This last week of 2009 is probably the worst week of this decade for Kannadiga’s. We lost two really big artists and more than that great human beings.
C. Ashwath
Much before Kodagana Koli Nugitta became famous outside Karnataka (thanks to Raghu Dixit), it was introduced to Kannadigas by C.Ashwath. He made all those poems which were in just books to reach common man. If I say major credit of popularizing bhavageethe and sugama sangeetha goes to him, I wouldn’t be wrong. Last time I saw him was in a Kanndada music show along with SPB. He looked very fit and sung few songs too. But then he passed away on his 71st birthday. His bhavayaana remains uncompleted :( May his soul rest in peace.

Dr. Vishnuvardhan
The biggest shocker of the year is his death. He looked very healthy, calm and peaceful. He was still 58 years and it’s not the age to die. But then death is a big cheater.
Much before Mungaru Male’s Anisutidhe became national anthem of heart-broken lovers, it was his Bandhana song “Noorondu Nenapu” (“ನೂರೊಂದು ನೆನಪು ಎದೆಯಾಳದಿಂದ” ). It still is. His offscreen life partnership with Bharathi was as romantic and strong as his on-screen pairing with Suhasini. Anybody could tell they were in Love and was such a big role models to other cine pairs in Kannada industry. Unfortunately they could not have a biological kid but then that never came in between. They lived their love life full. And I always thought them as the hottest pair in Indian Cinema. But then one death takes away everything. May his soul rest in peace and may god give his family strength.
Read the rest of this entry »

Wanted to write this post from yesterday night. But didnt know what to write.  26/11 was just one of those incidents which got world (media) attention but I see one such happening every day.  I go through various  emotions every time I read about such violence.

This post is not only for remembering 26/11 heroes but all those great souls which have fought against the violence from the beginning. I salute you all.

To all others

ಓಂ ಅಸತೋಮ ಸದ್ಗಮಯ,
ತಮಸೋಮಾ ಜ್ಯೋತಿರ್ಗಮಯ,
ಮೃತ್ಯೋರ್ಮಾ ಅಮೃತಂಗಮಯ
ಓಂ ಶಾಂತಿ, ಶಾಂತಿ ಶಾಂತಿಃ

om asathoma sadgamaya
tamasoma jyothirgamaya
mruthyorma amrutangamaya
om shanthi shanthi shanthi hi

Rough translation:
From false to truth
From darkness to light
From death to immortality
O kindly light..let there be peace

Well, what should I say? Farewell function was long and very senti. It looked like whole of @infy had gathered to catch a glimpse of Nandan. I am cursing myself for not carrying a camera on such a big occasion. Here are some pics from my mobile.

Nandan has been with Infy for almost thirty years. It is not easy for Nandan or Infy, not to miss each other. He is a great executor and brand ambassador. I am sure he will do well in his new role as chairman of the new Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). All the very best Nandan. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are the two greatest speeches by Subash Chandra Bose in his own voice. The first one was given by Subash representing India at Great East Asia Conference at Tokoyo. Japan. Where he speaks about martyrdom and future of India and Asia.

Subash at Great East Asia Conf mp3 download
The second one is the final war cry by Subash given to INA at Singapore.

Subash’s War Cry – mp3 download

• “We can not make a Rs one lakh car. Our engineers have said they cannot do it.” - Shinzo Nakanishi, MD Maruthi Suzuki India
• “Since, a promise is a promise the standard dealer version will cost Rs 1 lakh” - Ratan Tata releasing the Nano to the world
• An official of Hyundai Motors said “We definitely see it as impacting our sales” he said in halting English, preferring to maintain anonymity
• “I observed families riding on two-wheelers — the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.
  Tata Motors’ engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Today, we indeed have a People’s Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility,” - Ratan Tata releasing Nano to world
• “I am having nightmares” - Chief U.N. climate scientist Rajendra Pachauri. Nobel Peace Prize winner. Talking about TATA 1 lakh car
• “Pachauri will not have a nightmare and Sunita Narain can also sleep” - Tata talking about emission standards
• “My skepticism about the Tata car is not about Tata’s ability to put it together but to put it together at the price of Rs 1 lakh. It is not fair to say that Rs 1 lakh is the ex-factory price — our two-stroke directly injected three wheeler, which is nowhere close to a car, costs close to Rs 1 lakh to the customer. I still haven’t heard them (the Tatas) say it will be profitable.” - Rajiv Bajaj of Bajaj Auto
• “It is a proud moment for India. It demonstrates India’s technological and entrepreneurial ability. The car will help people move from two-wheeler to four-wheeler and it will leap-frog the two-wheeler,” It fulfills the need of the common Indian who aspires to move from a two-wheeler to a four-wheeler“- Kamal Nath. Minister of Commerce. Govt Of India
• ” It is a good car but we need to test it,” “Only the Tata’s can explain how they managed to achieve it.” - Jagdish Khattar, former chairman and managing director of Maruti Udyog
  
• “The key thing, therefore, is not the price of the car but the running cost” - Rajiv Bajaj of bajaj Auto
  
• “I think it is a great thing for India because mobility is giving new opportunities. I hope Tata is driving a great success with the Rs one lakh car, but it is not our plan.” - Thomas Kuehl SkodaAuto India Board Member
• “The Rs one lakh car is a good decision and a good intention, but as far as Volkswagen is concerned producing a Rs one lakh car is a pure no because meeting the quality standards and safety is not feasible at all in such a model” - Andreas Prinz Volkswagen Group Sales India Managing Director (Passenger Cars)
  
• “It is fantastic, outstanding engineering. It helps redefine the sector in the country. It has established new grounds.” - Venu Srinivasab MD TVS
  
• “The more, the merrier. Fundamentals of the two-wheeler industry are strong and Rs one lakh car is not something which we are worried about.” - Anil Dua, VP Sales and
  Marketing, Hero Honda Motors
  
• “In an ideal world, after the small car has been launched and is successful, that would be a nice time for me to exit,” -Ratan Tata
  
• “Every car has its own buyers and I am sure this car would also have its set of customers, but this segment does not excite us.” - Karl Slym GM President and Managing Director
  
• “The 1-lakh rupee car is not going to impact our potential customers. Our customers would buy our products for the sheer joy of riding.” - P.Sam Head Sales. Yamaha
  
• “In the marketplace, the best wins. I am quite willing to fight in the marketplace. I urge all players to fight in the market” - Ratan Tata
• “The best thing is that they have kept the price at levels promised at concept stage. It is good to look at. I can’t say about the driving experience as I have not taken a trial.” - Ramesh Suri, Chairman, Subros
• “I think it’s a moment of history and I’m delighted an Indian company is leading the way.“ – Anand Mahindra of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd
• “I congratulate Tata. He has delivered what he promised.” - Onkar Kanvar Apollo Tyres

Source: TV/Offline papers/Online papers/Magazine etc. Let me know if I quoted you wrong.

I just wish Ratan Tata, a happy retirement.