The meeting happened as planned near the Gandhi Statue around 5.30. Following members attened the meeting besides myself. 1. Madan 2. Venkat 3. Chandra 4. Sathis 5. Shankanran 6. Srini 7. Muruganadam. (hope I got the names correctly).
This is the first time that I am attending a meeting of this nature. Till now any gettogether has been only about fun or tehcnical for me, but this was a totally different experience. The topic revolved mostly around the histroy of tamil nadu. I could only listen most of the time as they were dicussing the details of Chola and Pandya histroy. The topic's as far as I could remember ranged from
1. The tanjavur trip the group made last year. 2. how the cholas were distroyed by the pandyas? 3. the pandyas survival even without the power over 200 years. 4. about the freedom fighters like katabomman(why he became famous), marudhu pandiyar. 5. Madan and Chadra's navagraha trip. 6. Buddhism and Jainism. 7. Hospitality of Mr SPS, in case of meetings. 8. Shakaran explained why he thinks Rajadhi Raja is the greated king of cholas, and how Kulothunga came to power. (This was quite interesting for me as I could relate with the stroy line of Mr Vekataraman Diwakar's "Thirumalai Thirudan"). 9. About some interesting threads that has gone in the groups (Kalki's mistakes, Madras Nalla Madras). 10. A kutti discussion on who killed karikalan(it never took off)!!!! 11. Mr Venkat told about his forthcoming two books Kaveriyin Myiden and Madurai. 12. Mr Chandra mentioned about the REACH project he was involved with. 13. The blogs written by some of the member of the group.
Some of the other members names that kept on coming in the discussion are Rahul Dinakran, Diwahar, Swetha, SPS, Kamal, Sriraman. Mr SPS hospitality in the previous meetings was mentioned by almost everyone. We had some 3 to 4 rounds of bajji's near the beach and started from there around 8.45.
It was a facinating experience for me listening to all the talks that was transpired, hope to meet all of the members some time in future.
Nice write up, comments reserved on the pic. Would have loved to be in that meeting but my Kalki prefers if i stay with her. I will try to collaborate a client visit with your next meeting soon.
BTW why did my name come up in the meeting? Yethavathu nammala paththi nalladha pesirindha sari...
The photo was not clear and also I could not attach more than 1Mb to yahoo groups. that's why i did not send the photo. I am attaching with this mail anyway.
by the way Dinakran, your writings at varalaru.com was mentioned by Mr Venkat.
Please call me Rahul. I think MrVenkatesh was just being nice (maybe another dinner at College House :);) ?). I dont think i ever wrote anything substantial in both the groups. I am looking to contribute more.