Top Albums and Songs - 2016

Another year comes to an end, so let me start listing my favorites, starting with music as always. Movies and my awards to follow.

For previous years, 2015, 2014, 2013.

My most favorite song of this year in Tamil is "Kannamma" from Rekka, soulful singing from Nandini Srikar. And, in Telugu it is still "Telusa Telusa" from Sarrainodu even though I didn't understand anything, loved Sameera Bharadwaj's sweet voice. Favorite song in Malayalam is "Thiruvaavaniraavu", Onam song, from Jacobinte Swargarajiyam. And, the beautiful "Channa Mereya" from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in Hindi.

And, eventually Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada becomes my most heard album overtaking Oru Naal Koothu at the end of the year. In Hindi, it's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil over taking Udta Punjab.

Top Albums

1. Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada - A R Rahman
2. Oru Naal Koothu - Justin Prabhakaran
3. Kabali - Santhosh Narayanan
4. Irudhi Suttru - Santhosh Narayanan
5. Kavalai Vendam - Leon James

Top 20 Songs

1. Kannamma - Rekka
2. Rasali - Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada
3. Adiye Azhage - Oru Naal Koothu
4. Neruppu Da - Kabali
5. Ei Sandakara - Irudhi Suttru
6. Chellama - Joker
7. Kannadikkala - Maaveeran Kittu
8. Maya Nadhi - Kabali
9. Kohila - KO2
10. Aval - Manithan
11. Thalli Pogathe- Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada
12. Nee Tholaindhaayo - Kavalai Vendam
13. Naan Un - 24
14. Remo Nee Kadhalan - Remo
15. Munnal Kadhali - Miruthan
16. Hey Mama - Sethupathi
17. Un Mela Oru Kannu - Rajini Murugan
18. Thalakaalu Puriyalaiyae - Kidari
19. Ei Suzhali - Kodi
20. Nee Kidaithai - Chennai 28 II

Other Favorites - In Release Order

• Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam - Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam
• Aavi Parakkum Teakadai - Rajini Murugan
• Vathana Vathana, Theme, Idarinum - Thaarai Thappatai
• Vaa Machaney, Usuru Narambula - Irudhu Suttru
• Domer-u Lord-u, Shoot the Kuruvi - Jil Jung Juk
• Mirutha Mirutha - Miruthan
• Konji Pesida Venam - Sethupathi
• Rain Rain Go Go - Pokkiri Raja
• Uyire Un Uyirena, Engae Ponaai - Zero
• Ni Sa Gari Sa - Darling 2
• Eeena Meena Teeka, Thaimai, Jithu Jilladi - Theri
• Athuva Ithuva, Adiye Unna - Vetrivel
• Mei Nigara, Punnagaye - 24
• Kannamma - KO2
• Karuvakaatu Karuvaaya - Maruthu
• Agnikunjondru, Maane Maane, Kaantha - Uriyadi
• Dushta, Manidhi - Iraivi
• Kutheeti, Aaravalli - Velainu Vanthutta Vellaikaran
• Eppo Varuvaaro, Patta Podunga ji, Yaeli yaeli - Oru Naal Koothu
• Snegidhiyae Snegidhiyae - Raja Mandhiri
• Veera Thurandhara, Vaanam Parthen - Kabali
• Ola Ola - Joker
• Maya O Maya - Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum
• Yedho Maayam Saeigirai - Wagah
• Makka Kalanguthappa - Dharmadurai
• Halena, Oh Maya, Kannai Vittu - Irumugan
• Oorellam Kekkude - Thodari
• Virru Virru, Kanna Kaattu Podhum - Rekka
• Daavuya, Senjitaley, Sirikkadhey - Remo
• Oyaa Oyaa - Kashmora
• Kodi Parakkudha, Sirukki Vaasam - Kodi
• Avalum Naanum, Idhu Naal - Achcham Enbathu Madamaiyada 
• En Pulse Yethitu Poriye, Un Kadhal Irundhal Podhum - Kavalai Vendam
• Inivom - Uyirellam Ondre, Unkooda Thunaiyaga - Maaveeran Kittu
• Soppana Sundari - Chennai 28 II
• Thavazhnthidum Thangapoove - Veera Sivaji

Malayalam

Best Albums

1. Jacobinte Swargarajyam - Shaan Rahman
2. Kali - Gopi Sunder
3. Maheshinte Prathikaram - Bijibal
4. Aanandam - Sachin Warrier

Top 10 Songs

1. Thiruvaavaniraavu - Jacobinte Swargarajyam
2. Idukki - Maheshinte Prathikaram
3. Thennal Nilavinte  - Oru Muthassi Gadha
4. Vaarthinkalee - Kali
5. Payee Veesum - Aanandam
6. Vaathe Poothe - Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti
7. Para Para - Kammatipaadam
8. Ta Ta Ta Tang - Darvinte Parinamam
9. Rosie - Monsoon Mangoes
10. Pookkal Panineer - Action Hero Biju

Other Favorites

• Kaathirunna Pakshi Njan - Kammatipaadam
• Oh Punnyala, Kathangal Kinavil - Darvinte Parinamam
• Ennilerinju, Ee Shishirakaalam - Jacobinte Swargarajyam
• Pularkaalam Pole, Pooram Kaanan - Vallem Theeti Pulleem Thetti
• Neeyen Sayahna Swapnathil - Ma Chu Ka
• Theliveyil, Mounangal - Maheshinte Prathikaram
• Chillu Ranthal - Kali
• Oonjalilaadi Vanna - Action Hero Biju
• Mazhaye Mazhaye - James and Alice
• Kisaapathiyil - Kismath
• Dooreyo, Nilaavil Ellame - Aanandam
• Nokki Nokki, Neelakasham - Jomonte Suvisheshangal

Hindi

Best Albums

1. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil - Pritam
2. Udta Punjab - Amit Trivedi
3. Dangal - Pritam
4. Mirzya - Shankar Eshaan Loy
5. Rustom - Ankit Tiwari, Jeet Ganguly, Raghav Sachar, Arko Pravo Mukherjee 

Favorites 

• Ikk Kudi, Da Da Dasse, Chitta Ve - Udta Punjab
• Paashima, Yeh Fitoor Mera, Honedo Badiya - Fitoor
• Sab Tera, Cham Cham, Agar Tu Hota - Baaghi
• Tere Bin - Wazir
• Jhalli Pataaka, Dil Ye Ladaku - Saala Kadoos
• Qatl-E-Aam - Raman Raghav 2.0
• Bol do Na Zara, Oye Oye - Azhar
• Dheere Dheere - Jal Gangaajal
• Rock the Party, Rehnuma, Titiliyan - Rocky Handsome
• Let's Nacho, Bolna, Kar Gai Chull - Kapoor & Sons
• Foolishq, Ji Huzoori - Ki & Ka
• Sindhu Ma, Tu Hai - Mohenjo Daro
• Teen Gawah Hain Ishq Ke, Hota Hai, Ek Nadi Thi - Mirzya
• Kala Chasma, Sau Aasmaan  - Baar Baar Dekho
• Tere Sang Yaara, Tay Hai, Dekha Hazaro,  Jab Tum - Rustom
• Besabriyaan, Jab Tak, Phir Kabhi - MSD
• Jeenay De Mujhe - PINK
• Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Channa Mereya, Bulleya, Alizeh - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
• Love You Zindagi, Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le - Dear Zindagi
• Mehram - Kahaani 2
• Haanikaarak Bapu, Dangal, Dhaakad, Gilehriyaan - Dangal

Telugu

Favorites: Best Song - Telusa Telusa - Sarrainodu (Thaman)

• Rang De, Yaa Yaa, Yellipoke Shyamala - A Aa
• Madhuram Madhuram, Brahmotsavam - Brahmotsavam
• Love Dhebba, Love Me Again, Follow Follow - Nannaku Prematho
• Tauba Tauba, Nee Chepakallu, O Pilla - Sardaar Gabbar Singh
• Nuvvante Na Navvu, Ulikipadaku Ulikipadaku - Krishna Gadi Veera Prema Gaadha
• Nuvvena, Okko Nakshatram, Paravasame - Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu
• Athiloka Sundari,  Blockbuster - Sarrainodu
• Vasthane Vasthane, Nee Navve, Untale Untale Nee Vente Untale  - Soggade Chinni Nayana
• Ela Ela Ela - ISM
• Naalo Nenenaa - Hyper
• Evare, Prema Pusene, Ninna Leni - Premam
• Jare Jare, Kallumoosi, Oorike Ala, Oye Meghamla - Majnu
• Pranaamam, Nee Selvadigi - Janatha Garage
• Raalupoola Ragamala, Aanandamayenu - Pelli Choopulu
• Mallela Vaanala, Raaka Raaka - Babu Bangaram
• Rabba Rabba - Chuttalabbayi
• Srirastu Subhamastu - Srirastu Subhamastu

Finally we did it - Known Number: A shortfilm in our name

Finally we have made it, Known Number, a short-film and it's released. Though it was just a 10 mins movie, it took a lot of effort and time. And, making a movie, even a short one, isn't easy.


        

After watching a countless of movies and seeing your friends make shorts, you always want to do that. My first thought was I wanted to be a part of my friend's short film crew, just want to present in the spot when he makes the film, That's what I asked, but he offered to cast me in his next short. I was excited after hearing the story, it was funny. And, we kept talking about it for years and it never took off. I just liked the thought of being a part of a movie, though it may be a short, even if it's not acting, but it didn't happen.

Then, last year same time around my company announced its annual event where short films will be a part of it. So with my colleague who's my roommate as well started to do a movie. This time we did create a poster and it was put up on the walls inside our company. Then, we even shot for few days thanks to my friend, who happens to be a photographer. We rented lens, camera, etc., and shot for few days. First, the function was canceled, but we wanted to finish the film even if it won't be telecast there. And, then came the rains and it was unofficially dropped. We had to shoot in too many places, involving many artists, by many I mean four people and nothing went as per plan and so we dropped it.

This year when the event was announced we decided to do a short again. This time we want to do a different movie. So, my colleague/rommie, wrote a script in which there won't be a need of any female artist or any other location except in and around our room. And, thank god, our previous movie cinematographer, who was very busy agreed to be a part of this. We don't think this movie would have happened if didn't accept, at least not by this time or by this quality we did the camera on our own.

It took us a month to complete the shooting though we shot only for four days in the night time. We started in our rooftop with sun-gun lights and it was like a real shooting spot. And, we don't have any pics, thanks to Suresh. We slowly moved out, shot in front of our room, then in next street, then in the GST road, finally in front of a busy hotel and TASMAC to wrap it up. It wasn't much difficult to shoot in those areas as well. We made a lot of changes on the go and we okayed many scenes without going for a retake. And, never noted down the dialogues or the okayed shot number which haunted us during editing and dubbing.

And, we learned some tools, thanks to Suresh again and we did the editing, it was a tiring job. Every night we all sit with laptops like how we used to get together for night study.

The next part was dubbing, which was most difficult part in this movie. I didn't expect us to go this stage, to go to a dubbing theater and all. I was giggling right from the moment I entered the theater. The dubbing was even more fun. I try to say a dialogue and it sounds terribly funny to those sitting in the other room. I know they are laughing, but I try to ignore it. In the end I sounded terribly funny. It was embarrassing, funny and an unforgettable experience.

After that using some software, we completed the sound mixing and adding background scores thanks to all those music directors around the world. It was once again a tedious job. And, it's ready the only time we spent money making this movie is for dubbing.

I know we haven't achieved something great. I know we were just a drop in an ocean of short films that are already in YouTube. But, we are happy and satisfied that we are also a part of it.

We were very ambitious to try a sci-fi, night shoot, double action and to fit everything in 10 minutes and also to learn the tools to edit, mix the sound in our first movie itself. But we are proud of our output even though it isn't perfect. If at all we make a next one, we will try to better this.

Thanks to my team Ram, Suresh, Bharath, our cinematographer Rakesh and everyone who supported us from last year.

மகிழ்ச்சி!!!

Goodbye KONE - Thank U Guys

So my almost two years journey in KONE finally ended. I must confess I joined here by an accident. I never thought I would be working here till a day before my joining and started working here very reluctantly, but I really enjoyed my stay here.

Thank you guys (PC: Dir Ram)

One thing I really liked about working for KONE is our building, then Indialand Tech Park now One India Bulls. Whenever someone asks where am I working? I usually tell my company's name and area. And, if they don't get it, then I will be like "you have seen the movie Kaththi right and that same glass building".

The initial days were horrible, to get up by 6 am and catch the bus by 7. That was too early from my previous jobs and it was like living an extra half a day daily.

This is a dream company for any software engineer, at least my role, few people were always slogging. Here, I had a lot of time to learn, but being a lazy fellow I didn't do much of learning. I didn't have much work pressure, neither worked in weekends nor stayed late in weekdays. No defects fixing, no calls from manager during holidays, no defects from customer, didn't have to go to customer site to fix something. Never worked on the edge of a deadline. But, later I found out I enjoyed working like that rather than this lethargic job.

Another interesting thing here are the things we do outside work. Started playing cricket, carrom board, volley ball, badminton, etc., after very long time cos of all the tournaments arranged here. Even started playing TT for few days. It was always fun to do something as a team, even though our first cricket tournament went a little bad and the second went worse. But, very happy that I was part of a cricket team after all these years.

I would have never played in a carrom board tournament or participate in a quiz competition or act in a short film (more about this soon). All thanks to KONE, it was not just come-in-open-system-code-code-leave kind of a job. There will be always something going on outside our work. Planning a trip for someone's wedding or deciding the dinner menu for our team outings or organising some lunch or dinner plan or selecting a team for any tournaments, etc.

Team outings were new to me even after working in IT for more than six years, my first team outing was here in KONE where our whole team went to resort and had a gala time. Those were unforgettable experience.

And, I had a huge company for my daily coffee breaks. It was one thing I really look forward daily after reaching office, it will be mostly fun to discuss on various topics, will be missing it.

I came in here reluctantly, but the people here made me feel good to be working here. I really got a lot of friends. This two years and the friends I got here will be part of my life and I am not going to forget soon. Goodbye and thank you guys, will miss all the fun. I am really sure its never gonna be like this again wherever I may work in the future.

I know we will be in touch at least with my coffee gang. We will meet soon for a movie.

And, I am gonna miss my laptop as well ;) Now I need to get a new one to watch the movies in weekends.

Finally, some things never change or too hard to change, like, I came in here single and leaving here single as well ;).