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AXN, Saturday, noon

This is an entertainment phenomenon where dancers, skilled in a variety of techniques, compete to be named the best. The show promises to keep the world moving to a different beat, as dancers compete in everything from the “street” styles of hip-hop and popping to the best of ballroom, salsa, jive etc. Catch the back-to-back episodes of this spectacular series on Valentine’s day.Movie: The Constant Gardener

AXN, Saturday, 8 p.m.

Oscar-nominee Ralph Fiennes stars as a Kenyan-based English diplomat who is shocked to discover his wife (Rachel Weisz, in an Academy Award-winning performance) dead alongside her lover. As he begins to investigate the murders he uncovers corrupt dealings between local politicians and a Western pharmaceutical conglomerate.The Pharaohs Who Built Egypt

Fox History & Entertainment, Sunday, 9 p.m.

This is a story of the technological breakthroughs that made possible awe-inspiring temples, pyramids, dams and military forts. With custom designed CGI, the series dismantles the empire piece by piece to reveal exactly how it was put together.

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Sangam Kala Group will host the Bangalore regionals of the Surtarang National Singing Talent Hunt, where Hindi film songs of any genre can be presented in the age groups of five to 12, 13 to 18 and 18 to 28.

Date: February 22

Venue: IVY-Unwind Island, Marathahalli Ring Road

Contact:sangamkalabangalore@gmail.com

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The Hindu :

Abha Dawesar talks about her new novel Family Values

Photo: R. V. Moorthyfacts on fiction Abha Dawesar: ‘I know there are moments when people want to throw up when they read the book’

They have no names, but they have epithets with capital letters. Not only do we meet Mother, Father, Cousin and Grandfather, we also meet Psoriasis, Flunkie Junkie, Six Fingers and Paget — all identified by their particular afflictions. They have no address, but the streets they frequent are described in fine detail. These are the characters that people Abha Dawesar’s latest novel, “Family Values”, recently published by Penguin. Family values? For these brothers and sisters, parents and progeny, the ties of kinship seem to be made of barbed wire. Describing the book as “an antithesis of a family saga,” the author explains, “The title is tongue-in-cheek. It is questioning the institution of family, the institutions that have developed in the nation. Because it’s questioning these things, it had to be written in a different way.”

The tone of the novel is unique. For one, it depicts a host of characters, a capital city, several neighbourhoods and suburbs, without assigning proper nouns. It also does not use quotation marks. “You can have two kinds of painting — this one is stylised,” says Abha. Yet the story, recounted from the point of view of a little boy — with all the attendant microscopic detail and unflinching honesty — fills out with colour and form. It was not easy to maintain this tone over 290-odd pages, even if that number is relatively short for the genre. “After the first few paras, in a novel the world comes in,” she remarks. “Draft after draft I had to work it out. This book taught me a lot about writing — more than any of my other books.”

The novel, essentially a parable, reminds us that corruption…More

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Madras Male Voice Ensemble is performing, featuring tenor Dr. Sunil Paulraj, with conductor Kalayan Subramanyam

Date: February 15, 6 p.m.

Venue: St. Andrew’s Church, Cubbon Road

Contact: 9741352365/ 9900777099

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The Hindu : y>Actor-director Ramesh Aravind is back in his comfort zone of comedy. He tells BHUMIKA K. it is very enjoyable to make people laugh

Photos (cover and centrespread): Bhagya Prakash KTAKING A SAFE BET Been there, done that, says Ramesh, but comedy rocks

Making people laugh is serious business. And in the end, good money. No one has realised this better than actor-director Ramesh Aravind. After being dented a bit with his tryst with the thriller “Accident” (as he himself admits), Ramesh is back with the genre that has never failed to work for him, time and again.

He has busted the myth that making a comedy is not so much fun. “It is highly enjoyable stuff — while shooting, scripting, and finally in the theatres,” insists the actor, brimming over his purple shirt in chirpy enthusiasm. He is in a good mood, effervescent almost. I have caught him in the middle of his promotional tour for his latest comic venture, “Venkata in Sankata”.

“Once the film is released I have the habit of seeing audience reaction from the projector room. And it is always the best sight when they are rolling about in laughter. The best thing about comedy is that you lose control and become yourself,” says Ramesh. “In the history of cinema, comedy has always been a safe bet.”

So once again Ramesh gets to the funny bone after much success with his directorial debut, “Rama Shaama Bhaama” co-starring Kamal Hassan, and then “Satyavan Savitri” — both also had him in the lead. “As an actor, you either have it or you don’t to make people laugh. Sometimes, lines by themselves may not be funny; it may not be the words or the meaning. But the way an actor says it — the tone — matters. Comedians play with their voices.” Between acting and directing Ramesh says it is tougher to be a comic…More

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Doodle Den is hosting beginner-level Salsa classes

Date: Saturday, 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday 10 to 11 a.m.

Venue: No. 3, Curley Street, Richmond Town

Contact: 9886733544

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JP Balimos

Malleswaram

The mutton used in this preparation is fairly tender. It is mixed well with the onion tomato masala combination that provides ample spiciness to the dish.

The flavouring is done delicately, and adds to the taste and helps in creating an aromatic fragrance.

It is a meal in itself, though it would go best with rotis/naan. The black pepper helps in adding extra zing to the dish and helps enhance the taste. It is a must try.

Price: Rs. 210Bottomline: A sinful delight that makes you want more

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Mother Tree is conducting a meditation weekend for men and women by Nandinii Sen

Date: February 14 & 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Venue: No. 277, 1st Main, 5th Cross, Defence Colony, Indiranagar

Fees: Rs. 4,000 including lunch

Contact: 96323-44144/ 41649044

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The Hindu :

If you love your seafood, Benjarong knows how to cook up some thundering Thai versions

By the sea While seafood is the USP, there are various exciting exotic versions to try out

A smiling hostess welcomes you as you enter Benjarong, a Thai speciality restaurant on Ulsoor Road. The ambience manages to create an authentic Thai feel to the restaurant and looks picture perfect. To begin with, the service is helpful and friendly.

We start the meal with helpings of gai hor bhai teay, chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves and deep fried and goong tod samunpai, comprising prawns tossed with tamarind sauce. The chicken is fresh and not very high on flavour, perfect for starting a meal. The tamarind sauce adds a tangy taste to the prawns and makes the preparation absolutely delicious.

Another good preparation was the soft shell crab with roasted chilli paste. The array of tastes this dish contains will set your appetite for the meal. The crabs are almost de-shelled, and one does not have to worry about cracking them open.

Though Thai food does offer plenty of options for non vegetarians, vegetarians need not lose heart. Try the khao pod tod nam prik pow, comprising baby corn tossed with herbs and spices. Salad lovers and the health conscious can check out the papaya salad.

In the main course, we tried the brilliant pla nung manow, steamed fish with lemon coriander sauce. The flavouring is delicate and the fish is fresh. The melange of flavours stays on for some time and the fish is tender enough to provide the much clichéd melt-in-the-mouth feeling. The gai phad hed, shredded chicken stirred with mushrooms in a delicate sauce is also quite popular. It tastes best when served with khao mok gai rue phak, a fried rice delicacy served with Thai herbs and spices, which add to the taste and smell of the dish.

Some…More

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Bangalore School of Music as part of its 12th East West Music & Dance Encounter is presenting Alice Yeadell, Rebecca Thomas and Neville Bharucha in concert.

Date: February 14, 7 p.m.

Venue: Alliance Francaise

Contact: 23536090/ 23546090

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