Maanam Ketta Tamizh Cinema

For sometime, these thoughts have been in my mind. I didn’t want to portray these in any of my blogs as I want to stay secular. Being in this country since my birth, I am quite satisfied with a few things and I am proud of its heritage. But there are few things which have destroyed my nation since its birth in 1947. Communal politics, aggression against women and transgression of human rights. Before going any further with this article, I want to tell a few things/points.

1. Living in India is many times better than any other country in the world.

2. Read history well. Our country hasn’t invaded any other country in human history and the only country in the planet which truly loves peace.

3. India was never meant to be a country as a whole as it is only a Union of erstwhile princely states, but in reality it is nation. It is living every dream! Such countries are tough to administrate and certainly India has developed amidst huge challenges.

4. Every 26th January, India conducts a Republic Day parade. The whole world stuns and watches with amazement. No other country could pull out such amazing variety of lifestyle, culture and uniqueness. Being a union of 28 states and various Union territories, the Indian Union is the most ethnically diverse, multi-linguistic society ever to exist on planet earth. As days go by, my prediction is that culture and values would be respected more than anything else. Critics may say that this is a computer age and people should strip and dance! Even the so called first world countries are returning to our culture and following it religiously. What do you say about that? Maybe not today, but definitely after 20 years Indians would be respected even more and envied of the unity. In other words, we can rather live life for ourselves, not to earn a name from other nations in the world.

The reason why there is no safety of women is because of the Indian Entertainment Industry which is considered great and divine by the present day youths who have succumbed to the luxuries and comforts of life. Generally, there are lots of harsh scenes shown in cinemas. Rape scene, stripping of saree, as the girl yells. This is one thing which should be banned. All these scenes project as if a girl desires for such a pleasure and it pollutes the mind of Indian youth. These entire scenes project that women can be over-powered and that’s what exactly has happened and is happening and with the blessings of the Film industry. So what’s the Union Government of India doing?



The next reason is Pornography. Porn films project women in an offensive manner. It projects as if women are in need of such “pleasures” and as if men are so holy and divine who can do the needful. It projects females as objects. This mindset develops in every human youth and that’s what encourages them to kidnap a college mate, or a colleague to rape her! Almost in my opinion, all Tamil films are pornographic which projects women as a sexual object rather than a human being with emotions. Infact, all films portray them even worse than animals. Too bad that we are all silent criminals and sitting ducks. If Lenin was alive and living, he wouldn’t allow this to be happening. True! Instead of taking birth in Russia, I wish he was born here in India. He would have taken these people for a ride! There would be only one change. I won’t be living as a Brahmin or a Hindu. Infact, there won’t be any religion. But certainly there would be safety for women.

I can’t number the reasons neither can I name all the films as they are replete with superlatives. Another reason is fashion. Nowadays the idea of fashion has got too much into the minds of producers and directors that the popularity and success of films is inversely proportional to the amount of dress in a heroine. The spirit of womanhood is going for a toss! In directly, all these films are nothing but porn films. But the good joke is that the first person to see the film when it is released would be a teenage girl.

The sexual violence is depicted as fun, enjoyable and a normal expression of romantic love. Read the line carefully. Read it again. It is depicted as a normal expression. This is where the problem arises. This is where any viewer takes things for granted. Victims are more likely to be women rather than men and sexual violence committed by heroes/villains is depicted as a normal behaviour. And the next line is even more important. Initially, the hero would harass the heroine. And towards the end heroine would become romantically involved with the hero. Such scenes projects as if women like violent sexual advances but in reality it isn’t and many rape victim fall into severe depression and become a victim of shame. Would it be right to treat a human as an object?

And another reason. Choli kay peeche kya hai? You would find it amusing. I will tell you one real story. When I was six years old, I sang this song without knowing the meaning. I received one slap from my father who was reading a newspaper nearby. I use to whistle a lot as I believe it reduces a lot. My father slapped me again! I forgot that too. Who says strict parental control doesn’t give improvement? What I was taught when I was young has helped me to handle my present day life better thanks to my father and his strict control over me. Such songs have given encouragement to men of all ages to discriminate and take women for granted. So what’s the Union Government doing? I have asked the question for the second time. Don’t worry you will answer this question yourself, as the article goes on.



So let me put it in better words. Generally, what happens in a Tamil film is that the hero would be a 22 year old dropout using words like “machi”, “gethu”, “udaal”, “maapillai”, “machan”,”mamu”. He would come across a heroine and would instantly fall in love with her and start flirting. The cinema would project as if flirtatious relationship has a beginning of courtship, along with usual sequence of dances and song routines with a huge gang of people jumping crazily shouting, “Sarukku vechurukkein, erakki vechirukkein” and towards the end the heroine accepts the hero’s sexual advances. The film would be given a “U” certification by the censor board. In short the people in the censor board are the ones who are “holding the lamps”. New Delhi is the place where most rape cases happen. How will a country improve if its capital has got such a great record? So what’s the Union Government doing?

Most of the cinemas project as if women enjoy getting teased. Eve teasing violates a woman's basic right to live in dignity. Will women forever remain targets and victims of eve teasing? I fear so. The reason is whenever there is a release of Tamil Cinema or any other movie there are huge amount of girls visiting the theater first and indirectly funding injustice. I am not against that industry, but why not drama instead of cinema? Or why not a good cinema instead of the usual masala cinema? Women are often criticized for 'inviting' molesters by way of their 'seductive' way of dress and make-up. For the last line, half of my own friends who are girls would shout at me. I know that. And as they read this article too, they would wonder why I am so harsh at modernization and against modern culture. But as I end up this article they would understand why. So what’s the Union Government doing?

Certainly anyone who lives in the fantasy world of Bollywood or Kollywoord or Tollywood or Hollywood will lose all sense of reality and rational intelligence. He will fail to see that his favorite heroes on celluloid behave differently in real life. Film starts generally don’t understand the ramifications of a film. As for the directors, they are the ones who actually believe that a little bit of eve-teasing is harmless and hence add poison to the milk.

Much of the country’s problem is primarily due to the present day 18-24 year old youth which gets infatuated by cinema and travels on roads in faded jeans, round neck T-shirts, travel in bikes. Whenever I see such people, I use to laugh inside. I use to wonder what their parents have taught them.

Much of the cinemas portray as if dominating women, forcing them to have sex and being aggressive and powerful is the test of a ‘real man’ and one who takes controls and overpowers a women is considered a real man. Don’t be shocked! This is the truth. This is what future India is about and it is only to these types of people the former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was asking to dream and they were indeed dreaming!

A group of people decided to counsel such youths. It was done through various activities and games. One very significant ‘game’ that was played was one where half the men became ‘Objects’ and the other half became ‘People’. The men who became ‘Objects’ were ordered around and made to do humiliating things. In another game, some men had labels stuck on them and the other boys were to treat them exactly as per the labels. This was quite humiliating for those who were labeled ‘prostitutes’. We really feel bad when we are treated like objects. Isn’t it? That’s what I am writing in my blog for the Soviet Union to treat humans as humans.

The result of this whole program was that the participants realized what it felt like to be treated the way they treated women. Interviews revealed that their attitudes altered to some degree. The men in the study became more sensitive, started helping more at home, and overall became more respectful of women. Even the eve-teasing complaints against these boys decreased. Many of the young men also reported that they became ‘quieter’ and less aggressive after the program. They said that they had become ‘changed from within’. Their self-esteem increased and their relationships with women improved.

So what’s the Union Government doing?

And of course, the last thing I would like to talk about. Communal violence and communal politics in cinema! Offensive portrayal of Brahmins in cinemas. I have nothing against anyone, but I am just asking one question. Do you have the guts to pass comments against any other sect or caste or other religion? Take for example, Islam. Then why are Brahmins targeted? It’s because they don’t retaliate and they are weak and they don’t have the courage to speak. Kitttu Mama or Susi Mami some bullshit which comes in some damn radio. Isn’t that a sarcastic portrayal of Brahmins? What sin have we done that you are showing us hatred? I am not talking just because I am a Brahmin, but I am talking as a human. There are also some sections in Dinakaran or Dinamalar-which talks about “Peter Mama”. In this column, politics are generated in Brahmin language and style between two characters. I am amazed at the Government’s control over its people. This is something similar to sarcastic portrayals of Sardarji in the name of Santa and Banta.

Tamilnadu being the cradle for Anti-Brahmin movements is a place where its esteemed politicians always blame the Iyer and Iyengars for almost all problems in the society. A popular revolutionary and a Hero of Dravidians made abusive remarks and repeatedly called for Brahmin killings and burning down Brahmin homes and the rape of their women. I have got a question over here. In the above statement, Brahmins are considered inferior and outcast. So why do Anti-Brahmins rape our women? What do you find so divine and enticing that you wish to insert and advance into something inferior, if we are inferior breeds in your opinion? Answer this question and do whatever you want.

In majority of the films by many great directors, there is always an Anti Brahmin sentiment criticizing Brahmin rituals and practices and stating as if Brahmins are responsible for spreading superstitions. There are even people asking about Engineering Degree of Lord Ram. Come on buddy. Do you know that Muslims have the practice of doing ‘sunnath’? Try remarking about Muslims and their culture? Just make a comment and your entire generation would regret for it! Just like how US is getting screwed in Iraq and Afghanistan at the moment. Brahmins are so helpless and weak; people always take a dig at them.

My thoughts might sound stupid for some people. But I don’t care. I am ready to stand in what I believe and my beliefs don’t involve any Anti-X sentiments and I am not having any destructive thoughts either. It’s high time that the present day youths of India realize their responsibilities rather than infatuating to cinema, entertainment and partying. If you visit theaters often, go for good films like Anniyan, Ramana, Citizen rather than Masala films. Don’t fund for injustice.

So what’s the Union Government doing? You would have found the answer by now.

-Krishna Kumar.S

How to make an another human being happy?

Let's be happy. Let's do not hurt others. Let's make the world a better place to live in.

There are many reasons why people lose happiness in life. Let's discuss some of them and find a suitable remedy for it.

I thought of penning this article only after getting an email forward from one of my friends Srirang. Srirang rocks!

So let's start! Let's make others happy.

Methods to make others happy:-

1. Advice! This should be avoided at all costs. Remember, this is not the time to boast about our superiority and forecast our abilities to someone who is at depression. Remember anything will happen to anyone at anytime. I would get fired tomorrow from my job! Or I might get a better job. Who knows? Remember, even the great USSR crumbled like a pack of cards. The so called super power US is getting screwed in Afghanistan and Iraq simultaneously. Life hasn't spared anyone. Let's not advice anyone by saying," Buddy these things happen in life and you have got lots to face tomorrow". The popular jargon especially amongst the present day younger generation of Indian youth is "Life la edhullam oru kashtam illai". Instead let's put in this way,"I had this problem, but I learnt a lot, likewise you will learn more, even more than me and I will be with you to help you out".

2. If a person is too negative, let's not blast at him and say that, "You are pessimistic, mentally weak, you won't survive at your workplace". We are all humans-an imperfect lot-including me. Seriously, we don't know what the other person is facing in life. We might not even fight half of what he is doing. Just because we are in good position we shouldn't take a dig at others.

3. My birthday was on July 27th. I sent an email to my friend Sudhakar(who is in UK doing masters) asking me to wish at 00:00hrs IST on 27th July. I sent that mail 14 days back, around July 13th. But I didn't remind him again and neither he is in Orkut to find out my birthday. I told him in an email, "If you wish me, this year would be good for me". At 00:01hrs IST, I received a call from UK. I saw the number 44-xxxxxxxxxx. I knew instantly it was from the UK. It's been one month now. Life is good if not the best. But I am thankful to God. Not one or two, I have got many humans as my friends. Even amidst busy schedule, let's devote sometime for other humans than spending time with dumb machines. So let's take pride in wishing others.

4. I had a colleague in the name of Reshmi. She was a Punjabi. Her father died years ago and she is the only breadwinner. She has got a sister too and lives with her mother. She is doing her UG in college! She worked at night shifts along with me and then she went to college during the day. Trust me! There are people who are living life. They are fighting in life. They never gave up. At work place, she is given encouragement by all her mates. Tomorrow, she is certainly going to achieve big things. Let's encourage another human being than discouraging or passing comments.

5. Loose talks, gossips. Why should we do that? Why should we ridicule other person's life. If .. If.. we could all get along... and live...Let's start living rather than simply existing. Humans are best creations of God and they have six senses. Blessed! Let's make an effort to use some of them to serve Him the best by rising as high as possible in character. People might wonder how simple bullying, teasing a human being would destroy the peace in world.

Let's assume that we are teasing a person. Tomorrow, he might feel so hurt that he might have a discontent towards a particular human community. This would gradually encourage us to tease him as we have now developed a feeling that we are dominant and gradually this would be done on women. Slowly, this would lead to women abuse. The affected lot will certainly revolt again with revenge. This would lead to communal violence gradually leading to events like September 11th, November 26th Mumbai attacks etc. We need not blame them. We should blame ourselves. If Nicholas II had been a good Tsar, why the need for a Soviet Union through a blood revolution?

6. Let's share fun and enjoy! What are SMS, emails used for? Let's tweet! Let's update each other. Let's share our fun and enjoyment. It is hard for people to be negative when they are having fun.

7. Let's don't dwell on negative conversations. Why should we be sarcastic about other humans? Why should we make ourselves superior to others unless if it regarding academics?

8. A complete change of environment is required. One of my friends got depressed badly. I called him up and took him away from city limits in a train. I didn't advice. I recollected those days when he was important to me and how I owe him a lot. Well, that's the truth. Let's be thankful to an another human being. He is normal now.

9. Superiority complex. Let's not discriminate people based on caste, sex, color, religion. No one is superior. I am a brahmin. Tomorrow, I would marry a brahmin girl. Thali katra naanum, adha kazhuthula vaangara avalum thaan brahmin. The people who made that thali are not brahmins!! If... we could all.. get along... to create that Universal brotherhood in the planet.

10. Barriers don't exist, if we speak to each other. Let's speak and be good to each other. We all should drop the aggressive stance. No one becomes violent in a day or changes soon. Seriously, do we really need a USSR versus USA cold war?

11. Let's nurture the younger generation in the right way. During my childhood, there was a lady who took care of me and assisted my parents. Unforunately, her husband died suddenly. At that time, there were some superstitious people around me and they said that the lady shouldn't be allowed inside the house for the next 6 months. The lady entered the house and I didn't allow her inside thinking that her ill fate hit my family. I even openly insulted her saying," That her ill fated luck would haunt my family".

I feel ashamed for this act even today. It doesn't matter where I work or how much I earn or how many engines I have travelled but I have failed to treat a human as an human. Let's advice the younger generation in the right way! All those doing Namas towards Mecca aren't terrorists. All Hindus aren't like the one who broke the Babur Masjid. Let there be a Mosque, temple, church and fire-temple in every town.

12. If ever a human soul is poisoned, a part of the autopsy would read "jealousy". Why should we be jealous of others? If someone is happily married, why should we be jealous of them? If someone earns better, why should we be jealous of them? The world is so big and there are lots to taste and enjoy than being within a circle. If something never works out we shall try something new.. let's learn new languages, learn about other countries, people and lifestyle...seriously, I am not suggesting or advising.. I just want to know whether you are interested in these as I am much into it.

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Well, you have to tell. So tell me how you would make an another human being happy?

-Krishna Kumar.S

I am laughing inside...

Right from my childhood till even today, I make every attempts to respect another human being. I value human value and it's precious to me. I would certainly think thousand times before making a harsh move. I may not confront anyone, but I would be laughing inside.

So when do I laugh within myself? The points below doesn't applies to all. It is for few excited fellows.

So guys let me share my moments during which I actually laugh inside.

1. When you boast too much about yourself infront of me, I am certainly laughing inside.

2. When you return from United Kingdom or United States and talk about life over there and always start your first line,"When I was in the US .. in the UK...". I am not only laughing inside, but I am rolling on the floor and laughing because I am thinking about your life in India 5 years back. You ate thayir sadham, sambhar sadham ,vatha kuzhambu appalama, rasam sadham. Eppo enna kasakkudha? Stood in queues to pay bills, read Hindu/Dinamalar, visited Pillaiyar Koil to pray for your exams.

3. Whenever you say "bucks" instead of "Rupees", I am laughing inside.

4. Whenever I visit Madurantakam or Parthasarathy Temple, you advice me to go to Spencer Plaza or City Center, I am laughing inside.

5. Whenever you say "babes" instead of ladies, I am laughing inside. Yedhukku endha vetti bandha?

6. When you try to insult others for fun, I am wondering what your parents taught you when they brought you up.

7. When you are bloated with egoism, I am laughing inside. You are coming down in my ratings!

8. Whenever you advice me to show how superior you are than me, I am laughing inside at your immaturity that you coudln't control your mental excitement to display your achievements.

9. When you gossip about other's personal life, I am laughing inside and at your character.

10. When you boast too much about your own salary, achievements, number of girlfriends, I am laughing inside.

11. Whenever you boast too much about your IT/BPO achievements, I am laughing inside.

12. Whenever you criticize a person who got divorced and speaking/boasting as if you are in good terms with you other half and as if others in the world are fools. I am laughing inside.

13. When you buy a car and criticize those who board MTC buses or travel in unreserved train compartments, I am laughing inside at your superiority complex.

14. When you invite me to your house and show the most expensive music systems, electronic equipments,computers, air conditions, expensive curtains, beds and keep boasting too much about it instead of introducing me to your elders or taking me to your prayer room! I am laughing inside.

15. When you completely disrespect the policies and principles of the elder generation, I am laughing inside.

16. When you use the F word multiple times and get infatuated by its so called glory, I am laughing inside.

17. When you pass on comments about others and their personal life if they are unfortunate, I am laughing inside wondering why you are like that.

18. After reading this post, if you are laughing at me sarcastically, I am laughing at you implicitly because I am eccentric in your opinion, but I am laughing at you because you are just like others.

-Krishna Kumar.S
(01/09/2009)