Backpack for Hunchbacks! (Kooninmel Kurukkal!)

Chakyar Welcomes you once again...

Had to take a short break after my previous story. Not because I ran out of stories, would that ever happen to Chakyar or would there be a scarcity for stories in Kerala?
But this time, I've a long story to tell. An endless tale of suffering,misery,pain...whatever!

This is the story about Naanappan, yes, our own Dubai Naanappan, who left to Dubai 15 years ago. Separated from his family, missed a joyful life with his wife and kids,and spending half his life in the Arab's oil field. He has not been to his home for 15 years. But still he made sure that things went on well with his family for which he's working like a pig in the desert! Even though he couldn't be with his family, he ensured that he was in contact with them through phone and letters.

After all these years of hardships in the desert, at last Naanappan thought its time to retire from the Arab's hell and go back home. He made plans of purchasing some land in the outskirts of Kochi and spend the rest of his life with some farming activities. At least I could see some greenery to save myself from the thoughts of the dry and hot desert, Naanappan thought. His only ambition left was to get his son some decent education which would lead him to a better life than his own and get his daughter married, then peaceful farming life ahead,with some joyful moments his wife.

When all the fields including oil, is getting exhausted in the middle east, Naanappan thought this would be the right time to put his plans into action. With all those nice thoughts, Naanappan boarded the flight.

Just as when Naanappan opened his eyes after a long sleep he had, he was delighted to see the sight through the windows. He has reached Kochi!He looked at his watch, amazing! Air India flight reached on time! Unbelievable. For a short while, it was as if he forgot what happened for the last two days. In fact, the flight was already two days late and was held up in Mumbai airport for a days time. Even after realizing this, Naanappan was still happy, at least they could be in Kochi "on time" after a couple of day's delay.

As he came out of the lobby, Naanappan looked around. That was a proud sight for any Malayali, Cochin International Airport. He stared at the wonder of Kerala for a few moments. He slowly walked over to the taxi stand and called over for a cab.
Sarrr, where do you want to go? asked the cab driver. Naanappan explained the route to his house to him. Sarrr, Rs 9/km or 120 per hour which ever is the highest. Naanappan didn't bother to bargain as he wanted to be home at the earliest. As he boarded the cab, he once again looked back and stared at the proud sight as the cab left the Airport.



Sarrr, how's Dubai? asked the cab driver. Nothing special dear, except that the old charm has been lost. People like me and thousands of others are coming back, or searching for new places to build their dreams, Naanappan replied.
Cab driver switched on the radio. Sarrr, how long have you been there? Long time dear...long time...said Naanappan taking a deep breath. As the cab passed out of the Air port, Naanappan was looking around through the window, in the mean time, a lady was screaming Mango Mango and was speaking abnormally fast. He couldn't make out at first which language it was, was that English? No way, it's such a sweet language, no body can destroy it like this. He thought he heard a pinch of Malayalam. He got anxious and desperately wanted to know which language it was, shamelessly, he asked the driver. With a smile, he replied, Sarr this is a mix of beaten, boiled, dried and
juiced Malayalam and English. We can have the same with many others too, like the Clubs, Suns, Rainbows,Mangoes, and heard that Pineapples, Chillies...
What are you talking about? Naanappan didn't understand. Sarrr I'm talking about FM channels, replied the driver.
They reached the seaport-airport road. Naanappan looked out, was amazed to see the sight. Such beautiful roads in Kerala? Unbelievable! He has never seen the roads in Kerala be so neat and clean ever since his childhood. He hailed the CM in his mind.


How long will it take dear? Naanappan couldn't wait to see his family. Sarrr, will take some more time. With the same mind with which he praised the Cochin Airport, now he wished to curse them! Who was the Idiot who named it Cochin International Airport when it is this long from Cochin, he thought.

Sarrr...want to fill fuel in the car,said the driver. The cab, like a thirsty Arab in the desert, moved ahead in search of a petrol station. Naanappan's eyes bulged out to see the next sight. It was as if a long queue of refugees in the desert, who are hungry and desperate for food and water. Cars, buses, container lorries, autos, two wheelers...the queue was thick and long like a big fat Anaconda.
Sarrr, our oil company employees are on strike, there are only a few petrol stations in town which have a limited stock of fuel,explained the driver. Naanappan wondered what would have happened if he and his colleagues went on strike in the Gulf! It happens only in our country, where hungry can remain hungry, but the 'satisfied' still pretend to be hungry and wants to eat more than what they can digest. Shame on those Employees.
Naanappan was getting restless, Dear, can we find some other fuel station? This queue seems to be the longest. The cab then slowly escaped out from the 'Python's stomach and moved ahead in search of new 'refugee camps'. It was worse than what Naanappan thought...







With much disappointment, Naanappan didn't want anything more at this moment, than an escape from these 'refugee camp'.He felt like seeing his family would remain a distant dream for some time!

To be continued.......

Saakshi Shenoy: Blogger Mammootty!

Tirumaldevaaa....

Mammootty, welcome to the Blogosphere. Was just browsing through the news papers, that's when this news caught me by surprise, Mammootty is starting his own Blog! Guess he's the first actor in Malayalam Film Industry to have his own blog, and also the first to start his own website. When he launched his web site, and after visiting it, couldn't digest the self promo tactics used. That was too much if I should say.
But I did wonder for a while, why a Blog when you already have a website? Yet another branding channel?





Now that I've visited his Blog and read through the first two posts, I should really change my statements. In fact, now I'm a follower to his blog.
Tirumaldevaa...I thought all the patriotism and social responsibility was just confined to his movies and acting, I's absolutely wrong. The first too posts are really interesting, as a citizen, a reader and of course a blogger, I should say, WELL DONe MAMMOOKKA...not for just starting a blog or to write a couple of posts, but to prove that he's a real social figure.
Other's too should follow his footsteps, should write more of social responsibility topics, or good things at least. So that the fans who follow them can be really proud of them. (Mind you, I'm not a Mammootty Fan!) Hope he maintains the blog well with similar and more interesting topics.

In the mean time, I also saw an interesting Blog amongst Mammookka's followers list.
With a similar concept of social responsibility...guess who?...see it for your self. Tirumaldevaaaaaaa.....




When Mammootty blogged about the present crisis and how we can overcome it, look what she blogged!




Tirumaldevaaaa...

What will happen if her fans follow the next one...!

Christmas @ Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road Part 2

I'm back again after a short break, even amidst the meltdown, Kochiites including me celebrated this New Year with style.
Chakyar wishes all a Very Happy New Year.
Now it's time to continue the story.
Even though the 3 legged bird took off like a rocket and Santa had his heart in his mouth, it was just for a brief period. The bird had to slow down later and join others in migration. As soon as they(Santaand the 3 legged bird)entered Chittoor road, it was a beautiful sight which he witnessed. Lots and lots of cars and giant buses lined up and moving on a snail's pace. It looked as if different species from various terrains are migrating slowly to other terrains. They too joined the migration. It took an hour for them to reach South railway bridge. Now we entered the longest yard of migration, Santa thought.

That was when Santa dozed off, he went on a deep sleep. He had a dream, a dream which had visuals from his last Christmas visit.Santa still remembers his last visit, how he climbed the terrains and mounts of Kaloor-Kadavanthra road and how he broke his spine in the process. (Santa was bed-ridden for 10 months, thank God he made it this time).




Just as when he dreamt about how he fell onto a deep gutter, Santa cried out loud and jumped out from his sleep. He looked around and realized he was safe. The migration had just covered a few meters from where they stood before he dozed off. This will not work out, it will be tomorrow morning by when I reach Kaloor,Santa thought. He decided to find out an easier way out, paid off the 3 legged bird and stood on the walkway in the bridge. He saw a prince wearing a black crown in his head riding a pony, the prince slowly moved ahead amongst the migrating creatures and moved towards him. It's only when the prince reached near Santa, he realized that the prince was not actually a prince. It was a normal guy wearing a half helmet and was in his motocross and not a pony! The Prince stopped near Santa, politely asked Santa if he wished to be dropped somewhere. Santa was delighted to hear this and immediately jumped on to the back seat. The Prince in his pony carrying Santa,Santa carrying his backpack, looked like a new creature amongst the migrating creatures! The unit slowly moved ahead through the gaps and fissures found in the migration. They deviated from the migration and moved on towards KK road. Santa's heart started to pound faster and faster. That nightmare was still haunting him, he's anticipating another disaster for his spine for sure. He prayed all possible Gods for that matter. The unit slowly crossed the KK railway bridge, that's when Santa saw something. Both the Prince and Santa stood speechless seeing that sight. Everybody who where passing through starred at what was happening there, as did we. A drop escaped Santa's eyes, flowed down his chubby red cheeks and escaped somewhere in his thick white beard. Santa's heart was filled to see that sight...
This is what he saw...




Santa was so happy that he started to cry out loud.Slowly he came back to normal, hugged the Prince and told him that they should pay homage to Saint Mayor. For those who are not aware of Saint Mayor, here's a few facts. She is amongst the most worshipped Saints in Kochi, because its believed that she is responsible for the Spinal cord of thousands of young Malayalees and also she's considered as the Saint for diseases like Malaria, Filarea, Cholera, etc. Just like any God, she'll also test your faith,endurance and temperament. Once she is pleased, there you go, you'll see wonderful sights, just like the one which Santa and the Prince saw.



This Christmas is eventful enough, Santa thought. The Prince and Santa, set off to pay homage to the Saint. They slowly moved towards Kaloor. By the time they reached Kaloor junction, it was dark and Kochi was shining with glittering lights as usual. But this time, with all the joyful sights Santa saw, Kochi appeared more beautiful to his eyes....

Saakshi Shenoy: i-catchers 2008

Thirumaldeva...
Following are some of the i-catchers in 2008.








There is no excuse my friend...for breaking my heart...





Enkilum nee...







The Happy Madhavan Swamy



The "GUN" Swamy





Kerala's Pride showing off her Underwear!




Sambarkka Gunam.....or Dosham?


Naanakkedu 2008...don't cry child, i'll buy you a lollipop




Ingane Naanam Kunungi Irunnal Mathiyo?...Thirumaldeva...Kochi's fate






Thirumaldeva...they didn't even spare the text books of our children!




Mallu Money..."Total for us"




Amma's "Avial"


Sudheer Kadalundi (Non-stop Tabla Record) and Kuzhalmannam G Ramakrishnan (Non-stop Mridangam record)...Thirumaldeva...unbelievable!



Kerala "Sundari" 2008



An 'Idea' that changed her life!


And the last....




Somebody please wake him up and tell that it's 2009 now....

Velichappadu Chronicles: Bhagavathy's Competetors!

Bhagavathy...
This time during Uranju Thullal, Bhagavathy was really irritated. Not because she came to know that some of her loved ones have started to worship new Goddesses.It happened when she came to know who the latest Goddess was! Diana Mariam Kurian...or Nayan Tara as how we know her.



Yes, and the news is confirmed. The Nayan Devi Temple will be active soon and will be situated in Aaravukurichi, Karoor, Tamil Nadu. Entry also for any religions, cast and creed! (wonder how would be the abhishekam and archanas!)


Check out the link below..

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=3982928&articleType=movies&contentId=4932208&BV_ID=@@@

Bhagavathy is really concerned about her loved ones, as they have also done the same in the past. But at times they did realize the mistake and came back to worship her (The Khushboo Temple and Khushboo extra-marital comment controversy)



Unfortunate that Namitha Devi Temple is situated in Tamil Nadu's top cultural centers,Tirunalveli!

Velichappadu will return soon after the next 'Uranju Thullal'....

Velichappadu Chronicles: Parvathy Omanakuttan

Bhagavathy.....

This time the 'Uranju thullal' happened much earlier than expected. Bhagavathy entered me when I saw a recent image. This is what I saw:





Bhagavathy was provoked not on seeing this, but to see this after what she saw earlier:



Bhagavathy...
An advice to all aspiring Parvathy Omanakutties...
'Never commit anything which you cannot do. And be well aware of our culture before you speak about it.'

(Bhagavathy warned Velichappadu for distracting his mind with malignant thoughts)

Waiting for the next 'Uranju Thullal'...

Saakshi Shenoy

Thirumaldevaaa....

Last Sunday I's passing through marine drive when I saw a huge crowd gathered in the ground. There were a lot of huts in the ground as well. First I thought it would be another "Adivaasi Dharna", then I realized it is not Trivandrum Secretariat , I'm in Marine Drive, Kochi.

Thirumaldeva, wonderful, they have made beautiful snow peak like structures on the Marine Drive Ground compound wall. I saw something written on the welcome arch.. "Winter Splash '08". Am I really in Kochi? I wondered!

I walked through the huts, actually they were stalls, it was a food festival happening there. Suddenly I heard a howling sound of the speakers which almost tore my eardrums, when turned around, I saw a stage in which different types of drums were kept arranged and on one corner of the stage was placed a key board.

There were a lot of people, impatient and looking towards the stage. Towards the front lots of chairs could be seen, out of which only few were occupied, thought it might be for the VIPs and the VVIPs and the MIPs.

The wait was getting impatient, still I was ignorant as for what the long wait was actually for! Of the impatient, a few started snoring and a few started to sleep, and I'm still confused, did I hear long and loud snoring or was that real hard core howling by the crowd! A small irritating sensation started to build up by its own deep inside me, my heart started to pound faster, I's getting anxious, was afraid if the impatient crowd will turn into an angry mob.

That's when I heard a sweet feminine voice, I infiltrated the crowd and moved towards the barricade separating the elite from the crowd. Just wanted a glimpse of the source of that sweet voice, for a moment I wondered what a damsel she would be.
Thirumaldeva! that was too much, didn't expect such a figure.All the excitement which was built within me like a balloon...Just as I saw her, it was like the balloon knot got untied...phooooo......

Then followed her verbal torture, I swear I speak better Malayalam even with my Konkan accent. Evident that she's so proud of her Malayalam vocabs, but her exploitation of the language was totally unbearable. She welcomed all the guests on to the stage, and explained what this show was all about. Could make out that it is a musical event and something related to drums.
When all were in the stage we were asked to be silent and stand up for prayer.
Then she invited the artists one by one on to the stage...
First- Njaralaththu Harigovindan, master of Sopana Sangeetham
Second- Kalamandalam Vineesh, Idakka Specialist
Third- Rajanikanth (Not our Super Star) Key board specialist
and then, she called upon to stage...Ananthan Sivamani...
A Motta Thalayan walked on to the stage, everybody were standing up and clapping. Wondered who this guy was!
Then a video was played on the side screens, that Mottai's biography and his new album.
Next came the blunder of the night, after praising the Mottai with a lot of tongue twisting Malayalam words, she asked us all to stand up and clap and pay respect to him. Thirumaldeva...I've not even stood in the long waiting queues in Thirupathi, who is this Mottai? Is he a more powerful God than you Thirumaldeva? I wondered.

What came next was something unbelievable. Harigovindan's Sopanam, with our Mottai's out of the world drumming and the mix and flow of music...I's literally floating in heaven. This guy is truely amazing, if he heard me calling him "Mottai" I apologize sincerely, I should call him nothing less than a Maestro...What a performer!




He makes music with anything!

Thirumaldeva...wish I could enjoy more of such treats from our administration!