Ashes..

A wonderful test encounter between two old rivals. First match itself began with such thrill and huge batting display.

Till the last moment, Aussies had a chance and English crowd is cheering up the players for every ball.. They surely miss the killing combination of Warne and McGrath who would have packed up easily. Jimmy and Monty had a good last wicket partnership to save the match.


It's always a wonderful experience watching tests played abroad, especially in Australia and England.We cannot have such experience when a test match is being played in Asian subcontinent. They won't give the bowlers an edge and the match will not head for a result. But that's the fun, right?.

Testing player's abilities not only in batting, bowling but standing in the field with a concentrated mind. If you lose the focus even for a single moment, you will lose the wicket. Every session will change the course of the match.

Apart from the brilliant centuries from Aussies in the first innings, Paul Collingwood stood out in the second innings with his brilliant 74. He is such a gutsy player like Steve waugh.

I'm surely relieved of seeing T20 matches in IPL and World cup. They cannot give the enjoyment of watching Test match. It's a different cup of tea, indeed!!

- NSR.

MJ

Watch his last rehearsal (2 days before his death) here.

- NSR.

வாசிப்பு - 2

எஸ்.ராமகிருஷ்ணன், தற்கால எழுத்தாளர்களில் முக்கியமானவர். ஆனந்த விகடன் மூலமாக தான் இவரது எழுத்து எனக்கு பரிச்சயமானது. அதில் வந்த கதாவிலாசம் பல எழுத்தாளர்களையும் அவர்களது முக்கிய படைப்புக்களையும் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியது. தேசாந்திரி பயண அனுபவங்களை தந்தது. அதை தொடர்ந்து அவரது கட்டுரைகளையும், சிறுகதைகளையும் அவரின் இணையத்தளத்தின் மூலமாக படித்து வருகிறேன். எழுத்தாளர்கள், பயணங்கள் மட்டுமல்லாது அயல் சினிமா பற்றியும் இவரின் கட்டுரைகள் ஒரு நல்ல அறிமுகத்தை தந்தது. என்னை போல பல வாசகர்களுக்கும் இவரின் எளிய நடை வாசிப்பிற்கு உறுதுணையாக உள்ளது.

வாழ்வின் எளிய,முக்கிய தருணங்களை படம் பிடித்து காட்டும் இவரின் எழுத்து ஹைக்கூவை போல ஒரு பரவசத்தினை தருகிறது. என் மனதிற்கு நெருக்கமான் எழுத்து இவருடையது.

எஸ்ரா தற்போது எழுதி வரும் "சிறிது வெளிச்சம்" தொடரையும் படித்து வருகிறேன். ஒரு ஆழ்ந்த வாசிப்பானுபவம் பெற இவரின் எழுத்துகளை இங்கே படித்து பாருங்கள். இவரின் புத்தகங்களை வாங்க உயிர்மை தளத்தை அணுகவும்.

Record break

What a match !!

Roddick deserved everything to win this match. Unlike the previous encounters, he had played exceptionally well. His movement and backhand shots are exceptional improvements. No need to mention his serve and forehand.



In many circumstances, it seemed that Roddick is going to win. But the resistance Roger gave in the second set to save four set points made the change. Asked them to play five sets, these guys played two sets extra. Serving at will is the plus point for Federer in important points and he did the same here. Thanks for finishing the match at 16-14 :) If it is anyone other than Roger, Roddick would have won the match in direct sets.



Congrats Roger on winning this record 15th title.
A Tribute from ATP here.

Images courtesy: www.wimbledon.org

Update

I happened to see these movies being produced on two great mystics. I am waiting to watch them. First one is on OSHO and the second one is on JALALUDDIN RUMI. You can have a look at these sites.

www.oshothemovie.com
www.therumifilm.com

You can read most of the discourses of Osho here.
You can read some of the Rumi's poetry in the rumi film site. See one of them below.

I roamed the lands of Christendom from end to end
Searching all over, but He was not on the Cross.
I went into the temples where the Indians worship idols
And the Magians chant prayers to fire… I found
No trace of Him.
Riding at full speed, I looked all over the Kaaba,
But He was not at that sanctuary for young and old.
Then I gazed right into my own heart:
There, I saw Him… He was there and nowhere else.

I'm getting addicted to Delhi-6 songs especially "Tere Arziyan" and "Masakali". I just loved Rahman's score in "Khwaja mere Khwaja" from Jodha Akbar (both song and instrumental version).This creates an interest to listen more on Sufi music and Qawali. Its not a comparison though this is his best than Slumdog millionaire.

** There is a screening of world movies at chennai. This is organized by the bloggers at chennai and entry is free for bloggers*.. The first movie to be screened this sunday is my favourite "Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring" by Kim Ki Duk.