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The Hindu : Bimmer up, Scotty!The BMW X3 might feel like half-saloon, half-SUV on the inside, but the drive experience is pure, unadulterated sports car, says HORMAZD SORABJEEThe BMW X3 is not the typical SUV one is used to. It is powered by petrol, not diesel, is not too spacious and you can forget about a third row of seats. In fact, it is even a size smaller than many luxury saloons. This SUV was not made to be big orpractical. What makes this SUV special is its sporty character and the pure focus on the driver; a typical BMW trait. So if you want a big SUV to travel with the entire family and carry luggage this isn’t the car for you.As with all BMWs, even a short drive in the car becomes memorable and a trip to Mahabaleshwar, six hours from Mumbai, reasserted this fact. The missus, my son and small bags were all I took on this trip and I am glad I didn’t do the whole holiday payload, which could have corrupted the handling. Clambering up into the firmly-padded driver’s seat gives the first sense that the X3 is part-SUV and part-saloon, simply because you don’t sit as high up as in the former or as low down as in the latter. But, while the seating gives the impression of SUV and saloon, the drive experience leaves no place for ambiguity – it is sports car all the way.The 2.5-litre straight six that powers the 325i saloon will also power the X3. And, like the 325i, this too has the same linear power delivery and the same eagerness to rev. However, the X3 is different in the fact that it weighs 370 kilos more than the 325i and so performance isn’t as brilliant. In addition, the thick slug of mid-range torque that a typical modern common-rail diesel belts out was also missing, but that…More

The Hindu : They are both true-blue westerners but violinist Ladislav Brozman and pianist Riccardo Carlotto tell us they are Indians at heart. Years ago, they made India their home. They are now firmly rooted in Pondicherry where they teach and perform, while giving recitals around the world.Brozman took to the violin at age seven in his country of birth, former Czechoslavakia. He studied under renowned violinists like Josef Kromer, Andre Jacot, M. Benat, and Andrej Lutschg in his hometown and subsequently in Switzerland and USA.He acquired rich experience as a teacher and performer in various music schools, and as concertmaster in the ESG Orchestra and Zurich’s Symphony Orchestra.Brozman “fell in love with India when I first visited it 30 years ago on my honeymoon. And my fascination with India’s beautiful culture, great cuisine with amazing regional variations, and rich heritage of art has been growing since.”Doesn’t that list include Indian music? “Well, it does. Actually, I was first introduced to Indian music through my friend, hamsaveena player Varun Pal. India has a wonderful variety of ethnic instruments each with a great tradition, whether stringed ones like sitar, veena, sarod, santoor, sarangi, or percussion ones like tabla and mridangam. However, it is disappointing that many of the rarer, older instruments are disappearing and I wish something would be done about that.”For, the Italian Carlotto, the Indian association has been via Sri Aurobindo International School, Pondicherry, where he commenced studies of the piano and recorder. (Next time though he wishes the association will begin with the beginning — he hopes to be born in India next birth!) He later left for Spain for advanced training under J. Vilaprinyo and also sang for Rita Ferrer’s choir.Returning to Auroville, he began performing both as solo artiste and collaborator. He founded and directed a children’s choir and composed for concerts and also the theatre, before leaving for a course at the famed…More

The Hindu : C. S. Sunder Raju, the unassuming but dynamic secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, has been the prime force behind the KSLTA’s resurgence. The KSLTA team has ensured its pre-eminence, by renovating the Stadium at Cubbon Parkand brought home many international tournaments including Legends Tour, World Doubles Championship and two WTA tour events. The KSLTA has touched a new high this year, by becoming the first State Association in the country set to conduct the $ 600,000 Tier II Championship for women at Bangalore.Sunder Raju says: “Bangalore Open is not about Sania’s presence or absence.It is about bringing a World class event to Bangalore.Raju is determined to move forward and make the championship, an event to savour.IOn conducting India’s first Tier II event Raju said: “It has been a conscious effort towards that progression for the past seven years. We have strived to make Bangalore a world class tennis destination.The road was not a easy and neither it is going to be.Talking about the lack of an Indian challenge, Raju commented: “It is imperative that we conduct such events in our backyard and even if one or two Indian players come through qualifying rounds, it gives them a great opportunity to play in such high class field, which includes Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Patty Schynder, Sybil Bammer and Agnes Szavay. They would have the home crowd backing them up to play beyond normal capabilities.”Setting the record straight on Sania’s absence, Raju said: “I believe that every player has a shelf life and they should address their demands within that space, taking into consideration the field and star value of the event. The KSLTA certainly respects a player’s position on that. But we at KSLTA believe it is tennis first and star value next. Having said that, I want to set the record straight. Yes, Mahesh Bhupathi called me before he left for the…More

The Hindu : Perfect harmonyLast week, Brozman and Carlotto, were in Bangalore for a musical soiree organised by Ganjam Jewellers. The mellifluous three-piece, 45-minute performance by Brozman-Carlotto, with the two artists in perfect harmony, received the hearty applause it deserved. The only dampener was the lack of sufficient chairs, so much of the audience had to stand through the show. The music-aficionados in the audience murmured their compliments to the artists and trooped out discussing the finer nuances of what they had just heard among themselves. The musicians said they enjoyed playing for Bangalore’s music lovers. For the connoisseurs, it was an evening of beautiful music. And for the rest, who always show up to be seen, not to see – or even hear – it was yet another perfect social event….More

The Hindu : Twenty three-year-old Michelle Ryan feels “Bionic Woman” is ‘a normal girl with everyday concerns’. “What’s even cooler is she can leap from building to building if she needs to.” The British actress who acted in Sean Ellis’ “Cashback”, Stephen Surjik’s “I want Candy” and the BBC series “East Enders”, now stars as Jaime Sommers in the updated version of “Bionic Woman”.Michelle Ryan who has been acting since she was 16 says, “My journey as an actress has been unpredictable. I don’t think I have followed a pattern that anyone else has. I think I just very much got my own way. And I work very hard. I am willing to take the risk and challenge myself. I work with good people and take advice from people around me.”She feels that she didn’t do anything deliberately to separate herself from the original “Bionic Woman” series. “I just focus on the script and I just love the character which is a great mix of strength and feistiness.”Her move from a British production to a Hollywood one, she admits, has been quite a leap. “Though I’ve worked quite a bit on ‘EastEnders’, this is the first big break. So it’s amazing, it’s exciting, scary and everything.” She feels, “When you’re on set, it’s the same everywhere you go. But in the US, the scale it’s just so much bigger. ‘Bionic Woman’ is a huge set, and there are hundreds of crew.”She admits that she has not seen the original because it was before her time. “I read the script and it’s a really strong character and that’s what sold to me. It’s going to be quite graphic and different.” Accent training wasn’t much of a problem. “I have been pretty good at doing the accent. The American accent is pretty easy to pick up and I have a really good dialect coach.”She chose to move from the UK…More

The Hindu : Soda by Sai Sangeet Paliwal has launched its new range “Soda Incarnate” a line of exclusive designer cushions and home furnishings. The collection captures ornate, royal and regal themes that will open your senses to the awe-inspiring rich treasures of culture and heritage. This range comprises silk and brocade cushion covers and bedspreads characterised by beautiful traditional motifs like the Indian paisley and make them the ideal accessories to glam up furniture and complement the evolved style of Indian homes.Contact Sai Sangeet Paliwal by appointment only on 919886557852 or 919886296399, emailsaisangeet@hotmail.com…More

The Hindu : Virtual MechanicCar and bike questions? We have the answersI want to buy a car and my budget is Rs. 4-4.5 lakh. I have short-listed the U-VA and Logan. Can you suggest any other car? I want a car that is good value for money.VenkatThe Logan is a very capable car but some may be put off by the boxy styling. The U-VA is however a smaller car but quite spacious for a hatchback. Of the two, we would suggest the Logan because it is a bigger car. Alternatively, you could look at the i10 or the Swift because they both are very good cars.I want to buy a small car which will be used for approximately 800km per month. Of this, 500km will be spent on the highway. I have short-listed the i10 and the Swift. Which of the two is better? I want to know which car is safer in the event of a crash. My budget is Rs 4-4.5lakh.B Dilip KumarWe would suggest the Swift as it is one class bigger than the i10 and at your kind of mileage, we would suggest a diesel car but you would have to stretch your budget. As for safety, the Swift petrol comes with ABS and air bags in its ZXI variant.I own a Santro DX. I want to buy a new car and my budget is Rs 8 lakh. I will use the car for 1000km per month. I have short-listed the SX4, Honda City, Logan and Chevrolet U-VA. I want a petrol car. Which of these would suit me best? I also want a car that has good after sales service.O B DheebakThe Honda city is the current king of the segment. It is reliable, spacious and comfortable and quite frugal. Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai Verna which is also a very capable car.I have small car and want to buy a…More

The Hindu : Jazz concertDockers San Francisco, The Bangalore School of Music and Alliance Francaise de Bangalore present the Mellow Sounds Of Jazz and Soul. The concert will feature Mili Nair (on vocals), Keith Peters (bass guitar), Donnan Murray (nylon, steel string and electric guitar) and Hamesh MH (drums, percussion).This concert is part of the ongoing 11th East West Music and Dance Encounter – 2008 and is scheduled for February 20, at Alliance Francaise, 7.30 p.m.Donor cards for this concert, in aid of the BSM Charitable Project will be available at the Bangalore School of Music, Alliance Francaise de Bangalore and at the Dockers exclusive stores (on Brigade Road, 100 Ft Road, Indiranagar and Vittal Mallya Road).This music festival is on till February 24 and features special concerts and workshops….More

The Hindu : Paul Theroux has written over 40 books in around four decades. He has also travelled to almost every country in the world, sometimes dragging himself across entire continents as he did for his best known “The Great Railway Bazaar”. One recognises the depth and variety of his life, even at first glance.Having been in Mumbai when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s anti-North Indian protests were in spates, the travel writer in him supercedes all else as he quizzes me about the issue. Trouble is nothing new to him though, he says, pointing out that he has seen everything from a coup d’etat to abortive revolutions to one-party police states. “I’m not attracted to trouble,” he clarifies. “But if you travel you inevitably bump up against it. But political turmoil worries and frightens me at times; especially when I don’t understand it. If you come from a particular place, you understand the mind of a mob. If you don’t, it’s all a mystery, just a headless violent movement.”His refusal to shy away from the hardships of travel and decidedly unromantic approach to it has gained the writer his reputation for redefining the genre. “Travel is not romantic; tourism is romantic,” says the writer, whose other famous travel works include “The Old Patagonian Express”, “Riding the Iron Rooster” and “Dark Star Safari”. “Going to the Maldives and sitting on the beach is romantic. Taking the train to Dibrugarh (in Assam, where he has recently been) is not very romantic but it is revealing. A tourist is looking for a vacation, a good time. Travellers come looking for a bad time.”Rational, though they may be, Theroux’s critical insights and ironic tone have earned him such tags as acerbic and prickly, a reputation he feels he doesn’t deserve. “If you write critically, if your prose style is acerbic, people think, ‘Oh he’s a difficult person’. If you are a traveller…More

The Hindu : Equine therapist Pushpa Bopaiah started “Healing Horses” in 2000, a centre for therapeutic riding for people with disabilities when she learned that India had not heard of the concept. A passionate horse-rider, Pushpa was working with underprivileged children with special abilities when she heard of the concept of therapeutic riding.Photo : k. GopinathanShe signed up on e-groups to learn more, and then won a scholarship ten years ago to study equine therapy in the U.S. “Equine therapy is about 40 per cent horsemanship which include grooming, table cleaning and learning about the different disabilities and necessay therapy, the child’s muscle tones and hormones.”She enrolled at the Special Equestrian Riding Centre (SERT) which has 650 centres in the U.S., where she trained from start to finish. From training horses for therapy, teaching them commands to deciding and learning what saddles, which horses are right and best-suited for the child’s disability.Pushpa has also to keep a close account of post-surgery medical details. “I only register the child after he/she has been medically checked with the necessary papers. It is possible then to update a medical progress.” She maintains that safety is the No. 1 priority. “The horse becomes an elephant then with two people constantly on either side to monitor.”“Most underprivileged children cannot afford equine therapy as it is not an inexpensive treatment. Each horse needs a monthly maintenance of Rs. 10,000 for paying tax, the groomer to buying a bag of oats for Rs. 870. It is not easy to maintain them.”Pushpa started riding out at the Bangalore Turf Club and now conducts therapy at the Princess Academy in Palace Grounds and Polo Academy ASC. But she dreams of starting a full-fledged centre with residential facilities and a small medical centre. “A lot of the children are from other States like Kerala, Punjab, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh.” She states candidly, “I don’t ask for money – all…More