Festivals and Pollution

Today’s world pollution is a big concern and it poses serious threat to the human health and environment. With unprecedented expansion in population, the pollution in India has sky rocketed. The pollution in India shoots up abruptly due to various factors and the pollution due to festivals is also one among them.

The practice of immersion of Ganesh idols after the Ganesh festival in various cities is causing severe water pollution which leads to the death of tonnes of fish and many aquatic creatures. Gone are the days when the idols are made with clay, nowadays idols are made with Plaster Of Paris and chemical dyes.

The repeated cautions and warnings of ecologists and environmental scientists towards the possible hazards inflicted by the Plaster Of Paris are falling into the deaf ears of the idol makers and buyers. According to scientists, Plaster Of Paris does not get dissolved or disintegrated fast. Moreover, the chemical dyes and colours being used to colour the idols contain poisonous elements. Particularly, Red, Blue, Orange and Green colours contain Mercury, Zinc oxide, Chromium and Lead, the potential causes of developing cancer.

According to one estimate, 7500 idols of Ganesh are weighing about 20,000 kg or in other words, 20 tons. The sea-shore of Mumbai absorbs the immersion of about 1.5 lakh idols every year. The very calculation of the accumulation of clay, Plaster Of Paris, dangerous Chemicals from the paints and colours will shatter the thinking faculty of any brain.

The immersion of Durga Statutes during the Durga pooja is also a cause of concern for environmentalists. In Orissa alone 5,000 Durga pooja idols are made, most of them using harmful paints.

Heavy metals like lead and chrome are not easily assimilated in an aquatic environment and can lead to the massive hurt of flora and fauna of the river, pond, lake and coastal areas. As the same river, pond and lake water is used for bathing and drinking purpose high levels of lead can damage the heart, kidneys, liver, circulatory system and central nervous system, the environmentalist warned.

As Ganesh festival and Durga pooja is troubling the aquatic creatures largely, Holi, a festival of vibrant hues that brings with it a variety of colours is harmful to human beings. The seemingly harmless, “pleasing to eye” colours are synthetic and toxic because of the presence of cheap materials like mica, acids, alkalis, pieces of glass, which not only induce skin disorders like abrasion, irritation, itching but can impair vision, cause respiratory problems and also cancer.

Diwali, one of the important festivals in India has the distinction of polluting the environment to the core. Newborns and aged people have a nightmarish experience because of the high levels of sound caused by crackers during Diwali. Noise pollution on Diwali is between 69.7 db and 88.3 db which are higher than the prescribed limit of 50 db. The decibel levels alarmingly high in metros and it may reach up to 100 db.

Crackers are sometimes manufactured using barium sulphate, sodium nitrate, sulphur and potassium chlorate and when burnt, emit gases such as sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of heavy metals and particulate matter that pollute the air and cause eye irritation, respiratory disorders and allergies.

The government, police, pollution control boards are suggesting many alternative ways to celebrate festivals which does not pollute the environment. Even strict and stringent warnings are also given to public to refrain from bursting crackers such as atom bombs, hydrogen bombs, bullet bombs, thousand and ten thousand wallas. But it is all solely depend on the “change of mind”.

Movie: Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy

Thankar Bachan a renowned cinematographer of the films like Kadal Kottai and Kalamelam Kadhal Vazhaga had wielded the megaphone for the first time in the critically applauded movie Azhagi. Thankar has set the benchmark for quality movies in the Tamil filmdom by his extremely pleasing movie Azhagi.

Thankar had an uneasy time to sort out the pre production controversies and off screen disputes before bringing up the Chidambatathil Oru Appasamy movie to on screen. Amidst all the troubles and tribulations, he has given a good movie. The movie has earned exceptional reviews especially the reputed and tough cine critic Anandha Vikatan has given 44 out of 100.

After his endeavor in photography and direction, he debuts into acting in this movie as this movie does not require any heroics. Elangovan (Thangar Bachan), a school teacher in Chidambaram is harum-scarum person who leads life without any aspirations. He truants the school, shirks his responsibilities, absconding from home often which kept his family in dire straits. He enjoyed his own way of life with his wayward friends in boozing and gambling. His various ludicrous acts done for fun and amusement added more trouble for him and nuisance for his family.

As advised by one Inspector to keep him proper path, the family pleaded and forced him to take a trip to Sabarimala. He nonchalantly accepted the offer but returns with the double religious fervor, refusing to discard his garb, and immersed totally in religious rituals. He continues his saintly life without any family commitments.

He leaves the home after the quarrel with his frustrated wife and decides to lead his life like a swami, least caring about his family’s future. Various experiences later, the man comes to terms with himself, and realizes where his true responsibility lay in. His wife’s reaction and the family acceptance after him back home forms the climax.

Elangovan role is tailor made for Thankar and he fits into the role comfortably. Navya Nair as the beleaguered wife steals the show. An excellent performance from Navya, who’s enacted her role with understanding and a surprising maturity. The greatest asset for this film is the music of the maestro. Ilayaraja is outstanding in background score.

Thankar asserted in the movie that frantic devotion is also an addiction like alcohol, nicotine and drugs. The person who refuses to perform his duties because of being an ardent devotee is not different from the person who relinquishes his responsibilities under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The camera focusing the sign board displaying “Thanthai Periyar Perunthu Nilayam” (Thanthai Periyar Bus Station) when Elangovan realized his recklessness and returns to the responsible track with new lease of life is a thoughtful directional touch.

Thankar once again reaffirmed that he is a no-nonsense movie maker. Though the movie does not contain any ingenious graphics and exquisite foreign locales, it has plausible storyline. This movie is undoubtedly one more feather in his cap.

Ideology diluted in India

“Whenever I see leaders like Harkishen Singh Surjeet and Sitaram Yetchury on Television, I squirm in my seat. What a bunch of characters”.Eswar blasted Communists in India in his “India was up for sale !?” blog.

Exasperation of Eswar based on the attitude of Communists towards the two popular countries is truly valid but it is only macroscopic. His accusation is only based on the foreign relations not for what they failed to achieve in India. In my point of view of Communists in India need few more smacking and some accolades for their recent change of approach.

My angriness towards them is due to inappropriate adaptation of Communism in India. India is the auriferous land to sow in the communist ideology and principles. But unfortunately parties in India had blown out the seeds in air. Communists were unsuccessful to reform and revolutionize India with the estimable principles of Communism.

Their main concern was to fight against the exploitation of work and improper wage regime. They accomplished the phenomenal job of liberating the workers from industrial servitude and installing the self-respect of a worker with in the factory campus but they blanked out to emancipate the workers from social evils and to get them the social freedom.

Communists leaders were never ready to worry about social prejudice, graded inequality and discrimination based on caste prevailing in the society. They failed to liberate them from the brutal caste hierarchy before liberating them from their industrial bosses.

The communists are rationalists and they took their oath by saying “ I solemnly affirm that .. .” instead of “ I swear in the name of God…”. Though they are identifying themselves as non-religious, they are not ready to shed their caste image. Their reluctant approach towards the opposition of Hindutuva and the ignorance of social justice are the potential down falls of Communists in India.

They adopted the Communism in the same fashion as it was adopted in Russia, but fortunately Russia was not in the control of Hindutuva. The Communist agenda failed to include any strategy to combat the cruel face Hindutuva that eventually leads to the miserable debacle of Communism in India. In Simple worlds, Communists had not followed the ideology which Thandhai Periyar and Dr.Ambedkar followed.

The Communists are lending their ears to hear about social justice and to understand the meaning of social justice only after the Mandal Commission. In the mean time the proliferation of Hindutuva forces are tremendous to counter the radical change emerging from Communists in India.

The proverb “repentance comes too late” holds well for Communist parties as they started vehemently opposing the Hindutuva and to voice for social justice. Their unshakable and unassailable stand against Hindutuva then any other party is encouraging nowadays.

Madame President – 2

(… The readers are requested to read to the Madame President blog before start reading this blog …)

Siva has already penned one wonderful blog about Commander in Chief serial on ABC. I am humbly requesting the fans of Siva (including me) and especially Siva to excuse this rookie blogger to write sequel to his blog.

This serial has attracted 16.4 million viewers on its first show. The Indian national newspaper The Hindu published an article about this serial. This drama has been seen as prelude to the 2008 Presidential elections that possibly may have women candidates.

As two episodes have been aired so far, it is doing justice for the sensation created by the blatant promotion through trailers, advertisements and pre shows. Hope the drama has the content to keep its audience intact for the remaining shows.

Though I am movie buff, I don’t generally much incline towards serials and talk shows. This particular serial attracted me to go for it with its novel theme, crispy dialogues and brisk presentation. Geena Davis is splendid in her role as President and her role is groomed in a fantabulous way.

The mode of selection of the Vice President is quite amazing. The President is roping in for the person with whom she had contested during her election for the Vice President ship. She is selecting a person who is supposed to be her political rival and electoral opponent as her running mate.

It is incredible to see her choosing a person for his capability and brilliance by shutting down the political feud and rivalry. Even in drama it looks monumental. Hats off to the Director for utilizing this drama to show the political decency and idealism which has become a rare phenomenon in world politics nowadays.

As every politician across the globe can do anything and everything to climb in the political ladder, it is astonishing to see the vice president nominee in this drama is declining to accept the offer until it is justified.

One thing is flashing in my mind after watching the two episodes. It is about our Tamil satellite channel mega serials. Invariably all Television channels in Tamilnadu are broadcasting the serials in monotonous way without any subtle difference in it.

These serials lack in all departments with obsolete story line, inept screenplay, clumsy dialogues and pathetic characterization. The serials are melancholic from the first day and never touch your heart in any single scene. In the name of family drama they are showing all rubbish.

The serial directors are intoxicating the viewers without any statuary warning and made them addictive. Even the stupid movie can be made to bite the dust in box office but is there any way or anyone to change these mega serials?

Can Captain Capture Crown?

Captain Vijayakanth commenced his new political innings with a magnificent six. To put an end to the speculation about his political debut, he announced the formation of his political party Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK, which translates as the National Progressive Dravidian Party), in an extravagant style. This blog highlights his strengths and weaknesses of the new game.

The response to the Madurai conference is overwhelming with mammoth gathering and a massive rally. The paradigm ‘Good start is half done’ was not found to be working for political parities in Tamilnadu. The launch vehicles for PMK and MDMK are also on the same fashion as DMDK, but the two parties established themselves only after few hiccups.

He hadn’t created any kind of mockery by making whimsical appearance, issuing arbitrary statements and bizarre interviews on the eve of every election like Mr.Rajinikanth. His stubbornness and solidarity to form a political party has to be appreciated. Kudos to Vijayakanth.

The apprehension about his party ideology and principles ended in a stale climax. His public declaration of intentions to alleviate poverty, eradicate corruption, assent for women reservation bill and transparent governance is in line with same old election manifestos of political parties.

Though the ideology is the same wine in new bottle, it would have been enlivening if he had unleashed his implementation plans. He must be careful to keep away his cinematic ‘Ramana’ style of implementation taking precedence over reality.

The warmth shown by other prominent leaders like Kalaiger and Mr.Vaiko for his new party showed his amicable relationship with them. It is good sign of healthy politics emerging out. As no party is ready to provide asylum for the ailing BJP unit of Tamilnadu, it is wooing DMDK for political alliance. The other big kazhagams (DMK and ADMK) are reprimanding for their nexus with BJP, it is wise not to burn his fingers by shaking hands with BJP.

It is heartening to see him garlanding the Periyar and Anna statues on their birthdays and paying tributes to the great leaders of Tamil soil. Hope these felicitations might not be a political customary rather then to accustom the great leaders legacy and path.

The permutations and combinations done in media about his capacity to garner the neutral electorates and his ability to erode the traditional vote bank of existing political parties are too early and may not be accurate. The vociferous discussion of his chance to spoil the vote bank of Mr.Vaiko based on his caste is sheer nonsense.

He would be considered as a potential force to reckon in Tamilnadu politics only after his party performance in the coming 2006 general election. Late Mr.M.G.Ramachandran had the luxury of four years before facing the first general election, but his party’s litmus test is on the cards. He got astounding opening, let’s wait and see how he keeps the momentum going. Let us wish all success for his new ball game and to maintain his score card ticking.

Welcome Mr.Vijayakanth !!!.