Sunday, August 19, 2012

Tokyo Travel : Electronics shopping spree in Akihabara and its aftermath!

It was the month of April when we visited Tokyo this year. On our arrival, rains welcomed us in Tokyo. Our first major task was to get ourselves new cameras. Japan known for its electronic brands like Sony, Nikon  tempted us with wide range of electronic gadgets. 

Akihabara and Yodobashi Camera : Akihabara is major shopping area in Tokyo for electronic, computer gadgets. Yodobashi Camera, a chain store has a 8 stories tall building in Akihabara. It was our shopping destination in Akihabara. Yodobashi Camera is one stop destination for all your electronic needs. Right from the tiniest SD memory cards to the trendy new i-pad, you will find everything here.
Flyover Junction, Akasaka, Tokyo(高架道路ジャンクション、赤坂、東京)
Flyover Junction, Akasaka, Tokyo (高架道路ジャンクション、赤坂東京)
Which Camera? With wide variety of options in front you, you are often get confused - which is the right product for you. Well, I faced the same situation when I was in Yodobashi. My primary criterions for buying included sleekness and higher optical zoom. After toying with the idea of buying mo dels from either Sony or Canon, I was unable to make any decision. Finally my friend suggested to go for a DSLR. I was dead against it initially thinking of carrying it like a baggage. But finally decided to go for it and bought a Nikon D5100 though it was heavy which I hated, had to carry two lenses(zoom and normal) which was another reason for worry. To make matters even, my friend also bought a DSLR - Canon EOS model with two lenses :) 
Flyover junction in the evening, Akasaka, Tokyo(夕方には高架道路のジャンクション、赤坂、東京)
Flyover junction in the evening, Akasaka, Tokyo (夕方には高架道路のジャンクション、赤坂、東京)
Akasaka : With newly acquired photo capturing tool in my hand, I soon got into photo clicking spree and the first target was Akasaka which was also the first area we explored in Tokyo. Akaska means red slope in Japanese. The first photo I clicked was that of the junction of the flyover junction. I was amazed by the kind of robust road infrastructure they have with multiple flyovers crossing each other. Have look at the photo to find out. Also, as someone said Tokyo grows vertically unlike other cities in the world which grow horizontally. Huge multi-storey buildings bear testimony to that fact.
Trees lit up, Akasaka, Tokyo(木はライトアップ東京赤坂)
Trees lit up, Akasaka, Tokyo (木はライトアップ東京赤坂)
Roppongi Street : In the evening, I went exploring the nearby areas in Akasaka. Walking up the Roppongi street I witnessed the modernism in all its glitter in Tokyo. Apart from the electric dazzle, the trees on both sides of cross roads were lit by electric bulbs giving the ambience a heavenly look! With no destination in mind, I was roaming around suddenly to get a glimpse of a lattice tower in all its glow! Though I had heard of Tokyo tower, I had not known that it was so near. Now, I found my destination.  
Roppongi Street, Akasaka, Tokyo(六本木通り、赤坂、東京)
Roppongi Street, Akasaka, Tokyo (六本木通り、赤坂、東京)
View of Tokyo tower from Roppongi street(六本木通りから東京タワーの眺め)
View of Tokyo tower from Roppongi street (六本木通りから東京タワーの眺め)
Hard Rock Cafe, Tokyo(ハードロックカフェ東京)
Hard Rock Cafe, Tokyo (ハードロックカフェ東京)
Tokyo Tower : I took a deviation from Roppongi street and walked towards Tokyo tower. En route I found the famous restaurant Hard Rock cafe. I was unaware of the streets which lead to the Tokyo tower. Though it remained elusive for some time on the way, I continued walking to find the Eiffel-tower inspired Tokyo tower painted with international orange. In the excitement I took multiple photographs of the iconic tower in different angles. Tokyo tower is a communications and observation tower broadcasting television and radio signals. Though this was little like an adventure, I could have easily lost my way in the night, which I realized much later.

Related Posts :

Tokyo Tower hidden among trees(東京タワーは木々の間に隠れて)
Tokyo Tower hidden among trees (東京タワーは木々の間に隠れて)
Tokyo Tower(東京タワー)
Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)
Multi-storey buildings, Tokyo, Japan
Multi-storey buildings, Tokyo, Japan (複数階の建物、東京、日本)
東京旅行:エレクトロニクス買い物秋葉原でまくるとその余波 (Google翻訳を使用して日本語翻訳, 免責条項:www.raveeshkumar.com翻訳の誤りについて責任を負いません)

それは、我々は今年東京を訪れ、4月だった。私たちの到着時に雨が東京で私たちを歓迎した。私たちの最初の主要なタスクは、自分自身に新しいカメラを取得することでした。日本はソニーのような、その電子のブランドで知られニコンは電子ガジェットの広い範囲で我々を誘惑した。

秋葉原ヨドバシカメラ秋葉原は電子、コンピュータガジェットの東京の主要ショッピングエリアです。ヨドバシカメラチェーン店秋葉原の8階建ての建物を持っています。それは秋葉原で私たちのショッピングの目的地だった。ヨドバシカメラはすべてのあなたの電子ニーズのためのワンストップの目的地です。右の最も小さいSDメモリーカードからトレンディ新しいi-パッドには、ここですべてを見つける。

どのカメラ?: 正面におけるさまざまなオプションを使用すると、しばしば混乱してしまいます - あなたのための右の産物である私はヨドバシにいたときによく、私は同じような状況に直面していました。買うための私の主なcriterions滑らかさと高い光学ズームが含まれていた。ソニーやキヤノンのいずれかからmoのDELSを購入するという考えをいじるの後、私はどんな決断を下すことができませんでした。最後に私の友人はデジタル一眼レフのために行くことを提案した。私はそれが最初に荷物のようにそれを運ぶことを考えに対して死んでいた。しかし、最終的にそれのために行くことにしました、それは私が嫌われて重かったけどニコンD5100を買って心配のもう一つの理由であった​​2枚のレンズ(ズームノーマル)を運ばなければならなかった。でも困ったことは、私の友人デジタル一眼レフを買った - キヤノンEOSモデルを二つのレンズ:)で

赤坂:私の手で新たに取得したフォトキャプチャツールを使用すると、私はすぐに写真をクリックしまくるに乗り込み、最初のターゲットはまた、我々は東京で探求最初の領域であった​​赤坂でした。 Akaska日本語でを意味します。私がクリックした最初の写真は高架接合部の接合部のことでした。私は彼らが互いに交差する複数の立体交差で持っている堅牢な道路インフラの種類に驚きました。見つけるために写真を見たことがありますまた、誰かのように東京が垂直水平に成長する世界の他の都市とは違って成長すると述べた。巨大な多階建ての建物は、その事実を証言する

六本木通り:夕方には、私は赤坂の近隣エリアを探索に行きました六本木通りを歩く私は東京で、そのすべての輝きモダニズムを目撃した。別に目をくらませる電気から交差道路の両側の木が雰囲気天国の外観を与える電球に照らされていた!頭の中には、宛先と、私はそのすべてのグローの格子を垣間見るために、突然周りにローミングしました!私は東京タワーの話を聞いたが、私はそれがとても近くにあったことを知らなかった今、私は私の目的地を見つけた。

東京タワー:私は、六本木通りからの偏差を取って、東京タワーに向かって歩いた途中で私は有名なレストランハードロックカフェを見つけました。私は東京タワーにつながる通りのことは知らなかったそれは途中でいくつかの時間のためにとらえどころのない推移しているが、私は国際的なオレンジ色で塗らエッフェルインスパイア東京タワーを見つけるために歩き続けた興奮で私は別の角度で象徴的な複数の写真を取った。東京タワーは、通信や観測放送テレビやラジオの信号であるこれが冒険のように少しでしたが、私は簡単に私はずっと後に実現している夜に自分の道を失っている可能性があります。

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Quiz on Tulu Nadu and Tulu Culture

Every year ‘Aatidonji Koota’(a get together of Tuluvas in the month of Aati) is celebrated with great enthusiasm among Tuluvas. In cities like Bangalore, it is an occasion to take break from the busy life and meet the fellow Tuluvas and have a good time. Recently, I attend one such gathering. On that occasion, I was responsible for conducting a quiz on Tulu Nadu and Tulu culture. Following are the questions from the quiz. I must admit that I enjoyed preparing these questions - had fun searching several texts for questions, finding English equivalent terms for native Tulu words. I came to know more about my culture and felt proud about the Tulu heritage. Hope you enjoy answering these questions. Do let me know how many of these questions you are able to answer correctly! :)

1.       When was Vishwa Tulu Sammelana held?
a.       December 2008
b.      December 2010
c.       December 2009
d.      December 2007
2.       Why does ’Aati Kalenja’ visit homes in Tulu Nadu in the month of Aati?
a.       To indicate that the month of Aati is over
b.      To ward off evil spirits and diseases
c.       To convey the message of Emperor Bali
d.      To begin the cutting of the crop
3.       What do you call the umbrella made of palm leaves, held by Aati Kalenja?
a.      Tatra
b.      Kedinjel
c.       Toppige
d.      Gaggara
4.       Who published the Tulu-English dictionary in 1886?
a.       Reverend Manner
b.      Reverend Kittel
c.       Hegan
d.      Father Muller
5.       Whose rule was majorly confined to parts of Tulu Nadu?
a.       Gangas
b.      Alupas
c.       Chalukyas
d.      Rashtrakutas
6.       During  Aati Amavaasye people have the drink made from the bark of which tree?
a.       Jack fruit
b.      Alstonia Scholaris / Milkwood Pine/ Ditabark
c.       Banyan
d.      Indian gooseberry / Nelli Kayi / Amla
7.        Historically, which river separates from Tulu Nadu from Kerala?
a.       Varahi
b.      Chandragiri
c.       Netravati
d.      Kaveri
8.       Which famous Tulu theater actor acted in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Malayalam movie ‘Vidheyan?
a.       Devadas Kapikad
b.      Naveen D Padil
c.       Vamana Nandavara
d.      Anand Bolar
9.       Which great poet invited Kannadigas, Telugoids and Tuluvas to enjoy his poetry by saying ‘ayyayya chenaadudene Kannadigaru, rayyamanchidiyene  Teluga, ayyayya encha porlandendu Tuluvaru maiyyubbi kelabekanna!’
a.       Muddana
b.      Ratnakara Varni
c.       Kunda Verma
d.      Charukeerti
10.   What is the original name(moola nama) of ‘Kallurti’ bhoota?
a.       Kalkuda
b.      Kaali
c.       Kalkutiga
d.      Katyayini
11.   According  to Hindu cosmology, which one of the following regions became Tulu Nadu?
a.       Yaksha Loka
b.      Kinnara Loka
c.       Naga Loka
d.      Deva Loka
12.   ‘kang gla, taare gla onje tale athth’ – what is the meaning of this Tulu saying?
a.       Areca nut tree and coconut tree are not the same
b.      Though the task done is same charge according to the person’s financial status
c.       Relationship and business are two entirely different aspects and not to be mixed
d.      Treat everyone as equal
13.   Which is the birth place of warriors of Tulu Nadu – Koti and Chennaya?
a.       Padumale
b.      Veeramale
c.       Elumale
d.      Kemmale
14.   Which is the special game played during the month of Aati?
a.       Marbles
b.      Tip-cat / Chinni Daandu
c.       Chenne Mane
d.      Game of dice / Pagade
15.   Who is the author of Tulu epic – ‘Shree Bhagavato’?
a.       Nrupa Tunga
b.      Vishnu Tunga
c.       Naranappa
d.      Muddana
16.   Which is the first movie to be released in Tulu language?
a.      Pagetta Puge
b.      Bisatti Babu
c.       Udald Tudar
d.      Enna Tangadi
17.   Who among the following served as the wrestler in Mayippadi Palace and was famous for super human feats?
a.       Agoli Manjanna
b.      Maroli Chomanna
c.       Pulkuru Baacha
d.      Hydroose
18.   Who is the mother of Koti and Chennaya?
a.       Deyi Baiditi
b.      Kinnidaru
c.       Chennamma
d.      Ponnamma
19.   Which two rivers meet in Mangalore/Kudla?
a.       Netravati, Varahi
b.      Netravati, Payaswini
c.       Netravati, Chandragiri
d.      Netravati, Gurupura
20.   During the reign of which king did the ‘Aliya Kattu’ tradition come into place in coastal Karnataka?
a.       Kunda Verma
b.      Bommarasa
c.       Bhootala Pandya
d.      Nagarasa


Answers:
1.       December 2009
2.       To ward off evil spirits and diseases
3.       Tatra
4.       Reverend Manner
5.       Alupas
6.       Alstonia Scholaris / Milkwood Pine/ Ditabark
7.       Chandragiri
8.       Naveen D Padil
9.       Ratnakara Varni
10.   Kaali
11.   Naga Loka
12.   Though the task done is same charge according to the person’s financial status
13.   Padumale
14.   Chenne Mane
15.   Vishnu Tunga
16.   Enna Tangadi
17.   Pulkuru Baacha
18.   Deyi Baidithi
19.   Netravati, Gurupura
20.   Bhootala Pandya

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Going Far East - Tokyo Memoirs!

It was my first international trip and I was travelling to the land of rising sun known for its technological prowess. Needless to say, arriving at the Tokyo Narita airport, I felt a sense of awe.
Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo Narita Airport
At the Tokyo Narita Airport : On arrival at the Narita Airport, we bought the Airport Limousine tickets to Akasaka in Minato-ku, Tokyo, where we had booked our hotel rooms. Then, we waited for the bus to arrive. The first thing I noticed was the punctuality of the bus service.
Airplanes at Narita Airport
Airplanes at Narita Aiport
We handed over our baggage to the baggage handler who loaded them underneath the bus tagging them with id tags. With a courteous smile, baggage handler bowed us. That was the first time we received the traditional greeting in Japan! When the bus was about to start, we were given instructions to wear the seat belt and they were in Japanese as well as in English. This was strange as in India even the people who drive avoid wearing seat belts though now it is mandatory for the passengers in front seat of the car to wear them. It was about an hour long non-stop smooth drive from the airport to the Tokyo city, one of the many things I would come to know about infrastructure in Japan! After a while, huge skyscrapers became a common sight from the bus window. Within few minutes we reached our hotel. We got our luggage handing over the tag slip to the luggage handler. After freshening up, we got ready to try some Japanese cuisine. That and more in the upcoming posts.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Tulu Courses from Mangalore University

From the academic year 2012-13, Mangalore University will be offering courses in Tulu through correspondence. Certificate, Diploma and Post-graduate diploma courses would be on offer from the Directorate of Correspondence Courses. Kannada script would be used for the purpose of curriculum and instruction.
Eligibility Criteria :
  • Six-month certificate course - Pass in SSLC examination or equivalent course
  • One-year diploma course - Pass in the pre-university course or equivalent course
  • One-year postgraduate diploma course - Bachelor degree 
Content of Course :
  • Six-moth certificate course - Basic knowledge of Tulu and communication in Tulu
  • One-year diploma course - Tulu literature, folklore and culture and communication
  • One-year postgraduate diploma course - contents of certificate and diploma courses and comparison study of Tulu with other Dravidian languages.
Now, this development would definitely help those who are keen on understanding Tulu language and culture. For more details on please refer to the link from The Hindu. Also, you can check the Deccan Herald news website.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Kannada KBC Questions blog

I am happy to announce the launch of a new blog featuring the questions from Kannadada Kotaydhipati. Not only that you will also be provided with set of practice questions every week! I hope that will help many in answering the questions in the game show as well as getting updated with latest in GK. Hope to find your support for this venture by me and my friend Sandeep.

The blog name is Kannada KBC and you can visit the site here - Kannada KBC

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

All About Beladingala Baale

Beladingala Baale is one my favourite films. I was thinking of blogging about this movie for a long time. After I read the novel based on which the film is made, I had enough material to talk about the epochal movie.

The Movie: The movie is based on original Telugu novel - Vennelalo Aadapilla by Yandamoori Veerendranath. This was translated to Kannada by Vamshi as Beladingala Baale, which later was made into film. Incidentally, Vamshi also wrote dialogues for the movie or rather dialogues from the novel are adapted in the film without any modifications. Beladingala Baale literally means "lady in the moonlight". Story revolves around Revanth(played by Ananth Nag), a grandmaster who is set to find out the identity of his fan who calls him often and whom he refers to as beladingala baale. Beladingala Baale gives Revanth the clues to find her out. How Revanth accomplishes his task forms the gist of the movie.

Original Novel : I was looking for the novel in Kannada based on which the movie is made. Thanks to my friend Guru, I got hold of the book from an old books store. The novel was published in the year 1984. I also found out that the novel was serialized in Kannada magazine Sudha then.
Beladingala Baale novel cover page
More about Chess : If you are not devout follower of Chess, while reading the novel you will come to know many fascinating aspects about the game originated in India. One of the highlights of the movie is the blind fold chess game protagonist Revanth plays. Before this he is accused of hypnotizing his opponent. The book provides the background for this plot(In 1978, Anatoly Karpov was accused of hypnotizing his opponent Viktor Korchnoi in the game at Baguio in the Philippines). Also, if the game is extended to the next day, what ensures that the opponent does not get an overnight for thinking about his next move. One has to make 16 moves within an hour of his play else he will loose the game(with the time being counted by the stop clocks provided to both the players)

Working in Telephone Exchange : The book discusses about the problems women working at the telephone exchange had to face(though the scenarios here are from the 1980s) You will not find anything about this in the movie. Also, you will come to know about several terminologies used in the telephone sector, which now may have become obsolete.

I ate nothing for six ghante kaala : This is the clue provided to Revanth to find the telephone number of his secret fan and is used several times in the film. But the movie does not explain the logic behind this clue but you will find it in the Yandamoori's novel.

Mathematical Details : Many mathematical details in the novel are missing in the film. That is understandable as the film caters to variety of audience. Clue with which Revanth finds about the whereabouts of the mystery girl has its routes in Pythogoras theorem. Also, while finding her name, which is Ramya, Revanth uses his knowledge of permutations and combinations. You will come across such mathematical backgrounds for the puzzles posed by the mystery girl. Though at times, you feel like being a grand master Revanth could have solved the puzzles, we can give the creative liberty to the author.

Voice : Throughout the movie, though the heroine's face is not revealed, her voice echoes in the minds of the viewers. Guess who lended the voice? Manjula Gururaj - background singer of many popular Kannada film songs.

Miscellaneous : There is a scene involving a Marxist in the movie, which is used as an irony in the novel. Revanth's friend James, a cartoonist is an unusual character in the movie. Why he behaves the way he does has deeper psychological background in the novel. I am OK, You are OK - philosophy in the film is explained by American psychiatrist Thomas Anthony Harris in his 1969 book - I am OK, You're OK.

Hope you enjoy the post!

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