Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A locomotive marvel

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All

Scenic Ride

Few trains offer the type of excitement that the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) does. The leisurely journey it takes is best suited for nature lovers, as it offers a view of the mountain flora, and life in the hill at close quarters.

It was the British who, in the year 1908, planned and built the railway line, in order to reach hill stations such as Coonoor and Ooty. The NMR covers a distance of 41.8 km between Mettupalayam and Ooty, at an altitude of 2600 m, spanning 208 curves, 250 bridges, and 16 tunnels. It has a unique narrow gauge of 1,000 mm and rack pinion arrangement to negotiate the climbs and steep descents. It has one of the steepest gradients to climb during its journey.

The once popular steam locomotives have now been replaced by diesel engines between Ooty and Coonoor. The upward journey takes about five hours while the descent takes about four hours. A daily passenger train runs between Mettupalayam and Ooty.

However, four shuttle trains ply daily between Ooty and Coonoor and back.

In 2005, UNESCO designated NMR as a World Heritage Site, as part of the Mountain Railways of India. The NMR has hosted the filming of a few Indian as well foreign films.

The NMR is an engineering marvel, which must have been tough to build on a difficult terrain a century ago. It is still a challenge to run the train during rainy months.

I was impressed by the fact that tickets are issued as per the capacity of the compartment, with no standees allowed. However, if seats are available in the reserved coaches, then these are filled up at a higher rate, that includes reservation charges. The large windows facilitate easy viewing of the passing scenery of verdant forests, hills, dales, towns and villages. Tea estates fill up the gentle hill slopes. We pass through quaint stations with romantic names like Arvunkadu, Lovedale, Glendale and Wellington.

The diesel engine hoots constantly to keep away stray animals and people who might be caught unawares by the rushing train, though at 10.4 kmph, it might be the slowest in the country!

The manner in which the driver and the station staff communicate might appear amusing in this day of technological advancement. If there is a problem, such as a failed signal, the only way around it is to send a messenger on foot to the stranded train with a note stating that the driver is authorised to drive the train to the station.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Sunday Herald Travel / by DBN Murthy / October 06th, 2012

Awe your guests with jute-made gifts

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives/ Environment

Wondering what to gift your guests this Navarathri season? You could then drop in at the exhibition organised by the South India Jute Association (SIJA) in Adyar to pick up products that are “attractive, durable, ethnic, eco-friendly and versatile,” which are made of jute. Well, if you thought jute was only for  movers and packers, think again. The colourful exhibits ranging from office bags, stationery, shopping bags, wallets, wall hangings, durries, jewellery, footwear and garments are sure to surprise you.

The exhibition is making its fourth annual foray in the city with around 21 stalls. Prices of the products range between ` 20 and ` 1,000. “The exhibition has been partly sponsored by the National Jute Board and partly by the entrepreneurs,” R P Srinivasan, coordinator, SIJA, told City Express.

SIJA took off four years ago, after entrepreneurs in the South realised the potential of the “beautiful, golden fibre,” Srinivasan said. “After getting the raw material from West Bengal, we started manufacturing contemporary, value-added jute products.”

Realising the need for support in procuring raw materials, manufacturing and marketing, entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala came together and formed SIJA. Today, the association has around 52 members. Workshops are held under  schemes sponsored by the Union Ministry of Textiles, where the entrepreneurs are given training in design development and skills augmentation. A leading player in the field, Srinivasan runs his own unit at Kilpauk.

Women too are making a big impact in the industry. SIJA president and entrepreneur Janaki Ananth has been crafting jute bags since 1985. One of her customers is Poompuhar, run by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. Last month, she won the Priyadarshini Award for ‘outstanding entrepreneur’ from the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare.

“We want to motivate self-help groups from rural and urban areas to manufacture jute products by promoting awareness and giving them training,” she said.

For budding craftswomen, help is at hand in the form of Marketing Organisation of Women Entrepreneurs (MOOWES), a voluntary non-profit organisation, set up in 1990.

“There are about 40-50 active members in MOOWES. Most of them are home-makers,” Janaki Ananth said. “Many of them have diversified into manufacturing jute products after realising its potential and we conduct periodic exhibitions to showcase their products.”

For instance, A Mahalakshmi’s unit at Ekkatuthangal employs six persons and her unit specialises in making wall hangings, mirrors, table tops and letter and magazine holders. With turn-over of around ` 12 lakh per year, she also exports her products to Mauritius.

Running a larger unit in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, is D Nagendran, a member of the National Jute Board. His unit specialises in manufacture of yoga mats and kalamkari-printed durries, which are sold in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Varanasi.

Sujatha Jaishanker, a former teacher and story-teller, who was among the first visitors to the exhibition, claimed she was “pretty stunned” at the collection this year. Her son was soon getting married and she was scouting for gifts for the wedding guests.

Pointing at her bag, Sujatha Jaishanker said she started buying jute products after she decided to turn eco-friendly two years ago. And the jute items suited her ethnic tastes too. “Compared to last year, there is a lot of variety. I am overwhelmed by the finish, finesse and the vibrant colours of the products.”

Promise of support and assistance for the entrepreneurs came from the State Minister for Handlooms and Textiles Dr S Sundararaj, State Textiles Secretary G Santhanam and Market Promotion Officer of National Jute Board T Ayyappan.

The exhibition is open from October 4 to 11 at Vijayaraja Thirumana Mandapam, First Avenue Road, Shastri Nagar, Adyar.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> Latest News / The New Indian Express, Express News Service / Chennai, October 06th, 2012

Look who drives the stars!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Auto attraction:  Stand for Vikram

Chennai’s star auto stands — where hero worship meets social service, writes Aparna Karthikeyan

“This is Chennai’s first auto stand dedicated to actor Suriya,” Murthy tells me enthusiastically. “Annan (as they endearingly refer to him) lives nearby. When he goes past, he can see the cut-out we’ve kept for him.” I’m standing across Arcot Street, in T. Nagar, next to Ettam Vallal Suriya Auto Nirutham. The afternoon sun is fierce, but it hardly dampens spirits at the city’s only Suriya auto stand. “We opened the stand just six months ago. On his birthday — July 23 — we put up a big banner here,” Murthy points over my head, “and we distributed food to 150 people, as well as notebooks and geometry boxes to 50 school children.”

“Sixteen of us went to the General Hospital on July 23,” continues P. Thangaraj. “We’re 11 members in this stand. Along with our friends, we donated blood. That pot over there,” he shows me a mud pot with a glass on top of it. “We drink water from it daily, by the roadside. It’s mineral water, madam; we all take turns to fill the pot. But someone stole our stainless steel tumbler,” he laughs. I ask if their families too are Suriya fans. Murthy looks shocked that I could imagine otherwise. “Of course, they’re Annan’s fans,” he says. “We all have photographs taken with him; we met him on his birthday. The photo is at home; you came here suddenly, otherwise, we would’ve shown it to you,” Thangaraj tells me.

Celebration through service

I go with an appointment to Ilayathalapathi Vijay Auto Stand in Kasturba Nagar, Adyar. Sitting in Kesavan’s auto, I listen to him and Thiruvanmiyur K.V. Dhamu tell me about being Vijay fans. “Vijay used to live nearby, now he’s moved to Neelangarai, but this stand has been around for 15 years,” Dhamu tells me. As ardent Vijay fans, they celebrate his birthday with fanfare. “This year, we distributed gold finger rings to 22 children in the Government Hospital, Adyar. See for yourself,” he says, showing me an album full of pictures. “This one is when we conducted a blood donation camp,” he points out a picture. “Around 107 people gave blood. The camp was organised by the Rasigar Mandrams of Velachery and the surrounding areas. Look at this picture — we cut a cake in a school, distributed notebooks and gave biriyani to the children. We’re very fond of Vijay sir, and pray for him on June 22, his birthday.” A Vijay movie release is also a big occasion, marked by cut-outs and banners, and the members also go to the cinema together for the first day, first show.

When I ask what motivates them to take up social service, they say they draw inspiration from the star himself. “He does a lot of service, but he advises us to look after ourselves and our families first. We do this in our spare time only,” Dhamu explains.

First day, first show

At the Chiyaan Vikram Auto Stand in 17th Cross Street, Besant Nagar, I find three autos, but no drivers. I wait by the beautifully painted stand — there’s Vikram on a bike, Vikram looking cool, Vikram looking smart, and Vikram looking innocent (Deiva Thirumagal). I spot D. Sathyanathan walking towards an auto, and ask if he’s from the stand. “Yes, for the last ten years, this has been ‘Vikram sir’ stand,” he says. “We’re ten members, all his ardent fans. Actor Vikram used to live nearby; he’s even driven my auto back then,” he says with a shy smile. On the star’s birthday, they meet him with shawls and garlands; there’s usually a big event at a kalyanamandapam when tailoring machines, iron-boxes and tricycles (for people with disabilities) are distributed. “We all participate and help in the function. When a new movie is released, we pool our finances to meet the cost of banners and cut-outs, and, of course, catch the first day, first show.” Sathyanathan tells me that his daughter is also very fond of Vikram. “You know, he attended my wedding,” he adds with quiet pride. Among Vikram’s movies, Sathyanathan loves Sethu and Pithamagan, besides Anniyanand Saami. “We’ve already watched Thaandavam, and plan to take our families later.” At the Suriya stand, expectations run similarly high for the release ofMaattran. “Nobody has done that kind of double role; the movie is going to do very well,” Murthy assures me. The entire team don’t just watch the first day, first show; they go back to the cinemas several times (“only Sathyam/ Sangam theatres, madam”) to watch their idol on screen. “We want him to visit our stand during Ayudha Pooja; we’re going to invite him,” Murthy and Thangaraj tell me. After all, it’s thanks to Suriya that the stand is so popular, and many auto drivers now want to join them. “We have a policy of never demanding unfair rates from our customers. We work well as a team and split the cost of putting up banners. We do it because we like it; and because we’re huge fans of Suriya,” says Thangaraj. Dhamu echoes his sentiments.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Life & Style> Society / by Aparna Karthikeyan / Chennai, October 03rd, 2012

AR Rahman: Two decades and counting

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

ARR was felicitated for completing 20 years in the industry.

The Mumbai rains refused to dampen the spirits of spirited attendees at the 6th Annual Global Indian Music Awards (GiMA) held at Yash Raj Studios on Monday night.

The ceremony, hosted by Saif Ali Khan and Parineeti Chopra, featured stellar performances by celebrated musicians and Bollywood stars.

There was a special act dedicated to the musical maestro A.R. Rahman for completing 20 years in the industry.

The Mozart of Madras was was felicitated by none other than veteran Yash Chopra. Renowned singers like Alka Yagnik, Hariharan, Udit Narayan, Naresh Iyer, Mohit Chauhan, Chitra, Sonu Niigaam came together to honour the music legend with a heartwarming performance to some of his popular chartbuster hits like Dil Hai Chota Sa, Tu Hi Re, Chanda Re Chande Re, Mitwa, Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali, Ru Ba Ru, Saathiya, Sadda Haq and Jai Ho.

On the special tribute given to him, A.R. Rahman says, “I had a hint about the tribute but I did not realize that it will create such huge nostalgia. I have learnt a lot from all these singers who have touched my heart today. I still remember the day of my first concert in 1996 when most of the singers who sang today came to watch me. I really thank GiMA for this. I am truly touched.”

The fragrance of success

Music maestro A.R. Rahman’s other half loves perfumes, we hear. And sources close to her reveal that her collection can rival some of the most ardent perfume collectors in the world.

It seems she’s so well acquainted with scents and fragrances that she can easily tell a person what he or she is wearing.

But the lady who is spiritual and has a strict no-alcohol policy, shops only for oil based perfumes which contain no alcohol.

The friend who was fortunate enough to receive the fragrances revealed that Saira is generous and loves having people experience the power of perfumes.

“She believes in the healing qualities of a good perfumed oil. The ones she buys are very soothing and long lasting too.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Showbiz> Others / by Nandita Ravi, DC, Chennai / October 02nd, 2012

Giving, with food and music

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

 A number of the city’s celebrities will be at the forefront of the ‘Joy of Giving’ celebrations / Photo: V. Ganesan / The Hindu

A 100-metre chocolate cake with photographs depicting the musical journey of Ilayaraja will just be one of the highlights of the Joy of Giving week this year.

The celebrations that commence from tomorrow, will start at Express Avenue Mall, where the cake will be unveiled in a gala event.

A series of events have been planned to mark the celebration in the city, actor Suhasini Maniratnam told media persons here on Monday.

To spread the spirit of cheer, volunteers will welcome passengers at the Central railway station on Tuesday, after which other events are scheduled to take place.

Musician Sudha Raghunathan, along with a group of vocalists will perform at corporation schools as an attempt to acquaint children from under privileged backgrounds to classical music. The artists, this year, will also take music to inmates of the Puzhal prison.

As part of the celebrations, Chennai Mission, an NGO along with Banyan will launch ‘Kind People, Happy City,’ a movement to sensitise people to the needs of homeless people.

The best hotels in the city will showcase their culinary talent and skills at ‘Battle of the Buffet’ on 6th October 2012 at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, to raise funds for over 100 NGOs in Chennai. Musicians Srinivas and Sudha Raghunathan along with other famous singers, will perform live during the event.

The funds raised from the events would be donated to different NGOs.

“We aim to raise Rs. 2 crore this time,” said M. Mahadevan, chairman, Oriental Cuisines, one of those at the forefront of the movement here.

Nina Reddy, executive director, Savera Hotels, has initiated ‘cooking for a cause,’ that will cater to the needs of NGOs.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / October 02nd, 2012

Prime Minister’s daughter in Trichy to explore temple heritage

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Trichy:

Upinder Singh, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and her husband Vijay Tankha came to Trichy on Saturday morning and visited the three famous temples and the Grand Anaicut, Kallanai. They will continue to Thanjavur from Trichy on Sunday morning.

The couple landed in Trichy railway junction around 6.30 am on Saturday by a Madurai Express train. They drove straightaway to Circuit House in Trichy amid security from the Special Protection Group (SPG) and the local police. Following a brief stay at Circuit House, their trip started with a visit at the Rockfort temple around 8.30 am. They climbed the steps and reached atop the hill, capturing scenes all along with their camera. They worshipped Sri Uchipillaiyar and Sri Thayumanaswamy on the hill. After finishing their visit in Rockfort temple, they descended after more than one-and-a-half hours. Then they proceeded to the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple around 11 am.

Srirangam temple executive officer (EO) S Kalyani and other officials welcomed the guests of honour and arranged for a special darshan. “Both of them were inquisitive about the sculptures and structures of the temple, which dates back many eras. They enjoyed visiting the ‘Thousand Pillar hall’. We arranged for a translator to explain the features of the temple in Hindi. They had already done research on this subject before coming here,” Kalyani told TOI.

Their next trip was to Thiruvanaikaval Sri Jambukeshwarar temple. They had darshan in the temple and left for Circuit House around 12.30 pm. After a short stay there, they visited Grand Anaicut in Kallanai around 5 pm.

They will visit Thanjavur on Sunday morning and reach Chennai by October 5 after visiting Chidambaram, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram, said the police.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.com / Home> City> Madurai / TNN, September 30th, 2012

Chettinad’s fiery flavours

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Have a yearning for rice or dishes prepared from rice? The ongoing Chettinad Food Festival at The Gateway Hotel is the right place for you.

One can have spicy rasam as a starter, move on to coriander rice, boiled rice, idiappam (string hoppers) and rice pancakes. The meal can be ended with another sweet rice preparation (boiled dried rice) and yoghurt.

“A complete Chettinad meal would have some sweetness, spiciness and sourness. Chettinad food uses coconut oil sparingly and is comparatively less spicy compared to typical south Indian food. The cuisine also uses sun-dried and salted vegetables, seeds and fruits to enhance their flavour,” according to executive chef Saratchandra Banerji.

Although the Chettiars are well-known for their delicious vegetarian preparations, their recipes also include fish and meats. Rice, more specifically par boiled rice, is the basic accompaniment to most Chettinad dishes. Apart from being cooked, it is also ground and made into idlis and dosa, small bits of fermented rice ‘panniyarams’ and appam (rice pancakes).

Another Chettiar speciality is the iddiappam (string hoppers) which is made from extruded from ground rice like noodles to make a nest shape. Authentic Chettinad food includes ingredients from South East Asia that the Chettiar men brought home to India with them such as star anise, a typical Chinese spice and red rice from Burma. Other fragrant spices include: coriander, turmeric, cumin, pepper, fenugreek and cinnamon.

Eating off a banana leaf adds to the authenticity of Chettinad food. Rice is served with dal and a bit of ghee, then come the condiments like sambar, puli kulambu, rasam, thairu and lastly the sweet payasam.

The hotel has roped in the services of Saraswathi and Kali Muthu from Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu for the festival. The festival, which is on at GAD restaurant, is available for buffet dinner from 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. till October 7.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam, September 29th, 2012

Rochelle Maria Rao spreads smiles !

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders

PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao visited an NGO to talk about the evils of child labour

Beauty queen titles and social work go hand in hand, and PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao is one of those who takes her societal commitments very seriously. As the goodwill ambassador of Smile Foundation’s vow against child labour, Rao visited one of the NGO’s project centres in Mumbai recently. There, she met the teachers and social workers and spoke to them about why no child should be left out of school.

To welcome her, children from the centre performed a special dance and she joined them in the performance. Later, she said, “I am motivated by their dedication towards empowering children with the help of education. The work they do to bring hope and happiness in the lives of these underprivileged children is commendable. This has inspired me immensely to do good work and spread more smiles.”

Commenting on the association, Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, said, “Rochelle Rao is a worthy winner of this title and we are extremely glad that she is supporting one of our core areas — of sending every child to school.”

source: http://www.feminamissindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Miss India> News / TNN, September 29th, 2012

‘Western Ghats: Hidden Treasures’ photo expo from October 1

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

To mark the World Wildlife Week celebrations, a month-long photo exhibition and series of events titled ‘The Western Ghats: Hidden Treasures’ will be held at Siruthuli’s Noyyal Life Centre on the Valankulam – Sungam Bypass Road from October 1.

According to Siruthuli, an NGO involved in conservation of water bodies and ecology, the Green NGOs of Coimbatore are taking steps to create awareness about the rich bio-diversity of Western Ghats as part of World Wildlife Week celebrations.

Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) from Valparai, a non-profit organisation involved in science-based and socially responsible conservation of India’s wildlife and natural eco-systems, is joining hands with the Green NGOs of Coimbatore to celebrate the green wealth of Western Ghats through the exhibition.

The objective of the expo is to make people realise that they are on a green terrain with around 5,000 species of lowers, 500 species of birds, 130 species of mammals and 170 species of amphibians. It unveils the best vista of a life-time and is a sure soul-soothe, Siruthuli said in a release. The majestic Western Ghats that abuts Coimbatore is a home to this rich bio-diversity, which contains more than 30 per cent of all species found in India. But, urbanisation and human influence is putting a check on this treasure.

The expo will be open at the Noyyal Life Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days and more than 5,000 people are expected to visit the expo.

It will be inaugurated by S. Balaji, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Director of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, in the presence of wildlife photographer and film maker Kalyan Varma. District Forest Officer V. Thirunavukkarasu will honour the forest heroes who had done exemplary service in protecting bio-diversity.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / September 29th, 2012

Exnora’s green drive in T. Nagar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives/ Environment

The ‘Green Dream T.Nagar’ project launched by Exnora to reduce pollution in the area. / The Hindu / by Special Arrangement

T. Nagar Exnora Women’s Club (TEXWOC), Sharma Park Walkers’ Exnora and Sarathy Street Padmanaba Street Civic Exnora jointly launched ‘Green Dream T. Nagar’ project for reducing pollution in the area through a mega tree planting.

The campaign, which is supported by the State Forest department and Chennai Corporation, was inaugurated by S. Sakthi, Zone Chairman, Zone 9, Chennai Corporation, and Shanthi, Councillor, Division 113.

The project aims at planting at least 1,000 trees in T. Nagar and the neighbouring areas.

As part of this project, Exnora launched a mega tree planting event at Padmanaba Street, T.Nagar. More than 50 trees were planted at Sivasailam Street, Sarathy Street, Sharma Park, Habibullah Road, Padmanaba Street (East) and Periyar Road.

The unique part of this programme is the ‘One tree one family’ motto, in which each tree will be adopted by a family. The objective is to ensure that the trees are well maintained and protected. Exnora will follow up the initiative after a year and the growth and health of the trees will be evaluated. Children of the family, whose trees are the best maintained, will get a certificate of appreciation and a ‘Tree Guardian’ citation from Exnora International.

Radhika Anand, president TEXWOC, shared her experience in successfully implementing a roof-top garden campaign in T. Nagar. “Pollution level in the city is increasing day-by-day, resulting in respiratory diseases. The only permanent solution to this problem is to substantially increase greenery. Along with tree planting, roof-top gardens should be promoted to achieve the necessary green cover.”

Mr. Anand Laxman, Senator, Exnora International, said, “In T. Nagar, the particulate matter and dust particle levels are the highest, making it the most polluted area in the city. The problem is exacerbated during festival seasons. Added to this, T. Nagar has lost more than 60 per cent of its green cover due to various construction projects, including the three flyovers.” The only solution to the pollution problem is to substantially increase greenery, he added.

R. Govindaraj, joint general secretary, Exnora International, said that global warming has become an imminent danger to our environment. In order to increase the rate of tree planting, people must go in for tree adoption.

Appreciating the efforts of TEXWOC, Sakthi said, “We have planned to initiate several such mega tree planting projects in T. Nagar and Teynampet along with Exnora.” Office-bearers of Civic Exnora units and members of resident welfare associations participated in the event.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / September 29th, 2012