Ergo December 26

A BYTE OF LIFE

Friday, December 26, 2008

FREE CIRCULATION No. 246

PHOTO: R.RAVINDRAN

Vol. 2

» PAGE 04

LIFE CIRCUS What’s your word of the year 2008 and why? Ergo, in association with Radio One, provides you the opportunity to nominate your word of the year 2008. Just send us an email to [email protected] with the subject line: “Word of the Year”. It could be anything from Nakka Mukka to NSG, the only condition is that you must have a strong reason or maybe even a creative reason to back it. If we find your nomination interesting, you will get the opportunity to be on air on the December 31 morning show of Radio One. Just let those creative juices flow and send in your emails.

Ayon Sengupta and Karthik Subramanian go behind the scenes of Gemini Circus to learn more about the people who make it tick

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Namma Chennai Hindi

Singh is Kinng December 28; 8 p.m. Sony Lakhan Singh a.k.a. Lucky (Javed Jafferi) is the ‘Kinng’ of the Australian underworld, who has seven other associates from Punjab as company. Far away in Punjab, villagers want to get rid of Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar) so they send him out of the village to bring back Lucky. The movie is filled with a series of comic misadventures in Australia. A must-watch movie of 2008.

Discount Alert

Grab this irresistible offer from @Home, where it is offering up to 50 per cent off on furniture, furnishings, accessories, lighting and kitchen ware. Shop at: Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai. Ph: 2374 1532

Shop winter wear at Westside for Rs. 1000 and get a gift voucher worth Rs. 200. The Christmas fiesta is on till December 28. Shop at: Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai

Malayalam

Kangaroo December 27; 5 p.m. Surya Prithviraj plays an auto driver. The film tells about the life and endeavours of Josootty (Prithviraj), a Masters degree holder hailing from the famous Palakunnil tharavaadu. But his economic situation is bad and he is forced to become an auto rickshaw driver to look after his family. A good family entertainer this weekend.

English

Pirates of the Caribbean December 29, 30, 31; 9 p.m. Star Movies Catch all the three films of the most popular trilogy – The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End. With Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom as the main star cast, the action-packed and surreal adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow are a must-watch.

The Christmas carnival is on at Home Centre till January 4, where you get flat 20 per cent off on purchase of furniture. Shop at: No 81, TTK Road, Alwarpet

Now Showing

Get up to 20 to 30 per cent discount by buying Classic Polo and other brands at Globus outlet. Shop at: T. Nagar

Ghajini (Hindi), King (Telugu), Jumbo (Hindi)… there are a couple more new releases this weekend at cinema halls across the city. All promise to be a great watch, provided you get yourself tickets to the show this weekend.

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Friday, December 26, 2008

War on PC

Fashion fusion Blur at Sathyam Cinemas played host to the city’s first gaming tournament ANUSHA PARTHASARATHY

S

athyam Cinemas’ Blur was in a flurry of activity as game enthusiasts from all over the city thronged the fourth floor lounge in teams of four to take part in the city’s first ever gaming challenge. The tournament saw participants at war, playing the popular PC game ‘Call of Duty 4’. Call of Duty because the organisers claim it is the most popular game at Blur. ‘Call of Duty 4’ is a first-person shooter game and for the tournament teams of four played against each other in the ‘Knockout’ multiplayer format. In tune with Christmas, they battled it out in the ‘win-

ter crash’ map. Two matches were held at a time, with each person at a separate computer linked to his other team members through a network. The winners walk away with prizes worth Rs. 50,000 (Nvidia 9800GT 512MB graphics card and a copy of ‘Call of Duty 5’). Twenty-five teams were registered to battle it out and the entire area was pulsating with activity; players shouting out instructions to their team members engrossed in the computer screen, others helping them out or looking on, waiting their turn. The preliminaries earned each winning team 4 points, after which the top two would wage war against each other in the final.

Game on at Blur.

PHOTO:

S.S. KUMAR

“This is the first time a major gaming tournament is happening in the city and it’s brilliant. The entire concept and bringing gamers together is super and I’m happy they’ve started it here. I never knew there were so many gamers in Chennai. I’ve, in fact, made some gaming friends today,” Abhi, a participant in the tournament, commented. Following the success of this event, Blur plans to have one major tournament every month, touching on different gaming genres to reach a wide section of gamers. In January, they will hold a tournament for ‘Spin Top 3’, a popular tennis Wii game. ■

Mass appeal 쑸 Actress Trisha (right) arrives for Christmas mass at St. Andrews Church, Choolai. PHOTO: B.VELANKANNI RAJ

I

magine swing, layered dresses and opaque printed capes that bring out the complex link between the past and the present! Well, designer Sonam Dubal’s collection is about all the above. Her mixed cultural background instrumental in creating her signature style is a fusion of the Eastern traditions with western aesthetics. Tribal embroidery in gold thread and coloured beads in long raw silk coats and waist coats add evening elegance to her collections. Check out Sonam’s collection at Amethyst, Sundar Mahal, Jeypore Colony.

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Big Story

LIFE

Circus Ayon Sengupta and Karthik Subramanian go behind the scenes of Gemini Circus to find out about the people who risk their limbs for what appears to be a dying art

PHOTOS: R.RAVINDRAN

T

he Noon show has just started and the stands are mostly empty. N.K.Vijayendran is dressed in his tacky white costume with a jarring red shorts a la Superman. The 50-year-old goes through some stretching exercises and presses his right palm to his neck and closes his eyes a bit. “Still not 100 per cent but I am good,” he mutters. A seasoned trapeze artist, Vijayendran has learnt to go about his business even if he is not a cent per cent fit. He has been doing his act for nearly four decades now and though the fall two years back hurt his neck, it does not keep him from his job. “It’s my livelihood after all,” he says. As we caught up with some of the artists of the Gemini Circus backstage on Saturday at the S.I.A.A. grounds near the Chennai Central Station, it becomes clear that most of the artists joined the circus when the profession itself had a degree of romance attached to it. A majority of them are from the smaller towns and villages and the touring circus was their ticket to a lifetime of travel and adventure. But the years have sapped their energies and have left them more disillusioned than content.

“I just wanted good clothes and to see the world,” recalls Vijayendran. At the age of 7, he left his home in Kannur district of Kerala to join the circus. He was greatly inspired by his neighbour Shankaran, who was a trainer in a touring circus. Over the past four decades, he has travelled around the country, entertained the crowds and is finally in the last leg of his journey as a circus artist. “Another two or three years and I will be through,” he smiles. We question him if in retro-

spect he made right decision. “Probably not,” he says. “Maybe I would have been better off in my village. This is hard life.” The average salaries for the artists range from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 8,000. The support staff, including the animal handlers, earn even less. The circus itself is a pretty heavy unit – with more than 300 people, including 120 artists. The manager claims that the operational costs alone run to Rs. 80,000 a day. After having forced to shut down some of its

popular acts, including the ones featuring the wild cats, circuses have become less profitable. The artists also seem to suffer coming to terms with the waning audience interest but their sense of brotherhood keeps them together. Rakesh Saxena, elephant handler, who has worked for 35 years with Gemini Circus, was inspired to join the circus by a number of movies that were made centred around the circus. “This has been my life and I will spend the rest of

my life here. When I joined it was not about money and its still not. I come from a middle class family in Delhi and I fled from home and worked as a daily wage labourer only to be a part of the show,” he says. “The elephants are my family now and I can’t just leave them.” K.Das, one of the younger artists of the circus, an acrobat from Siliguri also ran away from home. Four years down he has his own show and says: “I was always attracted to the circus and I literally begged and steal to have enough money to see most of the shows of every travelling circus. But then I thought why not become a part of it. Then I don’t have to pay. The initial years were very harsh but fortunately I showed some talent and two years back I got my own show.” He is still young and doesn’t know how long he will continue. “The pay is a concern but it’s not all that bad. The fear and thrill before and during performances keeps me going.” As we left the premises, we could only think that some of the artists seemed closeted in the world of circus. While some appeared in denial, most appeared resigned to their fate. ■

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Friday, December 26, 2008

[email protected]

H “Days are not as simple as before. We used to be the cynosure of all eyes and now we are just there to fill space between acts.”

e doesn’t seem funny anymore. The whiteclowns, dandily dressed and full of antics, got etched in your memory when you made your first trip to the ever-noisy, colourful circus tent. But a visit back to relive those memories as an adult now may fill you with disappointment. Gone are the grandeur and roaring animals. And even the ever-pleasant clowns seem to have lost their charm. Their tricks look amateurish at best and most times come across as a forced attempt to make you laugh and seem more deplorable than the million comedy shows running on television. The circus clowns have lost their class and have been outlined as another freak sideshow. “Days are not as simple as before. We used to be the cynosure of all eyes and now we are just there to fill space between acts,” says Rangga, a clown working for 21 years in Gemini Circus, the country’s most wellknown circus. “It was an art form when I started and we used to constantly innovate and improvise. We had a guru who would sit with us after every day’s show and critically analyse our work. There also used to be a fair exchange of ideas. But now you just need to go out there and do some slapstick or degrade yourself and your job is done.” After 21 years of merrymaking, Rangga seems disillusioned. “There was a charm associated with the circus when I joined. I don’t even remember how old I was at that point of time but all the glamour and pomp attracted me. But I don’t see any of it now. It’s probably the only job I know, so I still try to survive though many of my contemporaries have left the profession,” he adds. ■

PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

Mera Naam Joker

AYON SENGUPTA

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Sport

Ronaldinho’s robbed Thieves broke into Ronaldinho’s house and made off with thousands of dollars worth of goods but left behind the football star’s Golden Ball trophy, Italian media reports said on Thursday. Ronaldinho was at home in Brazil when the burglary took place early Wednesday morning, Rajasthan Royals team members pose with the trophy after winning the first edition of the DLF Indian Premier League. PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI

IPL bears the brunt Pakistan’s IPL players may be put on sale

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akistan players taking part in the Indian Premier league have been asked to sign consent forms that would enable franchisees to put them on sale in the transfer market. “Some of these players have been told by their IPL team management that it would be unlikely they would be able to get clearance to play the next season,” a source close to the players said. “Some players have been told they would need to sign consent forms which would allow the teams to make them available on

the transfer market,” the source added. With the current tension in India-Pakistan ties, it was highly unlikely any team would bid for them and sign them once they are released by their original teams. The source said the consent form would be needed because players usually had three-year contracts with the IPL and were unlikely to suffer major financial setbacks even if they don’t play in the Twenty20 tournament. “But given the circumstances in India it would be diplomatically and politically a

Pujara wants to take tips from Dravid

problem for Indians to have Pakistan players in the IPL next season until the situation improves,” the source said.

Top stars Top Pakistan players have contracts with the IPL including captain Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Younis Khan, Salman Butt and others. Sources said Pakistan players were also aware of the situation and some of them had even started exploring the

possibility of playing for English county teams this summer. “Pakistan is due to host Australia in April for five one-dayers, a series that is yet to be confirmed by Australia due to the security situation. Pakistan next goes to the Twenty20 World Cup in England and their next assignment is the Champions Trophy in September and October and then a tour to Australia later in the year,” another source said.

Eyeing England

contracts with county teams,” he said. Sources also said that players having contracts with the Indian Cricket League had been informed that if they don’t get visas to travel to India for the remaining ICL season from April, the ICL might consider moving its tournament to some neutral venue. “Unlike the IPL, the presence of Pakistan players is very necessary for the ICL as it has one team from Lahore and is also working in having one team from Karachi in the league.” ■

“So they are now trying to seek

PTI

Indian owner set to offload CSKA Sofia

Saurashtra’s middle order batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara wants to utilise the chance when he plays against Rahul Dravid’s Karnataka team in the Ranji Trophy quarter final in Mumbai from December 26 to pick the batting great’s brains and get useful tips. “I am looking forward to have a chat with Rahul Dravid whenever I get the opportunity. I have a few questions up my sleeve to ask him, that includes a query about the major difference between domestic and international cricket,” Pujara said. Pujara, whose exploits of scoring two triple hundreds in the C K Nayudu under 22 tournament and another in the Ranji Trophy tie against Orissa this season have drawn national attention, said what he admired most about Dravid was his ironclad technique and determination.

My life will begin now: Ganguly

Indian businessman Pramod Mittal is on the verge of selling top Bulgarian football club CSKA Sofia, the club announced on its website Wednesday. Mittal, the brother of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, is reported to have agreed terms of the sale with Bulgarian company Titan. No financial details of the deal, which is set to be finalised in the next two months, were made available. Pramod Mittal bought the club two years ago but his spell as club owner was marked principally by a series of financial problems. CSKA, 31-times and current Bulgarian champions, were forced to sell several players last year in a bid to cushion debts.

Admitting that cricket has taught him “how hard life is”, Sourav Ganguly said it’s time to give something back to the game as he embarks on a new innings in life. “My life will begin now. I don’t miss cricket anymore. There are lots of things to do in life. I come from a business family and probably I may take up business,” he said. Ganguly retired from international cricket last month and played his final first class game last week for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Plate semi-final match against Goa in New Delhi. The former India captain said he would now give something back to the game and teach kids of Kolkata whatever he has learnt in his long career. “I want to set up things in Kolkata which is a special place for me. I want to help kids of Kolkata learn the game,” he said. “Cricket has made me grow as a person. I come from a well to do family and I would not have been the same person had I not been a cricketer. The sport has not only given me fame it has also taught me how hard life is.”

PTI

AFP

PTI

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Friday, December 26, 2008

‘‘

I’ve got into a habit of not asking too many questions when it comes to selectors over the years. You’d have to ask them what their plans are. If I’m putting up the performances then it’s just a matter of how long I want to play. Matthew Hayden

Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates with Robbie Keane after scoring a goal at the Barclays Premier League. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

EPL battle hot up I

t was legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly who said the race for the English league title is a “marathon not a sprint”. But lasting the distance has proved a problem in recent seasons for the club the Scot moulded into one of the giants of the English game. Liverpool head into the busy festive period, which sees them welcome Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers to Anfield on Friday, with a one-point lead at the top of the table. However, not since 1990 have Liverpool, who’ve won the title a record 18 times, been able to call themselves champions of England. Sammy Lee, now back at Anfield as assistant manager to Rafael Benitez following an ill-fated spell in charge of Bolton, said: “People ask and expect more, and they are entitled to want that. We are stronger, getting stronger,” added Lee, an ex-England midfielder who won several English titles with hometown club Liver-

pool as a player.

Liverpool facing Premier endurance test

winning the Club World Cup in Japan, return to domestic action away to Stoke.

Building on the lead Liverpool, who could have star striker Fernando Torres back in their side for Friday’s Boxing Day clash, haven’t lost to top-10 team Bolton at Anfield since 1954. Twice in successive games have second-placed Chelsea failed to take advantage of Liverpool draws to go top themselves. But should Benitez’s side, held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal last time out, drop more points it is hard to see Chelsea being quite so generous at home to bottom-of-the-table West Brom, even though the Baggies come into the game on the back of a win over fellow strugglers Manchester City. Chelsea will, however, be without inspirational captain John Terry after the England centre-half was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Leon Osman during Monday’s goalless stalemate against Everton. Manchester United, buoyed by

Man U still in contention Sir Alex Ferguson’s English and European champions are seven points off top spot but with two games in hand. Stoke are one of several clubs above the bottom three who, even now, are involved in a scrap for survival in the lucrative top tier of English football. “We expect Stoke to fight for everything because you look at how tight the league is,” said United manager Ferguson. “It is the tightest I can remember. It may need over 40 points for a team to be guaranteed safety, maybe even 43.” Aston Villa, currently third, are doing their best to edge Arsenal out of the top four. They will be looking to complete a double over the Londoners, who are without injured captain Cesc Fabregas and suspended striker Emmanuel Adebayor. “It is a big game,” said Arsenal

manager Arsene Wenger. “We are three points behind and have a good opportunity to come back on them.” Moneybags Manchester City’s descent into the bottom three contrasts sharply with the position of Hull, Friday’s visitors to Eastlands. A club of modest means, Hull sit an impressive sixth in the table in their first top-flight season. City may be bankrolled by the Abu Dhabi United group but their league position means even a fantastic salary offer may not be enough to persuade the world’s best players to join the club during the January transfer window. But they do already have Robinho and the Brazil star is now fit again after an ankle problem. Portsmouth, in danger of being drawn into the relegation dogfight, are at home to West Ham. This will be FA Cup holders Pompey’s first match since Lassana Diarra’s transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid. ■ AFP

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Portfolio SHALINI SHAH [email protected]

“A

little twist is always nice,” says Manish Malhotra. The twist is the fact that the designer wasn’t in namma Chennai as part of any fashion-related event but to announce his contribution to Influence, the soonto-be-opened vegetarian high cuisine restaurant by Evolution Lifestyle Homes. The man responsible for many a Bollywood makeover (remember what Rangeela did for Urmila?) should be an authority on change. Ask him about the much-noticed revamp he’s given to some of today’s leading ladies in films and Manish says, “It was never a conscious decision. When I came into films, costumes weren’t considered fashion. People never even narrated scripts to designers.” “Even today, my enthusiasm level hasn’t gone down. Recently, Konkana (Sen Sharma) told me, ‘You are so excited! It’s almost as if you’re a newcomer.’ A bad garment always upsets me. Look at Dostana – it’s a young person’s work.” On the sudden spurt in

the number of fashion weeks held in the country, he fumes, “It’s an absolute overdose! Just one couture week works well for me. Otherwise it’s such an exhaustion; for the designers as well as the media. The fashion week people should really water it down.” He adds, “There are so many fields in fashion nowadays. There’s fashion merchandising, retail, fashion display manage-

ment. If I were entering the fashion industry now, a fashion designer is the last thing I would want to become.” Influence will be Manish’s third foray into restaurant design, the previous two being the Chinese lounge bar Soy in Mumbai and Earth in New York’s meatpacking district. For Influence, Manish will be collaborating with Chennai-based interior designer Vikram Phadke. The 5,000 sqft restaurant, with a seating capacity of 125 people and featuring an 18-ft-high ceiling, would be coming up in Egmore near Poonamallee High Road. The beige-and-gold themed interiors and black-andgold staff uniforms would be Manish’s doing. On his personal favourites among restaurants, Manish lists Buddha Bar in New York and Dubai and Dolce & Gabbana’s Gold in Milan, the latter widely famed for its ‘Midas Touch’. Going back to clothes, all eyes now await the Rajinikanth-Aishwarya Rai starrer Endhiran. ■

THE HIT LIST Rangeela (1995): Urmila has much to thank Manish Malhotra for. Till then best known as the child artiste in Masoom, the lady made the industry sit up and take notice and got Manish Malhotra the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design. Rakshak (1996): Bet you’ve never heard of the film. Raveena Tandon in ‘Shaher ki Ladki’ oozed oomph and made the song the film’s only claim to fame. Also, Karisma’s new avatar made a brief appearance in ‘Sundara sundara’. Raja Hindustani (1997): Karisma Kapoor of the frizzy hair, bad makeup and unthreaded eyebrows suddenly looked glamorous (Rakshak largely went unnoticed) and got as much attention as the over-hyped Aamir-Karisma liplock. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997): Despite all the ‘Who’s the better dancer talk?’ Karisma’s sportswear-centric wardrobe stayed unbeatable. Also, Madhuri’s clothes brought back the churidaar in fashion. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): After the forgettable Raja ki Aayege Baraat, Rani Mukherjee got catapulted to the big league. Dhadkan (2001): Anyone who saw Shilpa Shetty in Baazigar wouldn’t have imagined this. Till date, she’s never looked more understated and elegant. Main Hoon Na (2004): Sushmita Sen made Chemistry teachers the stuff dreams were made of.

Manish and a little

mishmash Bollywood’s favourite stylist lends his touch to a restaurant, his third PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

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Friday, December 26, 2008

The year that was Anand Jon convicted On November 14, Anand Jon, the Indian-born fashion designer based in the US, was convicted by the jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court for sexually assaulting seven women. He was found guilty of 16 of 23 counts, which includes forcible rape and committing a lewd act on a child. He was acquitted of four counts. Jon’s client list included the likes of Paris Hilton and Janet Jackson.

First Ladies The political scene saw the entry of two extremely fashion-conscious First Ladies – France’s Carla Bruni and USA’s Michelle Obama. Bruni, a former supermodel, has invited comparisons with Jackie O’Kennedy and her Dior-loaded wardrobe during the couple’s official visit to England has been the most impressive of the lot. Michelle Obama, on the other hand, has drawn praise for popularising lesser-known designers besides the regulars; her Narciso Rodriguez election night dress being the only one to elicit mixed response.

Sex and the City: The Movie The much-hyped movie version of Sex and the City released and the controversy over choosing London over New York as the venue for the first screening failed to dampen the return of Carrie Bradshaw and friends.

Tom Ford turns director Tom Ford, the former creative head of Gucci, turns director with the movie adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel, A Single Man. The film will star Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.

New pair at Valentino’s helm In October, Alessandra Facchinetti’s replacement as creative director at Valentino turned ugly when Facchinetti announced that she came to know about her ouster through the Press. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, the in-house accessories designers, were chosen as her replacements.

Sole searching The attention at Prada’s women’s Spring/Summer 2009 ready-to-wear collection at Milan Fashion Week stayed firmly on the models, who kept tripping on the runway one after another due to a footwear malfunction.

Yves Saint Laurent is dead On June 1, the fashion fraternity mourned the death of the legendary Yves Saint Laurent. The 71-year-old designer who introduced the Le Smoking suit in 1967 and advocated the participation of black models on the runways died due to a tumour in the brain.

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Flick

ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Pamela’s gift Former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson is planning to gift outgoing US President George W. Bush and his successor Barack Obama a copy of her favourite book - Ingrid Newkirk’s ‘One Can Make A Difference’.

‘Naakka Mukka’ Antony n

a ici s u s m e t hi h , t r, a y n to yea n A the y a ij of at V th song g ch i p w rhit eelin u ht supe ewh g au he fre c o dt ra g r E hin fo be udio st

PHOTO: R.RAVINDRAN

KALPAGAM SARMA ‘Naakka Mukka’, the racy number from Kaadhalil Vizhundhen, has been on top of the charts and so is Vijay Antony. The song became an instant hit with the audience across all age groups and gave Vijay Antony much popularity. However, though he is known for giving out mass numbers, he prefers melodies. “Even though ‘Naakka Mukka’ was a craze among the public, my personal favourite is the song ‘Thozhiya En Kadhaliya’ and really hoped that would become popular. However, the audience have delivered their verdict,” he says. Vijay Antony, who was originally a sound engineer, took the plunge into music direction with the movie Dishum. “It was only in 1998, when I joined Loyola College to do my Visual Communication, that I got interested in sound engineering and pursued it seriously. After finishing college, I started my own studio called Audiophiles and composed for jingles, documentaries and TV. That’s when Aascar Ravichandran gave me my first break, Dishum. However, Sukran released first,” says Antony. A lesser-known aspect about Vijay Antony is that he not only composes music but also writes the lyrics for his songs. He has coined words like ‘Dialamo’ and ‘Naakka Mukka’, which has become his USP. “I write lyrics and coin peculiar words, as we have to sugar-coat the message you are giving out to the audience. It also helps in creating an identity for yourself,” he says. Another turning point in his career this year has been the launch of his own music label, Vijay Antony Music. ‘Naakka Mukka’ has landed him several projects that are all due to release soon. Some of the films in the pipeline are Mariyadhai, Angadi Theru, Kanagavel Kakka, Ninaithale Inikkum and Aval Peyar Tamilarasi. With many offers in his kitty, the composer is highly optimistic about all his future releases. “I can guarantee that I’m working on making each project different. Expect a lot of different music in all my forthcoming films,” he signs off. ■

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Friday, December 26, 2008

I’m just like Britney Spears Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan has posted a message on her blog comparing herself to troubled singer Britney Spears.

Cine City

Bollywood’s

hottest bachelor Salman Khan, who turns 43 tomorrow, is still among Bollywood’s most sought after stars

H

e set pulse racing with his suave and charismatic approach as Prem in Maine Pyar Kiya. Two decades and more than 70 films later, Salman Khan, who turns 43 this Saturday, is still among Bollywood’s most sought after stars and hottest bachelors. At a time when fresh faces are entering the film industry, Salman, who is considered a part of the formidable Khan trio - Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan - still makes girls go weak in the knees not only because of his body which is close to absolute perfection, but also because of his alluring charm. Miss World first runner-up and a Salman fan Parvathy Omanakuttan has said: “I would love to do a movie opposite Salman Khan, as I have a big time crush on him.” He might be infamous for his line of controversies, but industry insiders say that the actor is boyishly likeable. “I must say that Salman has a heart of gold,” filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who directed Salman in recently released film Yuvvraaj, told IANS. “When I was working with him on my film, not even once did I feel that I’m working with a star. I felt I’m working with a family member, a younger brother,” he added. Echoing the same, Priyanka Chopra, who played his lead-

Anushka, Tammana in Vijay’s next ing lady in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and God Tussi Great Ho, had said: “Salman is always fun on the sets”. Born to renowned scriptwriter Salim, Salman made his acting debut as a supporting actor with the film Biwi Ho To Aisi in 1988. He had his first commercial success as the lead with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya. After this he went on to do commercially and critically rewarding films such as Saajan, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Biwi No.1, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Tere Naam and Partner, among others. The actor has also won two Filmfare Awards including Best Debut for Maine Pyar Kiya and Best Supporting Actor for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Salman’s penchant for a fit body is no secret. He was one of the first actors to take a plunge into bodybuilding and since then has given tips for that fab look to many including Hritik Roshan. “Salman is the fourth Indian actor to have been a wax statue in the Madame Tussauds museum in London. Though box office success eluded the actor this year with duds like God Tussi Great Ho, Hello, Heroes, and Yuvvraaj, he can keep his hopes up, as he has a new release on the horizon, London Dream. IANS

Finally, the lead ladies of Vijay’s next flick, Vettaikaran, have been are finalised. If Internet buzz is to be believed, the movie could have two heroines – Anushka and Tamanna. Anushka has already paired up with Madhavan in Rendu, while Tamanna of Kalloori fame is slowly catching up on the big league with her upcoming movie Ayan, where she is cast opposite Suriya. Vettaikaran is produced by AVM Balasubramanian and directed by Babu Sivan. The movie is slated to go on floors after Vijay’s commitments with Villu are over.

Paiyya kick-starts With Aayirathil Oruvan almost complete, Karthi is ready to shoot for Lingusamy’s directorial venture, Paiyya. Tamanna plays the lead lady. Milind Soman, who acted as baddie in Sarath Kumar starrer Pachaikili Muthucharam, will be playing the antagonist in Paiyya. Yuvan Shankar Raja scores music for the lyrics by Na Muthukumar and Yugabharathi.

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Wednesday’s Query: According to rumours the Hindi Ghajini has a different ending. What ending would you have given it? ■ I’ll kill Nayantara’s character for her irritating role. S Balaji, TCS

■ Aamir Khan will wake up from his deep sleep and realise that the last 3 hour story was a dream. Selva, Inautix

■ Asin should not die; Aamir should get cured from short term memory loss and should hold her hand tightly.

Ezhilvelchezheyan C from Infosys has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Ooty

Satish, Ramco Systems

■ Asin would stay alive and she gets treatment in hospital for amnesia. Climax will be at the hospital. Siva, PSBPS

■ Aamir dies before and Asin takes revenge on those criminals. Twist is she reveals her 6 pack to audience and she proves even heroine can have 6 pack. Vijay Shankar, Wipro

■ Asin is alive with short term memory loss only remembering Amir. Sravan, Wipro

■ I’ll end the film by giving awards for the heroine for her concern towards society and her social responsibility should be rewarded. Minusuresh, Sutherland

Sathish from Perot Systems has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Mount Road.

■ While taking bath all the information Amir wrote on his body got washed out and he forgets everything forever. Subhransu, Hexaware

■ After the villain’s death Aamir would recover from his memory loss syndrome and marry Ziah Khan. Asath Kani, TCS

Today’s Query: If your blind date turned out to be the person with whom you just broke up with, what would you do?

Vijayapandian R from FSS has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Mumbai.

13

Friday, December 26, 2008

Venkat of Infosys has been nominated as Office Angel by his friend Harish. Venkat is a very polite, calm, peace-loving, helpful, supportive, and caring person. He is a real angel in helping people in times of trouble. "VENKAT is a real ANGEL".The only difference is, he goes to the extent of creating troubles just for the sake of solving them :)

■ Hey Leo Valan (Shining Star) Another Candle on your cake? Well, that’s no cause to pout. Be glad that you have strength enough 2 blow the damm thing out. May your B’day bring loads and loads of happiness. Shashi, IBM India Pvt Ltd

■ Dear Kavi , I wanted to say it with a bunch of flowers, a card would have sufficed..... I wanted to say it with a pack of sweets, a ’HI’ would have sufficed.... I thought to send a poetic wish..... DOES A POEM NEED A POEM FOR A WISH? There’s no-one nicer than you Or anyone dearer To wish Happy Birthday to.HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAVITHA ! With Loads of Luv, Anusha Sify Technologies Limited

■ Dear Sandhya, When u were born the world rejoiced and u were crying ,but since ur birth u r spreading joy & happiness to the world through ur smile :)U have been the most treasured one for all of us. Wishing u a day full of pleasant surprises....Happy Birthday!!! May god shower his blessings on u throughout ur life.

Ramya Jayaraman of Wipro has doodled this

With lots of luv, Nithya,Rajesh, Susmita,Kaushik, Maha

■ Hi KK, May this day be the beginning of another special year in your cap. Let this birthday bring you a lot of joy and happiness in your life. Lots of advance birthday wishes from Team GIT – Cognizant

Daddy ennai paarthar. Ithai ore vaarthai il eppadi solluve? Appasamy.. Sivanandam Wipro

A boss to the employees in a meeting: The concern is concerned about you.But how much you are concerned about the concern is a matter of great concern to the concern and all concerned. Deepavali anraikku pongal thinna mudiyum, Pongal anraikku deepavaliyai thinna mudiyuma? Dheepa,Infosys

■ Dear MATHAN RAJ (Mr. Criminology), You Grace us with your presence When you entered into this world And like a burning candle You truly glisten in the night With the warmest of wishes HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

We Simply wish The very best for you. Hearty wishes from, Hafiz Khan, Vetri, HCL Technologies Ltd.

■ Dear Srineevasan B R, You are very special and you deserve the best. We wish you a wonderful life filled with love and happiness. We hope others bring you joy, just as you’ve brought joy to thee. With luv, ATG and E&A Rockers, Gershom and Kevin, Allsec tech

■ Hey Muthu pandi, We are waiting for your birthday treat machan… wishing u many more happy returns of ur 26th b’day mama’ Best compliments from Saravana (saguni) Roger (kozhandai) mattrum palar

■ Dear Kavitha, Wishing u many many more happy returns of the day... May god shower you with happiness and success. Have a blast!!!! Happy Birthday" Shabbir Calsoft

■ Dear Gap Suresh, Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of "YOU" to the world. Wish u a very "Happy Birthday". We hope this year brings you all the happiness,peace,joy, Contentment and love that you so deserve!!! Wish you an awesome birthday as you are... God bless you dear. Happy Birthday !! Best Regards dotOPaL Friends Scope International.

■ My Dear Raghu, On this Special day i just wanted to tell you that i will be there for you,with you Now & Forever, Many More Happy Returns of the Day!! Love you lot Pollu.. Yours, Mittu

14

ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

Traffic Jam

Banned for being untidy Police in Germany have banned a woman driver’s car from the road - because the Vauxhall Astra motor is too untidy.

sudoku

Anoop Bhaskaran of MindTree Ltd clicked this picture near Cochin with his Canon 1100. Hobbies: Travelling

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15

Friday, December 26, 2008

Paying for plate smashing

Word’s worth

Stressed Japanese workers are paying for the chance to smash plates against a wall to help ease their credit crunch worries.

"Zenocratically" (zee-nuhkrat-ik-lee) with the authority of Zeus or Jove.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 On the professional front, work calls for your consideration. If you do not pay heed now, you may end up trailing behind. Ganesha asks you to unwind and take things as they come. On the romantic front , things will be smooth.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 Haste makes waste. Actions made in haste may lead to future regrets. Ganesha advices you to pay thorough attention to all details before arriving at a conclusion. The ideal solution is to prioritise. Later you will have a pleasant time with you loved ones.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Some problems at hand may seem to be taking longer than usual to be resolved. Ganesha asks you to not dwell on them and look forward to the positive things. Be vigilant about circumstances surrounding you. Love life may be without incident.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 You may end up devoting more time to futile negotiations. Ganesha observes that things will take a turn for the good after the lunch. Ganesha cautions to watch your actions and not be impatient. Pay attention to your partner’s emotions.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 The day will make you its slave. You may be unable to change the situation however work will take up most of your time. Ganesha sees a lot of action in your love life today. You may spend some romantic moments with your lover.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Ganesha sees you communicating extensively and giving suggestions to everyone at the workplace. You will give sufficient consideration to your tasks and will be able to meet deadlines. Make sure that critical words do not hurt your loved ones.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 Try to unwind before you begin your work routine. Apart from professional responsibilities, you will also have to manage interpersonal communication also. However by then, your beloved will have come up with different ways to cheer you up!

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 Zeal and vitality will be the flavour of the day. Ganesha observes that you will feel like succeeding in everything. Your personal life may call for notice and impatience may not warrantee positive results. Creativity on the personal front will add spice.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 Ganesha envisions an uneventful day for you. You will be able to strike a balance personally as well as professionally. In such state of affairs, Ganesha sees this as an ideal time to spend with family. You may arrange a small gathering for near ones.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 You maybe unable to do justice to your domestic and professional life. This mental struggle may baffle you at first but rationality will reduce your troubles. The day will be constructive for you. Later, you will enjoy special moments with your beloved.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Ganesha feels that this will be an enriching day for you. Growth and achievement will be yours today. Love life will bring a lot of joy and you will be unable to decide whether personal or professional life is better. Take pleasure in this day.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Ganesha observes that adaptation to innovative things come naturally to you today. On the personal front, you may feel the need to build up novel skills to enhance your domestic life. Ganesha finds you in a buoyant mood throughout the day. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

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ERGO Friday, December 26, 2008

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Ajay Devgan with his children during the special screening of his animation film ’Jumbo’ in Mumbai on Wednesday. PTI

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A Christmas tree made by 615 empty beer cans being displayed out side a pub in Bangalore on Tuesday night. PTI PHOTO