RIFLE RANGE BOY

Dhanvatari - God of Ayurveda. Note the Chakra, Sanghu, Leech and elixir. Bloodletting was an accepted way of treatment in ancient time. The pot holds the potion of health. Chakra to slice of tumours or maybe denoting pressure point, Sonic or ultrasonic waves to treat ailments? It used to be an almost non-event. It came at a time when major public examinations were scheduled. Forget about gearing up for Deepavali, we were oiling ourselves to run through the grinding mill of tests and the uncertainty of passing exams.  When we started working, some of us even had the misfortune of not having a day off. Work had to go on. Still, life went on, knowing jolly well that to serve humankind equals to showing  salutations  to the Almighty. So we missed many Deepavali and never felt short of anything. But then, now they tell us that the Deepavali celebrations must go on for five days. That reminds me of someone in our childhood who said that if one is healthy and ...

http://www.theantdaily.com/Don-t-miss-these/Confusion-over-Deepavali-date-Oct-22-or-Oct-23/ Confusion over Deepavali date – Oct 22 or Oct 23? Sonia Ramachandran PETALING JAYA: The festival of lights that also signifies the triumph of good over evil is an important celebration for Hindus all over the world. However, there seems to be a little confusion lately as to when Deepavali or Diwali actually falls. In 2013, the confusion was between Nov 2 and Nov 3 and this year, it is between Oct 22 and Oct 23. If you type in Deepavali in your Google search engine, Oct 23, 2014 will immediately pop up. In Malaysia, however, Deepavali officially falls on Wednesday, Oct 22, though here too there was confusion. His Majesty’s Government Gazette No 43367 of Dec 6, 2013 states that Thursday, Oct 23, 2014 which was published in the July 29, 2013 Gazette as the date for the public holiday for Deepavali should be replaced with Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014 for the celebration. This is appar...

Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Till there is life, Hindi;2012) I n keeping with the tradition which spans a time before RRF, Diwali is not over till after an Indian movie is watched, this year it is SRK's turn. The films on their part, in keeping with their own tradition, keep churning out convoluted non brainers devoid of Indian values in the name of entertainment and stress relieving temporary intoxication of music, dance, pretty people and scenery. Here too, location of shooting is 75% in the UK and the saree and bindi/thikka (pottu) are conspicuously absent too. Are the Indian movie watching public lost interest in the things deemed Indian? This film generated great interest, as during the post production time of the movie, the 80 year old thespian of a director, Yash Chopra, succumbed to dengue fever. In fact, to me, the most touching part of the movie was at the end. Live footage of an elderly  fit full of life jovial man seen mixing around with cast and c...

For many years now, Petronas have been producing meaningful short snippets in conjunction with celebrations of the major races here in Malaysia. Yasmin Ahmad, when she was around, used to come up with catchy ads with meaningful messages about racial unity and preservation of traditional practices. Unfortunately this year's Deepavali offering produced a lot of flak. It starts with a sad youngster probably unable to get a job, as evidenced by the rolled up scroll in hand. Another chap tries to coax him to 'just chill' and shows him some dance steps. He joins suit. It then snowballs to shows a group of youngsters dancing around like in the busy street amidst the traffic jam in a typical Kollywood/Bollywood scene or maybe Psy's Oppa Gangnam Style, trying to cheer people up and spread the mood of celebration. It did not, however, spread the intended joyous mood to everyone but instead rather drew brickbats. First of all, the beat that they have chosen, Dappan Kootu, orig...

So, today is like a Boxing Day of sorts. The morning after, with the head feeling heavy and body feeling just as lethargic. The day after Diwali or Deepavali. For the follower who wished to be enlightened on how we Malaysians celebrate this religious occasion, here it is... Anyway, this what happened yesterday... It was an important day for two generations - the current teenagers who reinforced the bondage of friendship with their school friends and the older generation who met with their long lost school friends. This is, of course, a day of prayers and mending broken fences in the intra-family relationship. And a day of eating, eating and more eating (Malaysians' favourite pastime and passion)! After the mandatory morning prayers and siyakai powder and oil bath (just a drop for formality), it was breakfast time at sister-in-law's house. The spread was thosai, roti canai (local oily paratha - legend says that it got its name from Indian restauranteurs from Chennai who use...

நான் சிரித்தால் தீபாவளி*(Naan Sirithal Deepavali) Deepavali in RRF I do not remember being particularly joyous at the arrival of Deepavali in RRF. Most of the time, it was just a hindrance as it came amidst year end and public examinations. As usual Amma will complain about the ever increasing cost of living and increased expenses incurred because of this one day celebration. Again, she would remind us not to overspend because even though Deepavali only comes once a year, it comes every year. And that we should not suffer the whole year just to enjoy on one particular day!  A month before the auspicious day, Amma will start receiving sewing orders and this will go on until the eve of the celebration! 2 to 3 weeks before this day of the win of good over evil, the whole family will throng the stores at Penang Road , Campbell Street and ‘Jual Murah Bazaar’ on bargain hunting. It will end with each child getting about 2 sets of clothes and the whining of ev...