So finally started blogging after creating this page in May 2010. Those were times when i joined facebook and liked many atheist pages. Was getting to know Dawkins, Hitchens, Dennet and Sam Harris-the four horsemen of new atheism, through the FB pages and could perceive the definite shift in educated masses' idea on religion and morality, through the interactions and comments in FB. Personally it was a life changing moment to me. Intellectually less equipped to answer to questions and doubts on how atheism can be a life philosophy, which has changed over the intervening period, to the point that my naive idea that atheism can indeed replace religion as moral compass, has changed! I think atheism as a philosophy cannot be an effective replacement to religion, not that it is worse than religion, but it is grossly incomplete as some of the atheists have not shown sensitivity to the marginalised and "voiceless"...i have routinely come across atheists who are misogynists, muslim haters, hindu haters, homophobic, casteist, racist, which only exposes its inadequacy as a moral compass to lead an ethical life.
No wonder Dawkins, despite his numerous contribution to bringing out atheism out in open, has disappointed with his male privilege blindness when his misogynist tweets and comments were called out. Be it Muslima letter in 2011 which came soon after Rebecca Watson mentioned about elevator incident , or his defense of rape under influence of alcohol is no rape at all only shows how incredibly shallow one can be, despite calling oneself as a rationalist. When one thought these were few faux pas, more has come tumbling from his tweets and his defense of fellow scientists accused of rape and sexism, which taught me important lessons while adopting any new philosophy as a moral guide or compass -one need to be sensitive above all and no hero worship for sure.
And definitely no unqualified endorsement be it Dawkins or gOD!!
This song by Vairamuthu sir, has been so captivating that i fail to get it out of system. I seem to be like a man possessed with this song and got hooked to its simple, yet elegant lyrics, of a longing lover's innocent expression of her crush...since this girl is from the country side and has earthy experiences, her metaphors to express her love too are rooted in this milieu. These are the occasions that i just can't stop appreciating Vairamuthu sir, for coming up with such lyrics. Ghibraan along with Chinmayi (thanga naga vaangi tharattuma? :)) have created sheer magic in composition and rendition. Vemal and Ineya too played out well on screen. My very modest attempt at translation started with this lyrics. I thank Kavitha Muralidharan for the encouragement and Gladwin who egged me to come up with better translation, closer to the meter of the Tamil original. Please be brutal when it comes to criticism, if you happen to pass by this blog. Importantly spread the word :)
Sara Sara Saara Kathu Veesum Pothum Sir ah Paarthu Paesum Pothum Sara Paambu Pola Nenju Saththam Poduthey.. Sara Sara Saara Kathu Veesum Pothum Sir ah Paarthu Paesum Pothum Sara Paambu Pola Nenju Saththam Poduthey..
When the cloud of misty mist breezes past
I run into a prattle with sire,
Rat snake rattles my heart at that moment , Ambling through, hissing with strange sounds (2)
The remnants of your memory, linger like
the smell of fresh wet grass field The constant chime of your thoughts, ring in my
ears like the cow’s bell My fist size heart beats, when your hands drive
like a slow bullock cart Imprinting your signature, on my virgin breasts
A place where you will find largely gibberish disguised as intellectualism in the form of opinion or musings. Am a freethinker and feminist first and last, and those who think that these terms are "discriminatory" please feel free to use your spare time somewhere else. All other opinions are welcome and will be encouraged for debate and discussions.
So Be Calm and Post!!
