I had recently reviewed Dasavatharam and even my daughters felt I was too harsh. I discovered to my relief that I am in good company, when I read the reflections of Columnist P Devarajan, recently -on June 26th to be exact - in the Business Line, a daily from the Hindu Group.

I quote: "We missed two shots at best and were in our seats as Kamal went down into the sea with his god - wish he had gone down forever, instead of popping up in some US lab having on hand a chemical to kill large populations.Kamal should, at least, have given the option to the public to drown themselves. Kamal, after all, decides everything. One Kamal on screen is judicial custody for the viewer; 10 Kamals in one frame is life-term imprisonment. The film goes on and on, with neither Kamal nor the public being able to get into the story; sorry, one realises towards the end there is no story.Possibly, Dasavatharam is the only film this writer has seen where Kamal applauds Kamal in the last few shots. Gentle reader, do not conclude this writer is an intellectual. One has been at the theatres to appreciate Kamal... One has liked watching Apoorva Ragangal, Nayagan, Pushpak, Anbe Sivam, Hey Ram and a few others, where the film has only one Kamal and not 10 Kamals as a punitive distraction. In recent times, instead of telling a story well, he alters his face and body for special effects; in Dasavatharam, he is not convincing as President Bush nor as anyone else. Any bathroom singer could have come up with better music. Stepping out, one overheard an old lady telling her husband in Tamil, "Eppo theerumondu aiyurthu (One wondered when it would all end)", and this writer thought Dasavatharam would never end. "Onrum puriavillai (Couldn't understand)," said a youngster to his friend who replied, "Athuthan Kamal (That's Kamal)." ....For this writer, Dasavatharam is something like the debate on the nuclear deal... Now there is talk of sending Dasavatharam to Cannes or Oscars (like sending the nuclear deal to the US) and it is just possible the judges may award the film without a look-in. ....One came home, made a cup of strong coffee and laughed at Charlie Chaplin in the Tramp. Maybe it is insulting for a director to make films which the paying public can understand. It would be best for Kamal to take a break. But no, he is on to making something worse and India be blessed."

I am sorry for the long quote. I couldn't help it. Devarajan and I share similar wavelengths at least with regard to the Ten Incarnations!

We read in the newspapers that members of the Zoroastrian community observed Uthamna of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. I was curious to know something about Zoroastrianism. I could collect some material. I thought I will share it with you.

It is one of the oldest of the world-religions. The religion was founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia). Conservative Zoroastrians assign a date of 6000 BC, though historians and religious scholars generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 1000 BC. They believe in a single god Ahura Mazda.

They also believe in an evil spirit of violence and death. The resulting cosmic conflict involves the entire universe, including humanity who is required to choose which to follow. Evil, and the Spirit of Evil, will be completely destroyed at the end of time. Dualism will come to an end and Goodness will be all in all.

I am like a slate that is yet to be written. It is with these words that A R Rahman received the lifetime achievement award. When asked as to what was the source of inspiration that gives him melodies, he responded instantly," When I feel I'm confident, I know I'm wrong. When I feel I'm going to be humiliated, that is when something special comes up." The questioner said that this is perhaps the best Management Tip!

In spite of the advent - or aggression - of Television, I enjoy listening to the Radio. A College Student, one Miss Mahalakshmi was being interviewed. When asked as to what she wanted to become, she said, 'a teacher.' And why? "Because, I have two younger brothers who were poor in their studies and my mom would taunt them. I started to coach them and they showed tremendous improvement. Thus I discovered the teaching talent lying latent within me." Teaching, like charity begins at home. I wish her all the best.

By
H Ramakrishnan