https://chatgpt.com/share/6950c8b1-79f0-8004-bdb1-20ec717268fa

OBITUARY – KITTAN ALIAS KRISHNAMURTHY – RAMU – 10/12/2025

Dear Friends,

We have lost a *wonderful human being first,* and then our friend — Kittan, alias Krishnamurthy.

I don’t use the phrase “wonderful human being” casually just because we are speaking about someone who has passed away. *I genuinely mean it.*

I came into his association only around the 5th semester, when he began staying in our flats.

During exam times, he never allowed me to sleep peacefully. He would keep nudging me to prepare for the next morning’s exam. I used to plead with him, saying I wouldn’t write the exam tomorrow to let me sleep. But he would insist that I at least read a few topics and simply attend the exam.

During 2015, when Chennai witnessed that historic single-day rainfall of 100 cm and countless flats — especially first floors — went underwater, our Kittan was fully involved in rescue work. He extended his hands to help and saved so many lives.

I myself was stranded alone on my first floor in Velachery and had been rescued by the second-floor bachelors.

However, I was deeply worried about my brother, who was living in one of the worst-hit areas of Chennai — Madippakkam.

After escaping from my flat, I went straight to Kittan’s office and expressed my fear. Without a second thought, he arranged the tallest vehicle available — something like a poclain-tractor combination — along with a driver to accompany me.

Floods were everywhere; every road, including Mount Road, was submerged. Water levels ranged from knee-deep to 4–5 feet depending on the area.

With his vehicle and driver, I travelled nearly 30 kilometers through that flooded city until I finally reached my brother’s place in Madippakkam.

Thankfully, they had already been rescued and moved to a common dormitory.

Later, when he underwent bypass surgery, I wanted to visit him. He told me to come to his office the next day. When I did, I gently scolded him for coming to office so soon after such a major surgery. His reply remains one of the business lessons I still carry with me:

He said, *“We couldn’t pay our suppliers on time due to my long absence. If a supplier comes, I must be present while tender apologies instead of sending my manager.”*

Around that time, his young and beautiful daughter had also begun coming to the office. Kittan introduced me to her as an IIT man and asked her to take my blessings. I was so embarrassed that I had tears in my eyes — I had no idea how to react in such a situation.

I also personally know how many people he helped silently — including friends — in different ways, even financially.

I can go on and on about his goodness. All I can say now is: may his soul rest in peace.

Mourning for him,
Ramu

*வளையாமல் நதிகள் இல்லை :*- ராமு 7/12/2025

*”காதல்”* என்ற கிளாசிக் சினிமா வந்து இருபது ஆண்டுகள் இருக்கலாம். அதில் இரண்டு இளம் காதல் ஜோடிகள் பெற்றோர் மற்றும் உற்றோர்களை மீறி காதல் திருமணம் செய்துகொண்டு புதிய வாழ்க்கையை நோக்கி இரவில் வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடி வந்து சென்னைக்கான இரவுப் பேருந்தில் பயணிக்கும் போது பின்புலத்தில் வரும் பாடலின் வரிகள்:

*”வளையாமல் நதிகள் இல்லை*

*வலிக்காமல் வாழ்க்கை இல்லை “*

இந்த வரிகளைக் கேட்ட போது என்ன அருமையான உவமை என்று கவிஞர் முத்துக்குமாரை மானசீகமாக ரசித்தேன். வலிகளை எதிர்கொள்ளும் போதெல்லாம் இந்த இரண்டு வரிகள் என் மனக்கண் முன்னால் ஓடும்.

இப்போது “அந்த உவமைப் பொருத்தப்பாடு – வளையாமல் நதிகள் இல்லை – சரியாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படவில்லையோ என்று எண்ணத் தோன்றுகிறது.

தண்ணீர் மற்றும் காற்றிற்கான இயற்கைக் குணம் இரண்டு. ஒன்று ஓடிக்கொண்டே இருப்பது. மற்றொன்று எளிய, தடைகளைற்ற பாதையைத் தேர்வு செய்து ஓடுவது. (Follows the Least Path Of Resistance”.)

நீர் மற்றும் காற்றின் குணம் தடைகளைத் தாண்டுவதல்ல; தடைகளைத் தவிர்ப்பது.

இந்தப் பாடலில் இளம் ஜோடிகள் தடைகளைத் தேர்வு செய்து தடைகளைத் தாண்டி ஓடுவது காட்சி அமைப்பு. எனவே நதிகளின் உவமை பொருந்தவில்லையே என்று இருபது ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பிறகு தோன்றுகிறது.

நோபல் பரிசு பெற்ற “டேனியல் கன்னிமன்” படிக்கும்போது நீர், காற்று மட்டுமல்ல, நம் மனதிற்கும் (mind) அதேதான் இயற்கை குணம் என்று எண்ணத் தோன்றுகிறது.

Mind too always follows the path of Least Resistance like water and air.

*மனம் போன போக்கிலே கால் போகலாமா….*

நீர், காற்று மட்டும் மனதிற்கான மற்றுமொரு பொதுமைக்குணம் அதனுடைய உண்மையான பலம் / ஆற்றல் (real potential) என்னவென்பது அவற்றுக்குத் தெரியாது.

நீர் மற்றும் காற்று ஒழுங்கான கட்டுப்பாட்டிற்குள் கொண்டு வந்து பயன்படுத்தப்படும் போதுதான் அதன் உண்மையான ஆற்றல் வெளிப்படும்.

அதேபோல் மனதை யோகம், தியானம் போன்ற பல முறைகளில் கட்டுப்படுத்தி பயன்படுத்தும் போதுதான் நம் உண்மையான ஆற்றலை வெளிக்கொணர முடியும்.

Happy Sunday.

ராமு

Dear PSS,

It was our absolute pleasure, PSS, to attend your son’s marriage.

I was immensely delighted to experience the kind of hospitality you all extended to us—from the very moment of receiving the invitation, the personal call to each one of us, the continuous follow-up from Sakthivel, and finally the warm way your staff received us personally at the hotel.

I learnt a lot from your son’s wedding about how you and your family gave such a personal touch to every single attendee. You made us feel that our very presence was a joy for you, and that touched me deeply.

On top of that, nearly 20 of us gathered together, chatted endlessly, pranked each other, pulled each other’s legs, hugged like old times—and the most beautiful part was that friendship completely overshadowed politics.

To put it simply, I sincerely thank you and Sakthivel for bringing 1988 back to life, even if only for a few precious hours.

I spent so much time with my old flat mates—machi, Carnalius, Anna and many others—and most of my funniest moments were with my so-called political bête-noires: machi, Praba, Velu, and the gang. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute at the marriage hall with each one of them, and I thank all of them for rejuvenating us once again.

PSS, you have guided me even now exactly as you did during ’84–’88—this time teaching me how to organise a function with grace and warmth.

I must also appreciate and congratulate the young couple for the way they conducted themselves with such poise and such genuine warmth towards everyone.

I only wish you had a few more children—we would have loved to attend their weddings too!

Thank you, PSS.

Ramu

Prisoners of Talents
Ramu, 29/11/2025

I have been acquainted with a bright young chap, just 30+, very recently, and over time he has become my buddy.

This friend works for a very good MNC in IT and draws a handsome income. He has been a top performer in his office.

However, the unfortunate part is that his heart and soul lie in Arts, Literature, Architecture — he is a great connoisseur of all these.

In a short span, I spent a lot of time with him, and every time we met, he would talk for hours — a nonstop plethora of authors from the world of literature, and an impressive knowledge of architectural masterpieces, starting from Le Corbusier to what not.

During all my time with him, the calls he received were only from his literary circles. I never saw him discuss anything about his bread-winner profession, IT, nor did I see him passionately connected with any IT friends.

Even in his pastime, during weekends, he got absorbed in these literary groups, attending book release functions, etc. He never cared about his professional development during leisure hours, though he continues to be a top performer.

Being in my late 50s, and he being younger than my child, I used to feel envious and sometimes even get angry at him, because his rare and enormous potential seemed to get diluted due to lack of focus.

One of my mentors, Charlie Munger — a polymath himself — used to lament about his own life: “We are the prisoners of talents,” and that this cruel world keeps dumping jobs on us incessantly, leaving us with no idle time to pursue our true vocation.

Mungar went on to say that he became known as a stock-picker simply because he had the skill, though he yearned to be remembered as a teacher or a polymath.

Karunanidhi is another polymath who had been shuttling throughout his lifetime between politics and literature.

I have developed my own theory that for ordinary mortals like us (unlike Charlie Munger, Karunanidhi, Kamal Haasan, etc.), “Success lies in focus — by saying no to 99 and saying yes to just 1.”

My own theory: Success lies in focus. Happiness lies in diversion.

Let us hope my new friend is not an ordinary mortal like most of us, but a true polymath, capable of creating impact in multiple fields.

Happily yours,
Ramu

*Indian Women Lift the Cricket World Cup 2025 – Proving They Are No Longer the Weaker Sex!*

– Ramu 6/11/ 2025

If you love watching sports, you might agree that most people still prefer men’s tournaments — whether it’s cricket, tennis, or any other sport. (Athletics might be an exception.)

When you watch Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer or Serena Williams vs. anyone (except maybe Steffi Graf 😝), you’d probably agree that men’s matches give a different kind of kick when it comes to raw athletic energy.

So, I’ll admit — I didn’t actually watch the Women’s World Cup 2025 live. But once India won, my phone feed exploded with “shorts.” Out of curiosity, I watched a few clips… and honestly, I was stunned.

The way these women played — stylish batting strokes, lightning-fast stumpings, spectacular flying catches, seemingly floating in the air — completely floored me. They have proved that women’s cricket is no longer inferior to men’s cricket.

If any biologist — perhaps a descendant of Charles Darwin — were to watch the Indian women play in this World Cup, they might be tempted to rewrite the theory that women are the weaker sex.

To my surprise, some of these champions are mothers of children aged seven and above! It’s time we stop feeling pity for women or assuming they need to be spared physical effort. Instead, let’s support them, give them space to express themselves, and help unleash their full potential — taking the world to the next level.

Well done and congratulations to the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for inspiring an entire nation.

— Ramu

Subject: A Humble Request for Healthier and Meaningful Discussions

Dear Friends,

I wish to share a few thoughts with you all — not to offend or criticize anyone, but to express how I sometimes feel during our group interactions.

At times, it feels as though I have entered a new street at night and a few street dogs begin barking at me endlessly. Please take this only as an analogy — it is not my intention to hurt or offend anyone.

A few of our members seem to have mastered certain techniques that, unfortunately, *I have neither learned nor wish to adopt:*

1. Body shaming

2. Mind shaming (for example, labeling others as “IITian,” “Arivali,” “Komali,” etc.)

3. Personal attacks or “hitting below the belt” like who slept with whom…

With such methods dominating our exchanges, I often feel that our discussions lose the opportunity for real learning or meaningful exchange.

Personally, I prefer to learn from those who think clearly, remain unbiased, and are open to mutual learning — rather than those focused on proving superiority.

A true “Master,” to me, need not be a Nobel Prize winner; anyone who demonstrates clarity, fairness, and curiosity can be one — even among us.

For instance, even when someone like Captain Ranganathan, who is soft-spoken yet firm in ideology, claims that demonetization stopped the circulation of fake currency, I simply ask: if that were true, why does the data not support it? All the currency had been plowed back into the system and so far, even after 2.5 terms, our government has not come up with fake currency collection data.

My point is that once we approach any problem with preconceived notions (Modi is always right, RSS ideology, etc) our analytical thinking tends to stop, and *we end up repeating others’ conclusions rather than developing our own.*

I strongly believe that our personal growth — whether in thought, behavior, or even fortune — is influenced by the people we interact with daily. If we continue to indulge in body shaming, mind shaming, or personal attacks, the group’s overall tone and “average” will decline, ultimately pulling everyone’s average down.

Hence, my humble request: let us all take responsibility to lift our group’s average — through healthy, respectful, and insightful discussions filled with fun, learning, and good spirit. Only then will participation in this group truly feel worthwhile.

Otherwise, I may have to quietly step back — remaining silent or simply archiving messages without reading them.

If my analogy or words have hurt anyone, please accept my sincere apologies. My intention is only to encourage reflection, not to offend.

Warm regards,
Ramu

October 29, 2025

Dear Chitra Ma’am,

I listened to your entire 1.5-hour presentation on the book “Range” by David Epstein.

It was an amazing one, and I must appreciate you for offering such deep insights into the book.

Although I had read the book myself a long time ago, I must frankly admit that I did not gain such profound insights until I listened to your presentation.

While I had understood the difference between Tiger Woods’ and Roger Federer’s approaches to choosing their respective fields during my reading, the way you simply categorized them (as the author did) into “Kind Domain” and “Wicked Domain” was a fantastic learning for me.

I also learned about the characteristics of a “Dark Horse,” and I experienced a small pleasure in categorizing myself as one.

After listening to your presentation, I developed an analogy for the two domains — “Kind and Wicked” — as “Simple System” and “Complex Adaptive System” respectively.

I would also like to suggest that you read the wonderful book “Investing: The Last Liberal Art” by Robert G. Hagstrom.

I must sincerely appreciate your effort — reading the book for a month, re-reading it for the presentation, preparing the PPTs, and presenting it for one and a half hours purely for your own satisfaction, without seeking external validation. That spirit is indeed rare and admirable.

Thank you, Ma’am.

Ramu
Chennai
98843 84425

Hello Ramu Sir,

I am so grateful to receive your sincere appreciation. 🙏🏽 You made my day.

It is very true, it is a very complex book, I was afraid  to do this book review as the content itself is very complex.

I am glad I tried. I am very glad it is a good reference for you.

I am grateful for the detailed feedback .

It is great to know that you are a dark horse, I would like to learn about and learn from your experience, when we get a chance to speak.

This message is so nicely constructed, in a very professional style.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me and sharing your feedback, I feel happy that I am able to make a difference in peoples life in the smallest possible way. 🙏🏽

Thank you sir 🙏🏽

Thanks,
Chitra
+1 669 224 0961

*When Rivals Become Friends, they emerge as true Legends with humane touch – Rohit Sharma – Virat Kholi:*
– Ramu, 27/10/2025

For more than ten years, I’ve often wondered how one quality remains the same among all great legends — no matter which field they belong to — except, perhaps, in Indian politics.

In the recent India–Australia 3rd ODI, I was deeply moved when Rohit Sharma shared his Man of the Match award with his long-time rival of over 15 years, Virat Kohli. When I saw that moment, tears rolled down my eyes.

Both of them are now nearing the end of their long cricket careers. Maybe being left out by selectors has made them realize that, however great they are, the time will soon come to hang their boots.

That thought might have made them appreciate each other’s talent and contribution, forgetting old rivalries, jealousy and competition — and *remembering only the good days they shared on the field.*

We’ve seen the same pattern before: Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, Sachin–Sourav–Dravid, Federer–Nadal, Sampras–Agassi, and even in other fields — M.S.V.–Ilaiyaraaja, Ilaiyaraaja–A.R. Rahman, Bill Gates–Steve Jobs.

*It seems all legends go through the same journey.*

During their prime, they fight hard to prove themselves and sometimes, even play DIRTY politics for the spotlight.

But when they sense their time is ending, *the first thing they do is appreciate their old rival — the very person who pushed them to be their best.*

Appreciatingly yours,
Ramu

*பைசன் – காளமாடன்:* தமிழ் படப்பார்வை
– ராமு – 26/10/2025

கொஞ்ச நாட்களாக “பின் நவீனத்துவம் – Post Modernism” என்ற வார்த்தை என்னைத் தூரத்திக்கொண்டே இருந்தது.

அதிரஷ்டவசமாக, பேராசிரியர் முரளி என்பவர் தன் “socrates studio” எனும் வலைத்தளத்தில் 1 மணி நேரம் “பின் நவீனத்துவம்” அடிப்படை குறித்து விளக்கியிருந்தார்.

அதாவது இதுவரையில் உள்ள “நவீனத்துவம்”, என்பது அனைத்துத்துக் கலைகளும்  – சினிமா, இசை, ஆர்ட், கட்டிடம் வடிவமைப்பு, பண்பாடு போன்றவைகள் ஒரு ஒழுங்கிற்கு – structure, pattern, grammar – உட்பட்டு இதுவரையில் பல முன்னோர்களால் பின்பற்றப்பட்ட ஒழுங்கில் இருந்து விலகாமல், ஒரு கட்டமைப்பிற்குள் கலைகளை உருவாக்குவது.

உதாரணமாக, இளையராஜா இசை, AR ரகுமான் இசை போன்றவைகள் ஒரு ஒழுங்கிற்குள் – மெட்டு, ராகம், இசைக்கருவிகள், ஓசை போன்றவைகள் கட்டுப்பட்டு இருக்கும்.

பின் நவீனத்துவம் என்பது –  இலக்கணம், பாரம்பரியம், வடிவமைப்பு போன்ற எதற்குள்ளும் அடங்காத, ஒரு “ஒழுங்கற்ற ஒழுங்கு” (ஒழுங்கீனம் அன்று) அடங்குவது.

இந்த “பின் நவீனத்துவம் – post modernism” என்பது தான் மாரி செல்வராஜின் கோட்டை – Forte.

அவர் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கும் அனைத்து தொழில்நுட்பக் கலைஞர்களும் – இசை அமைப்பாளர்கள் முதல் அனைவரும் “பின் நவீனத்துவப் பிரியர்கள்”.

இதுவரை சங்கர், மணிரத்னம், போன்ற இயக்குனர்களிடம் இருந்து முற்றிலும் விலகி, வரையறுக்கப்பட்ட எந்த சினிமா இலக்கணத்திற்குள்ளும் சிக்காமல் புதிய இலக்கணத்தை உருவாக்குகிறார்.

இந்தப் படத்தில் வரும் அனைத்து நடிகர்களும், பெண் பாத்திரங்கள் உட்பட அனைவரும் ( துருவ், பசுபதி, லால், அமீர் தவிர) தொழில்முறை நடிகர்கள் அல்லர்.

பாட்டு, இசை அனைத்தும் “ஒப்பாரி, கூத்து, சாமியாட்டம்” என்று கொஞ்சம் இரைச்சலாக, இளையராஜா, ARR போன்ற ஒரு வடிவத்திற்குள் வராமல் மிகவும் “RAW” வாக இருக்கிறது.

ஒரு வேளை “பின் நவீனத்துவம் காணொளி” கேட்காமல் படத்திற்கு போயிருந்தால் என் மனைவியைப் போல “காட்டுக்கத்து” என்று நானும் புறம் தள்ளிருப்பேன்.

“திருச்செந்தூர் – தூத்துக்குடி” 1994 ல் நடந்த உண்மையை “கபாடி” விளையாட்டின் பின்புலத்துடன் (அதுவும் உண்மை என்றுதான் படுகிறது) சிறிய காதலுடன் முடிந்தவரையில் “RAW” உண்மைக்கு அருகில் திரை மொழியில் கொண்டு வந்திருப்பதைப் பார்க்கும் போது மாரி செல்வராஜின் வளர்ச்சி பிரமிக்க வைப்பதாக இருக்கிறது.

இந்தப் படத்தின் மூலம் மாரி செல்வராஜ், காலம் காலமாக, ஏன், எதற்கு, யாருக்கு, எப்போது ஆரம்பித்தது என்று எதுவுமே தெரியாமல் (இந்தியா -பாகிஸ்தான் போல) இரண்டு இனக்குழுக்கள் வன்முறை, கொலைகளில் ஈடுபட்டு இளைஞர்களின் வாழ்கையை அழித்து இரண்டு கிராமங்களை எப்போது கலவர பூமியாக வைத்திருக்கும் சக்திகளிடம் இருந்து விடுவித்து “யாரோ ஒரு இளைஞன் தேசிய அளவில் புகழ் பெற்று விட்டால்” அந்த கிராமத்திற்குள் அமைதி திரும்பிவிடும் என்ற தீர்வை முன் வைக்கிறார்.

பாலா, வெற்றிமாறன், குமாரராஜா (சூப்பர் டீலக்ஸ்) போன்றவர்கள் மாரி செல்வராஜக்கு முன்னோடிகளாக இருந்தாலும், அவர்களை தாண்டிவிட்டார் என்றுதான் தோன்றுகிறது.

அனைவருக்குமான படமா என்றால் இல்லை. கொஞ்சம் வன்முறை, கொஞ்சம் நீளம்.

ஆனால் மாரி செல்வராஜின் உழைப்பு, நேர்மை, தொழில் பக்தி, கான்செப்ட், போன்றவை எனக்கு ஒரு விதமான உத்வேகம் – inspiration கொடுத்தது.

One can learn something certainly from this movie is my verdict.

ராமு