News

The Hindu : As you drive towards the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a huge hoarding strikes the eye. It features the Royal Challengers Bangalore team members with the tagline that goes “Born in Bangalore, to thrill the Nation.”But four matches down the line that includes three losses at home, forget about thrilling the nation, the team has failed to even cheer its fans who throng the stadium. “I don’t know why but yes we have been losing at home. I believe in my team and the tournament still has a long way to go and I am sure with the ability we have, we should do well,” Dravid said in a recent press conference.In the opening match, the Royal Challengers were often staring at the sky, watching Kolkata Knight Riders’ Brendon McCullum threaten the stratosphere with his big hits. McCullum’s 158 grounded the home side and Dravid admitted, “when the ball keeps flying over your head, you can look a bit silly.” In their next outing, the Bangalore team salvaged pride and self-belief after defeating Mumbai Indians at Mumbai and when they returned to their hometown for their matches against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, expectation was great.However Dravid’s men lost both the matches. Against Rajasthan Royals, the batsmen found the fielders’ palms rather than the fence and against Chennai Super Kings, a usually sedate Wasim Jaffer donned an aggressive veneer,Ross Taylor had his big hits and yet Royal Challengers made a mess of the chase and fell short by 13 runs. “We emerged second best,” said a visibly-hurt Dravid later.Two points from four matches does not reflect the true merit of the squad. The team needs to find its bearings quickly as the next set of matches are just around the corner.The team has an air of solidity rather than flamboyance in its batting with Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Wasim Jaffer more prone to the classical school of…More

The Hindu : The daily diaryWorking Title is presenting “Mahadevbhai (1892-1942)”, written and directed by Ramu Ramanathan, performed and produced by Jaimini Pathak.The character that occupies centrestage is Mahadev Desai, secretary to Gandhi and is based on the diary that Mahadevbhai maintained. The form chosen is of lively storytelling, with humour, as one actor plays out various historical characters. The play attempts understand the principles that Gandhiji stood for. The play will be performed on May 2, 7.30 p.m. at Ranga Shankara at No. 36/2, 8th Cross, J.P. Nagar, II Phase. Call 26493982 or 9845752744….More

The Hindu : “For 2000 years, India and China were major civilisations, for the last 200 years, the situation changed – but now it is the return of Asia, and it is not easy for the West to give up their dominant power”, says Kishore Mahbubani, author of “The New Asian Hemisphere: The Irresistible Shift of Global Power to the East”, published by Public Affairs in New York priced at Rs. 695.The Singapore-based Mahbubani who is dean and Professor in the Practice of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore was here to launch his book at the Bangalore International Centre in the TERI Complex.He believes that it is important for the West to “step outside their ‘comfort zone’ before any worst-case scenarios” happen. For someone who grew up with no refrigerator, telephone, television or flush toilet in a one-bedroom house with his family of four, Mahbubani in his book, traces the different notions of ‘modernity’ to the West and East and how “Asia wants to replicate, not dominate, the West”.After 33 years of serving as an ambassador in different countries, Mahbubani says: “With a global experience of seeing different regions and how they think of and see the world, Western minds have become more closed rather than open.” His rather optimistic book looks at the rise of Asia as de-westernisation bringing “more goodness to the world”.“The aspirations of the Indian middle-class have grown to the Nano car and better educational opportunities, all stemming from a need to succeed”, he observes.Citing examples of China’s population living below poverty decreasing from 600 million to 200 million, his “March to Modernisation” though positive in many aspects, seems contrived and case-based. But, this reader-friendly book is a refreshing break from the superpower feel-good business-minded accounts that are floating around.From the rise of Asia contributing to a more peaceful and stable society, the West functioning as a single entity on global…More

The Hindu : It took six years for writer-director Ram Ganesh Kamatham to put together the script for “Creeper”, a play starring Mallika Prasad as narrator and Abhishek Majumdar as sutradhar. “A modern re-imagination of the tale of Vikram and Betal”, Ram says the text stemmed out of his research from the folktales of Ujjain, and a visit to a temple at Thottikenara in Kerala where exorcism is practised. Then, in 2007, on a Charles Wallace scholarship at the Royal Court Theatre’s International Residency for Emerging Playwrights in London, and as a Sarai-CSDS (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) Independent Research Fellow in Delhi, the play took form. “Since childhood, it was always interesting for me to look at ancient psychiatric treatment in both the Christian and Hindu mythological contexts.”Ram feels that “Creeper” is a contemporary re-invention of the gothic. “It is about wandering in the graveyard, which is macabre”, he says. “The Orkut profiles of friends who have passed away still remain, and we keep scrapping saying that we missed them.”Abhishek, also a Charles Wallace scholar and Mayavaan-founder announces: “I am going to read this interview for references on what to say this play is about!” Holding the two infamous heart-dotted glasses on the table at India Coffee House on M.G. Road, he turns them around. “It is about the insider-outsider scenario in Bangalore”, he says looking at Ram. For Abhishek and Ram, who feel they are polar opposites, “Creeper” was an exciting and fun script.For National School of Drama graduate, Mallika Prasad, who has been acting since 1990, this play has been a completely different experiment. “I am more of a traditionalist – used to scripts with a beginning, middle and end and flats and wigs. It bothered me initially as the script is a story told in pockets with a loose structure.” She laughs, “It was an interesting experience as you kept getting things…More

The Hindu : Born Barry Alan Pinkus, June 17, 1946, Brooklyn, New York, Barry Manilow was seven when he picked up his first instrument, the accordion. He later attended New York College of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. At age eighteen he met a director who encouraged him to do some musical arranging. In the spring of 1972, while filling in as house pianist at New York’s Continental Baths, he met Bette Midler and soon became her musical director, arranger and pianist. He co-produced and arranged her 1972 Grammy winning debut and her 1973 follow-up.Manilow landed a solo deal with a record company in 1972 but first toured with Midler as a featured performer before releasing his debut LP in 1972 and doing his own road show in 1974. His second LP came out in 1973 and in only nine weeks his cover of Mandy went to the number one spot in January of 1975. Hits like Could it be magic, It’s a miracle, Beach Boy Bruce Johnston’s I Write the Songs and Trying to get the feeling, followed. His debut album went platinum and over the years a dozen more followed suit, including the multi platinum, Barry Manilow live, Even Now and Greatest Hits. Manilow won an Emmy for one of his TV specials, a special Tony for a Broadway concert and a Grammy in 1979. In 1980 he produced Dionne Warwick’s comeback LP, which contained the hit I’ll Never Love This Way Again. In early 1982 he hit the top 20 with The Old Songs and later had a lesser hit with the remake of The Four Seasons’ Let’s Hang On. He continued scoring gold albums through the eighties.In 1984, Manilow scored music to words written by the lyricist Johnny Mercer, for the song When October Goes. Mercer’s widow had found a trunk full of unpublished lyrics and offered them to Manilow. He eventually…More

The Hindu : The practice of celebrating May 1, the first day of summer, has been around even in Pre-Christian times in Europe. May 1 is also observed as International Worker’s Day or Labour Day celebrating the eight-hour work day. Ironically, now, thanks to the IT revolution and working 24/7, May Day quietly slips by.“It arrives and passes by without us even realizing,” complains Tusshar Rey, a corporate employee when asked about his idea of May Day. While most employers are in favour of granting a holiday on this day to their employees, the trend has now changed in many places around the country. Owing to the increased number of BPOs and IT companies, May Day is nothing more than a restricted holiday which employees of such firms are most often, not granted.According to Minna G.T, a BPO worker, “I barely remember the last time I sat at home and did nothing on May 1. We’re so caught up in our work that now we have even stopped complaining about not being given a day off.”The younger employees, in such organizations seem to be dissatisfied. Suggestion slips have been sent to the superiors and requests have been made to the managers. The only answer we get is ‘we strictly follow the company’s calendar,’” whines call centre executive Sumish Pai.While on the one hand there are people who are fighting for what they claim is their right, there is another group of people who cannot care less about May Day. School teacher Chaya Raja says, “Summer vacations start in April. Everyday for the next two months is a holiday for us so we have even forgotten the significance of May 1.” Similarly, students say it hardly makes a difference to them since they are anyway already on holiday.Those like engineer Rudra Singh B., who still enjoys the privilege of May Day confesses, “More than commemorating it or remembering it…More

The Hindu : Book releaseThe Bangalore International Centre, as part of its Airtel Manthan Arts & Culture Series, will launch “Kamladevi Chattopadhyay - a biography” by Jasleen Dhamija, followed by an illustrated talk on “Globalisation and crafts in India” on Saturday, May 3, at the TERI Auditorium, Domlur, Bangalore.Jasleen Dhamija worked on craft development in India for 17 years. Dhamija began her pioneering work in 1954 when the Cottage Industries sector was taken up for development. She was appointed as Marketing Analyst after the first Marketing Survey and set up the first Design Centre and Exhibition and Promotion Unity. Jasleen represented the All India Handicrafts Board on the Planning Commission for development of small and cottage industries in the States. For details, call 25359680.Painter’s tributeTo mark the second death anniversary of the veteran actor Rajkumar, Aniketana organised a song tribute as well as an art workshop in National College, recently. This workshop is unique, for, it is the first time that a workshop in memory of an actor has been organised. Every artiste had different ways to depict their favourite actor.The workshop was the brainchild of I.M. Vittala Murthy and was supervised by artist, N. Marishamachar. All the works that were produced at the workshop will be on display at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat from May 1 to May 7.There will be works of over 31 artistes….More

The Hindu : No gentleman’s gameThe Indian Premier League cricket matches were dragged into a controversy after Harbhajan Singh, stand-in captain of the Mumbai Indians team slapped his India team mate and Kings XI Punjab player S. Sreesanth after a match at Mohali on Friday.Singh and Sreesanth are no strangers to controversy and have been involved in a number of unsavoury incidents especially during the recent tour to Australia.Most people feel that whatever the provocation, physical assault was unnecessary. They feel that though Sreesanth’s on field behaviour has not been particularly impressive, this act took things too far.Most people supported the ban imposed by the IPL on Harbhajan Singh and felt that the punishment should have been more severe. They demanded that similar action be taken by the BCCI to ensure that these incidents are not repeated.Many felt that the latest controversy has tarnished the image of the BCCI and the Indian cricket team, who had supported Harbhajan to the hilt during his spat and controversy with the Australian players.Metroplus profiles a few citizens for their take on this latest controversy involving cricket players.The incident has spoiled what has been a brilliantly-organised tournament. Uncontrolled aggression is bad for the game itself. Strict action must be taken against both Harbhajan and Sreesanth. The spirit of the game must be respected.DebashishWeb professionalSporting behaviour must be encouraged. The ban is definitely justified. The board should take strict action.Though some amount of sledging is acceptable, physically assault cannot be allowed. Action must also be taken against Sreesanth.AbhishekWeb designerThe ban on Harbhajan Singh is a step in the right direction. Unnecessary aggression and hitting a colleague cannot be tolerated. The entire country stood by him during the Symonds incident. We want to see good cricket matches, not public spats.BalajiSoftware engineerIt is indeed a very unfortunate incident. It sets a very wrong precedent. The incident has tarnished the image of the cricket board. Both…More

The Hindu : With a wide smile on her face and clad in casual denims, Tanuja Chandra looks more a student than a director. She was recently in Bangalore for the launch of a Fun Cinemas loyalty programme. Tanuja has scripted and directed many films like “Zakhm”, “Dushman” and more recently “Hope And A Little Sugar” starring Mahima Chaudhary and Anupam Kher. In an interview, she talks about her recent film, “Hope…” and other issues.What is the basic premise of “Hope And A Little Sugar”?The movie is basically a Muslim-Sikh love story. It is set in the US and is in English. The 9/11 attacks provide an important backdrop to the movie. It deals with the hidden insecurities present in everyone. The movie talks about rising above these differences and learning to live with each other.How was the experience of directing this film? Did you enjoy it?Yes. It was an enriching experience. The making of the film is quite a story by itself.Nearly two years ago, the producer had withdrawn from the project. However, two independent American producers had chanced upon the script on the net. They contacted me and expressed their readiness to produce the movie. Most of the pre-production was done via the net.Did working with producers based in another country cause any problems?The work culture is very different. While Americans are extremely professional and rather cold as far as work is concerned, Indians are a tad more emotional.As a woman director, have you faced any problems?I have faced certain obstacles and problems, but that has mainly been due to my ideas and the script. Many producers have backed out of my films, because they are not sure about the commercial viability of my films.How has the journey from scriptwriting to direction been?I always wanted to be a director. Scriptwriting is the more difficult. It takes more time to write a script. Direction is comparatively an…More

The Hindu : The cinema halls showing “Tashan” may be packed because of the film’s stylistic flavour, but there is one cute little film called Sirf that deals with an important aspect of people’s life: relationships. Directed by Rajeetesh Nair, once an assistant to Rajkumar Santoshi for films like “Lajja”, “Pukar” and “China Gate”, the film has four pairs played by Kay Kay Menon and Manisha Koirala, Ranvir Sheorey and Sonali Kulkarni, Parvin Dabas and Rituparna Sen-Gupta and Ankur Khanna and Nauheed Cyrusi. Says Parvin, who plays a creative director in an ad agency, “The title ‘Sirf’ is to convey that we should only (sirf) be concerned with our own lives.”He adds, “I play Amit who comes from a small town but makes it big in Mumbai. He marries Suchita (Rituparna Sen-Gupta) who also comes from a small town, lives a lavish lifestyle with Amit but is not able to do away with that small town mentality. Interestingly, our roles have been sketched with a lot of humour.” Parvin, who has recently married Preeti Jhangiani, has been quite busy for the past few years. “I have been shooting for six films. Most of them are now complete. And I have some time to relax now.”The films Parvin is talking about are “Via Darjeeling” by Arindam Nandi, a debutant director, “Ye Mera India” by N. Chandra, “The World Unseen”, “Secrets of Seven Sounds”, an animation film by Virgin Comics for which he has given his voiceover and “Ali Baba” directed by Sanjay Gupta.RANA SIDDIQUI…More