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The Hindu : y>

Summer Story Splash, 2010, from Kathalaya, is a unique art workshop designed to harness your child’s social skills and creativity through storytelling, puppetry, theatre, role play, dance and more. The sessions kick off on April 5 in three batches of two weeks each, ending on May 15 at these locations:

* Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi

* Kathalaya centres at BTM II Stage and Sadashivnagar

Storytelling is about weaving a magical fabric rich in life experiences, aspirations, ingenuity and an element of drama. Material and equipment will be provided by Kathalaya. All this for just Rs. 2,000/-.

For more details email kathalaya@gmail.com. For registrations, please call 26689856; 9986244808; 9945803057.

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The Hindu : SUDHINDR.A.B.

Students leaving school are urged to succeed with a positive attitude…

A day to remember: Jain Public School.

The schools that are part of The Hindu’s NIE programme gave a fond farewell to its outgoing students recently. Jain Public School conducted the graduation ceremony for the first batch of outgoing students of Std. X at its campus. The day began with an invocation followed by the passing of the lamp of knowledge to the students. B.P.Kishore, Principal, Jain Vidyanikethan told the students to achieve success through hard work.

Sharing

The school Principal Geetha wished the students success and encouraged them to bring laurels to their alma mater. The outgoing students shared their experiences of school life and some memorable moments spent with their teachers and peers.

Addressing the outgoing students at Jubilee School, K. C. Samuel, Director, Hindustan Electronics Academy told the students to dream big. A positive attitude helps a person to be successful in life. Competence along with the will can take the person high in their position, he said. Mr. Samuel gave away mementoes to the outgoing students. The newly elected office-bearers took the oath of office and took charge after an impressive passing out ceremony.

Future dreams

BGS National Public School, Hulimavu wore a festive look when the valedictory function was conducted for the outgoing students recently. Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, president, Adi Chunchunagiri Shikshana Trust, handed over the hall tickets to the first batch of Std. X students. The Swamiji told the students to pursue their dreams, conquer the world but never forget their Indian heritage in which they are rooted. Promising to use their knowledge rightly, to the oath administered by the principal, young citizens placed brightly lit candles on the school emblem, the peacock.

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The Hindu : y>

SUMMER CARE FOR PETS

Summer is here and it’s time to take special care of the furry ones in our homes and the others in the locality.

Here’s a brief compilation to keep our animals cool and safe in the coming months:

To avoid dehydration , ensure that your pets (both cats and dogs) have access to fresh, clean drinking water in two places in the house at any time of day.

Put out a bowl of water for birds and homeless dogs regularly. Most dogs get skin diseases as they drink dirty water to quench their thirst.

Do not keep dogs habitually tied, especially in direct sunlight as heat stroke deaths are common during this time.

Avoid romps in terraces or strenuous activities like running, playing with Frisbees etc.

Limit walks to early mornings and late evenings.

If your dog has a thick fur coat, ask your vet if it can be trimmed.

Animals need to be in an area where a fan is switched on.

Air conditioning is not essential as moving air is more important than cold air.

Do not purchase pedigree dogs like Siberian Huskies or other long-haired breeds as they find it hard to cope with Indian summers. Adopt mongrel puppies instead. Alternately, adopt an abandoned pedigree dog and give it special care during summers.

Ensure that your pet is not left inside a locked vehicle even for a minute. The temperature goes up to dangerous levels inside closed vehicles and death can result in as little as sixty seconds. Every year, dozens of animals (and human babies) die this way. Spread the word.

(For more information on summer care, visit www.hsus.org/pets )

hero of the week

N. Niranjan found a kite chick that had fallen off its nest, separated from its mother and sat motionless on an electric pole for three days without food or water. Niranjan got the help of the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre whose ambulance took the…More

The Hindu :

Body dysmorphic disorder is when self-consciousness about a perceived facial or body defect becomes an all-consuming obsession

photo: APAn obsession with looks Can drive people to extremes

Is there a part of you that you hate to look at and perhaps try to hide from others? Do you glance at your image in distress whenever you pass a reflective surface?

Many of us are embarrassed by or dissatisfied with some body part or other. But what if such self-consciousness about a perceived facial or body defect becomes all consuming, an obsession or paranoia that keeps the person from focusing on school or work, pursuing normal social activities, even leaving the house to shop or see a doctor? What if it leads to attempted suicide?

Such are the challenges facing tens of thousands of Americans who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD, a syndrome known for more than a century but recognised only recently by the official psychiatric diagnostic manual. Even more recently, effective treatments have been developed for the disorder, and its emotional and neurological underpinnings have begun to yield to research.

Overactive brains

A pioneering researcher, Dr. Jamie D. Feusner, and his colleagues at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, recently found patterns of brain activity in people with BDD that appeared to differ from those of others, specially in visual processing. The more severe the symptoms, the more the person’s brain activity on imaging scans differed, on average, from normal levels, the researchers reported in the February issue of The Archives of General Psychiatry.

These brain changes may help explain how people can become overly focused on a perceived defect of their face, hair, skin or facial or body shape that others may not notice — indeed, that may not even exist. Some turn to alcohol and drugs to try to cope with the extreme distress. Others seek cosmetic…More

The Hindu :

Pushpanjali Reddy’s book de Facto features women who have dared to dream big

UNUSUAL Research for the second edition is already under way

Being an architect and builder by profession, Pushpanjali Reddy stood tall in a space that has for long been a man’s stronghold. As an entrepreneur, she is the founder of three business ventures. Pushpanjali has now donned a new hat and has turned author. She is elated about the release of her first book, “de Facto”, the definitive women’s directory.

“Initially people were sceptical and it was hard to get information. But soon, the idea caught on and many were enthusiastic and excited to be featured in the book,” she says about the book that profiles women achievers. It has “must knows” for women, pioneers in various fields and a listing of women entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves in different spheres of life. It also contains details of organisations, associations and services for women. “Famous Firsts is about women who have broken barriers to achieve something that has never been done before,” says Pushpanjali speaking about the section which is her personal favourite.

Defying all odds, women make the impossible possible and are redefining the phrase “sky is the limit”, quite literally. The book features achievements of about 70 such women who have scripted stories of success. Dr. Sakhubai Ramachandran, the first lady veterinary doctor, Dr. Pushpa Dravid, the first candidate to be awarded a Ph.d. in Fine Arts from Bangalore University, ace swimmer and coach Nisha Millet, social scientist and activist Rohini Reddy, fitness expert Wanitha Ashok, martial arts exponent Vandana Rao, coffee taster Sunalini Menon and graphics designer Sujatha Keshavan Guha are some go-getters to be profiled in the inaugural edition of “de Facto”.

“de Facto” is spruced up with interesting trivia like the sari that plays music and a course for women who aspire to become…More

The Hindu :

Gallery G’s anniversary celebrations bring together art and music

Colourful Nangare presented striking images of rural women

Art shows are generally sedate events. Art connoisseurs, critics, buyers, and of course, the merely curious too, come in and gaze at the pictures, murmur their appreciation or otherwise, exchange conversations, make a purchase or promise to and leave. The art show at Taj Vivanta last week, however, had much more, a group of musicians rendering Sufi compositions and the popular “Dama Dam Mast Kalandar” too, on a stage alongside.

If that sounds unusual, well it was meant to be. When Gallery G’s Gita Maini, a well-known art promoter, decided to celebrate the anniversary of the gallery with an art show, she decided to combine it with music to add to the atmosphere and the energy of the evening.

So, the evening opened with a display of paintings titled Unbounded Bonding—New Rural Perspectives by Nitin Nangare along with a series called Soundscapes by 22 students of the Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf (SKID). The latter is a CSR initiative with Gallery G to locate and showcase the work of promising artists.

Nangare , who is gradually building a solid reputation for himself specialises in figurative abstracts — faces and forms without features. The price of his art has steadily ascended over the past few years. He brings out the strength of female bonding, and the bonding between a child and mother as well as intra-community bonds in interesting ways in his art. Nangare’s striking and colourful images of rural women balancing pots on their heads as perfectly as they did their children on their arms as they went about their daily chores drew the appreciation of many visitors.

Gita explained that the theme of this show was how art can mirror and therefore, gradually influence how women are perceived. The art by the SKID children is also reasonably…More

The Hindu : y>Boman Irani thinks he made his debut at the right time and age. One needs to be mature to understand what a character demands, he tells K. JESHI

INTENSE ENGAGEMENT You should obsess over the character you play. Only then can it be true to life says Boman Irani

If watching his eccentricities on the big screen is a treat, a rendezvous is a bonanza. The towering star walks in casually, flashes his gentle smile, gives a warm hand shake, and gets talking and joking like any other regular guy, leaving you in awe.

“There is an eccentric in all of us,” declares actor Boman Irani, fresh after the success of “Three Idiots”, playing the wicked Viru Sahasrabuddhe (ViruS).

Digging into popcorn, he says: “When you perform, you must be exciting to watch. I am keen on playing characters that are identifiable with the common man. Be it a professor, a doctor or a teacher.”

In Bangalore to promote Shyam Benegal’s “Well Done Abba,” at the Reliance Big Cinemas on Mysore Road, he says, “though the film uses comedy as a tool, there are layers to it , which only a Shyam Benegal can achieve. The film has its pathos in place. A common man will enjoy it.”

Set in a village near Hyderabad, it tracks the story of a driver Armaan Ali (played by Boman), who is back home on a month’s leave from his job as a driver.

He wants to get his daughter Muskaan (Minissha Lamba) married off and gets caught in a mess when he decides to take a loan to build a well. “The drivers usually go on a long holiday and come back to be fired. So, they always have sob stories to tell such as ‘mein quwwah mein gir gayah’. Armaan returns after three months and tells his story.”

“It is a story full of hope. Why are we putting up with…More

The Hindu : y>C.K. Saseendran talks about the many issues that pedestrians face

The number of vehicles on the roads of Bangalore has seen a major increase over the past few years. The administration is making efforts to ease the traffic situation by widening roads, constructing flyovers and introducing one-way in many places. This has resulted in a great deal of relief for motorists across the city, who are able to zip across many a traffic avenues without much hassle. However, one set of road users have not been able to retain the attention of the concerned authorities; the pedestrians. This breed would be a minority as far as vehicular population is concerned, but crossing a road in the city has become a nightmare for this vanishing tribe.

Most of the roads located in the central business district in the city do not have any zebra crossings. In roads that do have marked crossings, motorists seldom show any consideration and zip past the pedestrians, without any concern for safety or traffic rules. Foot over bridges are seldom used by pedestrians mainly on account of the effort involved to climb the stairs. It is difficult for use by the sick or elderly people. Subject to financial viability of the project, escalators could be provided. More innovations will help solve many problems that the pedestrians face.

Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the city, your angst? Pen it stylishly and you might get it published. And dash off your piece with your photograph. Email it to bangmetro@gmail.com or post it to MetroPlus, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road (Infantry Road), Bangalore 1.

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The Hindu :

Actor Ajith Kumar is hot behind the wheels too, not just on screen. This April he will hit the professional Formula 2 circuit at Silverstone in the U.K

RIGHT ON THIS TRACK TOO Ajith Kumar is pitted against stiff competition

Acting is a profession he strayed into by accident, but motor racing is Ajith Kumar’s passion. When he burns the tracks at Silverstone, U.K., in April this year for the season opener in Formula 2, he will be satisfying his hunger to achieve a different kind of success from that of being a top star in Tamil films.

Staying power

FIA Formula Two Championships, or F2 as it is popularly known, is a low-cost series (in comparison to F1, of course) of motor racing that provides a platform for young drivers to compete in international circuits and gives them a chance to step into the highest echelons of motor sports — F1. Says Ajith, “The Championship winner will get a free test drive with the Williams’ F1 team. And, all the top three winners will qualify for a super licence, which will enable them to get into Formula 1.”

When he first raced internationally, in the Formula BMW Asia Championship in 2003, his best results were in Korea (Qualified 4th and finished 6th). Subsequently, in 2004 Ajith raced in the British Formula 3 Scholarship Class, where he achieved two podium finishes, both in third place at Donington Park and Knockhill.

“When I first came into films, I was pitted against established stars. In F3 too, I was racing against established drivers. It’s a different matter that many of them either failed or didn’t last the course. By sheer staying power on the track without doing anything foolish, I ensured I got these wins,” says Ajith.

After that, Ajith went back to doing films, delivered two successes in “Aegan” and “Billa.” He then got busy with “Aasal” and…More

The Hindu :

Classical pianist Adolvni Acosta recreated Chopin’s memorable compositions

Remembering Chopin The compositions were executed in flawless perfection

Two centuries past since the birth of Poland’s greatest musical genius Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, his music filled the atmosphere at Alliance Française recently. The recital marked a tribute from Asia to the year of Chopin in India 2010 .

As the world celebrated 200 years since the birth of the child-prodigy , who blossomed in Warsaw, dazzled Europe and then the entire globe through his music, India joined hands by paying tribute with a nationwide tour across Pune, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.

Organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in collaboration with the Bangalore School of Music, music lovers saw 64-year-old Philippine-born classical pianist Adolvni Acosta recreate the magic of the greatest Romanticism era composer of his time.

Based in the U.S., Acosta began learning the piano from the age of nine and won several awards. She has evolved into a prolific contributor to western classical music with a Teacher’s Diploma in Music and the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, all in Piano.

Coming to the subcontinent for the third time, the artist has travelled world over rendering numerous concerts and is renowned world over as an assertive and accomplished musician. Deeply inspired by Chopin, the expert often tries to attain the fluidity of his woks through her music.

The tribute began with the Mazurka in G-sharp Minor, Op. 33, No. 1 followed by the Mazurka in D Major, Op. 33, No. 2.

The rhythmic delight set ambience for Chopin’s spell to work its magic. Acosta’s effortless execution of the irregular accents and cadenced tempo of Chopin’s most colourful pieces showed the artiste’s versatile mastery over his works.

The Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 1 followed. Immortalised by Chopin, the Nocturne, which is also one of his most powerful and famous compositions was executed in…More