I left Kyoto this morning to head for the biggest island in the south of Japan, Kyushu. The shinkansen terminates at Hakata, the station of Fukuoka, in the north of the island, and to get there I had to change trains at Shin-Osaka station. Because I was only scheduled to have a 12 minute stop there for the changeover I though I might be in trouble, but because of the convinient signs that help everyone at the station, I was waiting for the train longer than expected. The travel from Hakata to the small city of Tamana was only a piece of cake.

Kyushu really is something different. Of course Fukuoka is just like any other big city in Japan with big buildings dominating the skyline, but the further you go away from it you enter a completely different world. I thought I had experienced the japanese countryside at Nara, but this was even better.

A friend of mine who I got to know through a japanese internet community and her father picked me up at the station, which wasn’t very hard as I was the only foreigner to get of the train there. In fact, I guess I was the only foreigner on the train at all. After a brief stop at my friend’s workplace (a photo shop) with some coffee and a cake, her father decided we should set off for Mt. Aso west of Tamana. At first I thought it would ba small trip to some mountain, but it turned out to be a 2 hour journey through a beautiful landscape with lots of farms, smal houses, middle school baseball club kids running for training, a takoyaki shop on the roadside (where I finally tasted my first takoyaki) and a very impressive sight of a still active volcano.

Mt. Aso, r Aso-san, as the japanese call it, is located west of Kumamoto. The landscape reminded me a lot of the german mountain areas which stretch thrugh the center of the country. Not as high as the Alps, but very impressive and very green. That’Ssomething which struck me on first sight: although I was so far down south (in fact the farthest I had ever been in my life) the landscape was completely different from what you get to see in the mediterranean area in Europe. It looked a lot more like Germany, hadn’t it been so hot.

The slopes up to Mt. Aso were breathtaking as was the changing scenery and all of a sudden we ended up driving right into hell. When we arrived at the parking lot at the panorama platform the alarm for an increased amount of Co2 were ringing and people were kept from going to close to the crater. They have four different levels of alarm and we just happened to be on time for the highest level. But my friend’s father told us not to panic and just wait for a few minutes. The smell of the sulfur from the crater was slightly sickening and a lot of people were coughing because of it. There were warnings all around (you even recieved pamphlets on your way up at the checkpoints when you were going to the mountaintop) that people with asthma, bronchus disease, heart diseases or similar sicknesses should refrain from going all the way up.

The father was right in that things would clear up so after a few minutes of waiting we were able to take a look for ourselves and I have to admit that it was very impressive. A huge lake of emerald green water with smoke rising from it filled out the crater and even though we were several hundred meters above it you could still hear the boiling water down there. I read several times that looking done a crater feels like looking at the gates of hell, but I never fund it to be so true. Watching those natural powers was very humbling. The last eruption dates back about 20 years and Aso is still an active volcano so it might happen again soon. I am happy I didn’t have to experience that first hand.

On the way back down the valley was drenched in the light of the setting sun making it a wonderful sight to behold. I guess I was so happy to this because I hadn’t been out of Cologne into the nature for such a long time. On our way further down from the mountain we came across a honey producing farm in which the customers where able to taste a few ofthe products. I never imagined there were so many things you can make out of honey. And the bees they had there were just plain frightening as they almost three times as huge as the ones we know in Europe. All the way back I kept on talking to the father and although I didn’t understand everything he said I felt we had a pleasant conversation about japanese history and german movies.
We drove back to Tamana where the father dropped us off in front of his friend’s izakaya where we stayed to grab a little to eat. The place was very lively but that might as well have been because of the big arty of young people in the tatami room in the back who were shouting very loud the whole time. At around 9 pm we set off for the train station where I boarded the express line to Arao, where the friend had booked a hotel room for me. Things went very smooth as I just took a taxi from the train station, although the walk might have only been a few minutes, BUT, I would have wandered into the wqhole different drection, so the 500 yen cab ride was well spend.

Tomorrow me, the friend and her father will go to Kumamoto city to take a look at the castle and some other things. My guidebook tells me that Kumamoto has a lot of german features so I am excited to find out about them.

Nenjae nenjae nee engae?
Naanum angae ..
En vaazhvum angae
Anbae anbae naan ingae
Dhegam ingae
En jeevan engae?

En nathiyae en kan munnae vatri ponaai
Paal mazhaiyaaga ennai thedi mannil vanthaai
En thaagankal thirkaamal, kadalil yehn serkiraai?

Nenjae nenjae nee ingae
Naanum angae ..
En vaazhvum angae

Kannae.. en kannae naan unnai kaanaamal
vaanum mannum poiyaaga kandaene

Anbae per anbae
Naan unnai seraamal
aavi en aavi naan itru ponaene

Veyil kaalam vanthaal thaan neerum thaenaaghum
pirivondru kondraal thaan kaadhal rusi aagum

Un paarvai padum thuram
En vaazhvin uyir meelum
Un muchchu padum neram
En thegham analaagum

Nenjae nenjae nee engae?
Naanum angae ..
En vaazhvum angae
Anbae anbae naan ingae
Dhegam ingae
En jeevan engae?

Kalvaa.. Hey kalvaa nee kaadhal seiyaamal
Kannum en nenjum en pechchai kekkathae

Kaadhal nee kaadhal athu pattu pogathae
Kaatru nam bhoomi thanai vittu pogathae

Aaghayam idam maari ponaal poghaddum
Aanal nee manam maari poghakudathae

Hey manjal thaamaraiye
En uchcha tharagaiyae
Kadal mannai ponaalum
Nam kaadhal maarathae

Nenjae nenjae nee engae?
Naanum angae ..
En vaazhvum angae

Anbae anbae naan ingae
Dhegam ingae
En jeevan engae?

En nathiyae en kan munnae vatri ponaai
Paal mazhaiyaaga ennai thedi mannil vanthaai

Un thaagankal thiraamal mazhaiyai vaikirai

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Kannu ival kani nee..ADADA..
Kal avalum gavani..ADADA..
Kanda idam thodu nee..idhu kaathal konda maeni..
Ahh konjum ithai gavani..ALAGA..
Konju vathil-vathanee..AMUTHAA..
Achu muthal avanee..un aasai solla vaa nee

Kuthu mathipaaha, muthu paripaaha,
Mella mella, thulla thulla,
Motha varuthaa..
Konjum minipaaha, konjum kulipaaha,
Mutham vittu mutham vittu mutti alaighaa..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Yeah..Must tick-ih sweet little honeyh,
Gime all your lovin and i’l give u all my money,
Yeah..Your my cute little darling..
I wana luv u luv u all nite long in..
Ah..I wana shake dat body,
Come on girl i wana shake your body,
You and me all night long,
All night long and im singin this song..

Alaagana-antha lips and the lipsy,
Iravaanathu yepavum sexy,
Soodanathu penn yena pepsi,
Sugamanathu swasi..

Ei vellai alagae,
Yen ullam unakey..

Aah miss-anathu nenjuley nenju,
Fix-anathu theeyiley punch-u,
Kicks-aanathu yenuley senju lips-aanathu konjuu..

Hello sugavaasi, yennai vanthu swaasi,
Vatta vatta venilave vambu kaathal-ru,
Octopus-u baby, naanthan unthan toffee,
Mella mella mella mella yennai muzhunggu..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Feel my lovin yow,
You gona feel my lovin yow,
C’mon be my lovin,
C’mon be my lovin yow,
C’mon be my lovin,
C’mon be my lovin yow..

Oru maathiri paarthathu yaaru, Athu maathiri pesiya-thaaru
Puthu maathiri thottathu yaaru, Yenn maathiri yaaru

Nee kannai asaika,
Naan unai isaika..gamapa..

Sittagavah yennoda peysi,
Muttagavah yenoda pussii..
Aittagavah yenayam vaasi,
Mettaanathu raasi..

Alai unai kaalu,
Apa kalar thoolu,
Ai-vuku murthi-naan vanthu palaghu..
Rombey senja ai-su,
Jannal senja pai-su,
Musu musu musu musunu-than intha alagu..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Hey honey honey kannil honey, Aasai varum-ini..
Hey many many money money, Naaney muthal kani..

Kannu ival kani nee..ADADA..
Kal avalum gavani..ADADA..
Kanda idam thodu nee..Idhu kaathal konda maeni..
Konjum ithal gavani.. ADADA..
Konju vathil-vathanee.. ADADA..
Achu muthal avanee..Un aasai solla vaa nee..

Kuthu mathipaaha, muthu paripaaha,
Mella mella, thulla thulla,
Motha varuthaa..
Konjum minipaaha, konjum kulipaaha,
Mutham vittu mutham vittu mutti alaighaa..

Hey vingga vingga vinggaaaa,
Vingga vingga vinggaaa,
Vingga vingga vingga vingga vingga vingga vinggggg…

Hey vingga vingga vinggaaaa,
Vingga vingga vinggaaa,
Vingga vingga vingga vingga vingga vingga vinggggg…

Cast: Surya, Prabhu, Tamana
Music Director: Harris Jeyraj

Download Link:http://rapidshare.com/files/187029278/Ayan_www.dragonz-prs.com.rar

Click here to view hot pictures of Actress Tamanna gallery

Surya, who proved his credentials as a versatile actor doing varied roles untill recently in his tamil cinema’s , has taken a litmus test of doing a mass commercial hero in ‘Ayan’. In the end, he emerges out as a clear winner leaving his impression all through the film.

The striking feature of the tamil cinema is Surya’s amazing screen-presence. He is right there delivering his best. Be it romance, action or comedy, Surya is at his crackling form serving the very basic purpose of purpose of entertaining the masses.

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Cinematographer – director K V Anand had touched a sensitive theme in his maiden directorial venture ‘Kana Kandein’. ‘Ayan’ too serves a purpose. It brings to light the pitiable condition of uneducated and poor youth, who are being used as bait by smugglers. Often referred to in Tamil as ‘Kuruvi’, these men live a life loaded with risk. However the movie is not preachy as Anand laces right commercial elements all through.

A macho-man story, ‘Ayan’ is a perfect summer entertainer. Though the storyline is familiar and oft-seen in the past, the pacy narration and captivating visuals provide the necessary pep to the film.

Anand’s packaging of this commercial entertainer is sophisticated but would appeal to all sections. Reminding one of movies like ‘Dhalapathy’, ‘Nayagan’ and the much recent ‘Gemini’, ‘Ayan’ is a riveting and racy right from the word go. Produced by AVM and presented by Sun Pictures, the movie has magical moments enthralling audience.

Deva (Suriya) is a typical Chennai youth. His mother (Renuka) aspires that her son would join government service. Pursuing his post graduate course, Deva instead works for Das (Prabhu), who runs a smuggling racket.

A shrewd Deva is a carrier of smuggled articles bringing from abroad everything including pirated CDs of newly-released movies to diamonds without getting caught by customs officials.

However Kamalesh (Akashdeep Saigal), who runs a similar racket in the locality, starts to give nightmare for both Das and Deva. Keen to topple them, Kamalesh goes to any extremes. Das entrusts Deva with a job to smuggle diamonds from Congo. Intervenes Kamalesh. He sends his man to make Deva’s mission unsuccessful. But eventually he fails. Meanwhile, Deva falls in love with Yamuna (Tamannah), sister of Chitti’s (Jagan), who also works for Das.

Their rivalry hots up and a turn of events leads to Kamalesh bumping off Das. Deva goes on revenge mode. They sort out their enmity in the barren lands of Congo and a surprise awaits Suriya in the form of Narcotics Bureau chief Parthiban (Ponvannan) after he returns to the country.

Suriya’s rendition of ‘Chennai Thamizh’, his youthful looks and body language are the major strengths of the movie. His onscreen chemistry with Tamannah is good. Amazing to see Suriya performing acrobatic stunt sequences, who has been hitherto considered as a ‘performing’ actor. His dedication and involvement could be seen in every frame.

Equally appealing is Tamannah. Though she has no major role to play besides a couple of songs including one in alien land, she is convincing. Prabhu as Das is apt fit for the role. He handles the role with much-needed maturity. He renders grace and charm to his role. Jagan and Karunaas play the supporting roles well. Specially Jagan with his one-liners is impressive. Akashdeep Saigal, the baddie from Mumbai, lends solidity to the role. His dubbing by ‘Kolangal’ fame Ajay is appropriate.

The spine-chilling chase in the streets of Congo, choreographed by stunt master Franz Spilhaus deserves a special mention. M S Prabhu capturing the mood of film in various shades and tones is a pillar of strength to Anand. Harris Jayaraj’s songs are peppy. Watch out for the opening song “Pala Palakura”, which is racy. However the real scene-stealer is editor Anthony. His slick work manages to sustain interest all throughout.

No doubt, ‘Ayan’ is one more in the kitty of successful movies being belted out by Sun Pictures.o

Again its one of the most expected movie of this summer,,,, but it couldn’t even satisfy 2% of the expectations:-) story was adapted from sujatha’s piriviom sandhipom novel.Its a different type of irritating tri-angular love story. Tamana looked good,, but she tried to imitate genelia which doesnt suit her,,first half was nothing,, second half was worst than 1 st half ,,,rukmani played as 2 nd heroine,, she looks like a guy. songs and background score was huge disappointment from Gv prakash. Couldn’t belive that this movie was directed by gandhi krishna who directed chellema few years ago. Hero was some new face named siddarth,, looks good,, but doesn’t know to act and dance Thank god sujatha was not alive to see this crap movie:-). 

My ratings: 20/100

Verdict: Flop

No Of Days Of Successful Run: 21 days

In the mystic garden where ardent passion emanates in every bloom, even Beauty is difficult to see when the Beloved is separated from the Lover. The clouded skies and rainstorms loom over the night, but the Lover still plays his song for the wounded flowers and silent fountains. Left alone in an estranged land and with no compassion, he continues to sing, sending his longing out to the world so that his sorrow may echo into eternity. Maybe some day, the painful state of his exile will bring back the Light that once graced upon his rose garden. But in his relentless tears and heartbreak, little does he know that the Presence of Beauty is Eternal, and that Angels listen to his yearnings with the ears of God. One yearning he has, and that is reunion, if he were to yearn at all. One desire he has, and that is reunion, if he were to desire at all…

This kind of vivid imagery comes to mind when I listen to the new “Nine Heavens” album by “Niyaz.” Some of the lyrics from the album are contained in the paragraph written above and they reflect what I feel when I hear the sound of folkloric and 13th-18th century Sufi poetry fused with hauntingly beautiful vocals, classical instruments of the Islamic world, and modern synthesizer ingenuity. I have been following the truly spiritual and beautiful musical talents of Iranian songstress, Azam Ali, since her first album with “Vas” — a band that not only explores the inner world within all of us, but also one that breaks all conventional boundaries. On the four “Vas” albums, Azam Ali remarkably sings in a made-up language, representing how some of the most profound and beautiful things in life, like Love and God, cannot always be expressed in mere words. But Azam Ali isn’t the first singer who exposed me to this kind of music — before I heard about “Vas,” my favorite band at the time was “Dead Can Dance” and their lead singer, Lisa Gerrard, sings in the same way. When I first heard their music in my late teens, I thought she was singing in Arabic because the music is very Middle-Eastern, but after I read an interview with Ms. Gerrard, I learned that she’s really not saying anything at all! I had never heard this kind of music before. Many of my friends couldn’t understand it and they would ask me, “how can you listen to someone who isn’t even saying anything?” I found the music absolutely liberating, especially from the dullness and lack of originality in mainstream music, and it allowed me to explore my thoughts, my imagination, my muse, my soul, and it made me paint my own interpretations of her amazing vocals. Even today, when I listen to Azam Ali or Lisa Gerrard, I am mesmerized at how their voices encompass so many emotions — pain, sorrow, joy, longing, desire, anger, passion, peace, etc. (Chances are that you’ve already heard Lisa Gerrard’s voice if you’ve seen Ridley Scott’s film “Gladiator” with Russel Crowe. The ethnic and ethereal female voice in the background music is hers, and like her work on “Dead Can Dance,” she’s not singing any particular language. She also composed the film score with Hans Zimmer).

But since “Dead Can Dance” broke up in 1998, I was worried that I would never hear this kind of music again until I learned about Azam Ali and “Vas.” The two bands are not the same and it would be a sin to compare them and debate about which one is better because they are both unique in their own way. There is not a band like “Dead Can Dance” and there is not a band like “Vas.” After Azam Ali’s fourth (and final, it seems) “Vas” album in 2004, she produced another album a year later called “Niyaz.” Unlike her music on “Vas,” she is accompanied by multi-instrumentalist (and husband) Loga Ramin Torkian and Carmen Rizzo who plays keyboard and synthesizer. She is also singing in actual languages: Farsi and Urdu. The band is self-described as “folk music for the 21st century” and just like “Dead Can Dance” and “Vas,” this band is one of a kind. Anyone who knows me knows how special that first “Niyaz” album was for me. It not only resurrected the Sufi poetry from the great mystics like Jalaluddin Rumi, but it also showed the world a side of Islam that most of us don’t see. It showed us that Islam, like all religions, is about Love and Beauty. I remember wanting to say “thank you” to Azam Ali personally for creating this wonderful work of art and showing the world how beautiful Islam and its various cultures are. The album was also special because it was dear to me and my friend. My friend who has left me — the reason why this blog is called “Broken Mystic.”

And now, upon anticipating the new “Niyaz” album, I couldn’t help but think about her again. After being able to relate to this music together on so many levels, it’s hard to forget these memories. I was initially worried that I would not be able to hear it since it would probably remind me too much of her, but as soon as I played the “Nine Heavens” CD in my car, I felt spiritual healing. I bought the CD the day it came out and I had to even drive some extra miles to get it, lol, but it was the perfect day to buy it. I had a long drive ahead of me, it was beautiful outside, and it was just perfect for me to listen to the new music while I drove. The CD opens with a fun track called “Beni Beni” where Azam Ali sings in Turkish! It is a traditional Turkish Sufi song about longing to be united with God. The song is very festive, and the instrumentation is so complex and absolutely amazing — this is one of the many reasons why I Love Middle-Eastern and South Asian music. I teared a few times when I listened to “Tamana” and “Feraghi” because they remind me of my heartbreak and how devastated I was after my separation. The pulsating and bass thumping tabla on “Tamana” make it the most cinematic track on the album and although it reminded me of my pain, it brought forth healing. It reminded me that I am moving forward, as if into a new life, and I am carrying all the positive energy with me. When I read the English translation of the Farsi lyrics for “Feraghi,” I felt it described everything I feel in my separation. It sings of separation, of abandonment, of exile, of being left alone without any compassion, and of longing for a return. It made me sad, and only because it made me think about how I will never see her again. Shortly later though, I felt better because I reminded myself that many people understand what I’m going through, and the lyrics of the song represents that.

The violins on “Allah Mazare” are gorgeous and resonate with orchestral beauty, while the ecstatic pace of “Molk-e-Divan” blasts with beautiful percussions and brilliant guitar and saz performances by Torkian. The Farsi lyrics on “Molk-e-Divan” and “Sadrang” were written in the 13th century by Amir Khusrau of the Indian Subcontinent, who if often credited as the “father of Qawwali music.” Qawwali music is very prominent in South Asia and it is best described as Love and Devotional Songs in the Sufi tradition that praise God, the Prophets, and great mystics. “Ishq” and “Iman” are beautiful Urdu tracks; the former was written in the 18th century by Khawaja Mir Dard and sings about God’s endless Love: Tere Ishq main humne kya kya nahi dekha? That roughly translates as: What have I not seen in Your Love? “Iman” is the slowest and most ambient track on the album, and Urdu lyrics translate as: “Do not despair, for God is always there.” A great and much-need reminder for all of us, no?

I have seen “Dead Can Dance” in concert and I plan to see “Niyaz” some day too, insha’Allah. Azam Ali seems like a really amazing human being; on the flap of the album for “Nine Heavens,” she writes that one of her goals with creating music is to break stereotypes and misconceptions about Iranians and Middle-Easterners. My friend went to one of her concerts and told me how Azam Ali performs in suburban areas, where there are hardly any ethnic minorities, in order to promote dialogue, understanding, and multi-culturalism. I think that’s something really amazing and she deserves to be applauded, along with her band. Everyone is called an “artist” these days, but Azam Ali and Lisa Gerrard are the few genuine ones out there. “Nine Heavens” is not just a celebration of Islam’s mystical culture and diversity, it is also a bridge between the old world and the new. It is a fusion of the ancient and the modern, the East and the West, and it is one great song of the human Soul, its longings, its joys, its pains, and its calling to the Divine. Each string plucked, every drum beat, and every word sung is enamored wholly and purely with Love.

I would like to hear another “Vas” album where Azam Ali sings in a made-up language again, but it seems very unlikely considering how successful “Niyaz” has become. The addition of Turkish was an interesting surprise on this album. Maybe in the next one, she will sing in Punjabi and Arabic!

Salaam, be well and peaceful

~Broken Mystic~

If you thought that hanami season finished when the last of the cherry blossoms fell, think again.  Even though Japan’s most famous blossoms are gone for another year, there are still chances to enjoy a hanami picnic before the sultry heat of summer kicks in.

Following signs off the beaten track to the Hiyoshi shrine in Tamana, Kumamoto prefecture, we found the Yamada wisteria (山田藤).  The many vines, some of them reputedly over 200 years old, form a canopy over the shrine’s grounds – a pergola in purple.

Golden Week is a perfect time to see it, occuring as it does right around the start of wisteria’s flowering season, and I’d imagine that that has contributed to the Yamada wisteria’s huge popularity.

The lawns under the fragrant flowers were packed with picnicking folk, enjoying an al fresco lunch on blue sheets.

South Indian film industry is doing quite well. Films are mostly focussed on family subject. They give more imporatnce to family subject in the script.And mostly you can see girls in a homely look and really they looks damn beautiful in sarees.

I am impresed with the beautiful  ladies working for  the industry.

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