இன்று ஒரு (தாமதமான) தகவல்

(Pic. courtesy: Asian Tribune)

I've been meaning to post this for the past few days and couldn't get around to doing it in decent time, if there is one. Thenkachi Ko. Swaminathan, the man that made the weekday morning grind bearable to thousands across Tamil Nadu, has passed away on Sep 17th, 2009.

To the internet/video game/twitter generation, he is a nobody. But to those who have had the pleasure of tuning in to A.I.R around 7:xx in the mornings, he was a colossus. His daily program, indru oru thagaval (Daily piece of information), all of 5 minutes long carried a message and a humorous piece at the end. It was a menu that was unchanged for the entire time that he did the show. The topics that he touched upon was wide and varied and his specialty was his use of simple language that could resonate with just about anybody. The humor was subtle and didn't so much hammer the funny bone as it tickled it, leaving behind an amused smile rather than a loud guffaw.

Some faces are just designed to be funny. Jay Leno, for example. If a person, with absolutely no knowledge about who Jay Leno is, were to take a guess about his profession, I'm sure comedian will be among the first three guesses. It isn't as clear cut in the case of a few others and Swaminathan's was one such. But behind that sombre and morose facade was a voice with a nasal ring to it that was cut out just for humor. His voice brings back a flood of old memories. Memories of getting ready to school. Of my mother cutting vegetables for the day's cooking while listening to him. Of those mornings when I caught the show at Capital Hair Dressers (and later at Penguin Saloon) while getting a long over due haircut. Of a simple and less hurried life. A reassuring voice that could coax people into facing the day that lay ahead with vigor. A voice that conveyed that all is well with the world as we know it.

For someone that was very popular and well known, he was quite simple and down to earth in his appearance and demeanor. I still remember his appearance in one of the short lived talk shows on Vijay TV where it was mentioned that he took the bus to work everyday. And, not surprisingly, the news of his passing away has been under the radar and hasn't found more than the casual mention in the media with no politician paying a visit. Not that it signifies anything. Even The Hindu has a rather poor and pixelated picture accompanying the news item.

May his soul rest in peace!

Two good interviews

I enjoyed these two interviews on cricinfo recently. The interviewer, in both instances, was Nagraj Gollapudi. Sensible questions that led to a smooth and coherent exchange, making it a pleasure for the readers.

Allan Donald

This wonderful interview brought out the wealth of knowledge that Allan has in the art of fast bowling . A must read for aspiring pacers. And for others too.

Virender Sehwag

It is common knowledge that Sehwag has a simple and no-nonsense approach to the game. This response goes to reconfirm it:

"There is this story about you declining a nightwatchman, where you said you were not an able batsman if you couldn't last 25 balls at the end of the day. Is that true?

It is true. What is the difference between batting at the end of the day or at the start? If you make a mistake you'll get out. So I don't think a batsman really needs a nightwatchman, but it is totally an individual decision. Whenever a captain or coach asked me for a nightwatchman I would say, "No, why? If I can't survive 10 or 20 balls now, then I don't think I'll survive tomorrow morning." I believe that's the best time when you have the opportunity to score runs, when everybody on the field is tired and you can score 20 runs off those 20 balls."

While it is debatable, to the followers of the game, if his appetite for risk could jeopardize the chance of winning/saving a game, it speaks volumes of his philosophy of keeping it simple: if it is there to be hit, it will be hit.

The Fox speaks out

It was an evening in December 2001 that we first met. It was at a showroom in Chennai. I was there with others. It wasn't quite the love-at-first-sight thingy. He first spent some time with me, doing the getting-to-know routine. His touch was nice and yet I instinctively knew that I wasn't his first and definitely not his last either. But something told me that he wasn't looking for a casual fling. Although he did flirt that night with others, it was only a matter of time before I became his. He was very quick to introduce me to his family. His father initially had some concerns about my qualities and even made discrete enquiries. But Slowelectron had an understanding of who I was. He did well to assure them that I was his type and that we would be fine. But his father cautioned him: "Not unless you find a job!"

He was 30 something at that time and I was 32. Yet, the two of us had many things in common. Both of us believed in a long term relationship. He was a traditionalist and I was conservative and believed in formality. In spite of all the similarities, initially there was clearly a gap between us. I wasn't custom made to meet all his requirements. Moreover, those were early days and it is not a perfect world. But over time, he filled that gap and we became closer and enjoyed each other's company. We used to go out atleast once a week - to the movies, restaurants, parties. Although I wasn't a head turner, people did pay him the occasional compliment on his taste. I've heard people go "A nice pair!".

We soon settled into a routine that was predictable yet fun. I became an integral part of his life, taking part in all his daily life activities. He had a traveling job and took me on many of his trips. Life was good. I attended his family weddings, anniversaries and get togethers. I could hold him in his moments of happiness and grief.

He was caring and took all efforts to keep me comfortable. Although I wasn't exactly needy, I clung on to him whenever we hung out. There was his space, my space and then our space. All three were well defined leaving no room for doubt. He gave me enough time and made sure there was very little between the two of us. We complemented each other.

Alas all good things can't last forever. There comes a stage in a relationship where one outgrows the other leading to compatibility issues. He was a grad. student when we first met and he had grown up since. He found a job that provided him with growth opportunities. And he made use of them. One thing led to another and before long, it was no longer fun.

I had my short comings too. I couldn't change myself to suit his changing needs. Try what I might, I couldn't budge an inch from who I was when we first met. Was I adamant? May be. But somethings just don't change no matter what. I could have cut him some slack, but that just didn't happen. In fact, I tried to be the same through all the tumbles of my life and succeeded.

The sad part was the blame game that ensued. Who was the cause? What led to the situation? Whose fault was it? His family did not like the way he was turning out to be. Yet, they could only do so much. He had clearly changed and the strain was beginning to show. And unfortunately, changes aren't always for the better.

Things got to a point where he started feeling a bit uneasy with me around him. And sadly, there was no room for adjustment. Time was marching and was taking a toll on my appearance as well. At this rate, it was evident that there could be no happy ending to this. It became increasingly clear that we weren't cut from the same cloth.

Finally last week, after 8 years, the curtains came down. We decided to part. It was not a sentimental parting. As I said before, I knew I was not his last. So it was a practical and simple one. Like a change of guard ceremony. He brought in my replacement indicating that it was time for both of us to move on. But even in separation, there was respect and gratitude for each other, for the great times we've had together and for the highs and lows that we had witnessed while together. He said that it was him and not me and I'm sure he meant it.

The confessions of a pair of well loved khaki trousers.

P.S: Fox was inducted into the Hall of Fame and was given an honorary discharge. Fox now leads a leisurely retired life in the wardrobe. The two of them still have a good time together every once in a while. For old times' sake.

The Kasab quandary

I had vented my feelings on the Kasab-P. Chidambaram issue here. Further developments since:

Kasab's growing list of demands has this new item on it: Basmati rice. The man has taste, agreed. And the home minister has been sufficiently stirred to come out with a statement of the blazingly obvious on Pakistan's role in the the proceedings of the investigation.

And the next episode of this intriguing soap opera will be staged in the US. P.C flies there to plead the case. The US will, no doubt, lend a patient ear while signing some more financial aid to their trusted ally in their war againt terror. The wheels on the bus go round and round.

For crying out loud, hang the rascal and get it over with!

March of progress

Here's a thousand words on the inevitable march of progress. Found by the pavement. Abandoned by someone who has moved on.