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The Hindu :

“My travels led me to where I am today. Sometimes these steps have felt painful, difficult, but led me to greater happiness and opportunities.”

DIANA ROSS

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The Hindu :

Mohinder Amarnath does a googly and tries out dancing

PHOTO: AFPMAKEOVER Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath is a cricketing legend and one of the architects of the famous World Cup triumph of 1983. Ever the cool customer, Amaranth will soon appear and participate in the reality show, “Jhalak Dikhla Ja”.

The show brings together celebrities from different walks of life such as sports, films, fashion to perform with professional dance partners. Mohinder is fairly confident about his dancing skills: “I enjoy dancing quite a lot. I hope to perform well in the competition. I am not very nervous.” He feels reality shows are a good platform to showcase a person’s talent.

He feels the current Indian team has the potential to put up a competitive performance in the ongoing tour of New Zealand.

“The Indian team over the years has consistently failed to win in New Zealand. The conditions are too alien for many of the players to grapple with. With a mixture of young blood and experience, this Indian team has a good chance to upset the New Zealand applecart.” More practice games in New Zealand would have helped the team acclimatise , he argues.

On the debate on youth v/s experience in the cricket team, he says a blend of youngsters and experienced hands is required for a strong team.

“The ongoing tour will be a litmus test for the Indian team. They have been consistently performing well in the subcontinent. Their ability to adapt to different conditions will be tested in this tour.”

The IPL needs to have more teams and Indian players, he insists. “As a domestic league, I feel it needs to provide more avenues to Indian players.”

He adds, “I do not feel that the IPL will have a negative impact on test cricket. The IPL is aimed at providing more entertainment value, than serious cricket.”

“Jhalak Dikhla Ja” will be telecast on Sony TV.<p…More

The Hindu : y>Malaysia Airlines and Jet Airways’ code share partnership will benefit frequent flyers

Go Malaysia With better connectivity

Malaysia Airlines and Jet Airways have signed a code share and network-wide reciprocal Frequent Flyer partnership to provide customers with enhanced travel connectivity and privileges.

Customers will now enjoy a wider choice of flights, convenient onward connections in Malaysia and India with seamless transfers and through check-in, and the perks of frequent flyer membership.

Jet Airways will place its “9W” flight code on Malaysia Airlines’ flights operating between Kuala Lumpur and five major Indian cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

In return, Malaysia Airlines will place its “MH” code on Jet Airways’ daily services between Chennai and Kuala Lumpur.

Tickets will be available for purchase from February 25 for travel commencing from March 3.

In addition, customers will be able to earn and redeem miles when they travel with the respective airlines.

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The Hindu :

Lewis Allen brings together music, yoga, and communication in his work and personal life

Photo: Murali Kumar K.MULTI TALENTED Lewis Allen

Lewis Allen is a multifaceted personality. He is a professional opera singer, actor and examiner for Trinity Guidhall College’s drama and speech courses. He used songs and a host of other techniques for a presentation about the course structure at the Trinity Guildhall College, at the British Library here recently.

He is an examiner in grade speech, diploma speech, speech and communication, speech communication arts and musical theatre at the Trinity Guildhall College in London.

Lewis says, “I enjoyed singing from my childhood. My friends felt my voice was perfect and advised me to take up singing professionally. I became a school teacher initially, and changed career paths only after I managed to get a position in the Scottish Opera. A few years later, I left the opera and began freelancing. I worked and performed with the Scottish theatre company, the Tyne and Wear Company, and also participated in many plays.”

“I also performed as a bass soloist at the Seychelles Festival of Classical Music in Nairobi and the Seychelles in May and June 2004. My current assignment happened by chance.”Lewis also occasionally dons the garb of a yoga teacher.

He says, “I attended a yoga class during a workshop in India nearly 10 years ago. I was interested instantly and was surprised to learn that some of the best yoga schools were located in Scotland.” Lewis went to Scotland and learnt yoga. “I have been doing yoga exercises regularly.”Skill is necessary

On yoga and its relationship with the performing arts, Lewis says: “Yoga is very helpful for dancers and other artists. It makes you more relaxed and provides a greater degree of flexibility to the body. The breathing exercises are very helpful in keeping yourselves mentally and physically fit.”

Lewis feels that a certain…More

The Hindu :

The temples of South India make for a fascinating historical and cultural narrative

Photo: By AuthorImposing and awe-inspiring The Brihadishwara temple in Thanjavur

The towers or vimanas over the sanctum of South Indian temples have a distinct profile when compared to temples in the North. As one travels Southwards, the skyline is dotted with the ubiquitousgopurams. In this respect, the cultural history of temples in South India makes for a fascinating reading.

As an art student, studying the vernacular architectural terminologies was a daunting task. This exercise had to be mnemonic to have it registered in memory. Recently, Hayagriva Study Circle’s convenor Geeta Vasudevan had organised a Cholanadu study tour for a small group of ‘culture-vultures’ (as described by one member) for an insight into the royal temples of Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, Darasuram and Kodumbalur.Creative vision

We were accompanied by historian and archaeologist Suresh, and the study opened knowledge space in not only appreciating the wonders of architecture, sculpture and painting, but also the breadth of the vision of the patrons and their creative abilities, challenging iconography and of course the power asemperors to achieve what they desired.

Our first destination was the 10th Century Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur; the royal city of the Cholas and Nayaks. Thanjavur is derived from Tanjan — an asura, who, according to local legend, devastated the neighbourhood, and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu. The historical and cultural narrative of the temple opened new vistas for us.Innovative techniques

This royal temple was sustained by the donation of agricultural land in its vicinity and the revenue generated from it. Culturally, it marked a high moment in architecture, particularly in the structural innovation in the construction of the 190-feet vimana (it is based on the corbelling principle). The height of the Nandi in front of the mandapa was on the same level as the immense lingam in the…More

The Hindu :

Nickelback’s Dark Horse,

Roadrunner Records, Rs. 395 Dark Horse seems quite a dampenerto the Canadian alternative rockband Nickelback’s earlier albumsand even popular numbers like “Faraway” from “All the right reasons” and”How you remind me” from “Silver SideUp”. Their sixth album, “Dark Horse” featureseleven similar tracks. Starting with”Something in your mouth”, the lyricscould get rather crude and sexist, at leastfor this listener who paid more attentionto the lyrics than the very basic beats andscore, which run through the album on asimilar range.

Yes, there are the standardised Nickelbackbeats and guitar works, the throaty,strained voice when you could head bangaround for a bit. “Burn it to the ground”goes on a pace that is fearless and uncontrollablewith the band’s overdonechorus. You can’t help but wonder if theyare immature lyrics about a bunch of amateurrockstars on the warpath, ready tobreak everything that comes in sight, withthe track building itself up to a tizzy. “Gottabe somebody” is about being somebodywith the one on your arm, not about individualachievements. There’s the rhyming,and this one is sober comparatively.

“I’d come for you” is the pleading lover’ssong and “Next go round” is moremetal, determined and charged, with yes,very childish imagination in the lyrics.”Just to get high” could touch a chord inyou with the story of a friend who gotwasted away. It is painful, upbeat anddemanding. “Never gonna be alone” isover-sentimental and soppy, boybandworkedlyrics of how if tomorrow nevercomes. Both this and the next track “Shakin’hands” have standard drumbeats,with the latter with again, disappointinglydemeaning lyrics about a woman whowould go any length to get what she wanted.

“S.E.X.” plays out a fantasy of a juvenile,and “If today was your last day” is corny tosay the least, full of ifs, woulds and coulds,a continuation of “Never gonna be alone”.And finally when you come to the lasttrack “This afternoon” it is just anothertangent of “Burn it to the ground”, of beerbottles, wasteful indulgence and cursingthe…More

The Hindu :

At his first press conference on his return from Los Angeles, the Mozart of Madras, A.R. Rahman fielded questions with a new ease and flourish

Photo: COURTESY G. VENKET RAMPOST OSCAR The expectations have become higher, says Rahman

“The first lesson we mustlearn from Hollywood:they take pictures withoutfighting amongthemselves,” joked Rahman, tryingto ease the tension on his delayedentry, with a hundredlensmen jostling to get a clear shotof him and his gold-plated britanniumbabies.

“Ok, I am going to leave then.Save my face and don’t fight here,”he pleaded before giving in andsurrendered with a smile on hisface, showing off his Oscars as thenon-stop clicking bathed him instrobe light.

Rahman fielded questions for anhour at his first press conferenceon his return from Los Angeles – atrip that fetched him the pricelesstwins of the most coveted trophyon the planet. “It costs only $500. Ididn’t even have to pay duty at theairport,” he laughed. He still remainsas down-to-earth as he hasalways been and cannot concealhis boyish excitement about havingmade the headlines in a newspaperin Bosnia or on beingrecognised everywhere from Starbucksto airports around theworld.

What stops us Indians fromwinning Oscars, a journalist asked.”Motivation to do somethingextra-ordinary and planning systematically.Look at you, if you hadplanned this photo shoot systematically,you wouldn’t have beenfighting among yourselves.”

But then, he also added: “Ourfilms are made for our audienceand not for Oscars. Let’s make itfor them and then see if we win ornot.” “The whole world’s eyes areon India. A lot of collaborationsare possible. The west has startedlistening to us. A single recordedwith Pussy Cat Dolls (a remix of”Jai Ho” called “You’re My Destiny”)is out and will be available onYouTube,” he said.

From Spielberg to Hans Zimmerto Michael Jackson, Rahmanhas made many of the people heonce looked up to, look him up.Imagine growing up on Peter Gabrieland then robbing him of anOscar. “I am a representative ofIndian aspirations,” he said.”My dream is to connect peoplewith music….More

The Hindu :

Furtados, the musical legacy, opens its largest store in the country

PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.In tune Furtados is a complete musical package

Furtados in Koramangala is spread over three floors. Their second outlet in the city after Gandhinagar, this is the biggest store from the Mumbai-based 142-year-old Furtados.

The ground floor stocks gleaming grand and upright pianos of all ranges from B Steiner, Steinway & Sons, Boston, Essex, Yamaha, Ritmuller, Pearl River to Viscount which range from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. one crore. This floor also stocks books on music.Layers of music

The first floor displays high and low-range drums, percussion and guitars, winged and string instruments and keyboards, with a dedicated corner for stage performances. With a running banner of signatures of musicians from Mozart, Frederic Chopin, Franz Schubert, Joe Satriani to Eric Clapton, music is definitely the lifeline of this store.

A variety of acoustic and electric guitars hang with nylon and steel ones, rhythm- fixed bridge guitars to melody Floyd Rose ones. There is a dedicated section to hard cases and straps as well.

Coming to the separate room of winged and string instruments, there are brands from Germany, Indonesia, Korea to the US like Karl Hofner and Pearl River ranging from Rs. 20,000 onwards. There are sound-proofed demo rooms to plug in your instruments to the amplifier and check out the sound and quality. The high-range acoustic guitars range from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. one lakh with Takamine, Walden, Fender to Hofner. Keyboards from children’s beginners to stage professional workstations range from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. two lakh with brands like Roland, Casio and Yamaha. Mouth organs start at Rs. 7,000 and percussion instruments at Rs. 11,000. There are racks of accessories to choose from — drumsticks, drumheads, nylon brushes, kits and cymbals.

The third floor stocks Indian instruments from flutes, tablas to sitars. This floor also has Pro-Audio, which has…More

The Hindu : y>

Photo: APBig blue Get to know Delbert the dolphin at Seaworld

A romantic way to begin a life of wedded bliss is at Australia’s most famous and exciting holiday destination — the ‘Gold Coast’, with miles of surf beach, lush green rainforest, world-class golfing greens and world-famous theme parks.

Kuoni Holidays has put together a romantic getaway to the Gold Coast for a luxury honeymoon.

The Q1 Resort & Spa located on Surfer’s Paradise offers a magnificent beach location, panoramic views from the surf to Pacific and beyond. Q1 encapsulates world-class recreational, dining and retail facilities and a sophisticated dining precinct where you will be able to enjoy some well earned relaxation and pampering.

Get to a Bollywood musical show in a chauffeur-driven stretch limousine at the Conrad Jupiters or if you prefer something at a slower pace, bask in a champagne sailing cruise. Whether you choose to sail in the day or evening, the Broadwater always provides an exciting view of the sand islands and Gold Coast skyline.

Then you can head of for an exciting time at Gold Coast’s renowned theme park Seaworld for a showcase of marine life, various rides, shows and other attractions.

The package includes four nights accommodation at Q1 Resort and Spa (room with breakfast and dinner) Q1 Observatory Deck, with a complimentary wine or beer, return airport private transfers, stretch limo transfer to Conrad Jupiter show with dinner, two hours champagne sailing cruise, sea world with private transfer. It comes at an approximate AUD $1139. Package is valid till March 30, exclusive of airfare.

Contact: 9886110527

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The Hindu : y>

India debutDe Profundis’s Beyond Redemption is being released in India by Sony Music

After their spectacular opening for Iron Maiden Rock in India 2009 concert in Bangalore, London-based extreme metal band, De Profundis will release their debut album, “Beyond Redemption” in India on Sony music.The band comprises many genre-bridging elements to their sound, such as jazz-funk slap bass, extreme/death metal vocals, black metal blast beats and complex compositional arrangements.

These styles are drawn on a wide range of influences and the diverse nationalities of the band members – Craig Land, vocalist, guitarists Shoi Sengupta and Roman Subbotin, Aleksej Obradovic on bass, and Nick Tingle on drums.

Over the past year, De Profundis has been part of 20 performances in the UK including the prestigious Bloodstock Open Air 2008 Festival and supporting iconic French metal group, Misanthrope in their exclusive UK shows.

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