Author: anandnataraj

Entrepreneur, Blogger, Traveller, Pet Lover, Networker, Social Drinker, Party Animal, Movie Addict, Startup Enthusiast, Organic Gardner, Avid Reader....

Trichy Experience


Had to drive to Trichy on Saturday to take my Granny & Mom for a condolence. Again it was an electrifying experience. 

  • Started from home by 7:30 AM. Woke up early thought I slept only by 3 AM & had just 3 hours of sleep.
  • Reached my uncles house in 4 hours and drove non stop.
  • After a short nap had to go back to my granny’s village.
  • There was Jallikattu (Bull Taming) which was restricted only to villagers. I’m watching a Jallikattu for the first time. Sadly I forgot to carry my camera to shoot the experience.
  • Had good time with tiny tots & I became their favorite as I got them ice-creams and chocolates.
  • Had dinner in my granny’s house.
  • My granny’s village is on the shores of Kaveri River & spent some time in the river as it had some water.
  • Got back to my uncles house in Trichy and went to sleep.
  • Again went to village early in the morning for condolence.
  • Had breakfast and went back to my uncle’s house.
  • Then returned back to Chennai accompanied by 2 more cars and there was race.
  • Had lunch in a hotel attached to a petrol pump.
  • Reached Chennai and went to my aunt’s house to offload some fruits.
  • Then there was an invite from my cousin for dinner and we had dinner and had nice time pulling each other.
  • Then returned home by 12 o clock and checked my email and crashed as I was too tired to write a blog.

Kutty Review


Kutty is one other movie which i watched for Pongal. This movie had more expectations next to Aayirathil Oruvan since it starts Dhanush. It is a remake of Telegu super hit flick Arya 1.

Since the concept is an one liner (A guy tries to win over a girl who is already in love). Movie depends more on screenplay. So i want to share my thoughts on character.

  • Dhanush has shown he is a natural actor and has done his part well. But i can say he has taken this role too lightly and has given a performance less than what he is known for.
  • Shriya Saran has an image with Kollywood audience and there is a conflict between her image & her character in this movie. Otherwise she has done her prat.
  • Sameer Dattani alies Dhyan a Kannada hero has debuted as Villain in the movie. He has over performed and was below average in his acting too. Don’t know if he has followed the way he acts in Kannada or is it because of his lack of understanding of local language? anyways he got to improve if he needs a hold in kollywood.
  • Devi Sri Prasad has let us down with his music after giving a marvelous performance in Kandasamy.
  • Comedians Aarthi, Srinath, Mayilsamy were all wasted and comedy is by comedians in mediocre.

Movie is a good entertainer and can be watched with family & it is not boring.

Aayirathil Oruvan Review


Yesterday we went for back to back shows for Kutty & Aayirathil Oruvan. Second one has more PR than the latter because this is from Selvaragavan after a long while. And also the Hero has acted after a gap of 2 years after debut. So, movie created a lot of buzz.

First of all i must acknowledge the efforts of the crew and give an applause to Selva for his bold experiment and have this experimenting attitude. But movie has lot of inspiration from;

  • King Solomon Mines
  • Inidana Johns
  • Myth
  • Gladiator

and more hollywood movies. Movie keeps the the excitement till the climax. I some what feel Director got confused or lost track during the climax. Even things were happening in rain & at night and nothing was clear & unable to understand what is happening.

I think director tried to invoke some thing which had happened to LTTE, but that is my thought and not sure if he tried the same.

Then he had an abrupt end and left the doors open to develop a sequel. Talking about the characters;

  • Reema Sen is hot and she sizzles in her acting too. She owes a lot to Selva for giving her such an opportunity.
  • Karthi looks like a puppet Hero. He is not utilized well and don’t know why he was made to underplay soo much.
  • Parthiban has come back after a long gap and he has shown elegance in his acting and he justified his role.
  • Andrea again has shown good glamour. But doesn’t have much to do in second half.

There are lots of loose ends in the movie but we can forgive them because of the initiative they have taken. On the plus side characters have been nicely tied and explained how they converged. Also Selva has opened the corridors to other film makers in Kollywood and hope we will get more such movies which other wise would be possible only in a Hollywood movie.

Chennai Sangamam Rocks


Yesterday myself and Bala were working from home as business was sluggish because of Pongal Holidays. Then i got a call from a Sales guy who said he will visit our office by 4 PM to explain his product.

Me & Bala reached office by 4 PM and then we got a call from that guy telling he cant make it for the day. Then Bala asked if we can goto Chennai Sangamam & without any hesitation i agreed because.

  • Unable to hang out with Bala these days.
  • I missed last 2 Chennai Sangamam & i badly wanted to make it.

Then after attending some unexpected visitors & after picking some calls we left to Natesan Park Sangamam. It was a great for ones eyes to see lights decoration on the entire stretch of Venkarnarayana Road.

We parked the car on a near by road as the stretch was blocked & immediately i started clicking snaps. We enjoyed some half a kilometer walk by seeing the decorations.

On entering the park we were greeted by the aroma of food stalls on the entrance. Then a common welcome from Usman Road shop owners who sponsored the show. We entered the park watching People applying mehandhi, listening to astrology (Kili Josiyam & Regai Josiyam) all these are traditional astrological methods.

Then we went to watch a Mahabarath play. To be frank i’ve never seen a theru koothu / stage plays in my life. I’ve read all about these in books which says these were Tamilian Culture. I was very happy to get a glimpse of things which i’ve just imagined and I felt i must be lucky to see these things in my life time.

Also i’ve read a lot about how these traditional entertainers once were burnt because of cinemas, modern day technology like TV, internet. They find it hard to continue there generational livelihood and how they come out to make a better living. Such events makes audiences feel happy and also the it gives an opportunity to these Kalainargal (Artists) to make a living.

There different types of entertainment showcased like;

  • Oyilattam
  • Kuyilattam
  • Nerupuattam
  • Stage Plays
  • Street Plays
  • Poi Kal Kudurai
  • Thappata
  • Veera Saagasangal

and more types of traditional performances. When audiences & reporters flooded for a photo with them. These artists who were ignored for long felt happy to oblige an pose for photos and videos. Also people encouraged then by shouting, whistling etc.

Talking about the crowd, there were people from all status of life and i saw a bunch of elite crowd. Also there were foreigners who flooded to the show.

Then there were stalls from 5 star hotels to home cooked stalls which offered delicious traditional foods which were a gift to ones taste buds.

I must thank Ms.Kanimozhi for initiating such a spectacular even and making it a grand success. My only wish is to see this as a non-political even thought this was envisioned by someone with political background. I wish even if government changes this event continues.

While returning i came out as a happy man & a proud tamilian to  watch our old traditions & entertainment medias.

Why Petrol Bunk Operators cheat???


I’ve many experience of getting tricked by petrol pump operators and I must blame myself because it all happens because of my impatience.

Last Sunday while returning from a Movie I went to a HP petrol station in Guindy to load GAS. I asked that guy to fill it for 1000 bucks. He filled it for 300 bucks and he had cut it and then when i told him it is for 700 bucks he again filled it.

After making the payment i started the car and while driving i realized the tank indicator was only half way. I know i was tricked I was so angry and i wanted to get back and show my piece of mind.

Then i proceeded back home because;

  • I was almost near to my house.
  • Time was 3 AM.
  • I was not sure if i can get justice form these guys.

For me this is happening for Nth number of time and still I’m not learning from my mistake.

Same thing happened in Bharat Petrolium in Tirupathi. But that time my friend Suresh was there and he took the pump operators for a toss and they immediately accepted their mistake and filled the balance.

Now the question i’ve is how can we prove it that the operator has not filled to the value we have paid. If someone can give me the hack i can give back to operators who trick customers.

So these are the Petrol Stations that is known for cheating;

  • IOC Station ECR Kottivakkam.
  • HP Station near to Guindy Railway Station.

Pyar Impossible


Yesterday i went to watch the movie Pyar Impossible. Crux is how a geekish nerd falls for a Hot babe in his college and who doesn’t express his love for her. Later after seven years how he meets her again and wins over her.

I can draw lot of parallels on why i like the movie;

  • First I never had guts to express my love or liking to any girl. Thought i was neither nerd nor a geek I can relate myself to the character otherwise.
  • I love fathers who raise their kids as friend.
  • How Hero fights back with a guy who has cheated him. Same has happened to me 2 years back.
  • How he gets reunited with his love after seven years.

I’m not a great fan on Uday Chopra. Infact i hate him right from his first movie Mobhathein also i didn’t like him in Dhoom even he did a cool guys character.

But this movie the role has perfectly fit him & also i heard it was his own story. This is the first movie where he inspired me personally. Let see how he is going to make it in long run.

I watched the movie for Piggy Chops and she is Hot as usual & she is the sole lead actor in the movie.

When i saw in Rediff ratings that movie had poor opening. It is sad to see a good movie failing in BO.


Great E-Mail from my CTO


My CTO Mr.Kannan has composed this great email.

Dear Cogzians,

I am very much delighted to make this announcement. Yes! Cogzidel Technologies, one year and 4 months old baby is now growing and prepared to take a next step !!

Guess what !! One year and 4 months baby since it babyhood nourished by mother(Madurai development center) , now going to make an attempt to start walking.

Still any Guess !! Ok. Let me have the proud to break the ice.

Next step for Cogzidel Technologies – Starting second development center in Chennai.

We are starting our Chennai Development Center at Admbakkam ( Near Chennai International Airport – Hoping we will have busy schedule to fly often J) from 22nd Jan 2010.

This dream would have not come true but it happens only b’cos of you Cogzian. I am thanking individually every Cogzian.

We are just now making a small step forward and we have long journey to do, we as Cogzian have the commitment to make this organization as one of the best in the industry. We as team can rock anything in this world.

Believe it and Let us all fuel our energy  for the future to grow stronger and stronger, individually as well as a team.

Let us blow our bells and whistles to warmly welcome the new development center.

Thanks
Kannan

Great job Kannan. Long live Cogzidel!!!

Sherlock Homes Experience


It has been more than a decade since i’ve read about Sherlock Homes. Since i was not interested in studies I use to mug the stories instead of enjoying it. Yesterday my friend KaviRaj called invited me to the movie Sherlock Homes.

Other than the name i didn’t remember any of the story or character name other than Sherlock Homes.

Since Inox & Satyam got full we had to content with Devi. Devi has been my favorite theatre once but i stopped watching movie there for almost 7 years. Owners have given a external facelift to the theatre. But seating were very small & was totally uncomfortable.

While watching the movie i came to know about Kavi’s interest for readings. He was telling a lots of Story Names, Author Names which i was totally unaware of. He gave lots of insights about Sherlock Homes. He is someone unique & i’ve never met someone like him before.

Also the whole theatre must be Sherlock Homes freaks. While Kavi was narrating story to me other started shouting that we are disturbing them.

Over all it was a different experience and also the movie was really class. Narration was like how it was done in Inglorious Bastards. But later i came to know that original tale also would be written in same style.

Now i’m eager to read more tales and again i feel it is all your surroundings that matters. When you have a friend with great passion his passion will take us a long way. Like wise if i had Kavi as my friend in school days. I’ve have excelled in reading books & fairy tales at a young age.

Indoor Golf @ CCS


When I got an invitation to CEO lifestyle i got carried away with lots of things that were displayed in the stalls. So, i thought i must buy something from the fair and have a New Year resolution based on it.

So, one of the new year resolution is to Buy an indoor Golf Putter and practice it during free time in office & to get trained at Driving Range.

Yesterday i got my indoor golf kit from The Golf Planet which i ordered a month back.

Again I’m prone (or known) of over doing things.

I got a Golf Hat & a Gloves to play in indoor. As i want to be perfect. Even today i came with Golf Dress code.

  • Colored T-Shirt.
  • Jeans Pant.
  • Shoes.

If anyone wants to play please drop in. But I’m very serious about dress code.

  • Colored Shirt / T-Shirt
  • Trowser (Half or Full)
  • Shoes
  • Glove
  • Shirt Tucked in

So here is the preview of my Golf Kit.

Brand & Image Loyalty


I’m always known for my loyalty and today my friends got annoyed to see my adamancy in making my shopping.

Today I went for shopping along with my friends to buy a BlackBerry Phone & iPod Shuffle.

I saw a The Mobile Store inside Landmark and I enquired the price. My friend said sets are cheap in Poorvika & other outlets. I said what ever the price may be I’ll but the set only from Mobile Store because it is from Virgin Group. Obvious reason is Richard Branson. I’m a great fan of him and I’ve taken him as my Guru / Mentor.

Then after that I went to buy iPod Shuffle. Again my friend said Sony is better than iPod and Sony is much cheaper than iPod. Again I went ahead and brought an iPod and again for obvious reason Apple & Steve Jobs.

Then my friend said he can get some discount if I can buy thru his vendor. Again I went ahead and bought from Landmark because I’m a great fan of its Founder Hemu Ramiah & for Tata’s and also I hold their loyalty card. 

My friends said I must be crazy. I know I’m paying a couple of hundreds more but I’ve benefitted a lot from the personalities I’ve specified. They were & are a great motivation for me. I’ve also copied some of their success formulas. I owe a lot to them even if they have not helped me physically. I feel like giving back to them though my contribution many me peanuts to them.

So I’m convinced on what I’m doing & I’ve no regrets even if my friends tell I’m a nut.