Article 15 - An Overview on Tamil Fantasy Novels

After writing an article on Top 10 Tamil Historical Novels, I thought of exploring the novels, stories and books on Tamil Fantasy genre. Fantasy falls under so many categories such as epic, heroic, fables, historical, magical, fairy tales, science fiction etc. The legendary mythical creatures in fantasy world include Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Angels, Unicorns, Centaurs , Mermaids, Ghosts, Demons, Devils, Goblins, Zombies, Witches, Trolls, Genies, Giants, Gnomes, Pixies, Immortals, Sorcerers, Nymphs and so on. 

Though we have seen them in Hollywood fantasy movies or read them in English fantasy novels, we would be eager to know if they ever existed in fantasy books or movies in Indian languages. Though Indian authors have written fantasy novels in English, I thought of researching fantasy novels in the Indian native languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam etc.

When it comes to epic fantasy, I can think of the best two as Mahabharata and Ramayana- the greatest epics of ancient India, written in Sanskrit. They are world popular and available in so many languages. I have read them in English, Hindi and Tamil and watched it as television series and movies from my childhood. They can give you thoughts for a lifetime.

When it comes to science fiction fantasy, I enjoyed reading novels - En Iniya Enthira and Meendum Jeano by writer Sujatha. These novels are based on robots and artificial intelligence. I would encourage young authors and story writers to write more novels and short stories on science fiction theme in Tamil. I heard about 6174 and 7.83 HZ novels written by Sudhakar Kasturi. Need to read them when I get those books.

For historical fantasy, we can get a huge reference from Indian mythology and Sangam Tamil literature. For example,  a lot of fantasy themes we can imagine while reading Puranas. 18 of the major Purana and sub Purana written in Sanskrit verses are translated into Tamil, English, Hindi and other Indian languages. 

Many Tamil movies, television series and short stories have been released based on Kanda Purana and Periya Purana. As I have to still read more on Sangam Tamil Literature and Puranas, I will write articles on those topics in my future blog posts.

Rest of the categories include fairy tales, folklore, and fables with full of magic and heroism. I love to read the fantasy novels on these areas, as it gives more thoughts to your brain while reading itself. The folklore stories have meaningful messages which brings out the common sense, bravery and thoughts to apply in real life. I have compiled a list of such novels which I enjoy reading any time. Though you can sneak a peek on those list of novels in google, wait for my next official blog post.

--Siva

LOGICAL PUZZLE FOR A BREAK

Need a break for your brain to think - Solve the above puzzle and comment your answer and your logical way to reach the solution.

--Siva

10 second story 4 - Care

"Alarm is ringing and still you are sleeping. Get ready and go to school, my lazy boy !" 70 year old mom was waking up her 50 year old son, who is the headmaster of a school.

--Siva

10 second story 3 - Affection

Toddler stopped crying and started to smile when she saw her grandma through the internet video chat popped up from the laptop.

--Siva

10 second story 2 - Worship

"Can I see GOD by end of the day ?" A devotee who stood last in the queue asked. 

"First see your sick MOTHER who does odd jobs to earn daily bread for you !" A voice replied. 

When the devotee turned back, there was no one.

--Siva

10 second story 1 - Hunger

From the balcony of a large apartment, a small kid with an ice cream cone in his hand, was staring at a crawling baby crying for milk in front of a small hut.

-- Siva

Story 3 - The Bunny, the Witch & the Magic Portals

            Here is one of the movie script I submitted in the online contest conducted in Hogwarts Extreme website during the Easter festival 2015. And it got the first prize among so many entries. The entire plot, characters, locations, story, script, dialogues, screenplay are all my complete imagination. The movie poster is designed by the Hogwarts Extreme friend Danielle.

I wanted some new faces to portray as the main characters - Ethan and Vesper. So we decided to show actor Colin Ford as Ethan and actress Elle Fanning as actress. The theme of the story is fantasy thriller with Easter festival elements. Hope the readers enjoy the movie script.

FADE IN:

WOODLAND HOUSE, EVERGREEN STREET, MARYSVILLE - DAY

Cuckoos were flying in the sky announcing the next bright day in the countryside of Montrose in Marysville, 100 miles away from the city of Los Angeles. A white and fluffy bunny is seen running fast into the Woodland's house when the clock ticks 6 a.m in the morning. The bunny turns into a young teenage boy once he steps into the house.

A WOMAN'S VOICE

( from kitchen )

"ETHAN, is that you ?"

ETHAN

"Yes, mom. I am back. I would like to have a cup of coffee, please."

Ethan's Mom emerges from the kitchen holding a cup of coffee to Ethan. As Ethan took a sip, his past memories flashed in his brain. From his childhood, Ethan has been under the curse of turning into a bunny once the clock strikes 6 in the evening. The curse was laid upon the family by a witch who was betrayed by Ethan's ancestors. When the clock again ticks 6 in the morning, he gets his human form back. The curse can be only lifted when Ethan, as a bunny collects 3 Easter eggs and gifts it to his true love when he turns 21 on Easter day. Ethan's parents had a tough time hiding this curse from their friends, relatives and neighborhood.

DISSOLVE TO:

CRESCENT VALLEY COLLEGE, MONTROSE

As Ethan walks to his classroom, more memories of his life flow. He had always made sure to stay away from his college friends and professors in the evening and through the whole night. He had led a double life from the day he was born. He found friends in the night time in owls, frogs, fellow rabbits, cats and rats living in the surroundings of his home, but this was never the same. Ethan arrives at--

CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM

He grabs a seat. A professor in a brown tweed suit stands in front of the classroom. His name, Professor Boyle, is scrawled on the chalkboard followed by "Welcome to Chemistry 101." Ethan is not paying attention. His professor's cough redirects his memories to the present.

PROFESSOR BOYLE

"Ethan, do I have your attention here? Can you tell me about your favorite movies?"

ETHAN

"Sorry Professor. Yes, my favorite movie is Stuart Little. But I also like to watch vampire and werewolves movies."

Once the bell rang at 4 p.m, Ethan rushed towards the college building's exit. Suddenly, the college secretary telephones him and asks him to meet the dean of the college. The dean went through the annual cultural events schedule with him. Ethan worried that he will never make it to home before 6 p.m. By the time he bid adieu to the dean and rushed towards the exit again, his wrist watch showed 5:55 pm. He saw his father's car there and jumped into it as a bunny before anybody watched over him.

CUT TO:

HAUNTED MANSION, OUTLAND FOREST - NIGHT

A large python, ISABEAUX, withered towards the mansion's window and stops at the sight of a dark and ugly witch.

WITCH

"Where were you, Isabeaux? Did you get a chance to kill the bunny ?"

ISABEAUX

"Not yet, Milady. But I have stopped him from collecting the eggs. I will kill him the next time I see him."

WITCH

"You have to be fast enough Isabeaux. Are you going blind? You have to kill him before he turns 21 this year. If he collects 1 more egg and finds his true love, then we are no more. I have closed all the ways of him meeting her."

Isabeaux lets out her forked tongue and acknowledges the order of her mistress.

FADE TO:

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA CITY - DAY

A young blonde girl is seen catching the bus headed to Montrose from the bus stop located in the middle of the busy city. She has joined the Crescent Valley college today. She reaches the college a little late, arriving at Professor Boyle's classroom. The professor allows her in since it is her first day.

PROFESSOR BOYLE

"May I know your name and why you transferred to this college?"

BLONDE GIRL

"Yes, Professor, my name is VESPER.."

CUT TO:

At the same time in another corner of the college, Ethan feels a minor electric shock pass over him. He is not sure why he felt like that.

Time passes. Ethan does not see Vesper during the year though she studies in the same college. However, Ethan feels the minor shocks whenever Vesper is near to him or her name is said. During the nights, he tries every way that he can think of to collect the last egg, but he has to always run away from the python who chases him wherever he goes.

FADE TO:

WOODLAND HOUSE, EVERGREEN STREET, MARYSVILLE - NIGHT

Two more days to go for Easter and Ethan turns 21. His parents are worried that Ethan has not yet gotten the last egg. Ethan, as a bunny, along with his nocturnal friends, has searched for the magical door through the farms and peasant fields around Marysville. Ethan got his last 2 eggs through 2 different magical doors while roaming around the lakes and forests near his house. When Ethan crosses the road to the other side, he bumps into a car, which stops suddenly, screeching breaks are heard.

A YOUNG GIRL'S VOICE

"Oh look over, it's a white bunny. Mom, can we take him?"

YOUNG GIRL'S MOM'S VOICE

"No Esther, you can't!"

ESTHER VOICE

"Mom, I am going to pick it up before anybody else crushes him. We can keep him for Easter."

VESPER'S VOICE

“He is adorable, mom”

Ethan feels the same electric shock that he has felt the last year and recognizes the voice of Vesper. Vesper picks up Ethan and holds him in her lap in the car. Ethan's sixth sense tells him that she is his true love. He signals his friends from the car to follow him. Far far away, the Witch senses this and starts murmuring some curses. The witch realizes that she has missed blocking the bunny form of Ethan from meeting the girl. She had only blocked their meetings in human form.

CUT TO:

HAUNTED MANSION - NIGHT BEFORE EASTER DAY

The Witch sees Isabeaux chasing the bunny away from the final magical door in her magical crystal ball. Ethan's animal friends block Isabeaux. One of his frog friends jumps into the mouth of Isabeaux to distract her from seeing Ethan. With a second to spare, the bunny catches hold of the magical door and enters it.

WITCH

"NOOOOOOO"

She shouts a killing curse while looking at the crystal ball, which kills her long lasting pet Isabeaux instantly.

CUT TO:

WOODLAND HOUSE - EASTER DAY

Ethan feels so happy returning to his house on Easter morning with the last egg in his hand. Now that he knows his true love, he can finally be freed from his curse.

ETHAN'S MOM

"Oh my dear, finally you have got the egg. You were so brave all along. I am so proud of you."

ETHAN

"Thanks, Mom. Come let us go to meet Vesper, my true love. I know where she lives."

ETHAN'S MOM

"Oh yes, dear. We shall go soon to see her, but it would be great if I can have a look at all 3 eggs. Will you please show it to me now? "

Ethan goes to fetch the 3 eggs from the drawing room. He is shocked to see the image in the mirror kept in the drawing room, reflecting the hall of the house. Instead of his mom, a Witch stands in the same place. Ethan turns and sees his Mom smiling at him. As he looks at the mirror again, he still see the witch. He retrieves the eggs and sees a cunning look in her eyes.

ETHAN

"Mom, would you mind, if I can keep hold of these eggs with me as I have to give them to my true love in my bunny form, no one else? "

WITCH AS ETHAN'S MOM

"Of course dear. Shall we go? I guess your dad can meet us there when we call him."

Ethan feels a little nervous as he is not sure where his parents are now. So he obeys the Witch in disguise.

CUT TO:

HAUNTED MANSION - EASTER DAY

Ethan is not sure where the Witch is taking him. It is as though he is in a deep sleep. When he opens his eyes, he is locked up in a dark room tangled with spider webs. He sees an old figure with black wardrobes moving towards him.

WITCH

"Well, well, look who is here ! You are a clever bunny boy indeed to recognize my true form. And don't worry about your parents, they are locked up next to this room. All I ask from you is, just open those Easter eggs when you turn into a bunny in half an hour and give them to me."

ETHAN

(with a shaking voice)

"Please don't hurt my parents. I will do as you say. But why do you need those eggs to be opened when you could have done yourself?"

WITCH

(laughing loudly)

"Do you have any idea why I have spared your life so far? Why I blocked you all your life from getting the eggs? And why I stopped you from meeting your true love? Yes, it is all for my IMMORTALITY. If you do not find your true love and gift the eggs, then I will be as I am now. If you lift the curse, then I will lose all my powers and will become mortal. If you open the eggs and give them to me, I will become immortal and invincible." (Witch laughing louder now...)

By the time the witch finishes her explanation, the clock ticks 6 and Ethan turns into a bunny. Suddenly, a loud explosion occurs where the Witch stands. She falls into a deep, black burrow and Ethan sees an old grey EASTER BUNNY approaching him.

EASTER BUNNY

"You were not alone in this fight, kid. Happy Birthday."

The Easter Bunny smiles at Ethan, beckoning him to follow him. They both vanished together through another burrow. After a few minutes Ethan, as a bunny, gives the Easter Eggs to Vesper turning himself into a full grown boy again. Vesper is stunned to see Ethan turning into a human form. Then they both thank the EASTER BUNNY who appears in front of them. Ethan tells his life story to Vesper on the way back to the mansion and they find his parents.

THE END

Story 2 - Siva and the Leprechaun McWoozy Sprinkles

This is one of the story I submitted in one of the online contest conducted in Hogwarts extreme website long back. It is completely my imagination of myself meeting a Leprechaun. Hope you all know about Leprechauns, if not, get to know them more from Google search results or from Wikipedia. Okay, time to meet the little guy.

Siva and the Leprechaun McWoozy Sprinkles

At the end of the rainbow, Siva spotted the little old man wearing a funny green old coat and hat.

Siva: “Hello sir, what a pleasant surprise to meet you ? I know who you are !”

While mending the shoes, the little man stared at Siva with a suspicious glance.

Leprechaun: “You know nothing. Get away from here kid.”

Siva: “Gorgeous, that’s a wonderful outfit you’re wearing. May I know your name, sir?”

Leprechaun: “This is none of your business. You are wasting my time already.”

Siva: “Amazing. Your hard working hands are so fast to mend those shoes. They look beautiful and marvelous.”

The old man just stopped his task for a moment and stared at Siva again. But this time, the dull expression on his face has become lighter. It seemed that no one has ever appreciated the hard work of this experienced little master.

Leprechaun:”Who are you kid? And why are you here ?”

Siva: “Now that is the question I expected from you, sir. My name is Siva and I am a student from Hogwarts. I was just watching over this stunning rainbow and I met over you here.”

Leprechaun: “Sprinkles, my name is McWoozy Sprinkles. Please call me Sprinkles. ”

Siva: “Sure, you really deserve respect and pride sir, sorry Sprinkles.”

Sprinkles: “I don't need anybody to shower compliments on me. I hate that.”

Siva: ”Oh, is that so ? Then what are the things you love or like then?”

Sprinkles: “I always love to be alone, doing my tasks alone, hiding from humans.”

Siva: “Blimey, that would be really boring.. Won’t you feel suffocated Sprinkles?”

Sprinkles: “No, this is the way I am. I like what I am doing. No one to interfere my freedom”

Siva: “I wonder how will you lose your freedom by talking to people, making some friends or helping others. So whom do you make those shoes for?”

Sprinkles: “They are not made for humans. They are created for fairies, angels, elves and other magical beings which you may not know. I doubt you are stealing away my time again, Siva!”

Siva: “Not at all. May I know what you are hiding behind, Sprinkles?”

Sprinkles: “Errr. I am afraid, I can’t reveal it to you. Would you please leave?”

Siva: “I know what you are hiding. If you have a pure heart and soul, you will be bold enough to show that to me. And I promise you, I am not going to steal it away and run.”

After a moment of deep thought, Sprinkles showed the hidden thing to Siva. Oh my goodness, it is a POT OF GOLD.

Sprinkles: “I proved that I have a pure heart and soul, now what ?”

Hiding his smile, Siva planned his next move to get the millions of gold from Sprinkles.

Siva: “Yes indeed, you have a brave heart at this age of yours. I agree. But what about your brain? Can it accept challenges or think an answer to a simple riddle?”

Sprinkles: “Well, kid. Try me with any challenge or riddle of yours.”

Siva: “But do you have a courteous or generous mind to give away that POT OF GOLD to me, if you fail to answer the riddle?”

Sprinkles: “Generous. Yes I am. Don’t you think it as generous to dedicate my entire life to make and mend shoes for the welfare of others. What will I get, if I win the challenge?”

Siva: “I can give you my entire earnings I have got in Gringotts which is more valuable than the gold you have got here. You can mark my word, hope you know some goblin friends from the bank.”

But the fact was Siva had got only that much galleons in Gringotts which he can count in seconds.

Sprinkles: “Ok deal. Waste no more time. Throw me your riddle.”

Siva: “I wear a colored hat mostly black or brown or red. At dark times, you may need me to help you. But if you strike me, I turn to dust.  Who am I?”

McWoozy Sprinkles repeated the words from the riddle, muttering to himself as though he would take a lifetime to answer it.

Sprinkles: “Can I have 3 attempts to answer it, considering my seniority?”

Siva: “Oh yeah, little master. But if you fail at the 3rd answer, you fail the challenge.”

Sprinkles: “This guy wears a hat , Is it a HOUSE-ELF?”

Siva: “Nope, they don’t turn into dust if struck, do they?”

Sprinkles: “Hmm. Is it a VAMPIRE?”

Siva: “Wrong answer. Did they help you in dark times? Interesting...”

Sprinkles: “Ok. well is it a WIZARD?”

Siva: “Missed all your chances, Sorry Sprinkles. You fail the challenge. Ready to give that POT OF GOLD to me?”

McWoozy Sprinkles looked worried and tiresome. He gave the gold to Siva half-heartedly and asked the answer to the riddle.

Siva: “I wonder how would you make fire now a days, not by rubbing two stones ?”

Sprinkles: “Err.. Is it a MATCHSTICK?”

Siva: “Too late.. Sprinkles. Yep, that is the answer and thanks for the gold.”

Sprinkles: “Don’t tell anybody the secret from where you got the gold, if you do, it will vanish!”

By the time Siva blinked his eyes, McWoozy Sprinkles was gone.

THE END

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue by Siva.

P.S: Direction can be done if some one is willing to act as a Leprechaun ;)

Article 14 - Lazy Humans with Crazy Technology

                 Do you think technology is going crazy, crossing unlimited boundaries, raging beyond control and evolving beyond imagination ? Do you think this smart and crazy technology makes humans so lazy too?  Though I have shared my opinions to these questions in different angles by writing some articles on technology (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3), I thought of writing more on this trending topic. Before technology made you lazy, it made you forget so many important things in your life. Let me just rewind few important events which we forgot or forgetting slowly.

Forgotten are those days when people used to walk miles and miles just to watch their favorite movies, to taste their favorite food, to see the beautiful places around them and so on. Forgotten are those days when younger generation shared their views and thoughts with their parents and elders or listened to their advice. Forgotten to eat healthy breakfast with nutrient enriched food. Forgotten to have a joint family dinner together. Forgotten to use pen or pencil to write or sketch on paper. 

Forgotten to care and observe nature. Forgotten to plant seeds or grow trees. Forgotten to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. Forgotten to enjoy a full moon lit night with shining stars.  Forgotten to enjoy a beautiful rainbow after a showering rain. Forgotten to listen to the music of birds. Forgotten to see, feel and hear the nonstop ocean waves lashing over the cluttered rocks. Forgotten to watch the golden honeybees and colorful butterflies buzzing over the beautiful flowers. Forgotten to breathe natural air or smell the natural fragrances such as the smell of various flowers including roses. 

Now a days the terms walking, running, jogging, swimming are mostly used for losing the body weight, for staying fit, for improving the health, or for participating in the marathon race or athletic games. More work is given to the brain and eyes, spending most of the time seated in one place. In order to visit a friend who is only few minutes walk away, or to buy food items from a near by shop, bikes and cars are called for assistance. Climbing stairs from ground to first floor is a mission impossible task. Technology says "Press button 1 to go to first floor using lift or stand in 1 step until you reach first floor through escalator". Technological inventions are making jobs easy as well as making us lazy. Let us not make it more crazy.

--Siva

Article 13 - Mona of 21st Century

Is this a modern art version of Mona Lisa digitized by a modern Leonardo da Vinci? Then I would call the woman in the painting as Mona and the artist as Leo. What  a change over from Mona Lisa of 16th century to Mona of 21st century. Hats off to Leo. I would guess the title of art as DIGITAL MONA or MONA OF 21st CENTURY or may be MONA LEO !

When I looked at this remix funny painting first, I had to laugh out loud. No offense to the artist Leo. Let me share my thoughts and views on what Leo had tried to portray Mona of 21st century. 

First of all, look at the smile of Mona. I sense a definite improvement over centuries. Then look at that face shining like a Gigawatts LED bulb. I had anticipated to see those magnet eyes hidden behind the sunglasses. Those eyes would stare at you even if you look at it from all 360 degree angles. Seems like she understood the dramatic change of weather, global warming and adverse climatic conditions when she travelled into the current century.

Let me put together the details of painting with a couple of questions to ask artist Leo. Is she taking a selfie with a modern digital camera or asking you to shoot different versions of her? Is that an artificial butterfly sitting on top of her head? Why you have not changed her hair style? Did you not think of a modern dress for Mona - why you left her with the same outfit of old century? What about the background scenery? Why does her left hand look more yellowish than the right one?

I can assume the answers from Leo, if I read his mind correctly. Leo wanted Mona to be more alive and entertaining now with a digital camera in one hand and showing a symbol of victory in the other hand. May be Leo’s caption for this painting would say - Don’t worry, Be happy. Enjoy your freedom. Victory is yours. The camera in her left hand shouts her inner thoughts - Can somebody take my photo? I need to share it soon through social media network like Twitter and Facebook. If no one is willing, I know how to take selfies. I don't want future generations to think that this lady has only one version of painting. The different colors of Mona depicts Unity in Diversity.

Leo may be still working on the hair style and background scenery to fit the current century. May be he is yet to learn and update himself with software tools like Photoshop, Picasa, online image editors etc. Hope he uses the Sfumato touch here too to maintain the realistic painting of Mona. If I can visit Leo in person, I would ask him to try a better Mona of 21st century like a 3D or 4D Mona who pops out of the 77 cm × 53 cm painting and shakes hands with you.

--Siva