Ilayaraja (இளையராஜா), one of the greatest composers to have ever lived. Never went to school. Hardly any music education. Hails from a very backward community, so called, by the self-proclaimed forward community. But, there was nothing backward about his talent - an absolute genuis. First Asian to have composed a symphony, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).
Started composing songs when he was 22 and composes till date, lot lesser though. Timeless compositions. Mesmirising tunes. Complex arrangements. Magical use of instruments. If ever there is God, sure he was biased.
To have lived while he existed is an honour for me. Soulful music transcends culture, language, race, country, creed and what ever barriers that humans have worked very hard to create. I am hoping you would enjoy this even if you don't understand the lyrics.
Click here to know more about the man!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Beijing 2008: Privilege to watch....
- The incomparable Michael Phelps [US] conquering the pool
- Gou Jingjing [China], one of the greatest divers alive
- Lin Dan [China], made good for his first round exit in Athens 2004 by demolishing the Malaysian in Beijing 2008 finals
- Zhang Yining [China] with her amazing reflexes on a table tennis court
- Usain Bolt [Jamaica], fastest man in the world by a mile [by 3m in the 100m sprint]
- Nastia Luikin [US], Romanian born American with her artistery in gymnastics
- Shawn Johnson [US] for her attitude and style in gymnastics
- All the Japanese participants with their smile, attitude and compassion.
- US basketball team - both men and women, not just winning all their group matches but thrashing with at least 30 point difference.
- Rafael Nadal [Spain] for his determination and grit to conquer Olympics supremacy.
- Stephanie Rice [Australia] for her gold in 200 IM and 400 IM in swimming
- Elena Isinbeiva [Russia], queen of track and field at this moment who won a gold with just two jumps on the Vault and went to beat her own world record.
- Lionel Messi and his Argentinian troops on the football field having gold around their necks, second olympics running
In all, an absolute celebration of skill, stamina and courage. Beijing 2008, in more ways than one, will probably be the best Olympics ever. World records tumbled, emotions ran riot, skills displayed for all to see and cherish, memories etched in minds of billions, record 80 nations winning the ultimate souvenir from Beijing, a medal.
Apt that the host nation topped up the Gold rankings with a little help from US with below par display in track and field. No where you would see an absolute domination in a few sports by the chinese - Table Tennis (3/3), Diving (7/8), Badminton (3/6). Also making progress in sports where they have never been known for, even for participation like sailing, water polo, synchronised swimming - they have won medals in each of their, so called, unknown categories of sports. This is an absolute tribute to their determination, perfection and effort.
My respect for China and the chinese have gone to great heights after Beijing 2008 for giving this two weeks of sheer joy.
If only he was a country.....
Michael Phelps, arguably the greatest Olympian ever lived, landed in Beijing to be the first Phelps rather a second Spitz by his own admission. He volunteered enormous pressure on himself. He not only delivered but create 7 world records and 1 olympic record in his 8 gold medal swims. Jason Lezak contributed his bit to Phelps achieveing this record of enormous proportions by anchoring the 4x100 freestyle relay.
10 days into the Olympics, Phelps alone, with his tally of 8 gold medals will stand 8the overall medal tally if here were a country. He will rank higher than countries like Russia, Italy, France and other strong European nations. That is the measure of the ma
n and the determination he brought into the pool. US had 31 medals [12G, 9S, 10B] in just swimming which is 3 times of what India has achieved in its entire history of Olympics.
If one needs to learn superlatives, all you have to do is go through all sports reviews in global news channels, publications and news gatherings. Incredible man, incredible achievement.
Its quite sad that the swimming had to come to a close after a wonderful 10 days at the Olympics. Definitely will go down as a legendary event in the history of Olympics. Thanks to the gorgeous venue, the Water Cube. Thanks to the clear 3m pool, figure hugging swimsuit, discipline and hardwork of the participants. Anthony Moss and John McBeth for their awesome commentary. Anthony Moss, being a swimmer himself, was wonderful in his predictions and comments on the techniques of various swimmers.
Hope this raises the profile of swimming as an event, not just once in 4 years at Olympics.
10 days into the Olympics, Phelps alone, with his tally of 8 gold medals will stand 8the overall medal tally if here were a country. He will rank higher than countries like Russia, Italy, France and other strong European nations. That is the measure of the ma
n and the determination he brought into the pool. US had 31 medals [12G, 9S, 10B] in just swimming which is 3 times of what India has achieved in its entire history of Olympics.If one needs to learn superlatives, all you have to do is go through all sports reviews in global news channels, publications and news gatherings. Incredible man, incredible achievement.
Its quite sad that the swimming had to come to a close after a wonderful 10 days at the Olympics. Definitely will go down as a legendary event in the history of Olympics. Thanks to the gorgeous venue, the Water Cube. Thanks to the clear 3m pool, figure hugging swimsuit, discipline and hardwork of the participants. Anthony Moss and John McBeth for their awesome commentary. Anthony Moss, being a swimmer himself, was wonderful in his predictions and comments on the techniques of various swimmers.
Hope this raises the profile of swimming as an event, not just once in 4 years at Olympics.
Monday, August 11, 2008
54 v 654......
Two countries contribute almost 50% of the world population. One, hosting the single largest event on this face of earth, in arguably the best possible manner. Other, had the mere duty to compete, coming short in that too. Disgustingly short if you belong to that nation, w
hich I do. India had sent 54 participants to compete in 12 disciplines where as the host nation, China, had over 650 participants in nearly all disciplines.
Good things first. An amazing display of people, technology, culture and history to get every powerhouse nation to sit up and take notice of what China has been secretly preparingover te last 6 years. There were more than 90 heads of state, royalties, senior ministers and analysts present in the new landmark of Beijing, the Bird's nest stadium, watching events unfold with great interest. And some intent as well, mostly political. Vladimir Putin, George Bush & Sarkozy all watching what China could do while the US presidential hopefuls could have peeped in their television sets to see the stunning spectacle.
With Olympics, lots of great things happen along with economical challenges that the nation that hosts would face post the event - cost that was already spent, maintenance of these huge, new constructions moving forward, other infrastructural investements, running some billions of dollars. The opening ceremony alone was supposedly $100mn expense entry into Chinese books. But, the ingenuity of the Chinese officials is there for all to see - apart from the water cube and the bird's nest stadium - all of the other events are happening at University gymnasiums and auditorium benefiting the institution after the games are over. And the water cube has been planned for an entertainment centre with reduced seats and increased facilities. Smart thinking.
204 nations walked into the stadium to mark their presence in the games with the hosts signing off with their contingent of
over 650 participants to a roar only common to populous nations like us. It was a sight to behold. Countries that you only hear once in 4 years in Olympics like Vanuatu, Belize, Comoros made up the pack.
When they walked up to take their positions, their footprints were registered on a backdrop placed on the ground in front of the olympic colour powders and everyone had to walk through that. Another smart thinking.
The Chinese Premier sitting to the IOC President had a little look of arrogance equalling that of a proud father seeing the kids excel, deservedly so, for making this happen, in a manner in which it happened. Watching this must have made most Asians proud - Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and now, Beijing.
Now to the sad part. India, almost matching China in population and just that had sent 54 participants to compete in this Olympics, which tells about the structure that we have to identify the talents. Looking at China where they had one participant in 1938 Olympics, some 100 of them in the 1984 Olympics to 654 in Beijing 2008 - the importance they have given to sports and structures in place to identify, train and prepare them for such an event is staggering and for everyone to see. Their set their ambitions to overtake the US in Gold medal tally, which I am certain that they would do this time around.
Of the top 10 richest person alive - India has 3 in them which gives you some idea when it comes to where the focus is. If we spend 10% of the income that BCCI makes - we would have enough money to start a highly sophisticated sports academy that can identify, train, teach and prepare Olympians. BCCI is the Board of Control for Cricket in India. If Cricket was to be in Olympics, not sure if we would get a chance for a medal, at least we would have 15 more participants taking part. Participants whose talents not matching their egos.
China made a promise to its people that they would compete in every discipline, sure they did. Success in most, success for future in the rest. Diving, Tabletennis, Badminton are disciplines where they make a sweep. US, baring Michael Phelps and Alyson Felix, will find it difficult to dominate in any discipline. Jamaicans in track, Australia, South Africans & emerging Asians in Swimming, Chinese & Romanians in Gymastics - all out there to stop what normally are forte of the Americans.
Lets hope the chinese dream ends with a number 1 spot in the gold medal tally.
Click here to watch the highlights of the opening ceremony. Its definitely worth the watch.
hich I do. India had sent 54 participants to compete in 12 disciplines where as the host nation, China, had over 650 participants in nearly all disciplines.Good things first. An amazing display of people, technology, culture and history to get every powerhouse nation to sit up and take notice of what China has been secretly preparingover te last 6 years. There were more than 90 heads of state, royalties, senior ministers and analysts present in the new landmark of Beijing, the Bird's nest stadium, watching events unfold with great interest. And some intent as well, mostly political. Vladimir Putin, George Bush & Sarkozy all watching what China could do while the US presidential hopefuls could have peeped in their television sets to see the stunning spectacle.
With Olympics, lots of great things happen along with economical challenges that the nation that hosts would face post the event - cost that was already spent, maintenance of these huge, new constructions moving forward, other infrastructural investements, running some billions of dollars. The opening ceremony alone was supposedly $100mn expense entry into Chinese books. But, the ingenuity of the Chinese officials is there for all to see - apart from the water cube and the bird's nest stadium - all of the other events are happening at University gymnasiums and auditorium benefiting the institution after the games are over. And the water cube has been planned for an entertainment centre with reduced seats and increased facilities. Smart thinking.
204 nations walked into the stadium to mark their presence in the games with the hosts signing off with their contingent of
over 650 participants to a roar only common to populous nations like us. It was a sight to behold. Countries that you only hear once in 4 years in Olympics like Vanuatu, Belize, Comoros made up the pack.When they walked up to take their positions, their footprints were registered on a backdrop placed on the ground in front of the olympic colour powders and everyone had to walk through that. Another smart thinking.
The Chinese Premier sitting to the IOC President had a little look of arrogance equalling that of a proud father seeing the kids excel, deservedly so, for making this happen, in a manner in which it happened. Watching this must have made most Asians proud - Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and now, Beijing.
Now to the sad part. India, almost matching China in population and just that had sent 54 participants to compete in this Olympics, which tells about the structure that we have to identify the talents. Looking at China where they had one participant in 1938 Olympics, some 100 of them in the 1984 Olympics to 654 in Beijing 2008 - the importance they have given to sports and structures in place to identify, train and prepare them for such an event is staggering and for everyone to see. Their set their ambitions to overtake the US in Gold medal tally, which I am certain that they would do this time around.
Of the top 10 richest person alive - India has 3 in them which gives you some idea when it comes to where the focus is. If we spend 10% of the income that BCCI makes - we would have enough money to start a highly sophisticated sports academy that can identify, train, teach and prepare Olympians. BCCI is the Board of Control for Cricket in India. If Cricket was to be in Olympics, not sure if we would get a chance for a medal, at least we would have 15 more participants taking part. Participants whose talents not matching their egos.
China made a promise to its people that they would compete in every discipline, sure they did. Success in most, success for future in the rest. Diving, Tabletennis, Badminton are disciplines where they make a sweep. US, baring Michael Phelps and Alyson Felix, will find it difficult to dominate in any discipline. Jamaicans in track, Australia, South Africans & emerging Asians in Swimming, Chinese & Romanians in Gymastics - all out there to stop what normally are forte of the Americans.
Lets hope the chinese dream ends with a number 1 spot in the gold medal tally.
Click here to watch the highlights of the opening ceremony. Its definitely worth the watch.
Friday, August 8, 2008
an auspicious entry....
Registering the 08.08.08 day with an entry about quiet an interesting book that I am reading now - Ahead of the curve. Two years at Harvard Business School (HBS) by Philip Delves Broughton.
Fairly significant portion of my collection of books are bought in Airports during my travel. This probably the only thing I do in airport, like I said before I dash and fly all times. The
re are books I buy after reading reviews, hearsay or by the author that I know of like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have also bought books based on a intriguing synopsis in the back cover like The Curious Incident of Dog in the Night-time by Mark haddon. This time I picked up this book by its title. An MBA grad myself, I was curious to read an account of a journalist who left his successful career and took up to the MBA course in Harvard, arguably the best B-School there's ever to be. Its alumni drew up almost a half of the most powerful and capable businessmen and politicians. Of course with a few exceptions, like the one housed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for now.
While he says he never planned to write this book during his tenure at the school - I am certain that being a journalist he surely wanted to document his stay at HBS sensing from his account of every case study that he went through, the salt and pepper beard that this professor wore during his first semester, which makes this book an interesting read. Strength of this book is that you can relate to the situations described in this group, not just an MBA student - any student for that matter.
On a day when the olympics kick-start, enjoy the $100 million show.
Fairly significant portion of my collection of books are bought in Airports during my travel. This probably the only thing I do in airport, like I said before I dash and fly all times. The
re are books I buy after reading reviews, hearsay or by the author that I know of like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have also bought books based on a intriguing synopsis in the back cover like The Curious Incident of Dog in the Night-time by Mark haddon. This time I picked up this book by its title. An MBA grad myself, I was curious to read an account of a journalist who left his successful career and took up to the MBA course in Harvard, arguably the best B-School there's ever to be. Its alumni drew up almost a half of the most powerful and capable businessmen and politicians. Of course with a few exceptions, like the one housed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for now.While he says he never planned to write this book during his tenure at the school - I am certain that being a journalist he surely wanted to document his stay at HBS sensing from his account of every case study that he went through, the salt and pepper beard that this professor wore during his first semester, which makes this book an interesting read. Strength of this book is that you can relate to the situations described in this group, not just an MBA student - any student for that matter.
On a day when the olympics kick-start, enjoy the $100 million show.
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