Trees & Shades …. Contd

First Part here ….

The Copper Pod Tree, because of the colour and shade of the pods of the tree.

மலை வேம்பு (Malai Vembu) the country cousin of the neem tree.

Pungam tree (புங்கம்), its a brilliant anti-duster and purifies oxygen, a must tree if your home is on the main road (so that it cuts of dust and sends fresh air). Also the spots on the leaves are a routine fungus and not any malady is what i heard.

… yes, you guessed right, some more to come ….

Trees and Shades

Thanks to Nizhal …. a NGO to re-introduce Trees and their lives to us, did take part in a Treewalk on Nov1st. some of the trees seen during the walk and learning from them ….

With the help of Ms Chitra & Ms Yamini (the resource persons who helped us in learning them) (Thanks to Ms Yamini for going over my pictures and correcting the facts)

The Palmayra, is the State Tree for Tamil Nadu.

Poomarudhu / Queens Crepe Myrtle / பூமருது … is an Indian species (most of the indian species have the name “indica” in their botanical names) and have some lovely flowers.

Gulmohar tree, not an native indian tree. Might have come from Madagascar.

More to come ………

Madras Chamber Orchestra

I was stunned to learn that the Madras Chamber Orchestra (MCO in Short) was revived last April’09 after nearly two decades of silence. That too for a 40 year old music group 20 years is definitely a long gap.

Was very happy to be watching their second act yesterday at the Egmore Museum Theatre. Revived and Conducted by Bernard Wacheux, a French national based out of Pondicherry and also a Violinist.

The Stage is set now for the Bach’s, the Beethoven’s and Vivaldi’s to flow again in the Heart of Chennai.

The Crowd’s now eager for the Chamber Music from the well trained and passionate 20+ String players of the MCO.

With an eminent conductor who has the passion to revive after nearly two decades and driving 300 odd KMs every weekend to practise with his team.

The Madras Chamber Orchestra needs to be supported by the public and not just Gatsby or Satsang with their sponsorships to enable us to listen to such lovely composers.

BE THERE WHEN THEY PERFORM NEXT TIME.

Flowers & its fragrances

The Kamaraj (Koyambedu) Flower market was in its full life, throttle in the mornings, the new arrivals sorted, the wholesalers arranging for the retailers. The business was brisk as it was in the festive season and flowers are the essential part in announcing the festivity ……

Some flowers for your eyes ….

Roses

Zenias

Marigolds

Jasmines

Coronations, Jebras & Other Bouqet Flowers

And more varieties of flowers for all seasons & all reasons ….

LGBT …..

Pictures from the recently concluded Chennai Pride 2009.
Commemorating the Stonewall Inn incidents in 1969.

Scene 1

Scene 2

An voice to be heard ....

There's Hope

… with the Hope for a Change in Mindset of people.

We did the walking … 18th time

An essay on our walk in Pics …..

@ 6:45 am in front of Mylai Karpagambal Mess (c)ramaswamyn.com

@7:15am the group started moving around the mylapore tank (c)ramaswamyn.com

@7:40 am the tank was covered (c)ramaswamyn.com

@8:15 am at the Thirumailai MRTS Station to board a strain to Fort (c)ramaswamyn.com

Waiting for the train (still the new time not updated) (c)ramaswamyn.com

In the train (c)ramaswamyn.com

Alighted at Fort station ... and off to the Fort (c)ramaswamyn.com

Enroute to Fort (c)ramaswamyn.com

The wall (not Dravid) ... of the fort (c)ramaswmayn.com

The Road .... (c)ramaswamyn.com

The Flag .... (the tallest free standing flag mast in India) (c)ramaswamyn.com

The Denial ... Thanks to Bureaucracy we were not let inside the Fort Compound (c)ramaswamyn.com

The Final tired and dejected group at 10am (c)ramaswamyn.com

See you all at the next week’s sojourn at the JAIL Break.

My encounters with Snow – 1

…. sounds like the Mahatma’s book nah!

From my recent trip and 1st encounter with snow / cold climates & chilly weather.

the snow lined homes at Schwabing,Munich

.... skating rink at Mariantzplatz, Munich

at the Messe, Munich

.... near the car park in Messe, Munich

More to come ……….

Walking … with a camera in hand

….. Could be a very interesting experience, as you guys know i’ve been going with CC’s photowalk’s from the 5th edition onwards and this month was special because of Chennai’s b’day week. We had 3 walks …. last sunday at Karaneeswarar temple till little mount, yesterday at Annanagar Tower park and today morning between Parthasarathy temple, thiruvallikeni till senate building, madras university.

The curious public, helpful & suggestive fellow walkers, people who get upset at clicking random shots in public … you get to see an entire range of fellow citizens of Chennai.

Incidentally last sunday’s walk was the most pleasurable, no incidents(err almost none) and no harassments walk. We even had a gentleman by name Mr. Venkatraman helping us inside the Karaneeswarar temple by pointing out various landmarks of the temple, history etc. VERY HELPFUL GENTLEMAN.

Venkatraman

The public in general are just curious to know why we are taking pictures of them or random scene’s and more curious to know if we are all from some Press or Media. (especially the cops).

The shopkeepers/ hawkers are always ready to pose for pictures and are happy to see the digicam screen results of their snaps.

………. will keep walking (like the Johnnie walker)