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The Hindu : SUDHINDR A.B.

Providing models: …And exercising talents

Students of National Public School, Koramangala learnt about the working of the United Nations at their first inter-house Model United Nations (MUN) held recently. There were 28 delegations with representation from each of the four houses.

The current financial crisis and the Gaza strip conflict were the two items on the agendadiscussed during the four-hour session.

An ‘emergency’ was created, during which the delegates demonstrated the ability to remain diplomatic even during a crisis. Resolutions were then debated upon and passed . A press conference followed.

The delegates were overseen by a bench consisting of Samyukta Yatish as chair, Akash Bhaskara as moderator and Akshay Ramesh as secretary general. The press department was headed by Lavanya Lanka, while other Grade XII students helped withthe logistics. A trend which emerged during the session was that the delegates from the UK, Palestine and Israel had the most to say. Switzerland walked off with the best written position paper, a written stand on the agenda. The session was attended by members of the staff, vice principalsand principal Bindu Hari.

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The Hindu : C.K. SURYANARAYANA

Keen eyes: Inspired filmmaker

Thirteen-year-old Arjo Shrestho and his 10-year-old sister Shiropa Purna have a rare claim to fame. The two Bangladeshi children are film directors and have made four films each.

The brother-sister duo says that they have been inspired by their father, Khalid Mahmood Mithu, a well-known film maker and artist from Bangladesh. “We used to accompany our father during shootings and this motivated us,” says Arjo. An inspiration in equal measure was their mother Kanakchanpa, who is an artist.Serious duo

initiatives:Creative ventures

Arjo made his debut in 2003 with the film “The Lost Love Story”. “During the shooting I used to watch my father, and during the breaks I used his camera. I also tried to edit the films that I shot,” he says. Arjo has also made “Justice for One Justice for All” and “Love and Responsibility” besides the documentary “Life Like Smoke”.

Though younger, Shiropa has not lagged behind. She has directed “Five Finger Puppets”, “Saving a Jelly Fish”, “Sorry” and “Our Boat is Our Address”. She says that she is also interested in tennis, basketball, classical music, painting and reading.

Do the siblings see themselves as inspiration to other children getting interested in making films? They certainly do, says Arjo. “We are planning to conduct workshops for children in acting, direction and editing. I have also encouraged one of my friends by giving him a chance to act in my film. Youngsters need to take the initiative if they are serious about making films and they also need some training,”

Arjo says that his films are directed towards education as it a must for all children. “Without education nothing can be achieved.” Apart from India, he has participated in film festivals in Canada, New York and Finland.

Arjo and Shiropa say that their studies are not affected since they only make films during the summer holidays. The two…More

The Hindu :

Composer James Asher says musical categories don’t serve a very useful purpose unless they guide people to find music

Rhythm divine James Asher: ‘Being creatively open and connected means there is always room to embrace experimentation’

Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer James Asher from the UK talks about places as inspirations for his music, working with Sivamani and other artistes, his album “Bravado Masala” and fusing distinct musical styles in an email interview…

Can you describe your initial love for music?

I grew up in a musical family where each member played an instrument in a London suburb. My father taught languages and music and it always felt like a natural and intuitive form of expression. Learning violin was a start at the age of seven. Piano and drums gave me the means to improvise and find a creative voice. Later, working as a sound engineer in studios I learnt to layer and craft these abilities together.

Rajasthan inspired your album, Tigers of the Raj. What other places have inspired your music?

Many countries have been inspirational and for a range of reasons. Africa, for the strong tribal masculine energy, the Caribbean for its infectious joy and bubbly energy, Brazil for the crazy compulsive Latin rhythms, other places just for their elegance and exotica.

Tell us about “Amma” and “Drums on Fire”

Sivamani carries huge charisma and apparently boundless energy. It took very little to unleash such power, and his infectious joy. When he met the excellent singer Christine Collister, ‘Amma’ manifested itself in an easy flow. The rest of ‘Drums on Fire’ flowed over the rest of that year. The different tracks just opened channels of possibility for Sivamani’s musical passions which are profound and diverse.

Since you focus on world music, trance and new age music, how do you see the music in Drums on Fire as emblematic of the above styles?

Musical categories don’t serve a very useful…More

The Hindu :

Bollywood’s recent obsession with remakes does not augur well for its longevity

Director Anurag Kashyap;

Abhay Deol with Kalki;

The ‘psychedelic’ promos of Anurag Kashyap’s new film “Dev D” are out. It is apparently “a parody, at least that’s what Anurag Kashyap told us when he visited our department last year,” according to Moinak Biswas, HoD, film studies, Jadavpur University.

Shahrukh Khan;

A parody is still a remake. Since “Dev D” is not released yet, we cannot really talk about it but it continues the recent trend of remakes in Bollywood. More than any other art form, cinema has taken up the task of story telling and thereby, identity formation in our times.National identities are formed through the collective unconscious of its people. Accordingly, a cursory look at the films that have been remade in Bollywood can throw some interesting results. “Devdas” of course continues to be remade because ‘the Devdas figure is one of the most enduring cult figures of middle class Indian — negotiating personal choices, urban transition and traditional interdiction,” says Biswas.

Devdas is also the archetype of the post-colonial Indian male, caught up in a constant existential dilemma. Then there are the two strong female characters who continue to defy patriarchal notions.

DILIP KUMAR WITH SUCHITRA SEN:

Other films remade recently like “Don” can be read as re-interpretations of the rural-urban divide, made starker by globalisation. “Umrao Jaan” again has a courtesan in the centre, representative of an independent woman in a specific time, context and milieu who continues giving a headache to the order.

There are larger issues, involved with each of the films and they merit separate attention. This trend of remakes can be read as nations trying to redefine their identities by negotiating problematic themes and reproducing national myths to strengthen themselves against the perceived threat through terrorism and insurgency. Moinak Biswas agrees: “It can be. Re-adaptations of…More

The Hindu : y>Eat really well and still loseweight? Shonali Muthalalyachieves theimpossible after a six-week diet plan prescribed by famous nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar

I’m terrified of Rujuta Diwekar. I quake when I see her name in my gmail inbox. Especially, if I’ve been eating cake.

Author of the just-released “Don’t lose your mind, Lose your weight”, published by Random House, Mumbai-based Rujuta is a sports nutritionist, trainer of marathon runners and dietician. She’s the fêted creator of the diet that made Kareena Kapoor into what’s been tediously touted as: ‘size zero’. A couple of months ago, Random House, like The Godfather’s Don Corleone, made me an offer I could not refuse. Unfortunately, it did not involve pizza.

Rujuta, who has worked with a glittering array of celebrities, ranging from the Bollywood brigade (the Kapoor sisters, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre) to hot-shot industrialists such as Anil Ambani (who she trained for the Mumbai marathon) became my dietician. And, Project Shonali-Put-Down-That-Cheesecake began.

I’m a diet cynic, though I do dream of the day when there’ll be a magic pill that’ll stop French fries from evilly settling in inconvenient places. The only time I tried a fad diet was when I went on the gruelling seven-day GM (Day one: fruits; Day two: vegetables…), during which I was so bad tempered that strong men used to climb trees when they saw me coming.

So, when I first spoke to Rujuta, I snottily asked for the magic formula. Which is when she asked me to write down every single thing I ate for the past three days.

My diet recall made both of us squeal in horror. You know that rule about how food from a friend’s plate doesn’t count? Apparently, it does. Gasp. Rujuta pointed out how a bit of a brownie here, a bite of a samosa there, a couple of biscuits with tea… all add up. And land right in the…More

The Hindu :

Arbaaz Khan talks about his latest film and going into production

Photo: V. SudershanInto production Arbaaz Khan

Arbaaz Khan flaunts no airs and is a man of few words.About his latest project, “Mere Khawbon mein jo aye…”, he says, “The movie is about three characters, a married couple and an imaginary person, who the wife believes is hersoulmate. I play the husband, who is also involved in a clandestine affair. It is a character with plenty of grey shades. He loves his family, but at a subconscious level is a male chauvinist.”

Arbaaz, who is married to the lovely Malaika Arora, says his reel character is far removed his off screen persona. “I am very different. I love my family. I have never placed any restrictions on my wife.”

Arbaaz feels that that the film should appeal to all sections of the audience. “I feel that the first half of the movie may draw married couples to the halls, the movie can be enjoyed by everybody. It talks about issues that any family could face in these stressful and demanding times. A lot of people will be able to connect with the characters.”

Arbaaz reveals that he has no plans of acting on telly. “I may participate in a reality show as a judge, but do not think that I will be acting in daily soaps.”

He enjoyed working with Raima Sen and new comer Neil Bhoopalam, who plays a significant role in the film. “It was great fun working with both of them. They are talented actors and we had great fun at the sets.”

Arbaaz is currently working on the modalities of setting up a production company. “We plan to launch our first film project by mid-2009. It will be starring Salman Khan. I cannot divulge more details at the moment. I am also working on another film, which is being produced by my brother,…More

The Hindu : y>A competition for documentaries and films

Entertainment and resource portal 1takemedia.com, has launched its next film competition. 1takemedia’s Film Competition is a platform for all aspiring filmmakers and enthusiasts to showcase their talent and creativity and help them make in-roads in the film and entertainment industry.

The jury members include renowned film makers such as Ketan Mehta, Vikram Bhatt, John Mathew Matthan, Jabbar Patel and Mike Pandey.

The categories are film and documentary under 10 minutes, from 10 minutes to 30 minutes and from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. The prize money for the first category is Rs. 50,000 while the other two come with a purse of Rs. 1 lakh each.What you need is an idea!

All participants need is a handycam and an idea. Entries can be sent in the form of DVDs or uploaded onwww.1takemedia.com.buzz18.com. Entry is free and the last date is March 31. Besides the cash prize, makers of winning films, if chosen for production, will get a revenue-sharing opportunity. For entry forms and details, log on towww.1takemedia.com. Or, write toinfo@1takemedia.com.

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The Hindu :

Shilpa Shetty says her character in The Desire is one of her best roles

New world Shilpa Shetty as an Odissi dancer in herlatest movie

She is the boss on the sets and there is no mistaking that star power as Shilpa Shetty sashays into the set of “The Desire”, an Indo-Chinese production that is directed by R. Sharath. Lights are switched on and assistants come streaming in from all directions – make-up, spot boys et al.

After effortlessly finishing her shot for the day, Shilpa is all smiles and bonhomie as she talks about her various roles in cinema and television and her work on screen and off-screen.On her role

“I chose this film after going through several scripts and I know I can give my best to this role of Gouthami, an Odissi dancer who finds it impossible to love anyone as she is completely in love with her art. She desires her art and others desire her… finally, when one is able to give up all kinds of desire, one attains Nirvana. The film is about Gouthami’s evolution and her journey… very philosophical message,” she says laughing.

“The Desire”, which is being shot in Kerala and Maharashtra and Kuala Lumpur, shows the complex relationship between a Chinese painter and the dancer.

Shilpa has been paired with Chinese superstar Xia Yu.

To portray her role, Shilpa, a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, has been learning Odissi from Ratikant Mohapatra, (son of Kelucharan Mohapatra) and his wife Rajshree.

“In a mainstream film, a dance is meant to entertain and I have my own style.

“But this is different. It is a classical art form and one cannot deviate from it.So, despite hurting my leg and having put in 15 stitches, I have been practising hard.”

Shilpa will also be working in an untitled home production of Sunny Deol’s.

“I play an actor in that film. Both my roles are different…More

The Hindu : y>Alarms & Excursions will be staged on February 5 and 6

Dramatist Anonymous (Dramanon) will stage an English play “Alarms & Excursions” at the Ranga Shankara on February 5 and 6 at 7.30 p.m. Written by Michael Frayn, the play is directed by Sharanya Ramprakash.

The play, a humorous and a critical commentary on disconnection between people, is divided into two. “Alarms & Excursions” explores the obtuse humour in our off the hook, disconnected relationships with ourselves and with each other and the resulting tragic-comedy of such a set up.

The first part is called “Doubles” involves two couples who check into identical hotel rooms next to each other. Their rooms, which are mirror images of each other, are separated by thin walls. Through the play, we slowly discover that the only thing that eventually separates them is not the physical wall between the rooms, but the invisible walls between each other.

The second is “Immobiles,” which is an exposé of human disconnection in a world without mobile phones. A frustrated couple tries to coordinate a proper meeting place using an answering machine and coin operated phone booths for their foreign friend when he arrives at the airport. Broken bones and broken hearts are the result of this techno faux pas. For booking your tickets on phone call 9845017975 and log on towww.indianstage.in for online booking.

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The Hindu :

This week at indiaplaza.in

Last Evenings on Earth

Roberto Bolano

Harvill Secker

10.25 pounds

If this were my last evening on earth, I think I would like to spend it reading Last Evenings on Earth (though I might have chosen Romantic Dogs, the collection of Bolano’s poems, had I been able to get hold of it). “Last Evenings on Earth” is totally thrilling, filled with poets, writers and others who continually discuss poetry, novels, and writing as if life were crucially about stories and poems and the struggle to write these.

Bolano’s writing appears plain at first, with a narration that goes on in a literal sort of way, then suddenly the first epiphany sweeps you up, as a thrilling insight comes to a character, or a humbling line tells you how you have seen and yet been blind. Soon, you’re completely enthralled, in the grip of that rare kind of word- high, which spills over into what else you do when you are not reading.

You must get a copy of this one. Order it through indiaplaza.in

The Not Knowing

Cathi Unsworth

Serpent’s Tail

Rs. 392.45

Cathi Unsworth is a well-know writer of female noir; her books are dark and violent, her heroines as hard-boiled as any noir hero and her plots held together with gun shots, knife wounds and lots of blood and death. In “The Not Knowing, “Unsworth’s heroine, Diana Kemp’s interests, like the author’s – music, journalism, crime novels, edgy films and hip London – provide an interesting background. The action rarely moves out of Camden Town, which comes alive with eerie detail — Cathi Unsworth, in real life, conducts a ‘Camden Crime Walk’. But when it does, it travels to the dark corners of one or the other character’s life and memories.

Terribly interesting reading; one of those books you will surely not want to have missed.

The Savage Detectives

Roberto Bolano

Picador

5.15 pounds

The Daily…More