Sight-Seeing => Hyderabad

Pic 1: Hussain Sagar Lake
Pic 2: Joothis, Near Charminar
Pic 3: Peals, Choodi Bazaar
Pic 4: Neck-pieces, Choodi Bazaar
Pic 5, 6: Bangles, Choodi Bazaar
Pic 7, 8: Charminar
Pic 9: Shilparam, Hi-Tech City

Picture Courtesy: Sharanya Rajendran

Sights and Smells of Hyderabad!

I always wanted to take a break and escape somewhere the minute my college was over. Yes, Bangalore was my first option. But why go to the place where you’ve been to a thousand odd times? So my second option was Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. A visit to these places was a long, unachievable dream of mine. Well, most of them would say, what is so great about these places, But still, I wanted to visit the capital, the beautiful Taj Mahal and the pink city, no matter what.

I kept hounding my dad, but yes, it is raining cats and dogs there right now. My dad questions me, “What shopping will you do when it’s raining there? You can’t even step out.” Hmmm, true it is. Plan B also flops. When I decided to go ahead with Plan A, my dear friend Haritha visits Chennai (from Hyderabad) to collect some documents from college. As casual our talk can get, we decided that I should to go with her to Hyderabad (She was leaving in two days).

To my surprise, when Haritha asked dad, my parents readily agreed (I still find it strange though!). Finally, I was all set to get my share of well-deserved break that I was longing for. The tickets are all booked, and I am all set to leave.

I must say our train journey was fun. While Haritha got an AC Sleeper, I got the normal one. But she wasn’t convinced that I travel alone. (Oh! I love people pampering me ;)). Later, she exchanged with a person in my coach. We had a whole lot of fun and to travel with pals is much more than fun!

We reached the next day morning and find Kaushik (Hari’s Hubby) greeting us warmly! Well, I see a new city. I did visit Hyderabad about six-year’s back, during my school trip. But now, I see a whole new place. Big buildings, malls everywhere, cheesy film posters (Like really!), banners promoting Hyderabad Biriyani, bunches of Burkha Ladies, hot men and hindi all the way.

The first-day was visit to Hi-Tech city and a near-by place - Shilparam. It is a cultural-center, something similar to our Dakshinachitra. The place was constructed in a very arty manner. You enter the places to find several stalls where craftsmen display a bunch of artifacts and other products. It reminded me of Dastkari exhibition that happens at Kalashetra. I found some arty earrings, bags and bought quite a few products. You can see lovely ladies near the park wanting to decorate your palm with henna at a minimal price of Rs20. Will we miss it? No way! On the later part of the day, we went to few malls and Keshav Reddy Chat at Jubilee Hills. Wah! What pani-puris you get! One of the best that I've had!

It was a long day and we hit the bed as soon as we reached. However, I reminded Kaushik & Haritha of treating myself a nice Hyderabad Chicken Biriyani. (Hyderabad minus the biriyani? Nah!) The next day we decided to go to Charminar. I was waiting to see the charming old Hyderabad or rather the Nizam place. Most building had a mosque-look to it. We first hit Hotel Taj Mahal for lunch. Apparently, it is one of the best restaurants in the city. After having a sumptuous platter, we drove to Choodi Bazaar. As I walk in, I discover that the place is a heaven-on-earth for bangles. It was around three-o'-clock-ish, and the bangles were shimmering against the sunlight. I wanted to buy dozens of them, but I was bewildered after seeing the line-up of numerous shops.

Haritha and I would decide on one set, but will find something better in another shop. We literally scouted the place and I finally bought around 8 dozens of bangles! Oh, thank the Lord, I am a girl! :-)

Then I went hunting for surma, and to my surprise every other shop has the Arabic kohl! Talk about the city, the next thing that comes to mind is Kohlapuri chappals. Being a chappal-o-holic myself, will I miss it? ;) Bargained with my broken Hindi and I got two-pairs of them.

Then we drove to Husain Sagar Lake. Haritha was complaining about the lovely odor it produces, but I wasn’t convinced. We went to eat street, hogged and took a boat to see the Buddha statue. It did stink, but never mind. The place didn’t have anything much except for the tall, erected Buddha. We drove back home and had delectable Hyderabad Chicken Biriyani from Hotel Paradise (Another famous restaurant).

Next day, we drove Ramoji Film city. Though I've been there before, some sets were relatively new. The most exciting thing about this place is the bus-tour that they arrange for the visitors. The presenter was at his creative best and we enjoyed a lot.

The last day was more or less a rest day. I can’t end this post without mentioning the help, love and care Haritha & Kaushik provided. I almost felt like I was staying at my sister’s place. They made me so comfortable. A million thanks and hugs to them for making my visit a memorable one. Mwah to you guys!

Happily signing off,

Shara :-)

A change...

....is waiting for a change. A change that can make me happy. A change that I deserve the most. And, I know it is not too far. . .

Scribbles,
shara :)

Blessed

It was a cloudy Sunday evening. My heart is heavy. Full of worries. The only way I thought I can deal with this is to visit my favourite Church - St George Cathedral in Nungambakkam.

I entered the church and peace is what I get. The ceiling as high as the sky looks beautiful with English lights. Long fans, bright lights with children moving around and Pastors welcoming you with a smile. They really don't know you, but they lift their hand to bless you and say 'God Bless you my Child'.

With few minutes of prayer and flipping through sacred verses, I walk out of the church feeling blessed. I read the verse, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). Co-incidentally, my friend sent me the same message few days ago.

He is watching.

Amen.

Smiles,
Shara :)

Mad-about-him (Madhavan)

*Please See: This post is dedicated to Sowmya :-) *

This is like my renewed internship for the second time with DNA. After my initial boredom days, they asked me to cover a showroom launch in UB City. Lisa Ray was the Chief Guest. So my editor asked me to interview her!

Surprisingly, even after affected by the dangerous disease (Cancer) she looked extremely good. The way she spoke itself conveys the confidence she has that is enough to survive the disease! With the two minutes time I had, I asked her around three questions. Number one being how did she handle the fact that she is been victimised by 'it', secondly being any word of hope she would like to give for people who are suffering from this incurable disease and lastly her experience in working with Deepa Mehta's latest flick 'What's cooking with Stella'. Being extremely diplomatic with her answers and hardly giving any elaborate replies, I had to dump her story! Nevermind I get a Rado wallet for wasting time :p

Ok now, forget that! I got a call from my office to cover another event that was happening in the same place and guess what Maddy had come to UB city to promote his upcoming film 'Teen Patti' along with other debutant's, director and producer. They gave a press conference there and typically PROMOTING their film by saying all good things. But this guy was all hippy and happy and just stayed himself throughout the event.

Wanting to interview him, I waited around 30 minutes for him in the hotel that was in the same venue. Now, this completely put me off. I just didn't know what to do apart from gazing at couples who publicly romanced and rich as****s who just didn't know what to with money! (Yes, I saw a guy purchase an umbrella for 6000 bucks!). He finally came out from his room looking visibly tired. (Poor guy!) Nevertheless, he charmed with his typical 'maddy' smile, believe me even the journalists went gaga over him.

Yes, he's put on weight and doesn't look like how he used to look like before. But his smile never fades! Guess that's the trick he uses to wow girls even though many 'new chocolate boys' (!) have forayed in the industry.

So in the little time I got, I questioned him only about food. Being called as the sexiest vegetarian among other hot men is no joke. And to put off with meat completely is no big deal. He answered all of them patiently and behaved like a gentlemen. Compared to these just born heroes who throw their price for giving one big hit (see below to see whom I am talking about ;)), he's far better.

He was done with interviews and was ready to pose for the cameras. He signed off with warm hugs and yes, the trademark smile. An extremely warm person with no 'heavy' top load :p He seriously makes people 'Mad-about-him' and I was no exception.

Signing off with MY trademark smile :D

Shara

Post Script: If at all I get to interview him I promise sowmya, I will get an autograph for you :-)

Vinnaithandi Varamatta (credits to sow) :D

I finally saw VTV in a local theater in Bangalore. After several attempts, I watched the film fully(Did you know, first I went to Ajantha Theatre to watch that film and power cut immediately after Hossana song. They reimbursed our tickets and I saw the entire film after a day in lavanya theatre). Guess only people like me will have such stupid experiences like this.

Coming to the point, I saw the film finally and loved Simbu and Trisha! For simbu, I just didn't imagine in my wildest dreams that he could act well. Subtle and extremely minimal expressions unlike his previous films. For Trisha, she looked so beautiful. The clothes she wore inspires me to wear saris! She was super hot, except for the fact that her role in the film was extremely confusing.

The story is simple. Boy meets girl, its love at first sight, and they both go around the city (they even go to my favorite place moonrackers:-) ) , exchange hugs, kisses and finally the girl backs off. Now this is new to tam films. Though an extremely common case today :p

So now what? I liked every part of it. But still, there are few things that went wrong. Number One being the climax. The climax of the film is the best part ever, I mean that's the most gutsy climax ever a director can give. But what's bothering me in that?

There is this scene were Trisha meets Simbu in a bridge after a gap of two years. She sees him and he sees her with her most ugly looking hus-band! Cut to watching Simbu's film. She sits next to him walks out the theatre and parts as friends with a handshake.

I mean a girl who can't even take few steps to talk to him on that day, flies a thousand plus miles to watch his movie? I don't see the logic in this!

Moreover, the line "enga appa strict" has no meaning attached to it apart from repeating it over thousand times! There is no establishing scene as to how strict is her appa. May be Menon should change it to "enga anna romba strict". The bro character in the film was one.

And finally Menon ends with a note saying "You can still be friends with you ex"! Personally if you ask me, you can still be friends provided that both of you are not committed to someone else or vice versa. Even if one of them is married or committed to someone else, its a DISASTER to keep in touch with them. Simbu looked like a complete loser in the last scene, while she happily walks off.

Hmmm, apart from this I loved every other part. Especially the dialogues of the film. They are penned in such a manner that it urges me to hear it from someone who can tell me that. Then there were these typical Menon's like flying to another city to met his love, having a mallu connect, the guy's super emotions for the girl etc. I wonder which guy falls head over heels with a girl like that!

signing off
shara

Back

I think my blog went in hibernation for few months! After reading updated ones by my friends blogs, I decided to kick start... all over again!

Will continue posting on topics I like,
Keep checking
Shar!