Puja Goyal

Need for Revival

2011-08-10T12:36:00.000+05:30

(Publication: Deccan Herald)

Indi-pop gave us a whole new generation of talented artists like Suneeta Rao, Alisha Chinai and Biddu. Sadly, this genre is now extinct. Puja Goyal wonders if it can ever be revived to its former glory.

The 1980s gifted us with emerging and talented pop artists like Alisha Chinai, Biddu, Neeraj Sridhar, Raageshwari, Shweta Shetty and Suneeta Rao, among others. They released several albums in succession and threatened the marketability of Bollywood music. Playback singers also attempted to release independent albums (Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal), only to fail. There was a clear demarcation between Bollywood and Indi-pop. However, this pop music in India went through a steady decline in late 1990’s and artists moved on to greener pastures — Bollywood — where they took up playback singing as a career.

Eventually, Hindi cinema lapped up Indi-pop styles into its music. Established singers like Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan made way for artists like Lucky Ali for instance, who tasted success with his debut track, Ek pal ka jeena from Kaho na Pyaar Hai while Alisha Chinai created a rage with Kajra re from Bunty Aur Babli. As RJ Sanjay Das puts it, “Pop music in India was dying. Therefore, Bollywood music naturally became the only option through which pop artists could earn their bread and butter. It came down to artistic integrity vs survival.”

At one point of time, both these schools of music were churning out similar tunes. Why would the audience want to listen to similar songs from two different genres of music? And as redundancy crept into pop music, a decline in album sales and artist popularity ensued. Das explains, “Music in India is trend-based. A fad comes in, everyone jumps into the bandwagon, which leads to an overkill. Many artists have risen and fallen in the same fashion. Himesh Reshammiya is an apt example. He was criticised for his nasal tone but appreciated by the masses. He created non-film albums and composed songs for Hindi films. Reshammiya’s songs were catchy and extremely popular, but his ‘peppy’ music too wasn’t appreciated for long. It died a natural death.”

Unlike Hindi cinema, films in the Western market too have soundtracks but they aren’t banked upon by producers. Sowmya Raoh, singer, reiterates, “Indi-pop is dead and buried. Bollywood music is indispensable. Its power supersedes non-film music. Period.” Adarsh Gupta, music head, SaReGaMa, adds, “The past eight to nine years have seen a decline in the market for music. However, we are working on revival strategies.” According to Radio Indigo’s Trigam Mukherjee, “Bollywood pays and in the process becomes the key differentiator. Independent artists are left nowhere as they are unable to compete with the marketing strategies film producers undertake to promote their albums. Bollywood is a Frankenstein that devours Indi-pop talent in the country.”

However, Indian Rock is preferred to Indi-pop as music companies find them commercially
viable. Suresh T, managing director, EMI Music, says, “Our focus is on Indian bands and we believe that in recent times there has been a resurgence of audience interest in their music. Hindi cinema, due to its reach, is a good platform to showcase these upcoming and established bands.” Trigam believes, “Indian pop has always played second fiddle to Bollywood. But the industry is poised for some growth as more radio stations and record labels are willing to invest in talented singers who are different and unconventional when compared to the current crop of musical artists in the industry. All they need is a good marketing strategy.” He adds further, “An artist may be talented, but if you don’t have a solid record label backing you, then you cannot market your product. Now, to get a record label to support you, you need to be commercially viable. Unfortunately, when you seek a commercially viable project, you end up doing ‘Bollywood style music’.”

Despite the steady decline in demand for Indian pop artists, efforts are being made to resurrect the otherwise dead scene. Suresh T says, “Our representation of Western artists is greater as we resumed our operations in India in the late ‘90s. Today, we are increasing our Indian range of albums and work closely with many of India’s popular bands.” While SaReGaMa will be launching eight new artists; it is yet to be seen if it is enough to compete with the popular music market. Trigam says, “We work primarily with Western artists and continue to do so, but this does not mean we do not believe in Indian talent. We have now made a conscious effort to promote talented Indian musicians.”

World Theatre Day

2010-03-27T13:20:00.004+05:30

Bangalore Mirror
Dated: 27th March, 2010

Smartphone Apps to keep you fit

2009-11-15T11:30:00.003+05:30

Ideas for Modern Home Decor

2009-10-31T19:35:00.005+05:30

Cellphone in Education

2009-08-08T18:07:00.005+05:30

(c) 2009 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: August 2009

It was considered inconceivable, a few decades ago, to think of a mobile device via which individuals could talk to each other from anywhere. Mobiles have made not only communication readily accessible; they have influenced and changed the way we look at media (downloading music, and films, shooting videos and picture, gaming, socializing, etc).

There are more than one and a half billion cell phones in use around the world; and a large percentage of these reside in the hands of students. Yet somehow these phones have received less than required credit by educators. There has been a hue and cry about how Mobile phones have been misused and distracted young minds; by enabling them to cheat and thereby interrupt lessons etc. Teachers immediately start imagining that a Mobile in the hand of a student would mean constant interruptions with random phone calls even though the devices have switch off buttons and fines can be imposed.

While banning the device is an easy solution to the problem for schools in India, millions of students in China, Japan, Philippines and Germany etc are using the Mobile phone to learn English, Math, health and spelling and access live and archived lectures and study material.

The next step in Mobile technology is “Mobile information”. Initially considered a curse to the whole education system; Mobiles are considered a possibility for accessing, enhancing, influencing and assisting this very educational system.

Recent developments in technology and creative ideas generated by mobile companies are encouraging educators to reconsider their view of mobile technology—and to imagine a pedagogy that embraces its potential. Essentially small computers, cell phones can support language lessons, display animations of medical and chemical processes, be used for polling and testing, serve as the gateway to larger learning resources—and so much more.

Mobile Technology has become the new classroom in which mobile phones are a key learning tool. The challenge today is how effectively we can turn a ban into a boon. With a little bit of an effort and smart thinking Mobile phones can be incorporated into our education system in meaningful ways. The immediate requirement is to acknowledge the reasons why mobile phones were banned in the first place and see how they can be turned into strengths instead of living with their weaknesses.

In a gist a Mobile can work like the most powerful computers in the world. Even the simplest cell phones have microchips and function exactly like computers do. Technological advancements have enhanced and taken a step forward in combining facilities provided by computers and Mobile phones to converge them. Like all computing devices, Mobiles can be used to learn. So instead of fighting the kids, it would be easier to use the opportunity to convert it into a learning device.

Computers are facing a challenge to inculcate facilities provided by Mobiles and vice versa. Clearly, in the end the two are headed in meeting in the middle where a single device will be able to cater to the users requirements. At the moment though, Mobiles will have to make do with being a very personal device, especially amongst youngsters.

LEARNING THROUGH A MOBILE:

If we have to look at the Statistics then there are about 1.5 Billion Mobiles sold around the world every year. Most students carry Mobiles during school hours purely for personal reasons. They use Mobiles for communicating by voice, text, and digital reasons like taking photos and videos. They also have now been using the Mobile for digital signal processing which allows them to play ringtones and mp3’s. It has thus become a necessary evil.

A Japanese Student said, “When you loose your mobile, you loose part of your brain”
This thought process indicates an intuitive understanding of the link between Digital Natives (the present generation growing up and well - versed in the digital world) and technology; considering that a major part of the communication has now shifted from the computer to Mobile phones. Most contacts and information are now stored on in the Mobile. Educators on the other hand view technologies as a huge distraction from the education they are planning on providing.

THE METHOD:

Students can learn anything from their Mobile if we are able to design the right phone for them. Amongst the many processes of learning, the most common, time – tested and effective of these are listening, observing, reproducing, questioning, reflecting, attempting, guesstimating, predicting, “what– if”-ing, and practicing. All these processes of teaching can be dealt with through our Mobiles; which works as a multi- tasking equipment for “Digital Native” learners.

VOICE ONLY: The most basic phones, which are built in with voice only capability are basically radios, which pick up and send signals on pre determined frequencies. Therefore in essence they are just radios and students can make avail of this facility to learn Languages, History, Story- telling, and Poetry, Literature and Public Speaking. Language amongst these is obvious considering the high demand for learning English everywhere. In UK, CTAD has created voice – only mobile phone learning for school dropouts. In Japan individuals can dial up a number for short English lessons; and in China, BBC is providing Mobile English Language training. Language games like crosswords etc are also being added.

“Digital Immigrant” adults will find it difficult to comprehend that a non face-to-face voice communication and relationships for learning is possible and that virtual relationships are a preferred secondary nature to students. Besides, even the blind can benefit from this sort of learning.

SMS: SMS or Short Text Message had taken the world of young adults by storm what with billions of SMS’s is being sent across to each other everyday. The fact that SMS can be written quickly and sent off immediately offers many learning opportunities. At the moment, SMS enables students to be provided with regular “learning” reminders and tips and encouragement for people trying to change their behavior, such as quit smoking and “no drugs”.

SMS is now extensively used by television show producers to create informational quizzes and involve viewers to vote for the same; for e.g.: Indian Idol, Boogie Woogie, Dance India Dance etc. in school the same can be used to create quizzes and have interactive educational gaming sessions so they can be made aware of current events. Even Princeton Review is using SMS to deliver SAT and other test preparation questions at user preferred times.

GRAPHIC DISPLAYS: all Mobiles have graphic displays, even if it’s a basic phone. They sport bright color screen that can display beautiful pictures and animation very vividly. A simple Mobile’s graphic would consist of showing signal, battery strength and number or name of person calling, or being called. Most high resolution phones allow large amounts of texts to be displayed either paragraph by paragraph or flashed on screen depending on how the user has set his requirements. Graphic displays also allow texts to be accompanied with pictures and animation etc. this could be an added asset to schools which use computers and hand held devices for displaying animation in subjects like anatomy. Mobiles can be used to replace these devices.

The Japanese have been using this very facility to learn everything from business to cooking to drawing; though an ancient art of drawing called “Manga”. Of course in Asian countries, novels intended to be read on phone screens are already been written. Mobiles can then replace textbooks; the only restraint being the limited size of the Mobile screen. This again can be overcome by re-thinking and innovating layout designs.

PROGRAMS: the latest addition to Mobiles is memory. Mobile phones are built in with higher memory and if not, then more memory can be added to them by inserting memory cards. This has ensured that the user can download programs and install them in their Mobiles. Mobile users can download the same teaching, gaming etc programs that they download on their computers; to use them on their Mobiles. This includes spreadsheets, WordPad, MS Office, Outlook Express etc.

INTERNET FACILITIES: internet Explorer has become the default addition to all Mobiles nowadays. Mobiles without one are not considered acceptable by youngsters nowadays. User- friendly Websites are now being designed specifically for Mobiles. The browser helps the user access dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia etc. it gives students instant access to search engines like Google. Students will find information and reference material highly accessible when they want to work on projects, retrieve information, check email etc.

MEDIA: cameras are the latest addition to Mobiles. There was a big commotion with regards to cameras being used for uncouth activities and taking obscene pictures and videos. On the other hand, cameras can be used for other, more productive things. Once students learn that privacy and discretion is also important, they can enhance the use of cameras and take full advantage of the possibilities it offers. They can use cameras to collect data, and for visual journalism. Allowing students to collect data, evidence and follow through on different projects effectively.

Videos are also very helpful in taking clips which would enhance learning possibilities for students. It will help them understand in basic terms what goes into not only television journalism but also create short films.

GPS: GPS or Global Positioning System is built into many phones along with other facilities, which allow the Mobiles precise position to be determined within a few feet. This will allow user to learn how to navigate and find correct positions; and students can be provided with information with regards to their location, be it in campus, or home. This can be helpful for students studying math, geography, archeology, architecture etc.

Students are far ahead in terms of using the latest technology. The first step in learning is what educators would call “cheating” but the student would define it as, “retrieving information on demand during exams”. Therefore, open book tests could be converted to open phone tests, where all information can be googled while the student is writing his exams. It will encourage the student to innovate in this area and the facility can be used to the advantage of the educator.

AND THEN...:

the advertisement by Idea might not be a clear indication of the steps to be taken to find a way in mobilizing a strong support system for Mobile Education; but it is a step towards it. In the advertisement Abhishek Bachchan, finds a girl student wanting enrolment in a school but unfortunately cannot find a seat; so he takes education to her in the form of a Mobile. The students in villages are then provided education via a Mobile. The advertisement cuts to the idea that mobile could be used to provide education even in the remotest areas.

There is a strong possibility that one day teachers could be handing out phones to their students, with preloaded software’s for class projects and students will be asked to Google research topics on the internet facility provided in their phone. Children and students requiring education but not being able to afford it will one day find Mobiles donated by charitable organizations at their disposal. This would suddenly bridge the gap between individuals and create a whole teaching community where everything is paid for.

Despite complaints from “Digital Immigrant” that Mobiles have limited screen space and button size; “Digital Natives” find this very miniaturization chic. Students have already invented ways to use their phone to interact, learn and explore. The only way to penetrate this digital drive is for the educators to figure out how to deliver their own product in an attractive way. And instead of fighting the changes which are rapidly occurring in the student life, it would be a better idea to work around it so both the educator and student can benefit from it.

Web Storage

2009-07-22T19:16:00.004+05:30

(c) 2009 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: July 2009

Tones (figuratively) of data are now waiting to be archived and stored online for reference in the future. The immediate market constitutes online storage where users can create and store data for easier access when they log on. It seems like a bombardment of various facilities provided like yahoo, and Gmail enabling email and documents storage. The previously disorganized market is now trying to systemize itself to bring about structure in data management. It also is using this opportunity to ensure that moving internet users find it easier to access information and direct the same to its clients.

There has been speculation on Google entering the market with “GOOGLE DRIVE” to provide virtual storage. Google is providing 5GB storage space with its free Google apps e- mail products, while other vendors are now starting with 25GB storage space for cash strapped individuals. Established companies and startups that can manage to pool in little finance, are trying to stake claim in the world of virtual storage. Manufacturers are trying to find cheaper outlets to ensure that they do not have to put a price on it and burden the internet user.

Established internet companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, are viewing online storage as the next big thing to offer to its customers. It will enable them to expand their offering, retain customers and, create huger impact on how their services are offered. They are aware that the more facilities they offer, the less likely you are to leave. The best attraction to something like this is that, if you have been a faithful customer of your Internet Company, and if you store a lot of data on their system, it will make it more difficult for you to switch to their competitor.

Models of Storage

Online storage companies focus on the following areas to provide solutions for storage:
• Backup/storage solutions (idrive, iomega, Symantec);
• File sharing solutions (driveway, myotherdrive); and
• Web services/storage solutions (shutterfly, flickr, google, msn).

These companies are also updating and adding more Web 2.0 features to create more collaborative solutions as they compete with each other. For example, Omnidrive, allows users to edit files directly online without having to download the file locally. I believe more features like these will be experimented upon, evolve, and modified in making the network more like a computer when combined with a local browser.

The Players

Today, there are many companies offering this space and luring users. Most of them let you try out their facilities for free for a limited amount of time until you become a paid regular customer. Moreover, they will let you try out only 1 to 25 GBs for free and then offer two or three other tiers with additional storage and features with minimum starting costs per month (idrive).
This is an attractive remedy for anyone starting out a new company and want to administer local backup solutions. Some of the services have higher-end features such as versioning, personal encryption keys and multiple user log-ins’.

The startups:

VCs and startups have seen an opportunity in online storage. Many newer companies like Box.net, ElephantDrive and Omnidrive have launched within the past few years with more innovative products than what was originally available in the marketplace.
Box.net claims itself as the first online file system, with more than 1.2 million users. It allows users to share, store and access files of any type from anywhere, as well as provides open API for developers.

ElephantDrive.com provides a desktop application for scheduling backup, restoring, uploading, downloading and sharing, as well as a drive mapping application for easy upload and download of your files.

Data Deposit Box offers online backup software that allows for an unlimited number of users and computers. While you're online, the software backs up your data automatically by watching your files and looking for changes. When it detects a change it extracts the file changes and compresses, encrypts and securely transfers them to the online storage.

MediaMax provides 25 GBs of free storage, as well as free backup and synchronization software. It gives you a private and secure place to upload, store, access and share your personal videos, photos, movies, music and files.

Omnidrive seems to be ahead of the pack. It goes beyond storage to full read and write of files online, making it easy for users to share files with other users in a collaborative manner.

IBackup, Mofile and Mozy are a few others that may be worth looking at.

The more established companies:
Amazon S3 Simple Storage Service is a web services interface made for developers that provides access to the Amazon data storage infrastructure.

AOL's Xdrive.com, started in 1999, was one of the pioneers in online web storage and was bought by AOL in 2005. It provides advanced features for backing up data and sharing files.

GoDaddy Online File Folder provides a sync tool that lets you automatically sync from multiple computers. You also can use FTP to push files to this storage facility and edit files online. Using WebDAV, you can view and edit online files as if they were in a network drive.

Iomega iStorage allows users to manage, store and share data online.

MicrosoftWindows Live SkyDrive offers basic online storage and sharing for Windows Live users.

Yahoo! Briefcase provides basic capabilities to add and share files as part of Yahoo!'s portal solution, although, Google is taking over now, with providing space for documents, photos, calendars, notes etc.

The Future

As the internet companies compete with each other, they will try to come up with more modifications and technological ventures to add to the ever innovating and growing Web 2.0 features. It also would make sense for PC manufacturers to partner with some of these companies and offer backup and storage services to anyone that considers buying a new PC. Today Microsoft is trying to combat Google with its ideas and hopefully would be able to provide solutions to the internet meltdown which is predicted in 2012.

All eyes are on Google today. With its sheer size and marketing power, Google could become a force to be reckoned with in the online storage arena. Online data storage and backup would also mean that there could be serious threat to hacking and thievery of data and companies which find online data storage as a solution would be a little cautious. Despite this, the opportunity online storage provides is that on the verge of a PC crash is immense; data is safely available and stored somewhere else for individuals to access. The problem: what if the Internet Company crashes; is hacked or its system manipulated?? I guess, all the data is gone, as they do not take any responsibility for the same. Also lookout for potential struggles over privacy issues, as well as copyright issues related to sharing data. Regardless, the idea of storing data online for small and medium size companies is promising; if they are able to handle and use the storage facilities with care and are able to provide themselves adequate backup.

Space Tourism

2009-06-14T15:11:00.004+05:30

(c) 2009 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: June 2009

If you have ever grown up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's movie "Total Recall" or the Alien movie series; or any other science fiction movie from Star Trek to Star Wars. If you have ever had romantic fantasies of voyaging the moon and the stars with champagne in your hand and your love sitting right in front of you, and thought, well, it happens in books and movies; then you are close to realizing your dream more than ever. You will understand that space tourism was a central theme to these movies, where people find the story’s plot based in space. But, space tourism is not just some pipe dream as companies like Scaled Composites, Blue Origin, and SpaceX are developing craft and programs to do just this.

With ticket prices are a mere $20 million for a one- week stay in space, the Space tourism industry is officially open for business. American businessman, Dennis Tito was made the world’s first space tourist, by Russia despite NASA’s disapproval. On April 30, 2001, a Russian Soyuz rocket flew Tito into space and arrived at the International Space Station. "It is not going to be a holiday (but) to me it is a life's dream and the start of a new career," Tito had said to journalists, during a break from training for the mission. Tito was quoted as saying that the most profound experience of his life was aboard the ISS, when he was able to speak from space to his kids over a ham radio link. The same rocket also flew Space Tourist and South African businessman Mark Shuttleworth on April 25, 2002. Greg Olsen, an American businessman, became tourist number three to the ISS on October 1, 2005.

On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari, a telecommunications entrepreneur, became the first female space tourist and the fourth space tourist overall. She was also the first person of Iranian descent to make it into space. Anousheh Ansari has invested in her interest in space before -- she and another relative contributed to the $10 million XPrize, and she hopes that her experience on the ISS will help her to develop spacecraft that make space tourism more affordable. Ansari shrinks from the term "space tourist," because of the rigorous training she and the first three explorers had to undergo. "I think tourists are people who basically decide to go to some place and put a camera around their neck, and basically buy a ticket and go there. They don't prepare...I spent six months [training in Russia], and had to learn many different systems, and many new different technologies to take this journey, so I don't think tourism [does] justice to this event," Ansari said. Charles Simonyi, a software architect, became the fifth space tourist on April 7, 2007.

Trips like these have opened up possibilities of Space Tourism as the next big thing in the 21st Century, what with companies investing millions believing that the space tourism industry is on the verge of taking off. NASA published a report in 1997 signifying that selling space trips to private individuals could be worth billions of dollars. To reiterate that a Japanese report supports the findings indicating that space tourism could be a $10 billion per year industry within the next two decades.

Events such as these have triggered a possibility of exploring dimensions in space and plans of constructing suborbital vehicles, orbital hotels, cruises to the moon etc. Several space tourism companies have lined up to build suborbital vehicles and orbital cities within the next two decades. Thus, space travel is an industry which it born out of human curiosity about the unknown.

Few realize though that Space tourism is not only about a trip in space; it is much more. It could range from, Short term trips into space; to, long term stays in orbital hotels, and taking part in space research, educational and entertainment oriented games in space (for example; the possibility of have space Olympics). It could open up possibilities of individuals experiencing short moments of weightlessness and travelling to space theme parks. The most exciting prospect of space travel could be the use of virtual reality and space games in order to interact with simulated or actual space hardware, including rovers on the Moon or Mars. In suborbital flights, passengers would experience three to six minutes of weightlessness, a view of a twinkle-free starfield, and a vista of the curved Earth below.

Along with Russia, many companies are showing interest in space travel. Several projects are underway to commercialize space travel. Here are a few of the groups that might take you to space:

Bigelow Aerospace, by Budget Suites of America hotels owner Robert Bigelow, hopes to make "habitable space stations affordable for corporate communities."
Space Island Group is going to build a ring-shaped, rotating "commercial space infrastructure" that will resemble the Discovery spacecraft in the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." Space Island says it will build its space city out of empty NASA space-shuttle fuel tanks (to start, it should take around 12 or so), and place it about 400 miles (644 km) above Earth. The space city will rotate once per minute to create a gravitational pull one-third as strong as Earth's.
The X Prize is a national contest that offered $10 million to the first private company to develop a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) capable of carrying the general public into space. In October 2004, Scaled Composites, a California based company, won the prize with SpaceShipOne.
According to their vision statement, Space Adventures plans to "fly tens of thousands of people in space over the next 10-15 years and beyond, both orbital and suborbital, around the moon, and back, from spaceports both on Earth and in space, to and from private space stations, and aboard dozens of different vehicles ..."
Even Hilton Hotels has shown interest in the space tourism industry and the possibility of building or co-funding a space hotel. However, the company did say that it believes such a space hotel is 15 to 20 years away.

The only hurdle the ordinary man faces before he can indulge in space fantasies and turn it into reality is the enormous price at which it comes. It is by no means feasible for a common man to spend $20 million on a vacation. The price to go on a space vacation ranges from $50,000 to $ 25,00,000 depending on whether you want to go now or a few years later and also on the duration and nature of the tour. The costly rates are mainly because launch vehicles are not reusable. So the need of the hour is to produce launch vehicles that are reusable. Space agencies act as the only obstacle to this dream trip as they are concerned with safety and the development of a reliable, reusable launch vehicle.

Space tourism has been condemned as being a "playground for the rich." And, while there may be some current truth to this, the vision for the future is to make space tourism affordable and available to the middle class in just a few, short years. While 'N Sync singer Lance Bass may have fallen short of cash and Madonna was voted down in her request, still many companies are working on making suborbital flights affordable to the general public. In spite of the high prices people are ready to pay thousands of dollars to go on a vacation in space. This speaks volumes as to how popular space travel is. The way it is going, the space industry, like the aviation industry, is going to find that carrying passengers is going to be its main business.

Are we Logging Off??

2009-06-14T14:56:00.003+05:30

(c) 2009 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: June 2009

The advent of Internet Technology had changed the phase of communication. People seemed to be logging off their real lives and logging onto their virtual worlds. Communication was faster, less tedious and involved less movement from one place to another. The impact of the same in personal lives was determined only after we realized that we have to now relearn how to interact on a personal level sans a computer screen.

This could be one reason why “Log off the Internet Day” was initiated by a group of activists in 1999 to make the public aware of the impacting Internet Technology is making on real life communities. “Log Off the Internet Day” is celebrated on the first Saturday after the start of summer in your hemisphere on which you are supposed to stay off the internet. It meant No email, chat, IMs, game playing or surfing; the end result is that no one would have anything to do with the internet or the computer for that matter. As a substitute to that a person could indulge in doing business on a personal level or pamper himself by going to the movies, meeting up friends, chilling out at home with friends, going out for lunch; whatever a person would like to do outside the internet.

The most important question that comes to my mind right now is – are we logging off the internet? Although the internet is providing faster means of communication; a new school of thought has emerged in social spheres. Regardless of the facilities it offers, individuals have begun to miss the personal touch that human contact provides, “My friend and I have been writing to each other for the past fifteen years, I look forward to her letters every week. She is in London now…” continues Rashmi (homemaker), “I miss those letters now. I admit that I receive her letters via email; but, you know when you receive a handwritten letter, you can feel the person much more intensely. It’s very personal.”

Shail might not like writing letter but he is fazing out of the system, “I’m getting a little fed- up with the internet. I don’t know what’s happening. I’m completely uninterested now. I don’t like sitting on the internet. I would rather meet friends outside the internet, hang out, play basketball, go to the movies…. I just do the bare essentials online, and log out.” Aarthi (a student) adds another angle to the story, “I was a member of all these social networking websites and had many email ids; because I got so many requests from friends. The truth is I hardly visit any of them apart from Orkut or FaceBook.”

It was determined three years ago that on an average a normal teen would spend about 72 hours a week on the internet; apart from, video games and other miscellaneous activities on the computer. Initially, it was said that social networking websites do work in making friends. The truth is social networking websites are more apt for people with technical focus; for example, artists, and engineers networking in their own fields or students of a college or a university. The idea is to connect individuals with common interests, which can be pursued seriously for a specific purpose offline. On the other hand social networking websites which are used to make friends with strangers don’t really work. “Having a huge network of online buddies does not mean you have any more close friends than the rest of us”, a British researcher says.

Social networking sites like FaceBook and Orkut have changed the way people connect by making it easier to collect hundreds of friends online. “Individuals with for example, 126 friends on their Orkut list don’t necessarily interact with them regularly. It is humanly impossible to keep in touch with 1,752 friends on a personal level; don’t you think??” says, Bhageshri.

“Nearly all close friends require face- to – face contact,” said Will Reader in a meeting sponsored by the British Association for the advancement of science. He also added that his research reiterated the fact that 90 % of the individuals said it was essential to know a person face- to face to form an intimate bond. Having to see each other face – to – face allows people to interpret and read facial clues to see if friends can be counted upon. “It’s important to laugh together,” Reader adds.

In a gist, even if individuals have umpteen numbers of friends in their social friends list, they also kept a very discreet number of close friends; which did not change. The growing desperation to feel emotions, personal touch, and knowing each other for who they are; is shifting people from online to offline.

Internet users in India are now concentrating on interacting through fewer social networking websites. The most used social networking websites in India are; Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook, Orkut, and LinkedIn. The rest are fazing out and trying their best to survive. The primary reason is the tediousness of signing in and out of them and wasting precious time trying to reply to people. “I would rather call my best friend up than send messages through ten social networking websites,” says Karthic.

“Twitter is my main communication website. But, I belong to about 20 social networking websites in total. The main ones I use are FaceBook, LinkedIn, and TakingItGlobal. The big move in the web 2.0 world is that everyone is creating a participatory website. So I also belong to niche networks like: Freelance Union, Social Media Today, etc” says Natalie Rodic.

The trend now indicates internet users moving onto a much more focused and discreet networking style. Networking with individuals where they stand to gain in terms of knowledge and expertise. Natalie adds, “I love the world of social media. But I need to have face time with real people on a daily basis as well. Working from home all the time, I have to MAKE that happen. If I spend all day on social networks I do feel a bit isolated and lonely.”

Internet users have also started off logging off websites based on the changes which take place within the network. “Twitter for me these days. I stopped loving FaceBook with this most recent makeover”, Rodic comments. There are a growing number of people who have an aversion to change. They want to remain loyal to what they are familiar with. FaceBook has been facing a lot of criticism by users for changing their layout.

MSN Chat and Yahoo chat was launched a couple of years ago. Everyone was excited about going global and with the prospect of talking to someone across the world. They were inquisitive with the idea that a mere internet like thing could actually take you around the world. Back then interacting with strangers was an interesting prospect. Today, a large number of people do not appreciate being “pinged” by strangers. They just do not want to be approached by random individuals wanting to be “best friends”. They find it time consuming and baseless.

Further investigation revealed that in comparison to consecrated social networking websites, like FaceBook; Orkut allowed for more accessibility to strangers. Marion Sarah Ksing, who works as a Textile Designer is tired of random people trying to make friends with “I hardly log onto Orkut. It was okay and nice getting in touch with people I haven’t heard from in ages. But now it’s lame with random people writing in it”.

There is another group of people who have now moved on from past social networks and relationships to better prospects. “Do we really have to keep in touch with everyone? Don’t we move on? I think sometimes you don’t really have to keep the world informed about your affairs. Most importantly, I’d like to keep my friends, family and office associates separate. I don’t want everyone to know who I network with and my important contacts,” says Juliana. Internet users are now concentrating their internet communications. They are now moving back to E-mails and prefer a one - on - one interaction.

Social Networking is becoming more focused in terms of subject, needs, who internet users want to interact with, where and which social networking website they would like to use and how they want to interact with. Besides this, trends indicate that users are now moving out of the virtual world and taking it into the real world. Internet has now become the medium where individuals interact only if there is a possibility that they cannot meet offline.

In the past few years, internet communication technology was available to us to be used. The only problem was something like this, which was available instantly, was not treated right. We refrained from informed communication. The abuse of technology was a direct result of our curiosity and unawareness of how to deal with the communication outlet available in front of us. “Your questions reflect that you are documenting changing mindsets and technologies. My opinion is people have to a certain extent abused this technology. They have spent more time in the virtual world, which I don’t claim is right or wrong, but their dependency has let for some people to be disappointed with the changing scenario,” retrospect’s Abhishek Goyal.

People are smarter now. They are not completely logging off, at the same time; they are not allowing information technology in the form if internet interaction to take over there lives either. A growing number of people are learning fast and avoiding being swept away by this technology. They have decided to use the technology instead of allowing technology to use them.

The Digital Emerge

2009-05-22T19:39:00.004+05:30

(c) 2009 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: April 2009

Of late trends in film making have gone through a massive change. Earlier great care was taken on how a film should be made. Now, a film strategically placed for distribution, enables it to be focused to the right audience, thus bringing in larger returns. In the age of faster communication, distributors want a system so arranged that the movie reaches the audience before the pirates can do any damage to the returns. The intent is to cut down the tedious and expensive process of duplicating and distributing prints, which are prone to be destroyed on the way.

Digital cinema is a recent phenomenon, and has started to pick up because of the advantages it offers to distributors and filmmakers. The film is transmitted in digital form to cinema halls, using satellite technology, and projected to the customers through an enhanced high-definition television system. The system, also known as cyber cinema, basically means that when a film is viewed digitally, you will see it as the maker intended for you to see it. The film will be presented before you in greater clarity and detail. The film is not prone to deterioration, scratches, fading, and damage as a result of repeated viewing, etc. and will be at its best quality, regardless.

Digital cinema includes every aspect of the film making process, from production and post-production to distribution and projection. While digital cameras are not new, and post production houses have of late been using digital equipment to edit and master films and animation, the all-digital distribution and projection of films has only recently arrived to complete the chain.

Directors abroad seemed to have fallen in love with this sort of technology, until recently. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released in May 2002, and was the first all-digital live action feature, shot without a single roll of film. The response was tremendous. A number of major Hollywood studios joined hands and formed the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) body that has come up with standard formats for digital cinema content. Animation movies like Beowulf, Harry Potter and Spiderman soon followed, recording a major part of their box office collections through digital theatres around the world. It’s said that nearly 50% of the screens around the world are to go digital by 2013.

Luke Lieberman, President, Red Sonja LLC, has his doubts, “Digital cinema never took off the way people thought it would. In part, this is because HD (High Definition) doesn't really have that film magic quality and the DPs (Director of Photography) never took to it; in part it is because the cost savings, relative to the budget of a major motion picture, is really not much but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that digital stuff is too easy to rip off. If you are going to plow a bunch of cash into a project, you want to make sure people can't just duplicate it like they do with music. The film industry is trying to avoid the fate of the music industry.”

India's economy is not yet ready to fully adopt the DCI norms for digital cinema probably for the same reasons as cited by Lieberman. The biggest problem in India is piracy. High quality projections make it easy for pirates to record these films via camcorders to pirate the movie. Digital cinema system is said to cut down the cost of releasing actual celluloid prints and also ensure release throughout the network. At the same time, it is said to cut down the incentives of piracy. Also, the systems are not very bulky making it easy for exhibitors to adapt to this new system.

The film is transmitted in digital form,
using satellite technology,
and projected through an
enhanced high-definition television system.

One stream sure to reap the benefits of digitizing is the animation industry. The content produced is mainly in the digital format. To release in Indian cinemas, they have to release physical prints. The evolution of digital cinema will cut down this step saving a lot of the producer's money, which can be put into use for the other aspects of film production. A major challenge of digital cinema in India is the conversion cost.

Indian cinema is geared up to converting its halls into a digital format and this is happening slowly but steadily. Talks with PVR Cinemas, Inox and other film screening units revealed that they believe digital cinema in India will revolutionize the way movies will be seen, in terms of space quality and operational convenience.

Security concerns will, however, remain the same as before and there’s not much that digital cinema can do in this respect. Websites would allow movies to be downloaded and pirate markets will still sell cheap versions. The only thing it will do is help cinema distributors in the advertisement point of view in terms of RTC Conversion. Advertisers, in order to advertise their products, can now simply give a CD, which can be run in between intervals. Unlike before where there would be many technicians working to get the film’s screening, with digital broadcasting one would require just one technician who will screen a film merely by inserting a DVD or CD into the player.

Filmmakers have to get their films converted from their pre existent formats for their film to get released in all the digital theatres. This might add up to the costs and discourage the industry to adopt digital cinema. Therefore, if digital cinema has to be adopted, the industry has to work together for the establishment of the same as a standard. Converting halls into the new format will take some time. Exposing format has to be revamped and this needs to be done without disturbing the process of screening and without affecting viewer turnover in theatre halls.

Conversion and multiplying costs have also come down as far as digital music is concerned. It has also helped reduce electronic waste in the market. Until recently, most digital music was sold in the compact disc format. But in the past few years, a new method of distributing digital music, i.e., MP3 has become very popular: transmission of container-less files via the Internet, followed by storage on computers, iPODs, etc. MP3 is an audio compression file format in which music occupy approximately 1/12 of the disk space occupied by uncompressed files, enabling them to be transmitted faster and stored more easily.

Musicians and other professionals, etc. have been embracing this technology for years. The former, unable to obtain contracts with record companies, have realized that, at modest cost, they can easily record their work in MP3 format and instantly make it available over the Internet. The rest have discovered that they can easily obtain MP3 copies of most of the songs of their favorite musicians via the Internet. Only last year did people realize the magnanimity of the situation both in terms of a boon and a curse. While music was easily available and cut down on production and distribution costs, a high percentage of the MP3 recordings available in this manner are prepared without the permission of the legal owners of the music.

When a CD was sold, most of the cost went to the manufacturer, distributor, the retail store, or the record company that produced the recording. The artist would hardly receive more than 16% of the purchase price. But if the music was distributed over the Internet by the artist himself, almost all cost associated with making and distributing of CDs could be eliminated. Thus, musicians could earn more or consumers could pay less or both. It would also be convenient for the musicians and consumers because tedious procedures could be eliminated like travelling, music being out of stock, etc. Internet distribution would allow the music to be available when the consumer would require, instantly.

The musicians would get a platform to exhibit their talent and not be dependent on flimsy production companies, which makes easy it easier to reach an ever larger audience. Most musicians now have websites and promotional music uploaded online for their listeners; even music companies are following suit. They upload samples of upcoming albums onto their websites for the consumers to have a taste of what’s next.

The greatest benefit that digital music/cinema has derived is that of decentralizing a monotonous power hold that production houses, music industries, distributors, etc. had on the product. The first, already mentioned, consists of the expansion of the set of musicians and filmmakers who can reach wide audiences, while shrinking the control of record companies and production houses. The second consists of the ease with which ‘consumers’ of digital music/cinema can manipulate it, recombine pieces of it, and blend it with their own material and remix – indirectly becoming producers of the same. The next generation of compression formats – MP4 – is increasing those opportunities for interaction and alteration.

Regrettably, distribution of digital music/cinema via the Internet also has a very substantial drawback: it undermines the ability of creators to earn money. The biggest reason for this is that MP3 files are unsecured. Nothing prevents a person who has acquired (with/without permission) an MP3 file to make unlimited copies. The copies made using digital technology are same as the original. Illegal MP3 copies of copyrighted recordings are available on the Internet for free. The boost of unauthorized free copies has become a big concern for music/cinema makers who now are trying to find remedies to this problem. Compact discs bearing Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) is another alternative to protect piracy of movies and music.

David Bowie’s suggested this option through his innovative website. People visiting Bowie’s website are invited to become members of the Bowie ‘Community’ after which they are encouraged to participate in the website programs, chat rooms, etc. They are also offered a wide variety of products and services, loosely related to Bowie's artistry.

The same has now been absorbed by other musicians and filmmakers who have started to offer incentives to viewers in the form of freebies, which could range from T-shirts, posters, videos, sheet music, mouse pads, etc. Some also offer Internet access, unlimited e-mail addresses and web spaces. In the end, one would think, why would viewers and browsers go to such websites and avail of these offers? It could be because they appreciate the artist or film and enjoy participating and encouraging the product.

Most artists and filmmakers have also started asking for donations indirectly through their websites. They don’t charge the visitor for downloading music or movies, but ask for a donation. This is an off-shoot idea taken from radio stations and religious organizations. For example: If you are interested in buying a copy of John Mayer’s latest song, you could simply Google his name.

The first search result that shows up would be his official website from where you can browse through a complete list of his songs, listen to a sample and download them if you want; all this, of course, for a small amount. This would be quite less compared to the amount you would pay for entire album. In the end, the object of this discussion remains whether digital cinema and music are a boon or a curse.

India is seeing its advent for the first time and is yet to pick up; therefore, the end result needs to be seen. But considering what has happened to digital music in the past few years, it would be wise to proceed with preparation and caution. What needs to be done is to derive maximum benefit by reducing the negativities. The idea now would be to reap the box office collections as soon as the prints are exposed to the viewers; before the pirates get to them. This way even if the prints are leaked, the returns are secured. The onus now lies on a perfectly laid plan of distribution.

YMEX - Media Exchange

2009-02-01T20:39:00.001+05:30

(c) 2008 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: February 2009

New trends are taking on social networking websites. There was also an array of friendly websites like batchmate.com, orkut.com etc; which attempted to connect lost friends. Yet others let you connect to new ones. There are some emerging social networks on the internet which are revolutionizing trends in connecting, and communication. These have helped turn social networking into a serious business.

YMEX.ORG deals with youth- produced digital media and with anything that has a social message to convey. It empowers the youth to create, share and discuss digital media about global issues

Youth Media Exchange (ymex.org) is a new social networking website that empowers youth worldwide to create, share, and discuss digital media about global issues. Through online social networking and digital media production, new ways of learning and collaborating emerge that enable youth to become a driving force in creating and shaping a shared future in an increasingly interconnected world. By creating collections of related resources and media, developing and displaying projects with peers in other countries, and responding and reflecting through online discussions, youth will build the digital media literacy skills and knowledge necessary for university and work in a global age. It also gives educators an opportunity to work with the youth media producers and collaborate on the content collaborators at ymex.org. Thus, allowing an informed approach to education and growth in media and media related aspects.

In a free wheeling interview Natalie Rodic (31 years) a Project Coordinator with ymex.org describes the utility of the website in detail and how to effectively make use of intelligent social networking websites.

Natalie Rodic - Ymex.org

Tell us a little about yourself…
- I have a background in the performing arts as a performer myself but also as a teacher and a producer. But, I have made an exciting transition into digital media and global affairs for the last four years. I am interested in social justice issues and positive change from the inside out. I have lived in New York City almost nine years and have recently obtained my Master’s degree in International Affairs with a focus in Media in Development at which time I made a couple of documentary videos and expanded my knowledge of the complexities of international development as well as the potentials for media to be a positive force. I am both an American and a Croatian by citizenship, but consider myself a global citizen in spirit and have an insatiable appetite for travel and experiencing new places and the people within them.

What is your job profile at YMEX?
- As the Project Coordinator and Community Manager or ymex.org, I am involved with all the aspects of designing, developing, launching, and monitoring the website. But my main role is outreach and availability to all those involved: partners, youth media groups, and finally the ymex community.

Is it easy managing a website like YMEX?
- Since we haven’t launched yet, I am not sure. I can imagine it will not be easy, but it surely will be fun. Developing the website has been a challenge though because we are doing some really ground-breaking things there.

TIG has taken shape as one of the most prominent networking website with a purpose, then, why did you decide to come up with YMEX?
- Ymex.org is really collaboration between the creative minds of Global Kids, TakingITGlobal, and Asia Society. We knew we were going to be a good fit as partners, and we wanted to test out the platforms of social networks, but one that was really focused on digital media and learning. TakingITGlobal has a lot to offer, but it doesn’t really have that one niche focus like ymex.org has.

What does YMEX basically deal with, could you give us some examples…
- ymex.org basically deals with youth-produced digital media such as photos or digital artwork, video, games, songs, or podcasts, blogs, mash-ups, but all of those with a social message. The goal is to encourage young people’s experimentation with different kinds of media production tools, but also to inform them on issues that we can all relate to in our global community, whether it deals with an issue at the local or global level. Next, we are hoping members will make friends and collaborate on media productions with youth in other countries. An example would be: a high-school student in South Korea is in an after-school program learning how to make digital video. He is interested in the dilemma of access to drinking water in many places in the world after seeing a documentary film about this. Another high-school student in New Delhi has worked with villagers nearby on this very issue but has never made a video, and perhaps doesn’t have access to a camera. They meet on ymex.org, discovering they have a similar interest in an issue. Based on a proposal to complete a “quest” (that is a step-by-step learning activity) and make a public awareness campaign about access to water, these two decide to put their ideas and knowledge together and make a video for this quest.

What should a member do when he joins YMEX?
- First step is that he or she should edit their profile then become familiar with the website, seeing what media and resources others have posted. The next level is to start commenting on media that has been posted, start linking to the digital media that he or she knows about, find other people with similar interests. There are other exciting possibilities for engagement in groups, contest, and quests, but these I mentioned are the beginning steps for involvement.

What kind of participants are you looking at for the website? Is the website for everyone?
- We are really aiming for it to be a space for youth in the age range of 13 to 19 years old. And we are targeting outreach in China, India, South Korea, and the US. But all that said, we are not restricting the website at all, so anyone of any age can join. In looking at the list of those who have pre-registered, it looks like it is going to be very global in scope.

Some pointers to make effective use of the website.
- Experiment! Experiment! Play with the Resources that we will have listed. There is so much free open source software and so many online tools that the possibilities for creating digital media are endless – and free!
- Be brave. Meet others but also try to see how you can engage in meaningful conversations with them, and learn from each other.
- Enhance your ability to discuss media and global issues, make this a space where you can sharpen your critical thinking and discussing skills – and work on your English language skills too!
- Be sensitive and supportive of others. This is not only a website for award-winning documentaries, but also a space for those who are just getting their feet wet.

What do you stand to achieve with the website?
- As I mentioned before, we hope connections are made around the world, young people are able to sharpen their production and critical thinking skills – this can really help them in their higher education and career. But also in the big picture, we hope to contribute to the larger field of digital media and learning where there are a number of researchers and scholars who are trying to understand the affects of digital media on young people’s lives. In this world of increasing connectivity, it is only fair to youth that we acknowledge and try to harness the potential of IT and media for them and their futures.

You have chosen to launch this website primarily in India and China, any specific reason?
- Actually, you can add South Korea to the list as well. In quoting my colleague, Alexis Menten, at the Asia Society, “Asia and the United States have been connected geopolitically, economically, and culturally for centuries.” This is true, but also the level of interest in technology, media, and global education has been demonstrated in those countries. It seemed like a good place to start! We’ll expand outreach to other regions of the world in the next phase of the project if it proves to be successful and continue.

Would there be any content management in the website, to control what gets published and what does not?
- There is no approval process. Everything that is submitted to the website will go up immediately. We will monitor what has been posted, based on our guidelines. Anything inappropriate will be removed. The members will be able to flag content themselves.

Live it Magazine Feb2009

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Mobile Attack

2009-01-01T23:19:00.002+05:30

(c) 2008 Puja Goyal
Magazine: Live IT
Month of Publication: January 2009

Hospitals in England had recently banned doctors and patients from using mobile phones. Concern surround the community about the theory that mobile phones interfere with the medical equipments used in the hospital. The government of England later reiterated that hospitals have no reason to enforce a total ban on the use of mobile phones as long as the usage is in compliance to set rules and regulations and does not interfere with the proper functioning of the hospital. The NHS regulator stated that the mobile phone can be safely used in certain areas away from sensitive equipment like intensive care and specialist baby units. Research suggests that mobile phones do in fact affect the proper functioning of vital equipments and that additional testing of such phone use in hospitals is needed.

The study also suggests that the most serious interference occurred when a mobile phone was held one to two inches from the most sensitive area of external cardiopulmonary monitoring devices. Cell phone-related interference was also detected in electro-cardiographic(ECG) tracings displayed on monitors when phones were placed at a distance of 6 to 33 inches from the medical devices (Mayo Clinic). The most severe interference related to cell phone use was noticed when the phone was held near a mechanical ventilator. The phone virtually shut down the ventilator. The ventilator restarted when the phone was held within two inches of a communication port on the back of the ventilator. Mobile phones used at a distance of 60 inches from electrical equipment within a patient's room or central nursing stations are unlikely to cause serious equipment malfunctions, the researchers said.

The crux of the situation is that most of this research is based on theory and without scientific testing. However, the debate of whether the mobile phones should be banned in a hospital continues more on ethical and functional levels than on technical grounds. In India however, the issue is more moral, social and ethical in approach rather than technical in idea. The truth is that mobile phones cannot be banned entirely from use in hospitals. Authorities therefore will have to find a balance between using the phones effectively and at the same time ensuring that there is no risk to patients who are using medical equipment such as heart monitors and infusion pumps. Most importantly, to ensure that the real object of the hospital, which is to provide patients who are ill with adequate rest and treatment; is not violated or hampered.

The reality is that very few adhere to hospital etiquette. For example: Wokhardt Hospital in Bangalore has various posters citing the visitors to ‘maintain silence’ and to ‘switch off mobile phones’. These posters are hung in receptions and other areas where patients could be liable to discomfort from visitors. Even then, not many consider following the request to ‘switch off mobile phones’ when in the premises of the hospital.

The hospital authorities always hope that visitors are mature enough to understand that they should maintain silence; and that a hospital is a place of rest and recovery. Most people do not realize that they should have their mobiles switched off or on silent when they are in ICU, wards or clinical areas. During the course of arranging material for this article I visited various hospitals and found that, surprisingly, there was more decorum in public hospitals than private ones. One hour was sufficient to determine the degree of restlessness a patient would feel amongst the loud conversations the visitors indulged in on their mobile phones. The phones of course rang to different loud and obvious tunes before they were answered. It could be that the visitor is unaware, negligent or simply decides to display pure disregard for the safety and concern of the patient.

If the need to answer the call arises then the call should be taken keeping in mind where the visitor is. The ward sister, charge nurse or doctor may permit use, depending on the circumstances. It is always proper and courteous to ask if you could use a mobile phone and the nurses and patients appreciate it. Mobiles can be used in public areas like hospital entrances, the coffee shops and on the concourses outside wards. However, you should not use your phone within 2 meters of a patient who is connected to medical equipment.

The question is: why the clinical staff is allowed to keep their phone on while the visitor is not. Clinical staff is allowed to carry mobile phones or pagers so that they may be contacted when an emergency arises. They are aware of the risks of using mobile phones in a hospital and they understand that if their phone affects a nearby medical device then they can respond appropriately.

Live IT Jan09

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Hitting the Right Notes

2008-07-01T19:45:00.004+05:30

Will music act as a catalyst to thwart the differences between India and Pakistan? Yes, if the success of Pakistani music in India is any indication

Most Pakistani bands entry into the Indian music palate has been somewhat similar. "After releasing our debut album Saagar in Pakistan, a representative of EMI India got in touch with us and offered us a record deal. We were really excited about the fact that people in India will listen to our music. Our Album was released in 2004 in India to a good response", says Shallum Xavier, vocalist Fuzon. Fuzon has been in India for five years now and has taken the country by storm with their eclectic yet retro sounds. There first album Saagar is the highest (non-film) selling album. Saagar has broken all records and is still selling in Pakistan. They have recently released their second album Journey in India. Fuzon is the brainchild of lead guitarist Shallum Xavier and producer Imran Momina aka Immu. The essence of the band is based on experimentation and collaboration between different soundscapes and musical disciplines.

Jal's lead vocalist, Ferhan Saeed, adds, "Our song AADAT first released in Pakistan. We were then approached by an Indian music company who wanted to release our song in India. Being a Pakistani voice, we were a little apprehensive about how Indians would take the Pakistani flavor; but both AADAT and WOH LAMHE were hits. Indian fans supported us a lot". Jal concentrates on "Alaap" and blends Urdu vocals with modern rock and stresses on the melodies and content. Other lead members of the band include, Gohar Mumtaz, its lead composer and lyricist and Shazi Aamir, the guitarist. Jal will soon release their second album, Boond - a drop of Jal in India.

Their stories of success belie the efforts gone into making a fantastic arrangement of eclectic Sufiana and classical Hindustani music intermingled with overtones of seasoned rock. So what is it that makes these bands so successful?

"The Indian youth are saturated with film
music and badly need a fresh sound." -Ferhan Saeed

Ferhan Saeed is also exploring the answers to this question. "We used to ask the same questions 7 to 8 years ago. I think that India and Pakistan have a very special thing going; no one can deny that. This determines our selling point. The Indian youth are saturated with film music and badly need fresh sound. It is nice that Bollywood remixes are playing in discs; in concerts we need new sounds which appeal to the rocker generation and to the more sedate laid- back listeners."

Suresh Venkat, Lifestyle Editor for CNBC -TV18 elaborates, "In the mid to late 90s Indipop was all the rage. A few outstanding bands like Euphoria, Silk Route, and Sanjay Maroo got their due during this time. Unfortunately this time also saw a massive glut of terrible bands. Somehow most Indian bands just stopped connecting with their listeners. That and what seemed like a major slowdown in the music industry pushed Indian bands into relative obscurity. There's also the ethereal quality of "pathos" in many Pakistani singers' voice, probably inspired by Sufi poetry that most Indian singers simply don't have. Fuzon's ANKHON KE SAAGAR, is a good example of this quality.

Jonzie Kurian, Creative Director with Worldspace talks of the reasons for the Pakistani bands making it big in India, "Unlike Pakistan, loads of Indian bands seem to be concentrating on playing English. Pakistani bands on the other hand concentrate on Hindi/Urdu which could possibly explain their popularity." Another reason behind the success stories of these bands is that they do not sound "Bollywoodish" nor are they influenced by India's film scene. An ingredient to their well-founded success is that they have their roots firmly in place; hence, putting to use their own traditional music and grow with it instead of trying to be someone else and failing miserably.

Junoon comprising of Salman Ahmed, Ali Azmat and Brian O'Connell, is a landmark example of this new sound. Junoon was found by guitarist/ songwriter/medical doctor Salman Ahmad in Karachi in 1990. There hits include SAYONEE and YAAR BINA. Today, they are considered one of the most successful bands in the history of South Asian music. Its genre is defined as 'Sufi Rock', meaning a fusion of rock with sub continental Sufi music, imagery, and lyrics with modern melodies. Sufi lyrics primarily deal with Lyrics, matters of love and daily life; and as such are a simple yet a powerful medium of expressing sentiments and thought. Thus, Junoon was able to lend voice to traditional Sufi lyrics and make it "Hip" for the next generation. In India, 'Sufi Rock' is also considered a strong form of voicing one's opinion, hence termed, 'Rebel Rock'.

Shallum (Fuzon) believes, "It is because Pakistani Pop Music has a very unique sound which can't be duplicated by any other Pop Industry anywhere in the world. The uniqueness comes from the culture, the road to modernism, fusing different ideas from different genres, the history of Pop Music and the dedication, determination and the vision of some of our leading Musicians/ Artists." Corroborates Suresh Venkat,"Pakistani bands have their roots in the Hindustani classical and Sufi traditions, both of which are profoundly moving and emotive forms of music. Pakistani bands like Fuzon, Mekal Hasan band, Junoon, Strings and The Call have managed to create a beautiful synthesis between classical and modern. I think that's the secret of their success".

"We need a new "honesty" in Indian rock that's true to its Indian ethos and one that sings about modern contemporary India."
- Suresh Venkat

Indian bands are heavily influenced by film music, and most musicians and producers seem to agree. Suresh reflects on why Indian bands do not have a longer shelf power compared to Pakistani Bands, "Indian bands need to work on a new sound, new lyrics and a new ethos. Songs by Indian bands need to stop sounding like low budget versions of Bollywood songs or cheesy Bhangra inspired Bling-Bling. We need a new "honesty" in Indian rock that's true to its Indian ethos and one that sings about modern contemporary India. I think we also need more Indian rock in Indian languages. Kannada rock, Tamil rock, Bengali rock and of course Hindi rock. Lyrics and music need to move beyond the Bollywood staples in terms of verse, rhyme, meter etc".

Perhaps the non existence of a stable and popular film industry in Pakistan has also contributed to the rise of Pakistani Bands; and musicians like Shallum and Ferhan seem to agree. "We don't have a Bollywood like influence in Pakistan. Influences matter and you become what you listen to; there are traces that can be seen in your music. In Pakistan everyone has a guitar in their hand now and suddenly everyone is woken up to music," informs Ferhan Saeed. For many, a hit rock album can prove to be the ticket to Bollywood and global acclaim.

The dearth of original sounds in Bollywood has contributed to the growth of Pakistani musicians getting into playback music for films. Jal's WHO LAMHE is probably the most famous songs of the past five years thanks to Mahesh Bhatt's film Zeher. Atif Aslam, the original singer of the song, who was estranged from the band, is now pursuing a Bollywood music career. "We recently recorded a song for MUMBAI CUTTING (a Bollywood movie) which will be out in a few weeks. Since the release of our first album Saagar we have been getting a lot of offers by various production houses, but we have been very selective as we intend on working only on those scripts that gel with our bands sound and style of song writing. Two songs from the first album, TERE BIN and KHAMAJ featured in Nagesh Kukunoors film Hyderabad blues -TWO", says Shallum.

Despite experiencing a great high in terms of the response in India, Ferhan has a word of caution, "People like the Pakistani fresh new sound, and this is the essence of our music. Although getting into playback is a good opportunity to experiment with, it is important to stick to our own style. If Bollywood starts showing in our albums then it will become monotonous. We will end up making ordinary songs"

Strings possibly are the oldest bands in India with the released of their self titled album in 1992. Back then the absence of cable TV, good marketing strategies and other mediums couldn't justify the talented musicians' efforts. They later released the album Duur in 2002, containing their most famous 'SAR KIYE'; the album was an instant hit after which followed albums like Tu hai kahaan and Dhaani. Bollywood dreams were not far behind. Spiderman 2's NAJANEY KYUN and Zinda's self titled song released in 2005, are now playing on every request show at radio stations. Junoon's Ali Azmat also recorded GARAJ BARAS for Pooja Bhatt's Paap.

Mihir Joshi, media and promotions manager of EMI Music India, in an interview had said that Pakistani Bands have found the perfect combination to suit Indian audiences. Indians are big rock music fans and therefore when the sound is rock but the languages are - Hindi and Urdu - the audience is able to connect". Well, with Pakistani bands and their kind of music creating ripples in India, one also wishes that the music acts as a binding factor between the two nations.

Swim Ware

2008-04-15T14:31:00.004+05:30

(c) 2008 Puja Goyal
Publication: Bangalore Mirror

Come Summer and it's time to step out of winter layers into 'almost nothing'. Here's your excuse to don chic sexy minimalist clothing and soak up the sun, beaches and everything breezy. With environmentally friendly swimwear, which is made by mixing and matching fabrics, doing the rounds, the two- piece couldn't have gotten trendier. If run- of- the- mill gets your style goat, you could add beads, embroidery, lace and badges to bloing up your swimwear. Especially hot are the bohon and retro influences; with hip prints this season being geometric shapes, contrasting top and bottom, floral, animal prints and polkas. Go for these in shades of, metallic, neon, psychedelic Brights, charcoal or chocolate, and you are ready to do swimming.

PICKING THE RIGHT SWIMWEAR

Bikini Perfect: Apart from the regular duo of two piece and one piece you could go for a "Tankini" if you prefer something in-between. A 'tankini' is a two piece consisting of an extended top and underpants. Other styles include plunging necklines, halter-neck swimsuits, surplice styles, tank suits, bandeau bikinis. Take your pick or go for bikini sepreates underpants like thongs, briefs, and boy shorts.

Cover-up in style: Sarongs, sexy transparent well- designed shirts, loose dresses etc serve well as cover- ups. Most girls go for big shirts because it gives a very sexy and mysterious look. Not only does it define your beach dressing but if well coordinated could serve as a stole, skirt, shawl, beach spread, one piece halter dress tpp.

Fabric Fundas: Fabrics which are resistant to chlorine and contain a high percentage of nylon and spandex material are the best bet because they will stretch and not shrink. Investing in a good brand would be worthwhile

To show or not to show: It is important to keep in mind what you are going to use your swimwear for and how often you are going to use it. Is it for active swimming, lolling on the beach or playing on the sand? A thong for a volleyball competition on the beach is not a good idea.

SWIMWEAR FOR MEN:

Although comfort is an important factor, men don't really have a lot to choose from, but can make use of the opportunities that color, style and prints provide them.

Surfing Shorts: Surfing shorts are the safest men's swimwear available. They look good on anyone; even if he stays away from the surf. There are adjustable long surfing shorts available which can be torn up to make them super low.

The Thong: Thongs for guys were never in, period!!

Swim Trunks: Trunks are the most basic swimwear. It suits any age, any size and any style. They have a lining and are very comfortable with elastic and drawstrings.

The "Speedo": These should be only worn for sports. They are not meant for hanging out on the beaches, or lazing about on the sand. A Speedo is worn low, and tight and usually reveals a butt crack. You need to have a body to carry it out. The square “speedos” rather thank a U Shaped Speedo look good on any body type.

Briefs: Although popular, briefs don't qualify as swimwear. However, if it comes to that, carry a nice sarong if you go for a brief.

Accessories for guys include sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, water, towels and sandals. Hoodies, through shirts, colorful t-shirt or tank vest looks great.

DESIGNER SPEAK - AMANDA'S TIPS: This summer, bright colors are in, and swimwear is becoming more traditional in terms of how it looks. Of course a person has to keep in mind her body shape.

We Indians have an unusual body shape and we are just getting used to the idea of becoming fit. We are certainly not the best kept bodies in the world and should stay away from two pieces… the safest bet would be a one piece swimwear. It would be a good idea to get one size smaller so it helps tuck the tummy in. The swimwear should not be high rise nor a short style. It should end exactly at the panty line.

In cover - ups, short skirts and short sarongs are in and long fabrics are out. India does not have a really booming swimwear collection to pick from; Still there is a considerable variety to pick from in stores...go for what suits you best.

TIPS

1. Don't go for anything too tight. Tankinis and swimsuit have a very slimmin effect when they are not to tight. Try a waist band if you have a tummy or large hips.

2. A good way to pick a nice bikini top is to wear it and check it out for spilling, by bending, hopping and squatting.

3. There are specially designed swimwears for pregnant women. Go for a swimsuit that has extra support or a single piece skirted swimsuit or wrap front tankini to hide your little bulge.

4. Cover your belly by picking vertical stripes rather than horizontal ones. Soft shirring and smaller design patterns helps conceal stomach bulges.

5. Vibrant flip-flops, beaded bracelets and accessories, go a long way in jazzing up your beach wear.

6. Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, towel and lots of water for hydration. A nice shampoo and conditioner are imperative for your hair.

7. It is essential to wash your body off with clean water once out of the sea or swimming pool.

7. And finally, all possible body hair that can be viewed by the human eye should be done away with!!

SUNSCREEN SECRETS: People normally use sunscreen like a moisturizer which equates to about half the SPF rating on the bottle. For maximum effect abd benefit, one teaspoon of sunscreen for an adult face and neck (1/2 tsp for a child) should be religiously used.

stars among us

2008-04-04T19:07:00.004+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal
Publication: Bangalore Mirror

High TRP ratings, instant audience connection and good moolahs; reality TV is the next big thing in Indian TV; after Soaps of course, that is. Bangalore now has its share of reality celebrities whose lives have changed and so has their approach to life, work, and people.

"I was attending last year's CULLAH (Mount Carmel's inter- collegiate band and western dance competition), when people at the Channel V stall spotted me. They asked me if I could perform for a video with them, which I did. I realized later that it was an audition," says Sucheta as she recounts how she got into the channel's Campus Star. A second year student of biotechnology at Maharani Lakshami Ammanni College for Women, the 19-year-old is a part of the TV search for the "coolest guy and girl on Indian campuses".

20- year- old Racheal Ninan, from Mount Carmels, is also on the Channel V contest. Both are currently taking their college exams in Bangalore.As Senior Tax Assistant at the Income Tax department, Suprabha SR is an unlikely reality TV candidate. She is presently participating in Comedy Khiladigalu on Zee Kannada, "My friends saw a newspaper ad announcing the auditions for the best stand- up comedian and urged me to apply. I auditioned and was selected amongst 3000 people".

R T Nagar's Roopal Tyagi is an aspiring actress who came to know of 9x's dance talent hunt Yeh hai Jalwa through her model coordinators and now features on it.

While reality TV has been around for a while, it's not the most comfortable environment to be in for most. Especially the moving to Mumbai bit. "I was apprehensive about how living in Mumbai would be like because I had never been on my own before this. All of us were put under one roof and I thought we might have problems, but we didn’t. Everyone was very nice. I was a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera initially and remained cocooned for a while," says Sucheta. "It's been two weeks into Comedy Khiladigalu now. There were very few women who auditioned for the show. The Bangalore audition had only four. I went wide-eyed like a young girl. I never realized how big this was till I saw it on TV. I thought it would be like a stage show but it was different," says Suprabha

Since reality shows are a shot at instant recognition, they have also become a means for some to further their goals.

"I feel reality shows give us a platform to the future. We are able to reach out to the audience and when they like us, we have the production houses offering us work. I am in talks with some producers right now," explains Roopal who is part of Hussain Kuwajerwala's team of aspiring actors and models, Kal Ke Kalakar on the show.

Sucheta is philosophical about prospects of reality TV contestants in the long run. "Some people get lucky to be noticed by influential people but the others I guess get on with their lives." Adds Suprabha, who at time moonlights as a radio presenter, "I realized that comedy is a lot of hard work only after coming on the show. There are second chances on the radio but not on the television. This medium has changed my perspective. If you are bad, you are out."

Despite its harsh realities, the contestants have a lot of support and advice coming from everywhere. "My colleagues support me a lot. Even people on the sets are encouraging. However, sometimes, people advice more than what is necessary. The other day, this lady came up to me and said; 'you have a gap in your teeth better get it filled up. It won't look nice on TV'," laughs Suprabha.

Reality TV is not entirely real either. It does work with a little bit of tweaking. "We do rehearse and the act is planned. We are given a theme and we plan according to that. We work on a choreographed format," says Roopal. "Most of the show is spontaneous. But they do tell us how we have to present ourselves as we are raw and need direction," adds, Suprabha. "They hired a professional choreographer to train us twice because we needed help. But we performed in one take..." reflects Sucheta.

Most are dealing with recognition TV is bringing them. "It has been a learning experience and I got to make lots of friends. One time, I was really homesick and my fellow contestants Jaspreet called his folks up and made them speak to me. My parents are very happy and proud of me because no such thing has happened in our family or their friends circle. Once at a public restroom, a girl was chatting with her friends about me, and praising me without realizing that I was around. She recognized me later and said she would tell her "moholaa" that she had met me," says Sucheta.

For some, old contact from school and college have now resumed interactions; it has also resulted in new contacts. "I abandoned my 12th board exams for the show. Now, old school friends' call up to say they saw me on TV and promise to vote for me," says Roopal.

Mane Intention

2008-03-23T19:21:00.002+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal
Publication: Bangalore Mirror

How often have you heard someone say, "How's my hair looking?" Plenlty, right? No wonder then hair stylists and hair products get all our attention as they did at this hair show that was held at the Chancery Pavilion on Friday. Not only did the International team, that was here to introduce a premium UK hair brand, wow the audiences with their scissor hands. They kickstarted the event with a fashion show earlier.

Prasad Bidappa's choreography had Mumbai and Bangalore models like Amruta Patekar, Diandra Soares and Mughda Godse sashay down the ramp in Haute Couture. But the attention grabbers were the unique hairstyles they sported including Amy Winehouse's signature bouffant. And if you like current trend of bobs and fringes, they were a plenty. Page 3 regulars like theatreperson Rubi Chakarbarty and Manjul Gupta were seen enjoying the party that followed.

At the hair show the next afternoon, it was down to the serious business of the latest in hair-styling methods and techniques along with demonstrations by international hair artistes. Tony&Guy ace hairstylist Bill Watson, who was in the house, said, "We do not mind sharing In-House secrets with competitors. I know it's unusual , and people think its stupid. But we are not. We know that when we share we have another box we can pull out from." He had some useful tips to handout too. On the results of distressing hair and the benefits of cutting geometrically that is in angles, he said, "Distressing the hair is not as dangerous as it sounds. By distressing the hair the hair stylist means to give the hair more volume or zing, to make it more hip and happening."

"Hair is like fabric. You see the texture and the flow, and then determine what you can do with it to fit the client's look. Hair styling is like science and hair coloring like mathematics. While cutting hair is like geometry. It demands precision and we always cut in angles." He then adds a word of caution, "It's safer using branded and tested products for your hair instead of experimenting with something unknown and going bald."

Fire in the Belly

2008-03-20T08:57:00.007+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal
Publication: Bangalore Mirror
Kangana Ranaut makes enough news off the sets too. She reportedly verbally and physically abused her driver Rocky for not knowing the way to her sets, sacked her ex- secretary Jai Srikant for obsessing on her and she allegedly got into a spat with her dance instructor Alysa Decruz. We caught up with the actress who was in the city on Wednesday as brand ambassadress of a footwear company to find out if she's really all that fiery.

How did you get into acting?
I wanted to become a doctor, and even took the exams, but did not succeed. Then I gradually moved towards the creative line and realized that my interests lie in Arts. So now I'm pursuing what I love.

After Gangster you haven't had any hits. Even Life in a Metro didn’t quite make it; why do you think it is so?
How can you say that Metro did not do well? It was a brilliantly done movie. I had done four movies last year out of which three were a hit and only SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM was a flop. What else would you want? I'm not like Madhubala or Nargis to provide hit after hit.

How was it working with Madhur Bhandarkar in Fashion?
He is one of the most talented and creative directors. He is very easy to work with and responds well to his actors.

What about regional films, any offers there?
Yes, as of now I am doing a Tamil film. I had received an offer for a Telugu film but I had to reject it because the dates were clashing. As for Hindi films I'm working on Dhoom Dhaam, Raaz 2 and Kites. In fact I'm very excited about Raaz 2 and I was waiting and pestering everyone to start work on the movie. It's very scary; you should watch it when it comes out.

Reality TV is big now, attracting a lot of stars. Would you consider such shows?
I have no idea what people are doing on TV. I cannot give an opinion on something I do not know and it is wrong to do so. I don’t watch TV and no one in our house watches TV.

You are known to be bold on the screen. Is a film's fate affected by how provocative the actress is?
Skin Display? You guys do not understand how we artists put together a script. Actors deserve all the respect for the work we do. We have to go through a lot of exertion and stress when we put together a scene like kissing in a movie. We have families and we think of the effect it will have on ourselves and them. It's not easy. If the role is of a prostitute and she has to behave a certain way then she has to go through the character description. The way you look at movies and the way we look at movies are vastly different.

What about the famous Bollywood Holi parties, are you going to be a part of any?
It's been ages since I have celebrated Holi.

Majestic Moments

2008-03-16T09:23:00.005+05:30

Friday's drizzle complimented this glittering affair just as well. The birthday celebrations of Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wadiyar had the likes of fashion choreographer Prasad Bidappa, Ramesh Dhemla, and many others from the world of fashion, sports and film attending.

The gala event at the Bangalore Palace was marked by the launch of a website for Fernhills Palace Hotel and the release of the royal calender. The occasion was also an opportunity to introduce the audience to the Royal House of Mysore Fashion Line 2008, a designer collection, painstakingly put together and choreographed by the Maharaja himself.

With exotic Russian dancers and Caribbean performers flown in from the island, four fashion sequences and a sumptuous spread, this birthday party was in a league of its own. The clothes showcased, reflected strong traditional influences and mirror- work sarees, wraparounds, cocktail dresses and ghagras, all in bold colours, and highlighted Wadiyar's penchant for fashion.

SIMPLY FIORANO

2008-01-19T21:44:00.000+05:30

Exotic Recipes from an Exotic Land - ITALY!

By Puja Goyal

Publication: Woman's Era; January (SECOND) 2008

Fiorano is named after the town in Italy where the Ferrari Test Track is located, and it is your drive in the fast lane to the authentic favors of this gastronomical paradise! This November, Italian Chef Massimiliano Orlati demonstrated some of Italy's authentic delicacies at the Fiorano Ristorante, in Koramangala, Bangalore at the week long "Food and Wine Festival", Festa Italiana 2005, held by the Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Among the dishes demonstrated was a selection of some of Italy's best known traditional dishes like, Shrimp Soup, Mediterranean Prawn Salad, Oyster Ravioli with Bell Pepper Sauce, Surf and Turf and Mambo.

Everyone can think of one Italian dish that they love, be it spaghetti, pizza or lasagna. Although many of us will not be lucky enough to savor them in Italy, we can create magic in our own kitchen in the Chef Orlati style. Chef Orlati shares some of traditional Italian recipes with us so we can experience Italy right here at home…

Shrimp Soup

Ingredients:
500 grams medium size prawns or shrimps
250 grams cooked chick peas in their water
One spoon chopped shallots or onions
One teaspoon chopped garlic
300 ml olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Peel the shrimps and boil them in two litres of water for five minutes. Care should be taken that they are not boiled too much or they will become hard. Drain them and keep aside. In the same water cook the prawn carcass for five minutes. Drain and keep the shrimp flavored water. Take the cooked chick peas and using a blender make a smooth paste, use the chick pea water if need be. The paste can be to your consistency; if you would like it grainy then leave as it is or you could strain it.

Fry the onions and garlic with half the olive oil. And then add the chick pea paste. Mix well and dilute with shrimp water. Bring this to boil and thicken this to suit your palate. Remove from fire.

Chop the shrimps and add it to the soup. Dribble the remaining olive oil into it. Serve hot.

Mediterranean Prawn Salad (for four persons)

Ingredients:
400 grams (about 4) tiger prawns
400 grams (about 12) small prawns
Two large ripe tomatos
100 ml olive oil
10 leaves fresh basil
200 grams crushed pepper corn
500 grams of sear or tuna fillet
One orange
Two lime
One teaspoon chopped garlic

Vegetables for the salad:
Two leaves red cabbage
One tomato
Three leaves green lettuce
One small cucumber
Two carrots
One onion

METHOD

FOR SHRIMP: Peel the Shrimps and boil them. Cool and then set aside. Mix this with finely chopped large ripe tomatoes and marinate with 100 ml olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, chopped fresh Basil leaf and garlic. Cover and keep it in the refrigerator.

FOR TATAKI FISH: Line crushed pepper corn in a flat dish and roll the tuna or sear fish till it is evenly covered in pepper. Preheat a flat pan. When it is very hot, cook the fish in it for two or three minutes on each side. Do not overcook or the fish will start to break. Cool it and keep it in the fridge.

Preparing the Citrus Vinaigrette: Squeeze the juice of one ripe orange and two or three ripe lime. Add 200 ml olive oil, salt and pepper to taste to it and whisk this until thick. Keep aside.

VEGETABLES: Shred all the vegetables julienne style. Marinate this in half the vinaigrette that was prepared before hand.

TO MAKE THE SALAD: Take four large oval dishes. Divide the vegetables into eight equal portions. Mould this. In each oval dish put two portions of this salad. Take three small prawns and place on the top of one vegetable mould, and then place one tiger prawn on top of this. Repeat this is all four dishes.

Take the tataki, and slice into eight pieces without breaking the fish. Place two slices on each of the remaining moulded salad. Use the remaining vinaigrette and liquid from the prawn marinade to pour on top of the tataki and prawn. Decorate with fresh herbs and serve.

Oyster Ravioli with Bell Pepper Sauce (for four)

Ingredients:

FOR RAVIOLLI FILLING:
Eight Oysters (you can substitute this with mushrooms or mussels, but oysters should be preferred)
250 grams ricotta cheese
50 grams grated parmesan cheese
Half teaspoon chopped garlic
One teaspoon of flat chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

FOR PASTA:
400 grams flour/maida
Four eggs

FOR BELL PEPPER SAUCE:
One green pepper
One yellow pepper
One red pepper
150 ml fresh cream
150 grams grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

To make the Pasta: Put the flour in a bowl and make a well in the middle and put the eggs into it. Mix the eggs into the flour using a fork. When it is well mixed, start kneading with hand. If the dough is too hard sprinkle a little water. If it is too soft, add a little flour. Keep aside, well sealed for half an hour.

RAVIOLI FILLING: Oysters are fresh when they have water inside them, because when they start to open up to start breathing, then they are not edible anymore as they are poisonous for the liver. To open the oyster, put them into a pan or baking tray and put this in a preheated oven (200- 250 degrees). The oysters will open up in less than five minutes. Don't overcook them. Once they pop open take them out, remove the oyster from the shell and let it cool. Keep aside.

RICOTTA FILLING: Mix the ricotta, parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper and set aside.

FOR BELL PEPPER SAUCE: wash the bell pepper and cut the stem and place them in a baking tray upside down so that they stand firm. Put them into a preheated oven (200 - 250 degrees) Cook until tender or till the skin will peel off. Put them into an airtight plastic bag and let them sweat. This way they are easy to clean. Then extract the pulp and blend each colored pepper separately, so that you have a tri-colored sauce.

Roll out the pasta using a machine, using mark 2. Or, roll out with a rolling pin till it is two millimeters thick. Then cut it into10 cm squares. Place one teaspoon of ricotta filling and one oyster in the middle of a square. Fold this into a triangular shape and seal gently by pressing the sides. Bring five litres of water with one teaspoon of salt to boil. Cook the ravioli in the water for a few minutes.

In the meantime, in three different pans, take each of the bell pepper sauces and mix into it, 50 grams of cream, 50 grams of parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Bring it to boil for one minute till cheese melts. Stir well and set aside.

ASSEMBLE: take four large plates. On each one, spoon out the three different colored bell pepper sauce in a circular design. Place the ravioli on top of the tri colored sauce and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese for finish. Serve.

Surf and Turf

Ingredients:
Two lobsters of half a kg each
Four fillets tornadoes of beef

FOR SAUCE:
Two glasses of dry white wine
Two teaspoon corn flour
One finely chopped onion
150 grams butter
50 grams of fresh green pepper corn

GARNISH:
Four large full boiled potatoes
Four medium size carrots cut into strips and boiled.
200 grams butter
Half litre milk.

METHOD:

Extract the tail of the lobster from the head. Peel it and cut into half. Place the four halves in a plate and set aside along with the beef tornadoes.

FOR SAUCE: Place the white wine, chopped onion with half of the butter in a pan and bring it to boil for two or three minutes. Dilute corn flour with a little bit of water and add to the boiling wine. Let it boil till it thickens. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Keep warm.

Take half the pepper corn, crush and chop finely. Bring to boil with half litre of water and remaining butter for a few minutes. Put the diluted corn flour and thicken it. This should be thicker then the wine sauce. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

Heat a frying pan, preferably non-stick. Sear the beef fillet on both sides till golden brown. Cook the lobster in the same pan. Place the cooked lobster on the fillet and pour the two sauces on top.

GARNISH: mash the potato to a smooth consistency and mix well with butter and milk. Cook this until thick. Make a nest of the mashed potato with a well in the middle. Put the julienne carrots into the well.

ASSEMBLE: Put the beef fillet in the serving dish. Place the lobster on top of it. Pour the wine sauce and pepper sauce over it. Place the mashed potato nest beside it. Serve.

Mambo

Ingredients:
1/2 kg of dark cooking chocolate
Four tablespoons whipping cream
400 grams fresh strawberry
Four eggs
Four table spoons granulated sugar
Four tablespoons flour
Vanilla Essence
1/2 litre milk

METHOD

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Pour a thin layer of the melted chocolate on the butter paper. Allow it to cool.

CREAM: Mix the four egg yolks with sugar and then sieve the flour into it. Add warm boiled milk into this mixture. Mix thoroughly. Put it on the fire and thicken to a creamy consistency. Cool it down. When it's cool take 8 spoons of this thickened sauce and mix with whipping cream.

Wash and quarter the strawberry. Mix this into the cream.

ASSEMBLE: now cut the hardened chocolate sheet into 16 circles using a hit 3" diameter cutter or mould. Place each disc on a plate. Spoon strawberry cream sauce on it. Then put another disc of chocolate on to it, followed by the strawberry cream sauce. Then another disc; follow the same procedure three times.

Dilute the remaining strawberry- cream sauce with extra milk and vanilla essence. Spoon around the chocolate tower and serve.

(photo of chef Orlati taken by puja goyal)

venue: Fiorano, Koromangala, Bangalore/ 2005

Disturbing and Pschyotic

2007-12-17T11:21:00.000+05:30

Black Coffee Productions unleashed Forty five minutes of hell and confusion with the production of the play "The Undertaker" by Loy Saldanha and directed by Preetam Koilpillai. It took the disoriented audience a while to understand what was happening on stage, as Abhishek Majumdar took stage as "The Undertaker". The solo act started with a haunting song sung by Abhishek, which set a very mellow and lingering ambience to the later part of the show. However, it was not enough to give the play some sort of sanity and structure.

"The Undertaker" is a summary of a lonely life that is constantly yearning for a friend. The actor puts forth his desperate need for a friend at every opportunity available to him throughout the play. It revolves around the idea that every individual wants his existence to be acknowledged. The play showed very explicitly; the constant degeneration of the human mind as it attempts to become an individual. The individual is not only a summary of his own existence, but a summary of the existence of "the others" in his life; as such destined to be complete or incomplete depending on the impact of the forces surrounding him.

The play moved desperately between the childhood, youth and later years of "The Undertaker" and what remains for the Undertaker to recollect from. Although the concept of the play was genuine and heartfelt, it seemed at times, a little disillusioning, vulgar, over the top and glazed with sexual implications. As the play proceeds, "The Undertaker" speaks of the girl he thought he should have raped but did not. He speaks vividly of his fantasies of pulling the red laced see through knickers of the girl apart, biting into her skin and tearing her clothes to shreds. He speaks of the day he could have finally satisfied his sexual desires through her, if only he had found the courage.

"The Undertaker" also tells the audience about the only German girlfriend he had and who left him without even giving him a final "f*ck", and the numerous individuals he had approached in his neighborhood, the strangers he bought drinks for and the prostitutes he visited and paid for; all in the desperate hope of finding a friend.

Weird and troubling, were the parts where "The Undertaker" reminisces about his childhood. Looking almost on the verge of madness, "The Undertaker" goes back to his childhood and starts reciting a Hindi poem… "Machli jal ki rani hai…." as his eyes move around in desperation, piercing through the darkness amongst the crowd. The audience by then is hoping and praying that "The Undertaker" stays on stage instead of even attempting to approach them.

The stage was certainly set for an experience of the psychedelic tangled with a shot of LSD at the Alliance Françoise de Bangalore on the 8^th, 10^th and 11^th of December, 2007. Be warned that the play is not for the chemically sane and individuals who require constant medical supervision, unless of course they are high already.

chicks and cheques

2007-11-23T20:54:00.001+05:30

Source: Bangalore Mirror. Column - Band Baja

Author : Puja Goyal

Slain's musical journey began early in 2006 at St. Alysious. Judah Snadhy (vocals), Jared Sandhy (drums), Bryden Lewis (bass), and Jerod Nesan (keyboards) formed a group with one deam. Being the best band in Bangalore; and today they have achieved a status where Bangaloreans feel they are the best.

Slain band credit their success to their attitude. "We do not dig covers and that is why we have come a long way in being accepted as Bangalore's best band." Their experiments have proven to be a blessing in disguise. Slain now have virtually captured every music cmpetition in Bangalore.

Name a college, and you will find Slain as winners:
They were officially crowned winners in inter-collegiate festivals like, NJC, St. Joseph;s, Sparks, MCC, JNC, Mallaya Aditi, etc. They are also the winners of the Bangalore Rocks October fest 2007, and Underground 2007.

Slain's count on White Cross, Stryper, Impelleteri, Dream Theatre, Rush, Iron Maiden as some of their influences. Bangalore Mirror spoke to one of the band member's Judah Sandhy to find out a little more about the band.

How did Slain happen?
We started hunting for names just like any other band. One day our vocalist stumbled upon the name "SLAIN". We narrowed down on it because we believe on the lamb that was slain for all the sinners. Besides that, Slain is a group of young musicians who got together to start making good music as well as bunk college at the same time!

Is it tough competing with so many new bands?
We did find it tough initially, but we've overcome our fears, which has helped us to come so far.

Who is the joker of the band...?
The fact is tha the whole band is funny, but to be specific it has to be Jerod, our keyboard player, because he starts clapping when he forgets his notes.

Is it different playing at the inter - collegiate fest and a concert?
Very much. Because we get to see chicks during inter- collegiate fests and during concerts we get to see chicks and cheques!

If Slain was a color, it would be...?
RED

If Slain had a chance to play with one other band...
Truely, Iron Maiden! Because Slain loves hitting the same sound.

What's up next?
The 2nd coming.

You started of with one batch of musicians and now there are more additions... does it affect your band?
Very much because it makes a big difference to their sound. Each one of us influence and help to compose whatever the band is comfortable to showcase. But Bryden's image spice up our looks and gives us a the sexy appeal. Also, our new fourteen- year - old drummer visualises himself as the hottest dude in the band.

What is the wackiest thing you guys ever done?
We have never played our single hit More than Conquerors correctly; but even to this day, it is the most requested song by all.

Together they sing, eat and sleep

2007-11-17T12:07:00.000+05:30

Source: Bangalore Mirror; Column: Band Baja
Copyright: Puja Goyal

Zion play music from their soul. They recently played for a thousand odd girls at Chennai's Women's Christian College. Before the performance started they wondered if the girls will be able to take the punch of their music, because they had some real powerfule audio equipment. "The girls surpised us, their screams are still resounding in our ears. We haven't experienced a crowd like this to date. It wouldn't be wrong to adjudge them as the best crowd, so far," they said.

The Bangalore basd band comprises of, Joseph Samuel (drummer), Melvin Jude (vocalist), Jilson Joy (bass guitar) and James Stephanus on the lead guitar. The seventeen yar old Joesph also plays for another band, Slain.

While Melvin's voice is similar to that of Scott Stapp, Creed and John Schlitt. Jilson is a seasoned player who created ripples with his Sammick slung around him. James, was a lead guitarist for American pianist Marcus Daniel. He has the distinction of taking lessons from guitar maestro Benhur Khamrang. Excerpts from an interview...

Your next concert is in Delhi. Have you performed there before?
No. This would be first. We have heard that there are lot of bands in Delhi. We will give the music- hungry a taste of raw rock.

Who is the brat of the pack? How do you keep him in check?
Our, Drummer, Joseph. He is the youngest but comes up with some cranky ideas. The best way to control him is to hit him with his sticks!!

And the guru of the pack is...
Melvin. The strongest advice he has given us is, "The problem is that you guys just don't listen"

You band's motto?
Womanising (just kidding). It is to entertain the crowd 24/7, refresh the human soul at the end of the show and get every chick, of course.

If Zion wasn't Zion, what would you guys be doing for a living?
James - I would be a hajam (Barber. He's the band's hairstylist)
Melvin - I would be a chaiwala (tea- carrier) complete with a torn baniyan (vest)
Jilson - Road performer, like Rancho - the monkey
Joseph - I would assisst Melvin, so technically, I would be an assistant chaiwala.

Nostalgic Shah

2007-10-30T17:30:00.000+05:30

Source: Bangalore Mirror; Column: ETC; (c) Author: Puja Goyal

Nasseruddin Shah's interest in theatre started when he perchanced upon Geoffrey Kendall's theatre group while still in school. "There was a workshop organised by Kendell which blew my mind away; there were a number of well- known and distinguished actors like Vijay Tendulkar who participated but two gentlemen got my attention. Mr. Dubey and Mr. Girish Karnad. They stood at the sidelines and smoked incessantly. I couldn't wait to grow up and stand in the sides and smoke like them," Jokes Shah. Mr. Dubey is one of the few people who influenced Shah's interests in theatre. Shah's first break in the movies came when Shyam Benegal was looking for a lead actor for his film 'Nishaant'. "Shyam was looking for an actor who was skilled but not handsome, so I suggested Nasseruddin," laughs Karnad. Shyam Benegal then offered him a role in his upcoming film Nishaant. He was so impressed with Nasseruddin Shah that Benegal starred him in most of his succeeding films.

It's been a long road from Aligarh a small town Nasseruddin grew up in, to now. "I was blown away by theatre because of its visual impact; when I was young. Two plays by Dubey came to town, one of which was 'Evam Indrajit'. I thought this was the ultimate as far as theatre is concerned. I had never seen acting of this level in my life." Working with people like Girish Karnad and Satyadeb Dubey has taught Shah a lot in theatre. Theatre initially was a concept which was flamboyant and the director was the king. Now, it was for the first time that Shah realized the subtleties of what makes a good director. "The director does not have to indulge in a huge song and dance to direct a script. He does not have to stand behind the stage and peep through the curtains to let everyone know and say "look how good I am." A Director for the first time stood behind the stage and was not visible at all. It was very powerful statement. A Director needs to be either totally committed or totally insane to be someone like that and Mr. Satyadeb Dubey was both," he said.

(Shah was in town recently for the launch of Girish Karnad's Book Yayati and to participate in the RangaShankara Festival. He is acting in the play Antigone directed by Satyadeb Dubey and staged at RangaShankara on October, 28. Antigone will be staged again in December)

'Death Metal is not for the Weak Hearted'

2007-10-19T17:12:00.000+05:30

Source: Bangalore Mirror
Column: Band Baja

(C) By Puja Goyal

Armed with a sense of humour, 'Inner Sanctum' is one funky Death Metal band. Their first concert at Guru Nanak Bhavan on June 2nd 2007 was a story altogether. Puja Goyal sneaked Gaurav (vocalist - Inner Sanctum), out of his classroom for a quick tête-à-tête to find out what's happening with his Hip band and what their first gig was about.

Inner Sanctum in Action

What's Inner Sanctum about?
We are five of us, Chintan and Tejas (Guitars), Abhinav (Drums), Michael (Bass) and me, Gaurav (Vocals). Inner Sanctum is a group of college going students who jam together, and I came in when they were looking for a vocalist.

What exactly happened at your first gig?
I was very nervous because it was our first gig. But then I thought, well, we can't back out now so we might as well get on with. We had no lyrics but fortunately had the composition intact. We just went and blurted what came to our minds at the moment. The thing is we couldn’t see the crowd so even if someone gave us the finger we wouldn’t know and it wouldn't matter. In the end the reception was good.

People thing Death Metal is all about making noise and smoking pot?
I used to be one of those people, but it depends on personal taste. Some like Death Metal; for others it's just noise. The truth is Trash and Death Metal is a heavy form of music and not for the weak hearted. As far as getting high is concerned, that is applicable only for psychedelic kind of music… my guys are sober. They just sit and write something and send it to me and I try to figure something out and then we jam.

Do lyrics for Death Metal ever need composition?
There is a misconception that Death metal compositions have no set lyrics. That you can say whatever you want to say and get away with it? We do write our own lyrics, and they are based on subjects ranging from dirty politics to social issues…

You trying to say something with your songs? Do you use profanity in compositions?
There is no message as such. If people end up finding some sort of a message in our songs then fine (laughs), and if they just want to headbang then that's fine too. We do not encourage profanity and I think it's uncool to use profanity to move a crowd. Using profanity is a little immature; it's like saying, "Hey! Look, I'm uneducated and stupid and this is what I'm capable of doing". Using onstage anger to fuel a song is fine though. This is purely my opinion.

How's the ride been so far?
We are only four and half months old. We have been very lucky with respect to getting good receptions and gigs wherever we go. This compared to the number of bands I have seen who have to struggle so much. Our last gig was at the October fest where we qualified for the semis. I guess at the end of the day, some bands are better performers and more experienced. We are working on some new songs right now, and we will play them when we get bookings.

Firebranding Music

2007-10-05T23:06:00.000+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal

Bangalore has seen a new breed of musicians cropping up off late. Once there was a trend of rock and metal lighting up the Bangalore stage; now distinct ones have emerged. They are ones who have been consistently working behind the scenes to spread love, hope and spirituality.

These musicians have converted conventional music into "hip" compositions. One such band who calls themselves the "Firebrands" has been around for the past six years. The publicity shy group likes to sing in churches and other venues because they feel that there music will be understood much better there. There first break came in 2002 when they performed at the Guru Nanak Bhavan on the 12th of February before an audience of over a thousand people. Says Lawrence, "In an age where being religious is not the ‘in thing’, we believe that it is cool to love God and Worship Him."

Firebrands consists of Lawrence G, Santosh J, Anand S, Mark, and Shiju T, as a vehicle to facilitate collaboration with other inspired artists in a quest to bring fresh original music to the gospel music fraternity in India. Over the past few years, Michelle Peters, Mark Rowlands, Esther C, Sunny Prasad, and Ebby have constantly supported them. "They have always been there to help us and support our music. They deserve special mention because they have always come in whenever we called them at short notice", says Lawrence.

A band that started of at the Garden City Assembly of God has grown with the support of Rev. Ernest George to produce two albums, "It's all about Him" and "All for love". "The albums have done quite well and we have been a success in Dubai," says Lawrence. Dubai is the only international space they have presently released the album at.

Unlike other gospel music bands, Firebrands wants people to know that subjects like love and worship need not be boring. "People normally associate Christian music to the church and Christmas, but it is not like that. It is like having any other subject for your muse. It is not boring and that is what we want people to know," adds Mark.

Even then, there are no takers for this type of music as far as music companies in India are concerned. It is still very limited to a select crowd. There is a serious misconception amongst people that any music related to the church has to do with conversion. The idea of conversion is passé. People are now smart and know good music when they see it. They also listen to it without being insecure about their religious status.

The truth is there are no takers for this sort of music and the musicians end up producing and distributing the albums themselves. "We are a little annoyed with music companies. They feel that there would be no profit margin for them therefore they do not venture into signing bands like ours," adds Lawrence.

ALBUM COVER SHOTS:

A Pocketful of Posies

2007-09-29T11:27:00.000+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal

Source: Bangalore Mirror

It was rightly said in an article in a newspaper that there is no logic to humor, and Monty Python fans will vouch for it. For those who are unaware, Monty Python is a hit British Comedy show on television, film and stage. The series revolutionized the way humor was presented to the audience. Its trump cards were obscure sequences and plots, confusingly twisted dialogues and abnormal actors who appear to be normal.

Evam, a theatre company staged Always look on the bright side of life, a collection of snap shots from the same Monty Python series, recently in Bangalore at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall on the 23rd of September, 2007. The audience was greeted by a familiar song, Always look on the Bright side of life, followed by a string of advertisements from sponsors being shown on a small screen on stage. It is quite an innovative way for advertising in theatre.

Bad lighting marred the start of the performance, and the dancers could have used a little more exposure considering that they brought a lot of spark into the show. Ratan, a die-hard fan of Monty Python says, "The play reminded me of Mad-ads we used to do in college."

Most of the bookings for the play were done online leaving the theatre hall almost full. The audience appeared to be enjoying the performance. Most were familiar with the popular music, and sequences from famous music artists that were used in the performance; which could have partly attributed to the success of the show.

Karthik meted out a decent performance, but he could use a little help with voice modulation; he appeared to be screaming after a while. Some audience members said he reminded them of a shoddy imitation of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. "The Jay Leno imitation fell completely flat on his face" says Preethy; a big fan of Leno's show.

Choreographer Mani and the dancers put together an apt string of performances to link the skits together. In the end, Always look on the Bright side of life was nothing but a set of movie snips, dialogues, dances, Popular Music and Power Point Presentations brought together on a common platform, to entertain people.

A BITE OF KRYPTOS

2007-09-28T15:57:00.000+05:30

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

Source: Bangalore Mirror

"Kryptos" is not your average run- of-the-mill band. They are slowly turning into the face of Indian Metal, landing record deals with international music companies. Nolan Lewis speaks to us about their new album, "The Ark of Gemini", the state of Metal bands in India and much more, in a free-wheeling interview.

Why "Kryptos"? Ganesh and I formed Kryptos in 1998. We were classmates in college and since we pretty much had the same taste in music we inevitably got together and formed Kryptos. At first we toyed with different names, we finally settled on ‘Kryptos’ we knew that was the one that fit our music and us the best.

First Concert experience "Vibrations" was… … Definitely an eye opener. Even though it was a competition it was the first recognized gig that we did as Kryptos. Needless to say we didn’t make it to the finals but we got much needed exposure to the Bangalore audience and it just snowballed from there.

Tell us a little about "Spiral Ascent" "Spiral Ascent" was our debut album, which we released independently in 2004. We managed to rope in Niklas Sundin of Dark Tranquillity to do the artwork for the album, which was quite a coup for us since they’ve been such a big influence on us musically. The album was recorded at Clay Kelton’s studio right here in Bangalore and although it was done on a shoestring budget it turned out quite well.

We sold out the first 500 copies quite quickly and surprisingly sold just as much outside of India mainly in countries like Germany, Argentina, and Canada etc. Although the album is currently sold out we will re release Spiral Ascent in the coming months since there is still a large demand for it both in India and abroad.

What determines the life span of a rock band? Why are Indian metal bands not taken seriously? I guess the life span on any band depends on how passionate they are about what they do. Being in a band means you have to sacrifice a lot of things on a personal and social basis.

A lot of bands don’t last very long here in India because of a large number of factors ranging from studies, careers to families and societal pressure. If a band can walk that fine line between music and their personal lives then they will last for a very long time. Unfortunately metal bands here are viewed by society as a bunch of degenerates who just tend to make a lot of noise. It’s a pity they don’t take the time to understand what the bands and their music is about. The irony is, most metal bands here, including us, write about problems that face the common man in every day life yet it is the common man or society in general for that matter that hangs us by our thumbs just because we look a little ‘different’ or play ‘different’ music.

How did you feel when you first heard that you guys were recognized in places like Europe and South America… It felt fantastic of course because it’s always a great feeling to be appreciated for the music you play. We didn’t expect the album to reach so many corners of the globe so it was pretty surprising to say the least when received all these mails from people from other countries telling us that the loved our album.

Tell us a little more about your new album "The Ark of Gemini". "The Ark of Gemini" is a pretty vague concept actually. It’s open to interpretation. From our point of view the album is all about the two faced nature of mankind and how the planet is crumbling under this huge cloud of deceit. Not exactly sunshiny stuff! But different people could have different views once they listen to the album since there are a lot of subtle things in the lyrics that could be interpreted in a lot of ways.

The album basically deals with a lot of topics like Mythology, Religion, Corruption, Escapism and even some Sci-Fi concepts.

You have finally landed a recording deal with the uber-true OSM Records… Well actually they will be distributing our new album worldwide this year. Spiral Ascent was distributed through online distros but it wasn’t part of the main contract although it was the reason we got signed up in the first place. It was pretty straightforward actually. We send our album out to a few labels and OSM Records were the most interested in us and also seemed to share our vision so it was an easy choice in the end for both the label and for us.

How are the preparations for your European tour going on? As of right now our second album is almost complete and everything should be finalized within a month. Depending on how well the album does abroad we can start to seriously think of a tour of places like Europe for example. The label is quite keen on setting up festival dates for us sometime in the future, so until then we’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping the album does well. One things for sure, when it does actually happen it’s going to be well worth all these years of hard work and we’ll relish every second of it.

Making Some WhiteNoiz

2007-09-21T11:12:00.000+05:30

(c)2007 Puja Goyal

With Sam Thomas John, as the Drummer, Moncy Abraham on guitars and Godson Gigin on Bass Guitar coupled with Nobby and Liju; Whitenoiz is the latest band to hit the Bangalore Music scene. Sam Thomas John, Frontman and Manager of WhitenoiZ introduces White Metal to music lovers and updates us about the band:

What is the theory behind "WhiteNoiz"?

White noise is collection of frequencies which has no barriers. NoiZ is a representation of Noise, noiZ written the other way round reads Zion, Our destination!! We crossover to Metalcore, Hardcore and Rapcore Metal in our songs.

Your band was a result of a side project; what was the project about?

We were a bunch of kids who kicked of a Rock Band named Faith Warriors in 1999 while studying in schools/colleges. Concerts are mainly based in Camps/ colleges. WhitenoiZ kicked off in 2004 October, when three of us got together for a calling of the Extreme… They roped in Samuel Alexander on Drums; and Sam John took on as the Front man of WhitenoiZ. There has been no turning back since then. In fact we are growing stronger with the announcement of a new member, Bibin Bhakthan aka Bibz Mathaiz on Keys! Our album would be out by Summer 2008.

Any reasons for choosing "White Metal" as your style of music?

1. It makes us the First Band to play music of this genre in India. 2. We wanted to play music with positive and life generating lyrics with power. A real challenge for us was that while all bands had a cover of famous bands, we played originals. 3. We want the world to realize that it's not only in the West that White Metal can exist!

How did you guys put together your first single Crush?

It was a crazy evening; we wanted to try our minds on our first original. All of us took chances in putting the lyrics down. We spend five hours trying to figure out what we could do on the first part of the song. The next day we came together and put in the chorus which was framed, from my childhood, a fascination of "CRUSHING" the Devil imagination. I put in words and it was HOOK the world and the devil shakes to!!

Your song Deliver us from evil is going to be featured in an online gospel album…

“Deliver Us from Evil” was sent across as an entry to a Gospel Compilation. The panel selected our song, and before we knew it we were featured in Asia’s First Online Gospel Compilation! Besides that, we were selected for Enter-Exist-Exit Volume II as one among the seven best Upcoming Indian Rock/ Metal Artistes!

How do you take time out to make music?

Where there is a will, there is a way! There is no secret about the time; we keep ourselves free during the weekends during college and work.

A Travelling Director - Helen Waldmann

2007-09-08T10:32:00.000+05:30

Return to Sender is an attempt by Helen to focus on
the lives of migrants whose stories are often neglected.
(c) Puja Goyal

A traveling director would be an apt introduction to Helen Waldmann who travels the world to create a platform where actors can speak their voice, "I want actors to talk about what is bothering them, their country, their life and most importantly what they want people to know. The media is always telling what they want people to know… but the real issues of the people are more important."

Six Iranian performers come together in Return to Sender to put in front of the audiences, the responses of Iranian women, who are forced into exile due to political unrest. It speaks of the anguishes which haunt them and the freedom they have to fight for in order to survive. "In most of my shows, I want the actor to be the author of the play. We start with a clean platform and build a play from that. We allow a lot of room for improvisation, but stop when the play is ready. For example: here we have a tent; we think what can we do with a tent?" continues Helen. The main theme of the play is the tent into which the bodies of the actors disappear as the play proceeds.

Return to Sender is an attempt by Helen to bring focus to the live of migrants whose stories are often neglected. The play has received different responses based on where it is performed, Helen explains, "Audiences from different countries have varied reactions; it depends on if the audience gets involved or not; otherwise it becomes dry. The response in Kabul was tremendous as they could relate to the life of a migrant. We have issues in Berlin too but no one notices until they see such a play. The problem is that people forget."

Letters from Tentland, a play censored by the Iranian government was written by non-migrant Iranians and Helen is not quite happy about their performance, "Return to Sender can be called a sequel to Letters from Tentland where the letters are projected on the screen by me for the actors to enact. The play is my take on what I see, observe and what I understand of the state of the migrants. When I saw Letters from Tentland, I thought something was wrong; the actors did not look genuine because they were ignorant of what it was to live like a migrant. "Return to Sender" is different in that perspective. They are compiled with the viewpoint of a migrant."

Many directors and writers choose women as the cliché medium to tell a story but Helen had other reasons to choose women, as she cites, "I was invited to Tehran to give a workshop in 2004. It was an all women group, and I am a woman so the atmosphere was much more open. They were my only access to actors, so I have given the play a women's perspective."

Return to Sender, elaborates the apathetic conditions in which migrants live; it also puts to rest fallacies that migrants have more freedom and opportunities outside their country says Helen, "In Iran, there is a misconception that a migrant is better off and more independent. They don’t realize that the migrant goes through much pressure and has absolutely no freedom. The migrants live in constant fear that their family and relations back home will be targeted if they do something offensive, that their people will not approve off."

Return to Sender - Letters from Tentland a play created by Helen premiered on the 7th of September at RangaShankara.

An Unusual Combination - Robin Colaco

2007-09-07T13:07:00.000+05:30

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

Robin Colaco has found ways to combine his passion for math and interest in music. "I started learning the piano as a child but gradually lost interest and stopped pursuing it. Later my mum and dad encouraged me to learn how to play the guitar. I have not been through any professional training and have experimented and picked up stuff. Music is more of a recreation and escape. Math on the other hand is a subject I have always been interested in." says Robin.

Although he is not professionally trained in music Robin feels that total training is not essential; practice is more important. He adds that, "training should be in terms of theory, and there should always be an option to experiment. No musician can compose purely based on theory. It will make them dogmatic. I believe a musician should be 75 percent experience and 25 percent theory."

Math is Robin's passion and Music his interest; he was not as studious in school as Robin puts it; "I was a good student in school but was not known for Music or anything. I was a sportsman in school. I played hockey and football and participated in a couple of district tournaments. I was recognized for sports."

The twenty- nine year old Piscean Robin, now works as a coordinator and Mathematic teacher for a school in Bangalore and entertains his hobbies part-time. Just as he likes to teach in school and be a team member in sports in his school days; he is more than happy to play the guitar behind the scenes as a back up artist instead of basking in the glory of the public eye. "I wouldn't really classify myself as a professional musician. I do a lot of gospel related music and prefer musical theatre. Music is more for the joy of doing it." His basic influences are more jazz related, gospel, and classical jazz related.

Robin performed solo for the first time nine years ago in Leila Alvare's stage production "Grease". It was his first major production where he worked back stage as a supporting musician along with the likes of Bruce Lee Mani.

As a member of the band K- Sharp, Robin has been a part of various concerts and stage productions. He is quite religious in his outlook on life and loves the color yellow. He prefers not to take a lot of risks and follow the conformist path, "there are many musicians who can pursue music full time. I know tons all over the place. One of them is Jason Zachariah who does show all over the place. But what after that, in a situation where you stop getting offers; what do you have to fall back upon? I would rather have something to fall back upon and that’s why I teach. I would like to play safe than be sorry".

A slice from Vega's Life

2007-09-04T12:57:00.000+05:30

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

Suzanne Vega brings New York in her latest album Beauty & Crime. Vega is better known for her hit song "Luka" released in 1987; which earned her three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year. With this she brought in a new breed of female musicians like Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin, and Indigo Girls as well as the Lilith Fair phenomenon who were not afraid to experiment.

Luka was a surprise hit for Vega; it was written from the perspective of an abused boy. "It's a story about a lot of pain and it still moves me," says Vega. "I still get mail about it, people telling me stories of abuse. It's not a hit about love or something benign so that makes it a little difficult to play at times but it has so much meaning for so many people. If I'm only remembered for that song then that's a good thing."

Her a-cappella Tom's Diner was remixed by U.K. electronic dance duo DNA. Tom's Diner went gold; it was a bigger hit than Luka. Solitude standing a song about domestic abuse hit big in 1987.

"I just wanted to write poetic, complicated, emotional, urban songs. I made the music I wanted to make and expressed myself to the fullest," said Vega in an interview. She has remained true to her word. Beauty & Crime contains a trademark acoustic folk-pop essence with an urban touch.

The Manhattan native, Vega, uses New York as a backdrop for her eleven songs. Beauty… her first new studio album in six years; is a compilation of intensely personal lyrics, and short story-like narratives. It speaks of haunting images of the past coinciding with the fast life of the present and old images embodying a fresh perspective.

The songs that open and close Beauty & Crime, as well as Ludlow Street and Angel's Doorway, are written in remembrance of her late brother Tim and as such are deeply personal. Ludlow Street is a darker, more contemplative tune, about "the layers of time that one can sense in a single spot".

Anniversary, which concludes Beauty & Crime, is more inspirational though: "Make time for all your possibilities," Vega sings in a hushed voice in the end. "They live on every street." On New York is A Woman, she sees NY through the eyes of a man she met, who recounted to her his first amazed visit to the city: "I know a lot of people feel the same way as he did, they're knocked out flat by the seediness of it, the bigness of it, the beauty and the glamour and how gritty it can be," says Vega in an interview.

Vega brings into life the urban heroines of classic NY in Edith Wharton's Figurines. She captures the image of her nine year old daughter in a gentle, elegantly arranged song, As You Are Now; and reflects on the irresistible relationship between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner in Frank & Ava.

Beauty & Crime, is not only a slice of NY but also a slice from Vega's life; as she takes us on a journey of poetry, stories and images.

A tribute to John Lennon

2007-09-03T12:52:00.000+05:30

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

INSTANT KARMA - The Campaign to save Darfur, a two CD album was compiled to aid Amnesty International's efforts in Darfur. If John Lennon would have been alive, he would have been heading the entire campaign for peace and solidarity. John would have also been 67 years of age. The album (compiled with permission from Yoko Ono) aims at creating an awareness of the ongoing conflict in Darfur where more than half a million have already died from violence and disease during four years of rebel discord.

The album contains the songs of Lennon sung by more than a dozen artists who have interpreted his music their way; and spans the ex-Beatle's entire post-band catalog.
U2, Green Day, Snow Patrol, Mexican rock band Jaguares, Postal Service and R.E.M. add a lot of energy to the songs which are quite wonderful to listen to. Corinne Bailey Rae's adds a gospel touch to "I'm Losing You" which is Lennon's best written song.

While the intention behind the album is sincere the album has its low downs. Christina Aguilera version of Mother sounded like a cranky version of the song forcing you to skip the song midway. Similarly, Avril Lavigne and Jack Johnson were a huge disappointment; their version of Imagine left nothing to the imagination.

Whether the album will help the world realize the calamities of Darfur is yet to be determined; but choosing John Lennon as an instrument to compile a collection for Darfur is an idea well- explored.

'Theatre Workshops should develop the love for theatre' - Ruchika Chanana

2007-09-01T12:42:00.000+05:30

Ruchika Chanana shares some pointers with Puja Goyal on what to look out for in a workshop.

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

There has been an increase in the number of theatre workshops conducted in Bangalore. Everybody who is anybody is holding a workshop nowadays. While some are high priced; the others are free. Even then, time is money; and the time spent should be reimbursed with some satisfaction. Ruchika Chanana is a well-known theatre personality in Bangalore, who has conducted many theatre workshops for children and adults in the past. She in collaboration with ART conducted a workshop for children recently.

The following is an excerpt from an interview:

What could be the reasons for an upsurge of workshops in Bangalore?
I think it is possibly because more theatre artists are moving into Bangalore; also because this is a lucrative way of making money.

What about the credentials of the conductor?
Anyone who conducts a workshop should have some experience. Age does not matter. You could be eighteen and yet hold a fantastic workshop. It is not necessary to go in with established people. A person could have been extensively involved in theatre in another city and not be known in Bangalore.

What should a participant expect from a workshop?
It is important to know the background of the conductor. You will obviously not hand over your child to some amateur who doesn't know what he is talking about. Some experience helps in establishing credentials and earlier workshops reaffirms it. Nowadays you can even Google them for information.

What kind of questions should a participant ask?
It is important for the participant to know what he wants, and match your needs to what the workshop offers. As far as the length of the workshop is concerned; it could be a two day workshop or two weeks. A two week workshop always offers more. You also need to realize that theatre workshops give you the tools and a perspective on theatre; it is not there to make a Sharukh Khan out of you… (Unless of course the workshop promises that).

Most Corporate Trainers have been promoting their workshops as theatre workshops…
Most corporate trainers use a lot of theatre techniques because theatre helps develop skills and gain confidence to learn more about you. You should ensure that you are getting into an intensive theatre course if you are looking at theatre professionally instead of just joining a personality development program.

What should one expect when the workshop is over?
There are two things; One: know what you want and what the workshop offers. Two: the workshop should deliver what it offers. Most importantly, the workshop should leave you feeling positive and confident; it should develop the love for theatre within you.

How are our theatre workshops different from foreign ones?
Theatre workshops all over the world are the same. I attended few workshops abroad and I realized that the only difference is the method in which a workshop is conducted. What makes a workshop unique is the conductor's style. Also, people abroad are very imaginative; I'm not saying there aren't here… obviously there is talent here.

How much do you think should a participant pay for an average workshop?
Workshops should never be free simply because you are imparting education. The enrollment costs depend on what is on offer to the participant. Obviously a lot of experience in conducting workshops and staging plays will provide more input to a workshop and hence have more to offer. It is also dependent on the equipment you hire for training. If large stages and lights etc, are hired and a lot of expenses are incurred then the costs will rise up and the charges will be more. We also have to take time into consideration… a two day workshop will cost less than a two week workshop.

Redifining Shakuntala - a Review

2007-08-22T11:52:00.000+05:30

(c) Puja Goyal

With the story of Shakuntala as foundation and using contemporary metaphors, Little Jasmine designed live theatre for the Bangalore audience at Ranga Shankara from 17th - 19th August. The performance was a result of an artistic combination of film, text, live music and martial arts by Kirtana Kumar, Konarak Reddy and Anmol Mothi.

Shakuntala is the story of Dushyantha, a hunter- king who falls in love with a girl in the forest- Shakuntala. It is the story if a king who forgot his love. The play expressed an underlying theme of how desensitized we have become towards humanity. It was an ardent appeal towards the audience to remember what they had forgotten. The films on screen flashed images of Kirtana and Anmol as they spoke. Kirtana described with zest, memories of her grandmother's house; while Anmol denied remembering anything from his past. Memories, happenings and tragedies are a part of our past. They give us identity and character.

To remember is to not live in denial. Shakuntala faces abandonment by her parents as a newborn, grows up in isolation, and is taken care of by the forest. She grows up to be a beautiful woman, who later falls in love with Dushyantha and weds him. Dushyantha soon forgets her and moves on while Shakuntala continues to play the ideal wife who waits and waits… and waits for her husband to return. She confronts him after twelve years of waiting and fights for her newborn child which was a result of a love that they shared.

What seems to have been a serious flaw in the script is that no one seemed to remember that newborns grow up in twelve years to be young boys. Kirtana was at her best, she was powerful yet subtle with the message she wanted to convey. Anmol must have really worked hard to choreograph martial arts for the stage. The fight sequences and dances were well- rehearsed and choreographed. The music composed by Konarak Reddy was apt. He combined contemporary rock with classical tunes to suit the atmosphere. There was never a dull moment on stage.

There were also a few changes in choreography from her previous performance in December which could have been a result of ensuring a more actor friendly environment instead of providing a ground for fatalities.

Barring for a few unavoidable technical snarls, the play was a looker. Most plays with a message tend to become boring and redundant, but Shakuntala redefined the way a performance is staged with an underlining theme of a social message. Shakuntala was first performed in October 2006 at the Oxford House, London and premiered in India at RangaShankara in December 2006.

A labour of Love - Kirtana Kumar

2007-08-18T11:38:00.000+05:30

The play Shakuntala portrays the tragic love story with an energetic collaboration between an actor, a musician and a kalari artist. Kirtana Kumar tells Puja Goyal how the play is different from the rest.

(c)2007 Puja Goyal

Most people are familiar with Raja Ravi Vermas version of Shakuntala through his paintings. Few know that there are other versions that challenge Dushyantha's actions. Little Jasmine's re-imagination of Shakuntala is an energetic collaboration between an actor, Kirtana Kumar, a musician, Konark Reddy and Anmol Mothi, a seasoned kalari artist. We speak to Kirtana on how "Shakuntala" took shape.

Lots of people have performed Shakuntala. How is yours different?
We were commissioned to develop a play based on the "Shakuntala" myth by Trestle Theatre (UK); we loved the story and immediately took to it. Then there was a blast in Mumbai and many people died; even Konark's father passed away. It was a sad situation. Yet, people are so desensitized that after a while everyone forgot. This bothered me.Konark found the Shrimad Bhagvatam and a bookmark at the chapter of Shakuntala. We thought it was an interesting way to look at the story and the world. It made us think and wonder if anything matters. We wanted to take a metaphoric approach to the story. Vyasa's Shakuntala is different to Kalidasa's Shakuntala; where Kalidasa's Shakuntala accepts the ring but Vyasa's does not.We combined both the elements and questioned it in the mythical story.

Why did you use Kalaripatayu in Shakuntala?
An actor is not just about the face and words. There are dances, music and others… I believe that the whole body speaks. Emily Guy, a friend of ours asked us if we could use Kalaripatayu as part of the play because it was beautiful… and we did. We want to use what it takes to tell a story. If music or Kalaripatayu has to play a big part in it then so be it… We want to pull out all the resources available to ensure that the story is justified. Our group put together what we are skilled at. Konark is an informed musician so he put together all genre of music… and so on. It took us eight months to develop the concept.

You were injured in the previous performance…
Yes, I did. My jaw was dislocated. It took a while to heal and Mothi was so shocked and worried. He thought he had killed me. Injuries and hazards are part and parcel of anything you do.

Your message in Shakuntala
The play starts with a line and ends beautifully… is something I hope people remember. [START]"Third quarter of time has passed and kali has now set in…
… There are a million suns shining your way [END]."

Would you take Shakuntala to different cities?
We are planning a tour but before that, we have an interesting concept coming up in December. IFA wants us to develop a project on Indian weddings; inculcating the concept of fluid spaces.

Shakuntala is being staged at Ranga Shankara at 7:30 pm on August 17, 18 and 19 respectively with a special matinee show at 3:30 pm on Sunday, August 19.

RELATED PICTURES:
1: kirtana kumar; 2: anmol mothi

Singing his Song - Jude Lazaro

2007-08-17T11:32:00.000+05:30

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

Twenty Two year old Jude Lazaro was five when he first picked up the mike to sing. He was encouraged by his mother to sing in choirs and later grew up to be a solo artist. "There was no particular moment when I decided to move on from choir to solo acts… I think it would have been when I sang at the 'Festival of Songs and Solos'," says Jude. Performance always came naturally to the young musician. He admits though that a career in music is not lucrative enough, "I cannot call myself a professional musician. Musicians in India still have a long way to go before they can effectively earn from it. We do have to work in other financially rewarding jobs."

"I experience a high when I'm performing. Nothing can compensate the experience. Music is a very good way of expressing myself and I wouldn’t want it any other way," says Jude. Besides music, Jude also likes to perform in musicals and has starred in Chicago, Romeo and Juliet, and most recently as Joseph in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. "I'm known as Oliver Twist by most because that is the role that started me off. Musicals are a big deal; they are amazing and entertaining. I like the concept of putting together music and plays," smiles Jude.

While most Bangalore musicians are crazy about rock, Jude has decided to take the mushy lane. "I'm eclectically inclined when it comes to listening music… but when it comes to performance I'm a softy for the oldies. This is why we will be performing love songs in our upcoming show. They wanted us to do a recital but I wanted a story line and a love theme which would connect the collection and make it a romantic night". Jude does not like to stick on to one band. He likes to perform with lots of people and specializes in "Barber Shop" type of music. His own band the "K-Sharp" is acoustic in nature. "Lots of people are doing rock… and there is a misconception that there is no market for acoustics. Today, it is not only the old but also the youth that is taking interest."

Jude admires Frank Sinatra for the performance value Sinatra adds to his videos, and his all time favorite song is Can't help falling in love, by Elvis Presley. He is happy that he is a part of a family business that allows him to "get away with it", like he puts it. Jude dreams of performing in more corporate shows and musicals; he wants to write a musical and stage it within the next year. Jude Lazaro and Robin Colaco will be performing on August 17, 2007 at 7 pm at the Alliance Françoise, Bangalore.

Retracing the life of a Spy

2007-08-15T11:14:00.000+05:30

Spy Princess will now be made into a film. Puja Goyal caught up with
author Shrabani Basu to find out how spy Noor Inayat Khan's life has been immortalised in a book.

(c) 2007 Puja Goyal

Sharbani Basu's, Spy Princess is based on recently declassified documents, interviews with Noor's Family and accounts from her colleagues and their relatives. It retraces the amazing life of the world's first woman radio operator, Noor, from her birth in Moscow to her life as a secret agent in France. The book is now being made into a film by director Shyam Benegal and is Number Two on the bestseller charts in India. Author Shrabani Basu is the London correspondent of the Calcutta-based Ananda Bazar Group and writes for The Telegraph and ABP. She was in Bangalore recently for a presentation on Spy Princess.

Your books The Spy Princess and Curry in the Crown have two very different subjects.
I have read extensively on the Indo- British relations since the 1600's. I am an Indian and stay in Britain, this is evident in my research and subjects that I choose. If you look closely, the subjects are different but they find their roots in the Indo- British relations.

Idea behind The Spy Princess
As a journalist, you research many stories; I came across articles about India's contribution to the World War. One snippet was that of Noor Inayat Khan.

There are already two books on Noor…
Yes there are, but they are works of fiction and the one biography by Jean is out of print as it was written immediately after the war was over. Jean's biography lacked information. Secret materials now declassified, have given new dimensions to Noor's story. Besides, there is no real biography of Noor available.

You have stuck to a narrative form of writing…
I think it is because I am a journalist and because I wanted to tell Noor's story as it was instead of fantasizing about it.

Biographies are tricky, how does a writer remain true to the subject when everyone is contributing their own version.
Sometimes you never know everything that happened. There are huge gaps between what could have happened, what did happen and the information available. Documents get lost, people grow old, forget or expire and sometimes we just don't know; lots of mysteries surround real life stories.

I have been true to the data available about Noor; at the same time I have let the gaps remain in the book. I do not want to speculate about what could have happened. Let mysteries remain mysteries… some things are better left that way.

One such mystery element…
It is the mystery surrounding Noor's Fiancé. She had informed her family and friends that she was engaged, while undercover in France. No one knows who he was; she gave no information on his identity and she did not live to tell.

Difficulties in writing The Spy Princess
No difficulties… The data is not available online so I had to travel and research extensively in order to piece everything together. Some were helpful while the others dismissive. Noor's family and Jean were extremely cooperative. Her brother Hidayat did not live to see the published book.

The declassification of the World War files helped gain perspective into the circumstances under which spies operated. It gave me more information about Noor and the events that perchance.

On The Spy Princess
Although Noor is a descendant of Tipu Sultan, she was spiritually inclined. She was courageous, stubborn, conscientious, and a woman of principles who never succumbed to pressures of interrogation and could never lie… something she drew from her father. She was like a mother to her three siblings and brought them up. Noor was fun too; she loved dancing her friends say. The Spy Princess is a story of a brave woman who lived and died during World War 2.

Remembering Bergman

2007-08-01T10:41:00.000+05:30

The award- winning Swedish Filmmaker is considered a master of modern cinema and has inspired many with his style.

(c) Puja Goyal

"No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight room of the soul." - Ingmar Bergman

Ernst Ingmar Bergman was born in Uppsala, Sweden to a Lutheran minister of Danish descent, Erik Bergman (later chaplain to the King of Sweden), and his wife, Karin. He is one of the most influential film directors in history; even influencing and inspiring the likes of Woody Allen, and Wes Craven.

Bergman always found the writing of a script a tedious job nevertheless he wrote his own scripts. He preferred to think about them for months, even years before actually writing them. Most of his earlier films were based on his plays or written in collaboration with other authors; this could be one of the reasons why his films were very structured and precise. In his later works, Bergman stated that he gave the actors some leverage when his actors wanted to experiment. Later on, he increasingly let his actors improvise on their dialogues. He took a lot of risks; he was known to form ideas and scenes and allowed his actors to determine the exact dialogue.

"We must live", says the pastor in Bergman's "Winter light" to a man contemplating suicide. "WHY must we live?" retorts the man. This question occupies a central place in Bergman's works and life. Ingmar Bergman aimed at exploring the nature of the human condition. Majority of his films dealt with the rather bleak subjects of suffering, loneliness, solitude, sterility, somberness and the anguish of the soul.

Most of Bergman's films consist of close-ups of faces, ticking clocks and a forceful use of shadows in order to intensify the moment. "I don't watch my own films very often. I become so jittery and ready to cry… and miserable. I think it's awful," Bergman, 85, had said in a rare interview on a Swedish TV.

Bergman's 60-year career has spanned intense classics like "Cries & Whispers", "The Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries" and "The Virgin Spring". He has been nominated for nine Oscars himself, while his films have won Oscars won best foreign film three times.
(pic: bergman working on "wild strawberries")

Although Bergman was known for his contribution to cinema, he was in fact a stage director and producer all his life. He managed and directed most prestigious theatres in Sweden, notably the Malmö city theatre in the 1950s and the Stockholm Royal Dramatic Theatre, as well as the Residenz-Theater of Munich, Germany (1977-84). Many of his actors in film were people with whom he began working on stage, and the "Bergman troupe" of his 1960s films consisted of actors from Malmö's city theatre.

Bergman was chosen the world's greatest living filmmaker by "Time" magazine (11 July 2005). He retired from filmmaking in 1984, and then in 2003, at the age of 85, he retired from directing plays.

Mr. Bergman often talked about what he considered the dual nature of his creative and private personalities. “I am very much aware of my own double self,” he once said. “The well-known one is very under control; everything is planned and very secure. The unknown one can be very unpleasant. I think this side is responsible for all the creative work — he is in touch with the child. He is not rational; he is impulsive and extremely emotional.”

Bergman's obsession with death subsided with time. “When I was young, I was extremely scared of dying,” he said. “But now I think it a very, very wise arrangement. It’s like a light that is extinguished. Not very much to make a fuss about.”

Ingmar Bergman died at his home on Fårö, Sweden, in the early morning of July 30, 2007, aged 89. The rock band Van Halen wrote, "The Seventh Seal" as an ode to his films.

Music from the Heart

2007-07-31T21:35:00.000+05:30

Nicole Beller Carbone talks to Puja Goyal about her love for opera

(c) Puja Goyal

It might be happening in Bangalore for the first time! Two talented musicians, Nicole Beller Carbone and Stefan Blunier are going to be performing Opera; with Stefan at the piano and Nicole being the voice.

It will be an unusual concert for all those who haven’t even heard this music; while the others who revel in it might have a feast. There wouldn't be the Opera everyone imagines, with the grand stage sets, make- up and extravagantly dressed actors; but Nicole has beautiful music in store for us. "We have not brought down a huge ensemble because it would be just too much. Besides, carrying them would be a problem. Also, you need space and a proper concert hall that would compliment an Opera. Bangalore has nothing like that designed; so only Stefan and I will be performing," says Nicole.

"Liede vom Herzen" or music from the heart is what opera is all about. This classical combination of music/ theatre/ and art is rooted in the veins of Nicole and very rightly so. "I have grown up in a house where art and music are given prominence. We also listen to a lot of classical music and that influenced me," says Nicole.

Culture and traditions is not something that only we Indians can boast about. The Europeans have a rich heritage to show off too! Nicole explains, "From where I come, music and art is inculcated in children from birth. It is very important to us… and Opera is very popular in Europe; you can live on it very comfortably and that’s another initiative." These could be reasons why Nicole took to music readily after studying acting in Zaragoza.

Opera is not just music, it is drama; it is not just drama, but drama in the form of music. The basic essence of Opera comes from singers enacting drama and dramatic works through their voice and musical instruments. It contains all forms of theatre like acting, costumes, drama, dance and sets; and is a very vibrant experience. It is the purest form of Western Classical Musical tradition. Crucial to an Opera performance is an orchestra or a musical ensemble without which an opera would be incomplete and non- existent.

One of the most difficult acts in an Opera is the character of "Salome" composed by Richard Strauss. "Salome", a one act play is based on Oscar Wilde’s poem of the same title, and translated into German by Hedwig Lachmann. It was first produced at the Court Opera, Dresden, December 9, 1905. While most seem to be amazed by it, Nicole has performed "Salome" many times, "I am surprised to hear that "Salome" is much talked about. The character is relatively easy for me; maybe because drama comes easily to me."

Nicole elaborates, "I rehearsed for "Salome" for a period of two years; including one year where all I did was swim. You need a lot of lung capacity to sing the part of "Salome"". Nicole will not be doing a "Salome" for us but will be singing some Strauss and Guccini instead who are much easier composers for the Bangaloreans' to understand.

Nicole and Stefan who are here on a special invite; will be performing at the concert titled "Lieder & Aries" (songs from the air) on the 30th of July. The concert is organized by Ganjam; Nicole is the wife of Gio Carbone who runs "Le Arti Orafe", a design school; in Lucca Milan; with which Ganjam is associated.

Breaking the Silence

2007-07-30T21:30:00.000+05:30

Puja Goyal experiences a lice of Indian Mythology from a women's perspective in the stage version of Shashi Deshpande's short stories

(C) Puja Goyal

History was always written by men with power and Indian mythology has also been enriched by the possibilities and happenings of what men perceive. Our roots are ingrained in a patriarch society that has influenced most of our lifestyle, culture, traditions and values. In the midst of which, women have taken a back seat and less has been said about a women's perspective. Why? Simply women might rock the cradle but when it comes to making history there presence have been nullified and negligible.

Shashi Deshpande's three short stories featuring the popular female figures of Hindu Mythology (Sita, Draupadi and Kunti) was adapted for stage by VODO and directed by Krishna. The play "Chimeras" elaborated their mental anguish at being deserted for the betterment of society, power and land. In plain words 'what the women feel when they get ditched royally by men, (who claim love and everlasting devotion) for lucrative propositions'.

Women's perspective on these issues has been presented time and again in different forms by novelists, playwrights, and stage acts. So much so that reading about it has become redundant because a lot has been said, but our perspectives have remained the same.

The 90 minute play was staged at Alliance on the 19th and 20th of July 2007. The stage adaptation of the stories could have been passed off as a musical storytelling session interrupted by a "Suthradhaar" who made a feeble and flimsy attempt to connect the three stories together.

Priya Venkataraman who plays Sita brought a few tears to the audience's eyes. The anguish and helplessness of a young girl caught between the dutiful husband and her love for him was executed excellently.

The audience did look a little restless as the play progressed. It could be because they could take in only so much apathy at a time. By the time Draupadi came in to lament; it seemed more like bickering and nagging… Draupadi was strong; she reminded me of "Tulsi" from the "Kyun ki…" soap. The last story was told by Kunti. There was a certain vibrancy to her character… she looked alive and energetic befitting a twenty year old rather than the character she was playing which could have been in her sixties and upwards.

The set design was minimalist and the light execution was good. Strong moments (like when the actors dropped down on their knees and cried), were lost due to dim lighting. The suthradhaar proved to be a weak link in the story. A must mention would be the costume design and make-up which was aptly put together by Surabhi Herur, who plays Draupadi.

Curtain Call

2007-07-28T21:23:00.000+05:30

Leila Alvares tells PUJA GOYAL what it takes to stage a musical in Bangalore
(c) Puja Goyal

The CAUSE Foundation presents a reinvention of its very first musical performance - "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" from the 3rd to the 6th of August 2007 at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

Getting into theatre: Getting into theatre was a chance thing. I am a classical pianist. My major interests were always related to doing something with music. My first production at the age of 18 was a production containing music and dances of different eras. While pursuing a Masters in Industrial Psychology, (now known as HR), in the States; I watched a lot of musicals and "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" was one of them. It was beautiful and I had to stage it at some point in my life.

Differences between musicals abroad and in India: One of the major differences is: they have money and we don’t. Our talent is amazing and even better in some parts. We sacrifice a lot in terms of sets and costumes while they don’t. Lack of finances is a major detriment to a good production. You have to compromise all the time.

My first musical: Joseph… was my first full fledged musical ten years ago, which I am staging again. Then there was "Crescendo" which featured songs from the beginning of music era in the 1910's to 1980's. It was a blast!

More musicals when compared to stage drama, is it a conscious effort and why: It is not a conscious effort; it is a choosy effort. I am not fond of dramas; I like musicals simply because I am a musician first. I had a choir once upon a time and we used to sing in churches and weddings. It was fun. I only watch dramas when a friend says "you have to come and watch".

Teething problems in establishing the foundation: I had no problems establishing this… the only problem I face every year has to do with money. The entertainment tax that was levied then was a big nuisance. We don’t have money for our show how can we pay tax on tickets that aren't even sold. Yesterday, I had to deal with this guy who asked us to reprint tickets because of some formatting issues… Luckily a good friend in the department informed us that there is no entertainment tax anymore. They thought I was staging a musical concert like the ones held by Daler Mehdi and Aerosmith; they need to realize this is a musical drama and it's different.

Most productions don’t treat cast salary as expense, comment… Our productions are always for charity and it becomes impossible to pay the cast; but as a token, we have given them travel allowance. This is not payment. I cannot comment on other people's productions.

Tell us a little about "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat". Most of the cast is different and sets have improved. Now we have more experience. Sets were tacky then and the performance was great. Now both are fantastic! Today, I have contacts and I can pay people after the show. At that point we had to pay everyone in advance. The lyrics and dances are also up-to-date.

The play is a hilarious spoof on the original biblical story of Joseph and his meteoric rise to fame in Pharaoh’s court in ancient Egypt despite his 11 brother’s evil plan to get rid of him. It has no dialogues and is a pure musical. It contains songs and dances of every genre from rock n roll to country to rap.

What is the basic essence of a good musical? Tuneful songs good dance sequences, entertaining and lively, obviously cast need to contain better singers than actors. Musicians have to be good.

The Great Indian Rock Story

2007-07-16T21:19:00.000+05:30

Although there is a huge demand for Indian rock; the rock performances are limited to college fests, says Puja Goyal
(c) Puja Goyal

Indian Rock Bands from Moksha and Parikrama to Indus Creed have played in most College Cultural Festivals; this could be owing to the huge fan following; or because every Cul-Fete needs a grand pliable Finale.

Although there is a huge demand for Indian rock in India; the rock performances are limited to College Cultural Festivals. Consumers might enjoy the concert but are very apprehensive about buying Indian Rock music. The audiences still want to listen to covers of Iron Maiden and Metallica.

When Moksha played at St. John's Medical College's "Muse Festival" two years ago; they were bombarded with requests for covers. The crowd got violent when Moksha played originals instead of heeding to their demands. The crowd consisting of college students; medical and all, threw bottles and food on the stage. A drunken student even climbed up the stage and lashed out obscenities (verbally and physically) at Leon Ireland (Late Lead Singer- Moksha) before he was dragged of by security.

The step motherly treatment that Indian Bands are meted with is atrocious. Leon adds, "…as long as recording companies don’t throw their weight behind rock bands, Rock will never attain the status that foreign bands do." Most Indian Rock Band members agree that good marketing by music companies would really help their band morale.

"Marketing could be a possibility, but marketers complain that there is "no demand" and the concert goers do not want to take it further and buy an album", reflects Anish (Music producer- name changed). While Indian Rock is waiting for support, they are making the gravest mistake; playing covers.

Indian concert goers on the other hand mostly want to "have fun". Ritesh (Commerce Student) says "We like to go to concerts to enjoy ourselves and have a blast. If we don't recognize the music we are listening to, then we will not be able to relate to it."

Most concert goers are insatiable audiences. Natasha (Final yr Science Student) elaborates, "Concert going takes a lot of preparation. My friends and I make an attempt to go to all the concerts; they are different experiences. If we know Areosmith or Enrique is coming to town, we listen to, and understand their music properly so we can sing-a-long." It is important then, that the music is available in the market for the audience to get acquainted with.

Most Concert goers get perturbed by Indian bands playing originals because they cannot relate to their music and style; this could be one of the reasons why the band is not able to promote its own music and ends up performing covers. Sid adds, "you know what is worse than listening to an Indian Rock Band play original… playing a bad cover of an original we like. That just about kills it!!!"

Indian fans are made of a different mettle compared to their western counterpart. While the western audience is ever-willing; the Indian counterpart is choosy and particular… If the Indian band sold the music they played on the stage; they would be selling covers… why would anyone want to buy a cover when the original is available? On the other hand, if the original was played, no one would buy it anyway because consumers are unfamiliar.

Chitan Kalra of Parikrama leaves us on a more positive note. He believes that there always will be an "audience" for Indian Rock. He says, "You will always find an audience in each and every city u can pin on the map. We can swear by it… and besides, ROCK fans run on dynamos… and we feed off their energy"

Dining with Drama

2007-07-07T21:08:00.000+05:30

Bangalore has been having its hare of Supper theatre on and off and although it is not quite frequent, it i looked upon as a more glamourous form than usual theatre
(c) Puja Goyal

Supper theatre also known as variety cabaret is one of the first forms of theatre that came up as community entertainment where family members gathered around for dinner and watched little acts to keep them entertained.

The act involves Compilations and revivals of plays or impromptu acts which are put together and produced at venues where the price includes usually includes a meal (dinner) and the show (drinks are extra).

Anjaan, a Programming Manager, is a theatre enthusiast and has had experience in Supper theatre; he adds "In India Supper theatre is mis-represented; organizers think it involves inviting people, feeding them and showing an act. It is the other way round, it is theatre you can watch while having supper. For example: if we had Jhoom Barabar Jhoom being performed as supper theatre it would be an act mixed with songs. It is visual art instead of real theatre; and works as a goldmine for talent."

The occasional Supper theatre performances in Bangalore are perceived as a more glamorous form of theatre. Supper theatre is often high priced and the audience is small. You will probably find the cream of the society.

Masquerade, a Singapore based performing Arts Company, performed a unique interactive murder mystery supper theatre, for its audience recently. Evenings began with clue packs being given to everybody, scenes were acted out and murders took place during the course of the meal. The plot revolved around King Leopold and Queen Elizabeth of Polots-via who presented the Crown Prince Maximillan to the guests. Hopefuls plotted to satisfy their dubious desires for murder which was on the menu—as well as music and laughter.

What is detrimental to the interests of Supper theatre is that it is now reduced to nothing but a promotional event and bills which run into thousands. "You do anything and call it supper theatre. Supper Theatre is mis-represented in Bangalore." But is it popular? "It would be detrimental to the interests of the performer to have its audience munching on something; when the object in mind is to sensitize an audience. The thing is you can always follow the play with a meal right?" Raza Hussain, Theatre Actor.

Anjaan is miffed at the way people interpret Supper theatre, "Supper theatre is not an accepted name and is just a perception. The more the word "Supper" in "Supper theatre" is used as an adjective the more it becomes meaningless. You have to use "Supper" as a verb or a noun to make theatre cooler and the real form to develop".

A hindi supper theatre by ilver blue productions will be staged at Ista on Saturday.

Gizmo bug hit Indian Superheroes

2007-07-04T20:36:00.000+05:30

Animation and comics have gone truly global. The comics are combining Manga art with our mythological characters to give the stories a complete makeover, says Puja Goyal
(C) 2007 Puja Goyal

Indian mythological stories have previously been converted into comic strips by various publishing companies and we have grown up reading them. Now, Virgin comics have brought out the international segment of the same stories with a different flavor. The comics combine Manga art with recreated mythology, to give the stories a complete makeover.

"Virgin is trying to get into comics it appears - While they are a huge company - they are not a major Comic book publisher in the US, not even in the top 10. The point is that these will be in the Virgin stores - but not in the comic book stores. That said Virgin seems to have a few in this vein - they seem to be cornering the market on Indian titles - they even have one by Deepak Chopra. So it may make sense to jump on the band wagon." Luke Lieberman, President, Red Sonja LLC

Our perception of Indian mythology is going through a radical change. Comic lovers abroad are now introduced to Indian stories in a different getup. We read the Ramayana religiously every morning, or used too… the essence of it was holy and religious. Now, with the advent of new technology and new thought, the Ramayana has turned "Hip". "Ramayan 3392 A.D. from Virgin Comics is a reinvention of India’s greatest epic told by bestselling author Deepak Chopra and acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur." says, Gotham Chopra.

Virgin comics has created a studio where stories would be created, and eventually turned into movies, tv shows, video games, digital applications, etc - by mining the rich talent and enormous anthology of mythic content, Gotham Chopra, Virgin Comics Chief Creative Officer has been quoted as saying.

All said and done, Ramayana is now competing with Lord of the Rings, and Spiderman for the top spot. Lord Rama introduced as the "Blue God" is now going high tech with gizmos and special effects; to cater to Generation Next. He could pass off as what teens would call "AWESOME" and you might hear someone behind you scream "The dude Rocks man!!" Rama is now the new kid on the block.

"The ways you tell stories changes with time, but the essence of the story will remain the same; the international audience and younger lot find it easy to relate to this. We all know that Ramayan is a mythological book and not a religious book; it is interesting to see what we can do with it. In the new-age Ramayan, the set - up and gizmos that Lord Rama uses have undergone a change. These books have received a positive response from the Western world." Samarjit Choudhry; Gotham Comics. Luke adds, "The stories will have to change - almost definitely - they have to adapt to their new audience - kids who read comics - they are going to hire writers to adapt the original material - anyone would.

Manish (student) on the other hand is apprehensive about change, "They have taken the essence of Indian mythology and turned it into ordinary anime".

While most welcome the changes and the look, they also suspect that it's just a fad. Surekha, from US and an ardent reader of comics says, "Add James Bond and Superman, draw them in Manga, some special effects and you have Rama. Our very own Superhero!"
Samarjit expects a favorable response when they introduce the New Ramayan in India. Gotham Comics have already released "Sadhu" and "Devi", "the initial response for previously released comics in India has been good and we plan to release them in Indian languages."Devi" is based on the concept of Shakti, and not really Goddess Durga. It is about how Shakti manifests itself into form when evil goes beyond certain point."

For more information visit VirginComics.com/Ramayan.html.

Delicacies from South India

2007-07-01T20:12:00.000+05:30

'Most people do not realise that cooking is not only a mother's job, it's an art', says Santhi Balaraman author of Dakshin Bhog

Copyright 2007 Puja Goyal

The market is flooded with cookery books and television serials. So, why would we need another writer to tell us what we need to eat?

It is because we don't always meet someone like Santhi Balaraman. The demure yet vibrant woman speaks of her passion for cooking with such jest that it would entice anyone to cook. Santhi has been cooking for almost thirty years and draws her experience from the most intimate form of South Indian cooking. While most chefs would learn from cooking schools and hotel management institutes, Santhi learnt cooking from the roots of tradition.

Santhi has created a space for South Indian cooking in history; through her dedicated effort. She says, "There are better techniques available for cooking now, but earlier slow cooking was the essence of taste."

Santhi Balaraman, who is a well-known cookery personality both in visual & print media, is truly blessed in this respect. Her training in the art of cooking started years before she wrote her first recipe or hosted her first show. What she has is a rich heritage handed down to her from three generations; something most cookery show hosts cannot boast about. She elaborates, "People shrink away from south Indian cooking; what they don't realize is that it is simple to cook."

She now hosts & produces a popular cookery show continuously for six years on SUN T.V now and has published cookbooks both in Tamil & in English. She holds live cookery shows & quizzes & also advices on food & nutrition. She also speaks regularly in A.I.R FM radio, on this subject.

While her books written in Tamil cover all cuisines, her maiden English debut "Dakshin Bhog" is dedicated only to South Indian Cuisine. Dakshin Bhog, as the name suggests, is an authentic book on traditional south Indian vegetarian food. Many of the recipes are from her great grandmother passed on by her grandmother. She has also given a few of her mother in law’s recipes & her mother’s recipes.

"Dakshin Bhog" is special because it is one of the first books that feature recipes that would have otherwise been forgotten. Santhi explains, "You know, I went shopping one day and this girl came running to me and said that she had liked what I cooked on TV last evening. She forgot the name of the dish, but had tried it at home… What I had cooked was a traditional Tamilian dish; it's called "Masiyan"; which is nothing but mashed green leaves." Most don’t even know that there is a recipe called "Masiyan".

"I would also like to clarify that Traditional is not necessarily orthodox" says Santhi. "Most people do not realize that cooking is not only a mother's job; it's an art. Families that cook together stay together" believes Santhi.

Before leaving, Santhi made it a point to emphasize that she started her career very late (about ten years ago) due to her personal commitments like family. What we would like to add is that it's never to late to start; and most importantly the wealth of knowledge she received while attending to her commitments is not something we can boast of as we continue to live the fast pace of life.

Best of the Best

2007-01-29T10:51:00.000+05:30

YUCK! Them Stinkers!!

2007-01-29T10:33:00.000+05:30

Top ten Stinkers Categories of the Century:

Copyright 2007 Puja Goyal

1. POSTMAN/ WATERWORLD:

Kevin Costner can you stop?? Leaving art films behind Kevin Costner directed, starred, and distributed letters in this tale of post apocalyptic mail service. He also turned into a fish in Waterworld. No one is empathizing with you Kevin. "He has nothing else to do so he delivers posts… the world has ended dude, who you delivering post to?" asks Mahindra

2. BATMAN AND ROBIN:

Is this the best of Batman? TV star George Clooney makes us nauseous as Batman in this horrendous sequel. Uma Thurman and Arnold Schwarzenegger (as Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze) turn in the worst performances. Alicia Silverstone is the worst Bat Girl. Ugh!!

3. BOA VS PYTHON/ COBRA/ ANACONDA:

What's with the movies that make reptiles larger than life? The scariest moments in Anaconda don't come from the phony looking snakes, but from the scene-munching Jon Voight, the group's guide. Mr. Cranky says, "Among other pathetic things, 'Anaconda' contains a performance by Jon Voight that is so awful and full of clichés that thirty years from now, 10-year-old bullies who happen to rent the film will be beating the crap out of Voight's great-grandchildren just for being related to him." Speaking of which, everyone who has seen movies with humongous reptiles are still living in denial.

4. SPICE WORLD/ CROSSROADS:

We’ll tell you what we want, what we really, really want. We don't care what you did, where you went and what Girl Power in Spice World is all about. We do not care if the sullen depressing Britney Spears finds her mother in Crossroads… and how POP Stars live a miserable life. We want our life back!

5. VAN DAMME/ STEVEN SEGAL MOVIES:

Chest-shaven Muscular Belgian midget Jean-Claude Van Damme who can only run around with a flimsy upper garment is not what I had in mind whilst movie- tripping. "Van Damme behaves like an idiot, he is expressionless and fights like a girl… same goes with Steven Segal who has only survived because of a great support cast", RJ Sanjay Das

6. BRIDE AND PREJUDICE:

"Jane Austen must be rolling in her grave!! I hate this movie, what was the director thinking?" RJ Shubha. Bad English, bad Music, sappy and sobbing Aishwarya Rai and ever pesky parents, don't we have enough of it already…

7. HOUSE OF WAX:

Anyone who thought this would be a treat should get mental treatment. "I have heard that there was a large applause when Paris Hilton died in the movie." Bernie (saw the movie, and now lives in denial).

8. ANKLE BITER/ ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES:

AOTKT takes its one funny joke and tells it over and over and over and over and over and over again… "Ankle Biter was the worst movie of my life!! I bought that movie because they showed gory Vampires on the cover, but when the movie started the Vampires turned out to be midgets… who wants to watch midgets?" Manoj (student)

9. SEQUELS of EVIL DEAD/ CHILDS PLAY/ EXORCIST/ FRIDAY THE 13TH/ HALLOWEEN/ BRAINDEAD etc:

If it doesn't work once, follow them up with sequels. Having people drinking vomit, and turning that into a socializing event, also having people cut themselves up for joy, urinate in public, add to this sadistic talking killer dolls with brides and dumb masks. Films like these shouldn't have been made in the first place; and we could have avoided the sequels. Stupid, Filthy, Ugly, Depressing and an utter waste of time and money. Go away, or I'll beat you with a stick!

10. ACE VENTURA - WHEN NATURE CALLS:

Making faces at people is rude, irritating and uncouth; someone should tell Jim Carrey that. This tired and sloppy sequel to the marginally amusing "Ace Ventura Pet Detective" runs out of gas long before Jim Carrey even lands in Africa in search of a rare white bat.

Nothing original about it.

2007-01-26T21:55:00.000+05:30

VT. TICKET PAGE 2; COPYRIGHT 2007 PUJA GOYAL

MR HOT Mr Cool marks the debut of music director Rishi Sundd. The movie has roped in singers like Kunal Gunjawala, Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan and Swetha Pandit amongst others and has a very simple yet melodious finish. The title song Mr Hot Mr Cool sounds more like some words put together with beats taken from another movie.

The melody of the title track is nothing new as it seems like the beats were determined on a synthesizer, because they have absolutely no variation. Three songs and four remixes of these three songs sum up the album. One wonders why there are original songs at all; the remixes sound better. Ishq hua and Dekha tumhe particularly stand out for the melody although they remind you of the songs from the 1990's. Whether the songs would have a lasting impression is hard to say, but they surely are not irritating to the ear. For a music director who has just started out, this seems to be a safe bet; he could have included more songs for the listener to choose from instead of filling the play list with remixes.

Screen Magic

2006-12-29T19:24:00.000+05:30

Puja Goyal lists a few movies that rocked your world in 2006

Vijay Times VT THEME Page - 4

1. Stranger Than Fiction
Imagine your life being chronicled by a narrator only he can hear. Will Ferrell plays, Harold Crick, an IRS Agent whose world is turned upside-down by just this. The Narrator, Kay Eiffel (Emma Thompson), a nearly forgotten author of tragic novels, is struggling to complete her latest and best book. Fiction and reality collide as Harold hears the Narrator say that events have been set in motion that will lead to his imminent death.

2. Dreamgirls
Set in the turbulent early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women (Hudson, Knowles and Rose) who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. This film is a treat for anyone who is a musical freak! If you have watched all the musicals on screen adaptations of Broadway productions, then this will not disappoint you. If you do not like song and dance, then you should stay away. The movie is also eyeing the Oscars this 2007.

3. The Death of Mr Lazarescu
Have you ever waited in an emergency room for immediate treatment, with no one to look after you? If there was ever such an occasion, you will empathise with the plight of Mr Lazarescu. A 60- ish widower, living alone in Bucharest with his cats, he feels sick enough one evening to call an ambulance. This is the beginning of his Dantesque odyssey deep into the bowels of a big city medical establishment.

4. Children of Men
Children of Men, one of the most popular movies of 2006, envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The worldís youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against the backdrop of London, torn apart by violence and nationalistic sects, the film follows disillusioned bureaucrat Theo as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earthís survival.

5. Cars
This is a fast-paced animated comedy adventure set inside the world of cars. Fuelled with plenty of humour, action, heartfelt drama and amazing new technical feats, Cars is a high-octane delight for moviegoers of all ages.

6. United 93
Acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass writes and directs an unflinching drama that tells the story of the passengers and crew, their families on the ground and the flight controllers who watched in dawning horror as United Flight 93 became the fourth hijacked plane on September 11, 2001.

7. Babel
In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out - detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist coupleís frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo.

8. The Departed
This crime drama from director Martin Scorsese takes us into the lives of two cops: Colin Sullivan (Damon) whose prime target is powerful Irish mob boss Frank Costello (Nicholson). Billy Costigan (DiCaprio), street-smart and tough, eventually lands back on the rough streets of South Boston, where he is recruited into Costelloís ranks. As they work at cross-purposes, they are plunged into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in which the stakes could not be higher. This is for anyone who is a Scorsese fan.

9. Casino Royale
Published in 1953, Casino Royale was the first James Bond novel by Ian Fleming and has already been filmed two times before the 2006 release starring Daniel Craig. The film, introduces audiences to James Bond before he holds his license to kill and proceeds with a highstakes adventure.

10. The War Tapes
The War Tapes is a documentary directed by Deborah Scranton and a team of award-winning filmmakers. It is the first war movie filmed by soldiers themselves on the front lines in Iraq, in March 2004. It is interesting to see what soldiers can do with a bunch of digital video cameras in the middle of Iraq.

Whatz B'lore listening

2006-12-29T19:14:00.000+05:30

The albums that scored well with Bangaloreans this past year..

VIJAY TIMES: VT TICKET

PUJA GOYAL

1. Hips Don't Lie: Shakira
(Album:Oral Fixation)

The release of single Hips Don't Lie almost choked other artists, what with every second request on air being Hips Don't Lie. The Radio Jockey's in Bangalore were left with no other choice but to play it, while listeners were having a field day. The video was like eye candy and every kid in town sang the song; not to neglect the fact that every college festival had at least one dance to the tunes of Shakira by participants.

2. Far Away: Nickelback
(Album:All the Right Reasons)

Everyone likes Nickelback, there is no question about it. They like Nickelback as much as they like Def Leppard, Sting, Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Bryan Adams. Bangaloreans were asked if they would replace Bryan Adams with one artist who would it be... "NickelBack". Although the feel of all Nickelback songs are somewhat similar, no one is complaining, simply, "for all the right reasons."

3. Waiting on the World to Change: John Mayer
(Album: Continuum)

Room For Squares, Heavier things and now Continuum. While both his previous albums have won Grammies and accolades for their soul Continuum has followed with a hattrick! The song WaitingÖ has been on the mind of every listenerÖ its soft, yet strong; smart yet lightÖ a sure winner!

4. Bad Day: Daniel Powter
(Album: Daniel Powter)

Bad Day, has become Bangalore's official anthem, for everyone who has had a bad day, bad break-up, bad exam results, fight with parentsÖ etc. It is one of the most over played songs next to Hips don't lie.

5. You're Beautiful: James Blunt
(Album:Back to Bedlam)

Although the album debuted in 2005, it is still getting maximum air coverage. While it is difficult to find one song out of the many in the album, Bangalore's pick is "You're Beautiful". The video is poetic and the song is most wanted on the 'love list'... or 'love found and lost list'.

6. Sexyback: Justin Timberlake
(Album: Sexyback)

Who ever thought Justin Timberlake would come and sweep ColdPlay off its feet. ColdPlay's "X&Y fell in the eleventh position soon after the release of Justin's new Album. Racy, sexy, funky and all Justin. The album is offbeat in parts but on the whole Justin's best. Justin has now officially knocked out ColdPlay of the list thanks to the teen girls in Bangalore.

Finding Shakuntala in the modern women

2006-12-28T13:05:00.000+05:30

The play highlights the agony of women and their
struggle for an identity in a patriarchal system

VIJAY TIMES BVT PAGE 3

PUJA GOYAL

SHAKUNTALA is the story of a woman, abandoned by all only to find temporary respite in the arms of her love and husband Dushyanta. Dushyanta soon suffers from the loss of memory; like most of us do when we get tired of something.

Dushyanta forgets that Shakuntala exists; he moves on while Shakuntala does what is expected from a dutiful wifeÖ wait for her husband's return. Shakuntala being abandoned at birth speaks of a story that most women go through in patriarchal familiesÖ So what is new out here?

What is new is Kirtana's take on the timeless struggle of women trying to find their identity. The play ëShakuntalaí is multi-layered. On one hand, it speaks of the agonies of a woman forgotten by the world; on the other hand, she speaks the loss of our sensitivities towards our environment, people, issues, and emotions.

In Kirtana's words, "We were loosing our memory of pain, of love, of humanity. Thus we were led to Vyasa's Shakuntala where the central motif is that of the loss of memory and subsequent ëDeparture of righteousnessí. It became a metaphor for our world."

The play went one step further by combining music, art, drama, storytelling, images and a dance form known as Kalaripayattu; blending all with ease. The music gave excellent company to the playÖ and filled in the moments on stage but drowned the voice of the actors who performed impeccably; one had to strain his ears to hear what they were saying.

The excellent light change was so subtle that it seemed like a mirage. The set was introduced by the actors and it looked like a room of paper boards... beautiful.

Drama : Shakuntala
Director : Kirtana Kumar
Music : Konark Reddy

Speaking my tongue

2006-12-26T13:12:00.000+05:30

Regional plays traditionally had a following of people who understood the language. Nowadays, people have started appreciating regional theatre even if the words are incomprehensible.

VIJAY TIMES LIFE PAGE - 3

PUJA GOYAL

THEATRE is a good medium by which one can measure the cultural growth of a city. Last year saw the staging of many plays in different languages, yet the myth remains that theatre is not well-received by the audience. Does it have to do with good quality productions or does it have to do with the language barrier?

Anjaan has been a part of many productions. He elaborates, "Theatre by virtue of it being a niche entertainment form, will always be less accepted compared to film or other entertainment (live concerts, fashion shows and parties) There still exists a feeling among common man that "theatre" is still a medium for a select audience. Since everything Regional (Films, Music, and Stars) is veering away from the ëuncoolí factor that it previously had, even theatre follows the same path. Regional plays have always had a following with people who understand and cherish the language. Now, people who don't understand the language have also started appreciating regional theatre."

Most individuals have now cited that they enjoy regional plays, but there are still many problems that need to be tackled in order to restore our heritage in theatre. First, we were enamored by English theatre forms due to their distinct flavour; as a result the essence of our own theatre structures and styles faded into anonymity. While there are a few who have remained true to their artform, they have slowly diminished into oblivion. The numbers who have considered theatre as a primary form of entertainment are minimal. What needs to be questioned now is what keeps the audience away? Compared to local theatres, troupes from other states and countries have received a far more positive response. Plays like Perchance to Dream and the festivals like Kadambari (by NSD) which brought a series of plays to Bangalore have had very good audiences.

"Most of my plays being in English have had an Indian English flavour in the language used on stage. Audience therefore has been predominant urban Indians who understand English. Also the audience has been more often than not, an educated lot, who understand the pathos that the medium tries to communicate. Gone are the days when people performed theatre for the love of art. Today theatre is all about sponsorship, covering costs and ticket sales," explains Anjaan.

"Therefore the smart move would be to publicise and market your product strategically to result in maximum ticket sales. So if regional plays are marketed well enough, they too will get massive publicity. Old school theatre people might disagree with me when I state that the only way theatre can explode in the country is to take the commercial angle. If it means making regional theatre accessible to the masses and English theatre accessible to more than just the urban niche, then so be it. On the other hand, theatre will never get a professional status in the traditional meaning of the term. This is because; there will always be a bunch of college kids with a smart script, talented acting and ticket sales."

"Good Corporate sponsorship results in glamorous sets, creative direction, good scripts, and actors who take the craft seriously. The entire theatre fraternity reaches a higher level of motivation. So the best way for the medium to grow is to create awareness among corporates as to how branding in theatre can be beneficial to them. Theatre today is running on commercial brandwagon and unless each production is marketed, the production houses are doomed. While most theatre enthusiasts are hopeful that theatre will get its due, the question remains if the viewership would increase in the coming years or would it just remain a novelty.

Brands are looking outside their orthodox routines of branding and advertising and are looking at more dynamic ways to get their brand message out there to their target. And theatre seems to be increasing its budget every year. So time will give us a real answer, but I would reply in the positive," hopes Anjaan.

The smart move would be to publicise and market your product strategically to result in maximum ticket sales. If regional plays are marketed well-enough, they too will get massive publicity. Anjaan - Theatre Personality

light, camera, sound!!

2006-12-17T22:38:00.000+05:30

Bangalore witnessed a week-long celebration to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Indian Talkies. Puja Goyal examines the journey of movies from silence to sound.

VIJAY TIMES LIFE PAGE - 3

IT HAS been 75 years since sound entered the film world and Alam Ara our first talkie premiered at the Elgin Talkies in Bangalore in 1931. Here is a look back:

Alam Ara (1931): March 14, 1931 remains a historic day for Indian cinema. Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Movietone released Alam Ara, the first full-length Indian talkie film at the Majestic cinema in Bombay. Written by Joseph David, a playwright from the Parsi Imperial Theatrical company, the movie was adapted from a play with the same name and inspired by Universal's Showboat.

The story: It is a rather clichÈd legend about a king of an imaginary kingdom and his two wives, Naubahar, and Dilbahar, who is issueless, harbouring an illicit love for the chief minister Adil. When Adil spurns her, she plots to have him imprisoned and his daughter, Alam Ara exiled. Alam Ara is brought up among gypsies, a chance visit to the palace allows cupid to strike as a young prince falls in love with her.

Irani in an interview to a scribe said, "There were no sound-proof stages, we preferred to shoot indoors and at night. Since our studio is located near a railway track most of our shooting was done between the hours that the trains ceased operation. We worked with a single system Tamar recording equipment. There were also no booms. Microphones had to be hidden in incredible places to keep out of camera range." Irani and his assistant Rustom Bharucha picked up the rudiments of recording from Wilford Deming, an American engineer.

The arrival of the talkies: As a film, Alam Ara was a pioneering effort. Three weeks after Alam Ara, Madan Theatresí released Jamai Sashti (Bengali); Shireen Farhad (Urdu), a spectacular success, featuring the most popular singers, Jahan Ara Kajjan and Master Nissar; Kalidas (Tamil, 1931), Bhakta Prahlad (Telugu, 1931), Ayodhyecha Raja (Marathi, 1932), Narasimha Mehta (Gujarati, 1932) and Dhruva Kumar (Kannada, 1934).

Apparently, the early attempts to make motion pictures audible were the device used by Edison in 1913 which employed the phonograph record for the source of sound. This method barely worked, and the sound reproduction did not fill a theatre. The reproduced tone did not sound natural enough to give the proper illusion.

Nostalgia: The number of films released (post Alam Ara)with naach gaana blended with antics, increased ten folds. A Lahori Tonga driver was said to have pawned his horse to see Shireen Farhad some 22 times. The film with 42 songs, was a bigger hit than Alam Ara.

Chandidas, directed by Debaki Bose became an outstanding commercial and critical success for the New Theatres ethos. Chandidas a story of the 15th century historical priest-poet of Bengal, who fell in love with a low-caste washer woman, had a stupendous run of 64 weeks in a Calcutta theatre. It was known as "The Wonder Picture of 1939."

Talkies that flooded the market were merely musicals, as opposed to talkie dramas. Stories were loosely patched together to make room for songs. Artistically, New Theatres, Prabhat and Bombay Talkies were the most important, but the more productive ones were Ranjit Movietones, Sagar, Imperial and Wadia.

The silence after the talkies: "We were on the verge of making really fine films-stories of social value, good respectable actors coming in, silent masterpieces from abroad, everything going for us," Jairaj recalled. "Then came the talkie film and it destroyed everything. There was chaos."Technically, the talkie era pushed back the Indian film industry by many years. Camera noise drowned the soundtrack. The film and its songs were made on long takes from a single point to attempt a resolution of the problems of combining photography with sound. Actors were self-conscious while performing as they had to huddle around a hidden, low-fidelity microphone. Trial and error resulted in wastage of raw stock and many films were abandoned.

However, though sound was welcome in cinema, it had serious implications for the whole industry and its associates. The talkies era silenced a whole generation of artistes, filmmakers and technicians.

Many studios unable to switch over to sound closed down; Anglo-Indians who did not speak fluent Hindi or Urdu were the worst hit. Those who could not sing were also hit as there was no playback and direct recording meant artistes had to sing their own songs. On the other hand, the box-office returns enabled cinema houses that had shut down during the Depression to reopen. Also, it gave a temporary respite from pressing foreign competition.

Soul Song

2006-12-17T22:33:00.000+05:30

VIJAY TIMES "THEME" PAGE 2

Puja Goyal

There are poets who have written on nature, life, misery, death and fantasy. The Collected Poems of Robert Frost is one of his most distinguished works. His best known works were also his shortest…. One cannot forget the likes of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Mending Wall, Birches, Fire and Ice, or The Road Not Taken. He succeeded in realizing his life's aspiration: to write "a few poems it will be hard to get rid of."

Sylvia Plath wrote unforgettable poems concerning women's oppression, anger and upheaval. Her Collected Works, is the most startling and unsettling of her times. Plath wrote only two books before her suicide at the age of 31.

My Sister Life a collection by Boris Pasternak in 1917; is arguably the most influential collection of poetry published in Russian in the 20th century.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling, COLLECTED WORKS a compilation of poems, include Mandalay, and If— have inspired many.

the world is a stage

2006-12-17T22:26:00.000+05:30

VIJAY TIMES "THEME" PAGE 2

Puja Goyal

Uncle Vanya a tragicomedy by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov published in 1899, first performed in 1900 and directed by Konstantin Stanislavski. Amongst Chekhov's major plays Uncle Vanya stand out as the reworked version of his previous play, published a decade earlier, The Wood Demon. The final cast-list in the play was reduced from almost two-dozen down to a lean nine. Uncle Vanya is a sad story; it speaks of Vanya's famous failed homicide, very tastefully yet tragically. Uncle Vanya speaks of a wasted life, and explores characters in a way that their miseries are given unique dimensions.

Originally written in French, Waiting for Godot a Tragicomedy in Two Acts is an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett. It was written in the late 1940s and first published in 1952. Beckett's plays are very restricted and controlled. In Waiting for Godot, nothing happens. Actually nothing should happen, because everyone is "waiting". The intentionally uneventful and repetitive plot of Waiting for Godot symbolizes the boredom and futility of human life. We will never know who Godot is, or what he does... or if he is human at all!! The name "Godot" is a derivative of godillot; French slang for "boot". It is very interesting to read or see an enactment of a play where there is no conclusion or beginning.

William Shakespeare wrote Midsummer Night's Dream in the mid- 1950's. It is a romantic comedy portraying the adventures of four young Athenian Lovers and a group of amateur actors in a moonlit forest. It speaks of their interactions with the fairies that inhabit the forest. Although Shakespeare came up with many masterpieces like Julius Caesar and Hamlet, Midsummer… is everyone's favorites. Reading or watching Midsummer… is like tasting French wine; it's light, young and entertaining. Where else can a fairy queen fall in love with a donkey, or have two pairs of lovers fall for each others love interests; and (if this was not enough) watch the hilarious mess of amateur actors and playwrights trying to make something out of there talents whilst failing miserably.

Love Letters written by A. R. Gurney revolutionized the way actors performed on stage. It required no memorizing and no rehearsal. The cast consists of two actors who explore each other through letters. It is only in the end that they realize they were actually in love the whole time.

'I am an Idealist'

2006-12-03T19:16:00.000+05:30

IT IS said that, if you want to see how an artist has matured over the years, you should study his work. Shibu Arakkal has recently come out with his ensemble of 'Abstract Notions' at Galerie Sara; and the exhibition is on till December 5. There is much more to an artist than the eye meets. Shibu shares his notions with Puja Goyal.

VIJAY TIMES: VT LIFE PAGE 3

Abstracts Notions: I have been working on this series for two years; the 15 pictures in the show are a collection from the 40 to 45 of my abstract works and the title is meant to be a humorous take on my thinking. After Galerie Sara, we move to Bombay in January and Delhi in February.

Importance of a subject for photography: The subject should be important enough to be photographed. A subject's definition is based on the level of profundity I see them. I have chosen unnoticed itemsÖ tail lamps, head lamps, etc. It is more about what the form can eventually translate into. I was trying to probe, why are we more in love with the curve instead of a lineÖ why do we considered Italian cars more attractive, than American; why do we consider a womanís body more sensual, I think it all boils down to the sexual aspect of a woman.

The essence of my Art: My pictures have an element of symmetry because itís got to do with the kind of person I am. Iím a very clean person; I wash my hands 10 times a day and like things arranged in a particular way. Initially, I was not comfortable with asymmetry but now I am used to it. In my pictures the bare minimum work has to do with changed color and tone, and in some cases multiply them. I like having space in my pictures and use it dramatically. A lot of times, the subject itself is so powerful and you need a sort of relief. A base, lighting, composition and space are very important in a picture.

My spiritual connection with the world: Most people who came to my exhibition have noticed they have a Zen feel to them. I am an idealist and my pictures are an idealistic notion of beauty. To me spirituality does not necessarily have to do with God, it has to do with thingsÖ like the way a light glimmers over a bottle capÖ which conveys more to me than a bare naked women.

Perception of photography over the years: My perception has remained unchanged, but a little change has been due to maturity in the kind of person I am. I have ventured into colours from working only with black and white. Over the years, I have learnt that there are different views to life and one has to be able to see it...

Final notes: We do not expect to sell much in Bangalore and the response from media in Bangalore has been a little muted. The best ways to promote any art is to, one: sell, but the people need to put money in their mouth. Two: when critics write they are covering it for masses whatever the review is. I am having three editions of each photo because I want my art to be rare; normally photographers bring out 50 to 60 editions. Bangalore is slowly waking up to photography; but right now, there is a big buzz about photography in Mumbai and Delhi.

For the love of Music

2006-11-26T17:21:00.000+05:30

Jazz is slowly getting popular in Bangalore, says Puja Goyal

VIJAY TIMES: VT LIFE PAGE 3

JAZZ originated in New Orleans, and expressed a Negroid point of view about life in the 20th century. Jazz, (with its roots in the Blues) has all of the elements, from the spare and piercing to the multifaceted and enveloping. It is the hardest music to play and it is the highest rendition of individual emotion in the history of Western music.

LESSON FOR JAZZ MUSICIANS: India has its share of Jazz; in movies, with the Cha Cha Cha or at pubs and hotels across cities. The Embassy of France in collaboration with Bangalore School of Music recently brought to Bangalore the Parisian Thoroughfares, a Jazz concert by the Madhav Chari Trio. Madhav was accompanied by guest artists, Fabien Marcoz and Mourad Benhammou, both from France. Madhav, who is a Jazz purist, states, "Jazz is a pure form of music that should be enjoyed sans fusions." He is wary of people who make music without understanding it. "You can go to the Berklee School of Music and learn all there is to learn about music but if you do not understand form and structure, how are you going to deviate from it? As a musician, the most important thing one must do is listen, listen, listen and listen. The problem is there are so many bad musicians who, in the name of Jazz are creating rubbish. They do not take the time to listen and learn; this has affected listenership."

Writing, Mathematics and music were his primary interest when he was growing up. "Everyone is talking about creativity nowadaysÖ what is creativity? How can you create unless you understand form and structure in music?"

THE AUDIENCE: "Jazz music is more prominent in Kolkata; people in Bangalore are as educated or uneducated about Jazz music as the people in Mumbai," says Madhav who was impressed by the turnout for his concert. Madhav who grew up with Jazz Music in Kolkata he adds, " The number of Jazz enthusiasts has definitely increased, but the number of ëinformed" Jazz enthusiasts were more in 1980s, especially in Kolkata."

Carlton Braganza hosts a Jazz show, Indigo and Blues, every Sunday on Radio Indigo. He indicated that the response to the show has been satisfying although he was unfamiliar with the kind of audience the show attracted. He elaborates, "Jazz is not for everyone, and one has to start listening to the music from the simple forms and then move onto the more complex. If someone would like to get a taste of Jazz, they could get in touch with Max Mueller Bhavan, Alliance FranÁoise or catch frequent concerts by new musicians at Opus."

THE FUTURE OF JAZZ: Jazz is a pure Western Classical music with its roots in American Culture; and most musicians in Bangalore have been unsuccessful in making Jazz as their full-time profession. "We are dominated by Bollywood culture. You can only survive as a musician if you can blend into that; otherwise it will always remain a secondary career option," says Carlton.

Parisian Thoroughfare is a composition by legendary African-American jazz pianist Bud Powell. The trio performances were a tribute to the energies inspired by Bud Powell. The concert was a delight and a feast to the ear, and hopefully, more Indian musicians would be inspired to take the brave step into the world of music.

Callin the Shots!

2006-10-15T18:19:00.000+05:30

As Frankfurt Fair showed, Indian writers have found a receptive audience in Europe German publisher DTV has bought the rights of Shobhaa De's, Starry Nights

VT LIFE :: VIJAY TIMES :: SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2006

PUJA GOYAL

THE past 10 years have seen a radical change in the quality of Indian writing but more obvious changes have occurred in the last five years. Today, there is a marked change in terms of content, manner and clarity in Indian fiction. Initially, Indian writers would write for themselves and pay less importance to the reader, but now "writers keep their readers in mind," says Kapish Mehra of Rupa & Co. Extensive exposure to the international market has ensured that the Indian writers' now write to cater an up-market reader. Zai Whitaker's book Kali and the Rat Snake was recently bought by Draupadi Verlag. She reiterates that the existence of the internet is one of the main reasons of growth in Indian writing.

While European markets are taking to Indian literature, the American market is still to feel the heat. Zai adds, "Maybe it's because American market is more self- contained, and European countries are more interested in experimenting with other writings." The Frankfurt Fair is the venue to strike such deals. It has become the playing ground for Indian publishers and writers. A sudden upsurge in Indian writing amongst foreign publishers has opened new avenues. Writers like Zai are glad, "For a writer, it is always a satisfying thought to know they are reaching out globally. But it gives more satisfaction when my book is read and understood locally. One of the happiest incidents was when I met few children on the train and they said they had enjoyed reading my book."

Vikram Chandra, Shobhaa De, Kiran Nagarkar and Man Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai have become household names. Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark says, "Though Indian fiction is becoming popular, and I would still say that it is Indian non-fiction like philosophy, self- help books etc, are big!" German publisher DTV has bought the rights for the translation of Shobhaa De's Starry Nights. As if this was not enough, now foreign publishers are also buying the rights of books which are yet to be written, because of the credibility the writer has been able to establish in the global market. De in an interview to a journalist reveals, "DTV wants to buy rights to whatever I write in the next 20 years."

There were times when a writer in India had to struggle to get his dÈbut work published. Today, it's a huge fashion statement to read Indian writing. Writer Altaf Tyrewala's debut, No God In Sight, a collection of short stories, has been translated by German publisher Suhrkamp. In spite of this, many writers and publishers think, Indian writing can do better. We need new stories now and new writers; because once this fascination with Indian writing is over, we will have nothing more to offer. We have to now put our heads together and ensure that this is not just a fad; but an on-going trend in Indian writing.

OPEN SOURCE

2006-09-04T00:57:00.000+05:30

As the recent Chicago controversy shows, Indian theatre is insensitive to copyright issues, says Puja Goyal

"It's simple, the playwright is half a way around the world and people think no one will notice, and...
Chicago is only the tip of the iceberg."
Jagdish Raja, Theatre personality

Dated: Sunday Vijay Times, 03 September 2006, Centrestage

THE performance of the stage version of the musical Chicago, directed by Akshay Vijayan was stopped after three days by Lawyer Gopal Jain, on grounds of copyright infringement; this has come as a warning to all theatre directors in India. Investigations reveal that most producers neglect to take permission from the author before staging their plays. They pass it of as amateur and hope that the respective authority will not notice it. The producer also does not budget for the royalty of the writer and decides not to mention the name of the writer.

Ruchika Chanana, theatre person and documentary filmmaker says, "What I do not understand is why someone would not pay the playwright for their work... I know of producers who do not even acknowledge the name of the playwright. It's like publishing Da Vinci Code without Dan Brown."

Jagdish Raja, theatre person, says, "Whenever someone decides to stage a play, he needs to contact the agent, or the playwright and get an approval. With Internet publicity, authors and their authorised agents are informed of plays being performed anywhere in the world. Nowadays, there is growing tendency to evade the payment of royalties. Not paying royalties to the author is taking away from his or her income and is illegal. There are also instances where plays are being adapted, names and locations altered and other changes being made without referring to, and seeking the approval of the author or the authorised agent. There are also cases where plays are being modified and this modified version being passed off as an original play."

Samuel Beckett's estate is known to protect the rights and the manner in which his plays have to be performed. In 2005, Karen Hartman put a stop to the performance of her play Gum which was directed by Al Germani. Having heard of certain changes in her script, Hartman requested her friend Deborah Salzer to attend a preview performance. Salzer noted "substantial" alterations and informed Hartman who in turn along with Dramatists Play Service withdrew the rights to Gum. In his passion to realise a directorial vision, Germani deconstructed Hartman's play, overlooking her legal and artistic rights in the process. However, according to Germani, "it was only an attempt to "distill" and "abstract" the play's meaning by repeating words and phrases in incantatory fashion as choral speeches."

Chicago was stopped after three days of performance at Chowdiah Hall for non-payment of performance fees. The producers, Shyam Sundar and Krithika of Pulse Sports and Entertainment Management, allege that they had contacted Samuel French, the agents, in March and then in May, but Samuel French refused to respond; so they got in touch with the Indian Performing Rights Society, Chennai, who are stated (in their website) to be the only national copyright society in the country and paid them Rs 70,000 for the rights and proceeded.

Jagdish Raja, the authorised agent for Samuel French clarifies, "We are the agent for Samuel French, London, and we get occasional requests to treat plays from the US Company Samuel French Inc. We were unsure about Chicago's rights and asked Akshay to contact the Company and clarify directly. If you receive no response, it doesn't mean you can go ahead with the production. Be it charity, amateur, professional, commercial... the rule is, get permission. What I do not understand is how someone else can give out performance rights other than the agent or playwright? How can they pay the Indian Performing Rights Society... if they did, where is the receipt? There is something fishy here. I have sent a message to Performing Rights Society asking how they could issue a performing licence and am waiting a reply. Gopal Jain representing the Copyright holder(s) is being asked who exactly he represents: Samuel French or somebody else."

The real question is, why do producers refrain from paying the playwright? Jagdish Raja says, "It's simple, the playwright is half way around the world and people think no one will notice, and... Chicago is only the tip of the iceberg."

‘Experimental turns conventional’

2006-08-27T23:16:00.000+05:30

Is there room for experimental theatre in Bangalore?
Playwright Ram Ganesh in conversation with Puja Goyal

Dated: Sunday Vijay Times, 06 August 2006, Centrestage

RAM GANESH, scriptwriter and theatre personality, has directed, written and acted in many theatre productions, and specialised in experimental theatre. His recent play, Snakes and Ladders won five inter-collegiate awards over 13 shows.

Everyone is talking about experi- mental theatre. Is it a fad, or has it been established as a new form of theatre?

The concept of "experimental theatre" generally comes into play when a conventional genre inadequately describes the work in question. It's an ironic label because artists who self-consciously set out to create avant-garde work end up being absorbed in the "conventional" if the attempt is successful. For example, absurdist theatre in the mid-20th century may have been viewed as experimental at the time, but is now very much integrated into our definition of what "theatre" includes. I believe that experimental theatre is created when an artist challenges an existing aesthetic in an attempt to redefine or reinterpret it.

What about your experiences in experimental theatre?

A theatrical moment can be arrived at in a number of ways, and I'm open to the idea of the theatrical hybrid... however I also believe the text acts as a fulcrum for all this. Snakes and Ladders conflated a 17th century text with a modern story, and this manifested in its form ñ where a classic Greek chorus interacted with modern characters. Dancing on Glass used mixedmedia, splitting the narrative across stage and film ñ which attracted some criticism from traditionalists, although the emotional impact of the play's journey was heightened as a result. My next play, Crab, will continue to challenge audience in its usage of a fluid sense of time and space, in a non-linear narrative.

How easy is it to see your own play directed by someone else?

It's intensely traumatic and at the same time rewarding. Watching a director rehearse your text is like watching someone drive a car you've designed. Youíre always itching to make those tweaks and adjustments. Conversely, it doesn't feel good when you watch it driven into a wall.

Do you think experimental theatre will find space in Bangalore?

I believe Bangalore is exposed to new work and our sensibilities will continue to evolve. Commercial theatre is still in its nascent stages and I suppose once it finds its feet, it will create a strong backbone upon which many new things can take hold. Genre aside, engaging, entertaining and enlightening plays will always find a space for themselves. n

Nudge your child to grow

2006-08-24T22:36:00.000+05:30

Dated: Saturday, 19 August 2006, BVT; Puja Goyal

THE biggest challenge for parents today is not balancing work with social commitments, but ensuring that their children are not deprived of any opportunity that would enhance their child's growth. Today, a child can be more than an engineer and a doctor. N Madhumati, the founder-director of Aspire Learning Company, is a member of the IIM Bangalore Alumni and has done her M Phil in American Literature. With over 10 years experience in the education services industry, she elaborates on how important it is to tap the growth of a mind of a child when she is young.

Would you agree with the phrase 'Catch them young and see them grow'?

Have you ever wondered why a person develops talent for something without knowing it? Why a person dislikes math and loves Art? The truth is that the pattern had developed when the child was in its infancy. It becomes crucial for parents to tap the child's potential when she is young because this is the time the child is open to her capabilities.

You mean to say parents can train the child when she is young?

When a child is small i.e. between 3 months to 3 years, her right side of the brain (the creative side) is very active. As she grows older, she starts to use her left side (the logical side) of the brain. When you see a child tackling mathematical problems well, or a child showing a likeness for music, it is because the child's exposure to that kind of profession was heightened when she was an infant. If you realise, the child doesnít really have a chance to develop his capabilities completely. She works with what is given to her, which some call talent.

What can we do about it?

It is very important that a child has a holistic growth and she is allowed to use her five capabilities. She will then be better aware of herself and choose her career and lifestyle depending on who she is, rather than what she is exposed to as a child.

You mentioned five capabilities, what are they?

Every child is imbibed with the same five capabilities. It is dependent on what is heightened in them that determines their talents later on. Languages skills: Have you thought about why, when a family moves to a different place, say from Delhi to Bangalore, it is the child who learns the language of the city i.e., Kannada first? Numerical Capability: if you have placards with dots on them and ask the child to add, or multiply, or tell the child that this card with one dot is one... she will remember it. Pitch Recognition, is where the child is easily able to identify the voices of people around him and sounds of music. Intuition: The way in which the child is able to sense things around her. Photographic Memory: If you show a set of pictures to a child over a time, the child will soon be able to identify them.

How can we initiate holistic growth of babies?

Education starts at home. When the child is young, the mother should start exercising the child's brain. We have programmes abroad and in India which train mothers to work with their children.

Wouldn't parents then start training the children according to what they want from?

No! It's not possible to train a child the way you want. The program ensures that the child develops all his skills so he can grow up and choose what he wants instead of becoming what was developed in her when she was young. The mother is given a programme structure and she works with it.

For details on the program contact 41301915.

it can happen to anyone.

2006-08-20T10:04:00.000+05:30

Most girls do not know how to react when faced with danger

Dated: Saturday, 19 August 2006, Centrestage

THERE was slight drizzle in the air and it was only eight in the evening. I zipped my jacket, left my studio and headed to the nearby cafÈ for a quick cup of coffee. Nothing could go wrong, after all the place was brimming with people and if something did I could scream, shout, and grab attention. Just then, an auto driver approached me, I thought maybe he needed change. I was wrong. He took out a 500 rupee note from his pocket, and asked, "10, Krishna Apartments bartiraa ( would you come)?"

It took me some time to decipher what that meant. However, I still remember the smirk on the auto driverís face. Itís difficult to forget. I thought maybe it was the way I was dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt. It wasn't as counsellor Mythili M Sarma clarifies, "You could be wearing a burkha; it doesn't matter how you are dressed. This is much more serious than eve-teasing. I'm surprised that most girls are not even tuned into their instincts. Events like these are situational. Itís important to sharpen your feelers and be aware of your surroundings. What if you hadn't heard him and were going home instead of going to your studio? You would have hired the auto, and God knows where he would have taken you."

Almost every women has such a incidents to narrate. Some of them reveal their experiences. Most girls who have been through situations where a car has stopped next to them or followed them, or even stalked them, do not know how to react. The important lesson to be learnt is that one should be alert, confident and tuned in to the surroundings. Most perpetrators study and choose their victims, they pick the ones who look vulnerable.

Crime against women is on a
high. And many women suffer
humiliation when men make
indecent gestures at them

Sometimes these miscreants work as a team. They could have a female who would approach you first. They make friends with you and take you out shopping, buy you gifts and show you all the things you can have. These people follow a planned approach to seducing their victim.

Padma Shimoga, an RJ and actress was scared of going to school as a child. "We had a teacher in fourth standard who used to call my friend for extra classes and give her colourful chalks. The special classes went on for weeks. One day she came to me and said that he used to touch her, and make her do "things". She was scared. I was scared, too. I asked my parents to change my school. As that wasnít possible, I managed to get my section changed."

Both Mythili and RJ Padma agree that transparency between children and parents is crucial. Parents should make it a habit to talk to their children and become their best friends. There is always a clue in the childís behaviour if something is wrong. Donít force them. Pursue the issue at a later time when the atmosphere is more comfortable.

Mythili says, "Observe body language and facial experience. There are clues in them.î It is important for us to empower our children, so they can distinguish and determine for themselves, the difference between right and wrong, because it is impossible to look over them 24/7."

Television actress, Simone Fernandez, (name changed) reveals that sometimes visiting doctors can be scary. "I was visiting a reputed doctor for an annual check-up. He asked me to get some tests done and before I could respond, he ordered an endoscope. Everyone from the nurse to the lab attendant was there. He finished the procedure and suddenly rubbed his privates against my knees. It was the most humiliating experience in my life!" She adds further, "My mother was outside; even then I wasn'ít safe. I couldn'ít file a complaint. Who would believe me?" What about the nurses, wouldn't they support? I wondered out loud. She pointed out, "Everyone knows what happens, but they're bothered about their jobs and if the word gets out that they told on the doctor, no one would hire them."

So, how does one decide when a doctor is becoming a perpetrator? We do not expect a doctor or a teacher to do something inconceivable. It is always advisable to ask for a female doctor and nurse. Always take a family member with you if you can. If you realise that something is not right, it is wise to leave. The reason most cases are not reported is because the victim does not want to be singled out, she is afraid of the social stigma.

RJ Padma is perturbed with the turn of events and she has some advice to give, "Times are changing, and more incidents like these are coming forward. One needs to be able to analyse the situation intelligently and do not be afraid to ask for help." Mythili adds, "A woman should never put herself into a weak situation. Don't blame yourself because it lets you into a vicious cycle of hurt."

Today, even celebrities are not spared and have become ready targets because of the position they have in society. They can be easy victims. Simply because the perpetrator knows that the celebrity will not speak out as there is too much at stake. n

A wartime director

2006-08-14T11:09:00.000+05:30

Helmut Käutner helped Germany exorcise its disturbing past. Puja Goyal visits the well-known director's on going film exhibition in Bangalore.

Dated: Sunday Vijay Times, 06 August 2006, Centrestage

HELMUT KÄUTNER (born March 25, 1908, Düsseldorf,Germany; died April 20, 1980, Castellina, Italy), a German film director, actor, and screenwriter; was known as one of the most intelligent and humanistic directors of the Third Reich and he remains a leading figure in German cinema today.

Käutner began his professional career in 1931 as a writer, director, and performer for the Munich Student Cabaret troupe Die vier Nachrichter (The Four Executioners). His directorial debut in 1939, Kitty und die Weltkonferenz (Kitty and the World Conference), gently satirised German-Italian relations and portrayed a British cleric in a sympathetic manner which was not well taken by Joseph Goebbels, Hitlerís minister of propaganda. Käutner then began to avoid political subject matter during Germany's engagement in the war.

Most of Käutner's wartime films were musicals or romantic fantasies. He was especially praised for his light, deft touch with romantic comedy and for innovative, swirling camerawork he employed for grand scale musical numbers. These can be experienced in films such as Kleider machen Leute (1940; Clothes Make the Man), the tale of a humble tailor mistaken for a Russian prince, and Auf Wiedersehen, Franziska! (1941; Goodbye, Franziska!), which concerns the marital troubles between a reporter and his neglected wife.

One of Käutner's best film was Romanze in Moll (1943; Romance in a Minor Key), an adaptation of Guy du Maupassant's short story Les Bijoux. It is a traditional love-triangle story; and was praised for its compositional perfection and technical virtuosity. Käutner's last film was Unter den Brücken (1945; Under the Bridges)- a movie made under the arduous conditions of the final days of war, when filming was frequently interrupted by the noise of Allied bombers en route to Berlin. It is considered one of the greatest love stories in the history of German cinema.

His highly regarded and financially successful film from this period is Die letzte Brücke (1954; The Last Bridge), which won the International Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Käutner's success during this period won him a contract with Universal Pictures in 1957. His two American- made films were The Restless Years (1958) and A Stranger in My Arms (1959), which features a memorably neurotic performance by Mary Astor.

Post World War II has changed the way the world looks at German cinema, and how cinema is being produced German filmmaker, Hans-Jurgen Syberberg directed a shocking documentary, The Confessions of Winifred Wagner. In the film, Winifred talks about her cultural and political influence during the Third Reich. Winifred cannot contain her amusement when she recalls that after the collapse of the Third Reich, she was the only person left in Germany who would admit that she was a Nazi.

The New German cinema of the 1960s and 1970s provided the Federal Republic with an opportunity to distinguish itself from a dictatorship that nationalised all cultural produce: a regime that turned film into an agency of Nazismís reactionary ideology.

Käutner was a victim of political pressure; his work was largely influenced by officials and reflected on the quality of cinema produced in Germany. On the other hand artists like Hans-Jurgen Syberberg did not hesitate to come to terms with their situation and talk about how the fall of the Third Reich and its influences have affected them.

These films could be viewed as acts of mourning; indicating that Germans were "coming to terms" with a past they had defensively lived in denial with and for which they began to accept responsibility. The exhibition of Käutner's films is going on in Max Mueller Bhavan which will serve to ultimately exorcise a past that has had an undeniably disturbing impact upon the German name.

Once upon a time...

2006-08-07T09:49:00.000+05:30

Edgar Ortiz, the storyteller from Costa Rica, performed recently at the Kathotsava festival. Edgar talks to Puja Goyal on what it takes to be a good storyteller.

Dated: Sunday Vijay Times, 06 August 2006, Centrestage

STORYTELLING is an art; it is like a virtual circus, which combines energy, emotions, belief and words, and wraps them all up in the moment. Edgar Ortiz, a young storyteller, musician and acrobat, reflects that it has taken him more than 10 years to develop the technique; he adds, "While some are talented and the art is in-born, I had to study and experience storytelling myself in order to better it. Back where I stay, we had only 10 storytellers and I had the chance to observe and study all of them, and develop my own style."

The most important quality of a storyteller is to be multifaceted. He should be able to absorb other cultures and their folk tales. He should listen to stories of different places. This passion has taken Edgar to discover fantastic tales from countries like Colombia, Cuba, Canada, US, Jamaica, and Guatemala. In 2004, he organised the first international storytelling festival in his homeland.

Storytelling is all about imagination, mixed with realism and creation, and then making it your own, Edgar adds, "Most of the audience (kids and adults) come to be entertained. In such a situation having stories with messages, or sad stories reflecting on social causes do not make senseÖ the audience hopes that they will experience a faraway land and a different culture. This is why; I like to mix stories of different places together." Edgar enjoys sharing stories from his Latin American culture, and India where he has lived for more than a year. While most enjoy a good story, it is the teens who are sceptical about being entertained by storytelling. "My favourite audience consists of a mix of children and adults aka family. Adults find it difficult to enjoy a good laugh but with kids around, their faces light up."

The common man looks at storytelling as a form that transfers grandma's tales to the next generationÖ but Edgar reiterates that storytelling is more than grandmas tales. He explains, "Storytelling is not only an art, it requires preparation, one should develop his style of storytelling. A person has to do a lot of homework in order to cater to his audience. If the audience consists of 12 year olds, the storytelling format will be different etc. I would like to emphasise on quality! If the session turns out to be mediocre, no one will remember you!"

In such a case, what makes a good storyteller and can it be converted to a profession? Edgar replies, "Yes, storytelling can be a profession. There are certain pointers that every storyteller can keep in mind while practicing, One: Quality and persistence. Two: They should listen to other storytellers and find ways to tell those stories in their own style. Three: storytelling is all about listening, not reading; it is important to listen to your own stories and other individuals telling them. What sounds good while reading might not be fun listening?"

In 2005, Edgar received a bursary from the International Fund for the Promotion of
Culture (IFPC) from the UNESCO to live and work for almost a year, working with
Koothu-P-Pattarai in Tamil Nadu, the oldest theatre group from south India. n

Phishing in your Closet

2006-07-31T21:20:00.000+05:30

Also known, as carding or brand spooting, phishing is gaining personal information for purposes of identity theft, using fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from legitimate businesses. ■ by Puja Goyal

PUBLISHED: Alive magazine, July 2006

Nowadays it is common to find the presence of websites in one’s e-mail accounts asking us to click on links in order to provide personal information. They also warn us that if we do not heed their request, our bank account and personal information might be wiped out.

However, one should beware of such mails. With increased dependence on the Internet for our financial, personal and business transactions, be it dealing in shares or transferring money or even sharing photos with our loved ones, the presence of unscrupulous phishers has also increased.

So, what is phishing? Also known as carding or brand spoofing, “it is a technique used to gain personal information for purposes of identity theft, using fraudulent e-mail messages that appear to come from legitimate businesses. These authentic looking messages are designed to fool recipients into divulging personal data, such as account numbers and passwords, credit-card and socialsecurity numbers,” says Russell Kay.

How does a Phishing scam normally work? You may receive an email that looks like it is from your bank, and requests you to click a hyperlink in the e-mail and verify your online banking information. Else, they warn you, “Your account will be closed or suspended.” The object of the sender is to induce you to disclose personal information, which they will use for their own purposes.

On 17 November 2003, many eBay Inc. customers received e-mail notifications that their accounts had been compromised and were being restricted. In the message was a hyperlink to what appeared to be an eBay web page, where they could re-register. The top of the page looked just like eBay’s home page and included all the eBay internal links. To re-register, the customers were told, they had to provide personally identifiable information, like credit-card data, social-security number, and date of birth, etc.

Example of phishing ...

The problem was that eBay had not sent the original e-mail — it was a prime example of phishing.

Phishers send out thousands of spam e-mails in the hope that someone will act on it. Basically, anyone with an e-mail ID can be phished. Email addresses that have been made public on the Internet in forums, newsgroups, or on a website, are more prone to phishing, because the e-mail address can be saved by spiders that search the Internet and grab as many e-mail addresses as they can.

This makes phishing a lucrative venture for scammers; they can cheaply and easily access millions of valid e-mail addresses to send these scams.

The phishers use the phished information to take over the victim’s account, and can do all that the victim does with his account — like transfer funds to other accounts, conduct transactions, issue cheques in the victim’s name and manipulate the account.

They can also change the account password, so that the victim is locked out of his or her account. If the phisher has stolen details of the victim’s credit cards, then he can make purchases too.

And if the scammer has enough information of the individual, he can do in the latter’s name, which could have serious repercussions for the victim.

How to spot a phisher in the inbox? Basically the phisher wants important, personal information from you. If you receive unsolicited mail from your bank, etc., for information, get suspicious! Do not be hasty in replying to it. There is no harm in referring to your bank about it and asking for clarification.

Phishing websites and scam emails are made to look genuine. The e-mail may arrive in HTML format and include the logos, styling, contact and copyright information identical to those used by the targeted institution.

To create the illusion of legitimacy, some secondary links may be included in their bogus e-mail leading to the institution’s genuine website. But, one or more of the hyperlinks in the body of the e-mail will point to the fraudulent website.

Phishing scam e-mails use excuses to elaborate why it is necessary for you to provide information — for example, it may say that the customer’s account details need to be updated due to a software or security upgrade. Or, the customer’s account may be terminated if account details are not provided. Or Fraudulent activity involving the user’s account has been detected and the user must provide information urgently. Or routine security procedures require the user to verify his account by providing requested information. (Remember, if it was that urgent, the legitimate company would have called you personally.)

How to avoid phishing !!

Phishers can be avoided. Do not use the same e-mail ID for all your online activities. You could have a personal e-mail ID for work and another ID for frivolous online activities. Do not supply personal information to anyone unless you confirm with the company personally.

If the e-mail sender is offended with you for not trusting his legitimacy, then so be it!! Your protection is more important and, if they are genuine, they will see your point.

Do not open any attachments; they could contain viruses and bugs. Delete the message as soon as possible.

If you are required to provide sensitive information, make sure that the site is secure. Use anti-spyware, firewalls, and anti-virus softwares to protect your system and remember to keep them updated. Always call and ask for confirmation.

The City that never Sleeps

2006-07-20T22:56:00.000+05:30

While many young call center employees are leaving their jobs, another kind is moving in, says a study.

IT looks like Bangalore is transforming into a fullfledged 24/7 City, thanks to the rising number of BPOs in the City. A finding by a project team of the Industrial Engineering and Management of the Rashtreeya Vidayalaya College of Engineering (RVCE) predicts that nearly half a million Indians are employed in the sector with around 80,000 in Bangalore alone and this number is expected to double in thenext ten years.

The team "Imacrea" which consisted of Dennis Ostern, Saurab Manglani, Muthu K L and Sharath Kowligi, guided by Prof K V S Rajeswara Rao and Prof K S Badarinarayana hint that despite the relative high pay, many call centre agents and BPO employees are leaving their jobs.

"Retired and mid-career individuals are going to be an asset, because they will bring with them talent and insight, not only this, these individuals are likely to stick with the company for a long time because of their commitments," says Asfaq Tapia of CLI3L.

More conversations with other BPO trainers and employers suggest that 40 percent of the employees recruited by the Call Centers in the next five years or so will be 30 to 35-year-olds. They will also consist of housewives, retired individuals, and people with physical disabilities. This means that while many young call center employees are leaving their jobs, another kind is moving in.

Youngsters joined call centers to make a fast rupee, now they are finding other means of keeping that rupee coming in while focusing on getting creative. On the other hand, the BPO's nowadays are also looking at employee retention, says the study. The trend nowadays is not only of youngsters looking for other options, but also of individuals in mid-careers looking for stability in Call Center employment.

Puja Goyal

Bangalore explored

2006-07-10T11:20:00.000+05:30

Introduction: Understand landscape to plan for future generations, says Dilip da Cunha, co-author of Deccan Traverses, in conversation with Puja Goyal

Dated: Sunday Vijay Times, 9 July 2006 Centrestage

DECCAN TRAVERSES - The Making of Bangaloreís Terrain by Anuradha Mathur and Dilip da Cunha, is not only about the landscape of Bangalore; it speaks of the power landscapes have in determining the nature of a place. The book tracks down the artistic and scientific developments in the late 1700s and early 1800s which have now put Bangalore on the map! Deccan Traverses is perhaps the first book of its kind that explores the depth and whatís beneath a city today.

Through drawings, photographs, texts and historic maps, Deccan Traverses travels this extraordinary landscape of Bangalore: the beginnings of the survey of the Indian peninsula; the battle drawings and route surveys that developed the language of todayís maps; the introduction and acclimatisation of plants from across the world; the intricate culture of tanks; the quarrying and ordinary use of one of the oldest rocks on earth; the world behind threaded flowers, silk and stone.

Deccan Traverses: taking shapeÖ
We came to Bangalore in 2000 to present our book Mississippi Floods, (a study of Lower Mississippi), and we thought the same sensibility could be developed towards the landscapes of Bangalore. We began to dig into the history of Bangalore and realised that much of the landscape of Bangalore was constructed in different eras; by different peopleÖ slowly the project became very ambitious and resulted in Deccan Traverses.

Bangalore is a "Tank City"!
As kids, we were taught that rivers help the civilisation flourish. What we donít realise is that not every city is dependent on a riverÖ and a river is not really necessary for a cityís development. Long before rivers got a chance to form, it was the tanks and the bands (bundh), that provided water and connected civilisations.

Bangalore is a Tank City!! Individuals like Cornwallis initiated the development of Bangalore by creating tanks. The tanks that were crucial to the growth of the City have now either dried up or used for activities like sewage disposal, boating etc. This has and will create humungous problems in the futureÖ its nothing but wrong ecology. The tanks were not meant to be wet lands forever; this is why they sometimes stink.

We have to realise that we are a Tank Civilisation and initiate an understanding of a tank system instead of taking them for granted. I think that our dependence on the Cauvery water is resulting in a lot of problems. Someone just told me that the fifth pipe will be laid to provide us with water from the riverÖ this will soon result in complete dependence on the river. The problem is that in an urban setting, it is difficult and cumbersome to maintain a tank properly; even then other things can be doneÖ we could use them as playgrounds, horticulture and agricultural purposes, parks, etc.

What you should look out for in the bookÖ
Iím sure you know about State Gazettes, they normally are a compilation of facts. You could call Deccan Traverses a form of a Gazette which will allow you to combine imagination and facts. No one picks up a Gazette to read because it is interesting, they pick it up because they want to know the fact behind a particular happening. Facts are not something that exists, they are constructed by people.

Signing off:
We want to bring about an understanding of the terrain to the people of Bangalore. It is not right to depend on the administration and authorities all the time; it is the people living in the City who should come together and give new dimensions in initiating solutions to create a tactical plan to develop a positive landscape for future generations! n

Fables from France

2006-06-04T17:23:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Puja Goyal caught up with Ruchika Chanana, from the cast of FabulaTantra, to find out what it takes to produce good theatre

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

THERE is Panchatantra and then there is FabulaTantra. While India has its own set of stories that have been engraved in our own folk tales, the French have there own stories to tell. FabulaTantra focusses on the French fables that have Indian origins and lets us see two sides of a very similar world. Ruchika Chanana, a theatre Personality and a documentary filmmaker, recently staged her play, Boy Meets Girl in the City.

What are the key elements a director needs to look into before choosing a script?

A script needs to appeal to you- its style, its content, the characters, the plotÖ also you need to consider the kind of audience you are aiming at - for example, Kimaaya chose Boy Gets Girl because itís a more mainstream sort of play, and that is what they wanted, and what we thought would appeal to the large cross section. But ultimately, you have to feel for the script, and it should touch you or move you in some way!

Why arenít musicals doing well in the theatre world?

Musicals are probably one of the hardest forms of theatre - because you need a cast who can sing, dance and act - and unfortunately in Bangalore, we donít have training facilities for a combination of all these.

Off late there has been an upsurge in the number of theatre groups. Would it dilute the essence of professional theatre? Why?

No- why? The more people there are doing theatre, the better it is for the profession and the community. Even if all of them are not great, atleast people are attempting to produce work.

What are the facilities available in Bangalore where amateurs can learn and develop their skills in theatre?

Attending workshops are one way to refine your skills. It is also important that individuals interested in this field watch more and more theatre. Working in the field - backstage on lights sound etc - is also an invaluable teaching tool.

Why is there still a feeling that no money can be made out of the performance arts?

Only if the government and the corporate community wake up to supporting the theatre, whatever language it is in; Can theatre be pursued as a profession... otherwise people will always have another source of income, and give theatre, step- motherly treatment. However, there are some young people now who are managing to do theatre full-time - thatís really admirable, as it is extremely hard.

You have been actively involved in theatre for some timeÖ Was moving from documentary filmmaking to theatre a conscious decision?

I studied theatre and television, but my first job was in TV, because obviously - it paid. Theatre was always a passion, but it wasnít until I ran into Arundhati Raja of ART that I thought of it as a possible profession. And then I got together with Deepti Sudhindra. Now, I have no time to think about television - although I still yearn sometimes for the thrill of documentary Filmmaking!

Your recent play, Boy Meets Girl, deals with the issue of stalking...

We just felt it was a universal subject. Although the play is about a woman whose life is turned around by a stalker, it also questions a lot of stereotypes of the perceptions men and women have of each other. And how society, movies etcÖ condition us to believe that certain behaviour is totally acceptable,when its not.

A game without an end

2006-04-16T22:15:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Ireland recently celebrated the centennial of Samuel Beckett who specialised in minimalist writing, preferring to pare it down as much as he could. Puja Goyal

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

"It's ahl wrahng! He's doing it ahl wrahng!" Samuel Beckett screamed when he saw his play Waiting for Godot being rehearsed in London (1955) for the first time. Those words still ring amongst people who attempt to perform Beckett's play. Beckett always insisted that his plays be performed as written, and shirked every time as extra equipment was added on stage or modifications were made to his idea of performance. Today, no other dead dramatist remains such a haunting instructor presence for his directors and performers as Beckett.

When Beckett wrote, he specified not just the words, but the rhythms and tones, the sets and the lighting plots. As a playwright, Beckett preferred to keep his work indeterminate and did not involve the participation of actors, directors, and designers in determining the meaning of the work. With these plays, creative intervention seems like inane interference.

Samuel Barclay Beckett (April 13, 1906 - December 22, 1989) an Irish playwright, novelist and poet was known for his stark, fundamentally minimalist works, which were deeply pessimistic about the human condition and were coupled by a wicked sense of humour. He was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969 and elected Saoi of Aosd·na in 1984. He was also a sportsman who excelled at cricket as a left hand batsman and left arm medium pace bowler. Later on, he played for Dublin University and played two first-class games against Northamptonshire. He is the only Nobel laureate to have an entry in Wisden.

Waiting for Godot (originally En Attendant Godot), his most famous play, involves two vagrants who are waiting by a bleak roadside for someone who never arrives. Endgame is a play where even though the characters talk of leaving, never leave. Many early critics were inclined to agree with words from Waiting for Godot, "Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it's awful." It is only one of a series of startling and unnerving images. In Happy Days, the central character is buried up to her waist, and then her neck, in sand; in Endgame characters are trapped in ash cans and a wheel chair.

Beckett often wrote in French and translated his own work. His language and imagery began lean and grew even more minimalist as he aged. By the time he wrote the 1972 play, Not I, the sole character had been reduced to a mouth onstage, surrounded by darkness. ìI didnít invent this buzzing confusion. "It's all around us," Beckett once said. Mary Bryden, a Cardiff University academic and president of the Samuel Beckett Society, said Beckett's motto was "pare it down, pare it down."

"He used to say that to people who sent him their work. It's only when you've faced your own nothingness that youíve got something valid to say," she recalled.

In the last 10 years of his life, this minimalist style resulted in three of Beckett's most important prose works, the three novellas Company (1979), Ill Seen Ill Said (1982) and Worstward Ho (1984). His last work, the poem What is the Word (1989), was written in bed in the nursing home where he spent the last years of his life, suffering from emphysema and possibly Parkinson's disease.

Beckett's gravestone is a massive slab of polished black granite. At the foot of his grave stands one lone tree, a reminder of the stage set for his most famous play. Beckett's work is still performed frequently around the world, under the intensely - some say overly - protective gaze of the estate managed by his nephew, Edward Beckett. Several directors' plans have been overturned by the family's desire to be loyal to Beckettís vision. Beckett is one of the most photographed authors in history. The best known pictures of Beckett were taken by Irish photographer John Minihan, who photographed him through 1980-1985. Some consider one of these to be among the top three photographs of the 20th century.

(click on picture to view article)

No turning back

2006-04-16T21:54:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Coldplay's X & Y has been declared as the biggest selling album of the year 2006. Puja Goyal traces their journey towards success.

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

COLDPLAY's X&Y was announced as the biggest selling album of the year 2006 on March 31, 2006. X&Y is the bandís third album, which debuted at # 1 in 20 countries in June last year, selling over eight million copies worldwide to head the worldís top 10 bestselling albums list, issued by IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industries).

This is the second time that Coldplay have appeared in the top 10 since IFPI began publishing the list in 2001, with their second release A Rush Of Blood To The Head having been the sixth biggest album of 2003.

Not only this, the success of X&Y has also propelled Coldplay's Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head back into the charts around the world. Debut album Parachutes has now sold more than 7.5 million copies worldwide, with A Rush of Blood to the Head reaching almost 11 million.

The band: Jonny Buckland (guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist), Will Champion (drummer), and (lead vocalist) Chris Martin are four college going friends who turned into poster boys overnight, and for good reason. The band pinched the name Coldplay from their friend Tim before he could use it for his own band and Tim had originally taken it from a book of poetry.

Chris's old schoolmate Phil Harvey became their first manager, and financed Coldplay's first recording and release of the Safety EP on a 500-copies limited CD. Coldplay was later spotted by a talent scout who tipped off Dan Keeling of Parlophone records to keep an eye on them. There was no turning back then.

When the band decided to record their first album Parachutes, they were determined that nothing would go on the album that they all four didn't agree on. In addition to the two Brits they won last year, Coldplay also picked up a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.

The story: The first thing that strikes anyone listening to a Coldplay song is that it is compact, written beautifully, is vulnerable, and simple. If you're wondering why Don't Panic is named so, itís because Chris swiped the title from Douglas Adams, as Radiohead did with Paranoid Android. Similarly on an occasion, Chris said that the song Yellow was called so because, he couldnít think of any other name and named it after the yellow pages lying in front of him... and there are many more stories to tell.

The song: "We wanted to make the most passionate, moving, melodic, uplifting and sad record of all time," Chris said, in an interview with MTV. "There's no point in trying to do anything less, and if we get maybe one tenth of the way there, that will be better than no part of the way there." For Coldplay, crafting a great record meant writing from the heart and conveying those sentiments in a fresh and impassioned way. Many songs were scrapped in the process because they sounded like their first album, Parachutes.

The hardest part: and the hardest part/ was letting go not taking part/ was the hardest part / and the strangest thing / was waiting for that bell to ring / It was the strangest start... (Album: X&Y)

Everyone has a perfect song sung for themselves... and while you switch through those channels on your radio and try to find that "perfect" song for you; you come across this one track, and you'd wish the station would play it on repeat. It will probably be Coldplay because everyone has a favourite Coldplay song that reminds us of sweet melancholia, haunting tunes, a well written verse... and a strong yearning that is similar to these cloudy days when it seems as if it is going to rain, but it doesn't. And yes! That's not only the Hardest Part (their latest single) but also the favourite part.

(click picture to view article)

Indian Idols in the making.

2006-04-14T07:59:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: The top two finalists to battle it out in the final stage for the Indian Idols are NC Karunya from Hyderabad and Sandeep Acharya from Rajasthan. A south Indian famous for his Punjabi songs and a north Indian famous for his soft singing will compete against each other at the grand finale. Karunya is known to be the only contestant amongst the combined contestants of Indian Idol series 1 and series 2, to have given flawless performances so far. And, Sandeep who was known for his Udit Narayan style of singing has proved to viewers and judges that he can master anyone's songs and over time has proved to be a fierce competitor to Karunya. Puja Goyal caught up with the contestants through video conferencing before the main event. Tune in.

Source: Vijay Times, BVT- Pg 4.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

What are your dreams for yourselves after Indian Idol?

NC Karunya: Firstly, we would like to do well in Indian Idol, and then take it from there. I would like to pursue playback singing for the movies. I have been trained in Carnatic music and have grown up listening to it. Not only this, I'm exposed to all genres of music, this is one of the reasons why I would be proficient at picking up and fitting into any genre of music I am told to sing in.
Sandeep Acharya: I have always been inclined towards Classical music and Ghazals. I would also like to pursue singing for films and put my experiences to good use. Most importantly, I would like to grow and learn. My aspiration is to be an international star.

How has the Indian Idol competition been so far? How has the relationship between the two of you been?

NC Karunya: The competition has been intense, there were so many good singers, and you feel sad when they leave, because you grow onto each other, but some win, some loose. Now that the two of us are left, we will have to put in our best. As for our relationship, we have no ego issues and are the best of friends.
Sandeep Acharya: We have an esteemed panel of judges who we respect because they have guided us well. I am more concerned with my own singing instead of being concerned about minute issues that should not come in the way of singing well. We have no problems with each other and obviously we have grown to learn from each other, and respect each others hard work. I do hope things go well.

Your favourite singer... Influences?

NC Karunya: Kishore Kumar
Sandeep Acharya: Mohd. Rafi

Where do you see yourself five years from Indian Idol?

NC Karunya: I see myself, singing well, doing well, and giving people good songs to listen to, not only this, I see myself as an accomplished playback artist.
Sandeep Acharya: Ditto!

Would you guys want to get into acting, because that seems to be the common norm these daysÖ?

Collectively (laughing): No way! We're here to sing, not act!

Any advice to future Indian Idol aspirants?

NC Karunya: Practice hard! You will achieve more if you do.
Sandeep Acharya: There is no substitute for hard work.

HUGO BOSS

2006-04-11T12:38:00.000+05:30

Coffee with Koko

2006-04-09T23:43:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Koko's books are for those travellers who do not want to ask for directions and are fond of driving to destinations on their own.

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

THIS is for everyone who thought that Lonely Planet was the only guide to travelling in the Himalayas. Author Koko Singh's travel books, are a result of his extensive travelling in the Himalayas for over 25 years. "As children we used to travel a lot to the Himalayas. When I grew up, I and my wife took off whenever we could. Our friends used to wonder why we would run to the Himalayas at every opportunity. Well, now we have a reason... we converted all those years of travelling into books that everyone can use as a guide." Koko's books are especially for travellers, who do not want to ask for directions, and are fond of driving to destinations on their own. As a guide they are completely exhaustive.

His books are like a travel plan, with detailed itineraries, driving maps for all sectors, discount coupons for meals at leading hotels and restaurants, and are an expert guide to trekking. His book also feature recommendations for staying and eating, and caters to individuals of all budgets. Koko has published four travel books on Sikkim, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Uttaranchal, all of which were a result of detailed research and hard work, Koko adds, "I have travelled to more than eighty five percent of the places mentioned in the book. I did not want to write about places that I hear from people before I saw them for myself. What people might go around publicising as beautiful, sometimes turns out to be just another thing."

The shelf life of a travel book can be quite speculative depending on the changes that take place in the holiday destination. For example: changes in roads telephone numbers, and conversion of forest land to resorts, price hikes etc. To combat this Koko has decided to have his own website where travellers can post their views and experiences. "The shelf life of a travel itinerary is speculative, what I am doing this for, is to have a website where travellers post their experiences; so that if there is a change, they will mention it on the website and tell me, 'You know this road mentioned in your book does not exist anymore'," elaborates Koko.

The good thing about a travel guide is that it records the changes in the city, and grows with it. Koko reiterated that he will make periodical visits to the places he writes about so that he can update his books. Besides writing travel books, and travelling for work and pleasure, Koko, volunteers as a consultant to an NGO called Shruti for over 15 years... "It was a lot of fun, and I was involved in a lot of community work where I had to travel a lot to unknown and remote destinations. We would get posted in remote areas, amongst tribal communities and villages, and we did not even have basic facilities. But now I have settled down to a much more stagnant existence and I work from the city. I have much more time on hand to travel to the Himalayas, again."

Koko is not your average nine to five man with an ordinary corporate job; and most people would envy him. The only question that comes to mind is... "Wouldnít it get redundant after a while, to just travel all the time? What would a person like Koko do if he wants to escape normalcy" And Koko is quick to reply, "Well, atleast I know where I should travel too to escape normalcy!:" Rightly said, Koko!

Italian Food at the beach

2006-04-04T10:08:00.000+05:30

Source: Vijay Times, BVT- Pg 4.
Copyright © 2005 Puja Goyal.

Lately, there has been a change in the way restaurants present themselves. Yesterday, restaurants wouldn't hesitate to mix n match all kinds of cuisine available in the market, to cater to every customer… Today restaurants pride themselves in serving authentic food.

Restaurants like Olive Beach have given a new dimension to menu cards, presentation, and quality of food. Chef Max elaborates, "We don't have a menu card in our restaurant. We believe in providing fresh food, be it meat, vegetables or sea food. No one can beat a live lobster, can they? We serve what is available in the market that day." Restaurants nowadays hire international and foreign chefs, to cook up meals that can be as authentic as the original. "We believe in serving our customers the real thing! So, Italian food will be the way Italians make it and no other way!" says, A.D. Singh (partner Olive Beach). Chef Max adds, "I had a couple in my restaurant who wanted to mix menus and wanted to add something to a particular course which didn't fit in. I asked him if only he can dish out chocolate biryani, then will I be more than happy to add those ingredients. What people do not understand is that every region and food has a particular flavor… and if you are there to experience that flavor, then you shouldn't mix it up …"

Besides changes in the dance of dining, restaurants like Olive Beach are introducing new events under the term concept management. Olive Beach has carnivals and festivals every month with basic themes in mind, and this March the theme was Italy. Olive Beach ushered in an Italian Workshop from the 29th of March 2006, called "La Dolce Vita". The restaurant was decorated like an Italian Market place (called Salumeria) and was engineered by Chef Max and executed by the Olive team under the guidance of Chef Manu Chandra.

La Dolce Vita is followed by a two week theme based night where Chef Max would offer an authentic Italian a la carte menu. Special theme based evenings include the T Bone Steak Nite (30th March 06), Wine and Food Pairing (31st March 06), Sea Food Grill Night (1st and 8th April) and Chocolate Night (4th April 06), Sunday Italian Brunch (2nd and 9th April 06). On April 5, 06 there will be a Pasta Workshop for those who wish to learn the fine art of Italian cooking from Italian Chef Max Orlati. You can make reservations for the Italian Workshop at Olive Beach, Tel: 41128400.

Dining out can be an experience, with no menu cards, a great chef you can trust with your appetite, and a celebration of authenticity and food… carnivals et all.

AD SINGH, CHEF MANU SHARMA, AND CHEF MAX ORLATI

ITALIAN THEMED BAR..

Changing Landscape

2006-03-27T11:22:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Indian fiction may be finally coming of age, Puja Goyal.

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

INDIA has seen an upsurge in the number of published contemporary Indian writers. It's not that they were not published before; today these new age contemporary writers are holding positions of flare and prominence in the market. Kapish Mehra of Rupa & Co, a leading publishing house, says, "The quality of Indian writing has definitely improved in the last 10 years; but more radical changes have been seen in the last three or four years. The distinctive change we see today in Indian writing is in terms of content, style and lucidity in Indian fiction. Initially, Indian writers would write for themselves and pay less importance to the readers, but now... writers keep their readers in mind."

Our writers are competitive and the reader connects to the content of Indian fiction. Kapish explains, "Say for example, I'm from Delhi, and I read something in connection to the issues or stories involving Delhi... I'm able to understand where the writer's words are coming from." It is a myth that Indian authors are finding it difficult to be at par and compete with foreign authors. Writer Neeru Nanda says, "Every writer wants to publish his or her work abroad; this is an exotic idea. But let's get to reality... how will someone who has not heard of the agonies of the Indian system connect to it?" But trends have changed in the international market. More people want to read Indian fiction. Indian authors give us a flavour of Indian writing and a glimpse of what could be an Indian lifestyle.

Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark has been in the book business for 30 years. She says, "Though Indian fiction is becoming popular, I would still say Indian non-fiction like p h i l o s o p h y, self-help books etc... are big!" Indian writing is most associated with philosophy but todayís Indian writer is getting creative with fiction.

The new generation is the one which is giving Indian writing the status of the elite. Kapish elaborates, "What we need to understand is that after some time we will have three generations speaking English; which means more readership and writing in English." Most publishing houses nowadays encourage and promote new authors. They look forward to finding something out of the ordinary. "Our publishing house appreciates and encourages Indian writing. We in India have been prominent in publishing the most number of first authors, and we can go on record for it!" says Kapish.

Never underestimate the power of an intelligent reader: book browsers and readers are well informed, intelligent and eclectic in their approach towards any genre of fiction. Hemu admits that it's a big daily challenge to anticipate what an average Indian reader reads or will buy. "We want to encourage new unknown authors. If they are good; we put them on the recommendation list." Book shop owners have several offers e g: buy two and get three, quizzes, and book readings to create awareness about a new author. However, in the long run, the only virus that is detrimental to a work of fiction is "Piracy".

Regardless of how individuals look at it; lots of businesses are thriving on the road that sells books for cheap. "Piracy does affect selling but then what's available on the road is point zero of what is available in the book shop; it's an ethical call one needs to make and if someone wants to buy a pirated copy, then they will!" explains Hemu. Today, going to a book shop is an experience which is not found on the road; a book shop has more to choose from. As for the Indian writer, they can finally bask in their own space in the market and proudly say that they are making a living writing!

On the fusion bandwagon.

2006-03-13T13:15:00.000+05:30

INTRODUCTION: Fusion music is flavour of the season. The latest band to perform in Bangalore was Shoonya. Puja Goyal caught up with its members On the fusion bandwagon.

Source: Vijay Times, Life - Pg 3.
Copyright © 2006 Puja Goyal.

TURN YOUR radio on and you will find various instances of sounds that do not confine to their particular genre. Rock sounds a little Pop, Pop sounds a little RnB, and Hindi film music sounds like a rip off of some western tune or maybe a take off from some folk song combined with western beats and a crude desi voice (Aap ki Kashish). Even instruments like electric guitars are used to conceive sounds similar to that of a sitar; the western influences cannot be denied and traditional Indian music is definitely going through a change in perception.

It is true that pure traditional music and other genres are diminishing in there definition. So what is the fuss surrounding World Music or Fusion Music, representing a different sound and most importantly are the concepts of fusion music passÈ?

There are two parameters to this; one: when artists combine instruments from foreign backgrounds, and while keeping the original sound of the instrument intact; they manage to blend them to create their own sound. Two: when artists combine different instruments from foreign backgrounds, and make those instruments speak the language of their traditional instrument; to make those instruments speak their own traditional sound.

This has given rise to various new bands who find an outlet to creativity. Shoonya, which is the brainchild of V Ashok Kumar, is a band of artists expert in their own fields, but have come together to create their own sound. They performed at Alliance FranÁoise de Bangalore on the March 3rd and 4th to a discreet audience. "We are a part of World Music, Shoonya is not only about creating a new sound, but also combining different instruments from various cultures," says Prakash Sontakke, a member of Shoonya. The debut performance of Shoonya was well appreciated by the audience, and the star attraction was Ashok; whose hands moved like wind on the Djembe and Darbuka.

The World Music artists nowadays are more relaxed and concentrate on innovative live music. While there are celebrity collaborations and experienced artists who in their own right are world class; there seems to be something lacking in most rookie concerts. You have to be an expert at something, and another thing for lots of experts to get together and let their expertise take a back seat, so they can concentrate on a single sound of the band. Nikhil who attended the Shoonya concert says, "You know, they were all good, but sounds from other instruments drowned in front of the Hawaiian guitar; the guitar was too loud! I donít know if this is what they intended to do, but for me, Fusion or World Music would be when I can hear one sound and at the same time distinguish each instrument as playing their part in creating fusion music."

The newest trend in World Music in India, as far as marketing is concerned, is not recording an album. While most bands tend to think that they have made it only when an album is recorded by a well-known music company, World Music follows another concept. Michael who plays the Didgeridoo and mouth organ and is a member from Shoonya elaborates, "I don't know what the deal is about recording music? I mean, it's an old-fashioned concept. Abroad, the audience members prefer to record the live performances and take them home. This gets circulated amongst peers, and the public."

Bangalore is now seeing a new generation of fusion artists collaborating to balance tradition and western influences; this will ensure that World Music will always have its space within which it will continue to flourish.

If and only If

2006-03-03T22:31:00.000+05:30

“If” is about poignancy of relationship, it’s about the angst borne out of social and cultural transition, it is about destiny’s hiccups in one’s life, its about opportunities missed and those gained, but most of all its about humans and their relationships with their environment in today’s contemporary life. "IF" is Neeru Nanda's collection of short stories and will be read by theatre and film personality Arjun Sajnani, at Crossword on the 2nd of March 2006 at 6.30pm. Puja Goyal caught up with Neeru over a cup of morning tea to find out more …

ON CONTEMPRORY INDIAN WRITING :
"Indian fiction is definitely coming up. Today, more Indian authors are getting published," says Neeru. "Our English writing is different from others because our writing is not layered; we're simple writers with a suggestive style. Unlike foreign writers we are not metaphorical."

The contemporary reader has also changed, gone are the days when readers spent time reading pages and pages of descriptions of what a blizzard feels like. We have the television and magazines to show us that now. Readers know the visual and that has definitely changed the form of narrative we write. The reader wants to connect with the protagonist instead of the scenery.

WHAT'S WITH THE WORD "IF"?
Our entire world is pegged on "IF". The whole mystery surrounding; what if the story deviated, what if we had chosen another path, what if the road ended there instead of moving on??? What if?? "If" is what tells us a story…

DEVELOPING THE STORY:
I believe that a writer should write in a way that it pierces the surface of the story. I am a visual writer and character building comes naturally to me. A short story is not about the history of an individual; it is about taking that sliver from the characters life, which has brought a conflict in his existence.

For any writer starting out, I would like to say that it is important for the character to writer his own story. Let the character lead you, instead of you dominating it. It is wonderful to step back from the story and let the character do the talking. I am fortunate that this is coming to me easily, and I would like to continue developing on this style.

Source: Vijay Times, BVT- Pg 4.
Copyright © 2005 Puja Goyal.