Name of Robert Vadra’s grandfather? Thing is, even we don’t know. Genealogy and all unfortunately, not strong points for us. But Tamizh is. We love the language, love its music and think the two are a terrific combination. To celebrate that, we present… Potri Paadadi Ponne! Every week, we bring to you Tamizh songs, slice them open and lay them bare for you. Then sometimes we’ll bring Hindi. Or Mal
ayalam. Or Elvish. But but we promise we do so with the precision and skill of a surgeon operating without training, license or degree. You have questions (or answers)? We have our offshoot Kelvi Keladi Kanne, for you. Any opinion? A PPP Bonus awaits. Expanding your vocab? . Like reading? We have a blog. Identifying parallels? . Want a break? We’re better than KitKat. Now give us just ten minutes of your time every few days and in return we shall make you laugh, learn, think, and get goose bumps (occasionally. romba feel agumbodhu mattum). The unapologetic podcasters who parade on your earbuds are a mixed bag. RamC is our Pottenthayyum or Shakespearean Fool, who prepared for his Board exams singing Vetri Nichayam in front of the mirror (remember Annamalai?). Yes, if he likes a song it enters his blood. On air, he usually talks only when his stomach is full and has the knack of taking the case of any word/object/person around without arousing their slightest suspicion. So we try not to feed him. When asked to choose between Rajni and Kamal, his eyes promptly well up, “can one choose between two eyes?!”
Ajay, rolls his eyes at RamC’s answer. Ajay rolls his eyes at a lot of things in fact. Society people, Cricket, “Sruthy” jokes… not getting him started on any of them is survival tactic #1 on a regular day at PPP. Ajay is a purist and an avid literature lover. Legend goes that there is no Tamizh book in the NUS Central library that Ajay hasn’t read. Ajay believes Thalaivar is God and thinks Kamal fans are stupid. When pressed about actually being a Kamal fan in denial, he protests, “Poda sotta! Never!”
Vaths is not Sotta and is the quietest person outside of PPP. But when the recording begins there is no stopping Vaths. Really. We have tried. PPP’s hopes lie with Vaths’ spot on mimicry, quirky interpretations and comic timing. After which he likes to get home, secretly wear a lungi and sing, "Chennai Super Kings ku Whistle Podu!" He thinks no one knows...
Unlike the other two, who cite Tamizh as the reason to start PPP, Vaths makes no bones on the fact that he joined only to ensure adequate representation for Ulaga Nayakan’s makkal. Vaishnavi, the minority representation on the show, understands. The English spewing solitary female presence behind PPP, stepped in on the assumption that dhadi maadus handling a ponnu could only provoke abhistu reactions. On board, she tries to provide order, direction and grounding but usually ends up spending time just trying to understand the inside jokes. As a true Malayalee, Vaishnavi also refuses to take the litmus test, “Kamal or Rajni”, and is riveted by Laletten’s screen presence instead. (Vaths must give unasked for opinion here, “Of course. Avar avalo perisa irundha, vera yaarume screen-la paaka mudiyadu, da.”)
Narsi is non committal in this discussion. He prefers communicating through 140 characters. Or through big words and philosophically exploratory ruminations. A self-professed movie maniac and music enthusiast. So perfect fit in PPP. Thinks ARR is a bigot. So we eye him with suspicion. A jolly good fellow and our youngest PPP member, so the guys believe Vaishnavi’s mollycoddling is punishment enough. Narsi isn’t quite listening when we ask about Rajni and Kamal. He gazes dreamily ahead and mutters what sounds like “Nolan, Nolan, Christopher Nolan.”
Yes. So in typical ‘Prestige’ style, are you listening closely? :)
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