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The Hindu : Janet Gabriel looks like she is on fire with her red lipstick, red nail polish and red outfit. But her scarlet red demeanour seems to sing this singer’s song of fiery, hot passion for rhythm and blues. And her album “The Fire Within” burns with her fast, racy lyrics talking of “life, love, empowerment and day-to-day living”.

This Nigerian singer with a smoky voice was born in Hackney, London and returned to Nigeria when she was ten years old where she completed her education. The voluptuous pharmacist started singing when since she was eight at the Methodist Church. She came back to England in 1997, after winning the Miss Nigeria title in 1993.

It has been a decade since Janet has been doing back-up vocals and session work with the Ministry of Sound and a West End play among others. Two years ago she wrote self-compositions for her album “The Fire Within”, with her six-member band Neophonics, which she says she largely promoted online. In May this year, they did a tour of her home country, Nigeria, where the heart-warming response has prompted plans of another tour.

“It was my Indian friends who persuaded me to come to India”, says Janet who “came on a bit of a holiday, tried her hands in networking and then see what the music scene is all about.” The 34-year-old singer is on her way to Delhi, Cochin, Goa and Hyderabad. “I am open to whatever happens and I don’t know why I didn’t come here earlier.” She even performed with Prince at the Rio in Vegas, which she attended “just as a fan”. She grimaces, “I even did a duet with Paris Hilton.” She says she is a fan of Prince and will never forget that experience.

“I am in control of what I do. If people want me to sing a certain way, I…More

The Hindu : Wildlife filmmakers and photographers Krupakar and Senani don’t need much of an introduction. The award-winning makers of the film “Wild Dog Diaries”, are much like the dhol they have studied for more than a decade, shy and elusive.

So when they attended the screening of their film at Aranyam 2007, RAKESH MEHAR jumped at the chance to catch a wonderful conversation.

(On Aranyam 2007 and other screenings)Senani: My most memorable screening of the film was at Mysore. Our friends are basically interested in literature. So we assumed that they didn’t have much of a connect with wildlife. The idea of screening a purely wildlife oriented film, that too about wild dogs, didn’t even occur to us. But our friends saw the film and decided that the rest of Mysore should see it. The people’s responses were very emotional, the questions very intimate. That small town atmosphere really works. Krupakar: I’ve generally seen that when it comes to any sort of cultural event, Bangaloreans make excuses. They aren’t as encouraging. In Mysore people act like it’s their own event.Senani: You can’t criticise these boys (organisers of Aranyam), though.Krupakar: That is why we came for the festival, because it was being organised by youngsters. It is very important for us to encourage them. (On the feelings associated with the first close contact with the wild dog pack)Krupakar: When we started off, if we stood even 600 metres away, the dogs would vanish. That was how our first sightings were. The story of how we developed contact is actually very big. What we show in the film is only one small part.Senani: In the film we have to show everything in forty-five minutes. So everything happens really quickly. In reality, it all happens very slowly. So slowly that you do not realise when it happens. Krupakar: We don’t believe that patience is what you need to be a wildlife…More

The Hindu : The casual dining restaurant, T.G.I Friday’s, has introduced mouth-watering double glazed grill items. From double-glazed ribs, roasted half ribs, shrimp skewers to double glazed lamb chops and doubly delightful crepes, these glaze grill selections are sure to tickle your taste buds.

Double glazed ribs are a rack of tender baby back pork ribs char-grilled, then basted in Friday’s signature double glaze sauce and glazed to lip-smacking perfection. This delectable treat is served with Friday’s crisp, golden onion rings and priced at Rs. 1,430. Double glazed roasted chicken is a juicy half-roasted chicken char-grilled and finished with sauce and accompanied by tangy cheddar cheese mashed potatoes and sweet roasted corn and is priced at Rs. 375. From the seafood section, double glazed shrimp skewers are priced at Rs. 450. Double glazed New York strip is priced at Rs. 385. Doubly delightful crepes are sweet crepes filled with rich cream cheese and fresh seasonal fruit and drizzled with hot caramel sauce, for Rs. 130.

Visit T.G.I. Friday’s at No. 1 Airport Road. Call 25210570/71. Taxes are applicable.

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The Hindu : Marriage, an institution which has survived the test of time thus far, the coming together of two people united in love vowing to be there for each other in good times and in bad, has begun to look vulnerable with cracks emerging all too soon (sometimes within a day of tying the knot) and the changing societal fabric necessitating a whole new look at this life-altering event in one’s life.

What do men expect from marriage?

Alex, a real estate fund manager in a private equity company says: “I expect companionship and complete mutual trust. For that to happen my spouse and I need to be on a similar wavelength especially on issues such as career, work-life balance and raising children.”

On research analyst Nikunj Agarwal’s wish list is “total understanding, commitment, respect, appreciation, love and care” rank high. For Joel Vasanth who heads HR in an MNC, “A simple girl, practical and able to handle situations, fun loving (good looks are a bonus)” would do nicely. She doesn’t have to be an excellent cook nor does she have to say I love you all the time - but only has to show it in action,” he adds. Arvind, project manager in a software company says, “I would want my spouse to be my best friend.”

Being far away from home, Anil Gurwara, an engineer is looking for a friend in his future partner. “At least I won’t have to think of what to do during the weekend and life will settle into a more organised routine.” The young men of today are not only willing to give their future partners space (as Alex says, “Petty differences will arise because of the fatigue of being around each other all the time”) they also don’t think twice about sharing housework. However, they are alive to the fact that marriage is no bed of roses with the spouses agreeing…More

The Hindu :

To the list of suggestions made by Geeta Padmanabhan in What is ‘old’ for you? (MetroPlus, October 13) I would like to add that a hobby will be a great help in keeping oneself engaged. It could be reading, music, painting, collecting stamps and so on. One should, however, be passionate about it. I started my collection of autographs of Test cricketers in 1950 and I am busy at it even now. Also in the article “It’s only cricket” (City Lights, October 17 ) C. K. Meena asks us to read the headline with emphasis on the second and then the third word. Both make sense, of course.

Similar emphasis should be laid on the word “Newspapers” in the next line.

In elevating cricket to a state of frenzy, particularly regarding the shorter versions of the game, newspapers have played no mean part. It is pleasant to see that a sober and solitary exception is my favourite paper The Hindu which still maintains a fair balance in reporting various sporting events.

RAGHAVENDRA RAO,

BANASHANKARI

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The Hindu :

The Hindu :