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The Hindu : India’s first Internet micro-sitcom “Ram & Ria”, about the everyday quibbles of a married couple, got over one lakh hits within weeks of being uploaded on Rediff iShare. America’s cult TV series “Lost” decidedto kick off its much-awaited fourth season with a series of 13 exclusive ‘mobisodes’ that filled in the “Missing Pieces” of the story told so far.A Malayalam rock band (Avial), a Tamil rapper (Yogi B) and even recently, a Tamil pop band called Prana have made a name for themselves by posting their music videos on Youtube and pushed album sales by offering their niche listeners free sample downloads. Obviously, the key to their success is that they’ve all tailor-made the content within the limitations of the medium. Each episode, ‘mobisode’ or ‘webisode’ is not longer than a music video. About two to three minutes each. Hence, it doesn’t take more than a few seconds to stream and view. What’s more, thanks to applications like Miro, episodes are downloadable and can be transferred for viewing on your mobile phone.Conceived and produced by PixelKraft, “Ram & Ria” is based on the life of a typical South Indian man, his charming Mumbaikar wife and their endearing chemistry. Siddharth Kumar, creative director of “Ram & Ria”, says that the inspiration came from the dearth of contemporary Indian content online. “We strongly believe that there is great market for real content being produced for alternative media such as Internet and mobile,” he adds.About 25 episodes of “Ram & Ria” can be viewed onwww.ramandria.tv or on Rediff iShare. While it may be early days for popularity of the Internet sitcom to translate into revenue, the web-episode seems to be a potent tool for cross-media promotion for existing television shows. To take a cue from American television, web episodes are used to build excitement around existing shows, like “Lost’s” “Missing Pieces” and “The Office” spin-off “The Accountants” have…More

The Hindu : For women in their 30s and 40s shopping for clothes has become a sheer nightmare. Reminding yourself constantly that you should stick to pastels, small prints, simple cuts, neat lines, can lead to boredom. Picking something that is neither too youngor old can be nerve-racking. However help is at hand thanks to Bangalore-based designer Sooraj Chawla.Giving some tips on how older women can look chic Sooraj says: “Middle aged women do not have to go to extremes in following trends to look young. Just a slight change in choice of fabrics and cuts can make all the difference. For example, a shift from silk and Kanchivaram for saris to crepes and georgettes makes all the difference. Crepe drapes to gives a delicate look as compared to silk. The embroidery can be designed in a subtle manner with limited bling.. Using brocade borders is another good option to keep the traditional look alive.”“Mix and match” is the mantra for this season. This season allows you to drape yourself with shaded saris or with dark tones designed with contrast embroidery. Cocktail saris are the latest trend and every woman’s favourite. Patches and layers of different colours and contrasts are also making their way in this traditional category. Silver or antique gold embroidery used as rich embellishments creates a very glamorous look.Since the blouse is an important component of the outfit, one can opt for a common gold or a silver blouse. A contrast blouse with the sari is the golden rule this season. Keep necklines basic but show more back. Sheer sleeves and a lined body for the blouse also look neat, explains Sooraj.As the wedding season extends to May, salwar suits are getting high on style and embellishments. Patchwork of different kinds of fabric adds that extra touch to the outfit.Fabrics can range from tissue crepes to brocades Paisley prints on kurtas are recommended.Straight cut kurtas…More

The Hindu : Katra Group has opened their second clinic Kerala Ayurvedic clinic at Koramangala. Kerala Ayurveda Wellness Centre promises to offer a spa experience with its exotic Ayurvedic treatments and holistic packages, the origins of which can be traced to centuries-old authentic Kerala Ayurveda secrets.The various packages at the wellness centre have been designed to transform an individual’s lifestyle with the help of qualified Ayurveda doctors and therapists who will administer treatments and therapies which are strongly rooted in ancient Ayurvedic traditions and designed to meet individual needs and health goals. A one-stop shop for authentic Ayurveda solutions, the centre will also offer quality treatment, accessories, information and more on Ayurveda.The new Kerala Ayurveda Wellness Centre is located at NSS Enterprises, No. 400, 18th main, 6th block, Koramangala. Call 65320055/66….More

The Hindu : BeatstreetWynton Marsalis: From the Plantation to the PenitentiaryBlue Note/Virgin Records; Rs. 445 (CD)Recent jazz albums don’t often get to the shelves of music stores in India, so the appearance here of this 2007 CD is news in itself. Of course, the fact that it won a Pulitzer Prize must have helped. Wynton Marsalis is a brilliant trumpeter with a beautiful tone, although controversial for his devotion to early jazz, the music of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in particular.As might have been guessed from its title, the album attempts to trace the history of the African-American people through music. Marsalis is aided by Walter Blanding on tenor and soprano saxophones, Dan Nimmer on piano, Carlos Henriquez on bass, Ali Jackson Jr. on drums and the voice of Jennifer Sanon. The use of vocals, integral to telling the story, again harks back to the roots of jazz, when the human voice was a more important part of the music than it is now. Helpfully, the liner notes of the album contain the lyrics of all the pieces in full.Marsalis composed all the music on the album (presumably writing the lyrics as well) and ably succeeds in narrating the story line with his sextet. The title track, which opens the album, sets the mood with Jackson getting a workout on his drum kit, in which the tambourine plays a prominent role, a role that returns from time to time on the album to evoke the early days of slavery.The music is tightly written as a suite, so one could have thought there was not much scope for improvisation, the very essence of jazz. But such apprehensions are repeatedly proved wrong by the meaty solos, taken by Marsalis and Blanding primarily, but also occasionally by Nimmer and at least once each by Jackson and Henriquez. Both Henriquez and Jackson are quite strong in their supporting roles, making this…More

The Hindu : If you are an adventurer or a leisure traveller, you must think of The Kings Sanctuary set amidst the wilderness of Nagarahole, 200 km from Bangalore and 75 km from Mysore.The road is good and you can reach the sanctuary in three hours from Bangalore.The sanctuary is surrounded by thick forests. The Nagarahole forest entrance gate is 30 km from here. On the way you can see colourful birds, roaring tigers, elephants, bisons, giant squirrels and deer apart from the tribals.The forest comprises teak, rosewood, hone, mathi, bamboo and sandalwood trees. Well-planned motorable roads close to the perennial and seasonal water points and adequate open space in the jungle allow visitors to get a close view of the animals.The Kings Sanctuary is one of the best luxurious resort with unspoilt ecosphere. Everything here is designed to delight. Rooms are spacious and comfortable. You can spend the morning at the swimming pool, gym or jogging track.ou can also play table tennis or badminton. If you are the adventurous kind, set out to watch birds, on a safari or go trekking.For the evening, you have cycling and camp fire with folk artistes performing. For those who want to experience city life amidst wilderness, there’s a discotheque. For lunch and dinner, you have plenty of choices such as the local Mysore and Coorg delicacies apart from all types of continental dishes.There are various options available for accommodation like garden cottage, emperor suite and lake villas depending on your budget.The entire sanctuary is lit up brightly during night. The resort is built in wood with solar water providing 24 hours hot water.For details call 98806 86151 or 98450 02659 or emailsales@vivekhotels.com or visitwww.kingssanctuary.comS. M. RAMESH…More

The Hindu : Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Toure wanted to know if the dreams in Indian cinema were true. So he came to Benares a year ago, discovered other dreams and returned home with another reality. Says the 50-year-old who was here to screen and discuss his films at “Semaine de la Francophonie” at the Alliance Francaise, “I was six when I watched my first Hindi film. I saw Indian films as being composite of many dreams and dances.”The realities and dreams he found in India were both close and distant to the African continent, found Moussa. “The masks that we have in Senegal are very similar to the idols of gods and goddesses in India.” Like the idols, the masks are also brought out during festivities and venerated. “I noticed that like the masks in Africa, only select people were allowed to view and touch these idols in temples.”He states that like India, Africa has also tried to do away with the caste-system. “The caste system is anchored so deep in the culture, it’s like a big tree that has taken root and penetrated far into the soil. We can choose to go to the root of the problem and remove it, or just let it continue to grow.” Moussa finds that the caste system is more palpable in villages.The death of his father saw 14-year-old Moussa venture into the world of filmmaking. “I had to work and feed my family and my father had many friends in the industry.” He remembers: “It was Johnson who took me in and I became an electrician, then a cameraperson, and have remained one.”“I keep seeing my father when I make films, and my last feature film was dedicated to him.”Moussa who was so nervous when he screened his first film, that he didn’t dare remain in the hall, adds, “Not many people know that the film was in memory of…More

The Hindu : Inviting research proposalsIndia Foundation for the Arts is inviting proposals for their Arts Research and documentation 2008 for scholars, art practitioners or groups. There are two areas open for project undertakings — research and documentation.Applications should reach by June 30 and the proposal can be written in any Indian language including English.The project may have a maximum duration of one year and you can request support for up to Rs. 3 lakhs and filmmakers can request up to Rs. 5 lakhs. Grant awards are expected to be announced on or before October 30.To apply, you have to send a proposal describing the specific cultural tradition or contemporary practice that you seek to research and/or document. With the proposal, you have to include supporting material, if any, which will give a sense of your work, bio-data, a detailed budget breakdown if any, address, telephone/fax numbers and email address.Indian nationals, registered non-profit Indian organisation or Indian resident for five years and more are eligible to apply. Address your draft proposals and queries to The Head of Programmes, India Foundation for the Arts, “Apurva”, Ground Floor, No. 259, 4th Cross, Raj Mahal Vilas, IInd Stage, IInd Block, Bangalore 560094 and emailtriptivyas@indiaifa.org and address your application to The Executive Director, India Foundation for the Arts, “Apurva”, Ground Floor, No. 259, 4th Cross, Raj Mahal Vilas, IInd Stage, IInd Block, Bangalore 560094. Call 23414681/2….More

The Hindu : A forgotten notebook, an unpolished shoe or chatting with a bench-mate during class hours always elicits one result: an annoyed teacher.However, the way an upset teacher reacts varies. There can be abrupt silence that puts you to shame or chalk pieces can zoom your way or the lean-and-mean cane can do the talking with your palms (and elsewhere!).Then, the spring in your step goes missing. All that remains are tear-filled eyes, and an angry pink streak, threatening to turn purple across the unfolded palm.Menacing trendIn a few instances there could also be snipping off of dainty locks. In 2002 in Chandigarh, a physical instruction teacher sheared off the hair of two students.They were being punished for not getting a haircut despite several reminders.While the Government may have banned corporal punishment, one always wonders if it is possible for schools to strictly adhere to the orders.And, questions about sparing the rod and spoiling the child continue to remain unanswered.Says Christopher Dhanabal who teaches at SBOA Matriculation Higher Secondary School: “Teachers must not be gagged or their hands, tied. They must be given the liberty to admonish the students to solve issues such as quarrelling, biting, beating, stealing, etc. Because, as gurus, teachers have the responsibility of shaping their students.”Surekha Nair, principal of Vivekalaya Matriculation School says: “When a child is beaten, it believes that the language of anger is beating, and it starts using physical violence on others. Further, beating only makes him or her stubborn.”This is something that everyone agrees upon: no violence. Dhanabal says that teachers should exercise self-restraint and discretion; there should not be any room for physical harm.V. Subramanian, principal of SBOA MHSS says that caning does not reform a person. Instead, it lets the person to continue to err.So, what is the alternative? Is it possible to do away with the rod? “Yes”, says Surekha. “Talking. We talk to the students…More

The Hindu : Blog voyageClick onwww.travelpod.com to share your experiences while on the moveAn incredible concept born out of necessity, Travelpod.com is a gift to nomadic netizens who love communicating constantly about where they’re going and what they’re doing. It’s a forum where travellers flaunt their escapades without expensive phone calls, snail mail or cumbersome emails. Imagine being in front of an Egyptian pyramid and being able to share that moment, complete with pictures, text and videos instantaneously at the touch of a button. All you require to update your blog in real time is access to an internet café or a mobile phone. It automatically plots your trips with pins on a virtual map and records the number of adventures you’ve accumulated. It might have sounded like science fiction a few years ago, but Travelpod which was founded in 1997 has come a long way, quite literally, with the past week having seen 32,527 shared experiences from 162 countries.Everything here is unlimited, with no ceiling on the number of pictures, MP3s or videos you can upload. What’s more, blogs never expire, which means you can leaf through your journeys from several years ago anytime you want. The spirit of this exercise is to share and share alike, so if you want to learn about other voyagers’ experiences, simply click on the region of your choice and glance at the blogs that are maintained by them while on the move. Membership is free but those who want their blogs to be private or free of advertisements need to pay for an enhanced membership. The technology allows you to add it as an application on social networking websites like Facebook so your friends can keep track of your movements round the clock at the click of a mouse. Travelpod is probably the closest mankind has ever gotten to telepathic communication, for now, anyway.SRIYA NARAYANAN…More

The Hindu : World-class filmsMovie buffs can now feast their eyes on World Cinema as Seventymm is presenting films from across the world.They have tied up with Palador Pictures Ltd. to offer consumers films made by renowned directors like Akira Kurosawa (“Seven Samurai”, “Yojimbo”, “Red Beard”), Francois Truffaut (“Two English Girls”, “The Soft Skin”) and Wong-Kar Wai (“The Mood for Love”, “Chun King Express”) . Also available are movies like “Run Lola Run”, “A Beautiful Mind” and “Motorcycle Diaries”.For more information visitwww.seventymm.com…More