Asterix - Timeless Magic

Picked up one after a long time. Asterix and The Banquet... Despite the distractions of family life, enjoyed the puns immensely. "Why are thanking him. It is we who took him on a ride," says Obelix, literally and figuratively as the duo hijacks a boat a Gaul is holidaying in, in Nice, and Obelix rows it like an express.

"I am not fat! I have a powerful physique, that's all" he protests. That's a good line we can use :)

And the names, of course - Unscupulous, Nervus who runs a breakdown service, Cesar Drinklikafix who runs a pub...

While most comics have great nostalgic value though we tend to outgrow, this is one that anyone from teens to old age can enjoy. I think very young children may miss the puns.

Here is to Asterix.

Anubavangal: Oru Ekkam - The Longing

Anubavangal: Oru Ekkam - The Longing (sirukathai): "சூரியன் அஸ்தமிக்கும் நேரும். அந்தி வேளையில், ஜன்னல் அருகே நின்ற நான், ஏதோ ஒன்றை தேடினேன். ஒரு இனிய ராகம், மெல்லிசையாக என் மனதில் ஓடியது. அல..."

The Wait

The wait, the long wait.
At the window of life.
For a whiff of fresh air
For an exciting sight
For fragrance sweet
For golden light
For showers blessed
For visitor awaited
For changes to life
For love destined
For exciting youth
For comfortable old age
Something, anything
Different and bright
At the window of life
The wait, eternal wait.

The Turnaround

I greeted it with warmth
Making sure it was all there
After all it had grown
With so much love and care
Fed on delicious sweets
And luscious oily fare

All the wrong foods

And exercise rare

And then one morning

Clothes refused to cover

Stretching tightly across

Making me shiver!

Has this come to this then?

The thought made me tremble

And disgusted I thought

I saw it also quiver!

Ambitious and determined

I put on my shoes

Walking long stretches

In the faint hope

That what I had nurtured

I can now undo

So that I can wear

All the pretty dresses

Anubavangal: Tharaasaippola vaazhkkai - The Beam Balance

Anubavangal: Tharaasaippola vaazhkkai - The Beam Balance: "தராசைப்போல் வாழ்க்கையும் போகும் மேலேயும் கீழேயும் இதைவிட தாழ முடியாது என்று வருந்தும் பொழுது திடீர் என்று ஒரு மாற்றம் வானை நோக்கி ஒரு ஏற்ற..."

Wholesome Venture

I met her for the book 'Pathbreakers'. She had wanted to make it big in the IT world, but circumstances made her take a break, and then husband encouraged her to become an entrepreneur. She runs Jute Emporium, a shop that deals mostly with jute related products, and has other eco-friendly products too.

An article also appeared in The Hindu Retail Plus - Say Jute. I was amazed when my editor told me about the response to the article - several calls with people wanting to know more about it. There is awareness, we only need to know where to source alternate products from.

I liked the way she said - most people have to make extra efforts in CSR. I am glad my venture itself is socially responsible.

There are many like her, and many who would like to use products from people like her. I am glad I am at least getting to meet such people and write about them

Anubavangal: Naduvaantharam - Middle Man

Anubavangal: Naduvaantharam - Middle Man: "உலகத்தில் எவ்வளவோ பேர் எவ்வளவோ உருப்படியான வேலைகளை செய்து வருகிறார்கள். சிலர், மற்றவர்கள் காட்டும் வழியை பின் பற்றுகிறார்கள். சிலருக்கு எந..."