The Vengeance of the Ghost

Beginning: Recently watched the German film, SOVIA. In English it has to be pronounced as Sophia. But the English title given for the film is DEATH HOSPITAL. And that is rightly given so. For, most actions take place in an hospital. The Outline of the Story: The movie opens with the scene of a young unknown girl dying in the hospital. The dying girl is apparently panicking seeing the efforts of the hospital staff to put her out of misery. In fact, she is more frightened of the staff than the death. The hospital staff include two doctors, two nurses and a pathologist. Among the hospital staff, a doctor and a nurse(Sovia) are in a relationship. The relationship ends because the man is upset that the nurse had become pregnant. He never wanted to play daddy to any kid. When this happens, a scene also indicates the affair of the doctor with the other nurse. The girl who is separated is liked by the pathologist. He offers to take her to her home that day. The angry and upset partner had not waited for her and had left her without taking her. As she is about to cross to her home she is hit by a car and is taken to the same hospital. These all happen in the same day the unknown girl died in the hospital. The nurse is in coma and she feels that the dead girl approaches her bed and touching her. At that moment she comes out of coma. Then begins series of deaths. The doctor who was in relationship with Sovia dies first. Then the other nurse, the other doctor. The dead girl visits them and kills them (haunting scenes). Meanwhile, the police are clueless. The police team in charge of investigation consists of a senior and a junior. Every death points towards Sovia. The police doubts her but can not prove anything that connects her to the murder. Sovia is also by then visited by the dead girl on many occasions. But no harm is done to her. Sovia also slowly develops interest for the pathologist. The pathologist finds that each death has a strange phenomenon, a bruise made by some unknown heavy object. Sovia also has a similar mark in her body after the accident(after the dead girl touched her). They, then begin to think of some spookiness in all the murders. They go to the hospital and the pathologist goes to the morgue to check whether the dead body is present and Sovia goes through the medical reports. Meanwhile, the senior policeman is also found murdered (the act of the dead girl). The junior police man rushes to the hospital to arrest Sovia. What happens in the hospital is the climax. And it is a terrific ending. Do not miss it.

Few Reflections: "Vengeance is mine" says God in the Bible. Almost all the holy scriptures speak against revenge. To take revenge on somebody is to sit on the throne of judgment and pass a verdict. And, being fragile and gullible the human beings can not do that. Once again, it is the interpretation for the Biblical verse. But, the situations in the real life present a different reality. A man is naturally instinctive to hit back the one who hit him/her. When able we hit them; or scheme bad for them; or wait and pray patiently for their downfall; or we wrench them in their mind. There are moments when we even wish some dead. Human beings want revenge, generally. There may be exceptions. But the exception must be one in a million. This movie once again speaks for and feed on the vengeful feelings of ordinary human beings. The only difference is that the revenge is taken by the dead person. The ghost takes revenge for its death. The scenes when the ghost takes revenge/the murder sequences are well captured by the camera. Specially I want to mention the two scenes: The Casual waiting for the victim to finish his phone conversation and the one at the end of the movie in morgue. In the last scene one is made to realize why Sovia is kept alive till the end of the movie. At the end, the ghost is content and wears a look of accomplishment. FEELING FOR REVENGE IS TRULY FAR SUPERIOR THAN THE FEELING FOR FORGIVENESS.

A Tribute to Theatre

The Murugan Theatre. It is one of the theatres in Thiruthangal, a small town near the famous industrial town of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. The small town had three theatres in those days (1980s). Chinnakani Theatre was in the northern corner of the town and Balaji Talkies was at the other end, in the southern corner. The Murugan Theatre, the majestic and the aesthetically sound theatre was in the middle of the town. Without any doubt this was the best theatre in and around the industrial area. This was the only theatre to boast on the balcony and box system then. Even the outside appearance of the theatre was far more superior to other theatres of this area.

From childhood days the Murugan Theatre had a fascination for me. My house was very close to the theatre. It was barely thirty steps away from the theatre. The theatre and the activities centered aroun theatre were everyday sight for me. And, it was really an interesting sight.

Those days there were three shows during the weekdays and on Saturday and Sunday there were four shows. Each show had its own identical mark. The matinee show (the noon show) was also aptly known as the ladies’ show. After the routine work of cooking the ladies were free and the only relaxing front was the theatre. Most of the ladies were happy to stick to this logic. The first show (the evening show) was appropriately known as the family show. It was a pleasing sight to watch the husband riding the bicycle or the motorbike. The wife would be on the pillion and the kids would be accomodated in an interesting and creative fashion. In most cases the fuel tank was the seat reserved for the small kid. At times the kids would have to find places between the mother and the father. All would come neatly dressed as if to visit a guest. The second show (the night show) was known as the men’s show. It was the relaxing time for the working males.

The weekends were special. There was an additional show – the ten thirty show (the morning show). And on every Saturday and Sunday there was a heavy crowd on every show. On weekends nothing matters – heroes, heroines and success of the movie. There will invariably be crowd on the weekends. But the theatre owner was sensitive. On Friday usually a hit movie or a movie with a big star would be released. The industrial workers from fireworks, match factories and printing presses were free only during the weekends. And to relax and to refrsh they had no parks and beaches. In our dry area the theatres were the only relaxation point. Murugan theatre had the advantage among the three. It was situated in the middle and the accessibility was easier for all.

As a small boy I enjoyed watching movies and I still enjoy. Those days along with my cousins I used to get ready to go to the film. We would be led by our aunt. Our aunt would lead the procession. The procession would stop by the entrance of the ladies’ counter. Our aunt would go first and then we would faithfully follow. To stand inside the narrow counter is an unique experience. The feel of the movie would already descend upon us. We kids would be around ten in total(the gift of a joint family). But aunt would always take three to four tickets only. Only the tall members deserved respect as far as the movie ticket was concerned. That was the staunch belief of the aunt. The theatre employee had the other opinion. A small argument would erupt and we would wait for the aunt’s victory. She won it always. Once the victory is ensured we would rush to the movie hall and would occupy one or two benches. Aunt would arrive and would organize our sitting positions based on our height and the height of persons sitting front. Once seated we would be restless and would be waiting for the bell. As soon as the bell rang a blanket of silence would spread on the audience. The movie would begin.

The next interesting episode would be the interval break. Vendors would carry edibles on a platter and would come inside the theare. They were experts in jumping over benches and the intersections between benches and chairs. All this they would do without any struggle and without any drop. As they arrive our area we would be seeking the mercy and generosity of our aunt. Murukku was her choice always and we had to be content with that. Once again a bell and the movie would start again. When the final bell is rung we would be the first ones to reach home to deliver the first report of the movie to our relatives.

The practice went on for many years. In 1994 I left my town for my higher studies. I had to go to Madurai, Bangalore, Goa, Bombay and Chennai. In all these places I visited the best theatres. I still missed the Murugan theatre. Whenever I came for a holiday I made it a point to visit the Murugan. And on such days I saw some gradual changes. The usual crowd was missing. The shows had decreased. There were two shows on weekdays and three shows during weekends. Bench jumping vendors had disappeared. Theatre was almost losing its original identity. The only saving grace was its majestic structure.

This May (2010) I had gone to Thiruthangal. As usual I planned for a movie in Murugan theatre. When I enquired of the movie runnig in the theatre my brother told of the tragedy. He said that the theatre was no more operating. With heavy heart I came out of my house and walked towards the majestic theatre. The structure was seen. As I closed in on the theatre a hammer struck my heart. The side walls were partly broken. I could see some construction workers mercilessly inflicting wounds on the wall. There were more workers inside the theatre destroying the structure. I could see theatre crying and I was helpless. I returned with a heavy heart. My brother informed me that it was being transformed into a marriage hall.

It was on that day I cursed Thomas Alva Edison for the first time. I cursed him for his invention-the television.

I cursed then the satellite channels for arresting people inside the houses. I cursed them for destroying my favourite theatre.

A Peep into the Sangam Literature

‘Coo – Coo,’ the rooster crows,
and a chill runs through my heart.
Dawn has come
like a cruel sword
to tear me apart
from my lover’s arms.

(What the girl said to herself)
Marutam
--- Allur Nanmullai
Kurunthokai 157.

This is a poem from the Sangam Literature. I had read it in my text books long back when I was a school student. Even as a school student I had a special liking towards the Sangam Literature in Tamil. They are simple and direct. Moreover and more importantly they are universal in nature.
I had also an implicit desire to read the poems in its English translations. I was searching for A. K. Ramanujan’s and George Hart’s translations. But they were always in the list of out of stock books. However I could get a copy of M. L. Thangappa’s translation of selected poems in Sangam Literature.
The translation is superb (at least to my taste). A sample is provided at the beginning of this article. Let me also give you another three more poems and ypu can judge yourselves about the translation.
LIKE THE SWEET MILK
Like the sweet milk of a cow
spilt on the ground
going to waste
without being sucked by the calf
or collected in a vessel,
the speckled beauty of my complexion
is being eaten away
by the pallor of lovesickness,
neither enjoyed by my lover
nor retained by me.

(What she told her friend)
Palai
--- Velliveethiyar
Kurunthokai 27.

THE FIRE OF LOVE
I feel an urgency to get up
and smash things,
to knock and break my head,
to send out violent shrieks
as if in mad frenzy.
This cool night breeze
kindles the fire of love in me.
But this callous village
is sweetly sleeping.

(What the girl told her friend)
Palai
--- Avvaiyar
Kurunthokai 28

RAINWATER AND RED SOIL
Your mother and my mother
do not know each other.
Your father and my father
are not related either.
As for you and me,
how do we know each other?
And yet,
like the mingling of rainwater
with red soil,
our hearts have mingled.

(what the lover told his beloved after their first meeting)
Kurinji
--- Chempulapeyanirar
Kurunthokai 40
Book: LOVE STNADS ALONE: SELECTIONS FROM TAMIL SANGAM POETRY.
Publisher: Penguin/Viking, Price: Rs. 399/-
P.S.: Good and a scholarly introduction to this text and to Sangam poetry is also given by erudite scholar A. R. Venkatachalapathy.

War Movies: Black Hawk Down

From childhood movies had been my passion. I enjoy all the genres except the horror flicks. Nevertheless I try myself also watching the ghost infested movies. My point: I watch each and every genre in the movie world. However one section of the movies had a special attraction towards me – The War Movies.

I had a special fascination for such movies. The guns in different forms and shapes, the mighty and majestic ride of the tanks and the variety of bombs and the discipline of the uniformed soldiers had a special impact on me.


I still remember myself enjoying the old Tamil film RATHA THILAGAM, a movie that speaks about the Indo-China war. The legendary and irreplaceable Tamil cinema veteran Sivaji Ganesan played the main role essaying an Indian soldier at the war front with a great passion. Seeing him on the screen I wanted to go to the war front myself. I was by then hardly 12 years old.

Unfortunately for me there were very few war movies in Tamil, the only language known to me then. I was left wanting for more of it. But the Tamil filmdom could not quench my thirst. The passion, however, for the war movies remained smoldering within me. Later, in fact much later, I saw the Hollywood film PEARL HARBOUR. Since then I have watched it nearly ten times. By then I was also acquainted with English. Stung by PEARL HARBOUR, I was soon in a hunt for other war movies in other languages.
Lately I watched a film titled BLACK HAWK DOWN. I watched it and am still in a great shock.

The movie is set in Somalia. And the period is in the 1990s when Bill Clinton was the US president. Somalia was then controlled by a certain Mohammad Farah Aidid, who had absolutely no concern for the people. Even when the international communities sent the much needed food supply that would be claimed by Aidid. He wanted his countrymen to starve and kill themselves. That was his belief: killing people.

The US acting as the world policeman sends its own section of army and air force to right the situation. So on a particular day a small convoy of soldiers is sent to capture two of Aidid’s trusted aides. The convoy of soldiers would be assisted by air support (three big military helicopters and some small choppers). The big helicopters are black in colour and so are nicknamed as Black Hawks.

The mission starts and is expected to be completed within half an hour. What the Americans did not know was the real attacking capacity of the Somali militia. When they realize it was already too late. Two Black Hawks get hit and they crash. Then the same convoy of soldiers is reassigned to rescue the soldiers in the crashed choppers. They are also expected to bring the bodies of the dead soldiers. That is exactly the first rule of the operation: LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

The rescue operations, the encounter between the soldiers and the militia, and the struggle of the wounded men cover most of the time in the movie. Of course at last the US army gets back to their base safely. 19 US soldiers die in the operation.
This is the summary of the movie. But there are so many scenes that would tear your heart apart. War is really “shitty” and as you watch it you would realize the reason.

A Scene in the Film: An US soldier gets down from the armored vehicle and is on his way to take his position near a building. As he scurries forward he notices a severed white hand. He looks at it for a second and the next moment he collects it and deposits it in his ammunition bag. LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

War Movies - Black Hawk Down

From childhood movies had been my passion. I enjoy all the genres except the horror flicks. Nevertheless I try myself also watching the ghost infested movies. My point: I watch each and every genre in the movie world. However one section of the movies had a special attraction towards me – The War Movies.

I had a special fascination for such movies. The guns in different forms and shapes, the mighty and majestic ride of the tanks and the variety of bombs and the discipline of the uniformed soldiers had a special impact on me.

I still remember myself enjoying the old Tamil film RATHA THILAGAM, a movie that speaks about the Indo-China war. The legendary and irreplaceable Tamil cinema veteran Sivaji Ganesan played the main role essaying an Indian soldier at the war front with a great passion. Seeing him on the screen I wanted to go to the war front myself. I was by then hardly 12 years old.

Unfortunately for me there were very few war movies in Tamil, the only language known to me then. I was left wanting for more of it. But the Tamil filmdom could not quench my thirst. The passion, however, for the war movies remained smoldering within me. Later, in fact much later, I saw the Hollywood film PEARL HARBOUR. Since then I have watched it nearly ten times. By then I was also acquainted with English. Stung by PEARL HARBOUR, I was soon in a hunt for other war movies in other languages.
Lately I watched a film titled BLACK HAWK DOWN. I watched it and am still in a great shock.

The movie is set in Somalia. And the period is in the 1990s when Bill Clinton was the US president. Somalia was then controlled by a certain Mohammad Farah Aidid, who had absolutely no concern for the people. Even when the international communities sent the much needed food supply that would be claimed by Aidid. He wanted his countrymen to starve and kill themselves. That was his belief: killing people.

The US acting as the world policeman sends its own section of army and air force to right the situation. So on a particular day a small convoy of soldiers is sent to capture two of Aidid’s trusted aides. The convoy of soldiers would be assisted by air support (three big military helicopters and some small choppers). The big helicopters are black in colour and so are nicknamed as Black Hawks.

The mission starts and is expected to be completed within half an hour. What the Americans did not know was the real attacking capacity of the Somali militia. When they realize it was already too late. Two Black Hawks get hit and they crash. Then the same convoy of soldiers is reassigned to rescue the soldiers in the crashed choppers. They are also expected to bring the bodies of the dead soldiers. That is exactly the first rule of the operation: LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

The rescue operations, the encounter between the soldiers and the militia, and the struggle of the wounded men cover most of the time in the movie. Of course at last the US army gets back to their base safely. 19 US soldiers die in the operation.

This is the summary of the movie. But there are so many scenes that would tear your heart apart. War is really “shitty” and as you watch it you would realize the reason.

A Scene in the Film: An US soldier gets down from the armored vehicle and is on his way to take his position near a building. As he scurries forward he notices a severed white hand. He looks at it for a second and the next moment he collects it and deposits it in his ammunition bag. LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

War Movies: Black Hawk Down

From childhood movies had been my passion. I enjoy all the genres except the horror flicks. Nevertheless I try myself also watching the ghost infested movies. My point: I watch each and every genre in the movie world. However one section of the movies had a special attraction towards me – The War Movies.

I had a special fascination for such movies. The guns in different forms and shapes, the mighty and majestic ride of the tanks and the variety of bombs and the discipline of the uniformed soldiers had a special impact on me.


I still remember myself enjoying the old Tamil film RATHA THILAGAM, a movie that speaks about the Indo-China war. The legendary and irreplaceable Tamil cinema veteran Sivaji Ganesan played the main role essaying an Indian soldier at the war front with a great passion. Seeing him on the screen I wanted to go to the war front myself. I was by then hardly 12 years old.

Unfortunately for me there were very few war movies in Tamil, the only language known to me then. I was left wanting for more of it. But the Tamil filmdom could not quench my thirst. The passion, however, for the war movies remained smoldering within me. Later, in fact much later, I saw the Hollywood film PEARL HARBOUR. Since then I have watched it nearly ten times. By then I was also acquainted with English. Stung by PEARL HARBOUR, I was soon in a hunt for other war movies in other languages.
Lately I watched a film titled BLACK HAWK DOWN. I watched it and am still in a great shock.

The movie is set in Somalia. And the period is in the 1990s when Bill Clinton was the US president. Somalia was then controlled by a certain Mohammad Farah Aidid, who had absolutely no concern for the people. Even when the international communities sent the much needed food supply that would be claimed by Aidid. He wanted his countrymen to starve and kill themselves. That was his belief: killing people.

The US acting as the world policeman sends its own section of army and air force to right the situation. So on a particular day a small convoy of soldiers is sent to capture two of Aidid’s trusted aides. The convoy of soldiers would be assisted by air support (three big military helicopters and some small choppers). The big helicopters are black in colour and so are nicknamed as Black Hawks.

The mission starts and is expected to be completed within half an hour. What the Americans did not know was the real attacking capacity of the Somali militia. When they realize it was already too late. Two Black Hawks get hit and they crash. Then the same convoy of soldiers is reassigned to rescue the soldiers in the crashed choppers. They are also expected to bring the bodies of the dead soldiers. That is exactly the first rule of the operation: LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.

The rescue operations, the encounter between the soldiers and the militia, and the struggle of the wounded men cover most of the time in the movie. Of course at last the US army gets back to their base safely. 19 US soldiers die in the operation.
This is the summary of the movie. But there are so many scenes that would tear your heart apart. War is really “shitty” and as you watch it you would realize the reason.

A Scene in the Film: An US soldier gets down from the armored vehicle and is on his way to take his position near a building. As he scurries forward he notices a severed white hand. He looks at it for a second and the next moment he collects it and deposits it in his ammunition bag. LEAVE NO MAN BEHIND.