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Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.

Maya Angelou

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The Hindu : y>Rishabh Jain on a dream role in Salman Khan’s forthcoming film Veer

Making his presence felt Rishabh Jain

One of the most eagerly awaited movies of this year, “Veer”, due for release this January, brings Salman Khan under the baton of Anil Sharma. Delhi boy Rishabh Jain is looking forward to it even more than the rest. He has a role in the film as Ramu Rath, a friend of the character played by Salman.

A period drama set in 19th Century India, the film, says Rishabh, is about a warrior group called Pindari that fights the British to win back its kingdom.

Clearing the auditions for “Veer” came as a surprise, says Rishabh, who has earlier worked in “Kagaz ki Kashti” (2003).

His most memorable moment during the shooting was the train chasing sequence, says Rishabh, as it took more than 20 shots. In this scene the character chases a train running parallel to a deep canyon.

Working under Anil Sharma was a “learning experience,” feels Rishabh. “Anilji is an excellent director,” he adds, expressing gratitude to the director of blockbusters like “Elaan-e-Jung” and “Gadar” for this chance. As for Salman, Rishabh describes him as a man of calibre and being extremely down to earth, with respectful humility. Other big names in the movie, penned by Salman and considered his dream project, include Sohail Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff, Zarine Khan and Miss Universe U.K., Lisa Lazarus.

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The Hindu :

Take in the sights and sounds of a holy city, redolent of devout people, aloo parathas and exquisite phulkari

Photos: AFP and R. SANTHANAMA RUSH OF EMOTIONS At Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh

We have a two-day break during our visit to Delhi, and the husband suggests: “Why don’t we visit Amritsar?” It turns out to be a great experience. The Sri Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, is, of course, what attracts most people to Amritsar. Under the midday sun, the temple dazzles as it stands amidst the waters of the sacred tank, the “Amritsarovar”.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had it adorned with gold-plated copper sheets. Devotees, their heads reverentially covered, wend their way through the bridge that connects the corridor on the banks with the temple. Beneath the ornate canopy lies the revered Adi Grantha Sri Guru Granth Sahibji, the Scripture of Sikhism. The Guru Langar, the community kitchen, is a distinctive feature of Sikh religion.

At the huge hall, one can just pick up a clean plate — each plate is washed nine times we are told — and get treated to soft rotis, chole, rice with ghee, and the most aromatic dal. To watch the food being prepared is an attraction on its own. The kitchen has the most efficient equipment for preparing rotis in an assembly-line process. Volunteers are seated at the last point to dab ghee on the rotis and give them the final touch.

Think Punjab, and you think of lush fields and food. For even those who are not foodies it is worth a visit to the State just to taste the scrumptious parathas and kulchas spread with desi ghee.

Located right in the heart of the Holy city, the Bharavan da Dhaba has now split into two eateries, one of which is the Brothers’ Dhaba. Both advertise the unbeatable quality of their offerings. But these are…More

The Hindu : y>

In a world where the TV and the Internet have changed the contours of spread of information and news, the trend of channels indulging in cheap sensationalism to grab eyeballs and publicity has begun to emerge. Many media outlets, cutting across mediums, seem to be indulging in this. The Telengana drama and the recent accusations by a private news channel about the role played by the Ambani brothers in the death of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy led to protests and damage to Reliance properties across the State. The company has said it will sue the channel to account for the damage. MetroPlusasks city residents on whether the media, in the mad rush for news, is fabricating or playing up non issues and creating a mountain out of a molehill.

Many felt that TV channels have been indulging in cheap sensationalism just to grab eyeballs. They felt that the channels with the spectre of 24-hour coverage manage to magnify small incidents into much bigger ones. Many felt that the media was deviating from its role of acting as a watchdog of democracy and instead focussing on issues that do not matter to most viewers. We sample some responses.

The media has become a pawn in the hands of corporate interests. The protests were hyped up by endless TV coverage and resulted in much of the riots and general breakdown of law and order that ensued. The media must be monitored.

Harsha Accountant

It is important that the media remains neutral and flourishes in any democracy. However, they should respect the privacy of people and must not pass judgements on all news, without caring for the consequences. News must not be created.

Anil Supervisor

The media is responsible in many instances for inciting miscreants to indulge in violence and often magnify minor incidents. Many people are put to trial by the self righteous…More

The Hindu :

Rann

Junglee Music, CD,

Rs. 150

It’s a full-throated seething war cry, the soundtrack of RGV’s “Rann”. As you start listening in, it becomes obvious that the songs are woven into the story. Be warned: there’s not much “music” happening. For a change, you need to concentrate on the lyrics; many ‘shudhdh’ words, unheard of in Bollywood, make an appearance. The lyrics (by Vayu, Sarim Momin, Sandip Singh and Prashant Pandey) aren’t exactly poetry, but they sound sincere, in places at least.

“Rann” is the story of TV newsroom wars. The title track “Rann Hai” is the war call, declaring that it’s an all out war of the news houses, with channels battling for audience attention. The track was much in the news last year for using the national anthem first, then Vande Mataram after the censor board objected to the first version. Now both don’t find figure in it, thankfully. It’s ironical as it talks of the power of news, as well as how ultimately it’s all one big tamasha, including the audience.

As such the theme is the same through almost all songs; each runs into the other. They talk of the age of “masala” news where it’s presented with enough “tadka”. The complete breakdown of “usool” or convictions of the individuals in the TRP-driven news system, the sensationalisation or “sansani” of news are all targets of the film’s ire.

The openers “Sikkon ki bhook” and “Remote ko baahar phek” have the all too familiar sounds from our living rooms — channel signature tunes, “breaking news” announcements, actual sound-bites from famous news anchors, and the constant flicking of channels.

The songs also pander to what the audience want to hear — that we all suffer so many ills in our country. The sarcastic “Mera Bharat mahaan” that starts with a ‘Jai India’ chant, goes on to talk of how “..sou mein se saale nabbe be-imaan” and…More

The Hindu :

At 63, veteran playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam is busier than ever. He talks of his successful tryst with television

PHOTO : S. S. KUMARSPB ROCKS The singer

Talking to seasoned playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam is like catching up with a long-lost friend. Looking relaxed in a simple yellow checked shirt and chappals, at his tastefully done up home, he relates how he’s found television a perfect pitch. SPB (as he is widely known) has steered clear of the sonic storm in today’s music world. At the same time, he has managed to remain in the groove, thanks to the tube of plenty. With his reality shows for television in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, the playback singer has reached the apogee of fame. “From a casual ‘Hi Balu,’ it has become a revered ‘Namaskaram sir’ because of the popularity of these shows,” he quips.

Graceful judging

Unlike most judges known for their pat phrases, blunt appraisals or over-the-top judging styles, SPB’s speciality lies in his calm and compassionate approach.

“It’s a two-way medium. While I impart my knowledge to youngsters, I also learn so much from them. Some have fabulous voices and amazing classical training. Why should I run them down? I tell the participants that winning isn’t all. And that not all who make it can become sensational singers overnight. Our job is to give them direction and polish their skill. Reality shows are not the ultimate test of one’s talent. Sometimes, children who perform well at rehearsals, fail in the finals. They are not used to overpowering lights and a live audience. I crack jokes, relate anecdotes and lighten the mood. I tell them it’s like an antakshari played at a family get-together,” says the star attraction of “Vaanampaadi” (Kalaignar TV) “Paadutha Theeyaga” (ETV – Telugu) and “Yede Tumbi Haaduvenu” (ETV – Kannada). His “Ennodu Paatu Paadungal” for Jaya TV too was huge hit.

A…More

The Hindu :

Check out what tinsel towners have been up to

On SCREEN Wedding in full style

Looks like all work and no play has affected signer Sonu Nigam badly. The singer who has had a rocking year with songs such as “Soniyo”, “Chiggy wiggy”, “All izz well” and “Zoobie Doobie”, was admitted to an undisclosed hospital due to low blood pressure, fatigue and minor slip disc!

If that wasn’t enough to merit complete bed rest, Sonu is also undergoing treatment for tennis elbow in both his arms. That’s a whole host of problems just before his forthcoming Singapore and Israel tours.

Time out Sonu Nigam

Divine intervention

Don’t be mistaken audiences, the stars turn not just to you but also to the Gods when their films are up for release. Recently, Ajay Devgn was spotted praying hard at Ajmer Sharif dargah for his next release, “Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge”. Is it because his business manager Kumar Mangat (who is now a producer) is launching his daughter Amrita’s career as a producer with this film, or did “All The Best” not do as well as expected?

Publicly married

Last week, a strange sight was witnessed at a suburban mall in Mumbai.

The much-married Fardeen Khan arrived on a chariot, complete with people dancing, and to the tunes of his forthcoming flick, “Dulha Mil Gaya”, to meet his bride. Wife Natasha Khan must be mighty miffed, because it was not her, but Ishita Sharma, his co-star in the film, who finally wore the garland!

HARSHIKAA UDASI

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The Hindu : y>

Grape country Get refreshed after a session of the wine therapy

Picture yourself being soaked in a bathtub full of crushed grape fruit and grape wine; being caressed with grape extracts and massaged with grape seed oil. This treatment is available at White Mantra Spa and Salon as part of its wine therapy.

Wine therapy is a rich anti-oxidant treatment which originated in France. At the White Mantra spa, the therapy would be undertaken using natural ingredients like ripe red grapes, wine from red grapes, red grape seed extracts and pure grape seed oil. It also includes body scrub and soak with after bath wine moisturiser; a one hour facial, manicure and pedicure.

Guests can choose from the various individual treatments or a combination of these exotic treatments. For more information or appointments, contact White Mantra at 32429960 or 25214870.

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The Hindu :

Some illustrious poets, writers and philosophers have sipped tea in this corner of England

Photos: By AuthorPeace and Holy Quiet At The Orchard

Sylvia Plath stood right here on a stile, and in the light of dawn recited all that she could remember of Chaucer to a “fascinated audience”. That included Ted Hughes, who recorded this interlude in his poem Chaucer. “At the top of your voice, where you swayed on the top of a stile…Your voice went over the fields towards Grantchester. It must have sounded lost. But, the cows watched…enthralled ”.

Earlier, another poet, Rupert Brooke had waxed eloquent and immortalised this place in his poem, ‘The Old Vicarage, Grantchester”.

“Stands the church clock at ten-to-three, And is there honey still for tea?”

The church at Grantchester

Indeed, there was. Honey, and plenty besides. The church stood next door, and it was half past two. We were at Grantchester at The Orchard, exactly where Rupert Brooke must have sipped his afternoon tea, and mulled over his lines.

A lovely ramble that began at Cambridge had led us past meadows and fields and ruminating cows to this picture-postcard village. In 1897, a group of students had walked the same route (referred to as the Grantchester Grind). They requested Mrs. Stevenson who lived and ran a tea room in the Edwardian Orchard House if she would so kindly serve them their beverage outside under the apple trees. She did, and thus began a wonderful Cambridge tradition.

So, here we were sitting under the apple blossoms, much like the remarkable bunch of people many years before us, who came to be known as the Grantchester Group, or, more interestingly, to use the nickname given to them by Virginia Woolf — the neo-pagans. You would have bumped into the likes of E.M Forster, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, Augustus John, Maynard Keynes and, a long, long list of the Cambridge…More

The Hindu : DEEPA GANESH

Historian and scholar Rajmohan Gandhi tells DEEPA GANESH that the 1857 uprising merits deeper introspection

Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.RECOVERYRajmohan Gandhi: ‘In India, it remained a blame game’

What happens when a serious historian and a keen biographer sets out to retell an episode from the past? It not only extends the complex relationship that historiography has had with imaginative literature, but also unfolds a fascinating account of a period in history. Rich in its literary texture, Rajmohan Gandhi’s “A Tale of Two Revolts: India 1857 and the American Civil War” compellingly reconstructs the two wars, set on two different stages in two diverse corners of the globe around the same time. Personalities who lived in this time and were a significant influence with their path-breaking ideas and philosophies become major characters of the book. Gandhi, in telling this story from the past, as these historical figures saw it, raises several vital questions in the present. You get a close, engaged glimpse of Ishwarachandra Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sayyid Ahmed Khan, Jyotiba Phule, Karl Marx, Tolstoy and Lincoln. What makes the book interesting is to see how these individuals had such varied responses to a shared context. “They connect the period we have looked at to the period in which we live,” he writes.

“It is an old curiosity of mine…,” recalls Gandhi during his visit to Bangalore. It was at a time when he wrote his book, “Revenge and Reconciliation: Understanding South Asian History” that the idea came to him. “I had remarked that the Sepoy Mutiny and the American Civil War occurred back to back and nobody had done a joint review of the two wars. No one took the hint, so I decided to do it myself,” explains the gracious historian, who wrote this insightful work in just 18 months after “Mohandas: A True Story of a Man”.

There are other…More