Raja Ravi Varma

Here is a web resource I came across about Raja Ravi Varma.



Intro: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was born in Kilimanoor Palace as the son of Umamba Thampuratti and Neelakandan Bhattathiripad. At the age of seven years he started drawing on the palace walls using charcoal. His uncle Raja Raja Varma noticed the talent of the child and gave preliminary lessons on painting. At the age of 14, Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja took him to Travancore Palace and he was taught water painting by the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu. After 3 years Theodor Jenson, a British painter taught him oil painting.

Most of his paintings are based on Hindu epic stories and characters. In 1873 he won the First Prize at the Madras Painting Exhibition. He became a world famous Indian painter after winning in 1873 Vienna Exhibition.

Source: http://www.cyberkerala.com/rajaravivarma/index.html

The website also offers a medium resolution downloads of his works.

Save the Garuda birds from extinction ...

I am very helpful to you,
Now I am on the brink of extinction mind you
I soar high in the sky in search of food,
I clean the Earth from the dirt as you understand
Clear sight and high flight
Carcass is my food just right
Parsees need me for their dead
You can save me from my last breathe
Jatayu was my king in Ramayana epic
I save you from the danger of epidemic.
Day by day my population is in down-trend
I am the blessing to the Eco-system and your friend
I know you hate me, as I eat carcass
I am the cleansing agent of the Earth’s surface
Vulture is my name; I belong to Gyps family
Eagle, Hawk, Buzzard belong to my family
Diclofenac is the killer drug for me
Do not use it please save me, please save me
Population of yours are increasing fast
Industrialization and deforestation are vast
We are in loss of food and loss of habitat
Now their will be ‘Tit For Tat’
You live and let us live
We can make the world wonderful place to live.

By
Sonali Patnaik

Taken from here: http://www.bolokids.com/2008/0538.htm

More information about Garuda birds here: http://news.boloji.com/200701/00770.htm

My pri'MATE'

I was on a road trip recently, when I ran into this opportunity to snap this ancestor of humanity. I had to keep his interest and pose by luring him with cream biscuits and plenty of my time and patience.

He was opening the cream biscuits, scraping and eating the cream first, then munching the two plain biscuits - much alike the kids do!

The Blind Girl

There was once a blind girl who hated herself for no other reason except that she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind. Not wanting to be burdened by a 'blind' person, she refused to marry him.

Her loving, devoted and understanding boyfriend walked away in tears. His heart obviously broken.

The girl who had been so fortunate to have the world opened up to her, continued enjoying it; day in and day out.... trying to never miss a single pleasure life had to offer.

One day she received a letter from her ex-boyfriend stating simply.......

"I sincerely hope you enjoy your life. Your happiness was all that ever mattered to me. I am so happy that you are enjoying life as I always hoped you could. I would like to ask one parting favor of you my dear ... Just take care of my eyes."

This, as sad as it may seem, is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and who's always been there even in the most painful situations.

Life Is A Gift
Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep -
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.


Taken from here : http://soulcysters.blogspot.com/2007/05/blind-girl.html

And I Wish...

I came across this TOUCHING article in this blog. It is a story that relates to most of us, and highlights a common mistake we all commit of overlooking something that is VERY important. The message is touching, and is strong ...

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Religion

Here's a VERY interesting article I came across about how the religions COULD have evolved and how thickheaded people could be in following the tenets.

Once upon a time - there were two Saints: Saint A and Saint B. Saint A lived in the mountains in a cold climate. Saint B in the hot plains.

Both were nice souls on their journey to purification through honestly, compassion, and meditation.

Saint A, one day, heard the WORD of God! He came back to his people and shared his conversation with God. The message:

God is one.. and omnipresent. It is compassionate and loving and complete

The way to him is through love and good deeds.

Love all.

There was this guy who really felt cold in the wintery month. Since Mr. A knows THE truth - he reasoned - chances are .. he would know what I might do to get rid of this bitter cold! So he hesitatingly approached Saint A. "Sir, what do I do to save myself from this bitter cold?". Saint A looked and thought for a minute.. "well, my dear friend, you see that sheep? take off its hair and wear clothes made of that.. it will help... and how often do you take bath?" "Sir, once a day" "Well, son tak ebath once in three days!" and the guy goes away to use the new knowledge!

Saint B, in the hot plains, also hears the WORD of God! He came back to his people and shared his conversation with God. The message:

God is one.. and omnipresent. It is compassionate and loving and complete

The way to him is through love and good deeds.

Love all.

There was this guy who really felt HOT in the summer month. Since Mr. B knows THE truth - he reasoned - chances are .. he would know what I might do to get rid of this heat! So he hesitatingly approached Saint B. "Sir, what do I do to save myself from this heat?" Saint B looked and thought for a minute.. "well, my dear friend, you have too many clothes on.. take them off and wear only shorts..... it will help... and how often do you take bath?" "Sir, once a day" "Well, son take bath THRICE A DAY" and the guy goes away to use the new knowledge!

Both the followers find happiness in life and their stress has been reduced.... they love their Saints.. they propagate the message far and wide... The message:

God is one.. and omnipresent. It is compassionate and loving and complete

The way to him is through love and good deeds.

Love all.

Wear X types of clothes

Take bath....... a day

It was okay... until they came face to face. And then the love for their Saints came out as their own Egos...

they had a big fight... over how many times should you take bath?

ONCE IN THREE DAYS ... or ..... THRICE A DAY!

...............the fight goes on...

I often think:

... what if there were no Saints? what if there was no message?

All would bathe once a day.. wear inadequate clothes.. but not know what "God" said. That, we still don't!

Desh
Drishtikone.com
Taken from here:http://www.intentblog.com/archives/2005/11/reinventing_din.html

Birdie by my workplace..

This cute birdie gave me a few moments of repose from my work, when it flew beside my window, and perched there for some time. :)