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The Hindu : y>A photo workshop during the Kerala boat race

Getoffurass is planning “On the Move”, an action-oriented photography workshop from August 6 to 9.

The site of location is Punnamada Lake for the Nehru Boat Race of 2009 in Alappuzha. An island resort for backpackers, Bamboo Stix, is the accommodation.

Members of the four-day workshop with Hellmuth Conz will have special access to the Kumarakom Boat, can enter the competition and go behind the scenes.

The cost of the trip is Rs. 14,500 inclusive of food, camping facilities, and workshop fees. One has to reach Cochin from where expenses are taken care of. For more details, visitwww.getoffurass.com/trip_onmove.htm

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The Hindu :

PEOPLE One of the country’s foremost photo journalists, Raghu Rai takes a nostalgic look at his life

Photo: Murali Kumar K.MASTER OF ALL HE SURVEYS Raghu Rai

His pictures do speak more than a thousand words and continue to dazzle people across the planet. Raghu Rai is one of the country’s foremost photo journalists, who has won many accolades and awards in his career spanning more than 40 years. His photos on a wide spectrum of social, economic and political issues have won many awards and have been widely acclaimed the world over.

In the city for the launch of a photography contest by Indus Pride, armed with a camera, he looks eager to click many more pictures. He says, “I have decided to be part of this competition as it involves photos and pictures, which are my passions.”

A qualified civil engineer, he decided to take up photography as a career in 1965. He jokes, “My parents thought I was mad initially.” He joined The Statesman in 1965 and resigned in 1976, having been their photo editor. Undertaking many freelance assignments, Rai also served as director of photography for India Today. His view of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy opened the world’s eyes to the human tragedy. He says, “It was a fairly risky assignment, since the chances of contamination was very high. However, in this profession, you have to take some risks, if you want to get the job done.”

Raghu says that the decision to take up photography happened quite by chance. “Luck also had a role to play. I took up photography and realised it is my true calling.”

He says, “I feel that to be a successful in any profession, you need to be passionate and eager to experiment. If photography is your interest, travelling will help you a great deal, as you would get to experiment and learn.”

He admits…More

The Hindu : y>Celebrate nature at these two resorts

HOT SPOTS Zuri and (right) The Serai

Zuri Kumarakom Resort and Spa, Kerala situated on the Vembanand Lake offers a monsoon package where you can witness the snake boat race popularly known as the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on August 8.

One can opt for an extended Independence Day weekend and celebrate India’s 62nd Independence Day.

As part of this package guests can avail a traditional welcome drink on arrival, complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets at the coffee shop and 15 per cent discount on beverages.

The package also includes one personalised barbeque dinner. The package costs Rs. 5,000 per person per night, including taxes on a twin sharing basis for a minimum of two nights between August 1 and 31.

For reservations, visitwww.thezurihotels.com or call 42647272.

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Soak in luxury this monsoon at Coffee Day Hotel and Resorts Pvt. Ltd.’s “The Serai” resort and spa, Chikmagalur, where you can spend two days, and get one night free.

Situated on 70 acres of coffee estates, The Serai offers 29 nine designer villas with amenities such as private pools, and spas. Call 41152200 or e-mailenquiries@theserai.in

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The Hindu :

Nat King Cole “Unique”CD, Rs. 395, Times Music

It is impossible to attempt to satisfy all his fans or ever do justice to this legendary musician with a single CD compilation. American musician, jazz pianist and crooner Nat King Cole, the Fifties man with the velvet, magical voice, is worth a re-visit, particularly so on a laid-back Sunday afternoon.

This “Unique” compilation puts together some of his melodious and more popular tracks for the lay Cole fan. Those who swear by Cole’s jazz days and feel that Cole is often remembered for all the wrong songs, may turn their nose up at this popular compilation but sweet sounds from the past in tracks like “Mona Lisa”, “Sweet Loraine” and “There goes my heart” may just lure them back. This is a rather conventional compilation with few surprises to offer.Variety missing

It starts off with the lovely and heart-rending “Unforgettable”. This hugely popular song, written by Irving Gordon, has been covered by over a dozen artistes over the years, including Sammy Davis Jr, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee and Kenny Rogers.

Yet Cole’s rendition is the most remarkably serene of them all — this is also true of the posthumous duet his daughter Natalie performed using her father’s old recording, with a little help from technology, of course.

Starting with this slow and romantic track, the compilation goes on to his poignant and melancholic “Monalisa” and up-beat tracks such as “I’m in the mood for love” and “Sweet Loraine”.

The underlying tunes of romance are sustained throughout this compilation. Cole fans, who love him equally for his fun and soulful Christmassy renditions, miss a dash of variety in this offering.

Edgier tracks like “Meet me at no special place” or even “Cole capers” could have rendered this compilation a little unusual. The play list offers nothing for those who already own several Cole albums.

Nat King Cole was…More

The Hindu :

Munnar’s Westwood Riverside Garden Resort offers the best of nature and a dose of the colonial hangover

PHOTOS: BY AUTHORSCENIC SPLENDOUR At Westwood Riverside Garden Resort

I sat facing the perennial river Munnar that bejewels this picturesque boutique hotel, munching on a simple and tasty south Indian breakfast of pongal-idli-vada. Birds chirped in the background and the river flowed gently, winding its way through the virgin green tea plantations.

At seven in the morning, it was absolute silence and sheer bliss and I was in total communion with the delightful melodies of nature in the theme restaurant called Claypot at the Westwood Riverside Garden Resort in Munnar.

This abode of luxury and comfort is among the first three-star hotels that came up in this enchanting hill station at the turn of the Century. The property with 42 rooms stands on 25 cents with a landscape that is predominantly lush green and wooden brown.

The scenic beauty outside is matched by a colonial hangover inside. The hotel, promoted by the EVM Leisure Holidays & Resorts group, is housed in an old building built by the British, as is the case with most structures in this once summer retreat of the Raj.

The reception area and the lobby have a strong influence of English paintings and architecture. The lift, for instance, is done like a telephone booth in London. The antique telephone, the garden benches, the lamppost… all add to the façade.

I relaxed in the cheery interiors of the presidential suite, a unique construction with glass walls.

This indeed is a special room with a 360 degree view of the rich woods, misty mountains, springing streams, breathtaking landscapes, sprawling tea estates.

Each of the other 41 well-appointed rooms too has a river view and is categorised as executive, deluxe or standard.

The salubrious climate in Munnar is perhaps why I am unable to keep hunger at bay. And the…More

The Hindu :

Pakistani fusion band Laal has catapulted to fame with its uplifting music and poetic lyrics. Taimur Rahman, the band’s composer talks about their journey

Photo: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTSpeaking up Laal members have successfully exploited the appeal of poetry to most Pakistanis (right) Taimur Rahman on stage

A former teacher at the Lahore School of Economics and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Taimur Rahman used to play the guitar in his classes to entertain and teach.

In fact, Shahram Azhar, the lead vocalist of the band, was his student at LUMS. Taimur is also famous in Pakistani theatre as a producer, director and actor.

The band became popular after their video “Maine usse yeh kaha”, which was based on a poem by Habib Jalib. Taimur’s cousin and Laal’s flutist Haider Rahman has trained under Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Akmal Qadri.

The Laal Brigade fan club has chapters in many cities of Pakistan. Laal members wear their communist leanings on their sleeves and have successfully exploited the appeal of poetry for most Pakistanis.

“Arguably, we are the most politicised youth out there, something that was lacking in the 1990s,” says Taimur, who is currently doing his PhD on the class structure of Pakistan from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

Excerpts from the interview:

A communist at the LUMS. Isn’t it surprising?

It’s not surprising. It’s shocking!

Given the preponderance of reactionary organizations in public universities, sometimes the space for open debate is more open in such private universities. LUMS now has a liberal arts undergraduate program. And what is a liberal arts program if it does not include at least some understanding of Marxism.

How is London? How are youth and South Asians in Europe receiving your music?

Being in London is like being in self-imposed exile. Nonetheless, London was where we were based when we recorded our first single. But so far we have not had…More

The Hindu :

Raveena Tandon in a candid mood

Raveena Tandon is back in business as the judge of reality shows. However, she doesn’t call it her return.

“I was never out of the news. The media kept writing about my marriage, motherhood, pets…and what not.”

Does she mind it? “Not at all. When you are in public life, you are bound to be written about. Most of the actors like it and I am no different.”

“But some of us don’t like when the media begins to give stories twists according to their convenience or peep into our personal lives. I am not too much concerned because I believe both are dependent on each other and the media has its own territory to cater to and we must respect it.”Changing trends

During her hey days, actresses didn’t come into the open about their relationships but now the trend is changing. “I never tried to hide such things. In our society people do get into relationships and then move out if things don’t work out but if an actress does the same people begin to doubt her character.”Bridging the divide

“Earlier, the film industry was also a bit backward. Stories of how a director picked a young girl from a small town and turned her into a star were common. Rest, like me, came from families who were part of the industry.”

“Now girls from different backgrounds are taking films as a career. Deepika Padukone is the daughter of a sports icon. Priyanka Chopra’s parents are doctors. That is why the divide between the two worlds is bridging fast.”

A judge on “Chhote Miyan” on Colors, Raveena says her comic sense is up to the mark.

“Don’t you remember? My last few films were with Govinda?” As a mother of two, does she approve of reality shows involving kids? The actress, who has been the chairperson of the Children’s…More

The Hindu : y>

Sisterly affection Choose your special rakhi

Raksha Bandhan is a time for celebration and sibling revelry. To bridge the physical distances between siblings, TNT India offers a special service — “Rakhi Bandhan”, an innovative express service for sisters to send their rakhi wishes to their brothers.

It allows sisters to send a rakhi with the teeka, akshata (holy rice) and a personalised message in a handmade scroll, packed in a handcrafted box. The gift box used is designed by children of the Spastic Society of Karnataka. The offer is available from up to July 27 for deliveries abroad, while deliveries within the country will be accepted till July 31.The package is available with a 50 percent discount on full tariff for international consignments and deliveries within India. For more information call 1800-425-9999 or e-mailin.marketing@tnt.com.

The Anmol Rakhi service offers a “Designer rakhi” and specially designed boxes for roli and chawal in a handcrafted wooden box, which would be assembled in a gift pack and delivered. Delivery within India is available for Rs. 101. For more information about tariffs log on towww.anmolrakhi.com or call 1800-1800-977.

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The Hindu : y>Visit Hong Kong before August 31 and get great offers

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has started its two-month-long summer promotional campaign — Hong Kong Summer Spectacular.

This will run till August 31. During this period, visitors can receive more than HK$ 9000 worth special offers and privileges.

The HKTB has also produced a ‘Hip Hot Hong Kong’ guide that features top places for trendy shopping, dining, accommodation and entertainment.

The guide will be distributed free to visitors. There is also a ‘Go Discover Hong Kong with VISA’ lucky draw, and other sales offers in major tourist districts and shopping malls.

For details, visit discoverhongkong.com

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The Hindu : y>Mahesh Bhatt tells MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER that writing about U. G. Krishnamurthy was almost a physical compulsion

Photo: Bhagya prakash k.REFLECTIONS Mahesh Bhatt describes U.G’s life and his vigil in March 2007 in Italy

Mahesh Bhatt is an interviewer’s dream come true. The articulate writer-filmmaker is so kind as to speak in eminently-quotable quotes. By the time you are done talking to him, you also have the article all neatly formed out in your head.

In town to promote his new film, “Jashnn” and his book on U. G. Krishnamurthy’s final days, “A Taste of Life” (Penguin, Rs. 225) Mahesh took time out at Crossword bookstore to talk about the forms his creativity has taken. He insists there is no dichotomy in the two disciplines.

“I am in the illusion-manufacturing, not in the reality-making business. However, just because I tell fairy tales does not mean I believe in them. Happy endings keep us in business. The destruction of the idea of god is at once catastrophic and liberating.”

The director of searing dramas like “Arth” and “Saransh” and exquisite love stories like “Ashiqui” and “Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin” has not made a film after the National-Award winning “Zakhm”.

“The desire to tell stories waned after ‘Zakhm’. So I set up a story-telling shop for young people with the mandatory delusions!”

Talking about what drove him to write the book, Mahesh demands: “Why does the heart beat? It was an almost physical compulsion, an impulse to put into words the extraordinary phenomenon of 2007 when I saw the essence of my life, U.G., pass away effortlessly.”

Mahesh describes U.G’s life and his vigil in the March of 2007 in Vallecrosia in Italy (where U.G. passed away) in his slim, readable volume. “U.G. chose to exit. He did not want to continue with life support. He just chose to stop eating. That, according to the gospel of man, is a…More