Musalakisalayam

In this post-modern era, when everyone is a self-proclaimed victor in any debate, it is the art of debate itself which is at dire straits. It is the logic (very often the lack of it) that hurts (rather is hurt) the most; In that, it will be amusing to observe how people manage to come up with the most inappropriate (and impossible) examples.

One of my friends, who is so fond of being the devil's advocate, often brings up a thought and asks for others' opinion on them (Simple'a solla pona.... Pesa vittu vedikka paakkardhu :P ); Recently he braught me a topic about love, and stated an example "Assume that an eighteen year old guy falls in love with a ninety year old woman" (now don't try imagining motherly, or grand motherly or platonic - he meant the popular romantic sense of it). Abstraction is indeed a worthy dimension towards understanding things, but these kind of examples run it to ridiculous limits. It is something like "assume 1=2 for the time being"; If I was to protest, the response would be "just assume - u need not accept".

Though old Indian schools had comprehensive grammar for logic, reasoning and debate, and several learnings associated with them, time and again people were coming up with arguements of the kind above. It is a popular reference in many refutations to such (worthless) arguements using one 'good old' and 'popular' example - Musalakisalayam.

Musalakisalayam literally means offspring of a metal staff (the long cylindrical rod which is used to crack paddy in a stone drum - Ollakkai kozhundhu in Tamil). "Olakkai Kozhundhu" is a word used to call someone an Idiot; but the original usage was to challenge someone who generalises a logic to inappropriate ideas. If one were to ask how an offspring of the metal staff will look like, if the response to come was that it would be like the same staff but smaller in size, then you are in deep trap, because one can never assume things which he has never known or seen. (eg. - form of a tadpole is never even close to a frog).

The same Musalakisalayam had a significant role to play in my dear Srirangam, sometime in the early 13th century when a modest cook was working in the house of a great Master. One early morning in the Master's drawing room, a few scholars were discussing some Sastra-vishayam, and our Cook was intrigued though he hardly understood a word. He managed to ask one of them - what they were discussing about. One arrogant scholar responded that they were discussing about Musalakisalayam - mocking at him that he is so illiterate. Our Cook still couldn't get the mockery, was patiently sitting by the side, listening to them; and eventually was running late for his daily errands. Since he was late in getting the meal ready, his master asked him for the reason, he told the story and his interest in learning the Musalakisalaya-Tattva. The Master was grief-stricken by the attitude of the scholars towards his servant, as he had high regards for the sincerity of his Cook. He began teaching his Cook as his prime student from that day, and our friend learnt so well that he graduated to the capacity of becoming a Jeeyar to serve Sri Ranganathan and Lord Varadarajan in the name of Vadikesari Azhagia ManavaLa Jeeyar, whose sishya parampara are still serving the Kanchi Perumal Koil Jeeyar Mutt.

Adding to this, HH VAMJ wrote a book (Vaadha granta) called "Musalakisalayam" apart from the most celebrated 12,000 padi vyakyanam for Baghawad Vishayam, Tatva deepikai and Deepaprakasa. And before I forget, the 'Master' we have just seen was none other than Sri Krishnar or popularly known as the Vyakyana Chakravarthy HH Periyavachan Pillai.

Though we are not qualified enough to read Vaadha grantas of our poorvacharyas, and not even fit to learn Tarka Sastra (art of Debate) according to the protocol, atleast we shall try to listen to the learned elders and start talking sense instead of fooling around being a Olakkai Kozhundhu.

Drama Classics - 3 : Crazy Thieves

Crazy Thieves in Paalavakkam - the spectacular entry to Tamil Stage by Crazy Mohan.

I first listened to the popular abridged version in MIO. It was impressive, especially to listen to SVe Sekar in his younger days, without the script modified like 1000 kicks. (Also One more exorcist and Tenant Commandments are on tape in the original version as Crazy Wrote them). Last year one of my fellow enthusiasts uploaded the full (113 mins) version taped from an old stage performance; It had exteded role for Ekalyvan - the writer, and Manager Cheena as Ramabhadran.

One piece with Ekalyvan is the pick of the script. FYI Ekalyvan is a petty writer and happens to be Sudarsanam's neighbour. Uppili is Sudharsanam's (fit for nothing) brother-in-law.

Ekalyvan : புதுசா ஒரு கதை எழுதிண்டு இருக்கேன், அதபத்தி தான் சொல்ல வந்தேன். உப்பிலி, கேளேன் ..."சுந்தரராம ராஜகோபாலர், மிகவும் நல்லவர், ஏழை, பரமசாது; சந்தர்ப்பமும் சூழ்நிலையும் அவரை குற்றவாளி ஆக்கிவிட்டது"

Uppili : சு சு சு ! கதை ரொம்ப பிரமாதமா இருக்கு சார் ! 

Ekalyvan : கதை இல்லப்பா, டைட்டிலே இதுதான் ! 

Interview - Velai - Vetti

Yesterday, me and my roomie were searching for english subtitles for a telugu movie, and ended up comparing between Bing and Google (I am a relegious googler! :P), and started searching for our names. It was then I came across this (sl. no. 28 ;-)).

Memories went back to that afternoon(11 July 04) in Sathyabama campus, when the interview results were to be announced in another hour or so; had just finished a "Satyabama lunch" :). Some 10 of us from Mech were sitting together under the shamiana, ready for a good after-meal nap; butts parked in a chair and legs in two others, ties on the shoulder like a thundu, those who napped - napped, others kalaichufying each other and the interviewers. We were like some exhibits being watched by nervous bunch of Comp Sci and MCA fellows and also few from other depts; It was so obvious that we were the ones least bothered about the results.

To elaborate further, we need to rewind full 48 hours further back. Anna Univ released results, the day before our prelims with Infy was scheduled for at Sathyabama. A few dumeels, many miraculous escapes and ofcourse many cleared arrear cases filled the drama. Anna Univ had pushed the button on one of my good friends AV, that too in HPC! :P. He called me up and spoke in abyss of morale on what would happen the next day, bcos he will have a standing arrear, despite being confident that he would clear in reval (so typical Anna univ case!). The next day pre-placement talk had a super goof-up, when the HR chose to ignore the 6th sem results all-together. Now those who got flunk-results last night are eligible and those who cleared standing arrears do not qualify now! - So very sensible. Well... the best part was AV took my advice and came in formals (LOL) and clean shaved, to talk to the PO to save his skin.

People were so immersed in their Shankuntala Devis and George Summers; one fellow from my class, KKanna had mugged entire George Summers up!; Our dear old Machan Mallu was shaddowing a stud from EEE all along and managed to get a seat next to him in the exam hall (I still don't know why :|). The test was over in no time, and when we all came out, Machan Mallu tried panicking me that I could be rejected for being in top 10 percentile :P as if I was bothered (I scored a 59/60 btw - I managed to see my paper while at the interview the nxt day). The shortlist for the interview was announced late in the afternoon, and to everybody's "surprise" 90% of my college girls dumeeled (including my 'then' best friend). "Gender BIAS"!!. Some 14 were in from my class; too much of stomach burnings around bcos we joint-topped with CS-A with the numbers.

The interview day begun with Mr.Bull tying ties for all of us (The only other time I wore one was to try out a windsor knot for which I got a demo in an email forward ;o) ); one akka from MCA losing her ID card in the waiting room, machan mallu sweating and trying to transfer his nervousness to all of us, VJ trying to act cool, me & dog not sure on how to react, Policeman being all-ears, AV at his comical best, and I have no rememberance on what our Nellai Hero was doing. I was called for the interview, had a good talk with the 50 something HR person, about Finite Elements, variational calculus and that I am planning to study further and this job is just a back up. After it was all over, we were sharing our experiences; AV had the best of all. He got a lady trying to stress him up questioning his Mech background for an IT job and he pinning her down in a single response, and many more mundane exchanges with others.

Now back live; Our gang napping and relaxing under the shade. The stage got occupied and people were coming back to get seated. Our PO started with CS and went through with 20 names with expected celebrations and Hi5's all around, and then "Now Mechanical Engineering.... Mr. Santhosh Chandrasekaran", all of us turned to him and he slapped on his forehead :D

இந்த உலகத்தில் சாதாரண மனிதர்களுக்கு தர்மம் வேறு; இராஜகுலத்தில் பிறந்தவர்களுக்கு தர்மம் வேறு

Atlast I have read Sivagamiyin Sabatham, a classic epic by Kalki, (unfairly) the second most popular, next to Ponniyin Selvan. It has been a good decision on my part to read Kalki's works in the order in which he wrote, though he wrote Parthiban Kanavu, the logical sequel to SS, first. I was waiting to read this for more than a year after finishing PK, and it was worth the wait that I finished this 4 part epic in 5 days (quite a toll).

I am not here to write a review, as no words by a silly me can do justice to this masterpiece - be it in the plot, or the characterisation, the narration, the description of the Kanchi town and the allied historical information, socio-religious-politics, perspectives, concious distortion of facts, conspiracy, espionage, bravery & fool-hardiness, gratitude and above all FAITH over which (both having and shaking from) the plot stands.

I was all but a front-bencher in a tamil cinema theatre, laughing, clapping, jumping but could not whistle :P. I so wanted to whistle in the Vajrabaahu episode(in the picture is the scene where Vajrabahu and Paranjothi meet), especially in the Malai kaNavai chapter where he tells Paranjothi about his promise to the kaNavai Durgaa devi.

It had almost all kinds of personalities - Epitome of Selfassurance: Chakravarthy Vichitrachittar Mahendravarman, height of loyalty: Chatrugnan and Gundotharan, Fickle minded and short tempered: Sivagami, Lack of Self-control: Aayanar, Mangayarkarasigal: Puvanamatha Devi and Vaanamaadevi, Tasteless Wild Beast: Pulikesi, Artistic-Sadistic-Cunning-Longshot thinker: Nagathanthi, Obedient Students: Kumara Chakravarthy and Pranjothi, Very ordinary mortals: Kannapiraan, Kamali, Kalipagai, ministers, etc...; All of them live through your thoughts even after you close the book.

One feels pity for Chakravarthy Mahendravarmar when he realises Garvabangam and that he was not Krishnaparamathma to get everything right and going his way. The character build up for the Hero of the novel was so profound and heavy that you would love to live in service to such an Emperor.

The best thing I got from this novel is the title of this post, which Chakravarthy Vichitrachittar Mahendravarmar states twice. I have always maintained this view point against the leftist jealousy over people who inherit high-position and wealth. All the legal heirs inherit only the responsibility and with the responsibility comes the luxury and unfortunately it is the luxury that attracts all the evil eyes.

And about the suspense factor that comes after having read Parthiban Kanavu is the villain in PK who comes from SS, I expected VishnuVardhan to be the one after having read the first three parts, and I was wrong.

There are ofcourse three major disappointments since I had some expectations from my side to begin with.

1) I expected a Vichitrachittar kind of a role to Chakravarthy Narasimhavarman in the last part, but he was potrayed only as an ordinary person with a lot of personal conflicts.

2) I expected Pulikesi to die in a wrestling duel (obvious expectation :P)

3) How dare Kalki spun an epic which had its heart at Kanchi without even a single mention about Atthigiri ? ! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :x

Yes! but from What? and now Where?

Prof. DEJ often talks about his opinion on who the "Last Great Indian" was/is. He always awarded Barrister Mohandas Gandhi as the one who was the "Last Great Indian" and PM AB Vajpayee as the one who is the one. Well... this was good 5 years back. Now the former is has almost become a was, and today I am in quite a lock on who is the one. It is difficult for me to choose between two of the good friends in the country today - Shri Arun Shourie and ThiruvALar S Gurumurthy.

I am writing this post in the eve of completion of 62 years since India's political Independence from British Rule. But, in Shri Arun Shourie's perspective, it was merely a transfer of power and not really an independence. Not many of us are taught the real truth; Local democracy existed even before 1947; Indians were allowed to contest elections for the legislative assemblies in the Presidencies (states were called presidencies back then). Congress controlled most of the states, and apart from Congress, Muslim league, Justice Party and Swatantra were the dominant parties. It was the British constitution which was the "Super" Government over the Legislature and the constitution that was forced on us in the form of the "Super" Government was the subject of the dispute and that was what we demanded Independence from. Shri Shourie's book "Worshipping False gods", narrates almost every significant incident from the 'Liberation Day'(not 1947) till the framing up of constitution to neccessary details. We had copied the exact same ideology that we had opposed and the Constitution of India, in its first draft was a near carbon copy of whatever existed till then.

Many modern "Indians" blame it on McCaulay's policies for the intellectual slavery we were into, till then, and even after Independence, we have made no serious attempt to get ourselves out of the mess we had been subjected to. Shri Shourie cites often about the timidity of the intellectual class in the society as one big reason for our inability to get out of the shell. Bharat is a land of very vibrant societies, and could hardly be confined to a book in the name of Constitution. But unfortunately the framers modeled a large unit which is as big and rich and diverse as the world itself into a State, and thrusted words, lines and pages to dictate how the complex commonwealth of societies would, rather should, behave.

More so, the modern day intellectualism is only as good as how Thiru Gurumurthy has put in his latest article as "Most Indian intellectuals, including the media, often love to draw a contrast between ‘India’ — meaning the urban — and Bharat — meaning the rural; the former as ‘modern’ and the latter as distanced from ‘modernity’ ". Today, IPC has replaced Morality, Professional ethics as a course taught in classrooms has replaced Value Education at home by elders, Disputes to be solved at home are braught to Judiciary, Local Democracy gotten crushed by State Legislations, in short, whatever that was native of the land getting replaced customarily in the name of modernaisation without debate on the need for a change. I, being a conservative Old-Schooler, often face with a funny question "are your ideas still applicable in this modern society?". We still intake through our mouth and ______________. Can you please change that ?

Marx in his expositions about India had interestingly contradicted with himself: Calling India to be a successful society right from time immemorial with richness in social order, success in achieving democracy even at the lowest level, criticised the civilisation, in a later piece of writing, as a semi-barbaric society, since it did not accomodate a revolution. So, according to him, even a successful society must face with a revolution and become 'modern' despite being short of a real need to change. So, in similar lines, we must shed all our civilisational input, and become modern in order to be successful.

Now things seem more consistent. The so called "Modern" thinkers, who largely identify themselves with the ideas of the West, demand modernisation by shedding originality without a need, which falls in socialist lines. In short, they want something which they originally are opposed to. Such is the intellectual slavery and so is upheld the 'Land of Paradox" title annointed by the West.

We were subjected to Intellectual slavery back until 1947 and today marching towards grand success in subjecting ourselves into deeper pits, in looking at the rest of the world to define and redefine ourselves.

My job is here not to pass a judgement like how the 'Modern Intellectual Class' of today does, without being able to appreciate differences between 'opinion' and 'fact'. My plead is same as what Thiru Gurumurthy pleads with all the responsibile sons of the land, the same thing what Kullachaamy directed Aurobindho Gosh to do in a tea shop in Pudhuchchery, "empty your cup and start thinking afresh"

Looking at the past to find solutions for our today's problems is in no way disrespectful, and the world is not going to grade you on your level of modernisation but on your success. If we can be successful with our originality, then why look to change?

Let me close this seemingly incoherent post with this -

Drama Classics - 2 : Manja Jibba & kaavi veshti

a quick one in Adhirshtakaaran, though only ordinary by Venkat's standards :

Hero Gopalakrishnan (SVe Sekar) is trying to fool his father-in-law-to-be, by acting like a millionare, with the help of his friend Siva, who works in a film production company.

He is going to meet the mamanaar-to-be for the first time and the identification as told by his "aaLu" would be "Manja Jibba and Kaavi Veshti" (yellow kurta and saffron dothi)

சிவா: கோடீஸ்வரன் மாதிரி நடிக்கணும் அவ்வளவு தானே?

கிருஷ்ணன்: ஆமாம்.

சிவா: ஏன் பார்ட்னெர்! எதுக்காக என்ன அம்மாவசை அன்னிக்கி ராத்திரி பத்து மணிக்கு மகாபலிபுரம் பீச்சுக்கு வர சொன்னின்க்?

கிருஷ்ணன்: அப்போ தான் சுண்டல் சீப்பா கிடைக்குமாம். உன்ன எவண்டா மகாபலிபுரம் பீச்சுக்கு வர சொன்னது? இப்போ தானே நாலரை மணிக்கு நேரு பார்க்குக்கு வரசொன்னேன்.

சிவா: இது டியாலாக்டா. நீ தானே சொன்னே உன்னோட மாமனார் வரும்போது பெரிய பணக்காரங்க மாதிரி ஆக்ட் பன்னானும்னு.

கிருஷ்ணன்: நீ இப்ப ஆக்ட் பண்ணியா? நீ எப்போ சாதாரணமா இருக்க எப்போ ஆக்ட் பண்ணறேன்னு ஒண்ணுமே புரிய மாட்டேங்கறது. டி.வீ. ல ஞாயத்துகிழமை மத்யானம் அவார்டு பிலிம் பாக்கறமாதிரி இருக்கு. எல்லாருக்கும் புரியற மாதிரி நடி

சிவா: இப்போ பாரு..... ஹுஹாஹாஹாஹா!

கிருஷ்ணன் : தெலுங்கு டப்பிங் லெவெலுக்கு போய்ட்டியே !!

Gems of MRV

I am a follower of Gurumurthy (Indian Express), and offlate I have become a fan of one of his sishyans MR Venkatesh, another popular chartered accountant from Chennai; especially for his Guru style bold expletives and tough conservative idealogical stands.

This is one 'burst out with laughter' piece of his in a recent speech on Illegal Funds of Indians - Abroad.

goes as "................... One.. tall, handsome lawyer from Sivaganga [pause], who wears dothi only and speaks in good english, and whose english is mistaken as economics by people........."

Click here, to listen to the speech in full.

His special digs at PC (public comedian! :P) are really worth reading or listening to.

Do go through his articles in his website, if u are interested in reading about economic/trade policies and nationalism in economics or nationalism in general.

Drama Classics - 1 : Katpadi Krishnan

A special scene in Crazy Mohan's classic Meesai Anaalum Manaivi, where in Maadhu hires "Deadbody" Manavalan, a specialist in acting as a corpse in movies, as a fake Bride's father, to take his wife and brother-in-law away from home fearing further confusion at home with their presence.

The imaginary character created by Maadhu was to be Katpadi Krishnan, the Bride's father; and He would ask Katpadi Krishnan to mail a letter to his Brother-in-law Ramanujam about the prospective alliance and come home to take him away to Katpadi for the Bride-interview (peNN paarkkum padalam ;-) ), and this is what Ramanujam gets in the letter.

[ones in brackets are comments by Ramanujam while Maadhu reads the letter aloud]

Maadhu tries to prophess what would have been in the letter, and Ramanujam replies as follows:

ராமானுஜம்: இருந்துதே! வரிக்கு வரி ஒண்ணுவிடாம எல்லாமே தப்பு. நான் நெனைக்கறேன், இந்த காட்பாடி கிருஷ்ணன் கேட்டச்சகுனத்துக்குன்னு ஒரு கட்சியே ஆரம்பிப்பான்னு . இந்தாங்க மாப்பிளை நீங்களே படிங்க.

Maadhu reads:

அன்புள்ள திரு ராமானுஜத்திருக்கு,

டெட்பாடி கிருஷ்ணன் எழுதிக்கொண்டது. (kAtpadi'ya deadbody aakkiduthu)

நான் நேற்றே மரணம் என்று நினைத்தேன், மடியவில்லை. நிற்க!

இன்று நான் பெண்ணின் போட்டோவுடன் டெட்பாடியிலிருந்து வருகிறேன்.(manasula Jesus nu nenappu, deadbody'lerndhu varraaraam)

உங்களுக்கு பெண்ணின் போட்டோ பிடித்திருந்தால் இன்றே டெட்பாடிக்கு சென்று பெண் பார்க்கும் சடலத்தை வைத்துக்கொள்ளலாம். முஹுர்ததிர்க்கு மார்ச்சுவரியில் நல்ல நாள் இருக்கிறது. (March'varai nalla muhurtham irukkaam)

இப்படிக்கு,

டெட்பாடி கிருஷ்ணன்.

My brother who hardly likes any of these audio dramas, was on the floor laughing noiselessly-breathless, while beating on his forehead, for this piece.

This must be regarded as one of Crazy's masterpieces, because, there is nothing seriously wrong about this letter, but for "key" spelling mistakes in a "few" places.

Tamil Dramas

Many of my friends know that I am an ardent fan of Tamil Dramas, especially of those by Cho, SVe Sekar and Crazy Mohan. I belong to an 'elite class of enthusiasts' who go to bed listening to a drama, and you would be surprised to know that in some communities in Orkut, people put up the drama which was running the previous night, in the bed side.

Most of the reactive on-liners, that I often crack, are inspired by great humourists like Cho, Crazy Mohan, Venkat, GK and Krishnakumar (wirters for Natakapriya).

Some episodes in those dramas are unforgettable and I wish to share them under a common head "Drama Classics - #" - something like thought for the week or thought for the day or heck whenever I get a thought of it :P

Yours humourously,

Sriram ;o)

Worship?

This is a small reflection on one of the posts by my friend.

Questions in the minds of most of the young Hindus today, about God and allied practises, are rather fundamental and need immediate attention.

Addressing these questions are simple and yet they look more daunting than what they really are.

Why Worship? How? and more so... What is Worship?

His key statement was (not verbatim) "God created the universe and all of us, the beings in the universe and expects us to spend a significant time in our short life praising Him"

Well, analogies are pretty simple - take for example, one's parents. It is written in Sastras that a basic duty of man (read human) is to respect, support and worship his parents. Every parent would expect their son to honour the sastra. In that case will that mean that they gave birth to the child to get themselves served or to subject the child to their servitude?

Continuing with the same example, I am not sure if Sriman Narayanan has actually been able to design a hell for Sin against one's mother. I am still to find a hell mentioned in Garudapuranam for abusing the parents, mother in particular. But if someone is really thrilled to try it out, then consider doing this - Go to your mother, and say, "Mom!, I have cleaned the garden, I will also sweep the floor and dust the windows. But I am also hungry, will you feed me in exchange to all the chores I do/did today ?".

I am not sure what hell I will get to, for even typing that down, but on the flip side, every other Hindu today is committing this very sin. It is understandable that people do body-paining penances to all Demi-Gods to seek their blessings to achieve some material gains, which are again well permitted in Sastras, but to even getting that, the "Super-Motive" should be to walk closer to the Ultimate Goal (Purushartha). For example, even Andal worshipped Lord Manmadhan to bless her with love towards Kannan, the ultimate purpose in life. But doing the same to the Jagath Karanam is rather insulting, and is the sorry state of affairs today. Even more painful is this.

Enough of cribbing; Coming back to the question - Why Worship ?

Well.. He is the Creator, you are the created. So love, respect and worship Him as you mother.

He is the Lord, you are his servant(slave acc. to vishishtadvaita). Respect Him as your master

He is the Protector, and you are the protected. show your gratitude towards Him.

He did not prefer high scholars to mingle with. He chose to hug a hunter, a monkey and a demon in a birth and playing around and sharing food with a bunch of cowherds in the next. Treat Him as your friend, He is more reachable than you could have ever imagined.

You will not gain any (tangible)benifits by Worshipping Him, but it is our duty as a part of the rulebook (Sastra) and following the instruction manual will help you get through the process of living and more so - to get out of it peacefully. Else, from today, start driving your vehicle as you please... why worry about rules ?

As I begun, this is only a 'small' reflection, and more serious discussions on how to worship? modes of worship, difference between temple worship, to that at home and meditation, etc., are likely in near future in my other blog .

English Education

I very often make a derogatory remark, on a few I don’t agree with, for them being non-Indian thinkers despite being Indians, as "English-Educated". I do not intend to talk on English being the medium of instruction in our educational system. This piece is rather about the "English-Education" and what it is doing to the society, through the pair of goggles - my personal experience.

I attended Shrine Vailankanni for elementary and primary schooling. The school buildings' planning was in a way that Kinder-Garden was housed in a building in Ramaswamy Street, Primary classes in Hensman Road and High School in Dhandapani Street.

I assumed that the whole school was just that building in Ramaswamy Street, which made it obvious to me that LKG and UKG were all about schooling, and I would go to office after that. I was so young that I didn't even realise I had many elder cousins who were attending higher classes in school. All I knew then, was Divya, my neighbour, who was a year elder to me. When I passed on to UKG, I realised that she was still attending school! I was struck with "What was she doing beyond UKG?". Later I realised that my cousins, infact one of them in my own school is attending 9th std. Stunned, again I was, that there is a whole set of a dozen more years in this school, and later we have college, and on and on. I, for a moment thought, "This educational system (read Shrine Vailankanni building system) has cheated Me!". Well, these counldn’t have exactly been my feelings at the tender age of 5, but I always felt something was going against me.

From then on, whatever my school or teachers tried to teach me, I always looked at them with some suspicion. I was a rebel in thought, but not necessarily in action, in the learning process. By the time in 6th, I was unhappy with SVS (Shrine Vailankanni) for the 'business' they were running in the name of school. I realised that what history books spoke about was not history, rather was what NCERT and Frank Bros., the publisher, wanted us all to read and accept. This realisation was because of my ever-suspicious mind and my teacher's inability to answer "Why did Alexander leave India without proceeding further towards Magadha, even after having planned an attack?”

Then happened the most beautiful turn in my life till date, I moved to JGHV, a school run by VHP. It could be that I was growing older and more mature to realise what education really is, or that SVS has till then held me against the wall, or neither, but HV had the best platform for me to realise Me. Sriram, who was not known beyond my classroom earlier in SVS, was now known all over the school. The school did not preach anything into me, but I realised, education was not writing exams and scoring high; It was more than that, but never was able to realise what it really was. History, as ever, was the subject which kindled the most interest in me. Honestly, I did not learn much in it either, but ended up having many more unanswered questions, the list of which was ever-growing throughout my school days.

The school arranges for many speeches by leaders from RSS and VHP, which almost all the students deride saying: this school is making sanyasis' out of us; but always, there was some element of stove-lighter type of effect in them, on me at-least. I must remember Mr. Manian, who according to me is well read, knowledgeable man but lacking some element of common-sense in talking to students of the age 10-13. He once made a speech on English Education, and what has it done to us all. He made one interesting point on Ashoka. Not just in English language, but even in Tamil and Hindi, we were so fed-up writing answers "Asokar Saalai oram Marangalai Nattaar, kinaru vettinaar....." (for those who cannot understand tamil, you should have guessed what's inside the quotes from the word fed-up preceding it ;-) ). He said, “Ashoka the great”, is perhaps the biggest hoax inflicted by this Education. It was planted, so that the students will completely ignore the essense of Magadha Empire, the 'real' reason why the Macedonians fled back, its real Hero - Chandragupta, the governence in the Mauryan dynasty, the concept of dynasties and the family ethics which was driving India till then, and above all the Pride we need to have, hailing the first Maurya as our National Hero!. Instead, we hail the "First-ever" non-secular king in the Indian history, whose symbol we still carry as the national emblem today, from nowhere till then, and his act of infrastructure building was all the governing practises we had in our country. Maurya and Raja Raja Chola, who independantly popularised local governance were totally forgotten. We now attribute our Panchayat Raj system to Lord Rippon ("Rippon, engaL appan" BS! ), and Balwanti Rai Metha Committee, post independance.

I did not learn anything new by asking many questions. But always, I have let myself open to reality by asking further questions without really bothering to find answers. I knew, answers would come at their will, and no question is stupid, if it is not so thought. In this process, I was able to shed some Englishness which was already planted in me.

I am running into something more involved than what I intended to write about, now. But the point here is the kid, who felt cheated when he felt UKG was not the end of school, has come a long way. The one who was looking even at the dozen years to spend in school with awe, 18 years later, is continuing, and still going, with almost all my friends, even those who were mine since my UKG days, think " Will this one ever stop going to school ? "; I attribute it all to all the non-Englishness I had or rather chose to have in my english-education.

WOW Michigan!

After ages, I went to school without an outer fleece. Ides of March; and 21 degree C; that too positive!, quite surprising to see in Michigan. As I do many a times, got down from the bus half the way to school and walked the rest. It seemed that the bright sunshine was more than inviting for all students, as lawn outside the dorms were full of activity, with guys playing frisbee and throw ball. Basketball and tennis courts opposite to Wilson Hall were packed. It was quite pleasing to see some human activity outside, for the place having been perennially covered with a white blanket for months now, and no one did really want to show-up outdoor.

With a happy face carrying some sweat on the forehead for a change(well... I sweated even when I cleared up snow outside my apartment when it was -22C, so dont judge the severity of weather with my sweat index ;-) ), I went to my office and checked for the weather forcast for the week: Tonight 18 degree C, gradually going down tilll 10 degree C thursday night, and Snow showers predicted on Friday afternoon!!!! :O

Well .........Michigan for you! :-|......... no more words... sigh!

Feb 28, 2002 Part II

contd...................
Totally drained.... even before my program was to begin....finished the lunch quickly and rushed to the same place; quiz was about to begin in another 20 mins.

The computer was on the floor level, and the screen was clearly visible till the third row of the audience. We had to move it to the stage control area, which would be a level lower than the floor. I did not want to unplug the system and reboot it.. as we would never know with Windows, when we are going to see the bluescreen, just to play it very safe. Vedik called for me from the stage and asked me to make a table in ppt to show the score board. Before I came back, Samrith* had shut down the PC, and unplugged even the projector, and had moved it to the control area. It was all set up in a jiffy, and he was proud that he did a good job. System turned on, and Aaaaaaah! the mouse didnt work! :-(... he was cool saying, the plugging probably went wrong; he then quickly swapped the keyboard and mouse plugs. Now what???? even the keyboard didnt work!!!. Hmm... PS2 ports, both broken! and time closing in.

We didn't have any support staff with us to take care of the situation. We had to rush to the Comp-sci dept from where we borrowed the machines. Braught a staff to the stage to see if we could salvage with whatever we had left, but of no use. There was no other option but to get another mouse and Keyboard. We didn't want anyone in the stage to know about this and nor the Faculty. I called up the Student Sec. to delay the show as much as he can, as "the off stage crew wasn't ready" (:P). He started off with a brief interview of the participants about the Presentation contest (yes! the same Plastics Boon or Bane stuff!! ). Three of us (including Samrith) went up to the Comp-sci dept again to see if we can manage to get the devices we need. I didn't have much of a say there. This Samrith guy was smart enough to persuade with a top faculty in the dept. and get the stuff in no time (I would spare him for his blunders just for this O:-)).

So we came running to the audi again, and we had a laughter therapy waiting for us :D. Abhiram was on stage going on with the "Rapid-fire" round with a dead expression and the best of all, he had the mic-cable running through between his legs! LOL! I wasn't able to control laughter seeing him struggling to move around and not realising that he need to just walk over the cable and set himself free. He finished the round in the same pose! :)).

And this time, we, chose not to take any risk, asked those staff to set things up. Booted at last! (sigh) Other rounds were on as planned, and also to remember was Samrith and Prashanth playing around with a "MI:2" ring tone played in the speaker when the later made appearance on stage, originally meant to be a glamourous entry, ended up being a comedy!

Other things to remember from the programme were: almost all of the candys thrown off to the audience who answered the left over questions, went to the couple of girls who wrote down the question cards for the quizmasters ;-); In the jumbled city round, the Chief guest claiming that we missed a 'c' in the word Sheffield (now where does a 'c' come into?), and I made a harsh reply to the Chem Chair :O, "I bet, I am right!" B-); and we opening the round with "XEBA ODUR" and following it with "DIL HI AAP HELP"

Still none of the faculty incharge of the programme, and the students on stage knew about the problem we had. The quiz was over. Despite me and Prashanth having worked so hard to prepare the questions, Velammal swept the contest with ease. That was rather disappointing :(.

When we were about to clear the stage, Vedik came to me and asked " Why didn't you make the scoreboard?". I didn't want to answer, just turned to Rakesh and smiled, and he in turn looked at Vedik and laughed! :D. Then I sat down with the Sec. and all others in the backstage about what all had happened. I admit that this narration didn't do any justice to the drama that happened then, there, and I did narrate better in the backstage that day, and all of them went crazy. We had the water bottles to be kept for the Dignitaries of the Valedictory function. Aamir and I finished off couple of bottles, as I sweated out non stop for the past hour or so. With the program about to begin, we were running short of bottles!.. Aamir quickly ran to a garden tap nearby, filled a couple of them up and kept them on stage! ;-). (If I remember right, they returned the bottles, including those two and got the money re-embursed :P ).

We had to clear the stage and return al l the gadgets. Doing so, I had to miss the bus back home :((

That sums it up! One of the most unforgettable days in life!

*Samrith doesn't deserve the anonymity, that I gave for some of them in the earlier post :|

Feb 28, 2002 - Part I

That was one of the days I must remember for my life time.

My first year in college, 'A' section, comprising only of Mechanical Enggs, often maligned by other class 'studs' as a set of rough guys (well we mechies are dumped with such a name everywhere ), less funda (who said??? whoever it may be, let him come and face me now!!), and set of rather unfortunate guys (ofcourse... there were only 62 boys in the class ;-)). There was a Tech-Symposium, CRESCIENCE 2002, organised by the Chemistry Dept; After much of interclass politics, our class managed to get all the respectable-(??) stage duties :D

I was having lunch in my classroom. It was an eventful day already. Amit was eager to know the story till then. So I started --

A few hours earlier it was a late winter (in madras???) morning, surprisingly misty, with rather poor visibility. I walked down the platform in Mambalam station, and the mist was so heavy that I wasnt able to see anything beyond 20 metres. My best friend** and one of her friends came and joined me. The other guy** looked at me strangely, as I was in formals. After hesitating twice, he asked, " Dont you think your dress will get dirty as the day goes by, and at the time of your program, it woundn't be so formal??". I prefered not to answer, but to be politically correct, I replied back saying there was no plan to put me on stage, so anything was fine with me. With no clues how to react, he just turned aside. The train horned...., I wasnt able to see the train untill it went past me. Three of us boarded the general compartment. It was a part of their plan that her class mates, one was the student sec.**, incharge of the whole program, was to join them at Mount. As they didnt turn up, we got down to wait. The next train has come, and I was running out of time. As my presence was verymuch needed there, for the start, I decided to leave along with her. My class mate Vedik was in the same compartment, we boarded.

Event # 1:
The train left Sanatorium station, and she 'made' a wierd look at me. I guessed wat she was about to say, and started praying that my guess better goes wrong.... "Sriram, I dont have the ticket with me".... OMG! For a sec, I sweared at that guy, but within myself, bcos she was equally irresponsible. I just cheered her up at the sametime praying not to have the tc on the platform, that day. It was Tambaram, most crowded as ever, we got down the train, and were carried by the crowd along the platform. TC was there; "Ticket please!". We both went and confessed, and promised them that, in the next train her friend would surely come with the ticket. The TC, was being a nice guy in agreeing with us. The next train came, and no one turned up. We thought we would wait for one more. But it was getting too late for me. In the worst case to pay the fine, she made sure there was enough in hand and ordered that I shall leave to college immediately as it was important. I was reluctant to leave her alone. One friend of mine was walking in the platform. I thought of asking him to stay for her company, but she refused. I half heartedly left the station; Took a useless M18, and reached Zoo. When I started walking towards the college, a car stopped infront of me. Milleth was driving, and 'he' and the student sec., both were inside, asking for what happened to her. Vedik had reached college earlier and had told the story. They rushed to Tambaram, and picked her up from there. Pooh, the day started bad.......

Moral: If you are buying tickets in bulk for travel or cinema or theatre, plz distribute the tickets to all.
Later I came to know that she never had a ticket from Mount till Tambaram :P

I went into the audi, and it was already half full, and many eager faces near the stage waiting for me. A couple of faculty, Mrs. Rani and Dr. Easwaramoorthi, knowing what had happened, tried their best to make me feel comfortable. I was permitted to skip the opening function, and take rest in the Chemistry lab. I had left my bag, in the audience gallery. After sometime, the chairs were moved and my bag went missing in the crowd. I pleaded to almost all the students standing as volunteers in the audi to find my bag, but in vain. No one seemed to care a damn about it. But after all it was my bag. I had no other option.... I made most of them panic spinning a story that all the CDs are inside the bag and if they dont find it, the program wont go through...... oooooohhhh! Politics is great.. it works wonders.. I got my bag in just a couple of mins.


Twist (should say Pain :-( ) #2
After relaxing in the Chem lab for abt half an hour, I was called for, to the audi. Now the worst things were about to come (courtesy Vedik). I was asked to monitor the presentation contest, both the sessions... ALONE! (well Aamir was there compering)....I wouldnt have minded, had the topic been good and interesting.... but it was "Plastics are Boon or Bean for mankind" :P... dumb!!!..... I took care of arranging Hand Mic, Collar Mic, the student's hopeless floppy disks, even powerpoint, slide management for a couple of Presenters, and the worst of all was LISTEN TO ALL THE CRAP and also the stupid questions from the Jury......Profs Prince, EC, and Majeed, were shooting really dumb questions like, when a students' talk is about Plastics being a boon, "why not bean?" and otherwise if the talk was on bean. Later I was told that Vijay was furious with the Jury's attitude, and went on to spit fire at Dr. Bilal. :D

Moral: In any presentation, I should never bore my audience like they did to me :P

So, I finished the story, and it was a mixed reaction from Amit, with a special laughter at the train ticket mess up. I laughed back, without knowing about the time to come ;-).

to be contd with more 'interesting' things ;-)..........

** I havent used the names of my fellow collegemates, who are less likely to read this post.

Bulb!

Most of the time, I would be too concious of what I am doing, and what is happening around me. So only rarely I do flick a bulb. But I should say, the year 2006 was way too smart for me.

Most appropriately, the year ended on a crazy note. Having been alone at home, all through the winter break, I thought of going out to the mall to kill time differently. It was already 5pm(sunset time here). I had a glance at the bus schedule, and decided to go ahead as the timings were quite managable. It was raining quite heavily, but I so wanted a change in life, I went on; Reached the mall at 5:45 only to know that it closes at 6 for the day being a Sunday. Flashed once already!

I walked across to Meijer Supermarket, atleast to make the 6 mile trip worth by shopping for some groceries; Had a stroll around clothes section to check if there was any New year deal, and finished the shopping by 7. It was an unusually long wait in the bus stop. Alarm(sangu) rang for me!. I recollected that I realised it was Sunday only at the Mall, and on sundays no bus service after 6:30 !! House is more than 6 miles away, it was pouring heavily, and I have goods in hand (worst was a milk gallon, so uncomfortable to carry). Not even a single soul, I knew, was in town to request for a pick up and drop back home. So adventerous I was, to start walking back, only to realise after about 100 metres that there are no pathways in Okemos and Mt. Hope roads for a stretch of 4 miles; Walked back to the store, called for a taxi, and came back home. Worst thing was I paid $12 for the taxi and my shopping bill was only $16.

Had I dozed at home as always I do, and walked to the nearby Goodrich's store, it would have been a lot better. But it was 2006 and it was meant to be my bad day. I dont remember an instance in whole life when I didnt have in mind what day it was. I dont blame on time for it, it was my fault, and yes! fate had to be answered.

That one day sums my entire year up. I made some mistakes, which I would have never done before and would never do here after. Lots of big decisions going disastrous(not just mine :| ). Not to deny that I did have a decent academic success, cleared the PhD qualifying exams way ahead of time, earned a Masters degree, got a couple of fellowship awards and a lot of positive changes in me; but the year would be long remembered only for all the wrong reasons.

Fair Play

In the last post, I vented my passion for Football, the sport, out in full flow.This sport is one thing, that can get into my emotions. But I was forced to doubt the worth of the sport to be loved so much.... and not just the sport, more than that, faith in mankind; Because of the match between the Portuguese and the Dutch. At the begining of every tournament, the captains administer their team, a oath of FIFA Fairplay and spirit of the game... I loved that, the will of the players, the passion they carry towards their team and the game, the display of excellent teamwork and coordination, not caring for money when they play for their country. Thats the very purpose of a SPORT; bringing people together.


The game started... and I was stunned to see the Dutch line up without Heitinga, van der Vaart and the GREAT van Nistelrooy, the dynamte, the goal scoring machine.... what was running in van Basten's mind?.... game went on, and my favorite Figo and Ronaldo were playing so well, and so was Deco (aka B******). Robben was quiet and Kuyt was dumb, and Cocu was by far the best, as always. Portugal went one up with Manische's goal; A good move and a fine finish, a well deserved goal. Costinha was senseless with a couple of tackles, luckily got sent off only late in the first half. Figo, despite his age was playing very well, even with his team reduced to 10 men. Why didn't van Nistelrooy play in the game?

First disappointing thing was Figo's headbutt with van Bommel. Two of the biggest statures on the pitch, fighting like immatures, was the last thing I would have asked for, to see in such a highprofile game. But I didnt realise then, that I had to save my grievences, for worser things to come or may even be the worst. With the shoulder barge of Boulharouz, Figo went down covering his face, pretending as if he was elbowed down. The replay showed, clearly that Boulharouz' elbow didn't raise beyond his shoulders. Figo had play acted to get him sent off. Why did he do that? I still remember seeing him in Euro 2000, a buccaneering performance which actually drew me to start following this beautiful sport. I started kicking the ball first, having him as one of my icons. Why was I let down? I was so thrilled to see his comeback from retirement to play in this world cup. Did he come back for this? This very game has been played by real greats, like Davids, who got booked for arguing against the referee's decision to send off his opponent. Where did the gentleman in the players go? Even when Figo was stoned by the Barca supporters, while he was playing with for Real Madrid, he concentrated only on the ball and the game. Why did he do what he did, that night? and again.. Why didnt van Nistelrooy play?

Not just Figo, the attitude carried by the entire Portuguese team, especially Deco, was un-imaginably bad. CHEATS, the only word to describe those who braught the game to such a disrepute. With Ronaldo in the team, crying to be streatched off injured, not able to play, others in the bench were, getting into the field to assault the opposition players. So un-professional. 4 people sent off, summing up the over all picture of the game, THE WORST EVER. How different it could have been, had van Nistelrooy been played. Why wasn't he?

I am not able to digest the basic character of mankind, the dirt in the human mind and what not will it do for success. Why no one is ready to realise Pierre de Coubertin's attitude towards any sport - "It is less important to win than to take part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.". Showing up with this infamous performance, they let their country down, the sport down, and not the least, the trust and passion in the minds of their fans, down. Cantona, has perhaps the worst disciplinary record, and numerous prison sentences for any professional player. But, looking back at them, he had done everything for the sake of the game. He punched unfair referees, and un-professional players. He would never tolerate in-justice on the field. That way, even after picking up so many suspensions, he still remains in the hearts of people. Great people would live after their time. But Figo? He is already dead, while living. He has been FIFA player of the year once. Now? What mistake I had done, by respecting their skill and genius? Why am I so let down? Dont they have the responsibility to keep their status up? Arent they responsible for us? Now about van Basten's ego... why didnt he bring in from the bench, van Nistelrooy, as a substitute?

With so much negatives in the game, I was pleased to see one GEM, Philip Cocu, at the age of 35, still playing in the highest level, in the team because of merit, showing excellent leadership, not affected by all these sidey things in the game, even when subbed, went out clapping and wishing his substitute, putting the team first. A lesson to learn. And also van Persie, such a kid in the game, was so patient to Portuguese sledging, and unfair play. He did his business. He had nothing else to think about, other than the ball and the goal, and he never thought about anything else. Why didn't elder players show such maturity and professionalism. And why wasnt van Basten so professional enough, to think about the welfare of the team, and why didnt he play van Nistelrooy?

Had I been Beckenbauer, I would have stepped in the pitch, called game off, disqualified both the teams, and would have given England a bye to Semi's. But I am not Beckenbauer. All I can do now is to sit, feeling so upset with all that had happened. Now I want Portugal to go all the way to the finals, face Brazil and get POUNDED.. really bludgeoned, 5-0 or 6-0. Football is more about playing well and fair rather than scoring goals. If you would remember, in the last world cup Rivaldo did behave this way, and was fined and made to apologise in public and the team, for having let them down. That's Brazil. I remember Roy Keane, against Juventus, taking a free kick quickly where others would have tried to waste time and see their side win easily. It is the game that is important, and not winning. Portuguese must realise that, seeing the yellow mob, running at them, clobber them off the field, Humiliated. Scolari must realise, discipline is the most important thing.

Hope, we learn from the right people, like Cocu, and go ahead, not minding these insanes. Not just the game, but the way of living. Life is a contest, to be won fairly. Hope FIFA fairplay, does survive. Hoping for a better tomorrow, I would conclude with one question which every Dutch supporter will keep asking for years to come,(really in tears)

Why didn't van Nistelrooy play?

Tactics Board

Midfield Defence is the Key-

Throughout the world cup one could have noticed one common fact. Whenever a big-team plays a minow, the underdogs play an ultradefensive formation, trying to stop the biggie from scoring. As always, they breakdown in the end and lose. I am a defensive minded person. Whenever I play, I play either as a defender or a defensive midfielder. Its not so glamorous to play in such positions. They dont get into the score sheet, dont hit the headlines in the backpages of the newspaper, hardly get media coverage and fans dont often sing their praise. But those players will be the first in the team sheet whenever ur coach reads out the starting line up. They are the foundation blocks of a team. Often you would have heard from the (stupid) media ppl, calling Italian game, "negative-minded". I call it common sense - "u dont conceed a goal => you cannot lose"; this obviously increases the probability of ur win. A well made tactic with an ordinary team can work wonders.

Lets take the English team.

Their attack sucks!. Rooney is the only work horse to bet on to score, if at all he is able to play full 90 mins. Ericksson is one useless guy to manage the team. Ha ha.. the first two lines shows my bias against them. But being a honest football fanatic, I want every side to play good football. Even England... for that matter even USA (but they cant :P ).... Their strangth is midfield. I see either Gerrard or Lennon as the potential scorers. Its better for them to look for 1-0 here after. The first thing they must do is GIVE MORE POWERS TO McLAREN.. Puleezzz!!!!!! :-((.... Ericksson is Dumb!... atleast McLaren is a better tactician. Play Hargreaves..... enuf of stupid politics in the team, not to play foreign based players (if you ppl dont know, only Beckham and Hargreaves play their professional football outside England ).

Club form has got nothing to do with their ability to perform in the international stage. Lampard might be a great midfielder, and had won the best player award last year, but Gerrard has played well for England in the past, and has a better scoring touch than Lampard. So kick Lampard out and bring in Hargreaves, make him sit in front of the defence... he is damn good as a midfield destroyer. That would allow Gerrard to attack more, atleast take more shots and get into the box often. If Gerrard plays in an offensive role, Owen plays well.... thats a fact know to even a dog in England ;-)..... but y Ericksson never realises that?.... if one midfielder is going to sit ultra defensive, full backs get more support going on the offensive, especially Ashley cole on the left...... Their second half substitute against Trinidad, Lennon seemed to be a good prospect. Especially pulling back Beckham as a right full back.....I would even try out a three at the back strategy with wingbacks... Becks as right wingback... .he makes better deep-crosses than whipped ones close to the corner flag.... but that is not likely to work out hereafter in this tournament... and last.... allow Joe Cole to play more towards the center, rather than restricting him to the left.....

well that was pre-Sweden match...

now post Sweden effect..

Owen most likely out for another week atlest, if not for the rest of the tournament. Rooney having played for an hour, looks ok, though not a stormer. What was Beckham dong??? :O.... so responsible as a captain< :P pun intended>.. if u ppl look at the replay of the last goal scored in the game: Rule book says, offside does not apply for throw-ins. So Ljunberg was delebrately staying close to the goal post, drawing Campbell with him. Now the face of the goal is exposed to two strikers to poach on. Ball played there... and score sheet ticked... simple tactics... England had 10 men inside the box.. wat wer they able to do abt it?.. nothing....


Brazil :
Safest bet to win the Cup, bfor it began... not so after.... But I would stlll go with them.... Nevertheless I am not pleased with Perrira's way of handling the team.... It looks like he is giving too much importance to the star value.... and he has made modifications to Scolari's tactics in the last world cup, just to make some change in the side, to press his originality... but Brazilian Christmas tree is the best formation for this team, which is no different from the last except for the addition of another quality striker in Adriano... I prefer rotating him with Ronaldo..... and I am in full support with Perrira, for sticking with Ronaldo as his main striker.....He is the best.... if u want to contend with me, then better go and see the first goal against Australia.... Outstanding tactical play..... a footballing genius... some one who looks for dribble and goals will be blind to see what impact Ronaldo had in that game..... I was able to sense Aussies wetting their pants whenever he gets the ball...... they literally panic and throw the entire team on him, to stop him from doing anything..... For that goal's move, when Ronaldihno passed the ball onto Ronaldo, he had three defenders surrounding him.. as he stopped the ball to gain control, one more closed in.... now no center-backs with Adriano... Chipperfield had to run from left to catch up with him...... Ronaldo finally manages to turn three of his markers and fool the fourth and make tha pass... if Ronie can handle 4, Adriano can put off one eyes shut... he drove the ball between Chipperfield's legs and past Schwarzer....

If you read this and say that i am biased and am blowing up the Brazilian tactics.. and that was just a co-incidence.... then I am sorry..... This is football... That goal was scored on the dressing room on the drawing board.. or may b even in the training grounds.. or in Ronaldo's mind.... and not just on the pitch during the game.....this is football... its not David Beckham, not Ronaldinho, not Ronaldo, nor Zinedine Zidane.... its football....... its the game which is so beautiful, and nobody is bigger than the game...... look for the replay of the match and see.. for the first 15 minutes Adriano was playing in the center... but Hiddink ahd employed Emerton to take care of Ronaldinho and Chipperfield to mark Kaka.. the main threats.... seeing this, Adriano was made to play in the right.. he is a predominantly left footed... he uses his right foot just to stand and run :-D..... even then he was taken towards the right, to disrupt Chipperfield and give more space to Kaka....and made sure that, no centerback is marking Adriano, and all their concetration was only on Ronaldo....

What they need to change when they face a bigger opponent in the next round?... well, my decision will be to play the Christmas tree again.. Play either Ronaldo or Adriano, and play one extra defender as a sweeper.. that makes Cafu and Carlos wingbacks... so more attack actually by playing one additional defender....

Long live the game
&
FIFA Fair Play

a football fan forever,
Sriram R