Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Few of My Favorite Things

If I sat counting the number of times I have watched The Sound of Music, I might eventually fall asleep. The reason could be due to the fact that it was the only video cassette my parents possessed. When we lived in Andhra Pradesh, we didn’t have cables running through our primitive dwelling (or so called colony) and hence didn’t even get Doordharshan. Apart from my family, Dev uncle owned a TV. But without a VCR, the TV served no one. So 34 movie deprived colony folks would cram into our living room and my dad would screen ‘The Sound of Music’ with pride. The audience was thrilled and would clap every time someone said something- even when Captain Von Trapp was telling the teary eyed Maria to shut up.

They came diligently the next Sunday and they were treated to ‘The Sound of Music’ again. By the third round they had gotten over the novelty of a television actually working in these parts and paid rapt attention to the story and characters instead (while ooh-aahing over Salzburg). It took them some five more sittings to finally give up on the movie and look for other avenues of entertainment like climbing trees.

During New Years, the club house boasted of showing a new movie. ‘Not Sound of Music’ was printed on the flyers. People flocked eagerly and when the screen showed the breathtaking Alps and a little speck that quickly grew in proportion to look like Julie Andrews, the guests wanted to ship my dad off to Austria. The truth was that the organizers wanted to get the movie ‘Sita aur Gita’, but as luck would have it, there was some last minute betrayal. Hence my dad was their last resort.

But I was hooked to the timeless story of the seven children, their lovable governess, the stern captain and mostly the immortal score that was so pivotal to the movie. As a kid, I was enamored by those children. As a teenager, I was lusting after Christopher Plummer (like I said, I wasn’t exposed to any other man). I got quite intrigued by the story and poured into books on the World War and Hitler’s Nazi army. When I was 20, I was jealous of Maria because the guy I had a crush on, told me that he wanted to marry a girl just like her. As much as I may, I could’t stitch clothes or sing.

To this day I watch the movie when my heart is lonely. I still insist on crying.

'My favorite things' is my all time favorite. I won something for singing this song at a school competition. I might have been the only contestant or I might have been studying in a ‘hearing and speech impaired’ school, I don’t recall. I couldn’t get enough of 'Do Re Me', and in an effort to shut me up, my parents recorded my rendition and played it back to me. It did the trick.

Kala and I became very good friends as we bonded by singing ‘Maria’ mimicking the different high-pitched shrill nun voices. It was late at night in her house and her parents came running to the room thinking we were killing her cat.

I was inconsolable when I turned seventeen coz I could no longer croon -‘I am sixteen, going on seventeen’ with that conviction anymore. Innocent as a rose? Who was I kidding! No longer timid and shy and scared. Men, beware as I embark.

One of the best times I had during my Himalayan expedition was singing ‘The Hills are alive with the Sound of Music’ on the top of my lungs when I was surrounded by the snow clad Gharwal peaks on all four sides. I could feel what Maria felt in those hills. On top of the world. The rest of my team seemed to be freezing as they were clutching their ears with their gloved hands. I think am ready to visit the Austrian Alps. My practice ought to be thorough by now.

One day, completely throwing me off guard, a certain special someone sang to me ‘For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should.’ Reciprocating this romantic gesture, I laughed. Real hard.

I’m thankful to the movie and to my parents for shoving it down my throat. I still feel the lump. Thanks also to a friend who got me the DVD and CD a few years ago. Man, if one movie can give me so many nostalgic moments, I wonder how much more interesting life would have been if my parents had something that resembled a movie collection.

95 comments:

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

I agree that Sound of Music was a lovely movie with amazing music in it. Salzburg is really amazing and is worth a visit if one can make it. I can vouch for that out of personal experience.

BTW, who was that someone special who sang "For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should"? Was it Pi or was it some other secret admirer? ;)

Anonymous said...

Been reading this blog for quite sometime.....Pi rocks !!!

Alpha said...

hardu: that is for the readers to decipher.

anon: Now why would you say that?

Anonymous said...

Loved the movie .. and I have watched it a few times.

But why is Pi rocking these days ?

Alpha said...

bloghopper, was just thinking of u. will elaborate if you ask. nicely.

Seriously have no clue how Pi's status got elevated suddenly.

zoheb: like sita aur gita. my parents bought TSOM from abroad.:)

Anonymous said...

You had "Sound of Music"? Back in India, I had "Ram aur Shyam".

Anonymous said...

Now why is it that you were thinking of me ?

Had to ask since you said it twice.

Alpha said...

bloghopper: the second time..notice i added the key word-nicely. might as well get some mileage out of this.

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

I guess Pi rocks as he sang that song for you.

He must be a good singer as you did not run away. :P

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

BTW, I have mailed you....

shub said...

lovely piece :) u either end up making us fall off the chair laughing or amek us reach out for that dupatta...err...tissue! :)

Anonymous said...

darn ! you removed the second comment !! double darn !!!

Anonymous said...

Alpha, you removed the word nicely the second time. Watch out now, I will start hurling abuses towards you ;) You kutti, kameeni, &*^@!!!
you still did not answer my question !!!

Alpha said...

hardu: hmm..that was very creative of you.

shubs: thanks sweety! You always say nice things..*sniff* pass me that tissue.

bloghopper: aha! kutthi, kameeni (with a wink) is probbaly the nicest thing you have said to me so far. I had typed something, but decided it sounded lame..so deleted it. if you happened to already read it, cool.

Aparna Menon said...

The Sound of Music... Can never ever forget the movie, the scenes or the notes... It was loveeeeely...and so is your post...

BTW, s Pi the "anonymous" in the second comment?? ;)

Alpha said...

patrix miya, humare aur bhi bahut chahne wale they jo humare liye gaana kya, baaja bhi baja sakthey they!

aparna: thanks. @ Pi leaving the comment. Aha, now that makes sense. Must be feeling left out, poor fella.

Chitra said...

Oye good Alpha.... not everyone can cry... and not every one can admit that they cry :) !

Alpha said...

chittu: thanks dear. Ask Pi, he'll attest that I have at least five different types of crying.

AmitL said...

Heh heh...that's interesting,Twin...I must see 'Sound of Music' if it's so good.:)Have the CD somewhere at home.Curious query:Have u made Pi see it a dozen times,too??Or,is the sound of ur voice all the music he can tolerat..err,enjoy???:)

phatichar said...

One of my all time favs too...bought a DVD just so my daughter would enjoy it - and she does, tho' that's not the only one in my collection (which is growing each day, and my wife is toying with the idea of renting them out to the neighborhood) ;)

Kowshic said...

I first saw the movie in 2001 on abc. I still prefer the tamil version "Shanti Nilayam" simply for Kanchana,...Kanchu!

Kanchana........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm out!

Rhyncus said...

You are really burning it up, almost a post every day. At this rate, my WV is endangered.

Twilight Fairy said...

Aah..had your parents had more than that one movie, you wouldnt have had a lump in your throat now..

My parents collection:
Hatari, Benhur, Godfather, "Mannequin on the move" (happened to be the one my sis n I rato-fied instead of our lessons), Maine pyar kiya (oh boy, I remember all the sidey dialogues even now!), Purana mandir (gave us umpteen sleepless nights , this horror movie sure did)

Twilight Fairy said...

Rhyncus - what's that WV thingy? Is it wv or is it vw or is it vvv or is it 3 udders (keeping in mind your occupation)?

Anonymous said...

hehehe i remember annoying my brother by singing "maria" with all the differnt pitches...but the movie we "rato"fied was Mr.India, "ghiso"fied 2 tapes and till today i can continuously rattle off the dialogues from beginning to end... nice nostalgic post alpha:)
-fishy

Rhyncus said...

TF - :D @3 udders. Reminds one of that Arnie flick 'Total Recall'. It's short for Word Verification.

Anonymous said...

True !!! I remember buying my own copy of the CD from BMG after destroying my dad's copy. I had to buy him a cd during my last trip back home.

Doesnt Pi get flustered with so many bloggers commenting about him ;-) or is does he post comments as ANON or he doesnt know about this blog.

Kowshic said...

Amethyst: Whats there not to like about Kanchu? A tamil speaking girl in translucent shiffon saries, demure, very homely. Its very refreshing. (Its junior mint....)

Ravages/CC said...

@d.n.a: kanchu didn't look homely

Alpha said...

amitL: *thud*..your image just fell. You haven't seen SOM? Hai raam...go get the dvd and watch and write a review.

phatichar: your wife does have a good idea.Your spoilt kid.

dna: Fine your drool over some Kanchu, let me have my captn von trapp.

rhyncus: All this is for you and your three udders. We need to surgically remove them.

TF: yeah lump wudn't have been so big if I have a dozen movies to watch everyday. lol @ udder.

amethyst: I am not sure..you guys talk it out. I haven't had the good fortune of seeing Shanti Nilayam (refer to my post).

fishy: The best part was- Maria makes me laugh-hahaha!
There are so many comments abt your brother, now I need to say Hi to him.

anand: I shud buy a dvd for my parents too. Good idea.
Regarding Pi, me not sure if he even checks my blog..my readers are just obsessed with him. At least them.

dna, ravages and I am sure Anti will join this conversation too: I dont know who Kanchu is! there used to be this girl who was hazaar homely.. transperant davani, the coconut oil, malli poo and kolum kinds. She also used to work hard too. She might be still pathiram thechifying (washing vessels) in my aunt's house..I'll ask for your sakes.

Kowshic said...

Ravages: To each his own! I meant "family type". As thalaivar would say, she was not "sadhveegam", she was "prachotakam", but thats how I want my maid(en) to be!

Alpha: We need to get some serious tamil film education for you. The other day when we met, you asked who was NSK! NSK for NSK's sake! Kanchu is one of those east-men era goldies that I ogle along with a few others like Vanisri.

Anonymous said...

Heya,
Chanced upon your blog a while ago n' now I read it on a regular basis. Love your brand of humour. And is this how I introduce myself?? Got a bit tired of all the lurking :-)
ciao,
tiddles.

Alpha said...

dna: yeah, im getting enuf tamil education from your car stereo everytime i call you guys.

Tiddles! cute name..if you are a guy who is averse to the word cute, you wud want to change it asap.
Thanks for delurking and telling me that. Appreciate it.

anantha said...

Alpha: Please don't go and tell anyone that you don't know NSK! If you do not know the Kalaivanar, then Goddess Kalaivani will be angry. So in order to save you from "deiva kutram", I found this for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._S._Krishnan

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS_Krishanan

The first link has a nice write-up while the second has a potrait. Hmmm...

D.N.A: Kanchana...Hmmm.. ya.. another of those 60s babes. Apparently lives in penury these days :(

Btw, that was the movie that had "Iyarkai enum ilaya kanni", one of SPB's EARLY songs for Gemini "Sambhar" Ganeshan, right?

Kowshic said...

Alpha: Next time, I'll play the hot n happening tamil rap, "pushing me hard, pushing me real, pushing me harder & faster". I played it to some of my bros in the hood, they were like, "this shit is good, where did you get it", and I'm like "this is from kambhan veetu katuthiri". I'll play it for you.

Anti: yep, the same song. Sad to hear about such very old flames of mine!

Anonymous said...

Looks like Pi's reputation his becoming mega among the blogerrati here. I like the short song, Edelweiss!

anantha said...

d.n.a: kambhan veetu katuthiri!!!!
ROTFL!
Ya, I love the opening bars of that song! Especially "Hey yo Yuvan, You there? Spin that shit up!" and "I got that magic stick, I am the love doctor.." The homeies ought to love that shit!

Fillerman: Pi is revered around here for putting up with all the pain that is Alpha! :D
And Eidelweiss is a lovely number! :)

Anonymous said...

Tiddles is a wee 21yr old girl n' hence the name's a keeper..And thanks for not making me feel like a complete idiot (commenting on random blogs et al.) :-)

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

amethyst: You seem to have hit the bull's eye. Girls definitely dont like to be called homely. Atleast definitely not me! DNA keep that in mind. ;)

Ravages/CC said...

Kanchu is Kanchana. Bama Vijayam is another movie (KBalachandar's) that she looks pretty drool worthy. But we shall stop here...we not wanting go down path of perversion.

SOM, Shanthi Nilayam. And aNTi, what was thalai's movie? Raja Chinna Roja? Same story. I particularly like RCR(?)

C

Kowshic said...

Ravages, Amethyst, Hardu: I realized my goof-up after I responded to Ravages. I thought it wil go under the radar :). That was a major slip on my part. Probably I confused it with "comely"!
*/kuppara vizundalum meesaiyil man ottala!, ada meesaye kidayadhu, thank god!*/

anantha said...

d.n.a: I don't think any of the ladies who comment here, except perhaps WA, know Tam. So namma tamil pazhamozhi not workings of India. Btw, Alpha IS a lady, but then she can never be in a Tam list for obvious reasons.

Amethyst: Ya, as long as you don't use cute in the same sentence to refer to me, you are on the clear. So, I could be adorable. And you are not a guy, are you? Cos, I usually score only in the V between midoff and midon. So... How you doing?

(*looks around furtively to see if Hardu is in the vicinity)

anantha said...

Ravages: Raja Chinna Roja.. hmmm.. but role reversal there, right? Shanthi Nilayam might have been Sound of Music, havent seen it. But someone told me, when I was very young, that it was one of those "ghost" flicks. Hmmm...

Alpha said...

*will come back when the sennTamil kutchery is over*

Anonymous said...

will have to teach alpha some telugu.

Alpha said...

chakri: if u guys dont like my engliees, say it...i think I am brave enuf to take that.

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

anti: You have clearly shown your loyalty to amethyst.

So DNA am all yours. ;)

anantha said...

Alpha: Less tension da. It's just a melting pot of movie watchers comparing the technical components of the Tam musical versus the Hollywood ones. And it was also intended to be a educational experience for you....

Hardu: I am loyal to none...yet! I am looking around, yes. But I am still not set.

D.N.A: Neenga nalla irukkonam nadu munnera.. indha nattil ulla pullaigal-in vaazhvu munnera..

(P.S: Pullaigal = Colloquial term referring to the ladies!)

Alpha said...

anti: thanks for the meaning of that word...like I understood the rest!

grrrr..what happened to the vow you took not to say anything in Tamil on my comment box. GABBY, HELP! he's back with a vengence!

methinks you need to get hold of DNA's phone number fast.

Unknown said...

HaHa I see that aNTi and D.N.A's relationship is thriving in alpha's comment box.

aNTi, don't spend too much time looking around. It doesn't always work out for the better :)

anantha said...

WA: No talk, you waste :p

Alpha: Sorry. My bad. But as the line goes, make all of them stop and I will, too!

Kowshic said...

I'm reminded of "Label Maker" episode of Seinfeld. I feel more like George now!!

Alpha said...

dna, anti: you guys have effectively made me stay away from my blog with all this tamil and seinfeld. congrats! my boss thanks you.

hardu, i feel for u..is this the sample size you have to work with?

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

Thanks alpha. Atleast there is someone who sympathizes with me.

anantha said...

d.n.a: don't worry macha.. there is a George Costanza sleeping somewhere in the subcpnscious in every single one of us, including Alpha and Hardu.

Alpha: Don't thank me. I was only doing my duty!

Hardu: Never look toward Alpha for sympathy or what not. Next thing you know, bam, you are sitting opposite her at Starbucks, watching her turn green with embarassment. Trust me, I know...

Unknown said...

watching her turn green with embarassment?? aNTi what did you do to embarass poor alpha?

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

I hope it was not aNTi and DNA displaying their feelings towards each other in public which made Alpha go green with embarassment. :P

Alpha said...

yes, thats exactly what it was and the fact the Anti kept smiling to himself (like our Kanchu in that Shanti Nilayam)kinda freaked me out too. I did my part in making the earth green.

Kowshic said...

I will never be able to look at kanchu again. Thanks alpha AKKKKKKKAAAAAAAA!

Hardu, you should have finished your comment with "narayana...narayana...". That suits you.

Anti: "idhu thevaya.....adap pongaya....."

Alpha said...

"pattampoochigal parukudu parukudu..."

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

DNA: Now why are you blaming me? I am actually helping you make your love toward aNTi public. ;)

aNTi: You said you are still looking. I hope you meant for girls. And if so, that might mean that I still have a chance. Do I? ;)

Alpha said...

hardu: aaaarrggh. I think I am regretting my past deeds. 'somewhere in my youth or childhood, i must have done something wrong'...*matchmaking post looms ahead ominously* you r confusing me girl. Dont know abt your sanity, but for my sanity's sake, methinks you need to look at other fishes in the sea who are waiting to be baited with open mouths. anti and dna, leave them to rap in Tamil. they have a long bachelor life ahead of them.

dna; sorry abt that.. iam thinking poor kanchu really didnt deserve that even if i really have no emotions attached to her.

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

Sorry alpha akka for being one of the causes for your insanity. :P
Yeah it looks like I should look at other fishes. These 2 are taking too much bhaav now that they have got attention. ;)

anantha said...

Alpha: Mebbe we guys should start a Men's lib movement and disown all wooing techniques that gals are expecting/demanding. In this age of gender equality, guys should be able to expect some wooing from the women as well. Nalla kadhaiya irruke! I am going to start signing in members. Would Pi care to become the first card carrying member? D.N.A (if he wants to be in it) and I would of course be the founding members. And I am inviting CC to be the KoPaSe (Kolgai Parappu Seyalalar a.k.a Propaganda Secretary) since he is a copywriter and all.

Hardu: As long you did not get a wedding invite from me this morning, every single gal has a chance. And they better be upto it cos I am one hell of a good catch.

Alpha said...

hardu: being called akka is another cause.

anti: You want Pi to participate in getting wooed? What kind of a thambi are you? *aiyyoo yenn thali-ye yaaravudhu kapathungo*
enuf melodrama.. now when are are taking Pi? better get a hardworking, homely girl to woo my husband. Need some domestic help, you see.

hardu again: psst..he is the catch from hell. kinda like the fish that you wanna throw back in the sea because it sings badly.

Unknown said...

D.N.A & CCG, aNTiya nambi poneenganna you will both be totally lost and remain single for ever, you've been warned.

alpha - that was nicely done, have you been watching too many of those thali sentiment Tamil mega serials recently?

Alpha said...

wicked baby, thanks..i perform under stress.

the other guys are chosing between anti and hardu..give them some time..tough choice it is, na.

Kowshic said...

Anti, sign me up. We need some concerted effort here. Its like what John Nash said about equilibrium at that bar!

WA, I already skinned myself like a muniandi vilas broiled chicken by trusting Hardu. What have I got to loose when nothing is at stake? I'm flopping and flipping, flipping and flopping!

Alpha ji, your thali sentiment will not work with "born again" guys. Better luck next time.

anantha said...

*murmurs the old saying - these days there is no time for good deeds...

WA: Hmmm..

Alpha: No.. Why would I put Pi under more shackles. I was talking about being in the party to work towards perfecting gender equality.

Ravages/CC said...

anti:
KoPaSe (Kolgai Parappu Seyalalar a.k.a Propaganda Secretary) since he is a copywriter and all.
Yay! When do I start Kolgai-Parappuffying?

dna:
I already skinned myself like a muniandi vilas broiled chicken by trusting Hardu
LOL! ROTFL

WA: your baccha velai won't palichufy. The Band of brothers, asaikkamudiyadhu. :)

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

alpha: You mean to say he sings badly? Oh poor you! You had to bear that torture in Starbucks the other day.

Unknown said...

aNTi, what can I say, Good Luck with your new Band of Birathars.

CCG, didnt expect you to jump ship as soon as you were offered the Ko.Po.Se post in the group. You were nice once upon a time, talking about flowers etc and now look at you. Seriyaana politician.

d.n.a - well whats there to chose? aNTi's new group is going nowhere, I am warning you for your own good. You didn't go wrong by trusting Hardu, you went wrong by spending too much time chatting to aNTi and not wooing the single women! But then again whatever tickles your fancy :)

anantha said...

CC: You haven't started yet? :O

Hardu: Careful when you use words like "torture" to describe my singing.

WA: Yes, we will be the voice of MANkind.

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

anti: Sorry. I could not think of anything worse than torture.I will look into the dictionary and get back to you. :P

Vee Cee said...

**THE END**

Alpha said...

credits-

captain von trapp- some good looking guy
maria- some gal who can sing and stitch clothes
the seven unruly kids-
1- dna
2- anti
3- amethyst
4- wa
5- hardu
6- ravages
7- chakri

Nazi- alpha
God- VC

anantha said...

Alpha: No... I am that telegraph guy ;)

Vee Cee said...

Anti - In case you've forgotten, Telegraph guy doesn't get to do gujaals with Liesl in the end...

Vee Cee said...

Alpha - There is only one God and he is in Nagpur right now (or should be getting there in the next few days).

Ravages/CC said...

WA:
CCG, didnt expect you to jump ship as soon as you were offered the Ko.Po.Se post in the group. You were nice once upon a time, talking about flowers etc and now look at you. Seriyaana politician.

Yes. We are like that only. We want money. Power. Glory. And some comraderie. We got it at BoB

We will continue to talk about flowers (After all, Fouder of BoB likes flowers. 'pcially tulips. So there...

anantha said...

CC: Exactly....

VC: Exactly again.. for the Nagpur comment... As for your "gujaals" line, hmmm, I did not think about that.

Anonymous said...

Why did you delete the post about you meeting aNTi and DNA?

AmitL said...

Twin,now,stop watching/listening to 'Sound of Music' and write a new post.:)

Anonymous said...

krits: go on..write a whole post.:)

anon: Got deleted by mistake *sheepish grin*..will repost later.

amitl: arey..let me watch in peace na.

anantha said...

Alpha: Say "baa"! Cos thats what sheep do. They don't grin, you know! People seem to get all mistaken after watching those grinning sheep in those Serta ads! :p

And I thought i was gonna get a fwded email from you!

Dreamcatcher said...

Yur comments are as lively as your post. me - I was a huge 'Sound of Music' fan. my sister used to hide the video cassette so that they could watch other things ;P

Anonymous said...

Aplha,
good that somethings dont change (like your ever present video cassette, and your love for the movie), but then some have to (remember? The only thing that is constant is change). btw, is alpha-3 taken? :)

Pavan

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Arundhati Roy was among your 34 colony mates. If you've read TGOST, you'll understand. (BTW, I heard you've been trying to brainwash my sister? I missed all that match-making drama some weeks ago - need to go back and check up on what you are really upto...)

Mrudula Sreekanth said...

Alpha: Don't worry that my brother is threatening you. You please continue looking for me. It is HIS work and he is not doing it and is now scaring you off as well. ;)

Anonymous said...

2 weeks no post, what do i read while drinking coffee now?? get back to posts....puhleez?

Anonymous said...

99

Anonymous said...

100

Twilight Fairy said...

elf (that's a new way of writing alph) - got scared of the udders kya?

Anonymous said...

long time no blog?

Alpha said...

madsies: welcome and thanks..keep coming..

dreamcatcher: lol, thats a crime.

krits: thanks for the blog..now I need to watch the movie.

Pavan: alpha-3? Two are not enuf? I thought you being schizo and all, you'd be ok with this arrangement.

fishy: sorry..been busy like hell..

tf: udderly scary I say!

parmanu: read GOST long time ago..do not recall reference to SOM, must read again. Hope its not a scam. I was teaching your sis to be nice and demure. She is quite a wild one.

anons: yay!