Planet of the Apes

The ending did not make sense. Some say it implied General Thade flew in faster than Leo. The director says it was to be explained in the sequel that never happened.

But the message was good. Today humans consider themselves the greatest and scoff on any chances of any other race taking over. Just as the humanoid apes don't even know that their species was created by humans they now rule over. They can't even imagine the technology humanity has risen to in another planet, thousands of years back in time.

Well, as did we humans, as the Matrix puts it well, spread across, conquer and now rule Earth as viruses are, albeit at a different level.

The age of disaster, will one day happen,
Not I, nor you, can imagine its source,

But destruct it will, what creates it,
and with it itself, in such endless cycle

The Difficult Part..

The difficult part is telling, when it started
Did it start, when I first saw her
Or when did we, want to be with us

The difficult part is telling, when it ended
Did it end, when she listed priority
Or when did I, realize it left my heart

The difficult part is telling, why it was
Did it happen, for it was time
Or when did I, feel she was mine

The difficult part is telling, why it is not
Did it blow out, for there to be darkness
Or when did I, feel I next saw light..

Trust Yourself..

With a mind in pain, a heart that weeps
Why are eyes, void of flaming tears

I am silent, lost in love
I feel the sky beneath, and water above

A breath one less, a burning chest
I have to let go, and yet have hope

Test my feelings, where they really to
And taste if fruit, has ripened too

End the yearn, of this prisoner soul
Unleash its power, when it meets Shakti

The Poignant Quiet

For a heart so lonely, a mind this empty
These mountains vast, can solace cast

For these moments of time, poignant and thoughtful
This world around, can scary be

For my endless thirst, unquenched to quiet
The yearn of your kiss, a lasting wish

For a restless life, held by raging storms
A ray of light, is hope indeed

I Lost

I lost yesterday, deprived of your love
So much that love, my heart was set afire
It burnt down to ashes, unquenched by your stream

I lost today, deprived of my love
No response I have, to the yearn in your eyes
I have to survive, this phoenix's failure to love
My heart refusing to melt, even in flood of your tears

Rishtey

Rishton Mein Kya Ho, Ek Takleef Hi Tho Hai
Jab Ute Tho Dard, Jab Khaali Tho Dard

Woh Tho Hai, Par Kuch Na Rahi
Par Woh Na Hogi, Tho Kuch Zaroor Khounga

Jab Tu Na Thi, Tab Dard Ki Na Thi Kami
Ab Tu Jo Hai, Tab Pyar Hi Na Rahi

Kya Sachmuch Hai Pyar, Sirf Paane Ki Hadh Tak
Kya Sikudtha Hai Paudha, Bandhe Rishton Ki Dor Mein?

Verses for the day - Apr 14

When you grow horizontally (specialist), you know more and more, of less and less
When you grow vertically (management), you know less and less, of more and more

As the beautiful garden in spring, With green grass and flowers that wither in winter
As the flowing waters today, Frozen and still 'morrow
So too is life my dear, Rosy a day and thorny the next

Dekha Jaaye Tho Har Cheez Hai Khoobsurat, Jaise Khuda Ki Bakshi Hui Khidhmat Apaar
Socha Jaaye Tho Har Cheez Hi Tho Mitegi, Jaise Jeevanubhav Ke Mool Ko Nakaar

Come

I do not want, the one I see
I love the one, that you are
I will not touch, that standing here
I have immersed, into your life
I am not listening, to your voice acclaimed
I have absorbed, your whispering smile

I have it all, but still tread lone
I got it all, but not heart-long
In front of well, I am standing parched
Come, Into Me, To quench my thirst

Siva

Vairagya Devata, I bow to you
With moon on mane, when in Tandav you created
Tremor mightier, than the Vajra of Indra
You kept precise balance, and hence in qualities abound
As in dance, so too in Life

You have riches, yet stay simple
Intelligence, yet not judge
You are awed at, yet stay quiet
You have power, yet meditate most

As Kaalahasthishwara, you are death
As Vishvanatha, you are the master
As Neelakanta, you are the saviour
Siva Sankara, you are the One
The source, of this mystery supreme

Mystery of Life

There are many routes to success, if one plans and strives
I need set goals to achieve, purposes in life
What leads and guides these seagulls, that glide on evening skies
For the ocean is ever-vast, and there soon will be darkness
I have always looked for balance, to live all of life just right
Am I asking for too much, or have I missed the flight
Soapy water in drains, as a serpent slithers
That way this life has flown, led by wind that time has blown

An Early Morning

Fresh green morning, smell of coffee in the air
Lazy legs stretched in boredom, with all the time to spare
The mind is silent, but feasting eyes at mountains stare
How long will hide, I wait and smile, and there
At first a chary peek, and then the radiant face
Out comes the grand, the mighty shining
To bathe me in, an abundance of gold

A Dormant Search

During times as such, when I look out for you
I have seen you in purity, in water and in green
The days go by, in duties and chores
But tired evenings give rise, to a pang and a sigh

In my search for you, I perhaps loved so many
I searched you in their eyes, their voice and their smile
Perhaps its an illusion, you are with me all through
Perhaps its not time, we will hold hands when that arrives

I meditate on Shiva, on Vishnu and Vagishwari
Although my eyes stay open, my mind travels far
I dream of a home with you, as my presiding deity
Of our embraced walk, unto a sunset beautiful

Verses for the day - Feb 18

I know I loved you, I know I slipped
I know I lost u, I know what I miss
Dream of you, I may not any longer
But that you belong, will true be forever


What we call poetry, verses that flow
Are nothing but that, my heart outpours
Don't call me a poet, for just what I write
Call me one, if you see rhythm in my life


Laden with lust, you see nothing else
The eyes are focused, and senses charged
Steps are pushed forward, balance jeopardized
The mind has been clouded, know not how and why
And the body losing all control, creates misery and rile


As water attains sparkle, in reflecting water not absorbing it
So too is joy, in sharing fortunes not amassing it


My words flow out, of feelings intense
They are not of reason, of mind undone


Now I sleep, in peace and bliss
Now I sleep, that between birth and death
Now I sleep, ignorant and awake
Now I sleep, for ever and never

Guts and Glory

I stand by the gate, wind blowing on my face
Tired leaves run, a moment's rest, then haste
Bright yellow flowers let be, or Konkani weeds
Many a beautiful, are outcast as these
Moisture in the air, droplets on my skin

Smell of earth, a fragrance in smell
The grass wet green, inviting delight
Yet I look up, at the darkening skies
Impending gloom, with the sun gone shy
And there I notice, in undeterred flight
Birds swaying yet, their aim at sight

I look down in thought, this time towards mountains
Those that make, this place a valley
I think in depth, then cry out in heart
Majestic Massif! As strong as scruples
Give me that patience, that will power and might

I Live In Paradise

I am in love for sure, but do not know with who
I feel it here within, in my heart as true

Is it love of myself, or for nature supreme
Will it lead to darkness, or light that leave eye-sheen

Flowers look so beautiful, and leaves have gentle feel
The grass though tickling my ears, a bed has soothing been

Embracing trees disheartened, and walking barefoot on dirt
Has left me with body brazen, but a heart full of mirth

I swim in rivers agog, talk to birds and beasts
I sing with voices around, live on fruit I eat
I dance with glory abandon, run as much as might
Not here in social clutches, I live in paradise

How Can That Be

When did your physical beauty, ever matter to me
It was always your self, it was always beauty
Age has put on wrinkles, gray shades and bends
It was always the experience, it was always joy
Teeth may not have sparkle, or lips a rush of pink
It was always the smile, it was always mirth

Your anger still reddens you, with eyes big and round
Look at it through my eyes, you will know why I smile
Your gait still has grace, and your eyes a twinkle
When you walk towards me, I still miss some beats
Your laugh still resembles a tinkle, your voice a flowing river
Hours listening to you, can still never tiring be

Have you lost your empathy, your selfless care for many
Have you lost your humility, your values that now have passed on
Have you lost your incurable, your hopeless love for me
Why then did you ask in time I, have lost my love for you?

Move On

The sun that shines, brown mountains stare
Leaves blowing by, while cold winds wrap
Trees shedding their loads, all eyes moistened
A deep breath, a sigh, my constant longing

Twigs cracking beneath, my sullen walk
Rivers still tied down, stirring for travel
My face silenced, now breaks into a smile
My heart has known you, O waters from far
Man hears from nature, in feelings not sound

A rare stone house, inmates cuddled
Slanted roofs holding on, to other wooden walls
The furnace still smarting, from a night of heat
My hands reaching out, for a caressing touch

Ice creams still sell, iced liquids gulped
Seasons have changed, but life has not
Cocoons will not break, till caterpillars struggle
And life will not budge, till inmates move on

Contemplation

The moon but is, alter ego of one
Reflecting that light, as given by the sun
But in her own, she is graceful as ever
Various shapes and colors, only add to her fervour

Contemplate into her moonbeams, you will even feel heat
Reflect into the darkness, your life will solve itself
Then look around you will witness, the miseries of this world

Mohanlal Movie 'Vaanaprastham': Critique

Kunzhikuttan(Mohanlal) is an individual who's learnt Kathakali against all odds. And he is in absolute love with his art and so completely devoted to it that his name is now taken with respect. His only failing is in the fact that he is an alcoholic. Though one can very clearly see that this is because he is in pain, a deep unsettling pain. Quite a difficult movie to understand. He is shown crying in the presence of his ailing father who it seems had left his mother. He is shown to be in deep pain, asking Narayana to help him handle such a difficult situation his heart is in, in a haunting scene.
The film also potrays the difficulties faced by the Kathakali artists who are not able to sustain their living purely on basis of the devotion to their art. A sad truth faced in the country today in the case of many other such arts too. But in this perspective the movie highlights a positive sign as Kunzhikuttan becomes popular performing abroad, etc.
The main plot of the movie is that Kunzhikuttan, part of an unhappy marriage with a sweet girl as child, falls in love with a woman(Suhasini Hassan) who falls in love with the Arjuna she sees Kunzhikuttan performing. And she has her deepest fantasies coming true when she makes love with this Arjuna.But this truth dawns to Kunzhikuttan when she refuses to meet him as an ordinary person. She also shows him the baby that is born only once, just before he's to play Arjuna,when he's complete in his costume.Never able to come to terms with this loss, he declares that he'll only play ferocious characters from now on. He eventually finds contentment when he goes on a pilgrimage to the holy places in the country after the death of his father.
A man who's not had the love of both his father and son, his pain is well depicted by Mohanlal. Unforgettable are many other scenes like the one when he last goes to meet his dear friend, the man who's sung for him for years as he played complex characters, who's now dying of cancer. Kunzhikuttan, as if to fulfill a purpose, teaches his daughter Kathakali inspite of the fact that his wife(who'd already learnt that he's cheated on her) is unwilling to take it anymore and leaves the house.Kunzhikuttan sends word to the mother of his boy that he'd be playing Arjuna during the "Aarengattum " of his daughter. She comes and sees him for the last time. She's shown erasing her Sindoor the next morning in a state of shock when she's learns through a letter from him stating that he'd be ending his life by immersing himself in the Prayag that night.
A lifetime impression is left in the soul by Mohanlal's performance of such complex character, one who's not materialistic, truly devoted to God, melancholic; someone who's a victim of his circumstances. CLASSIC is one word to describe the performance.
-- Published in http://www.mohanlalonline.com/movie-info.asp?dxv=231 3/28/2003 11:28:42 AM

Mohanlal Movie 'Devasuram': Critique

"Ellam Onna Kalanhi Thellinya Irikyunnu..." Who can forget such soul-stirring dialogues delivered by Mallasery Neelakandan(Mohanlal). Behold, for this is one of the most intense and powerhouse performances given by Mohanlal. But giving the most honourable awards for this performance could have meant a tacit pat-on-the-back for the acts of the protagonist. The solution put forth perhaps would have been the seed that gave birth to 'Ravanaprabhu'.
The movie begins with a 'pooram' being disrupted by friends of Mallasery Neelakandan(MN). Watch on right hand, betel leaf in mouth, the character is introduced genuinely enjoying the music doled out by the group that was scheduled to play at the 'pooram'. The basis is a feud between the Mangalacheri and Mundaikal families.Also a sign of the fact that both families are powerful.
MN's father was held by all in high regard. They say that the beautiful voice is all that is alike between MN and his father. Drinking and gambling away the family fortunes is his common pastime. His mother had already left for her brother's place on hearing he was in an illicit relationship. Though he had ended the relation following this incident, his ego did not permit him to go and persuade her to come home.
Though all of his actions prove otherwise, the family accountant, Warrier(Innocent) sticks to him, among other reasons due to the fact that he knows that this is just a golden heart led astray.
Prompted by his friends, MN hires a goon to beat up an elderly member of the other family. It results instead in the old man being killed. His nephew swears revenge on MN.
This was just the beginning of the slide. His friends had been victim to the ire of a village girl(Revathy), a promising dancer in the making. To get even with her, MN dupes her father into believing that her 'aarengatum' would be held at the new temple construction. The farce is revealed only on the night of the event. As her father had already accepted(and spent) the money, the girl is forced to dance in front of the drunken demon. At the end, she pledges in his presence that she'd never wear her 'paadasaram' again. MN later feels deeply regretful.
Meanwhile, the goon demands that a huge sum be paid to his family if he is to keep shut. MN is left with no option but to sell a coveted property at a throwaway price; the salt on the wound being that he's forced to sell it to the same Gulf-returned whose earlier( and better) offer he'd turned down as his father had been like servant to the family.
The girl's family is in the meantime going through hard times and are now without a home. MN's sincere apology is accepted and the family moves to his home. Constantly egged by Warrier, MN shows willingness to turn over to a new leaf; but God leaves the hardest tests to such moments...
As if walking through the ridicule of his uncles to take back his ill mother is not enough, he receives a shock when she informs him that his father is not the one who he is known as...they both are only the benefactors of the generosity of the great man. Somehow graplling with the shock, he comes back again to take his mother home, only to find that she's passed away.
MN is shattered, crushed would perhaps be more apt.He feels cheated, humiliated and hates himself, and more than anything is filled with deep pain. The song 'Sooryakireedam' is apt, but the real beauty is Mohanlal's body language in the song; he conveys the pangs the character is faced more beautifully than the song itself.
The girl is witness to all this. Time passes and the family moves out. The dance master of the girl once comes to make MN realize what a sin he'd committed by leading her to such a grave decision. MN goes with Warrier to apologise and persuade her to change her decision. The fiercely self-respecting girl, in a fit of rage, proclaims that she would resume dancing only after MN's death.
The incident only increases the regard MN has for the girl. As if like a curse put into effect, there is a fatal attack on the two that very night. This event is life-changing. The girl feels remorseful and prays for his life pleading she'd never really meant him harm. MN's life is saved, he is alive...YES. But MN is now like a vegetable. Badly injured with one side of the body crippled, he tells Warrier amidst tears "Haven't I always regarded you as my own father? Will get just one thing for me? A handful of poison?" in a touching scene.
But LIFE is BEAUTIFUL; it mercilessly punishes, but also bountifully loves, all a result of our own Karmas. Warrier is determined to get MN to his feet and puts him under Ayurvedic treatment. The girl, lending a deaf ear to the jeers of all the world(including her father), comes over to take care the convalescing MN. The villain once comes over to laugh at the wounded lion. This only strengthens MN's will and very soon he is able to walk, though unable to freely use one hand.His friends, who initially after the attack had kept away, now rejoin him. But what satisfies MN most is that the girl agrees to resume dancing. And the greatest blessing is that the two begin a love relationship.
The climax is predictable. MN saves the kidnapped girl from the villain. But outrageous is that he cuts off one hand of the villain. A truly reformed MN would have forgiven. And more importantly, the director should have realized that characters like MN, performed so convincingly by a superstar like Mohanlal, can influence entire generations.
-- Published in http://www.mohanlalonline.com/movie-info.asp?dxv=198 7/28/2003 10:28:04 AM