4 Cricket matches, 3 Birthday parties, 2 Weddings and a Funeral

Last 2 weeks in April and beginning of May this year happened to be long holiday weekend(s) for most people in the UK. Last week it was Good Friday with Easter bank holiday Monday and this week it was 'Royal wedding' (on Friday the 29th) with Mayday bank holiday Monday. Three days of annual leave would guarantee an easy 11 day holiday (seven days annual leave would give a 17 day break!). This happens very rarely in UK (other than during the Christmas/New year time). It was also the hottest April month in last 100 years!

I watched IPL, which has been a mixed bag for the team from Kerala- the Kochi Tuskers. They had lost the last 3 games in dramatic fashion and today was the fourth match, which they had to win to be in contention for the play-off's. It was the most bizzare game that was played with Delhi dare-devils due to various reasons; but the one thing which stays in mind is that how many runs can you give off a single delivery? This was the fifth ball of Umesh Yadav's first over. First he bowled a wide delivery - a high bouncer (an extra run), then his beamer flew for a six (that was above waist high for Brendon McCullum whose stylish reflexes made the ball fly over fine leg for a maximum- now 1+1+6) before he finally managed to bowl a legal delivery that McCullum crash-pulled over the midwicket boundary i.e. 1+1+6+6=14 runs! Anyway the match was won by the Tuskers.

The Royal Wedding was fantastic. We watched the whole programme live on tele and it felt really nice. Kate and William appeared to be a couple in love. I wish their married life is happy and successful. The wedding was truly royal- the systematic arrival of guests, the elegant arrival of Kate (now the Duchess of Cambridge), the church service, the journey of the newly weds back to the palace, the drive in Aston Martin and the finale was the Balcony kiss. The whole world (some 2 billion) watched the whole show directed from London displaying the pomp and lavishness that Britain does so well. It was like a fairy tale come true to many people sealed with a kiss. I would say it was like 'love in time of cholera!'

We went to Durham for the seventh annual day celebrations of 'Sruthi' on Sunday (30th) It was an authentic malayali cultural evening (as always). The highlight was the tribute of UK malayalees to ONV Kurup, who was recently awarded the 'jnanapitam', the highest literary honour given in India. It was a fantastic evening of 'ONVmayam' that included "Kavyadrishyangal"- a unique portrayal of woman and nature as depicted in many ONV poems, " Aatmaavil Muttivilichathu Pole- An informal discussion and poetry session with ONV, "Varika Gandharvagayaka Veendum"- A short musical focussing on contemporary life and incorporating many nostalgic ONV songs and finally "Maanikyaveena Ganamela" led by Aparna Rajeev featuring many melodious, memorable and everlasting ONV lyrics that have mesmerised generations. It was also good to see Mr K Natarajan's (affectionately called 'Rajettan') first book being launched by Sri ONV Kurup. The book is titled 'Guruvum Laghuvum' a collection of simple yet elegant poems written in malayalam. It was a rejuvenating and nostalgic evening. I did not feel tired driving to Durham and back at a stretch (6hours)!

Manikutty had her birthday in between. We had a small cake cutting on her birthday, followed by a barbecue party on Sunday. Both went very well. It was good weather, family, friends, great food and a delicious cake:). She is planning a third party for her school friends this weekend- A' canoeing party' at Leicester Outdoor pursuits centre!

There was also the wedding of Malayalam film actor Prithviraj to his love in Kerala. I cannot understand the 'hoo haa' raised by this, especially among some of the fairer sex who are not 'fully happy or satisfied' by this wedding. My feeling is that if the couple who got married, their families and friends do not have any major issues, then why are some annoyed about this?

The holiday culminated with the news of a 'sea funeral' that my brother broke early on Monday morning. i.e. the death of OBL in a dramatic action by 'US navy seals' in the 'heart' of Pakistan...

A tribute to the 'King of pop'

I was in disbelief when LA Times and CNBC first confirmed the death of Michael Jackson last night. He 'is' the king of pop music...a true legend. His music was an inspiration for one whole generation. He produced the sort of music which is played and popular in all parts of the world.

Michael Jackson's music was of a unique variety that left a long lasting impression when one hear it. It appealed all ages from paediatrics to geriatrics....He was a popular culture for over 4 decades...The influence and inspiration he had on the young generation is amazing. His flamboyant clothing (tight military style jacket) his dance movements like backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish sometimes squeaky, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing with his trademark sunglasses and his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance all meade him arguably the most exciting performer of his generation

I first listened Micheal Jacksons songs as a kid in school. His album Thriller was a great hit..one of the all time hits. His songs in that ie Thriller, Billie jean, Beat it etc were just out of the world...

The whole world is mourning his death....from Tokyo to Timbaktu...from Mombasa to Mexico





A mourning fan in front of his wax statue in Las vegas

In our college there used to be lot of people who dressed, acted and 'idoled' him. I remember a guy at Mar-Ivanious who was just like him...his mannerisms..the way he rode the bike etc..
Another major influence MJ had was in 'Break dance'....All the youngsters tried his signature moonwalking or various acrobatics!...infact every, almost every other student wanted to be like him.... If you speak to any person (young or old) about western music they would all know Michael Jackson. Such was his popularity......It seems that even a 'drink' in Malayasia is named after him!

Michael Jackson was the biggest pop sensation of our time (similar to Elvis and 'Beatles' in the previous era) . One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era. His peak was in mid 80's to mid 90's. Later in his life he faced many accusations and was described as a 'tortured genius'.

He was coming to London next month, where I was planning to watch him live for the first time :-( .......But his style and music will remain in millions of hearts for generations to come..........

His albums were:
Got to Be There (1972)
Ben (1972)
Music and Me (1973)
Forever, Michael (1975)
Off the Wall (1979)
Thriller (1982) Thriller is said to be the world's best-selling record of all time.
Bad (1987)
Dangerous (1991)
HIStory (1995)
Invincible (2001)

Idealess and hopeless star singer contest

I couldn't help not writing a few words on this programme which I started watching recently.....Its called Idea Star Singer 2008, supposed to be a 'hit' programme in Kerala.I had asianet TV for the last 6 years but have not watched this till this year.

What happened on the 'Kacheri round' for Somadas and the subsequent bullying of him in the hands of the Anchor-girl and Judging panel is beyond some thing civilised people could comprehend in the 21st century. The respect and interest I had for this have gone.....

A person should never have been humiliated like this in front of a live audience and those watching this programme all over the world (and in youtube).....

To add insult to injury, the anchor person was appealing to the public (indirectly) not to vote for Somadas

Except one judge all were brutal, cruel and saddistic towards this unfortunate chap. I dont have any civilised words in my dictionary to express this atrocity...sorry.....