Kc Emag - Chirakukal 5v1m69

Chirakukal Kerala Community e-Magazine

Orkut Kerala Community (KC 13231) Publication Issue 1, August 2009

Contents Photography "How to select a digital camera" by Anil

Page 4

Food Corner "Mutton in white kurma" by Sanuraj

Page 7

Story "Love Letters Part 1"

Page 8

Poetry "The Dawn" by Shalini "Cocoon" by George

Page 9 Page 10

Thoughts "Wings" by Raj

Page 11

Health "Eating Right" by Sanuraj

Page 12

Photographs "Celebrity Sightings" "July Photo Contest - Beauty"

Page 13 Page 15

Architecture "Basic Vastu" by Sree

Page 16

Country Patriotic Songs by Sanuraj

Page 17

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Chirakukal - the wings of change It gives me great pleasure to inform you that we, Kerala Community, one of the most happening communities on Orkut, are introducing a new online digital magazine. I am sure that this venture will add another feather to our community, as it will help to further strengthen our good relationship and friendship in the community. The idea of the magazine sprouted just a few days ago and today we have come up with the fruit. Thanks to Anil Raghavan and Gopan, who are the brain and center of inspiration behind this venture. The responses from the KC and the they offered were awesome and this inspired us to take it further from discussions. As an icing on the cake, it is for sure that the launching of the first issue of our eMagazine will make a mark in KC history, as it is happening when our nation celebrates its 62nd anniversary of independence. Therefore, as a tribute to our brave immortal martyrs who dedicated their entire life to save our motherland, let us dedicate this first issue to them. We believe that this magazine will give an opportunity for all our community to showcase their creative skills such as writing, photography, painting, etc. Also, we anticipate that all our will make use of this opportunity through their valuable contributions. Last but not least, I thank all the and the team e-Mag who helped us to make this magazine a reality. I wish all the a happy reading and hope that your valuable will help us to make this magazine better and better! Come on, let us redefine online social networking!

Ajish Anand Editor

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Photography

How to select a digital camera Anil Raghavan

You know what is absurd? The ridiculously high number of digital camera models available in the market these days. Back in the days, there were hardly 10 models to choose from. Now, every major manufacturer has twice that many models. It has hence, become tougher and tougher to make sense of what is important, and what is merely hype. Before you look for a new digital camera, please answer these questions honestly 1. Will I need to print photos in big sizes (8"x10" is considered a normal size)? 2. Do I really need the complexity of a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) model? 3. Am I really interested in learning and mastering photography? 4. How much can I really afford? 5. Do I realize that SLR photography can be an expensive hobby? If you have answered the above questions honestly, you will have come to a conclusion without much confusion, about whether you really need a complex DSLR, lenses and the associated costs, or whether you need an advanced Point-and-Shoot (P&S) because you do wish to learn photography, and master the process, but without having to spend deep, or whether all you are looking for is a compact P&S, to take photos of friends, family and an occasional flower or bee or a sunset. 4

Photography

Types of Cameras

Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras (P&S) These are the basic models, often compact and easy to use, with medium to good image quality. This is the most confusing group to choose from, mainly because there are so many models with only slight differences, and mainly unimportant differences. , there is no "best model", only a model that's best for you.

Advanced P&S These bridge the gap between the P&S models and DSLR models, and often have a lot of optical zoom, better lenses, bigger sensors, more features and generally higher image quality. These are the best models if you want something better than a P&, but do not want the complexity of a DSLR. Digital SLR These have almost all the high-end features, allow you to control the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and change the lens as well, making them the most versatile type of cameras. They are oftenbulkier and heavier than the other types. But, the image quality you get from a DSLR and a good lens is unmatched by any P&S or Advanced P&S camera. The most important thing to is “the lens is the most important factor in getting high image quality”. 5

Photography

Important Features and Recommendations

Feature

What is it?

Recommended

Megapixels

The number of pixels or photosites on a sensor. A sensor is the equivalent of a frame of film. The more the megapixels, the bigger you can safely print without noticing pixelation. Too high a number, on a relatively small sensor, and the more noise the images will typically contain

7 to 9 for compact P&S 8 to 10 for advanced P&S Upto 12 for most DSLRs

Pixel Density

How many pixels the sensor has, per square centimetre. The higher this number, the less efficient the sensor will be, for low-light photography

25 to 35 for compact P&S 25 to 35 for advanced P&S 6 or less for DSLR

Optical Zoom

The only kind of zoom that is really useful. Ignore the digital zoom specification. You can crop out part of the image later on your computer.

3 to 5x for compact P&S 5 to 12x for advanced P&S Depends on the lenses

Aperture Priority & Shutter Priority

Aperture refers to the size of the lens opening during an exposure, while shutter speed refers to the duration of that exposure. Together, these two variables control most of the qualities and feel of a photograph.

For serious photographers, any model you buy should have at least these two controls.

ISO

This setting controls how fast the sensor should capture an image. Using signal amplification, at higher ISO values, the camera can still capture a decent image even in low light, but with more and more noise in the image as the ISO number goes higher and higher.

Manual ISO control is a must, if you wish to learn how to control this setting in different lighting conditions

6

Food Corner

Mutton in White Kurma Sanuraj

Ingredients

Instructions

- 650 gms mutton - 200 gms curd - 1.5 cup mutton stock - 3 big onion chopped - 1 big tbsp oil - 1 tbsp coriander powder - 4 cloves - 4 black cardamom - 6 whole pepper - ½ t sp white pepper - Black peppercorns for garnishing

Mix mutton, onion and spices in a pan Cook on high flame till water of the mutton dries Add oil and cook till the masala is well cooked and oil floats to the surface Add stock and cook till most of the stock dries Cook till you are left with a little gravy Beat the curd well, put in the mutton mixture and mix well on high heat Sprinkled with freshly crushed black pepper Serve hot! You can use this recipe for chicken kurma also

7

Story

Love Letters Part 1

Mar 15, 2001 It was an ordinary morning, and I for one, was happy. My brain was on overdrive, the last two projects had become exceedingly stressful, what with some key of our team having been laid off due to lack of funds, and the rest of us having to pick up the slack. Normally, I would relax by thinking of very horrible things I would do to my boss if I got him alone in a dark alley back in my home country, mouth several words that have been banned from television for decades, and then my brain would let me know I was happy once again. But, now I had no need for any such mortal means of catharsis. I had seen you, not once, but several times in the past few days. The very first time I met you, you had messed up your make up. In fact, you looked funny, goofy even. But, your eyes still shone and the way you moved your beautiful hands and the way your shiny black tresses bounced around, shining some of the sunlight into my eyes, kindling a fire in me, gave me hope of a brighter tomorrow, of days filled with bountiful joy, endless nights where we both sit under starry skies, and whisper the sweet nothings that lovers are supposed to whisper. I realize that I am not man enough to tell you all this eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart, because I am not willing to take the risk of rejection, because there will be no more life in me, if I hear that word from your lips. I fear, that my heart will be too weak to ever recover from such a punishment, that hell will seem more peaceful to me. No heady brew will be able to console me, no words will be able to heal my wounds, no druid's potion will ever revive me. So, kindly pardon my fear, my dearest, for I love you as much as the moon loves the night, and the birds love the sky and the dying fish loves the wave that washes it back into the sea. I am that dying fish, and I am waiting for that wave to help me back to my feet, help give all my dreams wings and make my love for you eternal and real. For the present, my sweetheart, I am compelled to take in your glorious beauty from the shadows, melting away into the crowd the moment your gaze falls in my direction, fearing that you might catch on and demand an explanation for always following you, for always sending you flowers anonymously, and for the lengthy prose that I have penned and sealed and slipped your way, with tiny bits of my heart thrown in. Please believe me, when I tell you that you are everything dreams are made of, and one day, the dream will come to life, for me and you and we will share all our joy, all our sorrow and all the pain this life has to offer. And I assure you, we will smile through the pain, comfort each other and share every single tear drop together. Lovingly yours,

8

Poetry

"The Dawn"

As I sit at the window and watch the dawn The golden specks turning the sky ablaze A new day is born, and yet it seems The past is not so far away The rays shine on my eyes Glistening lashes, of grief and bliss A swelling strong rising in the heart Of unspoken words exist a deep abyss Oh what is today, but a mere reflection Of the losses had, of the soughted gains Of experiences ed from generations ago Yet floundering are the steps we take Innocent we are, innocent we will be For all the shrewdness of the world can’t be bought There is something new still to be gotten There is something always that will be lost Such is life, like a new dawn Yesterday’s child, yet a birth anew Its poignant beauty, truly so fickle It makes the heart beat to a song blue Shalini

9

Poetry

"Cocoon" Come come my friend quite a soon From the dirty selfish cover Come out soon, you break the cocoon And breathe the purest lovely air Come out from the egoish shell Made of envy and ugly feelings And see the most beautiful world Where you live in utmost harmony Many a layers formed that cover In which you are tightly bent Break the cover with inner power And see you are quite independent With steady steps and firm thoughts Healthy mind and straight back bone Go ahead; but keep your foot Away from sharp and poisonous thorn If a man had mischieved u Why do you hate all other men? For you too are one amongst them How can you hate yourself then? Humanity is our religion, further A compartmentless society we form See the soils are embraced together Then saying regionalism why do we roam? Language is for our communication Not for hating each other one Hate not a man who says a ‘no’ For, you cant see your eyes at all……

George Varghese 10

Thoughts

"Wings" The context sets my thinking go wild.... Looking at the fluttering birds........flying high......Few claim this to be the sign of independence...... But isn't this a quest for survival...... I asked the eagle 'yeah are your wings fluttering cos you are independent' 'No I am hungry and I am eyeing my prey from here'......from high there in the sky... Flying, fluttering the wings, aren't the birds looking for their survival...for a living and to die another day not today. If they aren't and if it is the sign of independence.........looking at the millions who hang on the doorways of Mumbai suburban lifeline trains.....I wished they too had wings.... But they do flutter running and panting and breaking through the million fellow men and as if it's the order of the day and they don't complain...... Aamchi Mumbaikars are very proud of their days order.... So do we assume they are independent? The Other day the girl who came to me for an interview form a bold strong Punjabi household said she had to report at home everyday after office late by eight...... I did wish she had wings......So that she could flutter and be independent... But birds do return to their abode at night and flutter only in broad day light.They too has an order. So do we tag as independence... Wings and fluttering high in the sky isn't the sign of independence. It is the quest to survive, quest to survive with a difference. Every morning is a beginning....a new ray of hope.....a fresh start to the dreams and that life that lays ahead.... Flutter your wings and get set to fly... Dependence and independence is the order of the day.... Is my belonging dependence.... Is my commitment dependence.... Am I being protective or protected dependence??? Independence misconstrued The Right to do anything and everything [Article 377 questioned] Sorry birdies this isn't independence And if having wings is the sign of independence better that I don't have any wings

11

Raj

Health

Eating Right Sanuraj

Dr. Ivan from Bahrain talks to Sanu about healthy, nutritious food. Nutritious Meals Eat nutritious food that you enjoy. Eat three or more pieces of fresh fruit and salad each day. Avoid large meals. When you consume five to six small, healthy meals every day, your body needs more calories to break down the food, thereby helping the body metabolism. Enjoy the food, Avoid Over-eating Sit down and eat slowly as it gives your body time to release the enzymes that tell your brain you’ve had enough. The slower you eat, the sooner you will be satisfied. Cut back on your salt intake. The body requires only ½ to 1 teaspoonful of salt per day. Excess salt consumption can cause water retention and high blood pressure. Don’t overeat if you are stressed out. Avoid eating as an antidote to emotional pain. Whether it is alcohol, drugs or food, excess of any kind leads to weight gain. This, in turn, triggers off higher stress levels, and becomes a vicious cycle. Hydration Keep yourself hydrated, Eat foods with water content, such as water melon, oranges, pineapple, tomatoes and cucumber. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. 12

Photographs

Celebrity Sightings

Sanuraj

Isha Koppikar in Bahrain

Jayachandran in Bahrain

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Sanuraj

Photographs

Celebrity Sightings

Sanuraj

Samritha in Bahrain

Isha Koppikar in Bahrain

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Sanuraj

Photographs

July Photo Contest "Beauty" Krishnanunni

Krishnanunni's entry won the July photo contest. The theme was "Beauty". His entry gathered 21 votes. Vikas's entry was second with 14 votes. Congratulation to Krishnanunni for winning as well as capturing this surreal image. The KC Photo Contest runs monthly. A theme is announced at the beginning of the month, and each member can enter upto three photos. These photos can be replaced with others as many times as desired, until the deadline. Once the deadline has ed, three judges will pick the Final 5 or 6 or 7 photos, depending on the quality of the entries we receive each month. After this, select the winner from the above list of finalists, in a one-week poll. The winning photographer's name will be added to the Kerala Community profile description, until the next month's winner has been selected, and will also be included in the subsequent month's e-magazine. A winner will be one of the judges for the next month. 15

Architecture

Basic Vastu Sree

Entrance door should face East or North, east being the preferred choice. If neither of these is a possibility, then west is also considered fine, but South is a no-no. Pooja room north east as this is considered the most auspicious place. Kitchen south east corner of the house. Second option would be north east. Master bedroom south west corner of the house. With blue as the preferred colour. Second option would be North West. Yourself Your head should rest towards south preferably Staircase should always be in clock wise direction Water tank Over head tank should be on the south western corner 16

Country

Patriotic Songs Sanuraj

India’s glorious musical heritage has been tapped by poets, patriots and film makers to create some truly undying gems ….KRN Swamy talks to Sanuraj about the patriotic songs of India…. It’s the time of the year , when everything is in tricolour, including your music ! Chances are patriotic songs wafting from the neighbourhood club or school could be your wake-up call , whether or not you gather for that ritual unfurling of the national flag on Independence Day morning. On Aug 14 , 1947 , just before the country’s tryst with destiny , of the Indian Constituent assembly listened in rapt attention as eminent freedom fighter Sucheta Kripalani sang the first verses of three patriotic songs..- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s ‘Vande mataram’ , Mohammed Iqbal’s ‘Sare Jahan se Accha’ and Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Jana Gana Mana ‘ The new nation’s leaders chose ‘Jana Gana Mana ‘ as the National Anthem in 1950 not just for its beauty but for practical reasons too- musical experts opined that ‘Vande Mataram’ could not be played by bands ! Additionally ‘Jana Gana Mana ‘ enjoyed an international reputation . It had been greatly appreciated in the United Nations at NewYork where it was first played as an orchestral arrangement in 1947 . Many said that it was superior to most National anthems of the world. Of ‘Sare Jahan se Accha’ , Mahatma Gandhi wrote “ I was overwhelmed when I read Dr.Iqbal’s poem “Hindustan Hamara”. I must have sung it at least a hundred times in Yervada Jail. Its words are so sweet and echo in my ears as I write this”. According to eminent historians , the most important lines in this poem are “ Mazhab Nahi Sikhata , Apas Main Bair Rakhna , Hindi Hain Hum , Vatan Hain Hindustan Hamara “ Which translate as follows : “ No religion teaches us to be opposed to each other . We all are Indians and our motherland is INDIA.” Bolo Bharath Matha Ki Jai….!! Patriotic songs are available on the Indian Parliament website in 22 languages at http://www.parliamentmuseum.org 17

Thank You I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gopan, Ajish, Krishna, Nikesh, Jose, Sanuraj, George, Shalini, Raj and Sree for helping us create this e-Magazine. Without your help, this would not have been possible. Thanks especially to Gopan for his untiring work in creating the blog, enabling private chats between editors, and for collecting many submissions. Thanks to Nisha for creating and maintaining this wonderful community.

I would also like to request all the KC to create and send as many articles, photographs, poems and anything else you think is worth including in future issues of the e-Mag. We hope we will have your continued cooperation and in producing better and better issues in the future.

And last, but not least, thank you all for making KC one of the better communities in orkut, full of interesting discussions, polls, jokes, chats, photographs, help and everything else that happens in KC.

Anil Raghavan 18

Chirakukal Kerala Community e-Magazine

Editor Ajish

Design Team Krishna, Nikesh, Gopan, Ajish, Jose, Anil

Compiled by Anil Raghavan

Orkut Kerala Community (KC 13231) Publication http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=13231

Issue 1, August 2009