ramadocblog

Time flies by when you are having fun and this time it was actually a short time in any case! The couple of weeks of holiday and break to get a feel of life was really nice!

Last week in India was an amalgamation of sweet memories and great food and just the feel of India! Even the traffic woes to the narrow roads to the dust and the heavenly rains! Rains which are so beautiful but block the roads though the worst thing is the traffic jam during a rain!

The biggest issue is the fact that the roads get so filled up with water that you would not know how deep is the pit which is filled with water!

Then again you can never get enough of the food! The amount of variety we have is simply mind boggling! Our visit to Italy made us alternate between pasta and pizza! But when you are in India the variety you have would make you feel dizzy with hunger which obviously is the idea!

Starting with the breakfast in one hotel with one speciality to lunch in another house to dinner some where else and no two items would be the same! Even between two houses the sambar or the rasam would have been different! Forget the main food; even the fried fritters or pakodas or bondas would be different from one house to another! So while we had amazing chilly and capsicum bajji from one place; a round of potato and raw banana ones were waiting for us in the other house!

Forget hotel; even the prasadam we used to get in one temple or the other would be so different! But all of them would be so tasty! The fact that you have to stand in a line and then you get a small helping somehow makes it so tasty that you long for more!

If you want to have chats then you just have to start counting the variety! 

If you select rice then the curries and the gravies and the sides would be more than the rice itself! Start with a helping of hot ghee over hot rice and end with some nice thick set curds and you know the plate would be licked clean!

Our final stop was the beautiful Bengaluru airport! Easily one of the best, beautiful and passenger friendly airports in the world! Even the immigration and security is a breeze if you follow the procedure! There are so many counters and the staff were so helpful! In fact now we know how to keep our chargers and laptops and cables out and in a line so that the scanning goes off without a hitch!

Taking a selfie with the backdrop of a screen which says happy independence day or har ghar tiranga made us both sad and happy! Sad to leave this beautiful country and happy that every day was full of amazing variety of beautiful memories! 

The key word is variety! You have amman temple, or the bhagavathy or the meenakshi but they all are forms of devi or shakthi! It is the same with everything in our beautiful Bharat!

An ode to my favorite freedom fighter of India and a tearful farewell to my mother…land!

Happy Independence day dear India and Indian!

Jai Hind!

A movie I saw recently called Mahavatar Narsimha! Apart from the amazing graphics and story telling and of course the mind blowing climax; I was particularly  enthralled by the imagination of the director and the story teller!

Now we all know the story already and of course some creative liberties are allowed, what sets the movie apart is the fact that the level of thought process you need is reallyt magnificent! You need to imagine the grandeur and the power of Bhagwan and show that to the world! 

But then do you know that there are some who cannot do that! Not direct or make an great movie, but not imagine!

Now remember how when sometimes you are told to imagine a picture or an image in your mind and many times you just can’t! There are a group of people who can never do it! 

There are many of course whose sense of imagination is limited and everyone has his or her own limits but then there are some who simply cannot imagine and that condition is called Aphantasia which is the inability to create mental imagery!  

Aphantasia, is derived from the ancient Greek word phantasia which means “imagination”, and the prefix a which means “without”! The phenomenon was first described by Francis Galton in 1880! Now though the word was only discovered in 1880, am sure people would have had this issue, but they could not imagine a word for it!

Technically Aphantasia is a characteristic where individuals are unable to create mental images voluntarily. This means that when prompted to visualize something, like a red apple or a friend’s face, aphantasics don’t experience the mental picture that most people do. 

Now while the initial focus has been on visual imagery, research suggests that aphantasia can extend to other sensory modalities as well. Some individuals with aphantasia report difficulty with imagining sounds, tastes, smells, and even bodily sensations. This broader impact on sensory imagination has led to discussions about using the term “aphantasia” in a wider sense, potentially with specifiers for specific modalities (e.g., “auditory aphantasia”). 

It’s important to understand that aphantasia is not considered a disorder or a disability. Instead, it’s viewed as a variation in how the brain processes information, similar to being left-handed. While it can present some challenges in areas like memory and learning, most individuals with aphantasia lead successful and fulfilling lives when in fact they may not even know that they have this condition!

Individuals with aphantasia often develop ways to manage in a world that often assumes visual thinking. They might rely more on verbal and conceptual processes, develop strong logical reasoning, or succeed in fields like mathematics or coding which don’t depend on mental imagery. External aids like notes, sketches, or photography may also be used to help with memory and creative tasks.

Aphantasia can influence how individuals process emotions and relationships. While emotional connections are possible, the lack of vivid mental imagery may make recalling past events less intense or make it hard to visualize loved ones who have passed away. There are of course therapies to take care of this so do not imagine anything worse!

Though recognized and known from 1880, the phenomenon remained largely unstudied until 2005, when Professor Adam Zeman of the University of Exeter was approached by a man who seemed to have lost the ability to visualize after undergoing minor surgery! 

The phenomenon is now widely studied and researched. But don’t worry, a positive thing is that those with aphantasia were also found to have “significantly elevated” IQ levels! 

Then again artists like P Leela normally have not only a great imagination but also an elevated IQ!

Now don’t imagine too much and sleep!

Shubh ratri!

This is probably one of the worlds first man made flying object!

Now like a rocket if you are planning to hit someone or something with it then you must understand that if it returns then the ‘MISSION’ was unsuccessful!

One of the few things which makes you know that it has failed when it actually makes the trip back to your hands!

No need to rack your brain to much lest it goes for a contra coup injury!

The object is or are Boomerangs! 

The Boomerangs were the first man (or woman!) Made flying objects!

The longest flight of a Boomerang is less than two minutes! Newton might as well have seen a Boomerang when he thought about his third law because well, it comes back!

Then again am sure a Boomerang from its origin in Australia may not have travelled so far as the apple tree that supposedly inspired Newton and knocked an apple!

Now everyone is usually amazed at how the Boomerang comes back to the same place after being thrown! But if it comes back when you are aiming at a bird or a fruit or some other thing and it comes back then it means that the target was missed! You may have got the Boomerang back but the mission is failed!

SO when a Boomerang comes back it means that you have aimed the throw perfectly! But of course it also means that if you are a hunter then you have missed hitting anything! It takes so much practice to get the first part right! Then after you have perfected that, you have to practice much more to get the Boomerang to hit something and not just come back! Now that is a load of work mate!

Then you have  the “Boomerang Effect” which is also not so straight in meaning! The “boomerang” can refer to someone who returns after being initially rejected or ignored and the “boomerang effect” can describe a situation where an action or message intended to have a certain effect ends up producing the opposite!

Then again if you have talents like Kalamandalam Kesavan then you would obviously produce the intended effect and not the Boomerang one!

Now make sure that your sleep does not Boomerang!

Shubh Ratri!

Have you ever wondered how children usually love clowns while many adults are terrified of them! In fact even when the clowns are scary, children like then or feel happy or get amused by them!

But many adults get terrified or get scared or at least get more stressed when they see a clown! They may not feel that it is funny! 

There is a phobia which goes with this when it is extreme!

So now many people are scared of clowns due to the “uncanny valley” effect, where something that is almost human but not quite right can be unsettling. Other factors include negative portrayals in media, unpredictable behavior, and the way their makeup hides their true emotions. 

Conversely, some people enjoy the heightened arousal and adrenaline rush associated with fear, or they may have had positive experiences with clowns and not associate them with negativity. 

This psychological phenomenon suggests that humans feel unease or even revulsion towards things that appear almost, but not quite, human. Clowns, with their exaggerated features and painted faces, can trigger this response, making people feel uncomfortable or scared!

One reason also can be the fact that Clowns often wear heavy makeup that obscures their natural facial expressions, making it difficult to read their emotions. This lack of clarity about their intentions can lead to unease and anxiety. What you do not see is even more scary added to our imagination!

Moreover the playful, sometimes erratic behavior of clowns can be unsettling for some. This unpredictability can make people feel like they are not in control of the situation, increasing their anxiety!

Of course some very popular movies have made them scary! 

Have you heard of Coulrophobia?

Well it’s the  fear of clowns and is a widely acknowledged phenomenon! Studies indicate this fear is present among both adults and children in many different cultures! 

But still you do have those who love clowns!

For some, clowns are associated with positive experiences like childhood birthday parties or family outings. This can create a positive emotional response and a sense of comfort around clowns. They may not have any fear of clowns! Though they may tell you not to clown around so much!

Then again Clowning is a serious business! Serious also is the contribution of Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai  to the space program of Bharat!

Now do not watch ‘IT’ if you do not want to develop Coulrophobia! Watch the movie Mahavatar Narsimha instead! It will be worth it!

Shubh Ratri!

Do you know who is the best designer in the world!?

Even if you are an atheist; you would still agree that NATURE is the best designer ever! There is such perfection in Nature that you must feel that you already have the final product! All you need to do is reverse engineer and make the next big thing!

This whole aspect of getting ‘inspired’ by nature or ‘life’ is known as Biomimicry!

Biomimicry is thus the process of sustainably creating policies, products, and services for the betterment of living beings. This implies that biomimicry is the process of imitating life!

The central idea behind biomimicry is that nature, through billions of years of evolution, has already solved many of the problems that humans face today. 

The basic idea is that nature has already developed efficient ways to Harvest and store energy, Manage resources and minimize waste and Adapt to changing environmental conditions. Now when you already have an amazing system in place, all you need to do is use your brain to use the blueprint of the nature!

Modern turbine blades form a prominent example of biomimicry. The concept of modern turbine blades is inspired by the structure of the flippers of humpback whales which are about 5 meters long and have bumps or irregularities called pectorals that help them accelerate at a significantly high rate. 

The modern turbine blades typically contain three-dimensional bumps on their edges. This helps provide a separate passage for the smooth flow of fluids thereby improving the overall efficiency of the device. It also helps reduce noise pollution by a considerable amount!

In fact there are many such examples in nature! In fact one of the most common things used in our day to day life is the Velcro! 

The design of Velcro was inspired by how burrs stick to animal fur!

You can also see how the tip of the high speed trains are shaped or been modeled after a kingfisher’s beak to reduce noise and improve aerodynamics!

Biomimicry is closely related to terms like biomimetics and bionics, which also refer to learning from nature but may focus more on the technical reproduction of biological features.

If you search some place for Biomimicry then you can see that in architecture also Biomimicry has been extensively used the inspired!

The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe has a passive cooling system which is inspired by termite mounds, which regulate temperature through a complex network of ventilation tunnels. This approach allows the building to stay cool with minimal energy, using only 10% of the energy found in typical air-conditioned buildings!

The Gherkin in London has a double-layer glass facade which mimics the structure of the Venus flower basket sponge, using air pockets for insulation and an aerodynamic shape that minimizes wind resistance, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and structural strength!

Then you have the Garden by the Bay in Singapore. The structure has Super trees, vertical gardens that mimic real trees’ functions. These structures provide shade, collect rainwater, house plants, and harness solar energy, demonstrating urban biomimetic design!

Of course Biomimicry can be seen everywhere! And if you want to make a new thing or a new device or any new way of making something better then all you need to do is think about Biomimicry!

Then again some things in nature may not be having an equal! Like someone like Sunil Shetty who started as a muscular macho dude but became famous as a comedian and how! 

Now lets do Biomimicry on ourselves and sleep!

SHubh Ratri!

We chanted the very holy Gayatri Mantra 1008 times today!

Do it with concentration and devotion and you will fell comforted!

The number 1008 holds significance in several religions and spiritual traditions, often representing auspiciousness, completeness, and divine attributes.

Did you know that not only Hinduism but also Jainism and in many other religion, this number is significant and auspicious!

In Jainism, it is associated with the auspicious marks on a Tirthankar’s body and the infinite distance between the pure soul and karma!

Saint Olga of Kiev (in Ukraine), who was venerated in Roman Catholicism especially in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, was the first in that region to convert to 

Christianity. According to her, when you see a number such as 1008 over and over again, it is an angel trying to communicate with you through this number. Olga calls it Angel Number!

In Hinduism of course this is a very special number!

The number 1008 is used in Sahasranama chanting (reciting the 1000+ names of a deity) and other rituals, suggesting a connection with divine power and grace!

It is believed that reciting the names of deities 1008 times can bring spiritual benefits and connect the individual with the divine. 

There is also a mathematical equation which gets us to this number!

According to the ancient Hindu scriptures, there are 1008 mahayugas

That number is obtained in sequence and there are 14 manvantaras and -72 maha yugas! When you multiply them you get the number 1008! So 1008 maha yugas!

So when you chant 1008 times, you are chanting for each yuga!

You can simply think that it increases your concentration and meditation! It is after all, in your mind and soul! Another busy day of travel and of course Raksha Bandhan tying! 

Wishing peace and divinity for all!

Another Palakaddan sketch today! Raghuvaran Velayuthan Nair aka Raghuvaran!

Shubh ratri!

A special day today when we normally chant our Mantra 108 times! We also chant some mantras 1008 times!

Even many other times 108 is a special number! 

One raised to the power of 1 added to 2 raised to the power of 2 added to three raised to the power of 3 will also give the number as 108!

Then you have cosmology!

Astronomically, the distance between the Earth and Sun is approximately 108 times the Sun’s diameter; similarly, the distance between the Earth and Moon is about 108 times the Moon’s diameter!

Mathematically, 108 is seen as representing the wholeness of existence and is a Harshad number (divisible by the sum of its digits)!

This may be the reason why the number 108 is considered sacred in many Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and also holds significance in cosmology and mathematics. It’s often associated with spirituality, wholeness, and the interconnectedness of the universe!

Malas (prayer beads) often have 108 beads, used for counting repetitions of mantras or prayers!

We also have 108 Upanishads and there are 108 dance forms in Indian tradition and 108 vital points in the human body according to Ayurveda!

In some Buddhist traditions, the New Year’s Eve bell is struck 108 times to represent overcoming 108 earthly passions! It’s said Siddhartha Gautama conquered 108 demons to achieve enlightenment!

108 has various mathematical properties, being a semiperfect number, a tetranacci number, and divisible by its Euler’s totient function (φ)!

Finally the number is seen by some as representing the wholeness of existence!

The Sanskrit alphabet includes 54 letters, each with masculine and feminine forms—totaling 108!

In martial arts, 108 is also referenced in techniques and forms due to its symbolic importance!

All in all that’s 108 for you!

Another day done and dusted so fast! Remembering another famous Palakad personality Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar!

Shubh ratri!

Did you know that the way a lobster behaves and a human behaves is dependent on the levels of the same hormone!?

In a book called 12 rules of life by Jordan B Peterson, his first rule tells us about lobster! Lobsters are crustaceans, an ancient sub-phylum believed to have arisen around 350m years ago. 

Male lobsters compete for territory using aggressive displays and sometimes fights, resulting in a social dominance hierarchy. Female lobsters choose dominant male lobsters to mate with, so high status lobsters get the best territory and “all the girls”!  

But (yeah the return of the BUT!); it apparently depends on the levels of a hormone!

It has a similar role in the humans!

The hormone is serotonin!

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter with a role in the human nervous system. In lobsters and humans, social status correlates positively with serotonin levels! In the brain, the serotonin pathway works in concert with the dopamine pathway that mediates reward!

It has been seen that serotonin plays a significant role in regulating posture and behavior, particularly in the context of dominance and aggression. Serotonin, when injected into lobsters, can induce a posture of flexion (curling up), while octopamine, another neurochemical, induces the opposite, extension. 

Serotonin influences how lobsters interact with each other, particularly in aggressive encounters. For example, after losing a fight, a lobster might exhibit lower serotonin levels, potentially leading to a more withdrawn or defensive posture! This is similar to someone losing a fight! The withdrawn shoulder down look!

While there are clear differences between lobster and human nervous systems, some researchers suggest that the link between serotonin and dominance hierarchies in lobsters may provide insights into similar dynamics in human societies!

In fact many functions in the body are mediated by the Serotonin! This include your mood, sleep and even appetite! This is probably why many mood modifying drugs are directly or indirectly involved with the production and levels of serotonin!

Truth and being straight when it comes to rules may actually depend on many other factors though! Which is why such people are rare! Such as another Palakkad personality T N Seshan! Possibly one of the most famous election commissioner ever!

Now try the most effective and natural way to get some natural serotonin levels to be regulated in the body! SLEEP!

Shubh ratri!

Now that is what I call travel! Driving from 7 am in the morning till 11 pm! But the most straining part was not the 400 odd kms on the highway! But the 20 Km in the city traffic!

From moving at over 120 Km per hour to less than 1 km per hour it was a variation of epic proportion!

I should think that the license official must just stand at the end of the service road of Bengaluru and if you manage to cross that in less than one hour then your license will be home delivered for sure!

Then again the early morning visit to our family temple was a divine experience! The temple which is usually busy or sometimes closed was open! The last time it was raining so much that it was difficult to even navigate!

But this time it was like a divine intervention for us to see our family deity; Chittur Bhagavathy…

Going on those village roads is always nostalgic even for me but more so for my father! The lanes which have become so unrecognizable and new!

The streets which were so empty some years back now had so many houses on either side that there was no space to drive! Of course the feel was the same! The same old stores which were either falling apart now or with lots of new ‘make up’!

Then going to the special spots like the banyan tree or the old school or the old club and wondering how the things which do not move at all, change so much!

The old bus stop which was still there but now has a proper stand and seats! And more importantly bus!

The best part was to see the old house where my grand parents used to live in! As far as I could remember it was a palatial house with a huge courtyard and a huge well! It used to be so clean and neat!

Now it felt so small and old! Over the years the house has become so small! The courtyard was so tiny and the fields were still great but looked so small now! I guess since at the time I was small, the house and fields looked big! Now when I see them with my adult eyes; they look so small!

Still it was nostalgic! A snap taken now would then freeze this new memory forever till Google or FB tells me about my memories and make me nostalgic again!

A quick sketch with aching body and the eyes just closing! An ode to greats from my village! Palakkad!

Though for me there are many greats which I would try to sketch some day; the first name which came was E Sreedharan!

Let the mobile body recharge!

Shubh Ratri!

Travel is an experience! After sometime you realize that your final identity is that small book which is the most precious paper or book when you are out of country or anywhere in the world!

So Nehemiah 2:7–9, dating from approximately 450 BC, states that Nehemiah, an official serving King Artaxerxes I of Persia, asked permission to travel to Judea; the king granted leave and gave him a letter “to the governors beyond the river” requesting safe passage for him as he traveled through their lands. 

That letter is the first official such paper given by anyone to anybody!

That letter then and the book now is a PASSPORT!

Arthashastra (c.  3rd century BCE) make mentions of passes issued at the rate of one masha per pass to enter and exit the country. In one of the Chapters of the Second Book of Arthashastra concerns with the duties of the Mudrādhyakṣa (which roughly translates into ‘Superintendent of Seals’) who must issue sealed passes before a person could enter or leave the countryside!

Yes! That is literally the passport official!

The term “passport” is from a medieval document that was required in order to pass through the gate (or “porte”) of a city wall! 

Luckily once you are in your country you do not need any passport ( at least for now!) to go from one place to another! That feeling itself where you cross one place border to another place and no one asks or cares about your PASSPORT is a great feeling! 

After those many months of driving an automatic on the wide streets of Kuwait it was fun and a good change to drive a manual one on the highways in Bharat! 

Could still make some time for a blog and sketch! That was a twist right!? Of course not as amazing as a twist in the M Night Shyamalan movie though!

Do make sure your documents are safe before you sleep!

SHubh Ratri!