Sledging

I am not a great (email)forward reader, but the following post has quite a lot of memorable sledges from the game of cricket (Ah, that beautiful game). Many thanks to Sooraj for the Fwd.

Go ahead...enjoy.


Best Cricket Sledges:

Wiki refers to sledging as 'exchanging words with opposition player(s) which can put him(them) off their usual game; it is an attempt to "psych out" an opponent'. Cricket is a very interesting game, and sledging adds to it the extra spice that make it much more than just game.Here is a compilation of the best sledging related incidents, witnessed in the history of cricket...

History:
Sledging has always been a part of cricket.Even the great WG Grace did it. Once in an exhitbition match given out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: "They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.

Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: "Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir." The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion."

The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."

The Prasad Vs Sohail Incident :
Hero to Zero in 3 easy stepsChasing India's score of 287-8, pakistan got off to a flyer of a start, Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar went about tearing the Indian bowling attack. Pakistan looked all set to win as they reached 110 odd for the loss of just 1 wicket within the 15 overs.
1. Play a Great Shot: Amir Sohail was completely bent on demolishing the Indian bowling to pieces, charging down the track to the faster bowlers (if u can call Prasad that) in this particular case he came down the ground (a good 4-5 steps, anymore and he would have hit Prasad too) and slashed the bowl over vacant off side area... the ball disappeared into the fence in a flash ... what followed has since been etched in the memories of every cricket fan in the subcontinent.
2. Act Oversmart: Amir Sohail is no Miandad. But he tries to be,and fails miserably. Sohail after hitting the shot pointed his bat the area where the bowl had disappeared and then towards Prasad apparently gesturing where he will send the next one.Its not everyday that you see a batsman sledging the bowler, and Sohail was about to learn just why.
3. Get what you called for: Sohail attempting to repeat the shot (albeit with his feet stuck to the ground this time) made room and exposed his stumps, and his weakness, and in return lost his wicket and his face.As the wicket lay uprooted, Prasad returned the favour to Sohail, pointing to the pavilion this time. The comeback was truly remarkable, almost a miracle .... Prasad has bowled thousands of deliveries and taken hundereds of wickets in his career but, it was this one granted him a place in the History of Indian Cricket .. for ever... the ghost of Miandad's last ball six was exorcised, once and for all.

Steve Waugh Vs Curtly Ambrose Episode:
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legends of cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: "What the f*ck are you looking at? "Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that.Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling."Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.

McGrath Vs Brandes:
In a showdown of best pacers of two countries, Brandes made up for his complete absence of batting skills by some displaying some great sense of humor and presence of mind.Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11 Eddo Brandes - who was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball. McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: "Why are you so fat?"Quick as a flash, Brandes replied: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit."Even the Aussie slip fielders were in hysterics.

Viv Richards v Greg Thomas:
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset.Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: "It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."

Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off."

Sachin Tendulkar Vs Abdul Qadir:
The year was 1989, the little master had recently made his debut in Pakistan. Sachin not even old enough to get a driving licence Sachin Tendulkar was facing the best bowlers in the business. As the Pakistani crows jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying ""Dudh Pita Bhachcha ..ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin sent the then young leg spinner Mustaq Ahmed hiding for cover (he had hit two sixes in one over. The frustaded mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenges Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao` (`Why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me.`).Sachin was silent, since then we all have come to know that he lets his bat do the talking. Abdul Quadir had made a simple request and Sachin obliged, and how. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over, making the spinner look the kid in the contest. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6, David had felled Goliath ... and a legend was born.

Ian Healy Vs Ranatunga:
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney... "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"

McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003, The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer. The details : McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife."McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."

Mark Waugh Vs Adam Parore:
Mark Waugh was standing at second slip, Adam Parore relatively new to cricket came to the crease played & missed the first ball.Mark Waugh- "Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were sh*t then, you're fu*king useless now".Parore- (Turning around) "Yeah, that's me & when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly sl*t & now I hear you've married her. You dumb c*nt".

Ravi shastri v/s Mike Whitney:
Its common knowledge that Indian's usually don't resort to sledging, and the Aussies swear by it. In this rare ocassion the tables had turned and it was the Aussies who were at the receiving end.Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looks for a single, this guy gets the ball in and saysWhitney: "If you leave the crease i'll break your f***ing head"Shastri didn't bat an eyelid before replying : "If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn't be the f***ing 12th man"

Merv Hughes Vs Cronje :
Merv Hughes was one of the greatest exponents of the fine "art" of sledging. Once during a tour game in South Africa Hughes was bowling to Hansie Cronje . It was an especially flat wicket and Cronje was hitting Hughes for fours and sixes all over the place.After the umpteenth boundary, Hughes headed down the pitch, stood near Cronje, let out a fart and said: "Try hitting that for six." It was five minutes before the guffawing stopped and play could resume.

Robin Smith and Merv Hughes:
During 1989 Lords Test, Merv Hughes said to Robin Smith after he played and missed: "You can't f*cking bat".Simth replied, both with the bat and with words, he smashed Hughes to the boundry and said "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair. I can't f*cking bat and you can't f*cking bowl."

Team mates Sledging :
England were playing Pakistan and, at what turned out to be a crucial moment later on, Frank Tyson managed to get an outside edge off a Pakistani batsman after the batsman had been frustrating them on a hot sweaty day. The ball went right through the hands of Raman Subba Rao who was standing in first slip and through his legs. After the over Raman heads over to the bowler and says, "Sorry Frank, I should've closed my legs." Frank Tyson, who didn't find any of this amusing, quipped back, "No, you bastard, your mother should have."

Ian Healy Vs a Short chubby batsman:
In one of the tour matches in South Africa, Australia played Hansie Cronje's province. Cronje was at the non strikers end, there was a short chubby batsman on strike.Ian Healy yelled to Warne, "Bowl a Mars Bar half way down...We'll get him stumped"The Aussies and Cronje were all in hysterics, all this was before a classic reply from the batsman.The exact words: "Nah, Boonie (David Boon fielding at short leg) will be onto it before I can move."

Miandad Vs Lillee: The 'brats' clash:
Miandad played Lillee to square leg and completed an easy run, with a collision taking place in the center. According to Miandad, Lillee had tried to block him in the path. After a verbal exchange, Lillee went ahead and kicked Miandad on his pads. Miandad, started charging towards Lillee with his bat lifted high above the head, as if to hit him. The umpire's intervention prevented what could have turned out to be a real assault had Miandad gone head with his plans. However, the picture of Miandad hurling his bat at Lillee made the whole incident look even worse, and was promptly declared as the most indignified incident in the history of Cricket.Lillee's version, to this day, had Miandad first hitting him with the bat, and then swearing at him. He maintained that there was no contact from his side throughout the incident.

Hughes Vs Miandad:
The inimitable Merv Hughes has forgotten more about sledging than most people will ever know, so he was more than a little miffed to be on the receiving end in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan. Hughes and Javed Miandad almost came to blows after the Pakistani batsman dared to call big Merv a "fat bus conductor". But revenge was sweet for Hughes. A few balls later he finally got his man and as Miandad walked past, he could not resist shouting "Tickets, please!"

Dennis Lillee Vs Sunil Gavaskar:
Dennis Lillee and Sunil Gavaskar, were involved in a war of words in the 3rd Test, MCG, February 1981. A historic win for India in that Test would definitely not have taken place had Sunil Gavaskar not calmed down. He clashed with Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee, who Gavaskar claims abused him after claiming his wicket and the Indian captain asked non-striker Chetan Chauhan to walk off the field, forfeiting the match. Gavaskar was batting on 70 when Lillee appealed for a leg before decision. Gavaskar showed his bat to the umpire, indicating he had 'nicked' the ball before it hit his pads. Angry words were exchanged between the batsman and the bowler, and Lillee even went to the extent of pointing to the batsman the spot where the ball had his pads. The decision went in favour of the bowler and as Gavaskar started his long, dejected walk back to the pavilion, Lillee turned around and abused him. That was it. Gavaskar snapped, and decided to forfeit the match.Later, Gavaskar was to write in his book 'Idols': "That (the walkout) was the most regrettable incidents of my life. Whatever may be the provocation and whatever the reason, there was no justification for my action and I realize now that I did not behave the way a captain and sportsman should."

Flintoff Vs Tino Best:
Best, never short of a word or two when he is bowling, was done up like a kipper by the England all-rounder as West Indies slumped to defeat in the first Test. Flintoff saw his opponent preparing to face Giles' off-spin and shouted: "Watch the windows, Tino!" The wind-up had the desired effect, causing Best to come charging out of his crease like a man possessed. He took a wild swing at the ball, missed and was promptly stumped by Geraint Jones. Not a broken window in sight. Flintoff could not contain himself and spent the next five minutes giggling like a teenager, as Best sat on the balcony rueing his stupidity.

Viv Richards to Gavaskar:
Gavaskar had decided to relinquish his opening position and come in at no 4 for that test. But, Malcolm Marshall fired out Anshuman Gaekwad and Dilip Vengsarkar for ducks, setting the stage for Gavaskar to walk in at 0/2.And he thought there would be less pressure! Viv Richards says "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."

Steve Waugh and Parthiv Patel:
Amidst all the hype surrounding his farewell match, Steve Waugh had to contend with an unexpected dose of his own medicine from a player half his age.As Waugh fought a grim battle to stave off defeat in the series-deciding fourth Test in Sydney, 19 year-old Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel tried to unsettle the veteran batsman through some banter.The baby-faced Patel egged on the 38 year-old stalwart to play one of his sweep shots one last time.The India 'keeper was saying, 'Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish'Waugh replied: 'Look, show a bit of respect. You were in nappies when I debuted 18 years ago'.

Rod Marsh and Ian Botham:
When Botham took guard in a Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words: "So how's your wife and my kids?"

Trueman and Aussie batsman:
In an England v Australia Test during early 1960's Trueman was fielding close to the gate from the pavilion. As a new batsman came out he turned to shut the gate, Trueman said "Don't bother son, you won't be out there long enough."

Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne:
As Cullinan was on his way to the wicket, Warne told him he had been waiting 2 years for another chance to humiliate him. "Looks like you spent it eating," Cullinan retorted.

Adam Parore and Daryll Cullinan:
Because Cullinan is well known for being Warne's bunny, New Zealand keeper Parore greeted the South African, carefully playing the first ball from kiwi Chris Harris, with a cry of: "Bowled Warnie!"

Malcolm Marshall and David Boon:
Malcolm Marshall was bowling to David Boon who had played and missed a couple of times. Marshall: "Now David, Are you going to get out now or am I going to have to bowl around the wicket and kill you?"

James Ormond and Mark Waugh
James Ormond had just come out to bat on an ashes tour and was greeted by MarkWaugh……..Mark : "F*ck me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to play for England"
James: "Maybe not, but at least i'm the best player in my family"

Waugh Vs Jamie Siddons:
In a Sheffield Shield game between NSW and SA, a Waugh twin (not sure which) was taking an enternity to take guard, asking the umpire for centre, middle and leg, two legs - the whole lot. Then he steps away towards leg side and has another look around the field, before re checking centre.Jamie Siddons is at slip, and decided enough is enough. He yells out."For christ sake, it's not a 'f*cken test match."Waugh replies: "Of course it isn't ... You're here."

Mother (in law) of all sledges:
In the 1980's Ian Botham returned early from a tour of Pakistan, and on radio joked "Pakistan is the sort of country to send your mother in-law to ." Needless to say the Pakistanis did not find this amusing, and when Pakistan defeated England in the 1992 World Cup Final, Aamer Sohail told Ian Botham "Why don't you send your mother-in-law out to play, she cannot do much worse."

Barmy Army Vs Shane Warne:
England's "Barmy Army" recently decided to sledge leg spinner Shane Warne musically, and it has been described as boorishly personal, but effective.The sledge was based on Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - the "Where's your poppa gone?" Song. It has been converted to "Where's your missus gone?" (Warne had recently been divorced )

Holier than thou?

I wanna do a post on Racism. Please leave your comments on the following :

- Whether you believe that North Indians look down upon South Indians as second class citizens, and ridicule them. (I don not wish to generalize here, but plain english does not allow otherwise)

- Would you make a distinction on caste/creed? Explain why.


I have some pretty strong beliefs myself, and would like to know what you guys think about it. So please feel free to comment, and try and leave your name back, so I can credit it to you in the original post.

Top 20 Movies, Lines, Heros, Villians of all time (Hollywood only)

Top 20 Movies of all time:

1.CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2.CASABLANCA (1942)
3.GODFATHER, THE (1972)
4.GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
5.LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6.WIZARD OF OZ, THE (1939)
7.GRADUATE, THE (1967)
8.ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9.SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
10.SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
11.IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12.SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13.BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE (1957)
14.SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15.STAR WARS (1977)
16.ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17.AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951)
18.PSYCHO (1960)
19.CHINATOWN (1974)
20.ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)

Top 20 Lines of all time :

1 Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
GONE WITH THE WIND 1939

2 I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
GODFATHER, THE 1972

3 You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.
ON THE WATERFRONT 1954

4 Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.
WIZARD OF OZ, THE 1939

5 Here's looking at you, kid.
CASABLANCA 1942

6 Go ahead, make my day.
SUDDEN IMPACT 1983

7 All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my closeup.
SUNSET BLVD. 1950

8 May the Force be with you.
STAR WARS 1977

9 Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.
ALL ABOUT EVE 1950

10 You talking to me?
TAXI DRIVER 1976

11 What we've got here is failure to communicate.
COOL HAND LUKE 1967

12 I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
APOCALYPSE NOW 1979

13 Love means never having to say you're sorry.
LOVE STORY 1970

14 The stuff that dreams are made of.
MALTESE FALCON, THE 1941

15 E.T. phone home.
E.T. THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL 1982

16 They call me Mister Tibbs!
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1967

17 Rosebud.
CITIZEN KANE 1941

18 Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
WHITE HEAT 1949

19 I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!
NETWORK 1976

20 Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
CASABLANCA 194

Top 20 heros and villians of all time :
(Hero and Villians mentioned together, in that order, in their respective positions)

1. Atticus Finch Dr.
(in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD)

Hannibal Lecter
(in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS)

2. Indiana Jones
(in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK)

Norman Bates
(in PSYCHO)

3. James Bond
(in DR. NO)

Darth Vader
(in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK)

4. Rick Blaine
(in CASABLANCA)

The Wicked Witch of the West
(in THE WIZARD OF OZ)

5. Will Kane
(in HIGH NOON)

Nurse Ratched
(in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S
NEST)

6. Clarice Starling
(in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS)

Mr. Potter
(in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE)

7. Rocky Balboa
(in ROCKY)

Alex Forrest
(in FATAL ATTRACTION)

8. Ellen Ripley
(in ALIENS)

Phyllis Dietrichson
(in DOUBLE INDEMNITY)

9. George Bailey
(in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE)

Regan MacNeil
(in THE EXORCIST)

10. T. E. Lawrence
(in LAWRENCE OF ARABIA)

The Queen
(in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN
DWARFS)

11. Jefferson Smith
(in MR. SMITH GOES TO
WASHINGTON)

Michael Corleone
(in THE GODFATHER: PART II)

12. Tom Joad
(in THE GRAPES OF WRATH)

Alex De Large
(in CLOCKWORK ORANGE)

13. Oskar Schindler
(in SCHINDLER’S LIST)

HAL 9000
(in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY)

14. Han Solo
(in STAR WARS)

The Alien
(in ALIEN)

15. Norma Rae Webster
(in NORMA RAE)

Amon Goeth
(in SCHINDLER’S LIST)

16. Shane
(in SHANE)

Noah Cross
(in CHINATOWN)

17. Harry Callahan
(in DIRTY HARRY)

Annie Wilkes
(in MISERY)

18. Robin Hood
(in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD)

The Shark
(in JAWS)

19. Virgil Tibbs
(in IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT)

Captain Bligh
(in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY)

20. Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
(in BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID)

Man
(in BAMBI)


This data has been sourced from the website of the American Film Institute. More top 100 lists can be obtained here.

Singin' In the Rain

....Can be quite difficult if you have a cold.

Hence, I'm avoiding it.

Anyways, I now have seen the equivalent of "Indian" Chinese food. It's "German" Indian Food.

Just like how we Indians have modified Chinese food to suit our tastes (Don't kid yourself by claiming your humble Gobi Manchurian to be Chinese), zee Germans have modified Indian food to suit their tastes. Which generally means take all the spices out of the food, make it as bland/sweet as possible.

I walk into Indian Garden (the local Indian Hotel, run by a friendly Udupi guy, who btw doesn't give discounts, though I angled for one). I ask for his spiciest Chicken Dish. Chilli Chicken sir, he answers, back upright and all spiffy. OK, I say, one chilly chicken. (Now, every dish you order here in Germany, you get free unlimited Basmati Rice to go with it....Dont ask me what we get if we order rice....I'm guessing rice). I get my Chilli Chicken.....

To my dismay, it's as spicy as a rasgolla. (Well, that's an exaggeration, but trust me, it was frickin non-spicy-semi-sweet shit he gave me, claiming it was CHILLY Chicken)

Like I say, what goes around, comes around. Sigh!

Coincidence??

I turn on my Ipod. I put it in shuffle mode.

First song that comes on : "Huttidare Kannada Nadalli...."

A tribute to Rajanna, A reflection of my thoughts as I walk in the rain on the streets of Walldorf.

Coincidence?......

Scene Change

Finally in Walldorf, Germany!

What was upposed to happen in February has happened now, thanks to visa screw-ups and new projects coming up. But this time, i'm thankful about it. If i'd come down in February, it would've meant walking around in the snow, under layers of clothing. But now, it's different. Spring is setting in and the flowers are blooming. It's like a scene out of a picture postcard. And the fact that I live in a village also helps, as there is hardly any noise and pollution.

A telephone call home tells me that it rained in Bangalore, and everything looks beautiful. Sigh! Why did it have to wait till I left? Bangalore, for me, is at it's most beautiful after a nice shower. Of course, driving around after one is not very advisable, but sitting on the balcony, eating hot pakodas, or the local menasinkai bajji....mmmmm, life doesn't get better.

Watch this space for more updates about my time in Deutscheland. Till then, auf wiedersehen.

It's time to take a stand

OK. So Annavru is no more. It definitely is a loss to the state. A even bigger loss to the film industry. May his soul rest in peace. He really is a great person. I sincerely believe so.

But so far it looks like the biggest losers are the normal, decent citizens of Bangalore. Pray, what justifies the vandalism, the burning of buses, police vehicles, private vehicles etc? If any of the guys who are reading this willingly partook in these activities, well, fu*k you moth*rfuc**s. I hope I've made my sentiments clear.

The police must throw human rights to the winds in such a case, and mercilessly thrash such vandals, and then call me, and let me mercilessly thrash them. Human rights do not apply to scum.

What surprises me most is the knee jerk reaction of the Software Industry in Bangalore. Just because a few mischief mongers decide to have some fun, at the expense of the larger peace loving and law abiding society does not mean you declare a holiday! We are the largest industry operating out of Bangalore, and we must not cow down to such acts of goondagardi.

I have taken a stand. No more will I let such events hamper my work. I have come to work today. I will treat it as any normal day. Life goes on. No piece of shit out on the road destroying public property is gonna stop me from doing my job. It's a matter of principles now.

May his soul rest in peace....

(April 24, 1929 -April 12, 2006)

Never has there been a man who has inspired our state to the extent you have

...And some things never change!

This post is the second part of my earlier post When change was the order of the day.

Though there were a lot of things that had changed in the city I love, there were somethings that remained pretty much the same, withstanding with all it's might the winds of change.

Jayanagar 9th Block : The market is as busy as ever, with absolutely no change in how business is conducted. The push carts, the screaming vendors, all of it remains the same. And yes, it still is a terror to drive through, because you never know who'll zip onto the road when you least expect it.

Lalbagh : This haven for ealy morning walkers remains so. For me, it's the only remaining lung space of Bangalore. Once you walk into it's gates, the difference in the quality of air you breathe in is quite obvious. And the rush of the early morning walkers in MTR, for their steaming cuppa coffee is one tradition that I think will never break.

Hang Out Zones : No prizes for guessing that the hangout zones were still MG Road and Brigade Road. Of course, now we have a coupla malls and multiplxes, but till then, it was these roads that half of Bangalore used to descend upon. The best place to see all the pretty women gather, even today.

Deccan Herald : I never have a good day, if I do not read the Deccan Herald early in the morning. It has been Bangalore's best newspaper for as long as I can remember. Though it has changed it's format and size recently, it still remains my favorite newspaper. After all, i've been reading it since I was five.

India Coffee House : This hotel is situated on MG Road, and is my favorite eat out in that area, KFC and Coffee Day notwithstanding. The original coffee place, it is unique in the sense that the waiters are all decked up like some Raj-era butlers. I can swear I had seen the waiters ages back, and they continue to loyally wait tables at the same place. And yes, they give you a knife and a fork to eat dosa's with!

I have seen Bangalore, from the past to the present, seen it's metamorphosis from a small little city with an identity of it's own, into a stuggling metropolis which is without an Identity. Though me and millions of others like me owe our job to the changes that have occured, I still look back with a sense of nostalgia as to what was, what it could have been and what it is currently. And i'm sad......

But I have, and always will remain at heart, A Bangalorean

Pics from my Trip - Day 2

Keshava...the original cool dude


The three monkeys


Quite a Backdrop


Hanumangundi


Fun in the water


Yoga Guru Dushyanth showing the Dead Fish Aasana


At Lakya Dam


Sights on the drive back

My Road Trip to Kudremukh - Part 2

Sunday April 2nd:

Day 2 was supposed to begin early, but due to our tired and aching bodies that cried out for more rest, we had no other option but to begin late, in fact much later than initially anticipated. After getting ready, we made a trip to the famous Kadri Temple of Mangalore. Though we did not spend too much time within the temple, the calm and serene environs of the place gave me a lot of mental peace. Also, this temple is one of the more well maintained ones I have seen.

Soon, we left Mangalore for Kudremukh, the five of us. The first stop for refreshments was at Nitte, opposite the famous (world famous in Mangalore i.e.) college. After the appropriate energy boosters that we had, we moved on. Now, I have to say that I have been on few drives in South India that match the beauty of the drive in the Kudremukh National Park road. Of course, thed rive to Ooty or Kodai comes to mind, but these roads are very crowded, when compared to the near empty Kudremukh road.

The next stop was at South Kanara Border, where there's a breathtaking view of the ghats from a vantage point. Also, the adjacent hi-tension power lines keep giving a constant hum. It's quite a freaky experience to actually hear the electricity
passing through. This is also the place where I coonvinced the rest of the guys to pose for this photo. Looks like the thin air on that altitude got to them. (No offense guys).

The next stop was at Hanumangundi, which is a waterfall in the Mountains. I had last been there during my PU days on our class trip (Ah, how can I ever forget that time...those beautiful dames...sigh). It was a sense of deja vu for me, as the memories came flooding back (literally, when I was under the waterfall). There were a few changes out there too. For one, there was an entry fee to go down to the waterfall. Secondly, now there are steps to make your climb down and up easier (debatable). But still, the beauty and the charm of the place remains intact. It's nice to see the government taking some initiative in promoting tourism in these areas. But guys, one word of advice. Please don't overdo it. We dont wanna end up with another one of those crass commercialized resort kinda place.

It was great fun getting into the water again, after having been to the beach the previous evening. Of course, beach water is salty and warm, thanks to the heat. But here, the advantage of the waterfall being in the mountains worked wonderfully to the benefit of us sweaty and tired guys. The water was cold and we were in the lake in a jiffy. Though it was a little diificult to adjust to the cold water initially, after around 5 minutes, we didn't really give a damn and went the whole way. Boy, I have to say that the two hours that we spent in the waterfall was the best part of the road trip for me. Adding to the beautiful sight of the gushing waterfall were the women(pretty one's too) who'd come there. Seemed to us at that time that it was the best 30 bucks we ever spent. Seems like it even now.

After having a rollicking time in the falls, we moved to Kudremukh. It was a bit of a dampener that we did not get the permit to take a hike in the National Park. That was the biggest loss for us on the trip. Nevertheess, when you're hungry and tired, such things matter little. Heading to the lone restaurant in kudremukh (of course, the keenly observant Vivekananda spotted a board that said Hotel Ravi, but if that's a hotel, then I'm a monkey's uncle), we asked for the menu. Here's how the converstaion proceeded :

Us : What's there for lunch? Waiter : Everything's over, only South Indian meals left....
10 seconds of silence
Waiter : So, what would you like? Us : You haven't left us with much of a choice, have you...

I have to say, the South Indian meals tasted like the most delicious food we've ever had. And all for damn cheap too. Cost us like 25 bucks a pop, taking extra everything. Content and full, we drove our way back down, but not before stopping at the picturesque Lakya dam for another photograph session.

The next stop was at beautiful Kapu beach, where I had my usual Beer and Fish fry. I have no photographs to show because my camera ran out of battery. But skipped climbing to the top of the lighthouse beacuse i wa stoo tired. I just sat there by the sea shore, soaking in the cool breeze and enjoying the view.

The drive back to Mangalore and dinner at Dolphin, both of them weren't spectacular. All in all, it was a great day, the only disappointment being not being able to take a walk in the National Park. After dropping off Keshava to the bus stand, I headed home wards, and crashed soon after.

Monday April 3rd :

The drive back to Bangalore began on schedule (by this I mean only a slight delay). Nothing out of the ordinary happened thankfully, and we were back in Bangalore and heavy traffic by 5.

T'was a great trip, this one. And i'd like to thank my friends for joining me and helping keep the trip economical. All in all, my expenditure came to around 1200 bucks. Quite good, considering the last time round, when I travelled by bus all over i spent over two grand. But i'd like to thank them more, because without them, this trip would have been a big bore. Till, the next road trip then....Watch this space

Pics from my Trip - Day 1

On NH48, I met my namesake

At the watefall by the tea-stall

Nirvana for a Bangalorean

Boarding a rickety watch tower in the ghats

Sunset at the beach

The eyesores

Ending the day at Bhattre's

My Road Trip to Kudremukh - Part 1

Like all good trips, this too began late. But early enough to ensure that getting out of Bangalore would not be a pain. And also early enough to feel the cool morning air soothe our much worked souls. It was in the pipeline for quite some time, this trip. Road trippin' has always been my favorite form of "getaway", and when DK (batchmate from PU) suggested this to me, I jumped at the idea. Together with Keshava (classmate from RVCE), we set out on our trip to Kudremukh via Mangalore. My dad's trusty old Maruti 800 was to be our steed for this journey. And boy, some journey this was!

Saturday April 1st :
We (me and DK) set out from my house at 5 am. Picking up Keshava, and more importantly, some cash en route, we proceeded out of Bangalore. Hough i did not intend to earlier, bowing to public demand, i stopped for some tea at one of the obscure villages (which means one temple, five houses and one tea stall) on NH48 for some, you guessed it, tea. It was the first time, as far as I can remember, that i knowledgably had buffalo milk. And it tasted pretty good i must say. But looking at all the flies surrounding the buffalo make me feel pukish. But i figured thats what added the zing to the milk. I guess the tea got me a little heady, coz then I let Keshava drive. I have nothing against him personally, but his track record in college often deters me from trusting him with my life by putting him in the drivers seat. Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised with the way he drove. Also, NH48 Nirvana for guys like us, used to chok-a-blok traffic in Bangalore, so i guess it wasn't too difficult for Keshava to drive straight. Next stop was at Kamath Upachara for breakfast. This place is an Indian world class rest stop, with good food and decent toilets. From there on it was a straight drive upto Shiradi Ghat, when we stopped at a neat little tea stall next to a tiny waterfall. After refreshing ourselves with some coffee (aha...gotcha!!! You were thinking tea, weren't you?)

, we moved on. We reached Mangalore finally at 2 pm and headed straight to Vivekananda's (Please forgive him for the way he looks...It's just that I have a bad camera) house, where we greeted warmly by him and his parents. We had the decency to wish them back before we dug into the awesome food prepared for us. Chicken Sukka, Kori Rotti, Chicken Biryani..mmmmmm. Good start, I could already feel the positive vibes. The evening saw us in Tannirbhaavi beach. Now, I was hitting the beach after quite a long time, and I could not contain my excitement as I bounded like an excited little girl (which I'm not....usually) into the sea. Boy, that was fun. Devender also joined us by then, and soon we had quite an animated conversation going on about all things absolutely worthless and of no consequence. Dinner saw us heading to Vivek's house again to polish off whatever was left from the afternoon, plush some fresh dalitoy. After this it was off to DK's house for a nightcap.

Much more to come about the trip, watch this space for updates.

Gangster - A music review - * * * *

How long can you keep listening to the same coupla songs before you get tired of them? If it is Gangster, and if you are on a road trip while listening to the songs, then never.

Mahesh Bhatt movies seem to draw heavy influences from across the border. First it was the Pakis who made their presence felt (Paap had Junoon's Ali Azmat and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan whereas Zeher and Kalyug had Atif Aslam, an erstwhile member of the Paki Rock Band Jal). This time they go east to Bangladesh and unearth this guy called James.

This guy totally burns up the track Bheegi Bheegi. A slowish pop-rock number, the variations in the pitch of singing and the guitaring make it an enjoyable track. Apparently, this track is based on on a song called Prithibi by the late Gautam Chatterjee (a cult Bengali rock songwriter who was the leader of a band called Mohiner Ghoraguli). (Source:Rediff)

KK reinforces his growing stature as a singer of repute and extraordinary talent with the melodious and emminently hummable Tu hi meri Shab hai. Excellent chorus at regular intervals make you wanna hum along. Fairly simple with the lyrics, this one is the easiest listen in the album.

Saving the best for the last, Ya Ali is the scorcher of the album. Newcomer Zubeen's quasi-nasal vocals (a Himesh Reshammiya hangover?) make you sit up and take note of this song. I have to admit I did not understand much of the song, but it's great to listen to nevertheless, and gets you all enthusiastic and aggressive.

The other songs just fill up empty space. Not worth listening to. Music Director Pritam Singh has done a good job. I recommend this album as a must buy. After all, it's rare now-a-days to get 3 good hindi songs in one album. That too without listening to that whiner we call Himesh Reshammiya.

I hate to subject the world to this...but here I am