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The Hindu : y>Car and bike questions? We have the answers

I am planning to buy a Santro Xing GLS model and would like to have these queries answered.How is the car in terms of performance? Does it have resale value? Is the car economical for city use? Will I get value for money? With the launch of i10 and the future launch of i20, will the Santro models be affected? The reason why I shortlisted Santro Xing is because I have problem with parking space at home and cannot go in for a bigger car. I have been looking at cars that are of the same size as the Zen, which I have been using for the past seven years.

Sajeev

The Santro was a brilliant car when it was launched. It is perfectly-suited for city use. The engine responds well at low speeds which is ideal for a city runabout. It may not be as economical as the Zen, but you can expect around 12kpl in the city and about 16kpl on the highway. It has good resale value as well. The only drawback is that the rear seat ride is a bit harsh. But the i10 is a better car than the Santro in every way and being a fresh in the market will also hold its value better. Our choice would be the i10. And if the i20 fits your parking space and doesn’t stretch your budget too much, it is also worth taking a second look at.I travel 8000 km per year. I am not able to choose between Swift Vxi, Ldi and Vdi. Does the diesel variant involve more maintenance cost than the petrol variant?

Sanjeev

The parts of the diesel are slightly more expensive than its petrol counterpart. But then you save a lot in terms of running costs. Since your running isn’t much, you can opt for the…More

The Hindu : y>Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Zakir Hussain perform

This will be the third concert in the series, “A Tribute to Bangalore” organised by Maam Entertainment. The earlier two concerts featured Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Zakir being common in all the performances.

The time around, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Ustad Zakir Hussain will perform at the Princess Academy, Palace Grounds, on January 23, 7.30 p.m. The venue is fully covered, only to ensure that music lovers can enjoy the maestros’ performance in perfect ambience and comfort with high quality sound from Reynolds.

The other notable feature of the concert is its classical format. Both Panditji and Zakir are known for their versatility. They have performed with top musicians of different genres including John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Jan Gabarek, George Harrison, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Giovanni Hidalgo, Pharoah Sanders and Billy Cobham, have composed music for Indian and international films, and have collaborated with world’s greatest composers. Both have performed in many fusion concerts and concerts of experimental music. But to hear them together performing pure Hindustani classical music is a rare treat. The tickets priced at Rs. 250, Rs. 500, Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2000. Tickets for the show are available at K.C. Das, Church Street and Calypso, Jayanagar 4th Block. You can also log ontowww.bookmyshow.com for online booking or call 39895050 for home delivery. For more details you can call 97439- 72749/72750.

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The Hindu : y>

Bimal Auto- Bangalore has launched its new updated website carazoo.com.

This website allows visitors to perform complete car research, paint various car models in a variety of colours, download car manuals and brochures, schedule test drives, and even schedule online service appointments. Compelling car animations give the visitor a Virtual “Touch and Feel” of the selected Car.

“The virtual showroom provides the customers with an easy one-stop place where they can buy, test drive, or look at various Maruti cars. Internet marketing is the way of the future and I have great hopes for this endeavour,” said Navin Sarawgi, Chairman and Owner, Bimal Automobiles.

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The Hindu :

The sizzling Kingfisher calendar brings together new beauties and untouched locales

GORGEOUS (From left) Mimi Blix, Nargis and Tamara Moss

The year is still young. The spirits are high. Right on cue, the ever-popular Kingfisher calendar is here, packing in its trademark shots of sizzling models on virgin locales. The much-sought-after calendar was launched in New Delhi by Vijay Mallya and popular actor Arjun Rampal.

“This calendar is a very special moment for us. The calendar was conceived to show the world that we are a modern and forward-looking nation. People ask me if we are mimicking the Pirelli calendar, I say we will do better,” said Mallya.

Explaining the strategyin putting together the calendar, he said, “We do our bit to encourage young India and showcase emerging talent. For this calendar, we took designers from fashion institutes. In the past, girls like Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Yana Gupta have modelled for the calendar. The team behind the production is also Indian.”

The Kingfisher Swimsuit calendar 2009 has been shot in Thailand with ace photographer Atul Kasbekar behind the lens. Kasbekar has been involved with the calendar for years now. The unique feature of the calendar is that each month bears two images of a model appearing as a single unit. Models appear sporting swimwear from some of the best international brands including Moschino, Alberta Ferretti and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Calendar girls (From left) Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif and Yana Gupta have been part of Kingfisher calendars in the past

Nargis, a model of Pakistan origin settled in the Czech Republic, Mimi Blix, a Ugandan settled in New Zealand and Tamara Moss,touted as the next supermodel by Mallya are the pretty girls on the calendar this time alongside Katya Melnikova from Russia, Monikangkana Dutta from our country and Sunisa Jongsawat from Thailand.Inspired by nature

“The calendar is dominated by natural elements. This year’s…More

The Hindu : y>Women, put on your hiking shoes and head for Bhutan

Photo: ReutersClimb a fortress Punakha Dzong

Women on Wanderlust, the women’s travel club is organising a six-day seven-night tour to the Kingdom of Bhutan from March 16 to 22, from New Delhi.

The tour covers Thimpu, with visits to the School of Arts and Craft, the folk heritage museum, Memorial Chorten and Changangkha Lhakang, the Cheri monastery monastic institute. The next stopover is at Punakha with hikes to Chimi Lhakang, the temple of fertility and the Punakha Dzong (fortress). The tour then moves on to Phobjikha valley, the winter home for the endangered Back Necked Cranes, which visit Bhutan from November to February. You will also get an opportunity to visit the farm houses of the locals and to meet the people. Paro is the next stop with a five-hour uphill early morning trek. Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest temple is the most revered temple to the Buddhist.

One needs to carry a valid passport to enter Bhutan; no visa is required though.

The package cost per person on twin share is Rs. 48,500, with a single occupancy surcharge of Rs. 10,500. The early bird offer is Rs. 3,000 less – if you are able to send the full package amount latest by February 1. For details check wowsumitra.com.

To book, courier Rs.15,000 advance in favour of WOW Club, along with the filled in form available on the website The balance amount needs to be sent latest by March 1. Address: D 703, Anandlok CGHS, Mayur Vihar, Phase 1, New Delhi-91. Call 0-98916-55054.

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The Hindu : y>If you can’t walk straight in your stilettos, get the sturdy wedge under your heel, writes NEETI SARKAR

Photo: P.V. SivakumarBEST FOOT FORWARD For a casual and smart look, wedge heels get a thumbs-up

They might not appear as elegant and graceful as the timeless stiletto or refined like a pair of pretty kitten heels, but according to fashion forecasts, wedge heels are going to rule the ramp in the year ahead.

Like we always say, it is not wise to follow fashion trends blindly. The same rule applies to wedges. Wedge heels are bold and smart but they don’t suit just about anyone and yes, they don’t match every other outfit you wear. So, one has to be a little cautious with the return of this trend.

College student Vatsala. B says, “Not too many women experiment with wedges because they seem to think wedges are more casual. Also, it isn’t easy to find a pair of neat ones for formal occasions.” However, this mustn’t stop you from searching for the right pair of wedges; after all, even this shoe style wins umpteen brownie points from fashionistas. Wedge heels provide you with fantastic grip and are easier to walk in compared to your pencil heels. This doesn’t mean they can be used as multi-purpose footwear.Fashion quotient

For those who feel wedge heels appear too stocky and stodgy, they would need to note that women who wear wedge heels are looked upon as those with a great sense of fashion, as wedges are sophisticated and hip.

Fashion designing student Karuna Rampal gives us a few tips on what wedges look best with. “Wedge heels look great with skirts and dresses, be it an A-line dress or even a wrap-around skirt,” she says. “Avoid coupling wedge heels with very tight fitting clothes, especially trousers, tapering jeans as well as the good ole’ capris,” she adds.

Thick or sturdy…More

The Hindu :

Chandni Chowk to China is all about making people laugh, say Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone

Photo: ReutersFUN ALL THE WAY Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone

Akshay Kumar has redefined working in a film he no longer charges a ‘fee’ for acting; he takes a good ‘share’, and he refuses to divulge how much.

The signing amount of the film also includes a few publicity programmes. And that’s why he believes working in “mass-driven” films. “Films that entertain and not preach” help him “reach out to the masses.”

As a part of promotion of his much-hyped film “Chandni Chowk to China”, PVR organised a hot air balloon stunt for Deepika Padukone and Akshay Kumar at Gurgaon.Looking at the crowds, Akshay comments: “That’s what pleases me. Earlier only 200 people used to come to see me, today it is 6,000.”My grandma for inspiration

“My landing is much better now. And it is because I have resolved to make them laugh,” he said in reply to a question as to why people identify him more with comedy films than serious ones.

“My actual inspiration is my 90-year-old grandma. She loves watching entertaining films. She watches Tom and Jerry if there aren’t any films. So, whenever I go to her, I play a prank or act like a jester and make her laugh. Believe me, that smile on that old face is so gratifying that whenever I sign a film now, I think of her and other grandmas like her.”

For “Chandni Chowk to China”, he said that he has worked with honesty and dedication as it demanded much more than his other films. And mastering martial arts was a part of that honesty.Pinning hopes

“When I met the trainer, I thought I was qualified to perform their stunts but I was wrong. As I started, I bowed before them to say I was their humble student.”

“I broke…More

The Hindu : y>Banyan Tree is back with the Sufi Music festival on January 24

Banyan Tree comes back with the All India Sufi & Mystic Music Festival to Bangalore. The festival is on January 24 at Bowring Institute, 6.30 p.m.

This year the festival features shabad singers, mystic musicians, folk musicians, bauls, qawwals from across India and Iran. A truly exotic line-up of mystics from remote villages to internationally acclaimed artists, Ruhaniyat is a must for every music lover. A confluence of ecstatic performers, each a master of his or her own art, seeing Ruhaniyat is like witnessing the yearnings of the mystics come alive.

The musicians who feature at this year’s festival are the Mystic Kalams by Manak Brothers (Punjab), Kabirpanthis by Dayaram Saroliya and group (Madhya Pradesh), Sufi songs – Baran Music Ensemble (Iran), Sufi Kalam and Mystic songs – Kachra Khan, Mamma Khan and group (Deserts of Rajasthan), Baul Songs by Parvathy Baul (West Bengal) and Sufi Qawwali by Ghulam Sabir and Ghulam Waris – Nizami Brothers (Delhi).

Donor passes are available at Planet M Brigade Road 25584690, Garuda Mall 66641014, Malleshwaram 30523145, Music World (Jayanagar) 41461008, Indiranagar 41230478, Landmark (Prestige Forum), Koramangala 22067777.

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The Hindu :

Well known car designer Dilip Chhabria takes to painting

Driven by passion Dilip Chhabria and one of his artworks

A DC car. You may not have sat in one butto not know what it is? That’s quite impossible. Dilip Chhabria is almost a household name in India thanks to his custom-made designer automobiles. He is known as the boutique car designer, car stylist and even car cosmetic surgeon! But unknown to many, for almost three years now, Dilip Chhabria has been working away his evenings at his studio in Pune near Mumbai not sketching car designs but over a piece of canvas — painting. And creating sculptures too. The result is 15 paintings and an equal number of 3D sculptures that the world will see fromJanuary 30 (till February 1) at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers, Mumbai.

“I was thinking of ways to expand the realm of my creativity. Given my profession, I was forced to be a good artist to show my customer what the car would look like finally. Moreover in my ramblings abroad, about five years ago, I realised that the art scene was very vibrant and I foresaw the mood spreading to India,” says Dilip, who has trained in transportation design from Art Centre of Design Pasadena, USA.

No prizes for guessing what inspires his works. “The motor car has essentially replaced the horse which itself was a subject of art for many years.My works are abstractly based on cars,” he explains.

Dilip began painting in March2006 and continued doing so for the next one year till he decided to get into sculpting. “I am not given to exaggeration but this much I knew — my paintings had to be different and my sculptures more so. I have been able to do full justice thanks to my mastery over the subject, my experiments with various materials and textures and the…More

The Hindu : y>

Rock on You can set the floor on fire at Goa

Lourd Vijay’s Dance Studio is all set to land in the sunny State of Goa with a fun Salsa festival. The festival will incorporate a lot of partying and will not involve many long performances or hectic workshops.

A number of DJ’s such as Nirup, Ash, Derek and Sunil will enthral the participants at the festival with foot-tapping music, with instructors from across the world.. The event will be held at the Sun City resort in Baga.

The full festival pass includes your accommodation at a 5 Star category resort for three days, all meals, parties, workshops, pool access, gym and tennis facilities, beach party etc. The passes are available in the price range from Rs. 6,990 to Rs. 15,800. The festival will be held from February 13 to 15. For more information call 23315566.

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