tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post8682046565025892722..comments2024-02-19T03:27:48.448-08:00Comments on Musings from Antique Origins: Epitaph for our men in uniform -Mumbai, November 2008-Murali RamaVarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-16498338420088728472009-04-01T05:08:00.000-07:002009-04-01T05:08:00.000-07:00Dear Indu, Thanks for the insightful observations ...Dear Indu, Thanks for the insightful observations which I have carefully noted. You were on target when you mentioned about the language (probably dialect too) and about the terminologies being used by some of the families in the conversations. I too have been told by many that my own language and accent does not sound like that of the Cherthala people, when I used to tell that I hail from that place. Obviously, this is because of the family traditions and usages passed on knowingly or unknowingly. <BR/><BR/>I shall definitely give some thoughts to your line of thinking and advice.<BR/><BR/>Kind regards,Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-89704126240224222262009-03-28T01:38:00.000-07:002009-03-28T01:38:00.000-07:00I am often surprised to find that when asked about...I am often surprised to find that when asked about Kerala's past, Malayalees often come up with the story of Parasurama and stop at that.Yet,there are important facets during the rule of the kings and queens in Kerala which if we look closely has shaped a lot of things that we do as , common Keralite practices today, not to mention, significant contributions in art, literature and music.<BR/><BR/>Being a part of a family or a community, one gets to witness the more finer aspects of such kind of contributions and the practices and rituals carried out on a daily basis.An insight into this is rare nowadays but would be impressive.<BR/><BR/>I have had couple of friends in the family and have during the course of my work , had the privilege to talk to members of the Cochin and Travancore royal families and i must admit that i have been quite impressed by even the way they speak the language and the terminologies common only to the family.<BR/><BR/>To this, if you can add your thoughts and memories, i think it would be significant.Induhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13553836621912406765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-52131229187756452162009-03-27T02:36:00.000-07:002009-03-27T02:36:00.000-07:00Thanks, Indu, for the fine compliments. The family...Thanks, Indu, for the fine compliments. The family connections get mentioned only as a matter of sharing information. It is a legacy from which many value systems are inherited and hence valued thus making our lives simple and peaceful.Yes, I could sometime write on some pages from the past. Do you have any specific aspects in mind? Regards,Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-59637988340021164582009-03-25T07:25:00.000-07:002009-03-25T07:25:00.000-07:00Hi Murali,Your pieces display a proportinate blend...Hi Murali,<BR/><BR/>Your pieces display a proportinate blend of history and current affairs.Ever considered writing something on your experiences as a member of the royal family on the practices of the time?<BR/><BR/>InduInduhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13553836621912406765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-4671401773769598152008-12-24T21:58:00.000-08:002008-12-24T21:58:00.000-08:00Dear St.John,Thank you for your comments and the c...Dear St.John,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comments and the corrections. I read the poem again from the link sent by you and quite agree that this is a much refined version, most touchingly expressed. Also,given his background,Charles M Province could be the more likely author. <BR/><BR/>Kindest regards,Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-30375060031447555182008-12-24T18:47:00.000-08:002008-12-24T18:47:00.000-08:00You quote Father DE O’Brian as the author of the p...You quote Father DE O’Brian as the author of the poem “It is the Soldier”. I have the original author as a US Army soldier, Charles Michael Province. See: http://iwvpa.net/provincecm/ which also gives his biography. The words differ somewhat between versions but the sentiment remains intact and very appropriate to your excellent blog. The following is a full version currently quoted in UK.<BR/><BR/>It is the Soldier<BR/><BR/>It is the soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion,<BR/>It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press,<BR/>It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech,<BR/>It is the soldier, not the student activist, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate, <BR/>It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial, <BR/>It is the soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote, <BR/>It is the soldier who salutes the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who permits the protester to burn the flag. <BR/><BR/>Charles Michael Province<BR/>US ArmySt Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11363203653983874058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-9309003487566029522008-12-21T04:41:00.000-08:002008-12-21T04:41:00.000-08:00Thanks, AT Sir. Your quote was very poignant and i...Thanks, AT Sir. Your quote was very poignant and is applicable to all the soldiers of all times.Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-89723414089267590172008-12-16T11:27:00.000-08:002008-12-16T11:27:00.000-08:00The photo and the text create a lump in the throat...The photo and the text create a lump in the throat. <BR/><BR/>I am quoting below from memory the inscription on a war memorial in Kohima (?):<BR/>When you go home, <BR/>Tell them of us who will never return<BR/>And say<BR/>For your tomorrows <BR/>We gave our today.<BR/><BR/>I used this with some modifications for an ad by National Tyre & Rubber Co. of India Ltd. (no longer in existence) on the 1st anniversary of the Chinese aggression. It was editorially commented upon by DF Karaka in the Current.<BR/><BR/>The ad agency involved was Efficient Publicities, Madras.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13391953993560698130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-23751300270021376122008-12-05T08:39:00.000-08:002008-12-05T08:39:00.000-08:00Yes, Maddy. Your response is coming out of the hea...Yes, Maddy. Your response is coming out of the heart from true sympathies to a hapless family treated so shabbily by the politicians.Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-58845013538906508752008-12-05T08:34:00.000-08:002008-12-05T08:34:00.000-08:00Thanks CHF. I fully endorse your views. It is so s...Thanks CHF. I fully endorse your views. It is so saddening to note such behaviour from people in power enjoying the luxuries of the ivory tower.Murali RamaVarmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08048053577294406031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-15552781588935729102008-12-04T16:49:00.000-08:002008-12-04T16:49:00.000-08:00you are right here - even sending dogs into the de...you are right here - even sending dogs into the dead mans house to check for explosives before the cm visited..<BR/><BR/>praharikkanam avaneyokke - he should have shown at least the wisdom gained by his age..Maddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18163804773843409980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24444408.post-40280100178529414712008-12-04T06:42:00.000-08:002008-12-04T06:42:00.000-08:00Thank you for a very touching tribute. The picture...Thank you for a very touching tribute. The picture said it all!<BR/>Did they give up their lives for defending the nation or a bunch of obscene politicians? The Kerala Chief Minister's behaviour while visiting Sandeep's house in Bangalore was detestable. If the dead soldier's father did not want any politician to visit his house the right thing for him and the Home Minister to do was to go up to the main gate and lay a wreath there, say a silent Communist prayer and scoot. Instead what the boorish crowd did was to gate crash into the house with a posse of policemen,lock the distraught father out of his own house and insisting on paying their 'respects' to the dead soldier! Typical 'attimari' behaviour. The national media was there to record the incident. Even Lalu Prasad was shocked!Calicut Heritage Forumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760552324718923006noreply@blogger.com