Freedom of Speech. Do we have it?

Freedom of Speech. What we had been taught in the school from the childhood days. I never believed I had it. I was not allowed to talk against anyone in the school. There it goes away, right at the beginning.

At school, at home, in public, you were not supposed to speak what your mind asks you to. I am sad that, this is even true in the field of art and creativity as well. Weather it may be the recent attack on a comedian who allegedly mocked a particular caste, or something similar to those happened in the past in the state of Andhra Pradesh (united). But the thing is, it is not just in AP or Telangana per-se. One of the movies directed by Kamal Hasan had to go through lot of things just to get released. The new movie PK is facing lot of issues because of the religious aspects that it questions.

It just does not stop here. Hollywood makes a movie with a plot that deals with the assassination of the leader of another country. That is it. The computer network of the company which made the film, gets hacked.

You talk or speak against a political party, you are beaten up to death. I just think that, there is no freedom of speech ever. Not even on the Facebook for that matter. Can you remember at least one instance where you expressed your feelings about someone, that you are friends with directly by name? You would not even dare to un-friend that person, even if you do not like him/her. That is where we are and we would continue to be.

It seems only like we have the right to suppress the "freedom of speech".

In the Quest for Unique Names..

I have been finding lot of new names for the new born kids in Telugu families these days!! Everyone wants to give their kid a unique name. Unique is what important. Don't care if it does not really have a meaning at all. After all, who wants a meaning to a name? The usual Telugu names are no more accepted. They are old fashioned, not trendy. I don't think any one named (at least I do not know any!!) their baby boys Ramu, Raju or even Srinivas and baby girls Sujatha, Janaki or even Annapuna these days.

I know, the above names are for sure old fashioned. But are we coining some new words, in order to give a unique name to our kids? Do we really have to import them from the North or from other languages  so that they sound new and are unique? I wouldn't be surprised if someone names his/her kid Romanov or Sharapova.. soon.

I really want to give some examples here, but do not want to hurt any one reading this blog (if at all someone reads :-) !!). My only request to the parents is, give unique/trendy names to your kids, but do not name them with something that does not have a meaning at all. Just because someone wrote on a web site that, this unique name means this particular God, please do not believe unless you get it clarified from some one really knowledgeable. If someone ever asks your kid, whats the meaning of your name, I wish they should not be embarrassed..!!

Sarvejana Sukhinobhavanthu..!!

What is happening to Telugu Cinema?

I never thought I would write about movies in my blog. As an ardent movie fan, I could not stop myself writing this in agony and pain. If anyone of you been watching Telugu Cinema trend these days, you would know why I am writing this.

Its been ages that I watched and loved a Telugu movie to the core.After Prasthanam, I did not even like any movie. What is wrong? Looks like Telugu directors and Script writers are out of ideas. I hate the directors like Srinu Vaitla, who just think that the audience and part of his movie characters are idiots. Just check the movies King, Ready and even Namo Venkatesha, you would know. I am not sure if one could find such characters in real life.

Gone are those days, where you were laughing just looking at Brahmanandam on the screen. Gone are those days when comedy was really comic enough. If you just think having Brahmi could pull the crowds to the movie, well, not anymore. Feel sick these days to see Brahmi, Venu Madhav even Ali on the screen.

I must mention one of the movies that I watched recently, Darling. Directed by Karunakaran. Only at the interval, after spending like one and half hour of you valuable (?) time, you were let know that, all that happened  until now was a story and nothing actually happened. Do they think, they are showing two movies on one ticket, or do they just don't care about what the viewers might feel like. Checkout Shakthi, they make us believe that, the Egyptians came to India, on horses in early 1980s to get hold of some power. Yes. we have to appreciate the director and the hero to, for not putting their minds at that idea itself.

Checkout the hero characters in the movies. They hero is a fresh grad with no intention to work but only wants to go behind the heroine. Check the movie "Wanted". The hero parents do not want the hero to work but only get spoiled and they even bribe police to get him out of jail. What message do these movies send out?

Most of the dubbed Tamil movies are doing better at box office. Do we really have to cry on them? No. Not at all. Checkout, Na Peru Siva (Naan Mahan Allan) and Rangam (Kho). No idiotic comedy. No buffoon comedians. Just story. Yes. Not because of the heroes, not because of the exposing of the heroine and not definitely because of the budget of the film those movies clicked. Those movies made sense.

Unfortunately, I can not give any solution except to hope for better movies. Wish, our directors listen.

Am I eligible to support Anna Hazare??

Everyone is talking about Jan Lokpal and Anna Hazare now. Frankly, was not really following the whole thing except reading the FB updates and links. Looks like every student union and every other person on the FB are supporting him. So, if I too forward a link, signup an online petition (?), call some phone number and register, forward that SMS or change my profile pic to Anna, so I am in too? Confused. Frustrated.

I am not an honest guy. I bribed  for my Driver's License in India. Not that I did not know driving, but I could not do a 11 on the bike. I bribed for getting one of my certificates from the local MRO (Mandal Revenue Office), because I needed it faster. Well, who did not? So, even then,  am I eligible to support the revolution against the corruption?

I was reading the analysis of an online columnists. Looks like the whole problem is because, the PM is not going to be under Jan Lokpals control.  Do we really need that? What if he is covered and 2G Raja says, PM was the whole architect of the spectrum scam? Just like the High Court ordered for the CBI investigation on Jagan based on some complaint of a politician from AP, Would Lokpal ask CBI to investigate on the PM of India? Asks the PM to get down from the seat because there is an allegation on him? What would be India's face to the world after it's PM is put on hold and under an investigation? After all, what if the Lokpal himself becomes corrupt (with the enormous power, even Satya Harichandra might get second thoughts)?

Just because, Anna is fighting, I do not think the whole India would become honest overnight after the Jan Lokpal is accepted. The change should be coming from within ourselves. Don't give or ask for bribe. Be honest to yourself and to others. Help someone truly in need. Don't jump the red light. Ask, if something is not correct. When the man in the mirror changes, its the first notification that the world is changing.

Wish to become eligible to support Anna and his Vision.

- Vijay

Travelling Consultant...

Who am I? I am a Consultant. To be very specific a traveling consultant. You don't know where is your next job or client is. Every time its new place.. new people and new challenges. All that I got is my Car and a car full of luggage. I can not exceed.

Being in United States of America does not really mean that one is living the best life. Many of my friends come here with lots of dreams. Some people come here for fun.. someone to escape from home land.. some people to prove their selves and people like me.. for money. Yes. I am here for money. Even with the best job in India, would not have given me this pay.

So, I am here for money and the best thing to do is consulting. But you need to loose something to get something. Should be ready to go places. Should be ready to mingle with new people and on top of all... should be the best in your competency. If your not the best, there are hell lot of other people who are ready to replace you.

Shoot. The client manager called. The project was put on hold indefinitely... damn. Got to search for another project soon.. already my company is laying off people who come on to bench..!! Catch you later..!!

PS: Was a draft. Never posted. It got its time.. today..!!

What's Happening?

Its been so many days that I wrote. Not that I was busy, but do not know where the time is lost. Finally from a travelling consultant (a blog that I drafted, but never posted..!!) I become an employee. No more travelling on projects all over America. That makes me stagnate. Yes. True. I become stagnate now. 


I used to read novels, at least the fictions. Especially Sheldon's. Now I could not even read through 10 pages. Mean while, mobile buzzes.. theres is an alert from facebook. Someone said something about someone else. Just because, I did the same thing some time back today, now I am being punished with all that that everyone else now has to say about. Looks like mind is tuned to the conception that, "the one that glows is only the one that I would read".


Years back, the reason that I flew to USA, is fulfilled. Got married to the girl that I always wanted to. Got a car that I always dreamed about. Still, something is missing. Something is not the way I want. Right now, in search mode. hope my search finds some results.


Hope to write frequently from now..


Vijay

Oh Preyasee..!! ఓ ప్రేయసీ!!

The recent flick - Ye Maya Chesaave has an excellent tune "Aaromalae" with malayalam lyrics. I liked the song so much, that it was irresisting to me that this song was not in Telugu. Then though why not I write my own telugu version.. and here is the result..

జివ్వున వీచే కొండ గాలి,

వరుడే ఐన ఈ వేల,

సిలువనే దర్శించ తరలి వచ్చినప్పుడు

ఎదురేగి.. ఈ మలయాళ భువి.. ఆహ్వానిన్చేనా..??

ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ

చక్కనైనదీ సుముహుర్తం ,

సుమంగళీ భవ కలకాలం

చక్కనైనదీ సుముహుర్తం ,

సుమంగళీ భవ కలకాలం

వెచ్చనైన ఈ రాతిరిలో

దూరమెల ఓ తారకమ ,

ఉషోదయపు ఆ కిరణంలా ..

వచ్చి వాలవే నా వడిలో ..

పరవశించి కోకిల కూడా ఈ వేళలో కూసిందా ?

దీపావలే చిన్నబోయీ, జ్యోతి వెలుగుకై వెతికిందా ?

చక్కనైనదీ సుముహుర్తం ,

సుమంగళీ భవ కలకాలం

ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ

కడలికే , ఉప్పొంగెనే అలలా .. స్నేహం ఉందా ?

పంచడానికే ప్రేమే నీలో , మిగిలి ఉందా ...

ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ , ఓ ప్రేయసీ

ఓ ప్రేయసీ.. ఓహ్ .. హో !

- విజయశంకర్

English Version -

Jivvuna Veeche Konda Gaali,

Varude aina Ee Vela,

Siluvane darshincha tharali vachhinappudu

Eduregi.. ee malayala bhuvi.. aahvaanichenaa..??

Ooo Preyasee, O Preyasee, O Preyasee, O Preyasee

Chakkanainadee sumuhurtham,

Sumangali Bhava kalakaalam

Chakkanainadee sumuhurtham,

Sumangali Bhava kalakaalam

vechhanaina ee rathirilo

Dooramela oo taarakama,

ushodayapu aa kiranamlaa..

Vachhi vaalave na vadilo..

Paravashinchi kokila kooda ee velalo koosindaa?

Deepaavalae chiannaboyee, jyothi velugukai vethinkinda?

Chakkanainadee sumuhurtham,

Sumangali Bhava kalakaalam

Ooo Preyasee, O Preyasee

Kadalike, uppongene alalaa.. sneham undaa?

panchadanike preme neelo, migili undaa...?

Ooo Preyasee, O Preyasee, O Preyasee, O Preyasee

O preyasee.. Ohh.. Ho!

- Vijayashankar

PS: The meaning from the malayalam lyrics were taken from here