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The Hindu : MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER

Biddu talks to MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER about the story behind his autobiography, Aap Jaisa Koi and coming home to Bangalore

Photos : Murali kumar K.Hitmaker Biddu: ‘At the end of the day it is only music; not the cure for swine flu or something’

There is an attractive puckish air about writer-producer Biddu. When he dramatically claims, “I sold myself to the devil,” you wait patiently for the qualifier. The said response was to a question about why he chose to write his autobiography, “Made in India”, which he was in town to launch.

“For the last few years I have wanted to write. Three years ago, I started to write a novel. Last year when I came to India to talk to publishers about the novel, they were keen on the novel but they were keener on an autobiography.

I first thought, no way. I am not a star, I am the back room guy. Then Harper Collins gave me a three-book deal. They would publish my novel, if I would write my autobiography. And that is how it happened.”

The novel, Biddu says, is set in Darjeeling in 1951. “When India got her independence but there were still some Britishers running the tea plantations. The book is about romance, rape, Indians, Britishers, bigotry, on the part of Indians I hasten to add, mystery and adventure.”

The 65-year-old hit-maker says he chose to write a novel as “I didn’t want to be a song writer all my life.” At your look of sheer incredulity — who wouldn’t to be insanely successful internationally, he smiles saying, “This is the only life I have known and while I grant it is infinitely better than working in a coal mine, I have been doing this 50 years and now I want to do something different.”

Explaining that he approaches writing just like music, Biddu says: “It is the same…More

The Hindu : NEETI SARKAR

HKBK College Of Engineering

The Hangout: The stone benches

The Location: Behind the office and close to the basketball court, as well as the parking lot

Rush Hour: During lunch break and after college

What’s to love: The students of this college say they like hanging out here because this area is rather secluded and is less noisy than all the other hangouts on campus. There is no particular reason why one needs to be found chilling here.

For those who don’t eat at the canteen, this is the best place to sit around with pals and attack each other’s tiffin boxes.

Those who have nothing significant to do frequent this place, and are lost in a world of their own, between a pair of earplugs.

Of course, this is where all the campus gossip takes place.

With the stone benches situated close to the gate, the students know just how to escape when they don’t want to be spotted by a particular lecturer.

What’s not to: This hangout is located too close to the office so if anyone is caught making a big noise, they are called into the principal’s office.

Also, the canteen isn’t situated nearby.

Alternative: The canteen or the area around the MBA block where nobody cares to disturb these youngsters.

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The Hindu :

The spread at Grill House is eclectic and tasty

APPETISING The seafood tastes very good

The fresh smell of roasting meat greets you as you enter the Grill House, located on Ulsoor Road.

The restaurant resembles a set from old western movies, and the waiters with cowboy hats add to the mood. The lighting is perfect for gorging on a nice meal. Soft rock music wafts into the seating area. It is a weekday evening and the crowd is slowly coming in.

After cornering a nice cozy seat, we decide to launch our attack on the food.

The first dish to fall under our onslaught is the Mozarella Cheese Sticks, fried to perfection. The cheese sticks make perfect long strings and are a delight to chomp on, especially if you are very hungry. Another flank to the battle is added with an assault on the Arabic Sheekh Kebab, served with a cheese dip. The dish is simple, comprising minced meat mixed with herbs, but is done well to provide an array of flavours to your palette. Each bit offers a sweet-sour-tangy combination that helps one whet appetite. The chicken wings were a bit oily, but were high on spice and tanginess. With a hint of tangy sauces, chilli flakes thrown in for good measure, makes this dish a must try. We move to the main course that includes a rather eclectic mix of steaks, pastas and chicken dishes with a vegetarian dish thrown in for some parity. Despite being very finicky about steaks in general, I loved the brilliantly done steak mardigras, served with rice and veggies. The beef is soft and gentle. It was juicy and went well with the rice.

The sauce adds a tasty dimension to the dish. I gobbled up much of the sauce in quick time and was served another portion of the delightful, tangy sauce. The chef quips, “It…More

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Infosys Foundation presents two plays “Waiting for Godot” on February 20 and “Manto Ismat Hazir Hain” on February 21.

The plays are being performed in support of India Foundation for the Arts and will be staged at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall. “Waiting for Godot” is directed by Benjamin Gilani and stars Naseeruddin Shah, Benjamin Gilani, Akash Khurana, Randeep Hooda, Yannick. The play will be staged at 7.30 p.m.

“Manto Ismat Hazir Hain” is directed by Naseeruddin Shah and the cast includes Imran, Heeba Shah, Ankur, Om, Darshan.

The associate sponsor for the event is Ballantine’s, hospitality partner is ITC The Royal Gardenia, travel partner the Kingfisher Airlines, and online partner is www.indianstage.in.

Donations received through this performance will be used by IFA to continue its grant-making in the arts.

Entry is by donor passes priced at Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 1,000.

Call Joyce at 2341-4681/82/83 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. or email joyce@indiaifa.org.

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Geetha Rajagopal’s book “Music Rituals in The Temples Of South India Vol 1” will be released. There will also be a screening of the film “A tryst with Trinity” and book reading by the author.

Venue: Art Resources and Teaching Trust, Shanti Nagar

Date: February 6

Time: 6 p.m.

Contact: 41124556

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The Hindu :

Guillaume Gevrey seems very involved in the city and its growth over the last 10 years he’s been here

Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.PUTTING LIFE TOGETHER In a new country wasn’t difficult for Guillaume

Guillaume Gevrey came to India as a tourist and fell in love with the country. “When my vacation ended, I had made up my mind that I need to return to this country soon,” says the Frenchman.

In 2000, he managed to arrange an exchange programme and got himself admitted at Christ College.

“It took me three days to acclimatise myself to the country. I was treated well by the college staff, found friends and never found myself out of place.”

He quips, “I have always felt that Bangalore is a city that welcomes everyone, without any issue. It is very cosmopolitan in nature. Unlike cities like Mumbai, fringe groups are unable to alter/distort public opinion.”

Over the last 10 years, Guillaume says that he has seen the best and the worst as far as Bangalore is concerned.

“The climate is superb and quite unique to the city. The city has grown tremendously, and infrastructure has picked up to some extent.”

He adds, “A lot more needs to be done. I feel the relative political instability of the past few years has resulted in local governance taking a major blow. With the upcoming civic body polls, I hope things will improve. Development should be the mantra for any person who gets elected.”

Another major factor that he feels lacking is the implementation of rules, especially those related to traffic.

“The rules do exist, but people follow it only in areas where they could get caught by the police. In the suburbs, people break signals and traffic rules with impunity. That mentality should go. The onus on respecting the law must be on the lawmakers and the citizens alike.”

His stay in India has made him a great fan…More

The Hindu : y>

Bryan Adams

Heaven

Not everyone remembers this one from the Summer of 69 dude! But Heaven was an absolute delight to hear. Bryan Adams had exploded with rocking vocals in songs such as Summer of 69 and Run to you in the album Reckless, but he brings out the best of his vocals in this evergreen song much akin to Everything I do I do it for you, another classic and sensitive number. Released as the third single from the album Reckless, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985. Am thinking about our younger years when it was only you and me, we were young and wild and free! went the lyrics and girls (and women) went weak in the knees while guys tried their best to copy the, oh-so-unique voice.

Cliff Richards

Devil Woman

One of the lesser known songs (not for his fans, though) of the Bachelor Boy and the Congratulations singer, Devil Woman was a departure from his sensitive and vibrant style. Starting with a soft rendition and going on to full blast, it was a song to dance to! I’ve got nothing but bad luck, went the first line. A No. 9 U.K. hit in June 1976, Devil Woman became Richards’ first single to break into the Top 20 in the U.S. reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Eagles

Hotel California

The quintessential song by the greats of rock! The lyrics describe the title establishment as a luxury resort where you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. On the surface, the song tells the tale of a weary traveller who becomes trapped in a nightmarish luxury hotel that at first appears inviting and tempting. The guitar solo in the beginning, which continues for over a minute is followed by haunting vocals. The beating of the triple drums along with…More

The Hindu :

Leela Samson, who has been steering Kalakshetra’s course with a firm hand, is also the author of the book on Rukmini Devi

Photo : R. RavindranA DANCER AND HER DREAMS Leela Samson

The quietude of Kalakshetra reflects in her personality. There is an understated elegance, a Spartan charm about Leela Samson, the director of this well-known temple for the arts. The sense of aesthetics and neatness is pronounced in her office — magazines arranged tidily on a rack, bronze statues of the deities, founder Rukmini Devi’s grace and beauty captured in a black-and-white photograph, wall hangings and artefacts that reflect our craft heritage.

Leela Samson has been steering Kalakshetra’s course with a firm hand since she took over office five years ago. This was the institution the dancer-Director had joined as a girl, imbibing its traditions from Rukmini Devi. In the last few years, Leela has opened wide the doors of the Kalakshetra Foundation. Folk performing art forms. Crafts bazaars. Modern theatre productions. Contemporary dance recitals. The multi-coloured skeins of our cultural weave have since been creating patterns of oneness in diversity.

As director, she has been faced with challenges and a few controversies. But she has held her own. Leela, who ran her own dance repertoire (Spanda) in Delhi before shifting to Chennai, wins one’s respect by not shying away from questions. She speaks her mind frankly and with rare articulation.

Opening up the space

It takes time to turn a ship around, to change people’s mindsets. As an artiste, you want the institution to flourish in a certain way. But, you have to win trust. I could get support from the Board and from the Ministry of Culture…

The broadmindedness of the founder did not transfer to the next generation. I’ve always said the enemies of Kalakshetra are from within — parochial, shuttered. I feel there should be tolerance, mutual admiration and respect — for…More

The Hindu : C. LAKSHMI KUMAR

Try the squats for well-toned leg muscles

PHOTOS: R. SHIVAJI RAOPLIE SQUATS Work your inner thighs (start position)

Method

Stand with your feet wider than your hips with toes pointed out.

Hold a dumbbell with both hands and let it hang in front of you between the legs.

Bend the knees and squat down, keeping knees in line with toes, abs contracted and back straight.

Hold for a second, and return to start position.

Squeeze your glutes as you rise.

Finish position

Targeted muscles

It works the quadriceps muscles. Trains abdominals, calves, gluteus and hamstrings.

More emphasis is on inner thigh when compared to regular squats.

Avoid

Very heavy weights.

Going down compromising your flexibility or balance.

Letting your knees go beyond the toe line while going down. Locking out the knees. Failing to keep the back straight.

Who benefits

Those who want to tighten their leg muscles.

Tones gluteus muscles.

Build the thighs by working from a different angle.

http://

trainingmasters.wordpress.com

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The Hindu :

The play Robinson and Crusoe was more than the adventure of two stranded soldiers

Changing tiesThe bitter hostility turns into a sweet friendship

To start off with a disclaimer: the play “Robinson and Crusoe” has nothing to do with Daniel Defoe’s novel, “Robinson Crusoe”. The canvas is the same, the details however are different. The play, presented by Ranga Shankara, opened to an exclusive show for school children — what a rousing start it was!

Two soldiers from enemy camps are stranded on an island which has no habitation. They fight, suspect and are out to kill each other. In a place to which neither of them belong, they stake ownership over everything they find, not sparing a piece of thread.

The problems get heightened with a Tower of Babel situation — they do not even have a common language. The very fact that they are two enemy soldiers, one black and one white, can mean a whole of things, beginning with racial intolerance. That they do not share a common tongue hardly seemed like what flowed into the plot, but seemed a deliberate design. In fact, it almost carried in it the resonances of what the Lord said at the Tower of Babel: “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” There after, the Lord scatters them all over the face of the earth. In a similar situation, the two begin with scoffing and ridiculing each other’s language, but eventually through elaborate gestures, they find themselves explaining to each other. In due course, they even abandon the elaborate gestures and learn to understand the intent of what they…More