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The Hindu : In shortCyrus F Dastur has big screen dreamsHANDS FULL Cyrus Dastur admires Charlie Chaplin, J.R.D. Tata and Dev AnandIn shortDid you know that noted theatre personalities Cyrus F Dastur and Tom Alter ‘almost landed in jail’ when they were in Kolkata to stage the play “When God Said Cheers” in 2006? “Tom had a small tiff with a cyber caféwhich was blown out of proportion. Our show was scheduled at 7 p.m. and we were in the police station till 6.30 p.m. Thank God it all ended well,” Cyrus says heaving a sigh of relief.The five-year-old play with 150 stage performances to its credit has travelled across countries and raked in immense popularity for its actors.Turning pointThe play shook Cyrus in more ways than one. “I had gone to Delhi for the play and was shopping at Sarojini Market which witnessed serial blasts immediately after I left the place,” he reminisces.Ask him about the short films his production house Two Plus Productions has distributed and a smile is back on Cyrus’ face.He has just finished compiling ten interesting short films “Hot Shorts” in the form of a DVD. He calls the genre as the ‘new sunrise’ and admits he wants to see more of them. Talking about a new short film “Hide and Seek” directed by Suryaprakash Lakkoju, which the company has produced Cyrus says: “It is a 15-minute thriller and will keep the audiences hooked.”Magnum opusFuture plans include a magnum opus “Begum”. “Talks have been going on for a year now but since the production is on a large scale, nothing has been finalised. It is my dream to make a play on Begum Khairunnisa’s tender love story,” he says adding Nandana Sen might play the Begum’s role.Cyrus’ adventure streak has got a new life with a travel show. “We have finalised a deal with a travel company in Mumbai to make content for…More

The Hindu : They are smart and young. They live in the fast lane, earn more, spend more and now save more. They understand their money, set bigger goals with shorter deadlines. And, consultants help them take charge of their personal finances. There is definitely a changing attitude towards finances and savings.“It took a while to get acquainted with numbers,” says Manish Gajjaria, 24, a software engineer working in Pune. “My idea of investment was to approach a stock broker. Now, I have diverted my money to equity linked saving schemes and mutual funds that offer immense tax benefits and also ensures steady investment,” he adds.Help at handHe says youngsters need guidance while handling money. “Most go in for random savings schemes in the first quarter just to escape the tax net. Now, I track my investments online and I am happy with the way they are growing. With consistent hikes, there is no dent in our regular spending,” he adds.Just nine months into the job and Dhanya Mohan, who is 24 and works in Ernst and Young in Bangalore, is already into investments. “Though keen on saving taxes, I don’t want to take any risks. Soit is mutual funds. I took help from consultants to make investment decisions,” she adds.Educating youngsters on personal finance are ‘wellness consultants’. “All you need to do is simplify,” says Pradeep Yuvraj, director of Finerva Financial Education and Wellness Consulting Solutions, the only authorised users in India of the global Personal Financial Well-being (PFW) Scale where an eight-questions tool allows one to estimate the financial stress in an individual as low, high, mild and harsh.“Most youngsters earn from Rs.10, 000 to 80,000, feel happy about their spending power, swipe credit cards generously, and become aware of the debt trap only after two years when the tax deductions begin in the salary,” he adds. And, the financial stress begins to mount. “Their productivity…More

The Hindu : AXN is airing the premiere of “Magic Asia” as the international street magicians Chris Korn and J.B. Benn promise to enthral viewers with awe-inspiring magic tricks.From the mystifying mind reading, to the unbelievable sight of a coin bending right before your eyes, expect the unexpected from the magical duo of the two magicians who have the repertoire of ‘wow-inspiring’ and mind-boggling tricks take you on a spellbinding trip.“Magic Asia”, an AXN original production, is set against the vibrant spirit of Mumbai and captures the instantaneous and sometimes hysterical reactions of audiences resulting out of an experience that showcases real magic up close without the aid of any fancy props or elaborate sets from Juhu to the Gateway of India.Says Chris Korn, “India as a country is the perfect place for street magicians like us, as not only is audience participation a key facet of our acts, our repertoire of tricks will also be tailored to bring out the best of India, showcasing its rich cultural and historical background as well as its colourful landscape.” Watch “Magic Asia” tonight at 9 p.m. on AXN…More

The Hindu : Corsets are back and how! From terribly constricting undergarment — we all remember Mammy lacing up Scarlet O’ Hara’s corset — to uber cool fashion statement.“Corsets are timeless”, says Kolkota-based designer Sayon Mitra, whose hand-finished corsets are available at Mogra at the Leela Galleria.“Corsets not only add zest and panache, but also shape your body for an ideal silhouette”, says a Bangalore-based fashion designer, Mini.Corsets are typically constructed with thick flexible materials like silk, raw silk, brocade etc that are stiffened with boning (generally made of plastic) which are tailored depending on the type of the corset. There are two kinds of corsets; one that sits along the waist that helps flatten the belly while the other comes above the bust. Corsets attached to a gown or designed as an outer wear tube top look chic and classy.Traditionally corsets were very uncomfortable and constricted. Kate Hudson, who wore corsets for “The Four Feathers,” practiced wearing them for an hour during her break time or while at home.Corsets are no more the sole preserve of anorexic models. Keeping the Indian women in mind, designers are creating well-constructed corsets that fit any body type without hampering movement. And if you are not satisfied with readymade corsets, you can go for a custom-made one.Corsets designed with rich fabrics like Benares silk or brocade materials, with glittering embellishments and intricate detailing which can be teamed with a sari or a lehenga are haute now. “With the wedding season in full swing, women opt for teaming saris with corsets, which also gives a contemporary twist to the traditional ensemble,” says Mini.In western wear, a well-structured corset with slim padding and shoelace tie-ups go with any formal business suit. For a casual look, one can team a corset with a pair of jeans or a straight long skirt.Buying the right corset is all about the right fit and good quality. First,…More

The Hindu : Everywhere we turn, exquisitely beautiful, painfully thin women smile at us from well-lit billboards, glossy magazines and newspapers; and they’re all suggesting — some with their luscious, glossy lips, others with their sultry, smoky eyes — that they are so sexy, so desirable only because they wear this particular crease-resistant eye-shadow and that seductively creamy lipstick.There is too much advice, too many instructions floating around on why and how to use make-up; there’s way too much being said about ‘miraculous’ cosmetics that will transform every ugly duckling into a beautiful swan (and way too little — if you ask us — about feeling good in one’s own skin).And what, really, do you think ‘real’ woman do under these extremely umm, shall we say, compelling circumstances? Do they turn their back on the ‘miracle’, developed — or so we’re led to believe — by geeky scientists in high-security, underground vaults after a million years of testing? Of course not! They — poor, deluded souls — simply make a dash for the nearest cosmetic store, pick-up the much-hyped product, dab a little here, slap-on a little there, and tan-ta-da expect to look like a goddess! Ha! As if make-up can transform anybody!Except, it apparently can…The trick, they say, is to choose the right products, and learning the right method of application; a dab here, a line there goes beyond just camouflage… for make up, when applied well, makes you look spiffy and well-preserved. What they don’t say, however, is that make-up is actually about as complex and as baffling as rocket-science. No, really; if you’re a make-up virgin, you’ll simply be shocked that the following (mind-boggling) list of brushes (!) are must-haves in every make-up case — they include separate brushes for concealers, foundations, blushers and eye-shadows, while face-powders have their own large brushes… Oh, and evidently the slanted brush, lip brush and eyelash brush are also…More

The Hindu : Time pleaseSOUND OFF! Jayanthi Sridhar ponders on why we are all time-obsessed when we know we have absolutely no control over itAs I sat down on New Year’s eve to reminisce the year that had gone by, I just couldn’t help wondering over this wonderful aspect of our lives — the concept of time. Much has been written about time, a tangible yet mysterious element in our lives. I often wonder how much time God had as he envisaged each piece in his gigantic creation of the universe.Every piece in this jigsaw puzzle is unique but seems to fit in perfectly.From the beginning of our schooling, we are taught (time and again) that time can be delineated into present, past and future. You cannot undo the past, you do not know the future so make use of the present well, to have a good future, is what thinkers judiciously advise you.Yet, try as I might, I am able to distinctly recollect only the important events with a few mundane ones in the many years of my life. This might probably add up to 120 or 200 days’ events in my travelogue of life. Photographs prove an aid to my strained memory cells in corroborating some events. But then, as the mind tries to visualise life’s journey, a myriad patterns and images, each with its own tale to tell, seem to form. Isn’t it strange then how we cling on to this elusive concept of time?No human being can probably narrate each and every incident of his life vividly. And the future is certainly unknown, a deliberate handiwork of a supreme being. We, the entire human race must work towards enhancing the beauty of His work rather than indulge in mindless violence. Will we rise up to His expectations ever? Only time will tell.Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the…More

The Hindu : With six novels and six anthologies of poetry, Congo-born, LA-dwelling Alain Mabanckou is one of the most fêted of contemporary Francophone writers.His latest “African Psycho” is the first to be translated into English. Throughout the book, Mabanckou gives insight into the state of affairs in Congo-Brazzaville, including racial tensions and the Congolese media’s knack for hyperbole.Alain Mobanckou’s writings pose pertinent questions on how an age-old civilisation of Africa looks at the rest of the world through the power of language.“Since 1980s African literature has gained a wide range of readership, says Mobanckou.“Africa seems less distant now. A large section of books are being written by the Diaspora writers giving rise to literature of immigration.”Mobanckou began composing poems at an early age. Since his mother tongue does not have a written script he adopted French to communicate his ideas. But he does admit that writing in a language which is alien to one’s culture can be a hindrance at times.“There are words and expressions in my language which have no exact translation in French. Many times I feel that the meaning is lost when the idea is translated. At such moments I feel frustrated as a writer but I guess it’s a part of my work. Writing in French is certainly a conscious choice because that is how the voice of African people can be taken to a wider world.”Mobanckou informs, “Writers in Africa who write in French have to be promoted. Works of African writers are not available to the outside world but literary works of writers from the rest of the world are made available in Africa. This certainly is the politics of the publishing houses. We must ask for a global view to promote African literature.”Asked about how Indian writing has affected him, Mobanckou replies “I have read Tagore’s Gora and have been inspired to use some images in my book ‘Broken Glass’….More

The Hindu : VideowatchThis fortnight at indiaplaza.inSnake EyesCast: Nicholas Cage, Gary SiniseDirector: Brian De PalmaScreenplay: David KoeppDVD, Rs. 499Snake Eyes is a gambling term where the dice throws two single pips, which is supposed to look like a snake’s eyes. The term also has associations with treachery and deceit. In Brian De Palma’s flashy super stylish film, it could also stand for the multiple points of view coming together to complete the picture.But all that is beside the point in this cinematic tour de force which converts an ordinary thriller to the stuff of a cineastes’ dream. Starting from that never-ending first sequence, which IMDB says has eight cuts but I will have to watch it a few more times to see where the cuts have been sneaked in, the movie is a relentless assault on the senses.It is fight night in Atlantic City, with boxer Lincoln Tyler defending his title. There is also Hurricane Jezebel lashing the city with all her fury. Just as Tyler goes down, shots ring out and the Secretary of Defence is shot. Major Kevin Dunn, who is in charge of security is out to uncover the truth with his childhood friend, Rick Santoro who is a corrupt cop and in charge of the investigation.The incredible opening steady cam sequence which goes on for at least 13 minutes, is one of the greatest expositions. The camera is almost always on Rick Santoro played with phenomenal panache by Nicholas Cage. The camera follows him as stalks the corridors as the king of his sewer as he charmingly puts it. He chats with wife and child and then also his mistress, meets up with old school buddy, Kevin, places a bet, gets the money for the bet by not completely honest means, chats with Tyler, watches the match and cosies up to a mysterious blonde woman and is on the spot with the Secretary of…More

The Hindu : A theatre critic normally doesn’t chat with the actors while the play is going on, or worse, catcall them. I did both during “The Wedding Party”. But then I wasn’t exactly wearing my critic’s hat, or even a spectator’s hat for that matter. I, along with the 40-odd other “wedding guests”, were inside the play. That is, if you could call it a play. At the end of 90 minutes during which I had eaten, drunk and made merry, I was incapable of sensible thought and only one line kept repeating itself in my head: “It’s a house! It’s a play! No, it’s, it’s… Superfun!”Maybe it wasn’t really a play but an experiment in hyper-reality, an attempt to eliminate the barrier that proscenium theatre erects between audience and actors — in Kirtana’s words, “breaking the fourth wall”. Instead of alienating us, Brecht-fashion, we were coaxed into accepting that we were taking part in a real wedding. All the actors were “on” throughout the evening, remaining in character even during the “interval” while we – as our hosts might have worded it – partook of hot drinks and eatables.The illusion of a traditional wedding was maintained right from the ticket mimicking a marriage invitation to the way we were greeted with lime juice, flowers and kumkum, and shown to our plastic chairs. Ganesha the handyman, wearing a brown woollen monkey-cap that hid part of his face, mingled among us. Felix the wedding planner played himself; he didn’t need to act the part of hearty Cantonment lad, speaking the what-da-why-ra lingo peppered with rut-put, crunchy-munchy, and other classic adjectives. Then there was the unmistakable Kannadiga accent and patter of the “pujari, yoga instructor, chartered accountant”, his signature phrase being “leave it”, the literal translation of bitt-bidi (ignore it).The authenticity of the language – the many kinds of English spoken in Bangalore – was the highlight of the…More

The Hindu : Be it pollution, stress or examination tension, you have enough reason to be worried about your appearance. After all, you don’t want to be called ‘Queen of dark circles’ or ‘Princess Puffy Eyes.’ Fortunately, there aresimple remedies to treat your eyes. You don’t need to visit a cosmetologist or even a saloon. You can sit at home, relax in your easy chair and take care of your eyes.“The most common advice given is to relax one’s eyes with slices of cucumber placed over the eyelids to provide a cooling effect,” says Kim, a beautician. “A few drops of coconut oil massaged around the eyes helps get rid of dark spots,” she adds.Dance trainer Mischa George hands out another easy tip. “When one doesn’t have the time for face packs, using an under-eye concealer is the best option, especially before a business meeting or an interview.” According to her colleague, Shilpa Kumar Dass: “A solution of glycerine and lemon juice applied around the eyes clears dark circles. Also, cotton pads soaked in cold milk and placed over the eyelids, cool the eyes.”“A mixture of saffron and honey applied over the eyes can do a world of good,” comments Kim. She also explains that tired eyes can be treated by washing the face with salt water solution. Whitening cream must also be used around the eyes on a regular basis.It is also believed that washing one’s face with rosewater each night refreshes the eyes. In order to remove puffiness from the eyelids and also for long eyelashes, a thin coat of castor oil can be applied before going to bed.“Baggy or puffy eyes can be treated by placing ice cubes on them,” advices Karuna Rampal, a fashion designing student. Nutritionist Keerthana Suryaprakash points out: “Salt intake in one’s diet should be reduced considerably as salt can cause water retention which often results in puffy eyes.”Ophthalmologist Sonu Mathai…More