Isn't that a line so common that you have heard for many years now.....
Well Last few years with the boom in IT, we have simultaneously seen the burst of so many radio channels, infact my car has an old deck which can accommodate just 6 channels and now we have more than 11 channels in Bangalore.
Each channel you swap you get to hear the same blabber of the RJ’s. Same songs…
When it all began it sounded refreshing with a new look approach, but over a period the charm just faded away for me. But there is one channel that I have been hearing since my childhood and it is still refreshing each time I hear. I don’t think there are any guesses, we all know it is Vivid Bharati 102.9 Mhz fm, as we all know it.
When I just sit down to think why do I still love this channel, I think it is because of the variety it has. Even the RJ’s are so polished and the quality of which ever language they speak be it kannada, hindi or English is really good. They really command respect on air. The programs they cover, with early morning Devotional songs, then followed by news, bhavageetes, Nandana or be it the national programs such as Bhule Bisre Geet, Aapki Farmaaish. They are so nice. Reading letters of people from far of unheard villages, requests from Soldiers. The ads they publish, be it an awareness on a disease, or other old brands of dabur lal dantamajan, or your golden silks and sarees,,,, all still remains the old era type,,,, but I am still fond of it. Though this has been there for years, still it has its freshness to it. It does have some programs still which are boring, but all in all it makes up for the defects
Over a period this channel has also gone thru its share of transformation to survive amidst its private challengers who can do anything to get their market share of audience by giving expensive prizes , having live chats at eateries , road side, just anything.
Vivid Bharati still remains conservative to an extent when compared to other channels but that is what I guess I like and am sure this is one undebated channel that is liked by generations.
Apart from this I used to also like “ Ceylon Radio’. Maybe I now need to buy a world space to catch up with this channel. The numbers they played were classics.
This year Vivid Bharati is celebrating ‘ SWARNA JAYANTHI” “ golden Jubilee “
I do hope this one radio channel continues till eternity…. !!!!!!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Seeing the Diva!!!!!
How does it feel to see a person whom you have been almost worshipping from your childhood stands BANG!!!! in front of you…. I can’t even find a superlative adjective to express that.
8th April, flight to Chennai on my usual trip, everything seemed the same, just that for once I requested at the counter to give me the first row in the economy class, the attendant said that all the aisle and window was booked and just one middle seat was left,
Something made me say , ok to it , well knowing the fact that I did not know who my neighbours would be. While going thru the security check I saw suddenly there was this air filled with , “ look who is there” kind of smell, everyone seemed to turn back, turn again, give smiles to someone who was dressed in White dhoti, white kurta and white chappal, all in all white, I was seated at the lounge and a huge pillar was obstructing my view, thought must be someone , but did not really want to get up, and make it obvious that I wanted to see him. The curiosity cat in me was still uneasy and was urging me to go and take a peep. Somehow controlled, the boarding call was announced and I moved with the normal procedure. I sat at my seat with two equally plumpy people next to me. Was quiet uncomfortable, but soon fell asleep as I had just taken a heavy doze of benedryl in the night due to cough. The attendant woke me up to have some cookie and tea. I asked her for some tea and from my seat , thru the curtain in the business class I could see this All white man there, again all acting very nice all smiles, who is this guy was my question again, I could only see his right hand and his dhoti, not even his head.
Finally we landed and while we were coming down thru the escalator, I could see this man from a side posture, one look and I knew … it was “ YESUDAS” . The diva whose voice has mesmerized thousands of people for decades. The jet airways authorities were giving him the special treatment which was evident. On the way there were several strangers who just came upto him, shook hands, took blessings. I suddenly felt very shy as he was now standing right in front of me at the exit and I did not know what to do. I had the automatic smile on my face that was beaming, he saw me and smiled the typical celebrity way…. But that’s good enough. Does this man know that the woman who stood in front of him is crazy about his voice, songs... and her ipod which was in her hand had only his songs predominantly….. no, he has no clue, but who cares… my trip was made
8th April, flight to Chennai on my usual trip, everything seemed the same, just that for once I requested at the counter to give me the first row in the economy class, the attendant said that all the aisle and window was booked and just one middle seat was left,
Something made me say , ok to it , well knowing the fact that I did not know who my neighbours would be. While going thru the security check I saw suddenly there was this air filled with , “ look who is there” kind of smell, everyone seemed to turn back, turn again, give smiles to someone who was dressed in White dhoti, white kurta and white chappal, all in all white, I was seated at the lounge and a huge pillar was obstructing my view, thought must be someone , but did not really want to get up, and make it obvious that I wanted to see him. The curiosity cat in me was still uneasy and was urging me to go and take a peep. Somehow controlled, the boarding call was announced and I moved with the normal procedure. I sat at my seat with two equally plumpy people next to me. Was quiet uncomfortable, but soon fell asleep as I had just taken a heavy doze of benedryl in the night due to cough. The attendant woke me up to have some cookie and tea. I asked her for some tea and from my seat , thru the curtain in the business class I could see this All white man there, again all acting very nice all smiles, who is this guy was my question again, I could only see his right hand and his dhoti, not even his head.
Finally we landed and while we were coming down thru the escalator, I could see this man from a side posture, one look and I knew … it was “ YESUDAS” . The diva whose voice has mesmerized thousands of people for decades. The jet airways authorities were giving him the special treatment which was evident. On the way there were several strangers who just came upto him, shook hands, took blessings. I suddenly felt very shy as he was now standing right in front of me at the exit and I did not know what to do. I had the automatic smile on my face that was beaming, he saw me and smiled the typical celebrity way…. But that’s good enough. Does this man know that the woman who stood in front of him is crazy about his voice, songs... and her ipod which was in her hand had only his songs predominantly….. no, he has no clue, but who cares… my trip was made
Monday, March 31, 2008
Fish@fishland
This blog is not for veggie ‘s……….
Fishland is a very old hotel in Majestic that has been satisfying the appetite for fish and other seafood to thousands of people for the last 3-4 decades. Its not a hotel with some great ambience etc, Simple wooden table, fixed chairs, old small usha fans and a traditional lord balaji’s photo welcomes you at the entrance. This place is diagonally opposite to Kamat Yatri nivas and to be more precise it is a hotel adjoining “ STATUS BAR & RESTAURANT” .
Vinayak has been a regular customer to this hotel from his very early days in Bangalore. When we got married he took me to this place. And my first impression of it - dingy, shady and somehow I felt very uncomfortable. But managed to go up, and order for food. And now its been over 8 years that I have been going to this place atleast 2 Sundays a month.
I was sitting there yesterday and relishing fish and was just wondering what’s in this place that looked so dingy to me once seems one of the best restaurants now. It’s the fish that is cooked here, that I get a taste no where else. The menu card has no extra ordinary items but is just printed on a single sheet that is laminated. Infact the waiters are the same with no change. The moment we go, the welcome we receive as though we are their lifetime members is something that feels nice, the extra care and they get our first item even without our ordering as they know it by heart. I am sure this is something I would never get elsewhere.
The Fish fry, mangalore style curry are something’s worth eating apart from their other sea food delicacies I believe, but I have never tasted the others as I am just a fishiterian!!!!
Fishland is a very old hotel in Majestic that has been satisfying the appetite for fish and other seafood to thousands of people for the last 3-4 decades. Its not a hotel with some great ambience etc, Simple wooden table, fixed chairs, old small usha fans and a traditional lord balaji’s photo welcomes you at the entrance. This place is diagonally opposite to Kamat Yatri nivas and to be more precise it is a hotel adjoining “ STATUS BAR & RESTAURANT” .
Vinayak has been a regular customer to this hotel from his very early days in Bangalore. When we got married he took me to this place. And my first impression of it - dingy, shady and somehow I felt very uncomfortable. But managed to go up, and order for food. And now its been over 8 years that I have been going to this place atleast 2 Sundays a month.
I was sitting there yesterday and relishing fish and was just wondering what’s in this place that looked so dingy to me once seems one of the best restaurants now. It’s the fish that is cooked here, that I get a taste no where else. The menu card has no extra ordinary items but is just printed on a single sheet that is laminated. Infact the waiters are the same with no change. The moment we go, the welcome we receive as though we are their lifetime members is something that feels nice, the extra care and they get our first item even without our ordering as they know it by heart. I am sure this is something I would never get elsewhere.
The Fish fry, mangalore style curry are something’s worth eating apart from their other sea food delicacies I believe, but I have never tasted the others as I am just a fishiterian!!!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Biligiri Rangana Betta ( BR Hills)
Biligiri Rangaiah, neene helaiah
Ranganayakiya chandulli chaluvaiah…
( Oh! Lord of the Biligiri hills, you tell me , Oh handsome charmer of Goddess Ranganayaki)....
This is a famous song from the movie “ sharapanjara” released in the mid 70’s , directed by non other than the great director Puttana Kanagal and enacted by the Queen of kannada movies of the 70’s Kalpana
Well, I used to hear this song many a times and see the beauty of BR hills in the Eastman colour movie…and it looked beautiful on screen and when I visited this place for the first time last week, I knew why the song was made that way… coz this place deserves those very words
It was a three day trip to BR hills, pouring weather, ,managed to get a govt guest house on a hill top, and what more it was just living in heaven, walk in the clouds…
This place is absolutely non commercialized and therefore the beauty is still intact.
Jungle lodges is the only resort as such which is located in K Gudi, 20kms from where we stayed on BR hills and apart from that it is only the various govt guest houses such as PWD, Forest Officer’s guest house,. Tribals are the population around and growing medicinal plants is one key occupation in this place. There is the famous biligiri Ranganatha Swamy temple which is the peak point of this place and named after him. An ancient temple not very big, but well placed on the hillock.
We were not able to spot animals, coz it was just pouring due to the cyclone effect in the BAY… but that weather made it more memorable of that place.
We spotted so many birds, few of which I don’t even know their names. An absolute visual treat.
Hey and after all this, while coming down the hill, we had Mr Rahul Gandhi climb up the hill. What security ,,,,, 8 cars and his SUV in the middle zooming up the hill. We also saw his helicopter later in a school premise in Kollegal...
Some tips
How to reach there - We took the route via maddur- kollegal- yelladur and BR Hills
This was just about 188 kms from my place in rajajinagar. The roads are not great, but you can manage.
If you are lucky , it is best to call the Aranya bhavan in chamarajanagar and see if rooms are available. The contact number is 08226222059.
below is the link where i have loaded some snaps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21876589@N02/
Ranganayakiya chandulli chaluvaiah…
( Oh! Lord of the Biligiri hills, you tell me , Oh handsome charmer of Goddess Ranganayaki)....
This is a famous song from the movie “ sharapanjara” released in the mid 70’s , directed by non other than the great director Puttana Kanagal and enacted by the Queen of kannada movies of the 70’s Kalpana
Well, I used to hear this song many a times and see the beauty of BR hills in the Eastman colour movie…and it looked beautiful on screen and when I visited this place for the first time last week, I knew why the song was made that way… coz this place deserves those very words
It was a three day trip to BR hills, pouring weather, ,managed to get a govt guest house on a hill top, and what more it was just living in heaven, walk in the clouds…
This place is absolutely non commercialized and therefore the beauty is still intact.
Jungle lodges is the only resort as such which is located in K Gudi, 20kms from where we stayed on BR hills and apart from that it is only the various govt guest houses such as PWD, Forest Officer’s guest house,. Tribals are the population around and growing medicinal plants is one key occupation in this place. There is the famous biligiri Ranganatha Swamy temple which is the peak point of this place and named after him. An ancient temple not very big, but well placed on the hillock.
We were not able to spot animals, coz it was just pouring due to the cyclone effect in the BAY… but that weather made it more memorable of that place.
We spotted so many birds, few of which I don’t even know their names. An absolute visual treat.
Hey and after all this, while coming down the hill, we had Mr Rahul Gandhi climb up the hill. What security ,,,,, 8 cars and his SUV in the middle zooming up the hill. We also saw his helicopter later in a school premise in Kollegal...
Some tips
How to reach there - We took the route via maddur- kollegal- yelladur and BR Hills
This was just about 188 kms from my place in rajajinagar. The roads are not great, but you can manage.
If you are lucky , it is best to call the Aranya bhavan in chamarajanagar and see if rooms are available. The contact number is 08226222059.
below is the link where i have loaded some snaps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21876589@N02/
Monday, March 10, 2008
Don't have a reason
There are days while you just begin to think of the few good people you have known and what is it that they have value added in your life, work and society... today is one of those days for me, while i just sit to recollect those few good souls who have been a part of my past& present ... future is a ?... as i do not know what future holds for me...
Don’t have a reason
Do I need a reason anyway!
Difficult to express,
Wished things stayed this way
Little known is the fact,
That I began to realize,
There are only a few good souls
And the rest, a disguise
It’s a magical world,
And the magicians rule
Some are really humble
And few are really cruel
Angels I have known
And whom I Respect
Their sense and simplicity
Casting an impeccable effect
Its not just a poem
That I am trying to rhyme,
But a simple truth
That’s stood the test of time!!!!!
Don’t have a reason
Do I need a reason anyway!
Difficult to express,
Wished things stayed this way
Little known is the fact,
That I began to realize,
There are only a few good souls
And the rest, a disguise
It’s a magical world,
And the magicians rule
Some are really humble
And few are really cruel
Angels I have known
And whom I Respect
Their sense and simplicity
Casting an impeccable effect
Its not just a poem
That I am trying to rhyme,
But a simple truth
That’s stood the test of time!!!!!
Friday, March 7, 2008
ride on victoria road
I am still not able to sit properly while I sit infront of my laptop to check my mails
Today I decided to take my bike “ Suzuki access” to the office instead of my car…
The reason was to reach home earlier as I had to catch up with a few things at home.
I left office at 6.00 and my journey started from airport road..I decided not to take the MG road route, coz work near the winsor manor bridge has caused too much traffic..
So I decided to take the Victoria road ( where lifestyle is located) and reach home….
Victoria,… the name sounds so royal.. but what a ride….and what a feeling…
I suddenly started feeling like Queen Victoria, on a bumpy horse on a dingy road…
All my muscles and bones have had a nice massage.. the effect may live for a few more days..
Now I need to figure out no MG road, no Victoria road, no majestic…. No sampige road. How do I reach home….
May be I got to sign up for a helicopter – service
Air JAM would be happening next!!!! Watch out
Today I decided to take my bike “ Suzuki access” to the office instead of my car…
The reason was to reach home earlier as I had to catch up with a few things at home.
I left office at 6.00 and my journey started from airport road..I decided not to take the MG road route, coz work near the winsor manor bridge has caused too much traffic..
So I decided to take the Victoria road ( where lifestyle is located) and reach home….
Victoria,… the name sounds so royal.. but what a ride….and what a feeling…
I suddenly started feeling like Queen Victoria, on a bumpy horse on a dingy road…
All my muscles and bones have had a nice massage.. the effect may live for a few more days..
Now I need to figure out no MG road, no Victoria road, no majestic…. No sampige road. How do I reach home….
May be I got to sign up for a helicopter – service
Air JAM would be happening next!!!! Watch out
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
change is only constant....
Change is only constant,
Though this is not instant
I feel reluctant, even hesitant
But the truth is
Change is only constant
Fear on my mind
For reasons unknown
Is this my imagination?
That has just grown
Mind that bothers
Over little things
Feeling the weather
As though it stings
Thinking alone,
I began to realize
Acceptance to change
May be a blessing in disguise….
Though this is not instant
I feel reluctant, even hesitant
But the truth is
Change is only constant
Fear on my mind
For reasons unknown
Is this my imagination?
That has just grown
Mind that bothers
Over little things
Feeling the weather
As though it stings
Thinking alone,
I began to realize
Acceptance to change
May be a blessing in disguise….
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