Tripping on ‘Kili Poyi’

Talk of marijuana high and here is a movie that you can ‘trip’ on! ‘Kili Poyi’ might not have been lauded by critics or the film fraternity. But if you are looking for pure entertainment, ‘Kili Poyi’ sets the ball rolling. Chacko and Hari are confused youngsters (not that they want to make any improvement to that condition!), who works with an advertising agency in Bangalore. They eat, sleep and breathe marijuana, which says it all! The movie starts off by showing a bag containing cocaine, which is to reach its destination in Goa, but takes a miss. Thanks to Chacko and Hari and a series of mishaps. 

So here is how it all starts- the duo decides to take a break from Bangalore chaos and office mayhem. Their trip to Manali gets cancelled as the douchebags end up missing their flight due to a ‘high’. They later end up in Goa. Lots of booze, weed, girls, and party are what the duo is looking out for while holidaying. Chacko meets Racheal, and manages to end up in a one night stand while Hari gets his share of fun too. After a night of drama and fun-filled events, they end up back home in Bangalore and that is when this new unknown bag strikes their attention. It managed to end up with them last night! They open the bag to find stacks of cocaine. Well, the journey begins from then on! They are perplexed, confused and clueless to what needs to be done with it. Hence follows mainstream drama. (oh! Not to miss that sexy sling bag which is equally a protagonist in the movie). 

‘Kili Poyi’ can boast of newbies in the house Sandra Thomas, Samata Agrarwal and Sabreen Baker. The ladies have done their bit, surely making it look stylish. No other duo could’ve made Chacko and Hari complete like how Asif Ali and Aju Varghese has put forth. Not to mention the style in which they carried off the ‘new generation boys’! The art director needs a special applause. One can witness vintage movie posters ruling the scenes. Raveendran, Malayalam’s disco trend setter makes a comeback by doing what he does best, as Disco Douglas. 

Hat’s off to debutant Vinay Govind. His directorial venture, which is first of its kind in Indian Cinema, (yeah stoner genre!), hasn’t failed to impress. Scriptwriters Vivek Ranjit and Joseph Kurian looks promising! Not to forget the direction of photography by Pradheesh Varma who has done a trippy job. A venture of newcomers who made their debut, ‘Kili Poyi’ is the first stoner genre in Indian Cinema. It is truly a daring attempt by a group of bold young men. High time, Malayalam cinema started experimenting with genres and themes. 

No wonder the movie was rated ‘A’. So if you don’t support cannabis usage (or whether you smoke it yourself!) doesn’t make any difference to the way you must view this cinema. Keep aside marijuana and look at it as pure entertainment. Well, this is a break from the clichéd drama you are tired of seeing on the silver screen every now and then!

                                                                                                                                          

Why That December Love?

Everybody seems to be happy; because it is December. So I ponder? What makes December close to their hearts, well, mine too. Is it the sight of bright lit roads decorated with starts and shimmery lights on either sides, a soother to all worn out souls? Or is it the thought of festivities in the air that makes us feel that there is something to look forward to? Or is it the forthcoming Christmas ‘Holidays’? Holidays. Or the thought that December shall bring some moist and chill to the weather unlike the other 11 months where you might be roasted with heat? At least in this part of the world where I live in, that is the case. Or is it just being ‘December’ that makes us all happy?

When my Facebook profile is seemingly thrived with status updates saying December is here, I ponder, here is the month where everybody seems to be falling in peace with. There is no anti-December thought that I carry. I’am just confused to what makes just another month so looked upon. Maybe it is just what I had mentioned above. Maybe it is all of that. Maybe it is the turmoil inside every one of us that seeks for a break from the every day activity, and December brings some of it. The sight of cribs made from love and joy of togetherness, which can be seen in homes, wayside shops and huge mansions are purely the symbol of happiness and glee that this month brings.

So no matter whatever said, December is truly a month that carries some joy in its birth. Red-coated and shiny, December glories continues, in our souls, like a snowfall in a dry parched desert.December, welcome back! 

Happy to be part of this.

That day, everything seemed to fall in place, and I felt at peace. So as they say, beaches and sunset is always the perfect combination for a worn out, dreary soul. I was one. Sitting at the beachside, swimming pool chaise lounge, lest did I realize the worries life holds. No, I’am not exaggerating. My two days spent at Bentota (Sri Lanka) was paradise brought down for me. Maybe the gods wanted me to ‘literally’ take a break! Yea, maybe.

It was pure bliss- When sun bids goodbye to a day’s work, and when the moon takes over the shift. But they din’t seem to be tired. They seemed to be enjoying the switching over’s. They seem to be smiling at each other while passing by. The vast sea in front of me brought me tales from home. I looked at the waves which came across from lands. They brought to me the ‘feeling’, the warmth of my home which was miles away. Music is always man’s best companion when it comes to being with oneself, and music completes his/her longing for beauty. The sea ahead, music tantalizing my ears, tickling me through my veins, the rocks stood there like a strong woman, bearing the harshness of waves. Men and women were walking through the beachside, some holding hands, some alone, and some just looking at the waves.

So man is never alone in his misery. He has companion. And the man he sees right next to him on a crowded daylight busy street goes through a different story of being hit, hurt and sad. Miseries are forever. So are smiles and cheers. Look around to not see just the concrete giants, but also the eternal beauty nature has to offer. Love and peace aren’t difficult to attain. It all comes when you create them. And the only person that can do that for you is ‘you’.

Things never changed after that ‘one day’. At least, I realized that the world ain’t that bad a place to live in. Maybe I’am just another speck, but I have been offered too much to indulge in. For universal beauty never ceases to fail before my eyes. 

Photo Courtesy: some website for Sri Lankan tourism. 

Raining in the wild

The downpour of happiness

Today, I sit beside my windowsill

To see the magic rain brings

Like the outpour of words from a writer

Tears of the heartbroken lover

Respite from the summer woes

It poured

Right into my soul, into me.

Tall buildings stood still

Enjoying the marvels of this morning pour

Those Passive spectators,

They seem to be smiling at each other

Indulging in rain drops

Every single one

Windy secrets lashing between

Hurried people running around

Tress stuck in between

Feeling misfit amongst concrete

They all rejoiced

For raining it is!

Thy creations have always awed me

Words seemed not enough

The swirling winds, cloudy skies

Rain bliss and My eyes

I can never take them away from

All that nature offers me….

And I say to myself

What a perfect way to start!.

History Peeps. Hampi it is!

The small town of Hampi gives one a reality check to the long lost glories and marvels of a nation, looted and used, probably the most, by invaders. Beautifully carved and created, each stone wonders in Hampi has tales to tell, of kings and queens, tenants and peasants, lovers and ‘devdasis’, so many of them!

Hampi is situated in Northern Karnataka, and ‘cos I traveled by road from Bangalore, it took me 7-8 hours (P.S: The roads are killer. Super roadtrip it is!). Ruins of Vijayanagara kingdom, Hampi still stands tall with all the beauties and lovely sights history had to offer. Hindu deities and gods are carved and sculptured everywhere.

Hampi is ruins. The small town has temples, palaces, and buildings used in the 15^th century. The creeks and fowl smells inside these buildings bear testimony to the fact that we had a rich tradition, and our ancestors actually made them, carved them, out of stones. So you stand there breathless, looking at everything Hampi has to give you. Stoned! Literally that is.

They say there are umpteen hidden spots where tourists and locals gather to ‘smoke up’. Well, I was not fortunate enough to witness any of those places. But I did ‘trip’ royally on the intricate patterns and designs each stone was carved out of. You wouldn’t believe. There are hundred stories in each stone. Snakes, insects, spiders and reptiles crawl through the corridors and insides of these ancient wonders. Scare not, worry not, they are there to relish on history too.

Clearly a town that still lives to show the simplicity and majesty in which our ancestors lived, Hampi is truly a place to visit. Being a history ardent fan, Hampi is a place I wouldn’t mind visiting another 10 times. 

Photo Courtesy: Jayesh Mohan

Wildlife Paradise- Masinagudi.

So if you love wildlife, if you love that soothing breeze on your face, if you love greens around you, if you love staying on tree houses, if you love going for random walks inside the forest, then Masinagudi is the place! There is much to see in Masinagudi, the forest destination nearly three hours from Ootty. Located somewhere in the borders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Masinagudi has much to offer to nature-lovers.

We traveled all the way to Ootty, made a halt there for a day (just to indulge in the serenity and calmness that town had to offer), and moved to Masinagudi. The place is perfect for those who need a break from the highly bust city life. My photographer friends clicked many pictures! And the journey to Masinagudi was bliss. With trees and animals (guiding us to Masin), lest did we think about anything else.

We stayed in a guest house, towards the interiors of the forest. You wouldn’t believe! There are tigers and wild elephants, deers and boars visiting this guest house (nearly a km away as they have fenced it). We were lucky enough to ‘trip’ on a small mountain lake that flowed nearby. The crispy fresh waters were sprinkled on us, and it was sunset. So the beauty of the waters merged so well with the colors of nature.

We moved more into the forest, the next day. The thick dense dark forest reminded me of the concrete jungle where buildings replace trees, and wild animals replace wild men and women (in the haywire for survival). We did our forest trekking in a jeep when we went deeper into the thickness of greens. We made barbeque once the sun went down. It was all soo much of fun!

Masinagudi is haven if you want a 3 day break from the chaos and calumnies of daily life. The pill I would suggest to elate your mood, and find peace! 

Goa, Oh! Goa. I Love You to Bits.

Goa, oh! Goa. How much have I fallen in love with you? The sweet sands on your beaches flattened me. Your perfect weather soothed me. Sight of men and women smoking the holy herb awed me. Inebriated youngsters who were sober awed me (again). Goa! Oh! Goa. How much have I fallen for you?

My carefree, totally not planned trip to Goa was magically awesome. With a bunch of friends who made it extra super, I spent three days of my life (journey) with good food, lovely people, and lots of fun. All I did was go around Goa and visit places. And whichever places we visited were random ones, which we never knew existed. From small restaurants, shacks on the beaches, forts, there is so much to see in Goa. Well, so much to indulge in, actually!

For my photographer friends, Goa was true bliss as they could capture sunset at its best, westernized roads with pubs that remind you of European countries (not that I have visited any! Thanks to Hollywood), free market (which I have loads to share about), and people from across the globe who have come there and blended in sync with all that Goa has to offer.

Free market which we visited at 10 p.m. was an array of lights spread out with colors and beautiful people. There was a bowl of cultures. Indian stalls where reds, blues and pinks reigned. Japanese, Germans, Italians, French, Dutch… so many of them together in the same market, selling goods that they made!

Vagatore where we stayed was a quiet place which bore a few churches and old houses. Mapusa had a huge market where we got the famous Goan Feni, Pork sausages and Pan Beer. Anjuna, where beach is at its best. How can I forget our dinner at the famous ‘Curlies’?! Baga for shopping. And Panaji where we witnessed many historical monuments.

Goa seemed like another planet to me. Ask me why? Well, for all that I know, the place has much to offer. From peace, tranquility (which is confined only to that place alone, I don’t know why!), to lots of independent loners, and fun unlimited everywhere, there is so much in Goa. I would rather call it ‘man-made paradise on earth’.

I don’t remember the name of the hotel we stayed, nor the places we visited. It was all random. And the fun lied when there was randomness everywhere. I don’t remember the people I met there, or the stores we got into. They were all mere randomness. But for all that I know, I wouldn’t miss a chance to hop in to Goa again. This time, alone maybe. With less stress and strain. The more your priorities, the less fun. What say! ?