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The Hindu : y>Vh1 launches five new shows

Vh1 introduces five new shows packed with glamour, lifestyle and adrenaline — “Fashion File”, “The Scene”, “The Fabulous Life”, “GP Racing” and “Daily 10”.

“Fashion File” (Mondays, 9 p.m.) travels across the fashion runways of New York, Paris, London and Milan to the biggest designers, models and couture houses.

“The Scene” (Tuesdays, 9 p.m.) showcases up-to-date reports from cinema, music, television and the arts. Catch the latest albums reviews, hottest music videos, artiste interviews, and more.

“The Fabulous Life” (Wednesdays, 9 p.m.) takes viewers on a fast-paced, first-class joy ride through the world of luxury. From the most exclusive neighbourhoods in Hollywood to gold-plated Wall Street, watch the good life up close.

On Fridays at 9 p.m., watch “GP Racing”, a topical series that focuses on the Formula One season. The show previews forthcoming events and provides insights into the business of F1.

“The Daily 10”, the half-hour show on weekdays at 10 p.m., highlights the top 10 stories of the day, and includes a potpourri of the latest pop culture information.

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The Hindu : y>Anushka Sharma tells NIKHIL VARMA she shares a similar career trajectory with good friend and fellow Bangalorean Deepika Padukone

Photo: Sampath Kumar g.p.Angel eyes Anushka Sharma believes it all boils down to luck and talent

She is all of 22, stands tall and living a fairytale of sorts. For most young, upcoming actors in the Hindi film industry, working with Shah Rukh Khan is a dream. Playing the demure Tanni, opposite King Khan in the reclusive Aditya Chopra’s “Rab Ne Bana di Jodi”, Anushka Sharma had a dream debut. Fans in the UK have compared her performance favourably to Kajol’s portrayal of Simran 14 years ago in “DDLJ”.

“It was a great experience. Though I was never very keen on acting in the beginning, I enjoyed the experience. I never expected to begin my acting career opposite Shah Rukh, who I have always considered an icon. Working for one of the biggest production industries in the country alongside top stars was a great feeling.”

She adds, “The best part of starting your career with stalwarts like Shah Rukh and Vinay Pathak is the fact that you learn a lot, about the industry. Initially, I was a bit scared, but they put me at ease and helped me better my acting skills. I enjoyed working and shooting for ‘Rab Ne…’ a lot.”

Anushka was noticed as a 15-year-old by fashion guru, Prasad Bidappa, and took up modelling, much before “Rab Ne…” happened. She says, “Initially, I thought my modelling career would remain paramount and acting would be secondary. That has changed now. I am now keen on furthering my acting career in the industry.” Anushka says she is working on more films for the Yash Raj banner.”

Currently working on a project with Shahid Kapoor, she says, “He is a superb actor and a gem of a person. We are having a great time on the sets.”

Anushka feels…More

The Hindu :

Former India player Vijay Bharadwaj feels that rural talent must be tapped for Karnataka to achieve greatness in the sport

Photo:Bhagya Prakash K.System change Vijay Bharadawaj feels that changes are necessary in the existing system

In a massive gathering of former greats and current cricketers, Vijay Bharadwaj is more comfortable away from the media glare. As he ambles along the hall inside the Chinnaswamy stadium during the launch of theKarnataka Premier League (KPL) tournament , wicket-keeping legend Syed Kirmani yelled, “Coach! Where are you?” Bharadwaj smiled, mumbled a few words and moved on.

It was typical behaviour from a man who does not enjoy media attention a great. Some may think that after resigning as coach of the Karnataka team, he has become a recluse on the run. That statement is far removed from the truth.

He is definitely not a recluse and has proved his credentials as a batsman, who played the role of a sheet anchor and led Karnataka to many Ranji Trophy triumphs and managed to perform well in his assignment as team coach recently.He says, “I decided to give up the coach’s post during the South Zone limited overs tournament, I messaged Brijesh Patel, KSCA secretary about my desire to opt out. I am clear about the kind of coaching I would like to impart.”

He adds, “Instead of managing players who are professional and rather comfortable with their game at the senior level, I want to help cricketers at the junior levelacross the State. I could have stayed on as the State coach and boasted that we reached the Ranji quarter-finals. That is not my style.”

Vijay quips, “I have been part of teams that won the Ranji Trophy. It is sad that current crop of players have not tasted much success at the Ranji level. I have been handling the State team for two years and felt a drop in…More

The Hindu : y>Event There will be a two-day music festival this weekend

Neelambari, the association of students of Sangeetha Kalarathna Vidushi Neela Ramgopal, will present a two-day music festival.

The fest begins on July 25 to commemorate the birth centenary of legendary musician Sangita Kalanidhi G.N. Balasubramaniam.

The late singer was not only a trail-blazing musician but also a composer par excellence. He has to his credit several kritis, varnams and tillanas in a variety of ragas. Both the concerts in the festival will be devoted to compositions of this legendary singer. The inaugural day will see a performance by Sumitra Nitin and the second day will feature a concert by Geetha Murthy, which will also feature a talk by Neela Ramgopal on “G.N.B. the legend and his contribution to Carnatic Music”.

The venue is Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, Banashankari. The programme is scheduled at 5.30 p.m. and is open to all.

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The Hindu :

Come, wear a raw turquoise or coral on your neck, invites Divya Thomas, who brings to Bangalore her exotic range of handmade jewellery

Photo: K. GopinathanBEHIND THE BAUBLE CURTAIN Lies the world that Divya Thomas created

Combine slices, nuggets, and chunks of turquoise with red hot chilli corals, sprinkle a dash of Angel’s skin coral, pepper it with some beads made from solidified lava.

And you have a gorgeous recipe for a line of funky and chunky jewellery called Karma Suthra.

Bangalore-raised and U.S.-based Divya Thomas burns the midnight oil literally, stringing together semi-precious jewellery after her part-time day job is done and her family’s gone to bed.

“I work like an elf at night back home,” says thedesigner, making each of these one-of-a-kind pieces herself. She predominantly makes necklaces and earrings, and sets to match. With a job as a clinical research co-ordinator at Duke’s Hospital in North Carolina, and a degree in environment science tucked under her arm, it was a chance class she took over two years ago that strung her to the world of beads and baubles.

“I just came across a shop called ‘Flame-Kissed Beads’ in the U.S. one day when I had gone grocery shopping. They had beads from all over the world and it was beautiful. They offered a class in jewellery making, and I have a flair for colour. I started picking up more beads and stringing them together and haven’t stopped since,” says Divya cheerfully.

After typically having made them for friends and family as gifts, she realised that there was potential when her daughter’s nurse said she wanted to buy a piece Divya was wearing.

It was her own creation. “I thought ‘Why not?’ And friends were forcing me to do a show and 65 friends turned up for it and I sold quite a bit.”

But why go back to the predictable ‘karma’ and ‘suthra’ kind of name?…More

The Hindu : y>

Green Warriors’ meet, the grand finale art exhibition displaying the eco-artworks of students. Organised by Greenpeace on July 24 and 25 at Alliance Francaise, Vasanthnagar from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.DANCE

As part of the Nrithya Vaibhava 3 dance festival, Sharmila Mukerjee will present a performance of classical Odissi dance on July 25 at Seva Sadan, 14th Cross, Malleswaram, 6.30 p.m.PLAY

Ranga Shankara brings Sartre’s Antaheen. The play in Hindi is based on Jean-Paul Sartre’s famous play In Camera is being directed by Manav Kaul from Mumbai. Based on one of the best of Sartre’s plays, “Antaheen” talks about how hell is not what we imagine it to be but is something that can be self-created and need not be an after -life destination.

The play premieres on July 24, 7.30 p.m. atRanga Shankara and will run till July 26. There will be two shows on July 26 at3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Tickets priced Rs. 100 are available at the venue andwww.indianstage.in.

Call 26493982.

Version One Dot Oh! (VODO) premieres its latest production — “Six Degrees of Separation” on July 24 and 25 at Alliance Francaise ( tickets at Rs. 200) and on July 28, 29 and 30 at Rangashankara (tickets at Rs.150). The play is about a typical upper middle class household on the East Side of Manhattan, the Kittredges, who are busy entertaining an old friend of theirs. The play, set to the tune of a fine cocktail conversation, pieces together events that happened around this one night. Call: 98458-12480/ 98804-26783.

SALE

A happiness sale is on at Central from July 18. Consumers can get discounts on some of the leading brands in categories such as formal wear, casual wear, party wear and ethnic wear. There is a 15 per cent discount on cosmetic brands.

Van Heusen has announced a 50 per cent discount on Van Heusen, Van Heusen Woman and V Dot. Available…More

The Hindu :

Play golf at courses across the world with the simulator

TEE OFF Play a round of virtual golf

You need not actually head to the greens to get a fix of the golfing experience, you can just do that in a pub. Welcome to ‘Virtual Golf ’, a new golfing concept introduced in Bangalore by Urban 18 Holes Ltd.

The company is headed by a golf addict, Kishore Reddy. The game comprises a golf simulator, that provides you an opportunity to playon any chosen course on the planet on a giant screen.

If you are beginner, the game allows a professional to help you and put you through the basics of the sport.

One such simulator has been installed at theXtreme Sports Pub on Bannerghatta Road, providing you a opportunity to tee off, while downing chilled beer.

Why play with a simulator? “There are many advantages,” says Kishore.

He adds, “Taking into account the potential for growth and the fact that golfing centres are a rarity in India, we decided to build a stimulator. It bridges the gap between the demand and availability and saves customers the hassles of getting a membership in golf clubs. It also provides a complete sporting experience.”

When the facility was inaugurated last Sunday, some professional players tried out the stimulator and claimed that it provided the ‘real experience’. The computer-aided simulator also allows the opportunity to organise competitions among players in different centres across the country.”

Sreedhar Rao, Business Development Advisor of Urban 18 Holes points out another advantage of virtual golf. He says, “When you play, the pop-up on screen tells you where your shot has landed, the speed, trajectory and provides a complete analysis of the stroke, which is very difficult on a normal course”.

The location of the Xtreme sports bar makes an ideal location for “virtual golf”. Rao says, “It is moderately priced and an ideal place to…More

The Hindu : NAMITA JAIN

Versatile, inexpensive and convenient, running is one of the most efficient ways to lose weight and achieve fitness

Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it — Oprah Winfrey

Why run?

All of us run… run to catch a ball, to pick up our child, to catch a train, a bus.

Running is an extremely popular and effective way of keeping fit.

The wonderful thing about running is you can run anytime, anywhere, alone or in a group. It is versatile, inexpensive, convenient and one of the most efficient ways to lose weight and achieve fitness.

Running is personal, so set your goal. What is yours?

To lose weight?

To feel energetic?

To challenge yourself and run one km non-stop?

To feel fit?

To participate in your city run?

To enjoy the freedom of running?

The benefits of running

Improves circulation, more oxygen reaches the cells eliminating wastes and carbon dioxide.

Improves your metabolic rate, lowers cholesterol levels and strengthens the heart muscles.

Utilises blood glucose rapidly as the muscles contract and lungs expand vigorously.

Increases the mineral density of the bone and reduces the risk of osteoporosis with age.

Builds and strengthens muscle tissue, especially in the lower limbs.

Boosts the immune system of the body and its ability to fight and recover from disease and illness.

Enhances the state of mind and the wellness of the body.

Hints for runners

Way to run Always build up the distance and the time that you run in small increments, particularly if you are new to running. When you want to quicken your pace, ensure that you work on increasing the intensity of your arms as well as the legs. When running uphill, alter your body weight forwards in the stride to allow for the steeper gradient.

Running rules

Here are some suggestions to stay safe and healthy whether it is cold, hot…More

The Hindu : y>

Understanding disease The programme deconstructs pandemics

The recent outbreak of H1N1 is only the latest in a series of deadly global battles between man and virus. Discovery Channel’s “Anatomy of a Pandemic” takes a look at what a future pandemic might look like and how we can prepare ourselves better. The programme shall also deal with the World Health Organisation phases of pandemic alert, how viruses reproduce and spread and the manner in which information technology and data mining software have resulted in early detection. The programme will be aired on Saturday, July 25, at 8 p.m. with a repeat telecast at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, only on Discovery Channel.

Over the last few decades, the extent of air travel and open borders has created enormous opportunities for the spread of viruses. With practically limitless borders, containment and precautionary measures are crucial. The programme will takes a look at the developments in technology, research, and medicine that have provided tools that help in planning and preventing these pandemics.

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The Hindu :

Multifaceted Luke Kenny turns TV anchor with Rolling Stone

Rock on Luke Kenny: ‘The Beatles is a favourite; I was also inspired by MJ’

A rolling stone gathers no moss, but this man, in spite of juggling many roles, has managed to gather them all (read fame, popularity, moolah and opportunities). The first Indian male VJ, a musician, director, columnist and actor, Luke Kenny wears many hats, and each fits him to perfection.

After “Rock On”, Luke will now be seen on NDTV Good Times, hosting a show, ‘The Rolling Stone.’ “The show is created and designed to match the magazine by the same name. It’ll combinevarious segmentsfrom the magazine, such as the review andthe rock ‘n’ roll sections. It’s the television version of the magazine,” says Luke. Since Luke writes a couple of columns for the The Rolling Stonehe says that anchoring the show ishis way of extending his sensibility. The show will be aguide to everything that makes it in the world of music.

Coming from a family of musicians, it was inevitable thatLuke would become one.His grandfather wasa drummer in a jazz band and his father a member of a band in the 1960’s.“Growing up in the 1970s, I also had a lot of film music around me apart from the music my dad and grandfather introduced me to,” smiles Luke. He enjoys playing the guitar, keyboard and harmonica. Not just music, this part-Irish, part-Italian and part-British gentleman is also a talented dancer. Talent coupled with good looks, it isn’t surprising that Luke was India’s first male VJ. “I used to be a DJ. One night I was playing at a club and Channel V was covering the party and they saw me doing my stuff and asked me to audition as a VJ the next morning at 6. I finished playing at the party at 4.30 a.m. and headed for…More