Love for the mini-series
The recent win for Game Change (HBO's 2012 political drama about the last to last election) at this year's Emmy awards got me thinking about my all-time favourite TV category: the mini-series. I seem...
View ArticleWith guns blazing...
When it comes to hard rock, there's no band as popular as Guns N' Roses, writes Joel Premkumar, outlining the monumental rise, fall and resurrection of the American band.Guns N' Roses (GNR) shot into...
View ArticleGorgeous Gadwal
Last month, when I told my friend that I was going on a trip to Hyderabad, her only request to me was to get her a Gadwal saree. Her request prompted me to look for Gadwal sarees in the heritage city...
View ArticleMusical soul
The global music world learnt with a jolt that the sitar in the hands of maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar had been silenced forever, after an eight-decade-long journey of sonority. Like a giant Colossus, he...
View ArticleThe art of anatomy
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn — the second youngest of 10 children of a flour mill owner and a baker's daughter — was just 25 when he painted his first major group portrait in 1632...
View ArticleRafi, the versatile genius
Had he still been around, he would have turned 88 on Christmas Eve. But at 56, on July 31, 1980, Mohd. Rafi was felled by a massive heart attack. Recalling the day, his son, Shahid Rafi, had told me...
View ArticleDreams in her eyes...
Kerala filmmaker Anjali Menon's debut film, Manjadikuru, was screened at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the Indian Panorama Section. A commerce graduate, Anjali completed her...
View ArticleRecipe for success
The very mention of Sihi Kahi Chandru brings a smile on people's faces.Such is the appeal he enjoys. S Nanda Kumar engages the versatile actor in a conversation.About 40 years ago, a young boy studying...
View ArticleMusic review
ChristmasMicheal BubleEMI, Rs 395Xmas specialMichael Buble's first full-length Christmas album is a well-crafted collection of many much-loved Christmas hits sung in swinging contemporary pop style....
View ArticleReaching beyond dreams
He could have been a doctor or an engineer and settled down in life with a secure job. But that was not what he wanted and thus took the risk of coming to the city of dreams at an early age. The desire...
View ArticleFavourite mom
The Rafters, Australia's favourite family, made its appearance on Indian television recently, with the launch of the family drama series, Packed to the Rafters, on Star World. A light-hearted comedy,...
View ArticleIt's the time to party
If there's one occasion the world celebrates together, it is New Year's Eve. If wondering where to spend this momentous occasion, follow Anurag Mallick & Priya Ganapathy, as they take you to the...
View ArticleTheatre of dreams
Olympic Games was the highlight of the sporting year with terrific performances all around.London 2012, quite simply, was the show of the year. Britain spent nearly nine billion pounds ($14.42 billion)...
View ArticleParade of champs!
On a December journey to distant Argentina, the highs and lows of the sports year seem like they happened on another planet. At least for a little while, anyway. At the end of a gravel road at Estancia...
View ArticleWith Salman in every scene, Dabangg 2 fares better
Hindi (U/A) Director: Arbaaz KhanCast: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Vinod Khanna'Thank God for him' was what I overheard when Salman Khan as Chulbul Robin Hood Pandey was done with the first set of...
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Farewell to Bangalore: Classic notes for the last time
From the archivesFarewell to Bengaluru', a concert featuring the legendary maestro of Hindustani classical music, Pandit Ravi Shankar, will soon be held in the City. Organised by the Premaanjali...
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Interview with Panditji after he turned 92
Ranjan Das Gupta speaks to Pandit Ravi Shankar about his compositions for films and unveils the musician's working relationship with the genius filmmaker, Satyajit Ray.Pandit Ravi Shankar, who turned...
View ArticleMaster storyteller
May 10, 1946. An august gathering of filmmakers had assembled at the first ever Cannes Film Festival to showcase their works to an enlightened audience, which genuinely appreciated cinema. This...
View ArticleFrom text to natural voice
Enrique Mendez, 9, and his older brother, Cristian, 11, sorted through a plastic bin of toys in their New Jersey home. "I want to play with the wrestling guys," said Enrique in a voice not quite his...
View ArticleUsing phone cameras to impress your friends
Time for a quiet little chat about smartphone photography, just between us. Sorry, but there is really not that much charm or creativity to be had in the average photo we take with our phones.It may be...
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