I learnt from A R Rahman...

From www.manakkudiyan.com :

A R Rahman was smiling ….


A R Rahman was smiling ….

I was waiting for my friend to come at his office reception. I removed my eyes from my new ‘Breitling navy meter’ and looked at the other corner; there on that chair … A R Rahman was smiling …

What a smile… What a genius and how much potential he has! Even after reaching the peak, he is still humble and spiritually aligned. What a personality. I was looking there..
A R Rahman was smiling. Smile of achievements.

Mind flied back to the past. A R Rahman related search in the mental database.

Shankar’s ‘Gentleman’ was released and Music was major hit. ‘Chikkubukku Chikkubukku railey’ was murmured in almost all the mouths across the India which made Rahman as well as Suresh Peters famous in the industry.

There were more media lights on Suresh peters. Some naughty reporter asked some question and I still remember Suresh Peter’s reply, “Do not compare me with A R Rahman. He is in the small circle. He is in Tamil cinema circle. My circle is bigger. I am in the Albums and music. Once in a while I will sing in the movies also!”. I was stunned.

But there was no reply or no news on this from A R Rahman. He might have been busy on the other movies.

Suddenly one day …. Sony which make big music albums signed A R Rahman and produced ‘ Vandemataram’. Sony will not sign with any one just like that. Sony released ‘Vandemataram’ simultaneously in 28 countries under Sony Music’s Columbia label. The world went in ‘Awe!’ . And the Album got released… The world murmured ‘ Thaai manney Vanakkam … Maa Tuje Salam’, ‘ Dhouba Dhouba’. The track“Gurus of peace...” ruled Brit people who had ruled India once upon a time.

I do not know where is that Suresh Peter who said “ My circle is bigger. I am in the Albums and music. Rahman is in the small Tamil cinema circle. Once in a while I will sing in the movies also!”.

A R Rahman neither opened his mouth for Suresh Peters nor for the media. But he smashed Suresh Peter.

I remember what I read in the magazine ‘ Frozen Thoughts’, “THE LOUDEST WAY TO TELL THE WORLD SHUT UP IS BY PRODUCING RESULTS! ”

I do not know what happened to Suresh Peter. But Rahman did not waste his time or energy on back answering Suresh Peters and he did not focus on the media. He showed his performance and launched himself in the higher and bigger level. He shut the mouth of Suresh Peter. Rahman stand tall with his performance.

Bombay Dreams … Sivaji.. Lord of the rings… still he is on.

“The Loudest way to tell the world SHUT UP is by producing results!” .

“ Hey machi…” the sound of my friend brought me out from my thoughts and I looked in that corner….. There A R Rahman was smiling.

In the ‘Times of India’ World Space advertisement… A R Rahman was smiling…

Thank you Rahman … Thank you my music director.. I learnt the message.. “LOUDEST WAY TO TELL THE WORD SHUT UP IS BY PRODUCING RESULTS!”. Thank you so much.

I joined my friend and we were walking towards the cafeteria for our Butter salt corn and coffee.

Still in the corner, A R Rahman was smiling …….

- “Thoughts Unlimited” by Manakkudiyan www.manakkudiyan.com

One Question… One Answer… One Hope…

From http://www.manakkudiyan.com/ :

One Question… One Answer… One Hope…

One Question…

Jayalaitha’s Period:

“Cheating. Three Channels are available just for Rs.7/- and few other channels are just paid channels. These Cable TV operators are charging high amount Rs.200/- per month. This should be stopped”.
Cho Ramasamy raised his voice. S.Ve.Shekar went on a ‘People rally’.

Suddenly Jayalalitha woke up and came with a scheme that Government itself will take care of the cable network, so that a common man will not pay unnecessary high amount of money for monthly cable charges and all the income will come to Government instead of going to a single private party.

But it was Karunanithi and DMK went against this scheme and did not allow the Jayalalitha Government to bring the scheme.

Karunanithi’s Period:

Headlines - “ Tamil Nadu government to run cable TV. Chennai, Aug 11: In a path-breaking initiative, the Tamil Nadu government Saturday decided to get into the cable television distribution business…”.

Question : Is this to save common man’s monthly budget or to take the upcoming ‘Kalaignar TV’ to everyone? If it is for public benefit, then why it was opposed and stopped when she brought almost a similar scheme with much more benefits to people.

One Answer…

What is happening with Ramadosss?

What ever TN government announces, he opposes. It can be Bus fare, High donation in private medical colleges, TATA’s titanium factory or anything, there is an opposition from PMK.

In fact, If Karunanithi breaths, Ramadosss will make counter movement.

Everyday there is ‘ Dummeeel… Damaaal…” bursting of crackers and sky is full of political fireworks. What is happening with Ramadosss? What is he trying to do ?.

Answer: ‘ Vijay kanth’ is the answer for all the action of Ramadosss. Ramadosss is there in the politics since for many years and struggling to grow the party by cutting the trees and planting the saplings. Vijay Kanth came day before yesterday night and he got high average vote and raising his name in the public.

Now Ramadosss goes rampage on the Vijay Kanth way ‘Oppose things and make statement’.I enjoy the fireworks and lets see where is this heading to…!

One Hope…

Karunanithi - Just announces some thing and withdraws as Ramadosss opposes.

Jayalalitha – Active for two months and walks out for 10 months.

Vijay Kanth – drives on the correct path and with enormous strength and policy.

As of now one hope in TN politics is Vijay Kanth and let us see for some more and conclude…

... Manakkudiyan www.manakkudiyan.com

When i am with nature …

From http://www.manakkudiyan.com/

When i am with nature …

11:16 PM Sunday

Just drove back from Yelagiri hills, a beautiful hill station located between Chennai and Bangalore. Feeling energized, feeling great and feeling top of the world.

This is not just because of my experience with the road side tea master or the evening drive on the beautiful national high way. Some thing else is the cause. This is not my first short break. I have gone on lots of trips and enjoyed lots of holidays at various places and countries.

Whether it was theme parks of Japan or Wonderla of Bangalore or be it MGM of Chennai or snow world of Hyderabad – I have got the maximum out of it and I have enjoyed to the peak. I do not leave a chance. I never wasted a single moments on those artificial beaches or on those artificial ice lands.

Today I have not done much. Parked the car, walked inside the private farm land, claimed on the rocks, experienced the valley, was with the grass and plants, climbed on the jack fruit tree and mango tree, plucked a raw mango and tasted it, sat on a huge rock , lost my self in the sight of the beautiful valley, got up after few hours and drove back home.

I did not do much here today. What was my event participation and activities in those theme parks and water world and what was my activity today at Yelagiri hills – There is a major difference. I did not do much today as compared to those events of theme parks and water worlds. But I am feeling more energized, boosted and more enthusiastic than I felt after experiencing those theme parks and water worlds. Now feeling I am on top of the world. How is this possible? What could be the reason…!?

I got it. When ever I go to any theme parks or water world or any artificial parks, It gives me temporary pleasure and I feel good. It wont long last.

But.. When ever I go in contact with valley, mountain, river, tree, flower, sea or any thing with nature, some thing is happening to me from within. What is available within me and what is available in the nature will get connected. It makes all the difference.

Though I was excited for theme parks and those giant wheels, my inner self feels it is not true and senses all those things are artificial. When I am with nature, my inner self senses the ‘one within me’ and the ‘one in the plant – valley – tree – sea – flower’ are one and the same. It gets connected. I loose myself in the nature. I experience a new experience. When I come out of my experience, I am new, more energized, enthusiastic, boosted and more exited.

I found my way in the valleys of Yelagiri hills. I decided to invest my time in myself and nature. I am on top of the world. When are you driving to your valley?

-----------------

“Thoughts Unlimited” by - Manakkudiyan http://www.manakkudiyan.com/

“Oh Accident – Because of whom?!”

From http://www.manakkudiyan.com/ :

“Oh Accident – Because of whom?!”

I was excited to see my college mate Venkat after many years and shocked to see the bandage in his hand. When I asked him the reason, he replied, “Road accident - A cyclist has come suddenly, I could not control, hit and my hand got fractured”.

Four years ago - Met Maran my class mate at Government hospital, Chennai and felt very bad when listening from him that there were 21 fractures in his leg. Maran went into a slump and said, “I was driving my bike from Cuddalore towards my native. A stupid man came in between from nowhere; I could not control, the vehicle did not stop, hit the slab of a nearby bridge, was thrown into the deep canal which did not have water then and I lost consciousness”.


A couple of months ago - Went for a long drive in my Maruthi Esteem and got into a village. Experiencing the village, villagers and enjoying the different taste of the Tea. When I asked the shop owner why was he limping, his wife poured the anger she had on him in the way she replied to me, “Muscle pull. A man who has given birth to two children did not know how to drive bi-cycle, fell down and now limppppppppppinnnnng”. He had no option but to smile and said, “What will I do? The sloghy edge of the road was slippery!”

Sivaa and I rushed to his residence the moment we heard his wife had met with a road accident. She had bruised her knee and got few cuts in her feet, she was lying down in the soba and it was very visible that she was going through severe pain. We both were standing near the soba and after listening from her everything Sivaa told her, “it is okay. You need some rest. Let the medicine works. You will be alright very soon. I am with you dear. But, you should been little more careful while driving. We should have avoided this accident”. Instantly with louder voice she screamed, “What?! That stupid auto rickshaw fellow came suddenly. What is my mistake in this?”

My college mate – Venkat, Class mate – Maran, Shopkeeper of that small village, this Sivaa’s wife or any body who meets with a road accident invariably tells, “What is my mistake. It happened because of that or because of him...”.


All those who meet accidents tell some body or some thing is the reason. I have a question.

Does anyone have answer for me …!? - “Accident happens – Because of whom?!”
……
“Thoughts Unlimited” by - Manakkudiyan
www.manakkudiyan.com

Mahatma Gandhi and my Nokia Phone...

From www.manakkudiyan.com :

Mahatma Gandhi and my Nokia Phone...

It was a big queue of people in the Nokia service center and everyone wanted to get their turn immediately. I was in the queue. Reliance mobile users did not have wider options on choosing the hand sets and I was also happy with my Nokia 3105 then. It was my turn. The man with thicker spectacles, “Yes”.
“I dropped my mobile, it rolled down in the stair case and display vanished. It is under warranty. This is the purchase bill. Can you help me on getting this repaired?”
“Sir, You dropped means it is physical damage. It will not be covered under warranty. Fill this service request form and write that you do not know the cause of this malfunction and mention it happened on its own”.

“Oh… But I do not lie” .

“Boss… Where are you coming from? Just two lines can save your Rupees six thousands. And I am trying to save your money. Did you understand that?”.

“Yes sir… Thanks for that. Is there any other possibility other than this? Because I do not lie” .
“Yow… Innah? Are you normal or some thing wrong inside your head? Okay, do not waste your time and my time. Move out. Thanks”.

As I was pushing the door to come out of the service center, he stopped me with his loudest voice “Hellov” and asked me, “Are you Mahatma Gandhi or what?” and he did not wait for my answer and told the security, “Yei… Kathava thorada… Mahatma Gandhi poraaru!” (Hey… Open the Door for our Mahatma Gandhi).

I stepped out, “What is my mistake? I am honest and I am living with my values. Why there is so much sarcasm in front of people as if I committed some crime” and was going through some thing.I approached almost all the Nokia service centers in the city. The response was almost similar and no one was ready to take the phone for repair.

I did not stop myself, stepped in to the next one and told the girl in the counter, “No display. There is a physical damage. I only dropped the phone, it did not happen on its own, this is the truth and I do not lie. Tell me will you take for repair?” The girl with a smile replied, “Because you are telling the truth, we will take this for repair”. I gave my phone and both of us were smiling. The reason for my smile was “Hey Hey Hey … I do not need to compromise on my values. Truth works. Still there are places and value for my values” and her smile was on reciprocation.

I got a call from Nokia care after 9 days, “Sir… your replacement phone is ready, and you can come and pick up the handset”. I got my new replacement handset.

Years have rolled over.

When ever I see any Nokia service center name board a question comes to me ‘What is the connection between Mahatma Gandhi and my Nokia Phone?’ And the conversion lingers in my mind…..
“But … I do not lie” .
“Hellov! Are you Mahatma Gandhi or what? Yei… Kathava thorada… Mahatma Gandhi poraaru!”
…… ....
“Thoughts Unlimited” by - Manakkudiyan www.manakkudiyan.com

Zen Stories ....

From www.manakkudiyan.com :

Zen Stories

3. Every Minute Zen

Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship had become a teacher.

The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: “I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs.”
Tenno, confused, had no instant answer.

He realized he was unable to carry his Zen every minute.

He became Nan-in’s pupil, and studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.

4. A Cup of Tea

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served Tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” .

“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

… Manakkudiyan http://www.manakkudiyan.com/

Zen Stories

From www.manakkudiyan.com :

ZEN STORIES

1. How Grass and Trees Become Enlightened

Shinkan came back to Japan from China after his contemplation of Zen over thirteen years.

One day a fifty-year-old student of enlightenment said to Shinkan, “I have studied the Tendai school of thought since I was a little boy, but one thing in it I cannot understand. Tendai claims that even the grass and trees will become enlightened. To me this seems very strange.”

“Of what use is it to discuss how grass and trees become enlightened?”, asked Shinkan, “The question is how you yourself can become so. Did you even consider that?”

“I never thought of it that way,” marveled the student

“Then go home and think it over”
………

2. Best Piece

When Banzan was walking through a market he overheard a conversation between a butcher and his customer. “Give me the best piece of meat you have,” said the customer.

“Everything in my shop is the best,” replied the butcher, “You cannot find here any piece of meat that is not the best.”

At these words Banzan became enlightened.

- Manakkudiyan www.manakkudiyan.com