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Yeah you are correct !! The blessing scene remains the same but when the author talks about the 'watered-down' version he doesn't mention the changes specifically. Instead says, that "every one was arranged in a more orthodox way".Quote:
Originally Posted by Cygnus
Just check this link. It's interesting;
http://altreligion.about.com/library/bl_davinci.htm
I found this question and answer about 'Da Vinci Code' in Kumudam's 'Arasu Bathilgal' (1.11.2004 issue).
Q : ¼¡ý ôÃ×É¢ý '¾¢ ¼Å¢ýº¢ §¸¡ð' ¿¡ÅÄ¢ø ±ø§Ä¡Õõ «ôÀÊô Ò¸Øõ «Ç×ìÌ ±ýÉ þÕ츢ÈÐ?
A: Á÷Á¿¡ÅÖìÌ Ò¾¢¾¡É ´Õ ¿¨¼. ¬úó¾ ¬Ã¡ö¢ø ¦¾Ã¢Ôõ ¯ñ¨Á¸¨Çô §À¡¸¢È §À¡ì¸¢ø «Äðº¢ÂÁ¡ö ¦¾Ç¢òÐî ¦ºøÖõ «ÄðÊ째¡ûÇ¡¾ Òò¾¢º¡Ä¢ò¾Éõ, ºÃ¢ò¾¢Ãò¾¢ý Å¢Çí¸¡¾ Ò¾¢÷¸¨Ç «ùÅô§À¡Ð ÍðÊ측ðÎõ ( Ó츢ÂÁ¡¸ ÌȢ£θ¨Ç) ¾¢È¨Á, «ò¡ÂòÐìÌ «ò¡Âõ ¾¢¨¸ì¸ ¨ÅìÌõ À¸£÷ ¾¢ÕôÀí¸û, ¼¡ý ôÃ×ý ºó§¾¸Á¢øÄ¡Áø ´Õ Å¢§º¼ ±Øò¾¡Ç÷¾¡ý (¾ÉìÌ ¯¾Å¢ ¦ºöÔõ Á¨ÉÅ¢¨Â 'Á¸¡ »¡É¢' ±ý¸¢È¡÷). «Îò¾ Òò¾¸ò¨¾Ôõ Å¡í¸¢Å¢ð§¼ý. ²ïºøŠ & ʦÁýŠ. ÀÊì¸ ¦¸¡ïºõ ÀÂÁ¡¸ þÕ츢ÈÐ.
Again in the 22.11.2004 issue there's another question;
Q: ¼¡ý ôÃ×É¢ý «Îò¾ ¿¡Åø '²ïºøŠ & ʦÁýŠ' Å¡í¸¢É£÷¸§Ç; ÀÊòРŢðË÷¸Ç¡?
A : Ó¾ø ¿¡Åø ÀüȢ ºó§¾¸í¸§Ç þýÛõ Áɨ¾ì ̨¼óЦ¸¡ñÊÕ츢ýÈÉ ÍÅ¡Á¢.
±ÉìÌõ «§¾ ¿¢Ä¨Á¾¡ý :roll: :roll:
As per a.ratchasi's request ( through pm) i'm giving the Romanised Tamil version of 'Arasu Bathilgal' below;
1.11.2004 issue:
Q: Dan Brown-in 'The da Vinci Code' naavalil ellOrum pugazhum aLavukku appadi enna irukkiRathu?
A: marma naavalukku puthithaana oru nadai, aazhntha aarAichiyil theriyum uNmaigaLai pOgiRa pOkkil alatchiyamaai theLiththu chellum alattikkoLLaatha puththisaalithanam, sariththirathin viLangkaatha puthirkaLai avvappOthu suttikkaattum (mukkiyamaaga kuRiyeedugaLai) thiRamai, athyaayathukku athyaayam thigaikka vaikkum 'bageer' thiruppangaL, Dan Brown santhEgamillamal oru visEda ezhuthaaLarthaan( thanakku uthavi seyyum manaiviyai 'magaa gnaani' engiRaar). Aduththa puththagaththaiyum vaangi vittEn - Angels & Demons. padikka konjam bayaamaaga irukkiRathu.
22.11.2004 issue:
Q : Dan Brown-in aduththa naaval 'Angels & Demons' vaangineergaLE; padiththuvitteergaLaa?
A : muthal naaval patriya santhEgangaLE innum manathai kudainthu kOndirukkinRana swami.
Roshan,
You too an 'Arasu bhadhilgal' fan? :) We need a thread for that :D
Since my childhood the first thing I've been reading in Kumudam is 'Arasu BathilgaL' ! The knowledge, humour and wit of Arasu are incomparable.Quote:
Originally Posted by RR
Yeah! It's a good idea to open up a separate thread for 'Arasu BadhilgaL" :idea:
RR, Roshan,
Any idea who are the brains behind 'Arasu' bathilgal? I knew Sujatha was the 'Su' sometime before but not anymore, I guess.
scorpio,
No 'su' is not for Sujatha.. it is for some one else. Sujatha joined Kumudam team immediately after editor S.A.P's death and continued only for a year or so if i remember correct. Arasu bathilgal has been there right from the beginning I think.
'a' is for 'Annaamalai' (Editor S.A.P's name)
'ra' - is for "Rangarajan" (remember ra.kee. rangararajan?)
and 'su' I have forgotten :cry: and I would like to know it.
Nov,
Many thanks for introducing Dan Brown.
Not sure if it is the correct one to start, I just finished 'Angels and Demons'. Really excellent and was left awestruck at the details and research surrounding symbology.
Never expected the twist in the climax. Got me by surprise. Now, I am going to re-read the whole thing again to understand the plot from the villian's ( is he, really?) perspective better !
Did Dan get into any probs for his comments about Bush and Clinton, calling them being affiliated to Illuminati??
Great read, anyway!
I read books by a British Vetenarian these were humorus accounts of his country practice, I have forgotten the name of the author and am unable to search for his books in the US.
If anybody knows of this author please give me his name.
Honestly,
I find writer Paulo Coelho much more inspiring.
He is a bestseller writer, too, and much more profound in his message than any other of the contemporary bestseller authors.
Of course, this needs to be discussed, and mybe some of you will not want to agree with me. It´s a personal taste but there are also facts that give me right.
So let me see, if I give a start to a threat asking "Are there any Paulo Coelho fans" here?!!!
:D
Best,
Alchemmist
Honestly,
I find writer Paulo Coelho much more inspiring.
He is a bestseller writer, too, and much more profound in his message than any other of the contemporary bestseller authors.
Of course, this needs to be discussed, and mybe some of you will not want to agree with me. It´s a personal taste but there are also facts that give me right.
So let me see, if I give a start to a threat asking "Are there any Paulo Coelho fans" here?!!!
:D
Best,
Alchemist
Ahem! Putting the thread back on track,
I just finished 'The Da Vinci Code'. Wonderful and amazing. What a wealth of information and what a daring subject to write about!
Didn't expect the twist about the identity of the 'Teacher'. Hmm, I've to read it again from that perspective. Anyway, felt a bit disappointed at the end in not finding all about the secret Grail after such a long search.
Thanks NOV, Roshan and others for pushing me to read Dan Brown.
Akka wrote:Quote:
Anyway, felt a bit disappointed at the end in not finding all about the secret Grail after such a long search.
Akka: That is the whole point about the Holy Grail...in fact, haven't you heard the usage, "It is his holy grail" meaning it his favourite quest...for centuries, the Holy Grail has come to symbolize a quest. If it is found, it will actually lose its relevance.
in fact, dictionary.com actually defines Grail as "The object of a prolonged endeavor."
Besides, there is no historical validity about the Holy Grail, which is why every book ever written on it, or every movie produced on it has references to the Grail without pinpointing details. Or, even if it is depicted as being found, either it is lost, or somehow forgotten...classic example being Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
And, perhaps you haven't got the entire significance of the book. Towards the end, Brown actually hints to the possibility of Mary Magdalene being the grail...it is not an object, but it is Mary herself, as the chalice of the seed! And in that sense, if the so called "descendants" are traced, then it is tantamount to finding the Grail.
Dear sbadri,
thank you very much for sharing your insights about the interpretation of the grail being actually the holy mother Mary!
It makes sense.
Let me nevertheless insist in the fact that there are existing several "grails" - as objects -, for example one in the Cathedral of Valencia, in Spain, that are considered to be possibly the historic grail.
It was made of one precious stone that served as a cup.
Alchemist, you said:
It is not the Holy Mother Mary, who is the mother of Christ that Brown talks about in his boo. It is the Lady of Magda, Mary Magdalene...Quote:
thank you very much for sharing your insights about the interpretation of the grail being actually the holy mother Mary!
Correct !!!Quote:
Originally Posted by sbadri99
NOV, Cygnus, Badri and others,
I have not got Angels and Demons as yet. I've checked with a couple of book shops but the whole lot have been sold off there and I have to wait for the next shipping. I've made a booking at the shop I usually purcahse. The Manager says that the turnover rate has increased for Dan Browns books after the release of 'The Da Vinci Code' . But they had a couple of copies of "Digital Fortres". Just want to know your opinion about this book before purchasing. Please let me know if you had read it already.
I have read Digital Fortress, though not A & D yet. DF is good read. I wouldn't say it has all the romance of DV Code, but I would still recommend DF, especially, if things like Computer Security and Super Computers interest you.
Think of a thriller with all this thrown in...if you like that sort of a thing, dig in...
What says the Council of Elders on this matter?
Thanks Badri. I would go for it.
BTW, what do you mean by romance in DV?
We are so used to applying only one meaning to the word romance. We always think it is just the love interest. But when discussing literature, the word romance means a mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful.
In English Literature, it generally refers to a long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes, as in an Arthurian romance or a long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
Due to these associations, romantic literature is now the class of literature constituted by such tales, as above.
Ok...did I sound a tad too pedantic? If so, sorry!!!
Thanks Badri. I certainly knew that there was something more to it when you said romance. I just wanted to know it in detail. Thanks for the fine explanation !! :D
Badri, well since you have pontificated pedantically and pompously on 'romance', I would withhold what I had wanted to say :tongueout: :wink:
Roshan:
Well, DF in my opinion was a run of the mill mystery infused with a generous dose of modern cryptology, 'Enemy of the state'-style NSA-phobia and hi tech conspiracies reaffirming the ever-growing skepticism against protective mechanisms that turn around and invade the privacy of the unwitting public.
It had its moments of thrill, I have to admit but then the climax was a BIG yawner...since Brown draws out a very simple deciphering that anyone could easily do, so long and so drily....
2 out of 4 stars!
Ahem, ahem..don't rub it in pa...Quote:
Badri, well since you have pontificated pedantically and pompously on 'romance'
Well, you are right about the yawning climax...but I still think the build up to the climax was kind of good...there is a certain quality to Brown's writing which alone can hold your interest for a while, notwithstanding how the story goes...
Thanks Cygnus !! Well... I feel like going for it , but not decided yet :) After reading your views on Angels & Demons, I prefer reading it next. But have to wait for one or two weeks.
Here's a news flash that is sure to tickle Dan Brown!!!
Vatican takes on Da Vinci Code
Furious over the popularity of The Da Vinci Code, the bestseller which is now being made into a movie starring Tom Hanks, the Vatican has asked a senior cardinal to debunk the novel, which it believes was deliberately written to discredit the Catholic Church through "absurd and vulgar lies". ...Bertone, the Archbishop of Genoa, Italy, is among those seen as a likely successor to the ailing Pope John Paul II.
Bertone will initiate a series of public debates in Genoa to attack the book and its conspiracy theories, which he believes are eroding the Catholic faith...."He even perverts the story of the Holy Grail, which most certainly does not refer to the descendants of Mary Magadalene," fumes Cardinal Bertone. "It astonishes and worries me that so many people believe these lies."
The Vatican's move will only give greater publicity to Brown's book, and more and more people will buy and read it, just to learn what the fuss is all about. Dan Brown, I hope, will give thanks, as he watches his bank balance grow!! :lol:
Yeah, I too read about the protest against 'The Da Vinci Code' and I agree with Badri that it will only help the book to sell more. As far as the movie producers are concerned, it is a boon giving unsolicited publicity. Can remember, the more Harry Potter books were accused of promoting witchcraft, the more people wanted to read it.
Finished 'Deception Point', not so great, can recommend for a one-time read. Started 'Digital Fortress'.
ahem!
Digital fortress done! Very interesting read. I was a bit disappointed with Deception Point but Digital fortress kept me gripped throughout. No Langdon again, no symbology but it is about computers and code-breaking. Good work!
Now that I've finished all 4 of Dan Brown, this is my ranking-
1. Angels and demons
2. Digital Fortress
3. The Da Vinci Code
4. Deception Point
Guys,
I got Angels and Demons and Deception Point yesterday ! Digital Fortress was sold out. Started with A&D. They had the special illustrated collector's edition of Da Vinci Code as well. Book soooper -A irukku ! Nicely designed and printed with coloured pictures of Da Vinci's paintings and comparative works of other artists - pictures of buildings and locations, diagroms etc.. Well illustrated !! With great difficulty I controlled my temptation to purchase it yesterday. But I dont think I can resist. Very soon I'm going to get the book. Really worth buying it !
Roshan, I am sure you'll enjoy Angels and Demons! I have the illustrated version of DVC and it is great! :D
Hey Cygs !! are you around !! Wow you've got the illustrated version?? That's great !! I should get one myself. I had a quick glance at it yesterday. sooper-A irunthuchu ! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cygnus
The Da Vinci Code is now entering into 120th week on top of the transatlantic charts and has already seen three Christmases, two wars and one papal death!
Source - http://books.guardian.co.uk/bestsell...,5917,,00.html
8)
Cygnus , scorpio and others,
Sorry for the late response. I have finished reading Angels and Demons and repeated the chapters involved the Camerlengo.
Another racy fiction by Dan Brown with plethora of historical info. This time it is around Rome , Vatican, the secret society Illuminati and the works of Bernini. The author has touched Religion and Science as the core theme. I had a hard time putting the book down coz, the plot is so suspenseful with so many twists, turns and cliff hangers.
Dan Brown has this marvelous ability of weaving the facts and imagination in such a way - that makes us feel the strory real. The details about the Vatican's procedures and rituals were quite informative. But the descriptions about other locations, religious places and sculptures in Rome, did not interest me much.
Though I like the character Robert Langdon - I should admit that the character was not as impressive as in the Da Vinci Code. :)
All the characters have depth including the Hassassin.
And a big WOW !!! for the ending !! Was really a great one !!
I dont want to make a comparison between the DVC and A&D as both novels deal with two different subjects - and the credit should go to the author for not sticking to imagination entirely , but for mixing the facts of Art, History, Religion and Science - and giving us such racy, exciting and action filled novels.
Great job by Brown once again !!
My next read is going to be "Deception Point" .
I'd probably be reading it during the Tamil new year holidays that's falling shortly. :D
Great analysis Roshan!
Especially right now, I am tempted to read it (A&D) again, particularly the parts where 'conclave' is described. I certainly learnt a lot about Christianity, more than what I had learnt in the heavily evangelical schools I went to :)
For me the discussion of religion vs (?!) science was certainly more interesting than the lineage of JC :) But for sure DVC was more thrilling in the description than A&D!
Though the anticipation is great, I will be starting A&D with no high expectations!I shall see then what awaits me! :)
Btw, I had to given in to Sheldon's Bloodline, after PB!! :wink:
Me too !! Specially about the Catholic sect and the Vatican !Quote:
Originally Posted by Cygnus
Yes !! Specially that long speach of the Camerlengo to the media !!! It's brilliantly worded !!Quote:
Originally Posted by cygnus
Exactly !!!Quote:
But for sure DVC was more thrilling in the description than A&D!
Happy reading a.r. ! We look forward to seeing your comments !!Quote:
Originally Posted by a.ratchasi
First and foremost, the similarity of the events in the beginning was a complete turn-off as I realised DVC had an almost identical start.
As events unfolded further, Brown has interwoven the storyline with many intriguing twists with ease :thumbsup: . The story simply shot-off by its own. The inside peek at the Vatican was knowledgeable indeed.
Unlike DVC, I had a hard time figuring out the perpetrator. Nothing was certain till almost the very end. Dan Brown did a good job with the other characters I would say! Though Vittoria and Langdon lacked the depth needed for lead characters. Perhaps, Brown compensated for this in DVC. :wink:
My verdict: A&D is an interesting read. Though, I still prefer DVC anytime!
Friends,
Finished with "Deception Point" . This time the plot is around the White House, NASA discovery and US Presidential Elections. Good theme but the story lacks depth. Here again till the last moment I was unable to guess who the villain is but unlike in DVC and A&D the reason behind the perpetrator's motive was not clear and convincing.
There's no Robert Langdon but the lead characters Micheal Tolland and Rachel Sexton were handled smartly. But I enjoyed Scientist - Corky Marlinson character more.
The initial chapteres were kind of boring and the last few chapters in the ship was like watching an action/masala movie. The Sedgewick Sexton -Presidential candidate character doesnt sound realistic and his final press conference was basically a comedy.
But again there were some very good information about White House, NASA technologies , meteorites, fossils, chondrules , oceans etc.
Overall it is below the standards of DVC and A&D - yet readable.