When Grammar Met Clarity

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Writing has always fascinated me. It’s such an interesting aspect of communication; you can pretty much convey anything you want, in any way you want. Even a grammatically incorrect sentence can carry its full meaning. Yet, somewhere along the way, we began mistaking good communication for intelligence. “Oh, he writes and speaks so well.  He must be smart.” Good communication can create a false sense of technical pride. I grew up believing that grammatical precision was the measure of knowledge. But in hindsight, that wasn’t entirely me; it was my teachers. They were absolutely particular that every sentence not only conveyed meaning, but also respected the sanctity of grammar. A misplaced article or preposition could invite the harshest of corrections. Yesterday, my wife and I were talking about writing and as all conversations these days eventually do, it veered toward our kids’ writing. We were laughing over Sahana’s recent schoolwork: a delightful mix of humor, dialogue, and im...
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My favourites!

I was just listening to some of my all time favourite numbers in Tamil and Hindi. Here goes the list and the songs are not in any order of preference. The time period of these songs is from the late eighties upto the current time.

Tamil
  1. Chinna Chinna Aasai (Album: Roja, Artist: AR Rahman)
  2. Pudhu Vellai Mazhai (Album: Roja, Artist: AR Rahman)
  3. Vellai Pookal (Album: Kannathil Muthamittal, Artist: AR Rahman)
  4. Minnalae (Album: May Madham, Artist: AR Rahman)
  5. Mandram Vandha Thendralukku (Album: Mouna Raagam, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  6. Ninnukori Varanam (Album: Agni Natchathiram, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  7. Endhan Nenjil Neengadha (Album: Kalaignan, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  8. Anbe Sugama (Album: Parthalae Paravasam, Artist: AR Rahman)
  9. Nila Kaigiradhu (Album: Indira, Artist: AR Rahman)
  10. Anbe Sivam (Album: Anbe Sivam, Artist: Vidyasagar)
  11. Chandralekha (Album: Thiruda Thiruda, Artist: AR Rahman)
  12. Ennuyir Thozhi (Album: Kangalal Kaidhu Sei, Artist: AR Rahman)
  13. Bombay Theme Music (Album: Bombay, Artist: AR Rahman)
  14. Vaanam Thottu Pona (Album: Thevar Magan, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  15. Kanmani Anboda Kadalan (Album: Guna, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  16. Raakamma Kaiyya Thattu (Album: Dhalapathy, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  17. Uyiren Uyire (Album: Khaaka Khaaka, Artist: Harris Jeyaraj)
  18. Pulveli Pulveli (Album: Aasai, Artist: Deva)
  19. Malai en vethanai (Album: Sethu, Artist: Ilayaraja)
  20. Oru Nanban Irundhal (Album: Enakku 20 Unakku 18, Artist: AR Rahman)
Hindi
  1. Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera (Album: Swades, Artist: AR Rahman)
  2. Pehla Nasha (Album: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Artist: Jatin Lalit)
  3. Lukka Chuppi (Album: Rang De Basanti, Artist: AR Rahman)
  4. Dil Se (Album: Dil Se, Artist: AR Rahman)
  5. Dil Chahta Hai (Album: Dil Chahta Hai, Artist: Shankar Ehsaan Loy)
  6. Yeh Jo Zindagi Hain (Album: 1947 Earth, Artist: AR Rahman)
  7. Nahin Samne (Album: Taal, Artist: AR Rahman)
  8. Tanha Tanha (Album: Rangeela, Artist: AR Rahman)
  9. Baazigar (Album: Baazigar, Artist: Anu Malik)
  10. Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain (Album: Pardes, Artist: Nadeem Shravan)
  11. Pehli Baar Mile Hain (Album: Saajan, Artist: Nadeem Shravan)
  12. Mujhe Neend na aaye (Album: Dil, Artist: Anand Milind)
  13. Dheere Dheere (Album: Aashiqui, Artist: Nadeem Shravan)
  14. Akele Hain (Album: QSQT, Artist: Anand Milind)
  15. Chaiyya Chaiyya (Album: Dil Se, Artist: AR Rahman)
  16. Kuch Na kaho (Album: 1942 A Love Story, Artist: RD Burman)
Obviously there are a number of other songs that can easily fit into this list. The end to good music is just not there. It is also easy to see from the list that ARR is my favourite.

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