WHO

Who is Preetham?

I think an individual’s uniqueness is determined by his (or her) likes, inspirations and interests. While my list of interests are ever expansive, I would prefer to categorise them based on the five human senses (Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell and Touch). Allow me to stress on the fact that I am extremely passionate about every indulgence mentioned below.

SIGHT

Being a voracious reader, I prefer to stick to non-fiction. My favourite authors include Seth Godin (Marketing Guru), Tom Peters, Jim Collins, Gary Hamel, Jack Welch, CK Prahlad, Al Ries, Martin Lindstrom, Tom Kelly (Business Thinkers), Malcolm Gladwell (Journalist), Tim Harford (Economist), Barry Schwartz (Sociologist), Daniel Gilbert (Psychologist), Anthony Robbins (Self-help Expert), David Ogilvy (Creative Genius), Edward De Bono (Psychologist), and the list continues. I often pick up books on design which could include inspirational material – something that most advertisers call a ‘Black Book’. I enjoy reading biographies of business mavericks and under-dogs.

My fiction reads are limited to the popular best-sellers and I enjoy the works of JK Rowling, Michael Crichton, Dan Brown, Christopher Paolini, RK Narayan and the likes.

I have an intimate relationship with shooting portraiture, and presently own a humble Canon 400D. The D-SLR has the company of an 18-55 mm lens and a 50 mm prime lens (1.8f). I prefer to use Aperture 2.0 and iPhoto ’08 to edit and upload my photographs. My flickr album can be found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/ideasmaverick

Having professionally directed many Corporate Videos, it has been my long aspiration to shoot a full-length comedy feature. I prefer the digital video medium solely for its ease of use and exportability.

Needless to say, I love watching movies and carry a collection of over 500 DVDs. Most of these are Hollywood flicks with a limited collection of Tamil (my mother tongue) and Hindi (my national tongue) movies. My list of favourite actors include, George Clooney, Meg Ryan, Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz, Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Aamir Khan, Kajol, Jyothika, Madhavan, Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan. I am a huge fan, of the works, of Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, Steven Soderbergh, Nancy Meyers, PIXAR, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Mani Ratnam.

My present list of favourite television shows include, The Wonder Years, That 70s Show, Small Wonder, Friends, Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Prison Break, 24, Criminal Minds, The OC, One Tree Hill, Chuck, Grey’s Anatomy, The Practice, and Boston Legal.

Besides the above, I enjoy stand-up comedy events from all over the world. I could watch Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Russell Peters, Richard Pryor, Ray Romano, Cyrus Broacha, Eddie Izzard etc. all day.

HEARING

I get transported in the pure sound of jazz. As a matter of fact, everything about jazz is purely divine. Probably the only genre where you can ‘smell and feel’ the music. Everyone from Diana Krall, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Billy Joe Thomas and their contemporaries.

I enjoy western instrumental compositions by composers such as Yiannis Hrysomallis (Yanni), Kenneth Gorelick (Kenny G), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maksim Mrvica, Roberto Concino (Robert Miles), Richard Melville Hall (Moby), DJ Whosane, Vanessa Mae, and Bond (the string quartet).

I am extremely selective when it comes to pop and contemporary rock music. I prefer artists such as Linkin Park, Robbie Williams, U2, Beatles, AR Rahman etc. I sincerely detest Hip-Hop music and think that it’s an abomination. On the dance floor, I prefer trance and house.

When it comes to radio and TV hosts, I applaud Ryan Seacrest, Prannoy Roy, Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Cyrus Broacha, and Nikhil Chinnappa.

TASTE

Food! The question is, do you have all day. I love all kinds of cuisine but prefer Continental and Italian food the most. Sizzlers and Barbecues are my favourite and I prefer to barbecue by myself at-least once every month. Since I am a Tamilian, I enjoy the spicy mouth-watering Chettinad cuisine. I enjoy practically every kind of cheese and bread there is, with a strong fondness for Fondue. Amongst Indian food, I enjoy South-Indian sweets and relish Calcutta chats.

I openly admit my addiction to Japanese food. Sushi and Sashimi could sustain me for decades. While I am a vegetarian most of the time, I do enjoy the occasional fish – this would make me a ‘fishy-tarian‘ (a fish eating vegetarian).

I enjoy the company of Desserts and believe that no meal is complete without one. Unlike most Indians, I am more partial to non-ice cream based desserts like cakes, cheeses, fruits and puddings. Needless to say, I prefer food to be an elaborate process.

SMELL

I have a zeal for travel and like to soak in the ‘smell’ of new undiscovered communes. I am of the belief that all places have an inherent energy, which can be absorbed only by being present there. Mornings at a potti kadai (road-side box-cafe), afternoons fishing at a lake, evenings on a hammock and nights by the fire under the stars; just some of the exhilarating smells which transport one to a whole new dimension.

TOUCH

Chamois Leather, 100% Cotton Shirts, Linen Trousers, Levi’s Jeans, Poly-Wool Suits, Silk Ties, Oxford Shoes and Metal Cufflinks; some of the few things about which I love the touch and feel.

Having trained in horse-riding, I absorb the feel of the turf at dawn, the power of the horse beneath the saddle and the sense of authority. I think an early morning horse-ride is far more rewarding than any other form of exercise.

AMALGAMATION

Besides the above, I enjoy other passions which titillate all or most of my senses. For instance, I enjoy live performances of theatre, music and stand-up comedy. I enjoy amusement parks and the thrill of extreme rides. I revel in the environment of aged-taverns, pool-side luncheons and al fresco dining. Long drives with jazz music on the stereo, good conversations, great views and warm teas are some of the simple joys of life I can never get enough of.