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The Hindu :

Two emerging national champions have done the State proud and hope to win more accolades

Photos: Bhagya Prakash K., Murali Kumar K.Smashing aces Sharmada aim to play at the US Open this year.

It is not often that two Bangalore girls become national champions in tennis at the same time. Sharmada Balu was crowned National Under 16 champion this May, while Nimisha had bagged the under-18 National championship last year.Fifteen-year-old Sharmada is a trainee of the Apollo Mission 2018 scheme at the Bhupathi Tennis Village and undergoes coaching under the watchful eyes of coaches like Prahalad Srinath, Sandeep Kirtane, two former National championsand the Canadian progressive tennis expert, Bobby Mahal.

Sharmada opted to study under the IGNOU Open schooling scheme to get more time for tennis practice. She began playing tennis eight years ago. She made rapid progress in the game and emergedthe most valuable player inan inter-school tournament in 2003. Sharmada has been participating in many ITF Grade I, II and III events and has been helped in this endeavour by her sponsors, Apollo Tyres Mission 2018. “In India, I find the National series to be competitive, but the other events do not match up to the standards. I feel that I get to play quality tennis in ITF events,” She says. Recently, she participated in a series of ITF events in Morocco and produced a third round finish in the singles event at Casablanca. She also made the semi-finals in one of the tournaments. Sharmada aims at playing in the US Open in September and finishing in the top 100 by the end of the season. She is currently ranked 169 on the ITF list.On her prospects, coach Srinath feels, “She has a good forehand and even defeated a player in the top 50 of the ITF ratings. However, a lot depends on her fitness levels and ability to move well…More

The Hindu : y>Jeb Brugmann, author of Welcome to the Urban Revolution, tells AYESHA MATTHAN a city loses its identity with condominiums, sky-rises and shopping malls

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.Name game Jeb prefers to call slums urban villages

Jeb Brugmann came with his family to Bangalore and stayed in Koramangala overlooking shacks the migrants stayed in. The Canadian author of “Welcome to the Urban Revolution — How Cities are Changing the World” (HarperCollins, Rs. 399), says “Bangalore has become a space for both affluent and poor. and the former has laid claims to the city.”

On the question of whether an urban revolution comes with both positive and negative connotations, Jeb says: “A revolution is a massive and chaotic transformation of society and economy. It is difficult to determine the strategic outcome. Migrants move with self interests.” He goes on to say that no one really wins in this situation. “But urban strategy is to align these self-interests for the common good, looking into poverty, equity and environmental sustainability.”

Having worked for 10 to 15 years in urban development in 49 cities in 21 countries, Jeb says that as a participant and stakeholder, he has been determining the outcome of urban strategy. So what happens when a Mumbai aspires to be Shanghai and a Bangalore, Singapore? “Mumbai has its own competition, but setting targets of so-called world-class cities like Shanghai is not a good idea. Large-scale building solutions denote capitalist and high-cost factors. Developers get a profit with massive subsidies, leaving a burden on the city.” He feels that the city loses its identity with high condominiums, sky-rise buildings, single-unit apartments and shopping malls. “It becomes a fast-food city that is commodified. With the economic crisis, it will eventually prove to be a burden on financial resources.”

Jeb points out that the informal city grows faster than the formal city. “They develop their own legal, criminal and…More

The Hindu : y>

Table décor Stainless steel goes trendy

Artd’inox, a stainless steel lifestyle products company, in collaboration with Jindal Arc. has opened a store in the city. The store is characterized by steel objects of the finest quality and exceptional designs.

This store is spread across 2,600 square feet and provides a captivating experience with the modern ambience and an aesthetic display of products.

The products are designed by the team of designers of international repute, their unique forms and designs in stainless steel and their fusion with wood, porcelain and glass make them ideal for the needs of the urban consumers.

With its innovative designing artd’inox is the one stop solution, be it adorning your house or bestowing it upon your loved ones to show their worth in your life. The product range available at the outlets includes home décor, office accessories, bath, dining, bar and beverage range. The store is located at Krishvi Aspire, Ground Floor No.516, CMH Road, Opposite ICICI bank.

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The Hindu :

The phrase “eve teasing” was coined in India decades ago. Has anything at all changed for women in all these years?

Photo: Murali Kumar K.Happy ride Women should feel safe on streets and in parks

“Today, at 7.30 p.m., as I waited for my daughter to finish her Kalari class, a bunch of guys started hurling filthy comments at me,” wrote Sharadha on an online group. “I was furious that young boys could talk to me — a mother of a nine-year-old — like that. I talked to a cop …He then said parents should be careful not to send their young girls alone anywhere, ha, ha….”

The term “eve-teasing” is our contribution to world vocabulary. In 1960, The Times, London wrote: “One aspect of the problem of student indiscipline … in India has been the bullying and harassment of girl students in the few co-educational institutions — a pastime so common that it has been given the name of “Eve-teasing.” In 1978, Ursula M. Sharma wrote in The Man: “To snatch a girl’s dupatta is one of the forms of “eve-teasing”, which occurs on many a school bus.” In 1984, The Guardian, U.K. described eve-teasing as “the Indian term which covers everything from sexual harassment, pestering, groping, whispered obscenities as well as light-hearted cat calls and equivalents of ‘hello darling’.”Everyday pain

Like the term, the menace has come to stay.For the millions of women walking down streets, using public transport, shopping, and yes, worshipping in temples, eve-teasing is an everyday pain. “The automan adjusts the mirror to look at you,” wrote a blogger. “Guys on two-wheelers look in, and follow the auto if they like what they see.”Misguided

Psychologists relate it to the way boys are raised — believing it’s okay to have fun at the expense of women. Sadly, it’s women who get all the advice. Walk in well-lit, frequented areas….More

The Hindu :

An excise superintendent and a birdwatcher come out with a seminal work on birds

Photo: S. Siva SaravananBird lovers K. R. V. Hari and Sukumar Arumugam with their book

You will never guess he’s a central excise superintendent. Sukumar Arumugam, who writes under the penname Chinna Sathan (his childhood pet-name), is unassuming and a mild mannered. He has documented the nesting behaviour of 51 species of common Indian birds.

With co-author Bal Pandi, a temporary birdwatcher at Koonthakulam bird sanctuary near Tirunelveli, Sukumar spent five years researching minute aspects of nesting and bird behaviour in Koonthakulam, Sathyamangalam and Sulur. The book has 300 original photographs and 50 sketches by known naturalists like T. R. A. Arunthavaselvan, Sivaprasadh and M. S. Mayilvahanan. Apart from studying nesting, the book details riveting facts about why perching birds stand on anthills, what happens to broken egg shells and notes on various topics like sanitary habits of birds and predators of nests.

The language is simple and the colloquial descriptions of birds render the book un-put-down-able. The reader is vicariously transported to the wilds with Sukumar’s vivid descriptions and devotion to detail.

An excerpt from the prologue gives an insight into the dedication that has gone into this book:

“The scorching sun made us sweat and our eyes blurred. Sometimes we waited in our car in pin drop silence for birds to come to nest either for incubating the eggs or feeding the chicks. Even a breath sounded like a gale and sweat poured down our backs. We starved and thirsted amidst miles and miles of golden grass fields. On days when the South West Monsoon drizzled we hired a boat early in the morning and went searching for nesting birds…”Little documentation

The absence of literature on nesting of Indian birds was pointed out by the late Dr. Salim Ali, considered the father of ornithology in the country. The only works…More

The Hindu :

The latest edition of Bangalore Roof Top Film Festival (BRTFF) brought together aspiring film makers

Calling film lovers A still from the festival

For long, film making was considered out of reach of ordinary people.

Cameras and film stock were prohibitively expensive and the whole process of making a film requiredexpertise.

But with the digital era, anyone who owns a digital camcorder can make a film now.Providing a platform

Though many took to making short films, whatwas lacking in the city so far was a forum where these aspiring film makers could screen their films and have them discussed.

This is where the Bangalore Roof Top Film Festival (BRTFF) comes in providing a space for these aspiring film makers to interact. The sixth edition of the BRTFF was held recentlyat the British Council.

Conceptualised by Hrish Thota, a software professional based in the city, and Raghunandan K. S, who works in the advertisement industry, the first edition of the BRTFF was held in July 2007 when 50 people gathered together and six independent films were screened.Enthusiastic

The enthusiastic bunch has grown marginally with close to 70 people participating in the latest edition.

A total of 11 films were screened .

“I first heard about the rooftop film festival when it took place in Chennai and I wanted to do something similar in Bangalore to provide an avenue for film makers to show and talk about their films,” says Thota.Analysing films

After the screening, a discussion follows with the film maker on the techniques used and also an analysis of the plot.

Bharat Murthy, a young film maker screened three of hisfilms at the BRTFF.

He says : “Thediscussions have boosted my confidence levels. I have got several ideas now and will be soon making an independent film on my own.”

Thota has also been conducting film making workshops and with Raghunandan has founded Flaunge, a production house that makes short…More

The Hindu :

Do two names grab more eyeballs than one? International brands are tying up with Indian designers to tap new markets

The new Nivea Soft pack has a persona. Designed by Manish Arora, India’s icon of tongue-in-cheek preppy style, it suggests shine and suppleness with circus-inspired motifs.

Manish’s work for Nivea Soft is a recent inclusion in the growing list of creative collaborations between Indian designers and international brands. A fortnight ago, Puma signed Aki Narula for an exclusive design tie-up. Says Narula, who will soon launch a women’s line for the sports lifestyle brand, “It’s a revolutionary model for a partnership. Combining Puma’s infrastructure and technological platform, we will soon be able to turn experimental ideas into reality.”

While Puma is looking at “moving into a new market space” with Aki’s collection, the designer hopes to cater for a wider audience with his “well-rounded, 360 degree concept featuring footwear, apparel and accessories from mid to premium range. It will be a great opening for me internationally. The line will combine my quirky design sensibility with Puma’s performance fabric. I’m so happy to join the brand’s big list of designer collaborations that includes Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi.”

When it comes to collaborations, Manish Arora is clearly a favourite. Earlier, his Fish Fry collection for Reebok, make up line for MAC and work for Absolut Vodka created interest among consumers. Says Reebok’s Sajid Shamim, director, marketing and product, “When we launched our pilot project to promote Manish’s Fish Fry line internationally, it drew a lot of interest in markets like Japan and Europe. It’s a niche product. But within its consumer segment, it’s been received very well in India too. Design-wise, Fish Fry has Manish’s distinct aesthetic. At the same time, it is true to the sports genre it represents.”Creativity and commerce

The co-branding list does not end here. Swiss watch major…More

The Hindu : y>Olive Beach presents All That Jazz with Sonia and Harmeet

Olive Beach presents All

that Jazz with Sonia Sai and Harmeet, on July 2 from 8 p.m. onwards at the restaurant. With Sonia’s magical voice and Harmeet on the keyboards, it promises to be a scintillating evening of jazz.Sonia,has been performing across India for the past 30 years. A versatile singer, she is at home singing Pop, Rock, Funk, R&B, and Jazz. She has been hailed by audiences and music critics as the jazz diva of India.

Harmeet, a keyboard musician , has been playing professionally for over 10 years with avariety of musicians.Along with the allied genres of R&B, funk and alternative rock, Harmeet has also playedfusion music.

His primary area of musical expression is jazz improvisation. The duo comes together to create a memorable jazz evening for the first time in Bangalore. The evening is brought together in association with Jazz Wave, a group of enthusiastic musicians, jazz and fusion lovers and volunteers working on a movement to enhance the cultural niche of jazz and fusion in India. For details and reservations, call: 41128400.

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