It has been raining off and on out here. And it's wonderful. Sitting at home is the worst thing to do after exams. I have no clue what to do...My painting book also got over and I have nothing to paint now. Nor do I have any books to read. Coz I didn't bother getting any books from duty free coz of my great camel shopping. So was glued to T.V. last night. Surprisingly I didn't know much about Aarushi murder case coz that was the time I was busy with the Rajanigandha show. Later on when I noticed all the commotion created I realised it must be something huge. A day before leaving for India, my parents had to attend a farewell party and the renowned topic of the night was this. It seems too sad. But what's exactly with the case? It still confuses me. It is the mom or the dad that was having an affair? As of now I think the dad is arrested and taken to some place that is obscure.

There are hardly any good movies to watch. I was watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S again and again, the 10th season that is. Too good. That's what I call comedy. Friends reminds me of this article I read in the newspaper yesterday. It was written on the English spoken by British children. They are so bad at spellings..some still get confused while spelling friends, embarrassed, accommodation, relief, etc. Apparently the reason for such a botch is coz of the lack of attention the syllabus gives to grammer and communicative English. And the sudden rise in the application of the e-lang and the sms libi has definitely made it more convenient to make grammatical errors. The usage of 'u' instead of 'you' and 'gr8' instead of 'great' had made written language a lot more unscrupulous. Nay, that's too harsh. Maybe a little daffy, insignificant and obstinate.

I got to see some blog rating at g-man's . So checked mine and got some clean ratings. All my three blogs are rated

:) You can also check your's HERE.

I was anxiously waiting for this day. As it was planned we reached the airport at 9. Waiting is a punishment. Sort of. I was suppose to greet Srini sir with a bouquet and another small girl was supposed to welcome Johnson sir. Initially it was exciting and when the waiting became longer and longer I was suggesting the lil girl some books of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. Gulped down a whole bottle of water and still time ,the biggest villain just doesn't take the name of running fast. We actually heaved a sigh of relief when Srini sir called after landing to ask about where to get the visa and all that. After receiving we left them at their respective hotel rooms and there after met for lunch. Actually Srini sir was so hungry that he messaged dad saying he is hungry and wants to hog and then hit the sack. So we had to arrange things a lil earlier than scheduled and all of us had 'chettinad thali'.

Admist the lunch Johnson sir was telling how Malayalam music is still not used or is unknown to many. He was saying that in all reality shows most of the singers hardly sing malayalam. Al of them outstretch into other languages, mostly tamil and also ape for the west. Whereas the other regional reality shows always have sungs sung in their respective language. Johnson sir being the only National Award winner from Kerala for the Best Music Director in our state was also saying that the jury for the National Awards hardly cared about the South Indian Industry. And Malayalam was considered as a baby or rather a minor in the field. Whenever there is a Satyajit Ray film, it had to win a national award. That was the system and people were comfortable with it. Except for a few. Few became many in time. He has his side of humor too where in once he apparently considered the finger bowl to be a bowl of lemon juice and devoured it warm! He's devoid of fear, sharp, talkative and hardly cares about what people think of him.

He's shy, suttle, gives one a feeling of warmth, not too glamorous, diplomatic and a sincere musician. That's Srinivas for you. He was too hungry to even discuss. Infact when one of the media person came to get a video byte from him, he said 'Food first and then the rest'. After the big fat lunch we had we went onto ordering something not cold and tasty for desert. Majority opted out for gajar ka halwa and Srini sir jus obliged.He was explaining the terms 'minus track' and 'plus track'. On not knowing what the latter meant he said it means miming i.e. a track with the singing where the singer just has to mime. He was telling how disgusted he was with such practices. These are times when a singer is lost and doesn't exactly know what he wants.. money or justice to his talent. Savouring each bite of the extremely sweet carrot halwa we ended the lunch with a photo session. And everyone was off to catch some Zzzzzzzzzz.

After nap time Johnson sir was taken for his say in the video byte and Srini sir was bored so we took him to the cornish. He loved it... and the weather was pretty cool by evening. After some ghup shupping at the sea side we headed for the dinner party organised by one of the members of the Rajanigandha team. Had great fun and all the singers of tomorrow's show were asked to hum a few lines. Nervous as ever I sang one of my personal favourites Manjaladam. Then we had a small photo session with the mummys and daddys. We soon called of as we have to wake up pretty early for tomorrow's show. So I think I am gonna Zzzzzzzzz...

Kera'lish'

Early morning music lessons means deprived sleep, no ,to breakfast and rushing through the morning headlines. On one such a lazy morning waking up late made me miss my daily lazy-morning-schedule and I had to miss reading the paper. Thankfully, with the exam season on we have study leave and that means quality time at home. So as soon as I got back... I took my own sweet time to read the paper and it felt so good to read it without an interruption. I came across this interesting article written on Shashi Tharoor beginning coaching sessions for improving the communication skills of Keralites . Though I can't remember the precise words or matter discussed.. I am here to write about something that made my mind ponder for a while. His coaching sessions are meant to improve one's communication skills.. and interative attitude. Why he is targeting the Keralites are coz he feels they are blessed with ample amount of intelligence but are not able to compete at international level coz of their lack of confidence in speaking skills. He said that the main aim of the coahing was not to make keralites speak like Americans but to speak with clarity. Now that's one point I liked. Then he spoke about the time of the course and then it's pricing ..which is *hold your breath* Rs. 30000..for a period of two months. He also said that most of the students can pen their thoughts perfectly but are not able to conceive it in speech manner.

Having been brought up in a foreign country, I've never had a problem dealing with multiple languages coz in our school we had to mix with different nationalities. This in a way made us aware about their language, culture, customs, celebrations, clothing, etc. But when I came to Kerala for my summer hols, conversion with school kids or even college students had to be done in Malayalam. And most of the students can speak good English but again, their accent is something other states and countries can't tolerate. This is something we have to accept. It is a punishment to the ears. But there are reasons as to why it is this way. In any other state when a child says 'I study in an English medium school' it means that he is imparted wisdom in English and that teachers and the students converse in English. But in Kerala when a child claims for the same, it doesn't make him/her any different from the ones who study in a Malayalam medium school coz the teachers in Kerala converse in Malayalam. Even the literature lessons in English are explained in Malayalam. Teachers are not completely responsible for this. When they attempt to converse in English ,the mindset of a local student is so fragile i.e. a lack of confidence in trying to absorb the language ,compells the faculty to adopt teaching in the local language. This has caused major problems. Even if the students are rank holders ..when they attend job interviews held by dignified companies of international ranking, they see lady luck groaning at them. The ability to converse and interact with just anyone irrespective of nationality is a skill highly appreciated. Being confident in speaking English makes you confident overall. You become a positive person coz people start reflecting back and need you for different kinds of work they think you can do. Your self esteem also boosts up.

Another point which I noted in that article was the fee. Though almost everyone has a problem with English irrespective of whether you are rich ,sophisticated, social person types or the opposite...main ones to be targeted are those of the middle and 'low' class levels. As they are in abundance and also make a major part of the population. I was thinking of just how many would actually pay 30000 Rs. for a 2 month course which in a way guarantees you clarified speech rendering. Even the rich ones would hesitate. Instead if we students who are fluent in this language can probably help the latter by speaking to them in English whenever in a conversation. Make it a point to always talk in English during class/work and after too. Correct them when necessary and trust me they will sound way more perfect than what these coaching classes can give you. I am not against them.. I just feel it's way too pricy.. and that they won't reach their target with such a fee that too in Kerala where people think once, twice, thrice about investing. Or students could even gather together and hold some part time classes where they could enhance the weaker one's skills.. and as the students are working for themselves... it would make them feel comfy and confident to face their negatives. I am indubitably sure about the magnanimous change in the language skills of anyone who is weak in English if things are worked out this way. But like they say... Big things spoken are often not executed .