The renowned dancer Kumari Kamala has also passed away. Deepest condolences.

Kumari Kamala in 'Paavai Vilakku': 'Is there a time I don't think of you?' ('Naan Unnai Ninaikkatha Neramundo')

I first learned about Kumari Kamala through my parents. Both had a great fondness for Kumari Kamala. They would always speak admiringly of her dancing skills. I first learned from my father that she was initially married to the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman, and that R.K.L was the brother of R.K. Narayan, one of my father's favorite famous writers. My father had a collection of R.K.N.'s English novels, along with a collection of novels by Graham Greene, the writer who introduced R.K.N. to the West.

They also recalled Kumari Kamala's excellent performance to Bharathiyar's Indian independence-themed songs in the film 'Naam Iruvar'. My mother even sang one of them, 'Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome'.

The first film of Kumari Kamala's that I watched was 'Paavai Vilakku'. I saw it as a late-night second show when it was re-released in the seventies at Regal as an old Tamil film. Having read Akilan's novel 'Paavai Vilakku' before watching, I enjoyed the long film with great enthusiasm. Kumari Kamala appeared on screen as the character Sengamalam from the novel. It was a role perfectly suited for her.

The song 'Naan Unnai Ninaikkatha Neramundo' from the film 'Paavai Vilakku' is one of my favorite songs. This is also my most favorite dance sequence of Kumari Kamala's in a film. The lyrics were penned by poet A. Maruthakasi, and the music was composed by K.V. Mahadevan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxTM8X0OprM

A special documentary video compilation about Kumari Kamala is 'Fragrant Petals: Kamala's Natyam'.

Dancer Rama Bharadwaj, one of Kumari Kamala's students, briefly but engagingly describes Kumari Kamala's dance contributions in the forties, fifties, and sixties. This video was produced by another dancer, Anita Ratnam.

Jerzy Kosinski's 'The Painted Bird'

 

My article on 'Being There,' published in 'Subamangala', a Tamil magazine, was the first introduction of Jerzy Kosinski to the Tamil literary world. It was about his famous novel, a short but poignant work that was also adapted into a film. It's a novel that critiques the image-worshipping contemporary society.

Jerzy Kosinski was a writer who immigrated from Poland to America, began writing in English, and made a significant mark in English literature.

His novel 'The Painted Bird' is considered a major work in 20th-century American literature. Published in 1965, it has been translated into over thirty world languages. The novel shocked readers due to its often brutal descriptions of human rights violations during World War II, which chilled the hearts of those who read it. A Jewish boy's parents send him away with another person, hoping he will escape the Nazis. This boy then wanders across Eastern European countries during the war, trying to survive. He undergoes various experiences, and 'The Painted Bird' describes them.

Actor Dharmendra passes away!

 

Actor Dharmendra, remembered by many as the "He-man of Bollywood," has passed away. When I think of him, the first things that come to mind are his well-built physique and his charming, smiling face.

In the film 'Guddi,' which brought actress Jaya Bhaduri into the limelight in Bollywood, he played the role of Dharmendra, the actor who captivated student Jaya Bhaduri. I recall actress Jaya Bhaduri once describing him as a "Greek God."

He starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan in the landmark Hindi film 'Sholay.' He married Tamil actress Hema Malini, who also acted in the film, as his second wife. Because of this, he is sometimes affectionately referred to by Tamils as "Tamil Nadu's son-in-law."

Even though I haven't seen many of his films, I would describe him as an actor who truly captivated me.

Dharmendra is an important personality in the Hindi film industry and in Indian cinema! Deepest condolences.

In memory of the late Dharmendra, I am sharing this famous song from the movie Sholay, which resonated everywhere when the film was released. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qfCt1UZAXMQ

[Digital painting technology, Google Nano Banana, Assistance: VNG]

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Diaspora Tamil Short Story: Seetha Akka! - V.N.Giritharan

 [This English translation of the Tamil story is by Google AI Studio (edited by V.N.Giritharan  The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital Painting Technique (Google Nano Banana) assistance: VNG]

1.

The darkness hadn't fully receded yet. Autumn had begun, bringing a slight chill. The Toronto bus station was bustling with travelers. Just as I was getting ready to leave after sending off my friend who was going to Montreal, I heard a male voice in English, "Excuse me. Are you from Sri Lanka?" I turned around. A white bus driver stood before me.

"Yes, friend. What is it?" I asked.

"That's good. I'm a bus driver from Montreal. A Sri Lankan Tamil woman came on my bus. She's a refugee. She doesn't know anyone here. Could you help her if you can?"

"Certainly," I said.

"Thank you very much, friend!" He went to the waiting area and returned shortly.

"Friend! This woman needs your help," he said, bringing a woman with him. I couldn't hide my surprise when I saw her.

"Seetha Akka!" I exclaimed.

Seetha Akka was equally surprised to see me. It was an unexpected meeting, wasn't it? I thanked the Montreal bus driver. He too said, "Do you know her from before? That's good. It's all God's grace," and left.

Diaspora Tamil short Story: Survival! - V.N.Giritharan -

[This English translation of the Tamil story is by Google AI Studio (edited by V.N.Giritharan  The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital Painting Technique (Google Nano Banana) assistance: VNG]

The container or bin for collecting waste and garbage was set up by the municipality on the street running near the apartment building where we lived. Such garbage collection bins are kept in various places in many Western countries. In many Third World countries, it is rare to see them. To put garbage or waste products into such a bin, there would be a hole with a lid that could be pushed inwards by hand for convenience. Only humans can put garbage into it. This is because only a living creature with the ability to use its hands to push the lid inwards can do this. Perhaps well-trained human-like chimpanzees or gorillas might be able to.

Are you about to ask what is so important about this waste collection bin? Don't rush. Just be a little patient. I am describing it in such detail precisely because it has significance. You might laugh if I tell you that this bin is closely related to a vital characteristic of living beings. But don't be hasty in laughing. You might later have to feel ashamed of your hasty ignorance. Be careful.

I had recently moved into this apartment building. In the early hours before dawn, and in the dusk when darkness falls, I would often go out for a stroll with my daughter. It was during such a time that my child noticed that thing in the bin. I only noticed it after she pointed it out. Her observation gave me a lot of surprise and pride. Doesn't the crop destined for harvest show itself in the seedling? It was that kind of pride.

Diaspora Short Story: 'Where Do You Come From?' - V.N.Giritharan

[This English translation of the Tamil story is by Google AI Studio (edited by V.N.Giritharan  The original Tamil version of the story follows the translation. Digital Painting Technique (Google Nano Banana) assistance: VNG]

On January 14th, 1964, on Thai Pongal, an important festival for Tamil people, he was born on the island once called 'Ceylon,' often described as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and paradise, a former colony of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and now known as Sri Lanka. When he was born, he had no way of knowing that his life would be tossed across various corners of the globe. But the continuous political situations on the island forced him to migrate. Today, he is a citizen of Canada, an important North American nation. This is a brief history about him. 

It was a bone-chilling early morning. He was waiting for public transport to go to work. Beside him was a middle-aged white man, his only companion. Apart from the two of them, no one else was there at the time. Breaking the prevailing silence, the white man initiated a conversation between them:

Emile Zola's Nana!

 

Book cover designed by Google Nano Banana for Emile Zola's Nana! - https://amzn.to/4pkf0Ia 

 

* Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases