News

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

I want to buy a car in the Rs. 5 to Rs. 6.5 lakh range. I travel around 15 to 20 km per day (within city). I rarely go on long trips. We are a family of four. Can you suggest a good car? Should I go for a petrol or diesel car? I was thinking of Skoda Fabia but someone suggested that I should stretch my budget and go for Honda City. Will Maruti SX4 be cheaper in terms of maintenance and spares and should that be a criterion for selection?

Suresh Gopalakrishnan

Keeping in mind your travel, we suggest you buy a petrol car. The Fabia is a good car, it is spacious and comfortable. But if you can stretch your budget, go for the Honda City. It has a fabulous engine that combines performance and economy. It scores on comfort too.I would like to carry out some modifications on my 2006 Swift ZXi, like a K&N cold air intake system, Iridium spark plugs, etc., for increasing the performance. How much increase in torque and power would be achieved? Are the various engine components such as the crankshaft, conrods, bearings and gears designed to handle this extra power? Do I need to re-program the ECU? Will the changes affect the manufacturer’s warranty?

Abhijit Wagh

The increase in the amount of power and torque can only be measured by testing the car on a dyno. But with modifications such as cold air intake system and iridium spark plugs, the gain would not be much or worthwhile. You need to compliment these with modifications such as a more aggressive cam shaft, porting and polishing, ECU remap, performance exhaust etc. In theory, the fuel economy should be better. But mostly, the fuel economy suffers as you tend to drive fast to feel the gain in performance.You don’t need…More

The Hindu :

It’s an onerous task to sum up “Raga Symphony”. It is particularly daunting when your tool is mere words. Shaarang Dev’s album — an interrogation of two traditions with diverse philosophies — provides a grand experience. It borders on the ethereal at times. Rich in detail, the overall architecture comes from a deep and complex understanding of both the western classical and Hindustani music forms.

Each of the eight pieces has a multilayered approach and weaves in many moods and textures. He achieves this mainly with a fantastic use of the human voice, violins, pianos and flute. What takes the album to a greater height is the music arrangement. At no point in this mega project do you encounter a jarring crisscross.

“A jasmine in twilight” – the composition in Yaman opens with a plaintive, solo violin with the piano tiptoeing soundlessly. It takes a dramatic turn with hundreds of violin joining in, before a single flute slows it down, offering a glimpse of the sublime.

It’s a riveting composition, beautifully feeding off traditional passages of the Mewati gharana. The change of pace is achieved rather stimulatingly with the khanjira and mridanga dominating the soundscape.The switch between vocal and flute; they work as fine counterpoints. So also the haunting staccato-repetitive notes on the mandolin as opposed to the fugue on the violin. The flute plays Bhairavi as the rest of the orchestra sings Yaman and it’s not at all a case in interference.

The sitar, violin, and humming voice sound brilliant against the disjointed notes on piano in the magnificently romantic “A faint flutter” in Khamaj. The climax of the opening passage ends on a brilliantly understated harmonium phrase before it moves to the upper octave. The way the sitar interprets the main melody is stirring.

In Marwa, “Twilight Melancholy” is majestically melancholic. The opening bols give the 130-year-old composition splendour. The rabab interlude changes…More

The Hindu : y>TESTDRIVE It is good to drive and offers adequate space and fuel economy at an unbelievably low price. Hormazd SORABJEE & Shapur Kotwal on Tata’ssmall wonder

The Nano has had a tough developing period post its rock-star reception at the Delhi Auto Expo over a year ago. Having lost its home in Singur, it will be produced in limited numbers in a makeshift facility within Tata Motors’ Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand until the new factory is built in Sanand. Does the Tata Nano possess the comfort, performance and security of a real car? Or has Tata’s price target of one lakh made it too much of a compromise? Well, read on and find out.What makes it tick

The Nano’s affordability, desirability and downright cute looks make this Tata creation appealing. The smiley face, those soft ‘eyes’, and the exaggerated round-shaped roof, the tipped-forward stance, the air inlets behind the rear doors, and the tightly formed rear section all add to the Nano’s undeniable charm. The vertical tail-lights and rear section have that Tata stamp to them and the meshed section of the bumper that allows for a fair amount of venting from the rear of the car, has a neat inverted ‘V’ cut into it to accommodate the centre exhaust.

The Nano uses a combination of a monocoque chassis and space frame with supports. Two long-members and three cross-members are integrated into the design allowing it to be stiff, 20 per cent lighter and tall at the same time.

The Nano weighs just 600kg. With the battery and fuel tanks being placed under the front seats and almost 60 per cent of the weight placed over the rear wheels, a capable suspension system is a must. The front MacPherson strut uses a lower A-arm and the independent rear uses semi- trailing arms. There are no anti-roll bars, disc brakes or power steering. Also missing…More

The Hindu : y>INTERVIEW Composer Shaarang Dev’s pioneering effort, Raga Symphony, reaffirms his fine understanding in the Indian and western classical styles of music, finds DEEPA GANESH

MUSICAL FACE OFF Shaarang Dev uses dissimilarities to bring out strengths

For all those who watched television when it existed as a single channel, the title song of the serial “Mriganayanee” with its elaborate, rich orchestra is impossible to forget. Hence, you cannot forget its music composer as well —Shaarang Dev. Son of the illustrious Pandit Jasraj, Shaarang Dev’s latest offering is “Raga Symphony”, an intense confluence of two distinct sensibilities: the western classical and Hindustani music.

“Raga Symphony” in a way harks back to what Ilaiyaraja did years ago – the two symphonies “How To Name It” and “Nothing But Wind” and the more recent “Tiruvazhagam”. Ilaiyaraja fused Western classical with Carnatic classical, using compositions of Thyagaraja and 8th century Tamil poetry. Shaarang Dev does it with khyal music in the tradition of the 150-year-old Mewati gharana. In fact, there are compositions in the album that are 130-years old!

“Initially, Times Music wanted my father to do this project. They wanted an album that would be a mix of western and Indian music systems,” recalls Shaarang Dev, who has also composed music for films such as “Aastha”, “Rihaee”, and “Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro”.

But Pandit Jasraj was reluctant. Shaarang, as someone who had formally studied both the forms, he felt, was the better bet. “I was very excited by the whole idea. Even with a sketchy framework I was sure that the collaboration could be taken to an entirely different level, something that both the connoisseur and the common man would appreciate.” “Indian classical music is melody based and one has to comply with the raga scheme. While in western classical, there is a uniformity and pre-determined conduct of tone that determines the character. But then you can compose a…More

The Hindu :

An architect for ISRO, Ananda Ramu believes he is better at photography

Photo: Murali Kumar K.RECORDING THE CITY Ananda Ramu’s collection of Bangalore’s pictures go back 30 years

Ananda Ramu started his career as a private architect, before joining ISRO in 1973, designing special research buildings for launch vehicles. “I wanted a government job then and decided to join ISRO, due to the security the job guarantees.” Other than designing buildings for various ISRO projects, Ramu is also keen on pursuing one of his pet interests, photography. He has an entire album comprising a wide range of pictures clicked by him, in game reserves and aerial shots of cities. “I was interested in photography right from my college days. I decided to pursue photography seriously after I won a college contest for architecture pictures.”

Ramu smiles, “My wife calls my camera my first love. I have taken countless pictures, including shots at major intersections in Bangalore, nearly 30 years ago. They showcase a city very different from what Bangalore is now. I think that the pictures tell tales about the old cantonment, and if one were to compare these photos to the present day, you would find many of the older buildings missing or altered beyond recognition.”

He feels that the speed of Bangalore’s transformation from a sleepy town to this bustling metropolis has brought its share of problems. “We cannot blame the government and say that infrastructure is not available. The change has been spectacular. We have seen the skyline change drastically over the last six years.”

Ramu feels a career in architecture can help a great deal in understanding photography. “Architecture gives you an idea about the basic contours of any structure, and also lets you determine the areas that receive better sunlight and many other such technicalities.”

On the differences for conceiving structures for ISRO as compared to other structures, he says, “It…More

The Hindu : y>

Viveka Yoga Institute will conduct a yoga camp for children aged below 13 from April 15. Call: 23425607/ 9902469734.

***

Kiara Activity Centre, Indiranagar, will conduct classes in painting and drawing for children aged between six and eight and from nine to 12 from April 6. Art and craft classes begin on April 13. Call 9845274846.

***

Excellent Academy for Women will offer classes in modelling, origami, napkin folding, mehendi, vegetable carving and cooking. It is open for all and begins on March 30. For details, call: 94489-25759.

***

Young Men’s Christian Association will conduct training in cricket, lawn tennis and foot ball from April 14 to May 14. Classes in swimming, personality development, adventure, Karate and music will also be offered. For details, call: 22211848/22105159 or e-mail: ymca_bangalore@vsnl. com

***

Academy for Creative Teaching will offer a three-week programme on life skills. Children aged between 10 and 15 can take part.

It is an activity based learning of skills and trained professionals will conduct the classes.

For details, call: 41697855/ 41697866.

***

Nayak’s Centre for Children’s Healthy Communication will conduct a summer camp for children with learning disabilities and autism.

The classes include stencil art, handicraft, music, dancing, magic yoga and storytelling. Classes begin on April 2 for children in the age group between three and 10, and those aged between 11 and 14. For details, call: 98450-58544.

<FONT …More

The Hindu : y>Everyday usability and genuine sportscar performance and handling, that’s the Nissan 370Z. Shapur kotwal drives it on Tokyo’s roads

Technical briefings during acar launch in Japan are a bit like going back to school. You are made to sitat individual desks, as the chief engineer of the project normally takes you through a number of slides explaining the intricacies of the newcar’s design.

I’mtotally riveted, trying to catch every word in between scribbling notes and sifting hype from fact. Then, of course, comes the marketing spiel. The positioning of the car, the average customer, PC or Mac, eggs fried or scrambled; boxers or briefs. . . you get it. With lights dimmed and drone from the marketing executive, this often turns into a snore fest.

“The earlier Z was marketed in the regions marked in orange on the map”; my eyelids fill with lead. A 12-hour flight, jetlag, Japanese coffee… the effects are brutal. But then, just as I’m about to drift off, the map of India lights up … “and in blue is where we will sell the new 370Z”. WHAAA!! Daydreaming was I? Didsomeone inadvertently pulled the wrong slide and stuck it in the presentation? Probably, because no one there denied it!

Staying with traffic on Tokyo’s city expressway is a struggle though. You need the mental resolve to keep it near the speed limit and I decide to stick it in sixth and leave it there. I lie waiting for the mountain roads.

With Mount Fuji looming out of the clouds and temperature dropping fast on the digital thermometer, the hill roads are not in perfect condition for a full-on attack. Snow and ice line the kerbs and on sheltered corners, where the sun’s rays haven’t reached, there’s some on the road as well. Higher up, however, on more exposed bits, the long road up is clear.

I start to use the motor to…More

The Hindu : C.K. MEENA

Information is always half shared; the official reveals it bit by bit on each subsequent visit

I’ve been ruminating on the expression “third time lucky” and its common variants. In my mother tongue there’s a proverb that roughly translates into “If it falters on the first attempt it will get firmly fixed on the third.” This is not mere superstition. It is a piece of folk wisdom whose truth is borne out every time you try to get some official work done. It never-never-never gets done the first time around.

“Third time lucky” probably has ancient, I mean really ancient, origins. Go back a few hundred millennia. Hunter Woman’s thigh-bone club has cracked after her last expedition. She wants a replacement from the local weapons cave before she goes on her next hunting trip. The official at the mouth of the cave grunts (in prehistoric lingo): “Come back tomorrow with your old club to prove it is broken.” Hunter Woman comes back the next day with her battle-scarred bludgeon. The official grunts: “I cannot issue a fresh weapon unless you bring me proof that you have no babies to take care of.” At this point I assume Hunter Woman cracks him one over the head.

Nothing has changed – in some cases, not even the grunting! Information is always half shared; the official withholds it, revealing it to you bit by bit on each subsequent visit. There are times when you dearly wish you could crack him over the head – with something less lethal than a club, for these are civilised times. “You need to attach three passport-size photographs, you need to bring your latest electricity bill, you need four signatures, you need six Xerox copies, your ward number is wrong, your address doesn’t match the one on our records…” if each one of you added, to this list, all the official…More

The Hindu :

French graphic designer Ivon Germon believes India doesn’t have its own graffiti style

DOODLE DIG Ivon Germon loves painted Indian film hoardings, autos and trucks

Ivon Germon, the French graphic designer from Paris, insisted he share art with the world, by painting on the outer and not inner walls of Opus. So a plump elephant, with a side parting and red shorts in skates of different colours looms large on thewhite walls on Palace Cross Road.

The graphic designer comes to India for a host of reasons; he has an Indian companion, for one.

Coming back to art, he likes graffiti and film posters as they are for public view. “I like to paint so that everybody can paint and enjoy my art. As opposed to galleries, where viewing is strictly restricted to invitation or more subtle class barriers.” Ivon doesn’t have a particular style, but he likes kitsch and pop art.

As a teenager in Paris, Ivon was influenced by graffiti on the walls. From rock ‘n’ roll to hip hop, Ivon narrates the history of graffiti where the gangs of New York signed their pseudonyms in fonts that grew into styles and signatures. He doesn’t believe in the political or religious graffiti of India, as it has to be more individual and has to have less propaganda.

“South American graffiti was part of their culture and has religious imagery.” He feels there is more graffiti on the walls of Mumbai and Delhi than in Bangalore. “In India, I always use Indian imagery and sign in Hindi as it’s important for the people to relate and identify with the art.”

There is commissioned graffiti which is legal. “But after 20 years of graffiti in New York and Philadelphia, it is difficult to either control or erase it all,” says Ivon, who also illustrates CD covers. “The French have a different style from North Americans.”

Commenting on…More

The Hindu : y>

Prison story Jail break on Sony Pix

Half-way through his 12-year-prison sentence for an incompetent armed robbery, Jimmy Hands gets a lucky break; he’s transferred to a prison from which he can probably escape. He manages to convince the governor to stage a musical in an old chapel next to the prison’s outer wall. He rounds up volunteer actors and puts his escape plan into action. Two other barriers confront him, besides the walls; the arrival of a nasty inmate, John Toombes, who insists on joining the escape and Jimmy’s feelings for Anabel, a social worker who agrees to appear in the play. As the opening night approaches, will this be Jimmy’s breakout performance. Catch the thrilling climax in “Lucky Break” tonight at 8 p.m. on Sony Pix.

***

The multiple-award winning “Silence of the Lambs” will be telecast at 8 p.m. on Sony Pix.

The film tells the story of a young FBI agent, Clarice Starling, who is assigned to help find a missing woman in the clutches of a psychopathic serial killer. Clarice attempts to gain a better insight into the twisted mind of the killer by talking to another psychopath, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Clarice must try and gain Lecter’s confidence, before he can provide any information.

<FONT …More