News

The Hindu : y>

Tyre major Bridgestone recently launched its new Adrenalin Potenza RE001 and Dueler HP Sport tyres in India. Imported from Japan, these radials are designed for the premium luxury saloon and SUV segments respectively, and are available in 17- and 18-inch rim sizes at all Bridgestone Select showrooms .

The Adrenalin Potenza RE001 features an asymmetrical, rigid-tread design to handle high cornering forces at lower steering angles. It also comes with a semi-slick shoulder design and an asymmetrical rim guard to improve sidewall stiffness, handling and steering response.

The second offering, the HP Sport, is an expansion of the existing Bridgestone Dueler range for premium SUVs, and is designed to not only to deliver enhanced grip and control for high-performance 4WD/ AWD vehicles, but also for better steering response and performance on wet surfaces.

<FONT …More

The Hindu : y>Writer Ira Trivedi tells MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBERthat she is comfortable in her skin

Photo: K. GopinathanWRITE RIGHT Ira Trivedi: ‘Life is all about collecting experiences. I enjoy observing, being on the outside.’

After her second novel, “The Great Indian Love Story” (Penguin Rs. 199), was published, people started looking at Ira Trivedi as a writer. “And that’s what I am,” exclaims Ira who was in town for the launch of “TheGreat Indian Love Story”. It is easy to mistake her to be a model given her peaches-and-cream complexion, her height (5’ 7.8”) and her lissom grace. Ira did have a brush with the beauty business when she took part in the Miss India Contest in 2004. Her experiences of the training sessions took shape as the snappy, vivacious novel, “What Would You Do to Save the World?” (2006) (Penguin, Rs. 250).

“I had attended this literary conference and realised I am happy in my skin as a writer of commercial fiction,” Ira says pulling a shawl closer around herself. “I like the Bangalore cold, it is not brutal like Delhi,” she says in an aside.

So does that mean literary fiction is a complete no-no? “For now. I might try it later.” Ira does not prefer to call her books chick lit. “Since I am a woman, I write about stuff women would be interested in. That is not to say only women read my books.”

This economics graduate from Wellesley College Massachusetts with an MBA from Columbia Business School is the personification of beauty and brains. Ira says she did not have to overcompensate because of her looks.

Both the novels share one thing in common — Riya, the protagonist’s name. “I decided to stick with the name. I don’t apply logic of any kind. I go with the flow, with whatever feels right when I am writing.”

Though Ira has travelled the world living in “nine cities…More

The Hindu : y>Unusual models and eco-friendly fuel alternatives were the highlight of the Tokyo Motor Show

Show stealers Honda Skydeck Concept,

The theme of this year’s show was ‘fun driving for us, eco-driving for the earth’, and we saw some quirky models as well as the latest alternatively-fuelled vehicles.Mitsubishi PX-MiEV

Mitsubishi’s hybrid concept car unveiled at the Tokyo show will form the basis of a model scheduled for production in 2013. Called PX-MiEV, it is an SUV with a conscience. Its all-wheel-drive system and even its paintwork and seats are said to help save fuel. The PX-MiEV combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor in an all-new hybrid powertrain. At low-to-medium speeds, the electric motor alone drives the car. As the batteries start to run out of charge the petrol engine cuts in to serve as a generator. Front-or four-wheel drive is selected electronically through Mitsubishi’s Super All Wheel Control (SAWC) system, while an electronic differential decides how much drive effort should go to each rear wheel.

Air suspension can be set at three different ride heights to suit the terrain, while the glass blocks out ultra-violet light. The paint reflects the sun’s heat, and individually air-conditioned seats allow the main climate system to be turned down to save energy and reduce CO2.Honda Skydeck Concept

MPVs don’t have to be big boring boxes on four wheels. Honda’s Skydeck concept car shows they can be sleek and stylish, too. The Skydeck has a flat, low floor to lower the centre of gravity, but a high central tunnel that could easily house the fuel stack and batteries. The first and second rows of seats sprout from the central tunnel like leaves off a branch. At the rear there is a two-seater bench. At just over 4.6 metres long, Skydeck is slightly shorter than the Accord saloon, but it is taller and has a longer wheelbase. It…More

The Hindu : y>Spend a day learning from guitarists from all over the world

SHARING MUSIC Konarak Reddy

Three international guitarists with varied styles and techniques come together at fellow-guitarist Konarak Reddy’s artists’ retreat, Infinite Souls. The Guitar Clinic will be a day-long event on November 15 with Don Ross (Canada), Masa Sumide (Japan) and Sandor Szabo (Hungary). They will teach and share their playing skills and knowledge. The clinic will feature classes on finger style techniques, chord/scale relationships, rhythmic concepts on guitar, various harmonic techniques, Hungarian Gypsy melodies (Malkams) and improvisation. Participants will receive a complementary booklet from Infinite Souls with music theory on scales, harmony and 12 bar blues.

There will be opportunities to play with the guitarists as well as receive critiques. The day will close with an informal and intimate concert for workshop participants. The fee for this music clinic is Rs. 4,000, including breakfast and lunch. For registrations log on to http://worldguitarnights.com. A pick up and drop from St. Mark’s Road for Rs. 200 is also arranged.

For details call 9845213857 or 9845393685.

<FONT …More

The Hindu :

Shailja Jain calls her paintings optimistic

Photo: Murali Kumar K.Self Taught Shailja is fond of abstracts among others

Shailja Jain’s home is very artistic. Almost every wall in every room adorns paintings done by Shailja herself. “My paintings are very optimistic,” she beams, as she takes you through her house explaining her works. We start with one called “Miles To Go”, which has a person moving from darkness to light. “Someone is Coming” is another painting that has three women in a desert who have cast their eyes faraway.

“The Other Side of the Beach” is about the lives of fishermen. “We always go to the beach to have fun and never think that life can be hard on a beach too, where fishermen work long hours for a living,” she explains, and takes you to another which she says is a painting of Nainital. “This one depicts the four seasons – spring, summer, rain and autumn. Someone pointed out that there are no pink flowers in Nainital. But, my heart was so convinced that it would look good so I went ahead and added the pink,” she laughs and adds: “You will never find any negative emotions or thought in my work either.”

Shailja belongs to a Jain family from Kanpur and started drawing and sketching as a child. “I was pretty good and was encouraged by all my family members,” recalls this self-taught artist. “You see if I had training, maybe I would have stuck on to some structure or style. But now I am free. I just do as my heart feels. And may be that’s why art is appreciated,” she says.

Talking about her strength, she says she is good in merging colours.Shailaja has never attempted making a portrait, but plans to try one soon.“May be first I will try working with a photograph and later shift to real models.

“Initially I…More

The Hindu :

Aftab Shivdasani turns producer with Aao Wish Karein

What’s important? Listen to Aftab Shivdasani

Aftab Shivdasani entered the film industry with Ram Gopal Verma’s “Mast” when he wasin his twenties. He has come a long way since and now makes his debut as a producer with “Aao Wish Karein”. He talks about the five most important aspects of his debut production.

My production company: “I started a film production company called Rising Son Entertainment in November 2006, not knowing what I was going to do with it. Everyone has a dream and my dream was to make a film one day.Three years have elapsedand now we are talking about ‘Aao Wish Karein’, which I have co-produced with Mumbai Mantra.”

My writer: “I had an idea in 2005; I discussed it with my writer, Ravindra Manga, and he prepared a draft for the film. In December 2007, I was shooting in Mauritius for ‘Money Hai Toh Honey Hai’, and while sitting in my car one day, I heard the song ‘Sab se peeche hum khade’ from the movie ‘Let’s Enjoy’. It just blew me away. I called Ravindra in Delhi and told him I was sending him the song and that I was going to write the script with him. Wewrote the screenplay of ‘Aao Wish Karein’ on the phone.”

My director: “The first person who came to my mind was Glenn. I had worked with him for the first time when I was 16, I had done two music videos for an album called ‘Mitwa’ .”

My music directors: “It was Ankur’s song which had struck me in Mauritius, so why not ask him to do the film? That is how Ankur Tewari and Mikey McCleary came in. Then Ankur put me on to Xulfi who sent me songs via email.”

My heroine — Aamna Shariff: “I suggested Aamna’s name and everyone had this huge smile…More

The Hindu :

Augmented reality was the flavour of the season at TEDIndia — a fast-paced, intense stage show

EXHILARATING It had everything from culture to technology to spiritualism

It’s the Woodstock of ideas in this age of information. So befittingly, professors, scientists, actors, social workers, designers, entrepreneurs, comics or dancers are the new rock stars at TED. The TED conference, a cult phenomenon on the Internet with more than 250 million viewers thus far, was held in India, at the Infosys campus at Mysore recently. And the verdict: every bit as discursive as expected.

TED, an acronym for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a fast-paced, intense stage show. Capped at 18 minutes, every speaker brings with him an idea, a concept that makes audiences think, gape in awe, clap furiously, or even raise over 100,000 dollars to help an organisation for victims of sexual abuse. What makes it special is the fact that organisers of this 25-year-old show think of the speaker list as a museum. Highly-curated, the result is an eclectic mix of speakers, from across the world and, more interestingly, from obscure pockets of India.Innovative articulations

So what was a typical day at TEDIndia like? A Swedish professor of public health turns the not-so-exciting trajectory of per capita income growth and health in India-China into a high pitched football commentary, a Maldives-based biologist reveals the travel itinerary of your average dragon fly, a classical dancer tells the story of her battle with breast cancer through a dance recital, a 16-year-old headmaster talks (in Bengali) of his passion for knowledge, a Tibetan Karmapa emphasises on “connections of the heart” and an articulate politician tells us that in the modern age, the country with the best story wins the war!

To call it a potpourri would be insulting. Singer Usha Uthup chose a religious song to open the first session, but came back to floor…More

The Hindu : y>PVR Pictures brings the Twilight series of films to India

Forbidden love story Between mortal and vampire

Worldwide sensation “Twilight”, the English film based on the worldwide bestseller series authored by Stephenie Meyer, is releasing in India.

PVR Pictures will release“Twilight” on November 20 in India, followed by the release of “New Moon”, it’s sequel on December 4.

“Twilight”, directed by Catherine Hardwicke is a modern, visual, action-packed and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love story— between vampire and mortal.

“The twilight saga: New moon” directed by Chris Weitz is the second instalment of Stephenie Meyer’s successful twilight series. The romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level and packs in passion, suspense and action.

<FONT …More

The Hindu : y>TESTDRIVE The new Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a mini sports bike that packs a punch, reports Rishad Cooper

Indian motorcycling aficionados have enjoyed a raft of big-ticket, big-bike launches. Yamaha set the superbike ball rolling with its YZF-R1 and MT-01. Suzuki followed suit with the Hayabusa and Intruder. And Honda’s CBR1000RR and CB1000R, Yamaha’s road-ripping V-MAX and the India-bound Harley-Davidsons have only served to stir up more excitement. Unfortunately, colossal import duties mean such super bikes are priced within the reach of only a few.

Nevertheless, there exists a buyer segment with an addictive need for speed. For them small-capacity bikes don’t take the cake, while the heavier models are over-the-top.

Enter the mini-sportsbike that packs a punch — the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

The 250R is one handsome motorcycle sold in two shades in India — black or the trademark Kawasaki green. The 250R is sporty with its angular bodywork well sculpted and decal-free. Much of the bike comes in a dull, black finish, including 17-inch wheels, the cockpit, slim flank and tail bits as well as the silencer canister. Above a sporty mudguard, the mini-Ninja displays a pair of intimidating headlights. The fairing-mounted mirrors function perfectly as does the bike’s large, raked visor that kept us well-protected at high speeds.

The analogue dials, which look more in line with a bike born in the 1980s are clear to decipher at all speeds. The speedometer reads up to 200 kph, while the rev-gauge redlines from 13,000 rpm, going up to 15,000 rpm.Fuelled by style

Kawasaki would have done well to include a fuel gauge, although the motorcycle does provide a temperature indicator and single trip facility in addition to its odometer. You couldn’t ask for better palm grips on a bike and the Ninja’s levers fitted our fingers perfectly too. The tank is long with a stylish fuel filler, after which all eyes will appreciate neat…More

The Hindu :

Global terrorism forms the crux of Rensil D’Silva’s directorial debut Kurbaan

DIRECTOR’S WISHLIST Saif and Kareena add the romantic quotient to the tale of terror

With just a few days left for the release of his debut directorial effort “Kurbaan”, Rensil D’Silva is burning the midnight oil to ensure that his gallant effort has no last minute slip-ups.

“Many of the best of films totter on their last leg,” says Rensil of his romantic thriller starring real-life couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, in their first-ever romantic pairing.

Currently the director and screenplay writer is adding finishing touches to the music video of “Kurbaan hua”, a song that’s already up on the popularity charts. Karan Johar’s banner Dharma Productions is producing the movie.

“‘Kurbaan’ is Karan’s idea. To be fair, it is a cross genre — part romantic, part thriller. I am very confident of the product” says Rensil, a renowned advertising professional best known for his fantastic screenplay for “Rang De Basanti” (RDB).

Rensil thinks the appeal of the film lies in its concept. “The love story also encompasses international concerns over terrorism so it gives me a wider reach as a filmmaker. Also it’s not linear,” he says.

So should one expect something on the lines of RDB’s back and forth treatment? “In ‘RDB’, we had the liberty to go back and forth in time, but here it is different. If I am cross-cutting, it is between locations and scenes,” explains Rensil.

“I’d actually say there are very few films based on this topic. It is an international concern and filmmakers are reflecting this. But besides ‘New York’ and ‘My Name Is Khan’ (MNIK), I can’t think of other names. Personally, if I were to categorise ‘New York’, it would be a drama and though I haven’t seen MNIK, I assume it is also a drama. I don’t think the themes overlap at all,”…More