Why this Hypnotic State, di?

If something or someone does manage to occupy your thoughts, the morning after, then it must have been good. I recently watched a movie called Mayakkam Enna, where the protogonist ( played by Dhanush) is a wildlife photographer, immensely passionate about his work, but is taken for a ride. He loves, he hurts, he regrets, he repents and he is incapable. People cannot understand him and he does not realise that.  His angst, passion and rage at his inability to succeed takes a turn when he falls for his best friends girlfriend. A girl who understands his frustrations and is there for him through thick and thin, until the very end.
 
The movie is highly performance driven, with the protogonists occupying much of screen time and doing justice to every minute of it. Though there are gaping anachronistic holes, I am sure most people would not notice it or at least tuck it under the pillow, while gushing over the performances. I thought the background music and the cinematography were strong supporting pillars for the motion picture.
 
The movie was layered in that  the story was not linear and during the course of the narrative, is peeled to reveal different aspects. For example, the movie starts out as Karthik, the photographer lamenting about his life and the new woman who comes into it, eventually we come to relate to the story from the girls perspective, and then you start understanding Karthik's relationships with his friends and then, towards the end, there is a study of the relationship between the siblings.
On the contrary, the ending was quite abrupt,as  there was a lot invested in studying and analysing Karthik's misery and then suddenly, he is a world famous photographer and all ended well. I thought it sort of made the whole struggle of the protogonist's wife sort of insipid.
 
What I find exciting is the fact that the story is quite true to life. These are some of the people you might meet in daily life. Flawed, emotional, bitter, concerned, opportunistic individuals who could be be crossing your path on a daily basis. This movie unravels like a book and actually makes you relate to the character in every possible way. The hero is the asshole and he does realise it towards the end, but that does not elevate immediately to the “ I think I am a much better man and you have to love me now” status.
 

Networks

People intrigue me the same way they puzzle me. Life, I guess, is all about the connections. Right from the umbilical cord to the last breath, it is the connections that keep you ticking, literally. Detachment is in itself a form of connection, I would suppose, to one's self. Which is probably why it is a good idea to be detached once in a while.

What are the connections we hold on to and what are the ones we let go? Why do we do so? Is it because we need security and a blanket for our fears and insecurities? or is it because we are influenced by other factors?

In many ways, these connections shape and mould us. We are inspired by them and our lives are enriched by them. And there are the drains, the ones that sap your resources. And the sounding boards, the ones upon whom we direct our anger, hatred and pain. Are we being fair to ourselves and them, in doing so?

I do not know the answers to a lot of these questions but I do know that I am very thankful for all my connections. In a way, I am who I am now, because of them and I do hope that I would be able to enrich someone's life the way a lot of them have.

Full Stop

So long and thanks for the ride.
New journeys beckon! Watch this space.

Cut+Copy+Paste
2006-2011

Suominy Things

Officially two months in this wonderful country, I feel at home.
I get to spend time at lovely cottages in the countryside, filled with warm people who invite me to come again.
I have wonderful colleagues who promise me rides on their motorcycles and bring an extra helmet to keep at work, in case I forget.
I have good friends who share their Maca tea with me and spiritually heal me when I fall sick.
I work with people who respect your ideas and actually think you can be productive.
I live in a city that has character, history and passionate people, who consistently think about and talk of growth, change, diversity and faith.
I have gym instructors who call me by first name to correct a technique I have been screwing up.
I am experiencing a culture where people actually take time to smell the roses or burnt wood in the sauna, enjoy the little pleasures in life, may it be a bite of breadcheese, a cup of tea or a simple stroll down Alexsanterinkaatu.
I celebrated India's world cup win in a strange land, with a bunch of passionate cricket fans of different nationalities, in a bar run by Australians and Kiwis.
I love how the Finns love their Indian food without having any clue about what they are eating and enthusiastically lap your descriptions about the Malai koftas and the lentil based cuisine of South India.
I love how being fit and healthy is wired in their heads in tandem with their love for beer and spirits.
I am not kidding when I say my favorite part of the day is when I am sitting naked, dripping in sweat, in silence, in a closed chamber heated upto 80 degrees with other hot, naked people.
Just sitting there.
hyvaä