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A few minutes back, was listening to Maitreem Bhajata. Not the vocal version of MSS but the veena rendering by Gayathri. The veena version is played in the Yaman Kalyani raaga. I am not a geek of raagas but from what little I’ve listened to, Yaman Kalyani derived from Kalyani is used to play some of most melodious songs.Veena is one of the sweetest instrument for the ears. Anyone who has listened to Chitibabu’s Bells of Joy would accept that.

Accompanied with a solo mirudhangam, Gayathri veena rendering just blew me away. Even during the last Marghazhi music festival, I had been to Gayathri’s veena kutchery but with all the smell of bondas and nei pollis sneaking into the music hall, I didn’t enjoy the show completely.

On a not-so-cold evening, like today, with the lights switched off in a room, you’ve to listen to the veena playing to agree with me. I’m not setting ideal situations to enjoy the veena but it was as though she played a personal kutchery in the house, just for me.

Shalimar The Clown is releasing only by September 6th of this year. But Rushdie is already on the roll. The 2005 Booker prize longlist, which was announced a couple of days back, has Salman Rushdie‘s Shalimar the Clown listed as one of the contenders. Ian McEwan is also in the list. Together with Rushdie, Ian will also be contending for booker, the second time. For Rushdie, the first time was with Midnight’s Child – Saleem Sinai. For Ian McEwan, whom I knew only because of his booker prize, it was Amsterdam.

Rushdie’s last two books seemed to be out of place. Especially The ground beneath her feet featuring the Bombay rock band, seemed to have a great start but wasn’t convincing with all the extended romance. And I comfortably didn’t read his next book, The Fury. More than the booker prize, I would be personally happy if Shalimar The Clown would be impressive.

P.S – Any one has a clue why SalmanRushdie.com is registered by some hosting company which does nothing with it.

[Pic – Vikatan]

This week, S Ramakrishnan’s Kathaavilaasam column in Ananda Vikatan features Sujatha. Kathaavilaasam isn’t as interesting as his previous series, Thunaiezhuthu. One reason why I keep reading it despite the semi-boring narrative is that, Ramakrishnan explores the world of tamil authors and showcases an author’s creation. Earlier the column featured Aathavan, Ashokamithran and few other favorites of mine. The column is a success, if only 50 people would have bought Aathvan’s Enn Peyar Ramaseshan after reading Kathaavilaasam.

S.Ramkarishnan points out Sujatha’s shortstory Nagaram which is considered to be one of his best. Anyone who has read Nagaram would agree that the ending left a guilt in their hearts.

Nagaram’s premise has been modified and used in some sequences of Shankar’s Indian. One, when Manorama goes to the government office to get her cobbler husband’s pension. Two, when Kamalhassan and Sukanya take Kasturi with third degree burns to the hospital.

I just thought I should post, Writer Sujatha – Essential Reading. I had compiled a list earlier, for a friend and happily forgot to pass it on. Will dig it out and post it here sometime.