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The Hindu : These rocks are on a rollMammoth rocks, majestic monuments, ancient temples…pick up the threads of history at the World Heritage Site of HampiPhotos: C.R. ManmadhanExperience an era Stepping into Hampi is like being in different time zoneHuge granite stones that tell tales, from mythology, of reigns gone by, of monarchy and years of toil that made these gigantic stones graceful sculptures or reliefs, will have you spellbound. Going to Hampi, in North Karnataka, is like turning the pages of a history book and experiencing the era. The erstwhile Vijayanagaram empire stares at you from everywhere in that 26 acre UNESCO World Heritage Site where the excavations have resurrected some of the majestic monuments whose size stumps you.From Bangalore an overnight journey in the Hampi Express takes you to Hospet by 8 a.m., in time for breakfast at the station: crispy masala dosa and coffee. Eighty per cent of those who alight are tourists, domestic and foreign. You can either stay at Hospet and travel to Hampi, 13 km away, by bus or auto, or stay in the only hotel in Hampi, run by the Karnataka Tourism department, Mayura Bhuvaneshwari. There are homestays aplenty but with inadequate facilities. Ask for a taxi and they tell you that an auto should be okay, that all your luggage will fit in and it will cost just Rs. 100! The Hampi tourism season begins in November and ends in March. It’s bearably hot during the day and the nights are a little cold in November.Mayura Bhuvaneshwari is a sprawling single-storied granite structure with rooms in rows, in many directions. The solar heater provides hot water 24 hours. The AC and non-AC rooms are comfortable and the rates are under Rs. 1,000 for a double non-AC deluxe room during the season. But it must be booked in advance. The only place where you get good home-style food in Hampi is…More

The Hindu : BeatstreetMiles Davis and the Modern Jazz GiantsOriginal Jazz Classics/Universal Music; Rs. 295 (CD)This album is taken from two sessions in 1956. On one (which contributes a single track, “’Round Midnight”), Miles Davis is joined by John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. On the other four tracks the “modern jazz giants” of the title are Thelonious Monk on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums.“’Round Midnight” is the shortest track but quite exquisite. Davis takes an intro and the theme at the beginning. He reprises the theme at the end, this time on muted trumpet. In between there’s just enough time for one satisfying solo, which, coming from Coltrane’s intense tenor sax, contrasts neatly in tone with Davis’s trumpet.On the other tracks, the most prominent roles are played by Davis and Jackson, who take the bulk of the solos. Monk is much quieter by comparison and is very much in the background in the ensemble passages. Davis and Jackson both have beautiful tones. Davis, as is his wont, times the pauses between notes brilliantly, as well as uses a mute quite often to change his tone.Among other techniques used to introduce variety is the striking change of tempo on two different takes of “The Man I Love”. They start slow through an intro on vibraphone followed by the theme on trumpet. The pace picks up suddenly for a vibraphone solo, followed by the piano taking up the theme, and then a trumpet solo. The theme is played again at the end, at a slower pace, by trumpet, vibraphone and piano.The brisk-paced “Swing Spring”, the longest track, features extensive solos on vibraphone, piano and trumpet. On this track, Clarke, whose work on the drums is impeccable, comes into the foreground for short bursts, as he does on…More

The Hindu : Happy journeyHere the five worst travel problems and suggestions on how to get out of themWhen going on a trip you often pray everything should go right. Here are the five worst problems with suggestions to get out of them:Have you ever sat in a terminal — or worse, on a plane — and been assured by a bored voice on the public address system that your flight will leave “any minute”? Then, half an hour later, there’s another announcement promising “just ten more minutes”. It’s called a creeping delay. With each update, another party is blamed for the delay: air traffic controllers, the weather, lack of available gates… By the time the flight actually departs, passengers are so confused that they don’t know where to direct their wrath. You can avoid a creeping delay by refusing to play along. If you’re waiting for a flight to board, be aware of the rules about delays — which is to say, at some point during a mechanical delay, the airline owes you a meal and hotel — and don’t be shy about calling an airline’s bluff. The airline rules can be found on your carrier’s website.Imagine the worst possible room at a hotel. You know the one between the elevator, under the disco and above the kitchen. Anyone stuck in such undesirable accommodations have two options: either accept the room or check out — and lose the money you prepaid for the room. Also, never forget to ask for a total price for your accommodation, so that you won’t be shocked when the bill is given before you check out.Surprise surcharges are as common in the car rental business as they are at hotels. Make things clear before you get into the car.Nothing ruins a restaurant meal like an unpleasant server or an undecipherable menu card. What do you do about the server? Walk out or…More

The Hindu : X’mas offersPhoto: K. ANANTHANsweet feast Dig into a yule logThis Christmas Taj West End’s Mynt restaurant offers a traditional Christmas feast with a Christmas brunch on December 25. The menu offers roast turkey, sugar cider ham, Yule log, German meatloaf and baked sea bass to name a few. On Christmas eve, at Blue Ginger you can watch Ong Gia No-en, the old man of Christmas bestowing gifts all over Vietnam chef Thong. The hotel will also offers a la carte menu between December 21 and 30.***Taj Residency’s Café Mozaic will also bring out a Christmas buffet with select beverages on Christmas Eve besides a Christmas brunch. At Memories of China, you can savour special flavours of China along with a glass of Champagne” on Christmas eve.***The Park hotel has done up the interiors to suit the X’mas mood. On December 24 and 25 there will be a Christmas dinner at i-t.ALIA, created by Chef Mandaar Sukhtankar, while the Hotel’s Monsoon restaurant offers a buffet with Indian liquor and a live band for Rs. 1,250 and taxes. At Aqua Monsoon you can try the Turkey Brunch, with “unlimited” wine, beer and cocktails for Rs. 1,600. To make the fest special the chefs have created a ‘Make your own Ginger Bread House kit’, where you can buy this kit and make your own ginger bread at home. The kit is priced at Rs. 800 plus taxes….More

The Hindu : New urban chicForever New, an Australian brand of women’s clothing breezes into the cityJUST RIGHT International fashion wear that’s not overdone or trying too hardForever New, an Australian brand that has come to the city is definitely what one would call haute fashion for women. It’s urban, preppy and trendy. It’s a brand that’s not overdone and actually gives a contemporary, wearable look.They have an in-house team of designers who travel all over the globe to keep abreast with international trends and cuts, with a factory set-up in China to process these designs into clothes. Says Forever New’s Business Head Vishal Trehan: “It is the fashion destination for the fashion-conscious. The cuts, style, patterns and prices keep in mind Indian tastes and price-affordability.”The stylish and chic ‘outer wear’ section for the winter, features long and short jackets in different styles in creams and greys, and knitted ones in square necks. “The forecast for the season are sunshine yellows, some aubergine and purple, with the core colours of black, cream and grey,” adds Vishal.The outer range starts from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,800. The entire range of clothing reminds you of the 1930s and 40s with a very French, chic, avant-garde twist to it. You could dream of Katherine Hepburn in those graceful, trousers and shirts or you could think of Audrey Hepburn in black and white chequered dainty jackets.With that image in mind, there are also tops with a shine called ‘lurex’, denims in different shapes and sizes from Rs. 1,400 onwards and lovely trousers. The dressy collection is to die for – light weight dresses and shirts in frills and crumples are fairy-like, ranging from Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,800.The casual ‘street-wear’ collection consists of cargoes and long sweaters in deep greys with a cotton and angora blend. Accessories like bags and belts in leather and faux,tights and leggings are to complete the outfit….More

The Hindu : Festive funChildren can win prizes this Christmas by watching Nick on tellyNick, a children’s channel, is offering a special Christmas called Nick Gift Mangta contest. The contest starts on December 14 and will go on till 13 January, 2008.Children have to tune in to the channel every day between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. “to win gifts every day”. The gifts vary from IPOD shuffle, digital cameras, mobile phones for the tech savvy children, DVD players for movie buffs, remote controlled cars for F1 fans, say the organisers.Between December 24 and 28, “Ninja” and “Perman” will be telecast from 1 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. To participate in the contest SMS N-I-C-K to 56882. Airtel, BPL, Hutch and Idea users can call 5056882. BSNL landline, BSNL mobile and MTNL mobile users can call 1255568. Airtel landline users can call 1250155/1250111555 from MTNL landlines. You can also log on towww.nickindia.com to participate….More

The Hindu : With a yen for actionPriyanka Chopra enjoys trying new things – be it an all out action role in Drona or title character in Virgin Comics’ Photo: V. Sreenivasa MurthyAt the top Priyanka Chopra: ‘I always like being the first to do somethingFor the children of the NGO Asha Deep, meeting Priyanka Chopra at an early Christmas party was much like staying awake for Santa Claus. Fitting in a cause amidst her obviously busy schedule, Priyanka came and went almost too quickly. Christmas, of late, has been rather business-like, observed Priyanka giving the waiting journalists too just a few bytes before moving on.“I enjoy working. So I am going to be working this Christmas. I was working last year too, even on New Year’s Eve.” Christmas wasn’t always so perfunctory for the actress who comes from a multi-ethnic background.“When we were children that was the only night that our parents could get us to go to sleep early, because we knew that if we slept early we would wake up to presents the next day.”Of course, if one had Priyanka’s dream career, one wouldn’t mind working through holidays either. Next up for the former Miss World is the role of a bodyguard in “Drona”, another chapter in the actress’s action avatar that kicked off with “Don”.“Well I am always trying to do different things. In ‘Aitraaz’, I played the bad girl, in ‘Krissh’ I was the girl next door. In ‘Drona’ you’ll get to see my full action avatar.”Boosting her super-babe image is the Virgin Comics character that is in the process of being created. “I always like being the first to do something. It’s quite scary how much the character looks like me.”Priyanka feels her dream role hasn’t come by yet. “I’m not sure what it is going to be, but I haven’t done it yet. One thing I would love to do is…More

The Hindu : From the DiaryARTAnup Kumar Karar, Biraj Kumar Pal, Moloy Chandan Saha and Tarun Chakraborty are organising an exhibition of their paintings at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Art Complex, Kumara Krupa Road till December 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Artist and city-based journalist Rasheed Kappan is presenting an exhibition of cartoons and graphics called “Graficatures” from December 17 to 22 at Atrium, Alliance Francaise. Alliance Francaise is at No. 108, Thimmaiah Road, opposite UNI Building, Vasanthnagar. Call 41231345.Kirtilals and Midas Artscape are showcasing their Sirius Solitaire Collection with Forevermark diamonds and an exhibition of woodscapes by Rajendra Chaudhari at Neeladri Plaza, No. 4 Rajaram Mohan Roy Road, near Richmond circle till December 22 from 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Call 23545002/04.* * *THEATRERangashankara is staging on December 18, Da Ra Bendre and Shashidhar Bharighat’s “Annavathara and Saayuvane Chiranjeevi” in Kannada, directed by Krishnamurthy Kavattar and Umashankara Swamy, performed by Rangaavataara at 7.30 p.m. Call 9448612036. From December 19 to 21, Srirang Godbole’s “The First Leaf”, translated and directed by Padmavati Rao for children will be staged at 11 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. Call 9886998550.* * *ADVENTUREThe Wanderers, an adventure club is organising a two-day trekking programme to Kudremukh in Chikmagalur District in the Western Ghats from December 22 to 23. Register before December 19 by calling 9845577216 or sending an email tothewanderers@gmail.com* * *OFFERGini & Jony, kids wear brand is presenting ‘Scratch the Santa’ where customers get an opportunity to take away assured gifts for every purchase made above Rs. 1500. The offer is valid till January 15 across all Freedom Fashion stores, exclusive Gini & Jony outlets, leading departmental stores and Multi Brand Outlets. The ‘Scratch the Santa’ offer gives customers a chance to win a Giordano Wrist Watch worth Rs. 4,200 plus other gifts like a pendant watch worth Rs. 3,000, a desktop fan worth Rs. 3,000, a multifunction table clock worth Rs. 1,050,…More

The Hindu : Just Nature ’n’ youInto the green zone and Ezhuthugal Pudur on a coraclePhoto: S. AnanthanPicture perfect Rolling, rolling on the riverSitting on the banks of the Bhavani, I await a boatman. Photographer Ananthan is chasing butterflies. We are on the Kerala side, and across is Tamil Nadu, our destination.We have driven some 60-odd km from Coimbatore. A drive that gets progressively better as we leave the Babel of Thadagam road behind. Already, everything seems calmer, more languid and so green. In fact, the only other colour around is a screaming red hibiscus on the dashboard of the car. All too soon we are there. Vaidyar Kadai is the name of the bus stop (if you are travelling by bus). From there it is on foot to Ezhuthugal Pudur.Trampling through tall grass and other undergrowth, the first stirring of unease. I remember someone mentioning how Mulli, a village not too far off, has a hospital where tribals treat cobra bites. I share the information with my companions. Just in case, especially since I have come in sandals instead of shoes. But, all is well.It couldn’t be better. In between the trees you catch sight of a rushing stream. That is where we get on to the boat. Ravindran, the forester, just hollers across for the boatman and there is immediate response saying he is on the way. Instead of waiting, we are invited by the headman to his village Sundapatti — a cluster of huts, a picturesque meadow and, a disused ropeway. We clamber down to the riverside again. Huge trees slouch against the bank of the river. Surreptitious movements reveal monkeys, behind a purdah of leaves and twigs, unlike their brazen cousins on the Ooty road.And so we walk on, with Bhavani for company. She hurries past, slows down waiting impatiently for us to catch up and then rushes off again. A spindly lad with…More

The Hindu : Fida over VidaMiss Afghanistan 2003 Vida Samadzai, tells AYESHA MATTHANno matter where Afghan women are the blood and fire within them is the samePHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.BETWEEN TWO WORLDS This Afghan-American says she has the best of both worldsThere is one question that Vida Samadzai is constantly asked: “How is Osama and are you his mistress?” Vida nonchalantly shrugs it off, with a reply that “plays along” to the tune. She answers: “Yeah, he is fine – didn’t you know that we had a relationship?”Vida Samadzai was crowned Miss Afghanistan in 2003, defying and breaking stereotypes that both her home and adopted country have of Afghanistan and its people.She was born and raised in Afghanistan till she moved to the U.S.A with her family, when she was in her early teens. She was related to the royal ruling family – the late Mohammed Zahir Shah, the last king of the war-ravaged country. Vida Samadzai was here in the city to work for a women’s right organisation, model for Deepika Govind’s collection and watch the test match.She recalls her childhood in the 1980s: “It was wonderful and we were happy – there was television, music, movies including ‘Khuda Gawah’ and I never cared about politics – I still don’t”, she states. Graceful and willowy, Vida recounts how she and her family left Afghanistan and moved to California.Talking about entering the pageant, Vida says: “I was working for a company that deals with home loans and a former Miss America persuaded me to participate. I hadn’t even done any of the working out or make-up sessions, took a risk and I won.” At the Miss Earth pageant, she wore a “70s style red bikini” that created a stir in Afghanistan – and since then she’s been banished from visiting.For the last year and a half, she has been living in Mumbai trying her hands in two things…More