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The Hindu : DIXITHA B.S.

Three plays were staged during the last weekend.

Amateur theatre: Children enacting their parts.

It was an evening of celebrations for many children living in the slums of the city. Youngsters from 13 urban poor communities in Bangalore and six villages of Chikkaballapur taluk networked together as `Jeevanotsava’ and staged three amateur plays at Gayana Samaja last weekend.Three plays

The theatrical performances took the audience on a journey through the historical drama “Kithoora Kahale”, which narrated the story of Sangolli Rayanna who fought the British. next to be staged was“Nela Samskruthi”, which emphasised the need to conserve planet earth. “AD Express” was symbolic of the journey towards empowerment and social transformation of various slum dwellers.

Gollahalli Shivaprasad, a theatre personality, scripted the stories while K. Ravi Kumar was the director. This was a part of an initiative launched in 2003 by Dwarakanath Reddy Institutes for Knowledge in collaboration with the Association for Voluntary Action And Service. It caters to the creative needs of the urban poor children, enriching their learning.

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The Hindu : SUDHINDR A. B.

Tackling apprehension among parents and students is a challenge every year.

Photo: K.R. DeepakFirst-day tantrums:Trust the teacher to handle the situation.

Schools have reopened. It is time to catch up with old friends and share holiday stories with them. And for parents, whose children begin their formal education, the first day is always painful. Although many parents motivate their children and mentally prepare them to attend school, children still undergo strange feelings on the first day.Anxious parents

Many schools either conduct orientation classes for parents or provide information during admissions on how to train their children and mentally prepare them to attend school.

“Parents must tell their children only positive things about school. A child should be told that he or she would have new friends and new toys to play with at the school. The cooperation of parents is very vital. They must understand that a child needs time to adapt to the new environment,” says an educationist.

A well-groomed, toilet-trained and mentally prepared child too creates a scene on the first day, say some parents. A teacher says that they are trained to handle these situations. Teachers conduct age-appropriate activities to ensure that the child enjoys them. “Have trust in the teachers to deal with your child. They know what to do and what not to do. As a parent, if you are anxious wait outside the school. A teacher may need your help only if the situation goes out of control,” says a teacher.

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The Hindu :

A new website, chuckkle.com woos the young

A TRUE ENTERTAINER Saloni ready with her views

Your child may now have the luxury of a secure cyber space to express his creativity and leave an indelible mark on the world wide web. With this aim, chuckkle.com, India’s first website aimed at the holistic development of children, was launched at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi.

The portal has been designed by RIT International and targets children between the age group of 10 and 15 years, an age often considered as a vulnerable transition period by psychologists. The website would hone the social skills of young minds, besides helping them tackle educational, psychological and moral stress.

Seven-year-old Saloni, winner of the 2009 comedy reality show “Chhote Miyaan Bade Miyaan”, is the brand ambassador for the website. Saloni said: “I hope it solves the problems of kids like me.”

Quite a crowd puller, she enthralled the audience with a rib-tickling performance at the event. The website is the brainchild of Chitra Awasthi, Managing Director, RIT International who feels that the website would provide a platform for the healthy growth of young minds by offering a perfect blend of studies and recreation. According to the educationist and counsellor, the navigation system of the website is kept as simple as possible for a child friendly interface. The website will provide for an interactive scheme where children will get regular updates on current affairs and give them a place to express their talent – literary, artistic or musical.

Shyam Dev Bhadana, National Head of the Indian Trade Union, Congress, who presided over the event as a chief guest, stated, “I would really appreciate it if the website would help impart knowledge of the Indian culture to the young minds.” The cyber page has a lot to offer from games, customizing greetings, creative corners to jokes and opinion polls to IQ tests and…More

The Hindu : y>

Adventure season Patrick Swayze is the unorthodox FBI agent in The Beast

An unorthodox FBI veteran trains a rookie partner to become a hard-edged undercover operative.

Though considered by many including rookie partner agent Ellis Dove (Travis Fimmel), to be the best in the business, FBI undercover operative Charles Barker (Patrick Swayze) has an unorthodox style. In pushing Dove to immerse himself more deeply into the characters they create, Barker showcases the stresses and dangers of working undercover that make normal relationships impossible.

As he and his mentor are tested by cases that pit them against ruthless drug lords, dangerous arms dealers, corrupt cops and deadly killers-for-hire, Dove also struggles with his own secret of being asked to cooperate with an FBI investigation of Barker.

Catch all action and adventure as Barker turns his own investigation into a conspiracy within the bureau in the “The Beast”, which will be screened at 11p.m. every Wednesday on AXN.

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The Hindu :

Mandira Bedi on what it was like to be the on-site presenter at this year’s DLF IPL tournament

PHOTO: R. RAVINDRANPRESENTING CRICKET WITH PANACHE Mandira Bedi

For Mandira Bedi, presenting Extraa Innings on SetMax, right from the scene of action in South Africa, was skating on thin ice. “A studio provides a controlled environment. When you are on the ground, the players you are talking about will be your immediate audience,” says Mandira. Being her own make-up artiste was another novel experience. “In the studio, a make-up artiste waits on you, touching you up between shots. When you are on the field, you don’t have that privilege. As having someone trail you around the ground, with greasepaint in hand, does not make for an attractive sight, I did my own make-up.”

On the short hair with which she returned to presenting on SetMax, Mandira says it was an impulsive decision.

But Mandira does not sound too keen on getting back to work immediately. “The two months in South Africa were hectic. This break is absolutely necessary.”

In her career as cricketpresenter, she has faced many difficult times. During the 2007 World Cup, she faced the wrath of an Indian and also the petition he filed in a court of law because she wore a sari that displayed the national flags of the participating countries.

Later, a tattoo earned her the displeasure of the Shiromani Gurdwara ParbandhakCommittee.Controversy’s child

For Mandira Bedi, the recent tournament has been free of controversies. That is, if she can forget the anonymous blogger, in whose blogs she figured.

“The blogger was a controversy himself. He was someone who obviously got some tidbits from journalists and, using these bits of information, created a mountainof fiction and filth. Reading the blogs, I understood he was talking about me too. At first I was hurt. Yes, as a cricket presenter, I have learnt…More

The Hindu : y>Irfan Kamal’s film Thanks Maa was well-received at Cannes

Sensitive portrayal Thanks Maa

The film “Thanks Maa” produced by Quantum Productions and directed by debutant director Irfan Kamal, generated lot of interest at the recently concluded 62nd Cannes Film Festival 2009. With three successful market screenings at the festival, the film market at Cannes was abuzz after the film received an incredible response and 100 per cent occupancy. The market at Cannes bustled with international distributors and buyers who were keen to take the film to their respective countries. Said Irfan, “The response that ‘Thanks Maa’ received from all the distributors at the market screening was phenomenal. I was surprised at the interest shown by foreign buyers to an Indian film on such a sensitive topic.” The film is based on the sensitive topic of abandoned children with an Indian connect.

Gagan Khemka of Quantum Films, producer of “Thanks Maa”, said, “We made ‘Thanks Maa’ with no strategies or markets in mind…we just made a film from the heart and true to the issue of ‘abandonment of babies’. I am happy with the international market response to it.” The film has been nominated in two categories at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

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The Hindu :

Hair stylist Najeeb Ur Rehman launches Schwarzkopf’s spring summer range of hairdos

Skin tone, eye colour, shape of the face, personality and the profession become the deciding factors. And then, hair tone, when it comes to choosing a new hair style.

This advice comes from Najeeb Ur Rehman, technical head of Schwarzkopf Professional, who specialises in creative and corrective hair colouring, cutting and texturing. He was in Bangalore recently to unveil Schwarzkopf’s essential looks for the season, the spring summer collection of new hair styles. “If people want to change their personality, the first thing they do is sport a new hair style. It is the responsibility of a hair dresser to help customers choose a style that goes with their personality,” he adds.

Rehman insists hair styling is not about cutting it short. “Consultation is a must. You have to keep the tradition of long hair in mind, and mould the colours and texture accordingly.” Minimal hair cut and use of more colours seems to be popular. “Everyone wants to go in for long or medium hair style and add colours. Very short hair is challenging.”

SPRING CASCADE People seem to prefer minimal cuts with more colour

Schwarzkopf’s summer collection is inspired by the world of haute couture and from the fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York. Glamazon, Sunday Best, 80s Dance and Rounded Form are the looks unveiled this season. If Glamazon is about length and movement, Sunday Best involves placing unexpected colours amidst quirky cuts.

Youthful exuberance is how the 80s Dance style is best described — tousled styles, kinetic cuts and vibrant colours. Minimalist silhouettes, rounded edges and bold tones finished with lustre and gloss characterise the Rounded Form styles.

Rehman presented an Eva Maria and Julia look to explain the 80s Dance collection. Ideally suited for straight to wavy hair, Eva Maria is a shorter length…More

The Hindu :

With Kal Kisne Dekha set to release, debutant Jacky Bhagnani is ready to embrace the future

All set Jacky Bhagnani: ‘There was a time when I was rejected because of my weight’

Debutant actor Jacky Bhagnani considers himself “a mischievous, simple, light-hearted boy next door.” Jacky, the sonofVashu Bhagnani, who is the producer of movies like “Coolie No.1” and “Biwi No.1”, is ready to take his plunge into the tinsel world.

As a responsible father , Vashu is trying to shape his son’s dreams by launching him inthe upcoming “Kal Kisne Dekha”.The path ahead

As someone who grew up in the industry, Jacky iswell aware of the competition here.He understands hisbackground would help him only to make a beginning,“My father is opening the door for me, but I have to tread myself and I am well prepared,” says the youngster.

To stand apart from the never-ending queue of Bollywood strugglers, Jacky underwent training at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York which produced celebrities like Al Pacino, Rober De Niro and Angelina Jolie amongt others.

Asked if he hasbutterflies in thestomach with the release round the corner, he says , “I have my feelings divided on a percentage criteria, I am 25 per cent excited, 25 per cent nervous, 25 per cent anxious and still figuring out the remaining.”

Aboutworking witha veteran like Rishi Kapoor in his first movie, Jacky says , “The best part about Rishi Sir is that he does not know that he is The Rishi Kapoor.

He is a very humble man, always ready with a helping hand, providing opportunities to the entire team to learn and grow.”

Jacky recently performedat the 54th Filmfare Awards and garnered a positive feedback.

“I am glad people here are accepting me. There was a time when I was completely rejected by the society as I weighed 130 kg and my waistline was 44 inches. People used…More

The Hindu :

Gulzar’s play Kharashein gets the pulse of the country’s communal tension just right

PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.SIX TALES A common thread

Poet-lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar’s play, “Kharashein” tells six stories, all of them set in an atmosphere of communal tensions and riots.

The play, staged by the Kalyan Group at Alliance Francaise last week, reveals the poison that is communal violence. The director weaves in six separate stories into the narrative, with communal tension providing the backdrop.

The characters are common people — from the bored businessman to a Sikh peasant, caught up in the pre-Partition riots in Pakistan. The play also dwells on the beginning of an unlikely bond among two men, belonging to the opposite sides of the communal divide. “Kharashein” also talks of the fear psychosis that such incidents create. Various couplets on peace, universal brotherhood and rejection of violence provide the interjections between the stories and maintains the mood.Eerie similarity

The first tale talks of a Bengali businessman, who is bored after being holed up in his house during the riots. He tries to while away time irritating his wife and watching telly. While helping his wife cook a meal, he notices an uncanny resemblance between a hilsa fish his wife is skinning, and the picture of a pregnant riot victim, her stomach torn open by rioters. The comparison with the fish and the women is made poignant, especially with the superb narration. One is reminded of such incidents playing out on national TV during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

To the director’s credit, the passage to the next story is fairly smooth and we listen to the tale of a poor Sikh caught up in the Partition riots, forcing him to take refuge in a gurudwara with his family. In a cruel turn of circumstances, he is forced to leave his mother behind and plan an escape to India with…More

The Hindu :

Diinesh Kumble’s Dream Safari is the first coffee table book on African wildlife by an Indian

Photo: Bhagya Prkash K.SIBLING REVELRY A still from the book and the photographer Diinesh Kumble (left)

Midway during the press conference, Diinesh Kumble paused for a while and said: “We are close and there are times when we think we are just one person and not two different people.” Diinesh looked at his celebrated younger brother Anil Kumble and it was a moment that revealed their mutual respect and affection for each other.

The brothers share a special bond and though Diinesh is a chemical engineer turned entrepreneur and Anil is a cricketing great, the duo are united by their shared passion for wildlife photography. At the Landmark bookshop here last week, the brothers’ common hobby found full expression through a coffee table book titled “Dream Safari” that was released amidst much fanfare.

The pictorial book features wildlife photographs clicked by Diinesh during his two trips to Kenya and Tanzania over the last two years. “Diinesh is the first Indian to bring out a book on African wildlife. He has been compiling these pictures over the last three months and I am impressed with the way he has quickly brought out the book. He has been an inspiration all my life, be it advising me to switch to leg spin or watching my progress as a cricketer. I always wanted to publish my pictures but Diinesh did it first,” Anil said after unveiling the first copy.

The evening, besides being a testimony to sibling solidarity, was also a celebration of African wildlife and the art of photography. “When I went to the United States to do my masters in chemical engineering, the first thing I bought was a second hand camera through which I clicked pictures of New York. I then got back here and launched a start-up company…More