Quantcast
Channel: Deccan Herald - Supplements
Viewing all 37602 articles
Browse latest View live

The show goes on

0
0

William Shakespeare once said, All the worlds a stage. This was countered by Oscar Wilde, who said, "The world is a stage, and the play is badly cast." This is the beauty of theatre. It is perceived differently by various people at different times. In Karnataka, the 1980s is considered as the golden period for theatre. New plays were performed, the language was improved and new forms of theatre were explored.

Transcending fields

Recently, I watched a play, We Teach Life Sir!!!, directed by Prashanth Udyavara. The play did not have a conventional plot. It provided broken images of war and portrayed the effect of war on human beings through dance, music, and simple yet effective props. The director had experimented with the form and content to create an experience and communicate the devastation caused by war.

Prashanth is a participant of making theatre, a project of Rangashankara, Bengaluru, where aspiring directors are given the opportunity to interact with theatre stalwarts for a month. After that, they direct and perform a play. Through this, the young directors are given a platform and space for innovation in theatre. Surendranath, trustee, Rangashankara, feels that theatre has evolved over time. With experiment in technique, the devised plays are paving way for change in the form and content of theatre. He then spoke of respectful irreverence, where old plays are performed again in a different manner and with a new perspective. He further added that there havent been any drastic changes in the theatre of Karnataka. We still follow the conventional Proscenium theatre style along with the 1980s style of making plays.

Eminent Kannada playwright and theatre activist, K Y Narayanaswamy, is of the opinion that the grammar and language of Kannada theatre has not changed much over the years. While it has been experimenting with the themes, its technique has remained the same since the 1980s.

In the light of the debate art for arts sake versus art for the sake of life, we see that theatre is being used as a tool to question authority and hegemony. Thereby, using performance as a form of expression and a tool to question the powers that be. Likewise, the Samudaya movement in the 1970s pioneered plays that were situated in the social and cultural milieu.

The Samudaya Repertory was formed in 2015. This formation could be termed as the reinvention of the movement. The aim of the theatre group involved was to reach out to the farmers and youth and create awareness about prevailing social issues.

For a cause

This apart, the Ninasam Tirugata, by Ninasam in Heggodu, Shivamogga district, is a popular project carried out by the organisation. Here, a theatre group travels across the State for four months and puts up shows at every 50 to 100 km of the distance covered. The Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival of Rangayana, Mysuru, initially focussed on gender-related issues. It has now transformed into an annual festival that touches upon varied aspects that are crucial to society. Similarly, Shivasanchara of Sanehalli, initiated by the Sanehalli Math in Chitradurga district, also has a repertory that takes theatre to the people.

The aforementioned efforts bring theatre to the rural areas and use it as a device to create awareness on social issues. They also experiment with the form and content of the play to make it relevant and relatable to the audience.

Besides focusing on relevant themes, theatre groups have started experimenting with spaces as well. For instance, now plays are performed in bookshops and cafes. Atta Galata in Bengaluru is one such place. It is a bookshop, cafe and platform, where plays are performed and storytelling and poetry workshops are conducted.

Alternative theatre spaces are being experimented in Kannada theatre as well. Vijayanagara Bimba, Bengaluru has a terrace theatre which is used for rehearsals and readings. It also acts as an intimate theatre. "We have tried intimate theatre, devised theatre and horseshoe theatre here. The plays experimented here are later performed as street plays, plays for Ganesha pandals and also proscenium plays," says S V Sushma, director, Vijayanagara Bimba.

Archiving the process

Apart from the changes in theme and space, a new feature has been added to theatre. Documentation of theatre, taken up by Bengaluru-based Sanchi foundation, is a not-for-profit venture. Here, theatre and other folk art forms are archived and made available online for free. The foundation has documented more than 100 Kannada plays. It has in a way recorded the journey of theatre in Karnataka and made it accessible to the people through its YouTube channel. While these recordings cannot replace the actual experience of watching a play, they act as good study material for a deeper understanding and analysis of theatre.

Furthermore, corporate organisations today use theatre as a team building activity for their employees and use street plays while delivering sales pitches as well. Theatre is also perceived as a tool for holistic learning and we can see theatre activities in schools and colleges.


Innovations in the State's farming sector

0
0

Shortage of labour is one of the causes of poor quality and lack of productivity in farming. It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. Likewise, this year saw innovation and inventions in the farming sector to deal with the shortage of labour, the main challenge in the sector. Interestingly, most of these innovations were proposed by enthusiastic farmers. Here are some innovative experiments that were put in place in the recent past to aid the farmers of Karnataka.

Pocket-friendly devices

Santosh Kaveri from Belagavi has designed a simple system to control the bullock cart by attaching a brake liner. This system comes handy at the time of loading, riding on steep slopes, going uphill and turning at a short radius without hurting the bullocks. Another simple device designed by him is the carrot cleaning machine which could clean one quintal of carrots in just 15 minutes with the help of only two people, whereas manual cleaning of the same would require the effort of 12 people.

A D Mohan Kumar, a native of Kodagu, has designed a small ploughing machine for farmers who cannot afford to buy tillers, tractors or find it difficult to maintain a pair of bullocks. He has also invented the machine for dressing chickens and a spraying machine to be used in coffee, pepper and areca plantations.

With the help of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Girish Badragond of Vijayapura has designed borewell scanners, advanced mode micro-irrigation system, bird repeller and solar mini inverters. The bird repeller is equipped with eight speakers and a timer with a long-lasting battery to repel birds from attacking the crops. The mini solar inverter can light two CFL bulbs for an entire day.

The advanced micro-irrigation system designed by him is capable of regulating the flow of water from a distance. The borewell scanner comes with a camera with flash, it efficiently clicks pictures and checks the outflow and inflow of water while drilling the borewell. This apart, Girish has built a terrace garden water management machine, for the urban populace. This device can be timed and it will water your garden in your absence. Arvind Laxmeshwar, from Sirsi, has developed a variety of machines for processing areca. Dharma Technologies in Tumakuru, headed by Shylaja Vittala, offers a range of processing machines like areca nut dehusking machine and a multipurpose peeler suitable for fruits and vegetables. She also makes customised machines.

Productive ideas

Devi Murthy, an electrical engineer and founder of Kamal Kisan, Bengaluru, aims to develop a series of farm equipment for small farm owners. Backed by a seed fund from IIT Madrass rural technology and business incubation centre, she developed a rice transplanter, potato and legume harvester, coconut harvester, sugarcane transplanter, etc.

Kamal Kisan is working on building a sugarcane planter as well. It will combine the process of ridging, planting and furrowing to increase efficiency. It can also be used with tractors with power as low as 30 hp. The planter can plant one acre of sugarcane in four to five hours with just two persons as against six members working over five days, saving up to 80% of the cost.

Some of its other innovations are versatile mulch layer, bed maker, vegetable handy planter, power weeder, etc. "Our aim is to add at least four new products to our portfolio each year," says Devi.

Satish K S, a software engineer and co-founder of Flybird Farm Innovations, Holalkere, has developed an automatic, low-cost irrigation controller called Siri. He is now working on making the product wireless.

These young talents with a passion for farming have set an example for many. Their innovations relay the message that formal education is not a precondition to achieving something substantial in life. Such innovators are the real achievers who help build a strong foundation for growth in rural India.

An ode to folklore

0
0

Janapada Loka, located in Ramanagara, was established in 1994. It captures the evolution, journey, spirit and essence of the States rural heritage. The bright blue gates with murals of masks and birds in equally vibrant hues are hard to miss if you are travelling on thBengaluru-Mysuru highway.

Founded by eminent author and folklorist H L Nage Gowda, who was an ardent fan and champion of performing arts, Janapada Loka is home to around 5,000 exhibits. While many of these artefacts were collected by him for over three decades, some were donated. The exhibits cover almost all facets of Karnatakas rural life and reflect the rich native culture and heritage of the State, including indigenous festivals, fairs, games, dances and farming techniques.

Soak in folk

The sprawling 15-acre campus comprises several sections including the Lokamatha Mandira, Loka Mahal, Chitra Kuteera, Shilamala, Ayagaramala, an amphitheatre and a lake.

Lokamatha Mandira has an extensive display of rural household items and agricultural tools. This space has a well laid out display of cooking vessels of brass and copper, ladles, jars, buttermilk churners, choppers, stoves, wood and mud containers. These exhibits give an insight into rural cooking and innovation. Case in point is the vessel that was used to steam food, the noodle press and a large grinding stone that was used during weddings. There are various kinds of hooks and equipment used to harvest crops and different kinds of bells tied to cattle necks on display.

The highlight of the museum is the Loka Mahal that exhibits life-size dolls related to Yakshagana and other folk art forms. One also sees life-size images of a Kodava couple wearing the traditional costume and jewellery. Leather puppets used in puppetry shows, masks and handloom fabrics are also seen here.

Interestingly, these jostle for space among weights and measures, arms and weapons as well as musical instruments. There are umpteen masks, drums, cymbals and a huge collection of Ganjifa cards. The first floor has a rare collection of folk instruments, puppets, Yakshagana costumes as well as soma and harige masks. There are wooden idols of the bhootha (spirit worship). There are also dolls related to the Beesu Kamsale style of dance, which is yet another unique folk art form that is performed by the devotees of Lord Mahadeshwara.

"The collection here is truly precious and speaks volumes about our rich heritage. Our folk culture needs to be preserved and shown to the next generation," says Mullaiah, who works as a guide in the museum. Being a folk artist himself, he adds that many rural folk art forms are slowly disappearing because the next generation is not keen on pursuing the art. "Folk art and artists need to be recognised," rues Mullaiah.

Chitra Kuteera is a circular building that displays photographs of the work that H L Nage Gowda did with tribals, and the images of varied folk art forms. These images vividly capture the costumes, cultures, customs and art forms of the tribes of the State. There are several rare photographs of dance forms like tharle barle, harvest dance of Halakki Vokkaligas, the gonda dance, the ummathat and the dollu dance. The array of masks used and the make-up techniques of these artists reveal the ingenuity and skills of rural people. There are pictures of folk artists performing leather puppet shows, goravaiah and of instruments like the gumate mela. Janapada Library has a large collection of books that students use for their research.

In the open

The site has a large number of outdoor exhibits and a sculpture section. The sculpture section has several ancient stone sculptures. Some of these artefacts date back to 800 AD. The hero stones on display are noteworthy. Idols of worship that were found abandoned have been collected, restored and preserved. Behind the Shilpamala there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a must visit for its typical rural architecture. Also stop by the Ayagaramala, an open yard that has large installations of a bullock cart, sugarcane crushing and oil extraction machines, and a wooden chariot that has been carefully restored after it was abandoned.

A puppet theatre with a capacity of 50 people and a Greek amphitheatre style open-air theatre that can house 1,000 people are also part of the museum. This apart, an artificial lake, Loka Sarovara, with boating facilities can be seen here. Doddamane, which is the model of a large traditional village house with a pillared central courtyard, attracts visitors. It serves as an artistic residence and a place to host seminars and workshops.

A visit to this museum is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the folk traditions and customs of Karnataka.
The museum is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays. For more information, call 080 23605033.

'I always wanted to be a filmmaker'

0
0

Director Saad Khan is a known name in the world of theatre and movies. And why not? He knew that he wanted to get into filmmaking and had a clear idea about how to go about it.

As his film Humble Politiciann Nograj is all set to release in January, Saad is all excited. In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, he talks about the film and more.

How did your interest in direction come about?

I belong to the age when video cassettes were popular. I used to watch at least two movies every weekend. This is when the passion for films came in. At school, I was already into theatre. I remember doing a professional play and being yelled at by my director because I was mouthing everyones lines. The director told me that acting is not what I should be doing and that I should probably assist him. My passion grew. I did a summer workshop with Bangalore Little Theatre and finally directed my own play.

What kept your interest alive?

My first play Idle Hand was a big moment for me as a director. I didnt know about the method acting or anything then. The play was about a lazy man and how one particular night, when he sleeps, his hands take over his body. I was associated with many plays after that. I always wanted to be a filmmaker. I knew that I had to make a transition and at that time I felt theatre was the right way ahead.

Is theatre a stepping stone to filmmaking?

From what I have observed in the recent past, there is no particular design for artistes. Ive heard so many filmmakers and actors stories that I know that there is no set formula for it. Eventually, I realised that I didnt want to stick to any genre. I brought the Hollywood movie Scream on stage. Ive also done musicals.

What was the turning point in your career?

It was when my short film Another Kind of Black went to the Cannes Film Festival. I felt I was too cool but I soon realised I was just lucky as the concept was pretty good. That was the moment when I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to sell stories.


How is your chemistry with actor Danish Sait who plays the Humble Politiciann Nograj?

Danish used to do prank calls on air as Nograj. Slowly he and I made YouTube videos with Nograj. Once we did a live video of it from Times Square. After this, I said I think we are now ready to make a film on Nograj. We already had the title of the film since we always referred to the character as a humble politician. Danish, Maaz (Khan) and I met and wrote the story. I took a bit more time to do the screenplay. We were lucky to get Pushkar Films, Lost and Found Films and Paramvah Studios as producers.

Whats next?

We are just focussing on the movie release at the moment. There are speculations about a sequel.

In pursuit of stolen moments

0
0

Its that time of the year where you reflect on the things that happened this year and look forward to the coming year. When it comes to photography, taking selfies when youre travelling is so 2017! The new trend that promises to take 2018 by storm is vacation photography.

It involves taking along a photographer for those picture perfect photographs for Instagram and other social media pages.

While this new trend is quite popular in the west, its just catching up in India. Rohith Sarcar, a photographer, has travelled with a couple of his clients as a vacation photographer.

He says, "Ive been on a couple of trips as a vacation photographer. Its a perfect way for travellers to enjoy their time at the place and have someone capture those special moments without making it look like a staged photograph."

Companies too are taking advantage of the trend and encouraging holiday photography.

Parminder Sahni, founder and co-worker of Vsnapu, says, "We are a startup that have photographers from across the country. The clients usually approach us when they are travelling and we assign a photographer for them. With much scope for photography these days, travellers too, are particular about the kind of pictures that they want."

"We thought it would be more of couples who opt for this but weve seen a lot of families also wanting to have a professional photographer along with them while travelling. With people being extremely comfortable in front of the camera these days, many dont even realise that they have a photographer following them around when travelling," he adds.

In order to capture those perfect moments, the photographers have to be alert at all times.

Rohith explains, "That one moment matters a lot and its your job as a photographer to capture it. Sometimes it happens when you want to catch a snack break too. But the travellers hired you to take pictures that they cant otherwise, so you just have to compromise. Nevertheless, the best part is when they are happy with your pictures."

Arya Balakrishnan and Mahantesh Davanageri had a wedding ceremony in India but they wanted to get married in Phuket also. So they took Arjun Thomas, a professional photographer, to Phuket to capture their dream wedding.

Arya says, "We wanted something special and different to remember when it came to our wedding. Ive been following Arjuns work on social media and he happens to be a friends friend. We took him along and it was such a wonderful experience. Hes done a great job with the pictures and we couldnt be happier."

Arjun recalls, "When we went to the island for the photoshoot, we realised that we werent the only ones who wanted a similar setup. It was great to be a part of their celebration and it was a beautiful location to shoot as well."

He says vacation photography is an interesting concept especially because the travellers can have a good time without worrying about how the pictures will turn out.

"Travelling today has become much more than just visiting a place. You make sure that you get that picture-perfect moment for your social media followers. While those pictures that you take on your own may be good, the quality that a professional photographer brings in is different," he explains.

So have you hired a photographer for your next travel yet?

Travel photograph of the week

0
0

PHOTOGRAHER : Rahul Anand

This photograph was taken in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. The photographer was about to take a ride on this camel when he noticed it staring right into his eyes with a frown on its face. Thats when he pulled out his camera and captured this moment.

Push, slice and dice

0
0

If you havent yet tried Teppanyaki, it needs to be on top of your list. Teppanyaki is a modern style of Japanese cuisine based around an open iron cooktop, where the food is grilled right in front of the customers.

This food experience has now turned into a performance as well. This culinary form that is as theatrical as it is delicious, is slowly making its way into restaurants in Bengaluru. With restaurants like Teppan Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar and Kitchen on table, becoming popular, Bengaluru is getting the authentic taste of Japanese culture.

However, becoming a Teppanyaki chef isnt an easy business, it takes years of training to master the art of Teppanyaki.

In a chat with Asra Mavad, Chef Prithvi Raj, who recently went viral online for showing off his Teppanyaki skills, talks about his training experience and more.

Did you always want to be a chef?

No, my plan initially was to play for the country. I was actually a pretty decent cricketer, so that was Plan A. My mom always told me "Do what you love, and youll never have to work a day." My second passion was food. I always used to cook for everyone, its something that makes me very happy; so I decided this was the path I wanted to take.

Why Teppanyaki?

When I started training, I was in the restaurant observing how everything works and suddenly I see these chefs juggling knives, doing tricks with spatulas and I thought This is super impressive, plus its all life. Its so different from a normal restaurant experience, here the chefs literally put on a show for the customers. I was really drawn to the culinary art, especially since I hadnt yet experimented with Japanese cuisine I decided to take this up.

Do you believe Teppanyaki has scope in India?

It does, definitely! I think food, for that matter, is going to get picked up really soon. People now are really getting into the foodie trend.


What do you think of the Teppanyaki restaurants in Bengaluru?

There are some that are doing well, but they still have a long long way to go. Before the Teppanyaki scene takes off in India, people first need to understand the roots of Teppanyaki. Its all about hospitality and the way you present the food. These things matter a lot.

Your viral video now has over 1.5 million views, did that affect your career in any way?

For me it was just a regular video that I had posted, but then after a while, I got a message from 9GAG asking me permission to share the video. I was fine with it. I thought it was no big deal, but then it started circulating all over social media to the point that even Charlie Sheen shared it. I will never forget that. The video has also been getting me quite a lot of job offers.

Any advice for people pursuing this career?

The profession of a chef is not an easy one. The industry has slowly turned into a sport, especially in Europe. With so many culinary institutes pumping out students, the industry has become very fast moving. So its very important that youre passionate about what youre doing and then all you have to do is just put your head down and keep working. Its all about the commitment. Always look at the big picture, you might have to struggle now, but if youre willing to put in the hours then youll definitely get where you want to be.

More power to dressing

0
0

I believe every woman is different and has her own personal style DNA and therefore needs individual, personalised advice on how to create visual balance.

I have always been passionate about giving women the relevant advice and the tools to dress themselves in the best way to create a streamlined look using a womans individual body shape and colouring.

When dressing for a professional image, it is important to get first impressions right, whether it is for an interview, meeting, networking event or conference.

It will reflect your professional skill set as well as the position you are holding in the company.

So when you are getting first impressions right, professionals feel they can relate to you. This is simply because they like what they see and therefore will trust you more easily and faster when working with you.

Women with authority need to apply a power dressing code when doing business because it is their visual calling card of who they are. The power dressing code starts first of all to dress right for their body shape and body features.

Secondly, women with authority need an outfit that they can rely on and feel comfortable and not restricted in any way, so they can focus on their job 100 percent.

Thirdly, the power dressing code needs to be appropriate for age and position while looking trendy.

Their professional image needs to convey an image of knowing yourself, being up to date with current affairs as well as ready and prepared no matter what the day will bring.

Looking current doesnt mean buying constantly new outfits and dresses, but instead, for example, having a current haircut, makeup or accessorising your outfit with latest items.

It is important that your image shows that you put yourself together with care and respect- that you are looking groomed.

In business that means that you put attention, care and respect into your professional image, which translates into people thinking that you will put the same effort towards your work, company and clients.

If you want a client, colleague and a company to respect and invest in you, you have to make the first step. If you dont invest in yourself and dont show self-respect why should they?

Women with authority simply need to invest in themselves by paying attention to themselves, finding their signature look, buying investment pieces for a staple wardrobe and looking prepared and in control no matter what the day will bring.

Dressing right takes strategy. In order to look and feel good, we simply cant wear clothes based only on what we love!

"Dress shabbily; people remember the clothes. Dress impeccably; people remember the woman," said Coco Chanel.

The first step to power dressing is honest self-assessment by assessing your body shape and body features. It is all being honest with yourself, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

Every woman has features which are better than others -- the skill is bringing the good ones into focus and distracting attention from the others.

A woman with authority has to look her best and there is no excuse about it because she has the means and resources to ask an expert. She
would do the same when it would be a business matter.


That's the way love goes

0
0

Pratik Kar from Kharagpur, West Bengal and Gargi Das from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand met each other when they were in high school. Thanks to his cousin who was Gargis then school friend. Yes! He played the Cupid.

The couple were together for a decade before they planned to tie the knot in 2016. However, their journey was not an easy one, it was always a long distance relationship. While Gargi came down to Bengaluru to complete her graduation, Pratik landed in Delhi for his higher education. It was finally in 2012 that he shifted to Bengaluru for work. They have been together ever since.

"We are childhood friends and it has been 12 years since we met. However, there is nothing that has changed between us, even after marriage, except for the roles and responsibilities," says Pratik.

Working as investment bankers, their weekdays are as hectic as any other professionals in the city. And it is the weekend that the couple eagerly wait for.

Spending time at home is something that Pratik and Gargi enjoy the most. They help each other and share the household work.

Pratik says, "We hardly see each other during weekdays, so we usually head out to a restaurant or to a place where we can spend time together. This is our basic plan every weekend. We have a good time at Koramangala and Indiranagar."

"We are foodies and exploring a new eatery is our weekly ritual," says Gargi.

"We are not regular visitors at any particular restaurant. However, we recently visited Mainland China and loved the food there. We also love to cook at home together. Weekends are usually the time for our experiments in the kitchen. When it comes to making non-vegetarian dishes, Pratik cooks up magic," she adds.

The couple has a new found love for travelling. And whenever they get time, they hit the roads to explore a new place. "Going for short trips is something we look forward to. On longer weekends, it is either some place in the city or on the outskirts. Hyderabad, Coorg, Ooty, Goa and Mysuru are some of our favourite haunts."

For the couple, spending time with their family is equally important. They make sure to make a visit to their hometown whenever they have a long vacation.

Ask them what made them choose Bengaluru and Pratik says, "Ive had a long association with the city beginning from my college days to getting a job here. Weve made a unique connection with the city and we definitely plan to stay here for more years to come."

"The best part of this city is its people who are warm and friendly. This is a vibrant place to live with people from different regions making a home here. Now that I have stayed here for so long, I think of Bengaluru as my first home," adds Gargi.

The whisk taker!

0
0

I vividly remember as a kid how one day when we had guests over, my parents decided that they wanted to make chocolate mousse for everyone.

Though I come from a family of bakers, neither of my parents had any interest in baking, so it was kind of a big shock for everyone.

Still I remember how much fun it was trying to make a dessert together. This is the very first memory that comes to my mind when I think of baking.

I hate being idle. I always need to do something with my time and that is exactly how I discovered my passion for baking. Ive been lucky enough to know what I wanted to do at a young age.

I was 17 when on a Christmas day, my friend and I randomly tried baking a dessert. That was my first proper attempt at baking.
Baking as a profession has been a dream come true. Even though I model and act in movies from time to time, it is baking that has helped me achieve my goal of being independent.

That is all I ever wanted. Now that I have a successful baking school and supplying business, I feel that I have achieved my goal.

Coming to my recipe, Red velvet cupcakes are a dessert that are very special to me.

I believe these little cupcakes were a huge turning point in my career. I remember trying out various recipes for my newly established business - vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and caramel - I had tried them all. But it was these Red velvet cupcakes that changed the game for the business.

Once these were introduced, I remember getting orders for 400 to 500
cupcakes on a regular basis.

Its amazing how such a simple recipe could bring about such a big change. I hold this recipe very close to my heart.

Ingredients

For cupcakes:

½ cup butter

1 ½ cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

4 tablespoons red food colouring

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

2 ½ cups sifted all purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

For icing

½ cup cream cheese, softened

¼ cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups icing sugar

Method

For cupcakes

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease two
12 cup muffin pans or line with paper baking cups.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food colouring and vanilla. Stir in the baking soda and vinegar. Combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt; stir into the batter until it blends. Spoon the batter into prepared cups, dividing evenly.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Let the cupcakes rest for some time on a wire rack. When cool, move onto the frosting.

For the icing

Beat the cream cheese, butter, sour cream and vanilla extract in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the icing sugar until smooth and voila, the frosting is ready.

Bulletin Board

0
0

Social science scholarship

The University of Sheffield, UK is offering Social Science International Scholarships to undergraduate students that are nationals of or are domiciled in India and are starting their studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences in September 2018. For more information, email jessica.bream@sheffield.ac.uk.

Business courses

Indian School of Business & Finance invites students to apply for its three-year BSc (Hons) degree programmes. The last date to apply is April 25, 2018. For more details, visit www.isbf.edu.in.

Photography contest

Sony World Photography Awards Open Competition 2018 invites application from photographers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. There are 10 categories in which applicants can enter the competition. The last date to apply is January 4, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2r9sKrF.

BBA+MBA course

Universal Business School in collaboration with La Rochelle Business School, France is offering a triple continent BBA+MBA degree programme in India. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2yVZIQb.

Development courses

Azim Premji University has invited applications from graduates who are keen to contribute to the social sector in critical areas of Education, Development and related sectors. Applicants can apply for the following
courses: MA Education, MA Development, MA Public Policy & Governance, LLM in Law and Development. For more details, visit www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/pg.

Developer scholarship

Udacity and Google together invite applications for Udacity-Google Developer Scholarship 2018 from citizens of India who are at least 18 years of age and are eager to master web and mobile development skills. The last date to apply is January 10, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2A2lC8H.

Design courses

The Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD), in collaboration with Kingston University, London has opened applications for its full-time four-year BA (Hons) programmes in Communication Design, Interior Architecture & Design and Fashion Design. The last date to apply is March 31, 2018. For more details, visit ww.iiad.edu.in.

Internships for women

Internshala has launched an initiative titled Internships for Women campaign to help women (re)start their career. With flexible working options, women can balance their professional and personal lives through internships. For details, visit www.internshala.com/i/7660.

Emile-Boutmy scholarship

Sciences Po has announced the Emile-Boutmy scholarship for international students. The last date to apply is January 3, 3018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2iXv8Q6.

Clarendon scholarships

University of Oxford is offering Clarendon scholarships to students who are applying for graduate study. The last date to apply is January 8, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2fCUPrq.

Short film festival

Pocket Films invites applications for Patriotic Short Film Festival 2017 from candidates above 18 years of age. The film must be based on a patriotic theme of the armed forces. The last date to submit is January 10, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2BxJQcW.

Merit scholarship

IFIM Business School, along with The Padode Foundation, is offering meritorious scholarships for 50 deserving candidates. The last date to apply is January 15, 2018. To know more, visit www.IFIMBSchool.com.

Research fellowships

The Parliament of India invites applications for the Lok Sabha Research Fellowships 2018-19 from the applicants belonging to the age group of 25 to 70 years. The objective of this fellowship is to provide the researchers an opportunity to undertake research of high standards on parliamentary themes. The last date to apply is January 10, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2BjNoes.

Robotics contest

DRDO Robotics and Unmanned Systems Exposition (DRUSE) invites applications for DRDO Robotic Competition 2018 from engineering students pursuing UG and PG courses. The last date to apply is January 15, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2DwgPvC.

Business courses

IMS Noida invites applications for the following AICTE-approved programmes: Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Management - Entrepreneurship. The last date to apply is March 31, 2018. For more details, visit www.imsnoida.in.

EM scholarships

CIMNE (International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering) has announced Erasmus Mundus (EM) Scholarships 2018 for students holding a higher education degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics or a similar science-based subject. The last date to apply is January 15. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/2CWAfZt.

Environmental fellowship

The Harvard University Center for the Environment has introduced The Environmental Fellows program 2018 for Post-Doctorates and PhD students. The last date to apply is January 17, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/1Abga94.

Management fellowship

The Indian School of Business (ISB) invites applications from young graduates and postgraduates for ISB Fellow Programme in Management 2018. The last date to apply is January 19, 2018. For more details, visit www.isb.edu/fpm/admissions.

Ramanujan Fellowship

Science & Engineering Research Board, India invites applications for Ramanujan Fellowship 2017 from scientists and engineers with outstanding track record. The last date to apply is December 31, 2017. For more details, visit www.serb.gov.in/rnf.php.

Junior research fellowship

Indian Council of Historical Research invites applications for the ICHR Junior Research Fellowships, 2018-2019 from students enrolled in any recognised universities for the PhD programme in History and its allied subjects. The last date to apply is January 14, 2018. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/2zfNzWy.

WOS-A 2018

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India invites applications for Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A) 2017-18 from women scientists and technologists who are in the age group of 27 to 57 years. The last date to apply is December 31. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/2AejKYs.

ICAI contest

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announces the ICAI Commerce Wizard, a talent search test in Commerce for the students studying in Classes 10, 11, 12 and BCom, BMS, BBA. The last date to apply is January 14. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2pe0vMO.

For an effective pedagogy

0
0

With businesses across industries increasingly discovering the power of algorithms and automation, the discussion on artificial intelligences (AI) abilities continues to intensify. While AI is, without doubt, the biggest buzzword today, it is also something that many people are highly apprehensive about, particularly owing to its potential implications on human jobs.

Since the representation of AI in popular culture has often been accompanied with the idea of a dystopian world where machines rule over humans, our perception of this technology is clouded due to a lack of understanding about it. Adopting AI doesnt necessarily mean that machines will replace humans in the workforce. Rather, AI refers to the computational power of machines that helps deliver exceptional results that are far better than what can be achieved by even the best of
human minds.

One-on-one learning

In education, whether offline or online, providing effective pedagogy and delivering educational content to students on time are of utmost importance. AI can transform the educational experience through the application of individualised learning. With the rising number of adaptive learning programmes, games, and software, it is already a reality. Such educational systems respond to an individual students learning requirements by placing greater emphasis on explaining certain topics in detail and clearing any doubts related to the topic to ensure that all students have understood the topic. This helps the students learn at their own pace.

These tailored education tools offer a machine-assisted solution to help students with different learning preferences learn together in one classroom. These tools also enable teachers to support the students to understand the core concepts and offer additional help when needed.

Currently, education as a sector is poised for a massive disruption, and as far as leveraging AI is concerned, we have only barely scratched the surface. The role of AI in education goes beyond just dishing out relevant content for students, or creating exceptional products or services. It can also help ed-tech platforms deliver unparalleled results in three major areas - tutor profiling, performance analysis, and operational efficiencies. Here is an in-depth look at how AI can transform these three areas:

Tutor profiling: AI can create a learning environment where both human and machine intelligence can be combined for enhanced results. It can assist in gauging the personality of tutors based on several parameters - their education, their scores, their interaction with different kinds of students, feedback from students, performance of their students, etc. Thats where
machines will use the data to give intelligent suggestions as to which tutor profile is best suited for a specific student profile.

Performance analysis: AI will be imperative when it comes to analysing massive volumes of student assessment data that is created on ed-tech platforms. This will not only be helpful in delivering personalised content to students, but will also aid in the creation of more meaningful lesson plans and, in turn, designing powerful teacher training programmes.

Operational efficiencies: The success of an online educational platform depends on its operational efficiency, which can be ensured by leveraging technology to the fullest. To survive in todays hyper-competitive market, online educational platforms need to grow and scale quickly, and this can be achieved only through highly tech-driven processes.

Consider chatbots and servicebots, for instance, which can interact with several customers without having to add more humanpower. Like tutor profiling, AI can be deployed in HR functions for employee profiling and create a robust team that is best suited to the culture and processes of the organisation, thereby leading to greater operational efficiency.

The potential of AI to transform the ed-tech sector and other sectors is quite
astounding. The responsibility,
however, lies on us humans to be smart in harnessing the power of AI to solve the problems of the present for a better, technologically-empowered future.

(The author is co-founder & director, Genext Students, Mumbai)

Leverage your strengths

0
0

Dear Madam,

I am an Instrumentation Engineer, currently working in a core domain. I want to pursue my Masters in Biomedical Instrumentation. Which is the best country to pursue the course and what is the future scope in this domain like?

A Student

Dear Student,

Biomedical Instrumentation is an evolving field and has a vast scope. You can pursue your Masters in USA, UK or Germany. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Pennsylvania State University, University of North Carolinaâ€"Chapel Hill, Arizona State University, University of Californiaâ€"San Diego, University of California Berkeley, University of Marylandâ€"College Park are some of the US universities that offer Masters in Biomedical Instrumentation.

In UK, University of Strathclyde, University of Dundee, Queen Mary University of London, University of Westminster, London and Brunel University London are among the universities that offer this course. In Germany, RWTH Aachen, University of Heidelberg, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and Hamburg University offer this course.

Dear Madam,

I have completed my BE in Electronics and Communication with 50% marks, and have 15 backlogs. Currently, I am working as a web developer. I plan to do my Masters in Computer Science from countries which have at least a two-year stay back and a good IT presence. Some of the countries I am considering are USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland and Singapore. I have researched a lot but still confused as to which country would have a university that could accept my profile. Please guide.

MFB

Dear MFB,

I would recommend New Zealand, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and UK. With your percentage and backlogs, I will not recommend Singapore and Germany. Entry requirements in the countries I have mentioned are also high but you have more options.

For more information on universities, application process, tuition fees, living expenses etc, please visit www.umaaswani.com.

Dear Madam,

I had applied to study MEng in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Canada. However, I was unable to secure admission due to visa problem. So, I joined a college in Canada for a postgraduate diploma in Robotics and Automation. Based on the marks I secured there and my marks in E & E engineering course in India, can I get admission into any one the university there? Please advise which universities are good for studying AI.

A Student

Dear Student,

MS or MEng or MSc (as referred to in different countries) in Artificial Intelligence is offered by many universities. As I understand from what you say, you are already studying in Canada. You can certainly progress to a full-time Masters programme after you complete your postgraduate diploma. Since you are in Canada, apply to universities in Canada and USA.

In Canada, University of Toronto, Waterloo, University of British Columbia, McGill University and Carleton University are good for AI and Robotics. In the US, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Washington, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and UC Berkeley are well-known for this subject.

Dear Madam,

I am a Class 10 student. I plan to do my BE in Automobile engineering abroad, particularly in Germany. Could you let me know the criteria to get into a college in Germany? Also, since Germany requires 13 years of formal education what is the appropriate course to fulfil these criteria?

Shivanee

Dear Shivanee,

Not all German universities ask for 13 years of formal education. If you have done some research and come across a university that wants 13 years education, then you could either do a one-year diploma programme here or join a Bachelors degree here and complete one year. If you are keen on Germany, enrol yourself for some German classes at the Goethe Institute.

Even though your programme will be in English and knowledge of German is not mandatory, it will certainly be an added advantage to your application. The other countries you could consider for Automobile engineering are USA and UK.

Dear Madam,

I have completed my third year in Biotechnology with a CGPA of 8.96. I am interested in pursuing Masters in Biotechnology in Germany. Could you let me know the admission procedure to study in Germany? Also, mention other countries where I can pursue the course. What exams would I have to write?

A Student

Dear Student,

Biotechnology as a course is offered in most universities across the world as it has tremendous scope and career opportunities. To be able to pursue this subject at Masters-level in Germany, you need to continue maintaining a high GPA, get good scores in GRE and an English test such as IELTS, PTE or TOEFL. Take up a German language course which will help you in the job market.

The admission procedure is quite simple. You have to apply online and upload all your documents. Write a strong statement of purpose stating your career goals, subject interest etc. Request three referees to give you letters of recommendation. Prepare an effective resume which highlights all your academic and extra-curricular achievements, work experience, projects and published work, if any. For Fall 2018 admissions, you need to start the application process now.

Other countries I would recommend for this subject are US and UK. In UK, this course is offered as a one-year Masters programme or a two-year sandwich programme where the second year would be a placement year. For more information, visit www.umaaswani.com.

Dear Madam,

I am studying MBBS. I want to pursue my postgraduation in Harvard university or any other reputed medical institute in USA. Please guide me through the exams that I need to take and the marks that I need to score.

A Student

Dear Student,

Harvard Medical School and other similar schools require the MCAT exam. For more information on this exam and acceptable scores, visit www.bit.ly/1OC6ttI. To be able to get a licence and practice, you need to write USMLE (www.usmle.org). For admissions to a graduate programme, you have to also write the GRE, GRE Subject test and TOEFL iBT.

How to keep distractions at bay

0
0

Walk into an average office today and you will see umpteen fingers tapping away on keyboards while screens flicker in front of tired eyes. In addition, people will glance at phones beeping with updates, and answer calls with an unmatched urgency. With chattering mouths and flying fingers, most offices are charged with energy. Yes, everyone is veritably busy but is anyone truly working?

Focused work

Not according to writer and Computer Science professor, Cal Newport, who has coined the term deep work to describe "professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit." Students, who will be embarking on a career soon, and young and seasoned professionals, can all benefit from developing deep work habits. By understanding how the tugs of daily workplace demands can actually hamper more significant aspects of productivity, they can make a conscientious effort to optimise their time so that they dont feel that they havent accomplished much at the end of another busy day.

According to Newport, our current work habits, which for most of us involve periodically checking our inboxes and phones, are eroding our ability to work in a focused manner for extended durations thereby degrading the quality of our output. Furthermore, in todays fast-changing world, jobs are metamorphosing at increasingly rapid rates. To stay relevant in such an economy, we have to continually upgrade and learn new skills. And, as any experienced learner can attest, "to learn hard things quickly, you must focus intensely without distraction."

Foremost, Newport cautions us against equating busyness with productivity. How often have you felt that you were so caught up in the humdrum of everyday things that by the end of the day you felt you still hadnt accomplished much? Its not like you were goofing off by lying in a hammock. On the contrary, you may have been at your desk, responding to emails and messages, talking to colleagues and sorting out day-to-day problems.

But most peoples jobs also demand that they produce something of value. It could be a lesson plan for a teacher or a market forecast for an executive. But very often, these responsibilities, which are core to our productivity, get sidelined as other activities compete for our limited attention. The reason we tend to postpone these jobs is that they demand more intense focus than attending meetings or answering emails. Newport thus cautions us against conflating busyness with productivity.

Furthermore, not only does working with focus make us more prolific or inventive, it also enhances our overall well-being. He quotes science writer, Winifred Gallagher, who learnt a profound truth about life satisfaction the hard way. Upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer, Gallagher boldly pledged that, "This disease wanted to monopolise my attention, but as much as possible, I would focus on my life instead." Indeed, at a most elemental level, the quality of our lives is determined by what we choose to attend to.

In fact, renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined the term flow to describe the experience of intense focus where people lose sight of all else but what they are working on. And, surprisingly, people report feeling deeply satisfied when in this state.

Have a routine

So, how do we engage in deep work when innumerable demands tug at our attention right through the day? Newport sagely reminds us that we cant simply will ourselves to work deeply all of a sudden. Instead, we need to cultivate routines and rituals that promote our ability to work on meaningful tasks with razor-like focus. Depending on the type of job you have, you have to decide how you can carve out time for deep work. For example, a professor may decide to take on a heavy teaching load one semester so that she can work almost exclusively on research another semester.

Choose whatever works for you based on the demands of your current job. But once you decide on a routine, stick to it in a steadfast fashion. Try to work in the same location every time with a Do not disturb sign outside your door. You also need to decide whether you will ban Internet connectivity altogether or limit it to sites that you will need for your work. Make sure your phone is away and you dont access other sites that will intrude on your focus.

Of course, engaging in deep work does not have to make you a monk. In fact, new ideas and inventions often spring from collaborations and serendipitous interactions. But for these ideas and inventions to take root, you also need time alone with your thoughts. Also, its important that you have well-defined goals, when it comes to deep work. If you are running a start-up, your long-term goal may be to have an app running within six months with a client base of at least a few thousand people. Your short-term goal may involve developing various facets of the app and pilot testing them with a small number of people.

In order to motivate yourself, Newport urges you to keep a visible scoreboard where you can chart your progress. Keeping a tab of the hours you spend in deep work each week can goad you into optimising your potential. In addition, you may put a star when you achieve a particular milestone.

Finally, he also reminds us that we need to schedule downtime so that our brains can unwind and recharge. Heres wishing you a happy and hopefully more productive 2018.

(The author is director, PRAYATNA)

Trends & issues of 2017

0
0

Exciting developments that have marked the year point at how we are evolving into a new world of artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and big data. It is generating curiosity, throwing up new challenges, and at the same time confusing students more with the problem of plenty. What has not happened is sufficient awareness and clarity on what these developments entail and how the coming years will unfold. Another aspect that is slowly being taken cognizance of by our educators is that however fast technology develops, life skills will need to be given more importance in order to ensure the holistic growth of students.

Changes in the making

Keeping in mind the holistic development of students, a number of changes have taken place or have been announced this year. Heres a look at some of them:

* Liberal Arts and Management, which was introduced more than a decade ago, has been steadily picking up in demand. Today, there are many universities and colleges offering degree courses in Liberal Arts Education.

* The NEET exam settled down this year after a few hiccups in the last two years, and most students found that merit played a big role in getting a seat in medical colleges. Encouraged by this, the Government of India has taken an in-principle decision to make Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) compulsory for entry into any engineering college in the country - but when this will be implemented is yet to be seen.

Also, the government plans to hold JEE twice a year, reducing exam tension on students. Similarly, efforts are on to create a centralised National Testing Agency that will also change the admission system for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). So, those spending too much time, money and effort preparing for IIT entrance in the years to come need to be aware that there may be a change in the exam process.

* The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been proactive this year, doing serious introspection on their syllabus and exam systems, and coming up with some changes. They have announced that students appearing for the Class X board exams from next year will have to study six subjects instead of five, with
the CBSE remodelling its assessment scheme. They may introduce a vocational subject with an aim to help students become industry-ready. There will be 13 options to choose from for students as the sixth subject.

* Future of Engineers: The All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has announced that more than 60% of the eight lakh engineers graduating from technical institutions across the country every year remain unemployed.

Their survey also showed that less than 1% of engineering students participate in summer internships, and that just 15% of engineering programmes offered by over 3,200 institutions are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). Before you seek admission in an engineering college, do check out whether it is accredited by NBA. It may become compulsory for engineering students to undergo an internship for a period of four to eight weeks.

The government is also likely to bring in a revised system of testing the understanding of concepts and skills, rather than just the subject knowledge.

* The good news is that those who are adapting to new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation may find very lucrative careers. Those who do not adapt may be in serious trouble. Former US chief data scientist D J Patil expressed concern over the impact of AI and automation on the jobs in India. He said in India, though there were large IT players, certain types of coding jobs were specially developed towards software testing or heavily around small, added features such as upgrading. "I am very concerned that those are the jobs that are going to be replaced by automated processes," he said.

Patil advised young professionals to prepare and train themselves in new technologies in areas such as AI and cybersecurity. The impact of automation is not just limited to the countrys IT industry but other areas such as agriculture as well.

New avenues

Many interesting careers have come up for those looking beyond the routine. If students and parents become aware of these alternatives, they need not fear the reduction of scope in traditional careers. Here are a few that have been announced this year:

* National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru has launched a fellowship programme for SSLC and Class 12 students. This includes a Rs 50,000 scholarship and mentoring from experts for five years.

* Niti Aayog, the highest planning body of India, has recommended that foreign universities should be allowed to set up campuses in India, and the Prime Ministers office has already given its clearance for this proposal.

* Harvard University, USA launched the Young Scientist Development course in collaboration with Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, in India. As part of the programme, 25 engineering students were selected from across the country and given a two-week residential training at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru. During the course, the students were introduced to neurosciences and how they can apply their engineering skills in the field.

And finally, a word of caution to those who get swept off their feet when some seemingly exciting untested opportunities come on the horizon. More than 200 start-ups closed down this year, compared to about 150 in the previous year. Mohan Kumar, executive director of Northwest Venture Partners India, said, "When you look at the ecosystem, not more than 20% of the start-ups succeed. Two to three years after a start-ups inception is the time when you see high mortality. There is too much competition, and only a few survive."

The key to success, as proven this year, is to keep eyes and ears open to different promising opportunities, but only after whetting them properly, taking expert advice, and checking out ones aptitude for the career.

Top courses

* Biomedical engineering

* Occupational therapy

* Structural engineering

* Web development

* Translation and/or interpretation

* Computer science and mathematics

Top careers

* Growth hacking

* Social media management

* Digital marketing

* Psychiatry

* Chartered Accountancy

* Business Analysis

Top Apps

* Gradeproof: While writing assignments, GradeProofs AI helps students improve their style, check for originality and identify complex grammatical issues that may be missed.

* Brainscape: This app helps you increase your learning speed by using flashcards.

* Unacademy Learning App: This app has over 2,000 online lessons and specialised courses on cracking various competitive examinations.

* Lifeliqe: This app is a digital science curriculum platform that engages students with interactive
3D models.

* TED: The TED app lets you peruse the entire library of over 1,700 TED Talks videos. These introduce students to intriguing ideas from various fields.

* Khan Academy: Khan Academy provides more than 4,000 free downloadable videos in various subjects like Maths and Science.

(The author is founder and chairman, Banjara Academy, Bengaluru)


For a safe space

0
0

Caution seems to be the buzzword this New Years eve. While most party-goers are all set to ring in the New Year, pub and restaurant owners are tightening the security measures for the night.

The Bengaluru City Police are also making elaborate arrangements to ensure that people have fun yet remain safe. Security has been beefed up in and around CBD areas, Indiranagar, Koramangala, Sarjapur Road among other areas.

In addition to installing watchtowers at all prominent spots in the city, the Bengaluru City Police are also pressing extra police personnel into service. Elaborating on the security arrangements for New Years eve, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar says, "The deadline on December 31 has been extended till 2 am. There will not be any barricade separating men and women and people are allowed to walk freely but without disrupting the peace. We will be installing additional CCTV cameras at several points across the city. We want to cover every inch of the city to ensure that people are safe." Suneel also cautions that there will be stringent checks on drunk driving from 9 pm on December 31. "People found driving under the influence of alcohol will not be spared. Checks will be doubled around pubs and restaurants. People who plan to consume alcohol must make arrangements to be driven home," he warns.

Pub owners are taking no risks and making arrangements to secure their premises on New Years eve.
Swaminath, owner of White Plate on M G Road, has decided against putting out offers that have unlimited alcohol and plans to have a set menu where alcohol will be a la carte. "This is a precaution in itself because this will surely regulate the consumption of alcohol as people will have to pay for it. We are concentrating more on the food and less on alcohol. We have also decided against having special programmes because of security issues," says Swaminath. He adds that he plans to have more CCTV cameras installed in the premises and will also rope in extra bouncers.

Bengalureans who intend to head out on New Years eve say that they want to have fun without risking their safety. Ganapathy Bopaiah, a businessman, is planning to head to Bangalore Club for the New Years eve bash. "I hope to hire a driver because this will ensure that we can stay out for as long as we want and get home safe as well," says Ganapathy. Sree Kumar, another businessman, plans to hire a service apartment for a house party. "My friends and I have decided to party in a service apartment and dont want to head out. We feel that this is the safest option. We would like to stay away from the hot spots of the city on New Years eve," says Sree Kumar.

Some women have become more alert and say they dont want to venture out that day. Arthi Sudarshan, an employee of Deutsche Bank, says she will stay home on New Years eve. "Earlier I would party out but I stopped a couple of years ago because my parents are always worried when I am out late. So this year, I will stay at home and ring in the New Year with my family," says Arthi.

'I would love to visit India'

0
0

I would love to visit India

Theres a certain charm and charisma that American actor Harry Lennix brings out every time he performs. He has essayed the role of DC comic character Calvin Swanwick in Man of Steel and played in other blockbuster hits like The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution.

Harry is also known for playing some remarkable roles in television series like House M D, ER and The Blame Game. Now he is playing the role of Harold Cooper, assistant director counter-terrorism, on The Blacklist, which airs on Star World and Star World HD on Sundays at 9 pm. He chats with Anila Kurian about his work on the show.

How do you feel knowing that your work is recognised internationally?

Im thrilled that people are watching my work, especially in India. Its an extraordinarily important market and it was necessary for us to be relevant here. Im proud that the show is doing well with the audience.

What do you enjoy most about playing Harold?

His integrity and his belief to stand for something thats bigger than itself. He believes in the good side of the law. When he protects the people, he looks at the bigger picture. I like that theres a good system of balance in his characteristics.

Is there anything you dont like about your character?

(Laughs) He could really spend some time outside of the office. Maybe he should go back to his neighbourhood and check about his past. He should have a relationship with his family. But yes, you get to see a bit of that in the season five.

Youve played a lot of characters over the years. Which one of them have you related to the most?

I liked my role in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. What I found common between him was that I need to see something to believe it is true. That determination to get to the bottom of it was very interesting. I also like playing Harold Cooper for his will to experiment with things. Hes the kind of guy you want on your side.

You put out a lot of positive tweets. Is there someone who motivates you to stay positive all the time?

It has to be my business partner David White. He is the most positive person I have ever know and he always has a way of looking at the bright side of things. Whenever I do feel cynical, David makes sure that I feel better. Its important to have positive people around you all the time.

What are some of the things you do when youre not working?

I enjoy reading, playing the piano, go bowling and watch movies. I usually get some time off during Summers which means swimming!

Can we look forward to seeing you in India anytime soon?

Ive actually never been to India. I would love to visit it as Ive heard some amazing things about it. Having said that, I have no immediate plans of it but lets hope so!

Vrooming through a past

0
0

Vrooming through a past

A lot of people ask me why I love roaming around on my bike this much. "Whats the fun in riding yourself to exhaustion," they ask. Often, I am not able to answer this and its the last question you want your mom or better-half to hurl at you after you are home guzzling gazillion miles of tarmac on the stretch.

Why do bikers ride? Why do we like to pick our bikes and roam around without a destination in mind? Well, the reason is simple. We like it because we love it. I mean If you ask us to choose between a hand or a bike, wed, without a shadow of doubt, choose the bike. The only thin line that divides us from commoners is the unconditional love to our mean machines and a sense of strange brotherhood amongst ourselves while sharing a common interest in riding.

Recently, along with 15 free souls from The 5th Gear Riders, I went on a ride of over 400 km to the windy and one of the most pre-historic places which is located close to our city -- Chitradurga.

As per the itinerary, the meetup point was decided to be at the Kaga Chicken Center near Penya at 5 am. I started early to the meetup point to take the privilege of meeting all other riders and jelling well before the start as most riders were new to the club. I reached at around 4.45 am but was unable to find the riders at the point. I called other riders and got to learn that there were some confusion about the meetup point and hence they were off the route. After a bit of delay, all the riders showed up and LN Agarwal, who happens to be the founding pillar of the The 5th Gear Riders, gave an initial briefing about the route plan and the pit stops for the entire trip. Video clips were distributed for night visibility and riding positions were also detailed. The stage was set, and the bike engines were guzzling all set to burn the tarmac. And finally, the ride started with the dawn light cracking the darkness from the far horizon. I was again liberated; my soul was again set free to fly into the open winds. It was just me, my bike and a couple of friends! The destination doesnt matter when you have a great company to ride along.

We stopped for the breakfast at around Tumakuru by 8.30 am and our plan was to reach our first destination Ankali Mutt by 10.30 am as we had a timed plan to cover. Post the sumptuous breakfast and impromptu photo session, we started for our next destination and we were able to make it there by 11 am. We hired a local guide who took us through the journey of the mysterious underground caves explaining the intricacies and the apprehended stories of the Swamy who used to stay in yesteryears and his daily chores on those caves. It took us a solid two hours to cover the place and by the time we were out, it was time for another supper session. We stopped for a quick bite before heading out to our next destination, Chitradurga Fort. That eventually turned out to be a full-course meal for all the riders. Post the lunch, we headed out to explore the grandeur of Chitradurga Fort as I had heard a lot about it. We bought the forts entry ticket and hired a local guide to take us through the fort journey.

The guide explained how the fort was built in the form of a snakes moving posture and the way the grand entrances were laid down to protect the fort from being attacked by Tipu Sultans enemies who was reigning the fort in that era. The fort is built in a series of seven concentric fortification walls with various passages, a citadel, masjid, warehouses for grains and oil, water reservoirs and ancient temples. There are 18 temples in the upper fort and one huge temple in the lower fort. Among these temples, the oldest and most interesting is the Hidimbeshwara Temple.

The masjid was an addition made at the time of Hyder Alis rule. The forts many interconnecting tanks were used to harvest rainwater, and the fort was said to never suffer from a water shortage. Towards the end of our guided tour, while returning the back to the front exit, we met an Indian rock climber and wall climber Jyoti Raj from Chitradurga also known as Kothi Raju or Monkey King. He is also the only person to have scaled Karnatakas highest waterfall, the 830-foot Jog falls, climbing in the opposite direction to that of the flow. After the mystique fort tour, we started for Bangalore by 5.30 pm post some refreshments and reached our exit point at Peenya Metro Station around 10.30 pm.

What matters is riding, not because it is required but because we love it and this is what inspires us to travel again and again.

On my pinboard

0
0

Sandalwood actor Vijay, popularly known as Sanchari Vijay, made his debut in the industry with Rangappa Hogbitna. This was followed by a small role in Rama Rama Raghurama. However, it was in Dasavala that he was noticed and which turned out to be the turning point in his career.

The movie fetched him interesting roles like the one in Oggarane, which was directed by Prakash Raj. His first lead role was as a farmer in Harivu and the movie won the National Film Award for the Best Feature Film in Kannada.
In Naanu Avanalla...Avalu, Vijay played Vidya, a transgender which won accolades including the National Film Award and Karnataka State Film Award for the Best Actor.

He will play a visually-impaired person in Krishna Thulasi and an 85-year-old in Phirangipura. His other films are 6ne Mile, Thaledanda, Melobba Mayavi and Aatakkumpu Lekkakkila.

Book
"I love reading and I do not restrict myself to any particular genre. In Kannada, one of my favourite writers is Jogi. I do have a preference for non-fiction. His writing style is very simple and straight-forward. I loved his Thande Thaayi Devaralla!. I also enjoy reading biographies and books on historical personalities like Hitler."

Actor
"I have many favourite actors. I particularly like Jack Nicholson and Al Pacinos performances. Jack Nicholson treats every role is differently and is a natural actor. One can clearly see how involved he is in his role especially films like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. Some of my other favourite films of the actor are The Shining, The Bucket List.

Travel
"I love travelling along the Western Ghats. I particularly like going to my native place Chikkamagaluru which is so picturesque. It houses some of the best peaks like Agumbe and Bababudangiri. I am fascinated by mountain ranges and hilly areas. Apart from that, I enjoy going to the beaches of Mangaluru as well as places of historical importance like Agra, Bijapur and Pattadakal. In the city, my favourite place is Nandi Hills."

Inspiration
"My biggest inspiration is Dr Rajkumar. Despite being such a big actor, he was always humble. He was a perfect example of how a person should be. Whatever the role was, he would immerse himself in it and go out of the way to do justice to the role, even if the process was risky.
Dr Rajkumar is a true inspiration to all actors like me. He was a versatile artiste as he also used to sing beautifully."

Food
"I like traditional and homely food. Ragi mudde and bassaru (curry) is my favourite dish. It is the most healthiest form of food one can have.
Chapati and Ennegayi palya, Chitranna and Uppittu are all my favourites. I can have these any day and I am not a fussy eater."

Musician
"I love all kinds of pleasant music, especially Sufi and Hindustani music. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is one of my favourite musicians. In Hindustani music, I admire my guru Kumar Kanavi and Faiyaz Khan. I also enjoy tracks like Blood On The Dance Floor and Dangerous by Michael Jackson."

Beyond the field

0
0

This photograph was taken in 1958 when we won the inter-school football shield. We were then students of Ookadpalyam Corporation Middle School.
The final match was played at the Shivajinagar Football Stadium.
We played against Corporation Middle School, Tasker Town in the finals and won by a solitary goal.

In those days, Austin Town, Gowthamapuram was the nursery of football players. This area has produced several football players of national and international repute at that time. The team was coached by V Ramadas, the versatile teacher of the Ookadpalayam School. We enjoyed the hot masala dosas and coffee at the Sri Rama Bhavan Hotel in Shivajinagar after the match.

Michael was the captain of the team. He worked as a technician at the NGEF nearly for 30 years. He expired after his retirement from NGEF. T S Arumugam, the headmaster at that time, encouraged the players by being present at the match and providing refreshments at the end of the match.
J M Peter, who was the senior teacher in the primary section, was loved by all the students living in Ookadplayam and Austin Town.

M Venugopal, who lived in Gowthamapuram, worked as flying officer in the Indian Air Force. He retired in 2000 at the age of 56. Devan came from a poor family. He rendered services at funerals to pay for his expenses including education. He is no more.

Sarathy, another football player, stayed at Ookadpalyam as a student. He worked at BEML rail coach factory, HAL as a technician and retired with a good record. He is related to Nanda, the famous football player in whose memory the Austin Town Football Stadium is named.

Mahalingam also stayed at Ookadapalayam as a student and this football player worked in BEML rail coach factory till his retirement. He is no more.

Kumaresan was also a Ookadpalayam resident during his student days. M C Thiagarajan rose to represent the Karnataka football team. He worked in HAL and stayed at Gowthamapuram as a student and is no more.

Manoharan worked in HMT till retirement. He has also passed on. Manivannan worked for HAL as a technician. I worked in HAL as a senior master technician and rendered 43 years of glorious service there. I won several suggestion awards while in service. I scored the winning goal in the final match playing the pivotal role of centre forward.

Yet another football player, Sundaresan, worked in HAL as an assistant supervisor in tool room and retired after 37 years of service. Ramanujam stayed in Austin Town. We cannot forget our headmaster Sri T S Arumugam who taught us not only mathematics but also encouraged us in a big way to play football.

Viewing all 37602 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images