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The Hindu : SUBHA J RAO

It’s that time of the year again when stores beckon with massive discounts. How do you pick and choose and bring back everything to base?

What are you going to shop for?

Garments, electronic gadgets, cosmetics or jewellery? Decide the destination accordingly.

Pack sensibly

If you’ve pre-decided to shop for garments, it does not make any sense carrying too many from home.

Spare bags

Take a big suitcase, and pack in several flexible bags inside.

That way, you’ll have more bags to haul all your shopping back in.

Be aware

If using your credit card for payments abroad, check the fine print to ensure you don’t pay a hefty service charge.

Sizes differ in India and abroad.

Be sure of what you need, and shop accordingly.

Don’t discount discount stores.

They are treasure troves of knick knacks you won’t find anywhere else. And, they are an ideal place to pick up souvenirs.

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The Hindu :

John Seed speaks about how he spreads the message of conservation through music and more

The bespectacled man wore a white t-shirt with ‘rainforest’ emblazoned on it. His white hair was tied back into a pony tail. Although soft-spoken, when it comes to the environment, Australian John Seed can make his voice heard. However, it is not through shouting slogans that he gets the point across. Instead, he speaks through music. With a guitar in hand, he sows seeds of thought on the importance of conserving nature.

“This notion that the earth is a pyramid with humans at the pinnacle is in sharp contrast to the wisdom of indigenous people who have always understood that the world is a web and that we are just one strand in the web. If we destroy the other strands, we destroy ourselves,” says John.

And although he is no doomsday prophet, the situation foretold in movies such as “2012”, “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Waterworld”, he says, are distinct possibilities; life on earth could very well come to an end due to global warming and its aftermath.

“The more we abuse the environment, the closer we are in snuffing out our existence. The earth is not a rock with resources growing on it. The earth is alive. And trying to protect it by preserving a tiny patch of wilderness is like trying to keep humans alive by preserving representative samples of skin. . It is for our very own self interest,” says John, who adds that music is an effective tool to get the message across. “Music can cross all barriers. It becomes a means to spread awareness regarding the importance of conserving nature,” says John, who has released five music albums that contain odes to nature.

But it is not just his music that speaks of his love for nature, his films too speak of them. One of…More

The Hindu :

With its play of light, shade and colours, The Bryce Canyon National Park is a spectacle

Dazzling sight The Bryce Canyon National Park

National parks in the U.S. are considered spectacular treasures. Many parks situated in the States of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada on the Western side of the country offer an experience that remains etched in memory.

The visit to Bryce Canyon National Park is like experiencing world architecture in an amphitheatre. Over a million years of erosion have shaped the limestone into what is known as “Hoodoos”. The limestone, containing small deposits of iron and magnesium, has oxidised to produce imperceptible layers in stone — in yellows, oranges, reds, browns, purples and pinks, and thanks to the erosion, resembles spires, gopurams, temple forms, pinnacles, arches, anthropomorphic forms, caves and mazes.

This geological masterpiece is situated in Southern Utah, 782 km from the Yellowstone National Park, the unique whimsical formations offering a stunning architectonic vista. The name Bryce Canyon in Paiute means “bowl-shaped canyon filled with red rocks standing up like men.”

As you approach Bryce Canyon, the sight of thousands of hoodoos perplexes and visually startles. You are reminded of silent sentinels contemplatively guarding the landscape.

Bryce Canyon is cut by the Paria river, a tributary of the Colorado extending down 1,000 ft (the Grand Canyon is 6,000 ft) and encompasses 36,000 acres on the high section of the Colorado Plateau, situated 8,000 ft above sea level. Sunrise is dramatic at Bryce Canyon. The early morning sojourn to Inspiration Point, offering a panoramic view of the hoodoos, in freezing temperatures to experience the first fingers of golden scintillating rays breaking into dawn is spiritually uplifting. And, when the rays glow mysteriously from behind the hoodooed spires, you are reminded of Rembrandt’s use of dramatic light in his paintings.

The textures and colours take on a breathtaking subtlety of hues in this geological formation. The…More

The Hindu :

Eric Rohmer found comedy, tragedy, farce, suspense, drama in the etiquette and poses of daily life

Photo: AFPABSORBED In everyday stories

Eric Rohmer, French film critic, novelist and film director, passed away on January 12, 2010 at the age of 89. As it often happens with individuals who are detached in presence and self-effacing in greatness, he was taken for granted. Now, the loss has suddenly put an unprecedented singular focus on the man’s life. Once again Rohmer’s typical, charming elusiveness that lit his works now also seem to light his life. The more you got closer to the individual, the more he obfuscated into light.

Altering cinema forever

Eric Rohmer was a painted horizon against which great moments have been played out by eminent players standing forth and delivering their lines. As a film critic, he was instrumental in appraising and canonizing the films of Hitchcock and Hawks, which were then neglected by contemporary critics as populist cogs in the Hollywood assembly line. As the editor of the magazine “Cahiers Du Cinema” during its most legendary phase, he gave a platform for, and calmly stood behind the caustic and iconoclastic ideas of the young Truffauts, Godards, Chabrols and Vardas. He honed them so that they became legends in their own right. And ideas about cinema were altered forever. After all, where would Arnold Schwarzenegger be without the jump-cut?

But who was Eric Rohmer?

He was born Maurice Henri Joseph Schérer. His first writings were published under the nom-de-plume ‘Gilbert Cordier’. ‘Eric’ he borrowed from the great German film-maker Erich von Stroheim and ‘Rohmer’ he added from Sax Rohmer, creator of the Fu Manchu stories. There are more than 10 versions of his childhood and growing-up to choose from. Even on the eve of his death, the names and faces of his wife and children remained anonymous.

Rohmer, barring a few exceptions where he immersed in period…More

The Hindu : y>Combine a holiday and a pilgrimage with a stay at Hotel Riverside Resort and Spa at Kumbakonam

Appu Hotels has launched Hotel Riverside Resort and Spa at Kumbakonam.

Cocooned amidst the sylvan surroundings on the banks of the river Cauvery, the resort is all about unpolluted air, pretty little cottages and lush green lawns.

Stay in the executive or luxury cottages and enjoy rejuvenating massages at Kasti, the health club and spa. At Ayur Griha, you can enjoy an oil or floral massage.

Tuck into multi-cuisine fare at Mayuri and vegetarian delicacies at Cauvery, or enjoy a drink at Madhira, the bar. You can burn away all the calories at the fitness centre.

The resort also arranges regular tours to the places of pilgrimage that dot Kumbakonam.

Standard rooms are priced at Rs. 3,000 (taxes extra) while deluxe cottages come for Rs. 5,000 (taxes extra).

For reservation, contact 0435-2443636 or e-mail gm@pgphotelriverside.com

You can also log on to www.pgphotelriverside.com for more details.

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The Hindu : y>

Elementary Robert Downey Jr’s performance as Holmes has won him a Golden Globe nomination

The Golden Globes are supposed to be a fair indication of which way the Oscars would go. Meryl Streep competes against herself with two nominations in the category of Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – Musical or Comedy for “It’s Complicated” and “Julie and Julia”. She is up against Sandra Bullock who has been nominated for “The Proposal”. Bullock has also been nominated for her work in “The Blind Side” under the Best Performance in the drama category.

The best picture nominees in the drama category include James Cameron’s “Avatar” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” while in the musical or comedy category include “(500) Days of Summer” “The Hangover” and “Julie & Julia.”

For Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Matt Damon (“The Informant”) battles it out with Robert Downey Jr., (“Sherlock Holmes”) among others.

All will be revealed this morning at 6.30 a.m as the 67th Golden Globes are announced. You can watch it live on UTV World Movies. For those who feel 6.30 is crack of dawn, there is a repeat at 8.30 p.m.

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The Hindu : y>

I feel that many of these attacks were racist. We need to ensure that our citizens are protected across the world and do not fall prey to hate crime. Indian colleges are a better bet in such times. The authorities must take immediate action.

Yasser

Student

Most of these attacks are robbery attempts or mugging cases. The need of the hour is to bring down tensions. The authorities must investigate these cases and bring the guilty to book soon. Justice must be done and racism must be curbed.

Bharat

HR Executive

The recent spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia has snowballed into a major controversy that threatens to impact bilateral relations between the two countries.

The recent murder of a young student in Melbourne sent temperatures soaring in India and resulted in a massive drop in applications for student visas for Australia.

While Indian news channels and politicians have deemed the attacks as racist in nature, Australia has maintained that these were petty crimes and not racist in nature. MetroPlusasks city residents on their standpoint on this delicate issue.

Most felt that an element of racism did figure in many of the cases and said that the Australian authorities must bring the guilty to justice soon. They felt that racism must not be tolerated at any cost and must be crushed.

Some felt that most of the attacks were robberies and could have occurred in any country or city across the world. They felt though the guilty persons must be booked and action taken; the media must stop making a spectacle of these incidents. We sample some responses

The attacks are racist. The authorities must bring the perpetrators to justice and mete out tough punishments. If Indian students begin to withdraw from the Australian universities, their education system will be affected. It is also important for better ties.

Faizal

Student

There is an element of racism involved, but not all attacks are…More

The Hindu :

Tapasya offers exclusive cottons

CREAM OF COTTON Designer wear that’s practical

“One piece, one size, one design is the policy with which I design the clothes. I work more on colours. Most of my works are visual. Any attire should be appealing visually.” Apparel manufacturer and designer Seema Riturajunveils how she translated her passion into reality.

Tapasya – Exclusive Ethnic Ensembles, on the Vayalikaval Main Road, draws you into a world of fabrics and ethnic designs. Seema grew up watching her mother Shakunthala dealing with fabrics in her exclusive boutique in Bhadravathy, a remote town. “My mom started with saris, ready-mades and embroidered clothes. She would sell clothes on an instalment basis. After 10 long years she diversified to a bigger place — a one-stop-place for inner wear, designer wear and fashion jewellery,” Seema recalls.

“I had observed that people are more comfortable with cotton. When I decided to work with cotton, I wanted to know what it is that is missing in market. There were cotton houses that catered only to the elite. But people who work or travel also prefer cotton,” she says. Normally they tend to buy the fabric, and get it tailored.

“In the beginning, I was interested in direct selling. I made around 50 to 60 sets in various sizes, gave a demo in one house, and tried the chain way of selling. I wanted to get feedback on the quality of my products. I wore only Tapasya. I was a walking ad. This way of selling worked,” says Seema.

Soon she started supplying her garments to stores in Singapore, Cochin, Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam and Trivandrum.

“Then I took up a small place, a portion of my brother-in-law’s shop, and set up Tapasya in Vayalikaval. Now I have eight tailors working for me and the shop has grown.”

At the outlet, you will find a variety of short tops, kurtis, capris, chudidar and salwar…More

The Hindu :

Read on for a recount of an unlikely friendship between a Britisher and an Indian royal, and how a community across the seas benefited

Photos: by authorThirst quencher The Warden’s Cottage and (below)The Maharaja’s well

Stoke Row in Oxfordshire is so small that if someone gave you a big map of Great Britain and a magnifying glass, finding it could become something to do between breakfast and lunch.

But, passing through this village with just 650 inhabitants two weeks ago, I came across a circular dome-shaped structure, the cupola of a well, painted Indian brick red and other bright colours.

Loud and imposing, it strayed from the rustic scheme of the village.

But, what caught my eye were the words on the periphery of the dome — “His Highness the Maharaja of Benares”.

What follows then is the story of how this well, known as the Maharaja’s Well, came into existence, and improved the lot of the community.

The Well is a legacy of the friendship that two men from very different worlds shared — the son of an English country Squire, Edward Anderdon Reade, and His Highness The Maharaja Ishree Pershad Narayan Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Benares.

The story starts before the Indian War of Independence in 1857. Reade worked in India for 34 years, and was Lieutenant Governor, North Western Provinces.

One of his deeds was to sink a well in 1831 to aid the local community in Azimurgh.

It was during his tenure in India that he became close friends with the Maharaja of Benares.

Somewhere around 1850, he happened to mention his childhood in Stoke Row; a narrative about a child being beaten for stealing water sparked an idea in the Maharaja’s head. That, was the seed of the well.

In 1863, the Maharaja decided to bestow Stoke Row with a free, public well. Reade, now back in England, went about giving form to the Maharaja’s generosity.

On…More

The Hindu : y>Suneet Verma’s designs for LFW grand finale

Acclaimed designer Suneet Verma will participate in the grand finale of the Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2010. Night Fever, the theme for LFW Summer/Resort is inspired by women who combine adventure and sophistication.

Suneet will bring alive the spirit of the night through colours and expressions. Says the designer: “Colour has many moods; they are a statement of individuality.” Lakme Fashion Week is organised twice every year. LFW Summer Resort 2010 will be held from March 5 to 9 at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

For details visit http://www.Lakmefashionweek.co.in

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