RIFLE RANGE BOY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaih%C5%8Dgy%C5%8D Kaihōgyō From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Kaihōgyō (回峰行?) is a set of the ascetic physical endurance trainings for which the Japanese ‘marathon monks’ of Mt. Hiei are known. These Japanese monks are from theTendai school of Buddhism, a denomination brought to Japan by the monk Saichō in 806 from China. Their quest is to serve Buddha through many duties but they are best known for their physical endurance in running, a form of extreme asceticism. The school is based north of Kyoto, at Mt. Hiei, which overlooks the ancient capital city. The Monks and their quest for enlightenment Part of Tendai Buddhism's teaching is that enlightenment can be attained in the current life. It is through the process of self denial that this can be achieved, and the Kaihōgyō is seen as the ultimate expression of this desire. There are many serving priests at the temple on Mt. Hiei, but very few of them have completed the kaihōgyō. M...

Athey Kangal (Those same eyes,1967; Tamil) 1967 was still in the era of the golden years of the silver screen. This time around Eastman colour film came to be introduced into the Tamil cinema, introducing more psychedelic vibrancy to the already gaudy colours synonymous with Indian culture and dressing. It was Tamil cinema's time to exhibit their pretty and suave actor in dizzying shades of pink, turquoise, beige and orange. Even the grass appeared greener than life. This flick shows only the filthy rich Indians in European clothes dressed to the nines in all frames. The ties are narrow, so are the pants and the ladies salwar, which look more like running compression garments! The mansion they reside in befits the abode of royalty, complete with a very tall ceiling and Gothic structures. The large black and white tiles, like a giant checkers board which was in vogue these days, is seen here. The strategic placement of lights seems to accentuate the sca...

P Ramlee's movies are labelled as national treasures, but unfortunately, it does not belong to the National Archives but are under Shaw Organization's possession due to its owners' foresight. Some of the prints are even missing. I know of two of his movies banned by RTM or Censors for topics not suitable for national integration. One is 'Gelora' which dwelt with an adult topic, and the other is "Minta Nombor Ekor' for depicting gambling! Recently managed to view 'Minta Nombor Ekor' on YouTube. 'Gelora' still remains elusive! Only a few clips of the show can be seen on Youtube. Here , here , here . Minta Nombor Ekor Kisah dua orang sahabat, Ramlee dan Raden yang menyewa di sebuah bilik. Mereka ingin cepat menjadi kaya dan selalu bermain judi 'tiga nombor ekor'. Berbagai cara dilakukan oleh mereka semata-mata untuk mendapatkan nombor yang paling bertuah. Mereka berdua juga mencintai gadis yang sama bernama Safiah yang bekerj...

Andha Naal (That day, Tamil;1954) http://chennaimadras.blogspot.com/2010/03/forgotten-escape.html "1943 Japanese Fighter Plane dropped bombs on City and disappeared" 'That day' refers to the day Japanese bombers dropped their bombs into Madras - 11th October 1943 at 11pm! - Hey, I did not know that the Japanese went that far. I thought the war ended when they were still at the India-Burma border! A quick Google check revealed that Japanese planes did indeed run a half-hearted practice bombing of Madras. In 1914 (World War 1) too, that town was bombarded by a German light cruiser ship, SMS Emden, for a good half an hour. As you recall, SMS Emden made a heroic entry into Penang Harbour disguised as a British ship to sink down a Russian ship  (Zhemchug)  in the Battle of Penang. It made a speedy escape to continue her terror to be labelled the most hunted ship of that era. The film starts with Rajan (Sivaji), a radio engineer, falling to the ground in Siva...

So one midweek night, at about 8 as I was calling it a day at work, I received a call on my mobile phone from an vaguely familiar voice from a unknown land line. He went on rattling with the usual pleasantries. As social etiquette dictates, I returned the kind pleasantries until he asked whether I could recognise who he was. I plainly told him no and guess what - I have not seen him in 10 years! (and he expected me to recognise his voice out of nowhere! Anyway, he is nice guy who does not mean any harm to anyone. Quite an interesting character actually... I first came to know of his acquaintance about 20 years ago. By then, he was a senior doctor with years of experience supervising interns in his own unique way. In his mid 40s then, he was a bachelor, a laid back character who was contended with life caring for his brothers and sisters as well as any sick and poor patient who would walk through the department door. He did not give much credence to post graduate studies. His par...

As part of their plan to change the landscape of attendees of the temple from a predominantly geriatric population who are trying to postpone their face to face appointment with their Maker to a much younger one and to enhance the inter and intra familial ties, the ladies wing of the temple committee that I attend decided to hold a variety show in their premises. The other agenda on the list was to source funds to channel towards an orphanage. Well, you would think that getting orphanage to participate in this fare should be easy. Not really! Most of these institutions have their appointment books all packed with invitations from well wishers. They even limit the type of handouts that you can offer them. They can choose because they are not beggars! In a land of plenty like ours, everyone is affluent. You would not be penalised if you think that there would not be any takers for purchase of ticket to this show. Wrong again. The tickets sold off faster than hot cakes, leavi...

Do Re Mi (Malay, 1966) By mid 1960s, P Ramlee's popularity waned rock bottom. Introduction of colour and big budget into production of Hindi films drew most Malayan viewers away from local cinema scene. All the good life and rich food had a toll on his appearance. P Ramlee had ballooned out. His concaved cheeks and carved torso had puffed up. His hairline was receding. Do Re Mi was his comeback attempt. It was quite successful that over the next years, a few sequels were offered, 'Laksamana Do Re M'i being the last before his demise. A full length comedy with sometimes nonsensical joke with a hint of subtly jabbing the lifestyle of the Malays of that era. No matter how many times I watch it, I am sure to laugh at a P Ramlee comedy. Hence, my kids decided to get a copy of 'Do Re Mi' for my last birthday. A movie from a bygone where Malayans were more liberal with their dressing and behaviour. Gone are the body hugging contour enhancing baju kebaya and slim wais...

When no midwives.... Just like a wave, every few months once, just like the durian season, the main stream newspapers will be glowing with letters from concerned parents of pathetic junior doctors who are at wits end after being bullied, overworked and underpaid in the public hospitals. Just like clockwork, will materialise news of housemen dying due to some  mysterious  circumstances. Like this one! http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/houseman-found-dead-1.73153 Then like watching a P Ramlee film re-run, the next course can be predicted. A national referendum will be initiated which will start every politician and wannabe scrawny leader to insert his 2-cents of worthless buffoonish talk until the whole news dries up like yesterdays' rain. It appears like the practice of medicine is not cut for the new generation of youngsters whose mind is always inquisitive and expect instant gratification, less on the talk and more on the action....

In Rome do what Romans do. When the English brought indented labourers from India, they brought with them their culture, religion and way of life. To keep them contended, the colonial master built arrack shop and let them build their own place of worship. Over the generations, the Indians who migrated to this land for better life have blended well into the society. They contributed their sweat, life and blood to transform this backwater malarial infested land into a near developed country with the help of other citizens. Well, malaria has been replaced by dengue, that's another story! National integration, at least from the food perspective has infiltrated into Hindu temples. This, I discovered today. Generally, the Aadi month (the fourth month of the Tamil calendar) as I knew when I was growing up, was an inauspicious for many life altering events like weddings, consummation for newly weds, moving into a new house or childbirth. Now, I have come to understand that it ...