors who speak their own lines speak naturally.
Despite all this, we watch TV serials, or at least some of them.
Another thing is the artificial, stilted diction that is used by almost all playback speakers. Very few of them and very few of the actors who speak their own lines speak naturally.
Despite all this, we watch TV serials, or at least some of them.
TV Seriala
I have just read Akila's posting about TV Serials under the heading Kalaignar TV. I am in full agreement with what she says. Apart from that, the behaviour of various characters in these Serials is so rude (even unnaturally rude) and I sometimes feel that since all the people and the younger generatiion are watching these all the time, such behaviour may become the norm in due course and nobody will even think it rude. Such behaviour may be considered 'normal'.
-Ramakrishnan.
-Ramakrishnan.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Your new superhero is here
I think I am the Karadi entering the Poojai...
Anyway, I am Harishankar Venkataraman, vaguely related to all of you and I hope to enliven your blog with my jewels of wisdom.
Please don't thank me now all. You can send me the cheque later :-p
Anyway, on a serious note, I write a lot of articles in my blog http://hari.literaryforums.org so please check it out when you have the time.
Anyway, I am Harishankar Venkataraman, vaguely related to all of you and I hope to enliven your blog with my jewels of wisdom.
Please don't thank me now all. You can send me the cheque later :-p
Anyway, on a serious note, I write a lot of articles in my blog http://hari.literaryforums.org so please check it out when you have the time.
Comment by Harish
Re. Akila's query. The comment is by Harish, Venkittu's son. I have been requesting Venkittu and Harish to join in and am glad to see the comment. But Harish has not yet signed up. I hope he does soon and starts posting.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Kalaignar TV - the latest
Dear all,
I received the following workings from my friend and note how TV serials are Fooling the people like anything –
Here the findings goes –
Serial – Arasi – supposed running time 30 mts – 1800 Seconds
Sponsor – Hamam – Their FCT – 150 Secs – Rate – 325000
Spot (25 Nos) - 825 Secs - Rate- 1361250 (Rs 16500/10 Sec)
Title song - 183 secs
Previous day scene - 92 secs
Actual Serial time - 550 secs = 9.17 Mts.
So they take good amt of Rs.1686250 every day.
And for this 9.17 mts all the people in home, right from 18 – 80 really give up their life to view this 9 mts nonsense. That too in 9 mts half will be the scenes just walking, and crying where nothing worthwile happens on story front.
There is also a disturbing trend that schizopheria are on the rise especially on elderly people who had become addicts to these type of serials.
It is rated that this serial addicts are worse than opium addicts and is a slow killer.
This is just to awaken us to ensure that our kids don’t get this disease at any cost.
Now let us see what Kalaignar TV can provide :)
Akila
I received the following workings from my friend and note how TV serials are Fooling the people like anything –
Here the findings goes –
Serial – Arasi – supposed running time 30 mts – 1800 Seconds
Sponsor – Hamam – Their FCT – 150 Secs – Rate – 325000
Spot (25 Nos) - 825 Secs - Rate- 1361250 (Rs 16500/10 Sec)
Title song - 183 secs
Previous day scene - 92 secs
Actual Serial time - 550 secs = 9.17 Mts.
So they take good amt of Rs.1686250 every day.
And for this 9.17 mts all the people in home, right from 18 – 80 really give up their life to view this 9 mts nonsense. That too in 9 mts half will be the scenes just walking, and crying where nothing worthwile happens on story front.
There is also a disturbing trend that schizopheria are on the rise especially on elderly people who had become addicts to these type of serials.
It is rated that this serial addicts are worse than opium addicts and is a slow killer.
This is just to awaken us to ensure that our kids don’t get this disease at any cost.
Now let us see what Kalaignar TV can provide :)
Akila
Not so colourful
Thought this might be useful to all.
http://content.msn.co.in/Lifestyle/Moreonlifestyle/LifestyleHinT_130907_1150.htm
Akila
http://content.msn.co.in/Lifestyle/Moreonlifestyle/LifestyleHinT_130907_1150.htm
Akila
Monday, September 10, 2007
Manasarovar
Congratulations to Gayathri and Sundaresan on completing the visit to Mansarovar and doing the parikrama, with the Almighty's blessings. It is given to only a small number of people to undertake this difficult pilgrimage. G and S are singularly blessed to have been able to do this. We look forward to a detailed report and photographs soon.
Birthdays
A very happy birthday to Mony athimber and Srikanth anna.
Athimber, hope this year brings you back to your good old cheerful self.
Athimber, hope this year brings you back to your good old cheerful self.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
COMMENTS
1. Welcome Chandru athimbare. We are expecting lots of interesting news of PSC family, especially me, being the youngest. So many interesting things might have happened till 1959, when I was 12 and I missed all that!!
2. Extremely happy that TSS Gayu have fulfilled there wish and are on the way back home.
Ramu
2. Extremely happy that TSS Gayu have fulfilled there wish and are on the way back home.
Ramu
Gayathri - Kailash visit
Gayathri has been in touch with us as she and Sundaresan have been on their way to Kailash. She telephoned first from Khatmandoo and then from aplace called lagoo, one hour before entering Tibet. Then she telephoned from the banks of Lake Manasarovar after having a very good darshan of Kailash. After that they went on the Parikrama trip, a 56 km walk arouns a hillock there which is rather strenuous. Yesterday (8th) afternoon I got a call from Ramanathan (Sundaresan's nephew) to convey to us that they are back from the Parikrama trip. They are expected to reach home by 16th night. I am sure she will have a long account to give us with photoes.
-Ramakrishnan.
-Ramakrishnan.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
interesting photos
Hi Akila
I enjoyed the photos of Jayarman mama's golden anniversary . Very clear and well taken. Felt like I had been there myself.
vidya
I enjoyed the photos of Jayarman mama's golden anniversary . Very clear and well taken. Felt like I had been there myself.
vidya
I have just signed up
Dear all
I have just signed up to this blog. Looking forward to exchanging news and views in future.
chandru
I have just signed up to this blog. Looking forward to exchanging news and views in future.
chandru
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Very happy birthday to Mony and Srikkanth.
Wishing you many happy returns with good health and happiness,
Ramu Sarada
Wishing you many happy returns with good health and happiness,
Ramu Sarada
Happy birthday!
Greetings from PSC Family to PGS Mony on his birthday. May this day mark a bright turn in your health and usher in a year of happiness and steadiliy improving health.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Birthday greetings
Best wishes to Srikkanth on his bnirthday, 7 September. This post should have appeared earlier but I was trying in vain to download a good photograph of Srikkanth. Vimala joins me in saying "Many happy returns"!
Thank you, Akila
Thank you, Akila, for the album. The pictures are nice and the link worked without any hassle.
Anniversaries
Wishing Papa athai, athimber a very very happy Golden anniversary.
Also wishing Lalitha athai, athimber a very very happy anniversary.
Akila, Mohan, Vaishnavi
Also wishing Lalitha athai, athimber a very very happy anniversary.
Akila, Mohan, Vaishnavi
Papa's picture
When I saw Papa's picture in the WA Greetings I first thought it was Jangamanni. The resemblance is remarkable.
-Ramakrishnan.
-Ramakrishnan.
PSCFAMILY: Golden Wedding!
PSCFAMILY: Golden Wedding!
When I saw Papa's photo in the greetings, I first thought it was Jangamanni. The resemblance is remarkable.
-Ramakrishnan.
When I saw Papa's photo in the greetings, I first thought it was Jangamanni. The resemblance is remarkable.
-Ramakrishnan.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Happy anniversary!
Our best wishes to Lalitha and PGS on their wedding anniversary. Many happy returns. I do not think they visit the blog very often. But just in case ...
Vimala and Jayaraman
Vimala and Jayaraman
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
KTA athimbare , Papa , PGS Mony and Lalli
Wish you a very happy anniversary. Praying for your good health and happiness,
Ramu Sarada
Wish you a very happy anniversary. Praying for your good health and happiness,
Ramu Sarada
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Happy Anniversary PGS and Lalitha chitti
Sharing their Anniversary with the Golden Jubilee couple Chitti and Chitappa
A Very Happy Anniversary
Wishin You a very very Healthy Year.
Vidya and Ramesh
A Very Happy Anniversary
Wishin You a very very Healthy Year.
Vidya and Ramesh
Golden Wedding!
Papa and Ramani celebrate their golden wedding on 6 September 2007. Best wishes to them from PSC Family. All the best.
NEW PICTURE OF APPA AMMA
Dear Jayaramanna
The picture of appa amma is good. The chair on which appa is sitting was not there in K.Nagar.
Where was it taken?
Ramu
The picture of appa amma is good. The chair on which appa is sitting was not there in K.Nagar.
Where was it taken?
Ramu
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Vidya's query
As far as I know, it is not possible to send individual replies to one or more selected persons through the blog. Such messages will have to go through e-mail.
PATIENCE (Vidya)
Patience, tolerance, happiness, etc., are not there now, mainly because the entire life style has completely from what it was then. I very strongly feel that one major reason is the joint family system has vanished!!
In a joint family, many people used to be there in a house , of all ages and we automatically get all those good qualities.
Another reason is the indepentent houses have become flats and these days, we do not know our neighbour also.
Many of us feel that Kovaipudur is very good and I feel one main reason is mostly independent houses are there with lots of open space.
Ramu
In a joint family, many people used to be there in a house , of all ages and we automatically get all those good qualities.
Another reason is the indepentent houses have become flats and these days, we do not know our neighbour also.
Many of us feel that Kovaipudur is very good and I feel one main reason is mostly independent houses are there with lots of open space.
Ramu
GANAPAATIGAL
I was listening to " Veda Saartham" cassetes rendered by students of Sri Satya Sai Institute.
It seems that there are four methods of chanting vedas and the most difficult is known as Ganapaata. Probably, that is the reason why the name Ganapaatigal came!!
On the Rudra Ekadasi day at Raju anna`s house, the vaadyar was explaining in brief , the meaning of the poojas done there. Before starting vedam chanting, he said that in vedam itself all our prayers such as long healthy life, wealth, good marriage, etc., etc., are there . And so, it is not neccessary for us to request them to God seperately.
Sarada recalls Paramacharya`s word, read in a book.
Vedam has to be learned for twelve years, in Gurukulam method. There also annual vacation will be there, and the students go home. When they come back after vacation, the classes are started with AAVANI AVITTAM.
Ramu
It seems that there are four methods of chanting vedas and the most difficult is known as Ganapaata. Probably, that is the reason why the name Ganapaatigal came!!
On the Rudra Ekadasi day at Raju anna`s house, the vaadyar was explaining in brief , the meaning of the poojas done there. Before starting vedam chanting, he said that in vedam itself all our prayers such as long healthy life, wealth, good marriage, etc., etc., are there . And so, it is not neccessary for us to request them to God seperately.
Sarada recalls Paramacharya`s word, read in a book.
Vedam has to be learned for twelve years, in Gurukulam method. There also annual vacation will be there, and the students go home. When they come back after vacation, the classes are started with AAVANI AVITTAM.
Ramu
Monday, September 3, 2007
racism within India
I have been reading the discussion on white skinned people.
It is true that all that we say about "What is in colour" is only in words.
Why feel inferior with white skinned foreigners?As KN chitappa says , we Indians are our worst enemies.The punjabis and Maharashtrians consider themselves superior because of their white skin(In 99% of the cases) .But when one talks to them ,can they talk a few sentences in English without any grammatical mistakes?No, certainly not.I feel my mother with her "Antha Kaalathu English" speaks without mistakes than these showy people.They believe in outward pomp and show.
Vidya
It is true that all that we say about "What is in colour" is only in words.
Why feel inferior with white skinned foreigners?As KN chitappa says , we Indians are our worst enemies.The punjabis and Maharashtrians consider themselves superior because of their white skin(In 99% of the cases) .But when one talks to them ,can they talk a few sentences in English without any grammatical mistakes?No, certainly not.I feel my mother with her "Antha Kaalathu English" speaks without mistakes than these showy people.They believe in outward pomp and show.
Vidya
patience, patience
yes mama
we these days do not have the kind of patinece our thathas and pattis had,Their dedication to everything they did was amazing..Their patience with their children was truly wonderful.I find i do not have the kind of patience with sumanth the way my mother was with us. Is it also because I am past the beautiful years of toddler parenting and a bit into my middleag
Taking the cue from Jayaraman mama's message i managed to learn to post this rather than leave it as a comment.
By the way, is there any way of sending a reply to a particular message?
vidya
we these days do not have the kind of patinece our thathas and pattis had,Their dedication to everything they did was amazing..Their patience with their children was truly wonderful.I find i do not have the kind of patience with sumanth the way my mother was with us. Is it also because I am past the beautiful years of toddler parenting and a bit into my middleag
Taking the cue from Jayaraman mama's message i managed to learn to post this rather than leave it as a comment.
By the way, is there any way of sending a reply to a particular message?
vidya
Welocme to Baz road
Mr. Venkittu
This is Ramesh (Vidya's husband). Welcome to Baz Road - my home territory, of course the place is a far cry from the real bus illa road of my childhood days. After you settle down if you get time do meet my father.
wish you a pleasant stay there.
Cheers, Ramesh using Vidya's space in this family blog kind of "punthax"
This is Ramesh (Vidya's husband). Welcome to Baz Road - my home territory, of course the place is a far cry from the real bus illa road of my childhood days. After you settle down if you get time do meet my father.
wish you a pleasant stay there.
Cheers, Ramesh using Vidya's space in this family blog kind of "punthax"
Venkittu relocates
Venkittu wants to inform the family that he has moved to 18(new number) Bazlullah Road, T. Nagar I(Pratima's house). Phone number is 044-28340650. He says that Kappu has adapted to the move better than he had hoped for.
Jayaraman
Sunday, September 2, 2007
PSC
Recently I started to sit with M.Vaishnavi at 06 PM daily and chant one big slokham from appa`s note book and sing a few bhajans, mainly for her.
I realised the amount of trouble appa took for that daily slokham session. I have with me the master note book of appa, written in tamil by appa, containing 29 big slokhams.
Papa, Rukku, Lux, Lalli, me, Shoba, Venguttu, Chandar, Ramaa, Ashok ( for sometime ), used to be there. Appa , whenever a new slokham was started, used to write so many copies and distribute to all of us and collect them back after the session. This he did, not for sometime but many many years.
I am amazed at his seriouseness on these kind of things for the children and the determination to fullfil that!!
Ramu
I realised the amount of trouble appa took for that daily slokham session. I have with me the master note book of appa, written in tamil by appa, containing 29 big slokhams.
Papa, Rukku, Lux, Lalli, me, Shoba, Venguttu, Chandar, Ramaa, Ashok ( for sometime ), used to be there. Appa , whenever a new slokham was started, used to write so many copies and distribute to all of us and collect them back after the session. This he did, not for sometime but many many years.
I am amazed at his seriouseness on these kind of things for the children and the determination to fullfil that!!
Ramu
JANGA MANNI
Janaga manni`s picture is superb and Gayathri said, brings tears!
I am late in sharing my thought on this. Reason is, I became blank when I saw the picture .
Since I am writing this immeadiately after writing about racism, I suddenly remember how Janga manni used to feel embarased when ever her nephews and nieces used to come to K.Nagar. Was it because most of them were with black skin
Ramu
I am late in sharing my thought on this. Reason is, I became blank when I saw the picture .
Since I am writing this immeadiately after writing about racism, I suddenly remember how Janga manni used to feel embarased when ever her nephews and nieces used to come to K.Nagar. Was it because most of them were with black skin
Ramu
COMMENTS OF PCRK , KN
1. If Jayaramanna had not posted the comments in the blog, I would have missed them.
2. I was all the while wondering what to say for the comments on Racism.
On that day, when those whites slowly approached Gayathri and me, right at the entrance
of the lawn, I was confused whether to entertain them or not. Not because they were
whites but we were busy. I wanted to politely send them off. But could not say NO.
This qualty of not able to say NO of mine, has put me in trouble many times, mainly in
office. I used to think why = I feel this has come from Janga manni!!
Ramu
2. I was all the while wondering what to say for the comments on Racism.
On that day, when those whites slowly approached Gayathri and me, right at the entrance
of the lawn, I was confused whether to entertain them or not. Not because they were
whites but we were busy. I wanted to politely send them off. But could not say NO.
This qualty of not able to say NO of mine, has put me in trouble many times, mainly in
office. I used to think why = I feel this has come from Janga manni!!
Ramu
Posts as compared to Comments
Please read the three posts below, which reproduce 'comments' made by KN and Ramakrishnan on earlier posts. As I had said some time back, comments do not open unless clicked on and, as the relevant posts get older, may not be noticed. So it would be better to publish new posts every time, so that everyone reads them
Shruti in a folk dance
Reproduced below is a comment by Ramakrishnan on the video clip of Shruti in a folk dance:
"P.C,Ramakrishnan said...
I have just managed (due to my ignorance I did not succeed earlier) to see Shruti in Folk Dance and it is beautiful, the whole effect. The song is nice and all the girls have done well and with kuch grace.
Now I do not know how to post this and I hope I succeed.
Ramakrishnan.
Sun Sep 02, 10:10:00 AM 2007"
To answer a question by RK in an e-mail, Shruti is in a yellow dress, waving a 'muram'. The video could have been better if I had reduced the exposure.
"P.C,Ramakrishnan said...
I have just managed (due to my ignorance I did not succeed earlier) to see Shruti in Folk Dance and it is beautiful, the whole effect. The song is nice and all the girls have done well and with kuch grace.
Now I do not know how to post this and I hope I succeed.
Ramakrishnan.
Sun Sep 02, 10:10:00 AM 2007"
To answer a question by RK in an e-mail, Shruti is in a yellow dress, waving a 'muram'. The video could have been better if I had reduced the exposure.
Janga Manni etc.
Reproduced below is a comment by KN under the post on Janga Manni.
"K.Narayanan said...
A void filled
Ramu had earlier asked why Jangamanni's picture was not on the blog and Jayaraman has done the apt thing This is welcome.The other day Rukku, Mythili and I visited one of Gopala Mama's [Jangamanni's brother] granddaughters in Brunswick and she went on talking about Jangamanni.
About foreigners as visitors. The worst racists are we Indians, I think. We grade people by the colur of their skin, those with "seppu" skin being superiors.Bs are way up above NBs. North Indians lok down upon Madrasis.
And we become subservient to white skinned foreigners, and turn away from an African.
Why should Akila shy away from talking to a white-skinned colleague? How are you inferior?
It is all right to show a foreigner around and give him a free dinner "Aditi devo bhava." But would you treat an African group the same way? And would you get the same treatmnet if you try to barge into a wedding here in the U.S.?
K.Narayanan
Wed Aug 29, 11:16:00 PM 2007"
"K.Narayanan said...
A void filled
Ramu had earlier asked why Jangamanni's picture was not on the blog and Jayaraman has done the apt thing This is welcome.The other day Rukku, Mythili and I visited one of Gopala Mama's [Jangamanni's brother] granddaughters in Brunswick and she went on talking about Jangamanni.
About foreigners as visitors. The worst racists are we Indians, I think. We grade people by the colur of their skin, those with "seppu" skin being superiors.Bs are way up above NBs. North Indians lok down upon Madrasis.
And we become subservient to white skinned foreigners, and turn away from an African.
Why should Akila shy away from talking to a white-skinned colleague? How are you inferior?
It is all right to show a foreigner around and give him a free dinner "Aditi devo bhava." But would you treat an African group the same way? And would you get the same treatmnet if you try to barge into a wedding here in the U.S.?
K.Narayanan
Wed Aug 29, 11:16:00 PM 2007"
Racism?
I reproduce below the 'comment' made byRamakrishnan on the subject of racism. As comments tend to get ignored and are not displayed unless clicked on, the better thing would be to make new posts.
"RACISM ?
I do not think Gayathri's urge to speak to the Hollanders and satisfy their curiosity has a racist undercurrent or was born due to treating the white man as superior. Just that a few strangers seemed interested and they were not local folk would have made her want to satisfy their curiosity, if they appeared friendly. I imagine a few boys from say China looking on, she would have had the same urge.
I do not however deny that the tendency to treat the white man as superior which has been ingrained in Indians for centuries is still very much there.
Also, why are we happy if a newborn child is 'fair'; the first question is whether the child is fair. Why ?
-Ramakrishnan"
"RACISM ?
I do not think Gayathri's urge to speak to the Hollanders and satisfy their curiosity has a racist undercurrent or was born due to treating the white man as superior. Just that a few strangers seemed interested and they were not local folk would have made her want to satisfy their curiosity, if they appeared friendly. I imagine a few boys from say China looking on, she would have had the same urge.
I do not however deny that the tendency to treat the white man as superior which has been ingrained in Indians for centuries is still very much there.
Also, why are we happy if a newborn child is 'fair'; the first question is whether the child is fair. Why ?
-Ramakrishnan"
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Welcome, Vidya!
Nice to see you on board, Vidya. Make it a habit. We need participation and interaction, to keep this blog alive and interesting.
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