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The Hindu : y>A special on Travel and Living explores the ABBA phenomenon

MAMMA MIA The programme will go behind the scenes of the musical and the film inspired by it

Discovery Travel & Living will telecast a new show, which will showcase the life and musical journey of the legendary band ABBA and its four members. The series will also include behind the scenes and footage of the film “Mamma Mia”, which was adapted from the theatre musical by the same name and feature interviews with the Hollywood stars who have acted in this film.

This will be a one-hour special that will include extracts from the theatre show “Mamma Mia” and interviews with the original ABBA band members — Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. The film version stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julia Walters.

Pierce Brosnan says: “I suppose I’m the last person to be in a ‘Mamma Mia’ musical, prancing around in platform shoes and tights and sequins.” About her experience as a part of the movie, actor Meryl Streep said: “I thought I want to do that, I want to do it. I don’t know if I was right for the part, I don’t care, I got it.”

The series is called “ABBA: The Mamma Mia! Story” will be “the most comprehensive showcase of ABBA on television which no true ABBA fan in India can afford to miss,” say the makers. This show will also mark the addition of music as a new genre to Discovery Travel & Living’s repertoire of lifestyle and luxury programming.

This one-hour special “explored the global phenomena of ABBA mania. The musical “Mamma Mia” inspired by the songs of ABBA has helped define the theatre world over the last decade and has also been adapted as a successful motion picture, add the makers. The show is said to take the viewer on a nostalgic journey to relive the…More

The Hindu : y>If you are turning to botox and chemical peels to take years off your face, think again, warns NANDHINI SUNDAR

Photo: K. R. DeepakCAN WE DEFY NATURE? Is it worth meddling with your skin?

You want that supple, glowing skin, which makes you appear a decade younger.. You yearn to smoothen out those wrinkles lining your forehead, the crow’s feet around your eyes. In vain you seek refuge in creams and miracle cures both herbal and chemical that promise to turn back the clock.

When you seem to have hit the end of the road, you head for botox and chemical peels that promise to transform your face, wiping out many years from it. Leading skin clinics assure you about its safety, lulling any fears or reservations.

Whether botox shots and chemical peels successfully work their magic, sans side effects is debatable. There has been much debate about their success as well as safety, questioning the prudence of opting for it.

Botox, which is medically approved for treating rigid neck muscles, excessive sweating besides treating stroke victims, is best known for its use in smoothening facial wrinkles. Botox injections block nerve impulses to muscles, relaxing them.

Says Janet Martin in her article “Why botox may not be good for you”, in Isnare.com: “The injections can cause adverse effects in nearby muscles like causing temporary drooping of eyelids when it is given to smooth eye creases. It can also cause systemic reactions or affect distant muscles. Common side effects of botox are headaches, nausea, facial pain, drooling, even ulceration of cornea.”Side effects

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported cases of serious effects like pneumonia, difficulty in swallowing and muscle weakness. According the FDA, adverse effects surface only weeks after treatment. Numbers compiled by the FDA from 1997-2006 showed 16 deaths, 180 life-threatening complications and 87 hospitalisations linked to botox injections.

Medically too, it has been admitted that…More

The Hindu :

Cricket has taken a big blow after the incident in Lahore, that is why it is so important for all the top players to play in this competition (National one-day tournament)

PAKISTAN SKIPPER YOUNIS KHAN

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The Hindu : y>

Cool treatGet ice creams with your pizza

Pizza Hut has launched an offer that provides patrons an opportunity to sample a range of Baskin Robbins ice creams, on placing pizza delivery orders. Now, when you order your pizza, you can choose from two flavours of ice cream; Honey Nut Crunch or Chocolate ice cream, which will be delivered at your house.

The offer allows you to order a medium pizza and get two ice creams (100 ml each) for just Rs. 10. If you order a family pizza, you will get four ice creams for Rs. 20. Anup Jain, Director – Marketing, Pizza Hut said, “This offer will allow patrons to enjoy delicious ice-creams along with your favourite pizza.”

This offer is exclusively applicable on delivery and takeaway orders. For delivery and more details, call the Pizza hut hotline at 3988-3988.

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The Hindu :

Grover Vineyards’ La Reserve continues to be popular

Grover Vineyards was set up after extensive research into the suitability of different sites for European grape varieties — else why would Kanwal Grover, based in Mumbai, have taken the time and trouble to start a winery near Bangalore?

This was only the second winery in India, after Indage, and their first wines were launched in 1992 — a red, a white and a Rose’. Nothing fancy — the company knew that it takes up to 10 years for grape vines to hit their stride. In 1995, the internationally-renowned flying wine maker Michel Rolland offered his expertise to Grover, and 1996 saw the Champagne house Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin (part of the LVMH group) take an equity stake in the venture. Under Michel Rolland’s tutelage, in 1996 Grover came out with a reserve red wine aged in oak casks for 6 months — calling it simply ‘La Reserve’, a blend of their best Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes.

It was quite the best red wine available in India at that time, and in my opinion held that pole position right up to the time in 2003-2004 when Sula Vineyards came out with their Dindori Reserve Shiraz.

From my notes of 2005, I find that this deep ruby wine had a bouquet of ripe red fruits with a hint of spice, a harmonious oak flavour, smooth silky tannins, and a long, lingering after taste.

La Reserve is still a favourite tipple of many aficionados, but in the interim three things happened. (1) Discriminatory taxes in Maharashtra priced La Reserve far above local offerings, leading to lower consumer interest (2) Many good new wines appeared on retail shelves across the country from new wineries set up in Maharashtra after; and (3) The quality of La Reserve is seemingly not what it was at launch.

Nevertheless, this is still one of the best-known…More

The Hindu : y>Catch a unique performance celebrating the life of Galileo Galilei

Bangalore Little Theatre is presenting “Starry Messenger” written by Ira Hauptman, celebrating the International Year of Astronomy.

It is a commemoration of 400 years since Galileo Galilei first used a telescope to make his landmark discoveries. The slogan, ‘The Universe, Yours to Discover’, is in the spirit of the path that Galileo chose to take, writing about his findings in Italian.

Earlier this year, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics commissioned the premier of the play “Starry Messenger”. The play is part of BLT’s History of Ideas project.

Galileo Galilei was caught between his scientific findings and prevailing orthodoxy. “Starry Messenger” takes a surreal look at his life through the lens of retrospection. While it is known fact that Galileo did, indeed, recant his ‘heretical’ statements, there are other matters that are still only rumoured.

Catch this unique perspective on the life of Galileo Galilei at Alliance Francaise, March 19 and 20, 3.30 and 7.30 p.m. Tickets for the 3.30 p.m. show are priced at Rs. 100 and for the 7.30 p.m. show are priced at Rs. 150. Tickets are available at Café de la Liberté, Alliance Francaise. Call 99645-33379.

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The Hindu : y>

Van Heusen has launched Chemistry, a range of short sleeve shirts in tones of plastic green, fresh turq and ochre lemon. The line features shirts, slim fits, and short shirts, crafted from cotton and cotton linen blends. It is available at Van Heusen stores across the country from Rs. 1299 onwards.PENDANTS

Fiona, a Moissanite jewellery collection has unveiled a range of pendants. They are available in an assortment of designs in 18 carat white gold, and intersected in princely cut Moissanite. The designs are hand picked and crafted to the best standards. For more information, contact call 9342889611.BABYCARE

The Aditya Birla Group has launched Puretta, natural and biodegradable baby care wipes. The range includes complete cleaning wipes, germ shield wipes and skin nourishing wipes. Puretta is available in three variants at leading stores and is is priced between Rs. 90 to Rs. 130.FORMAL WEAR

Urbana, a range of premium formal wear has launched their spring summer collection. The collection comprises of specially hand crafted shirts and trousers. All shirts are accompanied with removable collars that can be detached before laundry and ironing. The collection is priced in the range between Rs. 1,499 and Rs. 2,199. The Multi-finish shirts are priced in the range from Rs. 1,699 and 1,799. It is available at Urbana stores across the country.BATTERY

Eveready has launched a new range of powerful batteries ‘Eveready Ultima’. These batteries are alkaline dry cell batteries and come in AA, AAA and 9–Volt sizes. It is priced at Rs. 350 and is available at select stores across the country.WATCHES

Raymond has launched a new model from the Weil range. The new chronograph with a sleek, 46 mm-diameter case, with its circular bezel and tachometer, is made from steel and titanium to ensure resistance and endurance. The watch is in the price range of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 7…More

The Hindu : y>

The recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore has resulted in the Union Home ministry asking organisers of the Indian Premier league to postpone the game, as the IPL dates clash with the elections. The Home Ministry felt that the paramilitary troops may find it difficult to carry out election duties and provide security to the players. MetroPlus asks city residents whether security can be managed for the IPL and the elections. Most residents felt that with the IPL providing private security to the players and during the matches, the matches can be held with the elections. They felt that security was a major concern and steps must be taken to ensure that a repeat of the Mumbai attack or the Lahore incidents do not occur. Some felt that elections are the key test in a democracy and felt that the IPL should be shifted and held after the elections. Some felt that the BCCI should tweak the schedules and host the IPL, to ensure that the image of India as a safe destination for sports is maintained. Some fear a cancellation may send wrong signals about India’s capacity to organise major sporting events and may cast a shadow on the commonwealth games to be held in Delhi next year.

We sample some responses

The IPL must be held, after tweaking the schedule a bit. A lot of money is riding on it and hosting such a tournament will ensure that India’s image as a safe venue for sporting events is not tarnished. Security must be a paramount concern.

Ravindra

Software engineer

The IPL is fun, but must be postponed this year, since elections are paramount in a democracy. Any terror strike during the IPL could also make India a cricketing exile and would be disastrous for world cricket and sports in India. Top notch security is needed.

Siddharth

IT professional

Too much is being made out…More

The Hindu :

Sharon is five years old and has already won an international medal

Photos: k. GopinathanOn the ready Sharon prefers karate to Bharatanatya

Sharon Williams stands tall for a five year old. Tall in deeds, that is. Having embraced karate seven months ago, she has an International medal to show for her efforts. She is passionate about her chosen sport and with her babyish charm rattles off the different colours of belt that she needs to win to achieve her dream: Black Belt. “And there are eight levels in the black belt,” she adds.

For someone so young there is clarity of thought and a burning desire to achieve her goals. “A typical Scorpio trait,” her father D. William Prabhu chips in.

It was during her visits to Patel’s Inn in R.T. Nagar, where the Williams reside, that Sharon saw the karate school – Jyoshinmon Shorinryu Karate-Do conducted by Shihan S. Shanmugam in progress. And little Sharon liked what she saw, forcing her mother to enrol her. Master Shanmugam first refused on seeing the little girl, but her persistence won him over. Two weeks later Shihan Shanmugam was highly impressed with her reflexes and supple movements and thus began Sharon’s tryst in August ‘08.

“She is hyper active and very enthusiastic in whatever she does. And for someone so young she picks up very fast and obeys every instructions without hesitation,” said Shanmugam. “During tournaments I call her for extra sessions (besides the three classes every week) and Sharon is very punctual and proactive. She like a few others are blessed with special talent and will be a success.”

Sharon is a nursery student at Cathedral HS, which has been very encouraging and accommodating. “Her katta (imaginary fight) performance was staged during the Annual Sports Day,” said her father. Sharon however fancies kumite to katta. “I like actual fighting,” she says and enjoys motor sports and…More